GHOULA's Annual Report 2013

(Alhambran F.E. Ormsby, creator of the 13 month calendar, 1929)

HAPPY BOOOOOOOOO YEAR!

GHOULA has many great things planned for the upcoming year.

But first, let's take a last look back at 2013.

This year we said "good-bye," to "SPIRITS with SPIRITS" after five+ years of meeting every month at a different haunted location. GHOULA will be taking a temporary hiatus from this event, so that we can focus on other events in 2014. The is not the end however, "SPIRITS with SPIRITS" will return, since there are still so many haunted restaurants/bars we haven't been to yet. (To revisit the 2013 "SPIRITS with SPIRITS" locations see below)

Speaking of SPIRITS with SPIRITS, it should be mentioned that last year, in May, we reached a milestone, the 60th monthly gathering (the five year mark). To honor this anniversary, we celebrated in the (private) Oviat Penthose, Los Angeles's first Art Deco Residence. This historic landmark graciously opened their doors to us for the night, allowing us access to all the haunted areas. There were also live performances from the Captured Aural Phantasy Theater and The Noble Gasses.

Last Year, in addition to letting Angelenos know about ghost-themed events that are happening in their own back yard, GHOULA continued events like...

Our "Haunted Films in Haunted Places" film series in October. In a partnership with the Echo Park Film Center's Filmmobile. For a fourth year, we screened a spirit-themed movie in actual haunted location that corresponded thematically with that film. We showed the cult classic "Plan 9 from Outer Space," which is about an aliens plot to take over the Earth by bringing the dead back to life, on a screen inside the haunted Pioneer Cemetery in the San Fernando Valley (where the movie was filmed).

That same evening GHOULA also hosted a "GHOULA Challenge," where we let people explore the cemetery with a a mini-map, and asked them to mark down locations that they "felt" or "experienced" ghosts (or the willies). Maps were collected before the screening, and the results were revealed (with the actual ghost story) after the movie. Interestingly, the majority of those present not only indicated the location of the ghost, but they also found the two mass (and unmarked) grave sites (as confirmed by a historian present). The experiment was such a success, we plan to do this again at another location.

GHOULA also continued its tradition of honoring one of Hollywood's most famous ghosts with the "Peg Entwhistle Memorial Hike" to the Hollywood Sign, on the anniversary of her suicide (jumping off of the "H"), along the very same trails that hikers claim to have seen her ghost.

Last October, GHOULA also brought back the ghost-themed "walking" tour, we initiated last year, the "Haunted Red Line Tour," where we take groups along the Metro's Red Line. stopping at various stations to talk about the ghosts and haunted sites at that location.

This was also the year of "STRINGS that Go Bump in the Night!" a celebration of one of Los Angeles' greatest (haunted) treasures, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. It was an evening of spooky puppet shows, a discussion with the legendary Bob Baker, ghost stories about the theater from the staff, a back stage look, and a dark and twisted puppet film (BLUEBEARD) with Bob's puppets, which were on display. We had so much fun that evening that a couple of months later, we did the "Return of STRINGS that Go Bump in the Night." This time we featured a different dark and twisted puppet film (SHANKS), had a discussion with the daughter of the film's director, the legendary William Castle, more ghost stories from the staff, a backstage look, different spooky puppet shows, and the film's puppets on display.

Because of our group's LA-centric interest in the ghost folklore of this city, GHOULA participated in Los Angeles' first ever Halloween Convention, ScareLA, where other groups and companies that create spooky content and events in October, got together under one roof to share (and promote) what would be happening in October with each other and the public. It was so much fun, GHOULA plans on returning next year.

2013 was a great year for GHOULA, and judging from the surprises that are in the works, 2014 will be even better.

The SPIRITS with SPIRITS locations of 2013.

