GHOST NIGHT at the EVE

Where: EVE Gallery
280 W. Second Street, Pomona (map)
Date: September 1st (Saturday)
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Admission: FREE

In China, the 7th lunar month is called the "Ghost Month," and the 15th day of that month is known as "The Ghost Day."

It is believed that on this day the barrier between the realm of the spirits and our realm vanishes, and ghosts are free to travel between these two worlds. Thus, a celebration is held on this special day to entertain and amuse these visiting ghosts.

It is in that spirit, that GHOULA with the EVE Gallery presents

GHOST NIGHT - a lively evening of art, music, and ghost stories in Southern California's most haunted gallery (at least on this night).

Note: This event will also be the debut of GHOULA COMIX #2. The book will be available for purchase, and many of the artists will be present to sign copies. (for more info...)

*For artists that are interested in being a part of the exhibition, contact ghoulahq@live.com

August's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual social gathering of regional ghost hunters and those that just like ghost stories. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, and toast a ghost! Let's put the “Boo!” back into “booze.”

All those who attend will receive a free (square) G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you, without asking the staff about our group.

THE DATE: August 13th, 2012 (Monday)
THE PLACE: The Townhouse
52 Windward Avenue, Venice (Map)
THE TIME: 8:00pm - ?

THE GHOST(S):

For as long as ghosts have been seen by reluctant witnesses, the super-natural laws that govern these spirits have baffled those that seek to understand this kind of stuff. In the Venice area of Los Angeles sits a historic (haunted) bar with an unlikely ghost that challenges the way we think about haunted locations.

On one hand, the Townhouse and its counterpart downstairs bar, the Del Monte Speakeasy, perfectly fit the description is a cliche haunted bar...

Like last month's haunted "Spirits with Spirits" location, The Townhouse is one of the oldest bars in Los Angeles, and was an actual speakeasy during Prohibition.

Cesar Menotti first opened the doors to this establishment in 1915 under the name "Menotti's Bar" (as seen in the picture above taken during Prohibition when "Bar" was changed to "Buffet"). Cesar was a local business man, who owned a liquor store. After a bid to pipe-in "refrigerated liquid" from his store to the homes along the beach failed, he decided it was time to take his alcohol-selling enterprise to the next level and open his own bar.

It should be noted that although Venice has always had a reputation as being "The Coney Island of the Pacific" with tourists and visiting families, locals have always known that this sunny, eccentric area has a darker, seedier side.

More importantly, the Venetians, themselves, seem to love their hooch (while the city loves the revenue it provides). When Santa Monica and other nearby communities went "dry" (before Prohibition), Venice still sold booze. When an influenza epidemic hit Southern California, and social gathering were forbidden, Venice still sold booze.

Then, during Prohibition, when it was illegal, Venice still sold booze. They just went underground, figuratively and literally. According to popular legends, there was a secret underground utility corridor (some versions claim a network of tunnels and caves) that went from underneath the Abbott Kinney Pier to underneath the Townhouse to take booze directly from the boat to the basement.

Then, when Venice was incorporated into the city of Los Angeles, the civic leaders looked the other way (while collecting the revenue), and let this "Disneyland for Drunks" run amok. The crime-rate escalated, and fires wiped out the amusement areas.

So, given the craziness of this location and all the odd-ball characters that have past through the doors of the Townhouse (from Charlie Chaplin to Jim Morrison), this bar should be bursting at the seams with ghosts...

And yet, there is only one (fairly recent) ghost that haunts this historic building,... and his name is "Frank." Frank Bennett was a former owner who passed away in September of 2003, and since then, staff have claimed to see him sitting in his favorite booth. However, if you want an older ghost just step outside, where the spirit of Abbott Kinney has been seen walking along the sidewalk for decades (with his top hat, cape, and cane).

So, come out to the Townhouse this 13th, and ponder these super-natural puzzles with one of Los Angeles' newest ghosts at one of our oldest bars... if you dare!

http://townhousevenice.com
(to read about last month's haunted location... )
(to see a map of previous SPIRITS with SPIRITS locations... )

BOOs Alert!

THIS JUST IN: 12ft. ghost seen in Malibu.
(for the full story, click the link below.)

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news%2Fhollywood_wrap&id=8759841

(Haunted) Haunted Attraction: Griffith Park Ghost Train

GHOULA only posts info about "Haunted Attractions" (as in attractions with a haunted/scary theme) when they occupy an actual local haunted location. Unfortunately, these attractions never capitalize on their built-in super-natural folklore. For more info on local Haunted Attractions, please visit our friends at CreepyLA.com.

Note: This event is not hosted by GHOULA. This is just a local (ghost related) event that exists independently that GHOULA wants its members to know about. As such, guides, volunteers, docents and/or staff at this event may not wish to discuss this landmark's haunted history.

Where: Griffith Park (The Live Steamers)
5202 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles(map)

Event Dates: OCTOBER ONLY (check their website for exact dates)

Admission:  Donation-based. (see comment below)

(For more info about this local attraction...)

GHOST(S): The ghosts said to haunt this cursed city park are numerous. From men on horseback to women dressed in white. It is said that these are the oldest ghost stories in Los Angeles with sighting dating back to the 1800's. And even today, it is said that there are so many sightings still, that the ranger's office has a special form just for ghostly encounters.