La Santa Muerte: Mexico’s Saint of Sacred Death
This morning I was catching up on various essays at Religion Dispatches and I came across one that especially caught my attention. It was titled “Death Couture: Not for Halloween Only,” with the byline “De-exoticizing Mexico’s patron saint of death,” by Stephen Andes. This fascinating essay describes La Santa Muerte, translated as “Holy Death” or [...]
Interview with Lesley Pratt Bannatyne on Halloween Nation
We are kicking off the Halloween season today with this post, an interview with Lesley Bannatyne, author of a number of great books related to this great holiday. In this interview, Lesley discusses her most recent book, Halloween Nation (Pelican Publishing, 2011). If you want to explore the various ways in which fans are enjoying [...]
The Haunted History of Halloween
This is the week leading up to Halloween, and in honor of this great holiday TheoFantastique is pleased to present this documentary look at Halloween from The History Channel. In addition, below are links to previous discussions of Halloween on this blog that are worth revisiting this time of year. Related posts: Jack Santino: Halloween, [...]
Let’s Get the Party Started: Carnival Arcane and Dreadful Hallowgreen Special
As of the writing of this post there are only 25 days until Halloween. For many of us the party has already started as decorations are already up, horror movie viewing has begun, and we eagerly await horror television as well. With this in mind TheoFantastique begins its own Halloween celebration with the enthusiastic mention [...]
Guest Post at The Vault of Horror on The Shadow of Samhain
It was my privilege to be one of a handful of guest bloggers at The Vault of Horror as part of the series “The Shadow of Samhain.” My post titled “Putting the Christ in…Halloween?” went up today. I appreciate the invitation and opportunity, and encourage readers to take a look at the series running this [...]
Midnight Syndicate New Release: The Dead Mattter – 3 Disc Set
In my view Midnight Syndicate is one of the leaders, if not the leader in Halloween and horror music. They have proven so again with the release of their latest albums, and have raised the bar with the accompanying release of their first movie in a three-disc set as FearNet and Rue Morgue Radio recently [...]
October Shadows Halloween Art Show: Updated
Gallery Nucleus and Creature Features presents: October Shadows, Saturday, October 10. For the past two years, October Shadows has been known as Creature Features’ annual homage to the Halloween spirit. The exhibit and book by the same name will feature a prestigious group of artists from all facets of fine art, illustration, comics, film, TV, and animation, [...]
“Midnight Dance” Animation: An Interpretation of Danse Macabre
As readers are aware, this blog is devoted to the exploration and enjoyment of various facets of the fantastic in pop culture. Most of the time I pursue in-depth exploration, and through this receive a level of enjoyment. Hopefully my readers do to0. But with this post analysis steps aside in order to enjoy a great [...]
October Welcome, Halloween Anticipation
After a year’s worth of anticipation, amped up slowly over the last few months, October is upon us, and with it, Halloween just around the corner. To begin the celebration I refer readers back to a few notable posts of the past related to the holiday. First, is an interview with Jack Santino who has [...]
Halloween in August: Spooky Town Collection Now Available at Michaels
Last year I discovered accidentally that Halloween begins early at Michaels stores when I sensed the first hints of fall and this wonderful holiday in the air in late August. Today I was out and about on a Sunday afternoon and I thought I’d poke my head [...]
