HORROR DRUNX EVENT REPORT:
THE HORROR DRUNX HONOR VAMPIRA
AT DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
An exclusive TheHorrorDrunx.com article
by
EL VAMPIRO
The actual date of Dia de los Muertos (Day Of The Dead) is usually November 2nd. It is also known as All Souls Day in some cultures. For some reason, probably more related to commerce and so as to not clash with Halloween weekend so much, this years Dia de los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever Cemetery was moved to October 24th. However, the official day of observance will still be November 2nd.
This is the largest Dia de los Muertos festival in the United States, currently in its tenth year at Hollywood Forever, and this year broke all records with over 50,000 people attending! The throng of people was really almost overwhelming when trying to navigate through some areas of Hollywood Forever. All the time I was thinking... The Horror Drunx have an estimated 65,000 members world-wide, and if we could get 'em all in one place it would be even crazier than this!
This was the second year in a row that The Horror Drunx have sponsored an altar for Maila Nurmi (aka Vampira), originally at the suggestion of her close long-time friend Sid Terror. He has been in charge of coordinating the festivities at her grave site ever since.
A little history on Dia de los Muertos:
It is a holiday that originated over 500 years ago (in what later became Mexico) to honor and remember dead and departed loved ones. It is said that on this day, the spirits of the dead walk the earth again to commune with the living. Altars are built by those who wish to remember the dead, usually at their grave sites, but sometimes in the homes of their loved ones. The altars are decorated with photographs of the deceased, the traditional flower (orange Marigolds), candles to attract their spirits, and often skull masks. The spirits are appeased with the things they loved in life also placed on the altar, food and candy... Traditionally "bread of the dead" and sugar skulls... As well as their favorite foods. In rural Mexico this also includes bottles of Tequila for the deceased adults (see a Horror Drunx connection?) and toys for children. Those who want to remember them also share stories about the departed. Many times, those celebrating paint their faces faces like ornate skulls, or the half skull-face which is symbolic of the place between life and death. An effigy of the departed is often made and displayed... A skeleton that wears their clothing and is posed in a way they would have appeared in life.
Preparation for this years Dia de los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever Cemetery started well in advance for The Horror Drunx. Our Hollywood chapter leader and online magazine editor-in-chief Sid Terror has slowly been planning and getting things ready for Maila's grave-site since last year. This year, with Maila's permanent grave stone finally in place (last year she still had a temporary marker), there was extra reason to celebrate.
Lucy (aka Death Dolly) the West Los Angeles County HD chapter leader also wanted to make a altar for one of her favorite actors Darren McGavin (star of THE NIGHT STALKER and A CHRISTMAS STORY) whose grave site just so happens to be adjacent, to one side and slightly behind Maila's. You can't ignore the irony of vampire hunter "Carl Kolchack" forever being right behind "Vampira"! The full blessing and cooperation of Nurmi and McGavin's families were secured for this event.
ABOVE: This years poster for the event.
The Horror Drunx contingent showed up at the scene between 3 and 4 in the afternoon and quickly set to the task of building and decorating the altars. About 4:30 they were also joined by Maila Nurmi's niece Sandra Neimi who had flown into town from Oregon to attend this event. The crowds of visitors arrived in a steady stream and it was really great to see so many fans, friends and industry coworkers stop by to share their own stories and remembrances of the stars.
ABOVE: An awesome skeleton effigy of VAMPIRA (built by Sid Terror) greeted visitors, offering them Horror Drunx "Boycott Horror Movie Remakes" fliers.
SID TERROR: "She is probably the most photographed woman in the entire festival! It seems like every 30 second or so, from the time she was unveiled until the festival ended at 11pm, people wanted to pose with her for a picture. And I don't know how many times I've had to turn down offers to buy her! I just had to keep saying 'We need her for the event folks, but maybe after it is over'!"
Needless to say, the Vampira skeleton effigy was a big hit even with many people who attended the festival that barely knew who she was. I don't know how Sid did it, but the face and the way it was posed completely captured her. It had to be the sexiest skeleton I've ever seen!
