MAJOR U.S. CITY LOSES BATTLE AGAINST VAMPIRES!

August 14th - 16th - Los Angeles

On August 14th a major milestone in humankind's history will reach critical mass: VAMPIRES WILL INVADE AND CAPTURE A MAJOR U.S. CITY!

And if you are adverse to having the life sucked from your body, you might want to avoid the following zip-codes from August 14–16 (or, wear your best chastity scarf!): 90036 and 90028 (Los Angeles, CA). That, my friends, is Ground Zero for what is being billed as the world’s first full-out, fangs-in-your-face convention entirely devoted to Vamp-Pop culture. VAMPIRE-CON! [look for staff horrorphile Gary Deocampo's highlight reports from the field]

The First Annual VAMPIRE-CON

First off, let's clarify what Vampire-Con is not: a zombie walk. Rather, it's a family reunion of sorts for those other creatures of the night who have seen a marked renaissance of late in everything from graphic novels to major Hollywood movies. The convention boasts a fully stocked film festival, bloody curated panels, and sexy rave parties. I'm told there will be vampirerotic dancers - and a special performance by DJ XIAN (Christian Madrid) of LADEAD.com. I'd buy that for a dollar!

Even tough this is the first year Vampire-Con comes into the light, the organizers have hit the floor running with an alluring print campaign, and six clever, high-grade promos that are well worth a looky-look. [see FIND YOUR INNER VAMPIRE for sample and link below]

The film fest kicks off on Friday, August 14th at the New Beverly Cinema with three movies befitting the evening's theme "Bad Boys," hosted by author David J. Skal (V Is For Vampire: The A-Z Guide For Everything Undead). “Count Yorga, Vampire” (1970) will screen first at 7:30 PM in honor of star Robert Quarry, who passed away earlier this year. The 9:30 slot is occupied by cult favorite “The Lost Boys” (1987), starring Keifer Sutherland, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Dianne Weist, Jason Patric and Jami Gertz. Cast members Jamison Newlander, Chance Michael Corbitt and others will appear in person to talk about the making of the film. Friday at midnight, Vampire-Con will unveil a WORLD PREMIERE sneak preview of “Midnight Son,” the new film from writer/director Scott Leberecht and executive producer Eduardo Sanchez, the visionary behind The Blair Witch Project! Members of the cast and filmmaking team are expected to be in attendance.

The theme for Saturday, August 15th's double feature is Lesbian Vampireotica, hosted by author Pam Keesey (Daughters Of Darkness: Lesbian Vampire Stories). The evening opens at 7:30 PM with the 1971 Roger Corman production “The Velvet Vampire,” starring Celeste Yarnall. Celeste will be attending the screening as well as joining the “Vampires & Sexuality” panel discussion on Sunday, August 16th! At 9:30 the film festival concludes with “The Hunger,” the stylish and steamy 1983 classic directed by Tony Scott and starring Susan Sarandon, David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve. Also held at the New Beverly Cinema.

FIND YOUR INNER VAMPIRE - "MOVIE NIGHT"

One of six promo trailers created for the festival. View the others HERE

On Sunday evening, the festivities move to the Music Box Theatre @ Fonda in Hollywood. Fonda transforms into VAMPIRELLA’S ® BALL, a heart-pounding 21 & over danse macabre. Vampires and humans alike will experience the dark side of Los Angeles’ acclaimed underground vaudeville cirque “Lucent Dossier” and revel the night away to the blood-churning beats provided by DJ Gary Calamar, music supervisor of HBO’s TRUE BLOOD and host of KCRW’s The Open Road.

Vampire-Con is set to re-animate Vamp-Pop fans of all ages with a world-class convention that is sure to leave you drained of your societal woes.

Sex, blood, and rock & roll, baby!

Tickets are $15 for the Sunday day-walkers and $30 for Vampirella’s ® Ball. Film festival admission is $7 per night (cash only).