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Monsterpalooza invades Pasadena this weekend
L.A.-based Makeup Designory School designs a fantasy woodland creature at a past Monsterpalooza.
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Steve Jennings Photography
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Courtesy Visit Pasadena
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Monsterpalooza, the annual movie-monster bash for horror fans, returns to the Pasadena Convention Center this weekend, starting Friday night (May 29) and lasting through Sunday.
What to expect
Now in its 18th year, devotees can rub elbows with legendary beastie creators, browse hundreds of vendors who traffic in the weird and unsettling, and marvel at practical effects that’ll make your flesh creep.
Dozens of panels and presentations are scheduled, including a deep-dive into the 95th anniversary of the Dracula and Frankenstein movies by writer Julian David Stone.
Writer Julian David Stone gives a presentation at a past Monsterpalooza event.
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Perry Shields
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Courtesy Julian David Stone
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Stone said that the two classic movies have left a lasting impact.
“Dracula is a movie about supernatural horror..... and Frankenstein is about technological or man-made horror," he said. "You can just trace those two themes all the way forward to this past year with Sinners and Megan 2.0."
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Richard Redlefsen's Armageddon Rat at the PPI Booth at a past Monsterpalooza.
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Steve Jennings Photography
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Courtesy Visit Pasadena
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Populations of two disease-carrying mosquito species are concerning public health officials, who are employing new strategies to reduce their populations. -
The inaugural event kicks off Friday, July 24. The crawl includes stores from Pasadena to Santa Monica, from Montrose to Manhattan Beach. -
Recent rulings have struck down requirements in L.A. and Pasadena for landlords to pay thousands of dollars to tenants who couldn’t afford large rent hikes.
Stone first attended the convention in 2008, returning over the years as a fan, spectator and presenter.
“It’s just a terrific convention that celebrates all things horror,” Stone said. “There’s a lot of celebrities you can meet who were in these horror films and you can get pictures with them." He added that he’ll never forget when he met Carla Laemmle in 2010 — the last living cast member of the original 1931 Dracula.
Mike Mekash and Chris Nelson re-created Twisty the Clown on Dan Gilbert at the PPI Booth at a past Monsterpalooza.
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Steve Jennings
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Courtesy Visit Pasadena
)
Who's attending
If you’re jonesing to be photographed with high-profile entertainers (expect a fee for many), this year's event has a line-up that includes musician Alice Cooper, actress Lin Shaye from the Insidious movie franchise and David Howard Thornton, who plays Art the Clown in the popular Terrifier movie series.
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Cosplay and crazy costumes are encouraged, although a T-shirt celebrating a classic horror movie will also do. Just come ready to adore all things that gnaw and gash.
MONSTERPALOOZA details
Location: 300 E. Green St., Pasadena
Ticket prices at the door: Friday $50, Saturday $55, Sunday $55, 3-day pass $99
Hours: Friday 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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