ABOVE: The Horror Drunx: Hollywood chapter member
Gary O. Photo credit: Shandril Oc Arran
Then people would make their way along the candle-lit path, past a gallery of rare Vampira and Maila Nurmi photos, to Maila's permanent grave stone which was finally installed only about a month before this event. Directly behind it was her altar, traditionally decorated with "bread of the dead", sugar skulls and other treats, some bottles of Maila's favorite "spirits" (apparently Jack Daniels and Captain Morgan), Jack O' Lanterns, marigolds, and even more amazing photos some of which I've never even seen before.
ABOVE: Maila's newly installed tombstone and part of her altar
display. (Note the very bright ghostly orb glowing just
above the ground!) Photo credit: Shandril Oc Arran
ABOVE: Tor Johnson paid a visit on this night that
the souls of the dead revisit those who remember them.
Occasionally, Tor Johnson himself (embodied by Mortimer A. London in the classic Don Post Halloween mask) would give visitors one last chill when they spied him lurking amongst the nearby graves.
ABOVE: (L to R): Death Dolly, Tor, and Sid Terror at Vampira's graveside altar.
After that, people could continue back to Darren McGavin's area, dominated by his tall grave marker. DeathDolly went all out, decorating it with all the traditional touches, some great framed photos and a seated skeleton effigy of him dressed as his Kolchack character complete with hat, holding (of course) a crucifix and wooden stake.
ABOVE: Darren McGavin's stone and altar display. Photo credit: Shandril Oc Arran
Around 5:30pm special guest, niece Sandra did a reading of some of Maila's poetry and other writings, then gave a sneak peek of her upcoming Vampira biography to the attendees by reading her opening chapter.
Later in the evening, there was also another surprise unexpected guest when Darren McGavin's grand-daughter arrived! She was happy and teary-eyed, touched by the display, snapping photos of everything to send to her mother in Arizona. Unfortunately I missed this, having wandered to see some of the rest of the festival, but was filled in on it later.
It warms the heart that this entire Horror Drunx sponsored area was created by our Hollywood and East Los Angeles chapters. The money to make it happen came out of pocket and through the sale of Vampira items at horror conventions and other events throughout the year. The nicest merchandise are the Vampira t-shirts and buttons sold exclusively through MAD LOVE (the official store of The Horror Drunx).
SID TERROR: "Well, we do a lot of conventions and other events all year long. When Maila was still alive I did a lot of work for her free of charge sending out cease and desist orders to people who were bootlegging unauthorized Vampira merchandise. One thing that she always kept complaining about was how ugly all the t-shirts were, so I finally asked her 'If there WAS an official t-shirt, what would YOU want it to look like?' That is when we both sat down together and designed one, which I did the final artwork for and she approved. Unfortunately, she never lived to see them made, because she really loved the design. Now that her burial plot an gravestone are taken care of, the profits made from these shirts go directly to making the Dia de los Muertos display for her. Whatever is left over at the end of the year goes to her favorite charities which are animal shelters and pet adoption programs. These are the only shirts available that she personally had a say in designing of and are specially approved and authorized by her estate. We also have a set of picture buttons available. I helped my friend with a lot of things while she was still here and that isn't over now that she has passed away."
ABOVE: Sid Terror, DeathDolly and Gary O give a very special
"FUCK YOU" shout-out to those who DIDN'T help make it happen.
(like scumbags Dana Gould, Piggy D, and Gabrielle Gisleman?).
Photo credit: Shandril Oc Arran
I'm already hearing some of the plans for next years expanded Dia de los Muertos Vampira display and if you thought it was cool this year, imagine it cranked up to eleven for next years event!
If anyone would like to contribute toward it, you can purchase some of the exclusive Vampira merchandise found at the MAD LOVE / HORROR DRUNX table when they appear at horror conventions and other events! These items should also be available soon in THE HORROR DRUNX "Store" section on www.TheHorrorDrunx.com website, so keep checking back.
Also, the Hollywood and East Los Angeles County chapters of The Horror Drunx will be looking for volunteers amongst their members, to help in next years Dia De Los Muertos / Day Of The Dead event! If you are on MySpace and live in the area join their pages at these links:
California - Hollywood
California - East Los Angeles
"My name is Vampiro and I am a Horror Drunx!"
EL VAMPIRO
Parts Unknown
October 25th, 2009
by
EL VAMPIRO
The actual date of Dia de los Muertos (Day Of The Dead) is usually November 2nd. It is also known as All Souls Day in some cultures. For some reason, probably more related to commerce and so as to not clash with Halloween weekend so much, this years Dia de los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever Cemetery was moved to October 24th. However, the official day of observance will still be November 2nd.
This is the largest Dia de los Muertos festival in the United States, currently in its tenth year at Hollywood Forever, and this year broke all records with over 50,000 people attending! The throng of people was really almost overwhelming when trying to navigate through some areas of Hollywood Forever. All the time I was thinking... The Horror Drunx have an estimated 65,000 members world-wide, and if we could get 'em all in one place it would be even crazier than this!
This was the second year in a row that The Horror Drunx have sponsored an altar for Maila Nurmi (aka Vampira), originally at the suggestion of her close long-time friend Sid Terror. He has been in charge of coordinating the festivities at her grave site ever since.
A little history on Dia de los Muertos:
It is a holiday that originated over 500 years ago (in what later became Mexico) to honor and remember dead and departed loved ones. It is said that on this day, the spirits of the dead walk the earth again to commune with the living. Altars are built by those who wish to remember the dead, usually at their grave sites, but sometimes in the homes of their loved ones. The altars are decorated with photographs of the deceased, the traditional flower (orange Marigolds), candles to attract their spirits, and often skull masks. The spirits are appeased with the things they loved in life also placed on the altar, food and candy... Traditionally "bread of the dead" and sugar skulls... As well as their favorite foods. In rural Mexico this also includes bottles of Tequila for the deceased adults (see a Horror Drunx connection?) and toys for children. Those who want to remember them also share stories about the departed. Many times, those celebrating paint their faces faces like ornate skulls, or the half skull-face which is symbolic of the place between life and death. An effigy of the departed is often made and displayed... A skeleton that wears their clothing and is posed in a way they would have appeared in life.
Preparation for this years Dia de los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever Cemetery started well in advance for The Horror Drunx. Our Hollywood chapter leader and online magazine editor-in-chief Sid Terror has slowly been planning and getting things ready for Maila's grave-site since last year. This year, with Maila's permanent grave stone finally in place (last year she still had a temporary marker), there was extra reason to celebrate.
Lucy (aka Death Dolly) the West Los Angeles County HD chapter leader also wanted to make a altar for one of her favorite actors Darren McGavin (star of THE NIGHT STALKER and A CHRISTMAS STORY) whose grave site just so happens to be adjacent, to one side and slightly behind Maila's. You can't ignore the irony of vampire hunter "Carl Kolchack" forever being right behind "Vampira"! The full blessing and cooperation of Nurmi and McGavin's families were secured for this event.
ABOVE: This years poster for the event.
The Horror Drunx contingent showed up at the scene between 3 and 4 in the afternoon and quickly set to the task of building and decorating the altars. About 4:30 they were also joined by Maila Nurmi's niece Sandra Neimi who had flown into town from Oregon to attend this event. The crowds of visitors arrived in a steady stream and it was really great to see so many fans, friends and industry coworkers stop by to share their own stories and remembrances of the stars.
ABOVE: An awesome skeleton effigy of VAMPIRA (built by Sid Terror) greeted visitors, offering them Horror Drunx "Boycott Horror Movie Remakes" fliers.
SID TERROR: "She is probably the most photographed woman in the entire festival! It seems like every 30 second or so, from the time she was unveiled until the festival ended at 11pm, people wanted to pose with her for a picture. And I don't know how many times I've had to turn down offers to buy her! I just had to keep saying 'We need her for the event folks, but maybe after it is over'!"
Needless to say, the Vampira skeleton effigy was a big hit even with many people who attended the festival that barely knew who she was. I don't know how Sid did it, but the face and the way it was posed completely captured her. It had to be the sexiest skeleton I've ever seen!
ABOVE: The Horror Drunx: Hollywood chapter member
Gary O. Photo credit: Shandril Oc Arran
Then people would make their way along the candle-lit path, past a gallery of rare Vampira and Maila Nurmi photos, to Maila's permanent grave stone which was finally installed only about a month before this event. Directly behind it was her altar, traditionally decorated with "bread of the dead", sugar skulls and other treats, some bottles of Maila's favorite "spirits" (apparently Jack Daniels and Captain Morgan), Jack O' Lanterns, marigolds, and even more amazing photos some of which I've never even seen before.
ABOVE: Maila's newly installed tombstone and part of her altar
display. (Note the very bright ghostly orb glowing just
above the ground!) Photo credit: Shandril Oc Arran
ABOVE: Tor Johnson paid a visit on this night that
the souls of the dead revisit those who remember them.
Occasionally, Tor Johnson himself (embodied by Mortimer A. London in the classic Don Post Halloween mask) would give visitors one last chill when they spied him lurking amongst the nearby graves.
ABOVE: (L to R): Death Dolly, Tor, and Sid Terror at Vampira's graveside altar.
After that, people could continue back to Darren McGavin's area, dominated by his tall grave marker. DeathDolly went all out, decorating it with all the traditional touches, some great framed photos and a seated skeleton effigy of him dressed as his Kolchack character complete with hat, holding (of course) a crucifix and wooden stake.
ABOVE: Darren McGavin's stone and altar display. Photo credit: Shandril Oc Arran
Around 5:30pm special guest, niece Sandra did a reading of some of Maila's poetry and other writings, then gave a sneak peek of her upcoming Vampira biography to the attendees by reading her opening chapter.
Later in the evening, there was also another surprise unexpected guest when Darren McGavin's grand-daughter arrived! She was happy and teary-eyed, touched by the display, snapping photos of everything to send to her mother in Arizona. Unfortunately I missed this, having wandered to see some of the rest of the festival, but was filled in on it later.
It warms the heart that this entire Horror Drunx sponsored area was created by our Hollywood and East Los Angeles chapters. The money to make it happen came out of pocket and through the sale of Vampira items at horror conventions and other events throughout the year. The nicest merchandise are the Vampira t-shirts and buttons sold exclusively through MAD LOVE (the official store of The Horror Drunx).
SID TERROR: "Well, we do a lot of conventions and other events all year long. When Maila was still alive I did a lot of work for her free of charge sending out cease and desist orders to people who were bootlegging unauthorized Vampira merchandise. One thing that she always kept complaining about was how ugly all the t-shirts were, so I finally asked her 'If there WAS an official t-shirt, what would YOU want it to look like?' That is when we both sat down together and designed one, which I did the final artwork for and she approved. Unfortunately, she never lived to see them made, because she really loved the design. Now that her burial plot an gravestone are taken care of, the profits made from these shirts go directly to making the Dia de los Muertos display for her. Whatever is left over at the end of the year goes to her favorite charities which are animal shelters and pet adoption programs. These are the only shirts available that she personally had a say in designing of and are specially approved and authorized by her estate. We also have a set of picture buttons available. I helped my friend with a lot of things while she was still here and that isn't over now that she has passed away."
ABOVE: Sid Terror, DeathDolly and Gary O give a very special
"FUCK YOU" shout-out to those who DIDN'T help make it happen.
(like scumbags Dana Gould, Piggy D, and Gabrielle Gisleman?).
Photo credit: Shandril Oc Arran
I'm already hearing some of the plans for next years expanded Dia de los Muertos Vampira display and if you thought it was cool this year, imagine it cranked up to eleven for next years event!
If anyone would like to contribute toward it, you can purchase some of the exclusive Vampira merchandise found at the MAD LOVE / HORROR DRUNX table when they appear at horror conventions and other events! These items should also be available soon in THE HORROR DRUNX "Store" section on www.TheHorrorDrunx.com website, so keep checking back.
Also, the Hollywood and East Los Angeles County chapters of The Horror Drunx will be looking for volunteers amongst their members, to help in next years Dia De Los Muertos / Day Of The Dead event! If you are on MySpace and live in the area join their pages at these links:
California - Hollywood
California - East Los Angeles
"My name is Vampiro and I am a Horror Drunx!"
EL VAMPIRO
Parts Unknown
October 25th, 2009
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