January - Taix
February - The Edison
March - Akbar
April - Chimney Sweep Lounge
May - Oviatt Penthouse
June - Ray and Stark Bar (LACMA)
July - Bona Vista Lounge (Bonadventure Hotel)
August - Hollywood Bowl
September - Beachwood Cafe
October - Saddle Ranch
November - El Cid
December - El Carmen

December'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. (i.e. LOOK FOR SOMEONE WITH A GHOULA BUTTON)

THE DATE: December 13th, 2013 (Friday the 13th)
THE PLACE: El Carmen
8138 W 3rd St, Los Angeles (Map)
THE TIME: 8:00pm to the Witching Hour

NOTE: This will not only be the last SPIRITS with SPIRITS of 2013, it will also be the last one for a while. GHOULA will be taking a break from this monthly ritual, so that we can focus on other events in the coming year. Rest assured though, we do plan on bringing SPIRITS with SPIRITS back in the future since there are still so many haunted bars/restaurants we haven't done yet.

THE GHOST(S):

After the husband of Encarnacion Gomez lost an election for President of Mexico, and was executed because of political upheaval, she fled her native country to Los Angeles. Using family recipes, she opened El Carmen Restaurant in 1929. Shortly thereafter, word spread about this unique local eatery, and its easy to see why people were talking...

El Carmen has a few notable distinctions aside from the grammatical error in its name (which should be "La Carmen"), and its reputation as Diego Riviera's favorite local eatery...

El Carmen most likely invented the Mexican restaurant staple, the "Combination Plate," when they offered what was called at the time, the "Mexican Blue Plate Special," where patrons could mix-and-match any three dishes at a bargain price. They created a "build your own Taco" concept, where lettuce, tomato, and cheese were served one a separate plate, so the patron could put on as much, or as little, as they liked. All entrees came with a choice of soup or salad, so if you ordered the salad with your taco then you got two plates of lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Also, they were the first to mysteriously top their tostadas with French dressing. As strange as that may seem, a simple google search for "tostada" and "French dressing" will reveal many recipes and proof that this idea has found its way into the cuisine.

At one time, the menus of this local hang-out boasted it was the "oldest Mexican restaurant in Hollywood." Although we can quibble about whether its location is actually in "Hollywood" (which has no official boundaries), there is no debating that it is quietly one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles (84 years old). When lines began forming (around the block) at their first location at the intersection of 3rd and La Brea in the 1950's, they moved to their current location on Beverly Blvd. Today, that building has been divided with a wall, and El Carmen occupies part of the original dinning room (with a new entrance).

Around the turn of the century, this simple taqueria became a world-class "tequilaria" (with hundreds of tequilas to choose from), and more notably it adopted a Mexican masked-wrestling theme. For those unfamiliar with the pop-culture surrounding this national sport, tons of (now cult) movies were built around the superhero-like identities of these masked wrestlers, pitting them against supernatural forces (aliens, monsters, vampires, etc.). But no matter what chaos threatened the world in these quirky films, there was always time for a musical number and a cocktail in a swanky night club.

Is it any wonder, that a bar that pays homage to these larger than life figures would also have a supernatural connection? El Carmen is said to be haunted by a ghost, who moves objects, either making things seemingly appear or disappear, or turning electrical objects on or off. There is even an eternal candy bowl that it is said to magically refill itself. Although this sneaky spirit has never been (visibly) caught in the act, it is believed that this invisible force is El Carmen's founder, Encarnacion Gomez, popping in on occasion to check on (and fiddle with) things.

So, come out to Hollywood's oldest Mexican restaurant, and have a cocktail while the ghosts roam (or the vampires, or the werewolves, or robots, etc.)... if you dare!

(for more info about this ghost, check out "Gourmet Ghosts" by James Bartlett...)

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

November'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. (i.e. LOOK FOR SOMEONE WITH A GHOULA BUTTON)

THE DATE: November 13th, 2013 (Wednesday)
THE PLACE: El Cid
4212 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles (Map)
THE TIME: 8:00pm - 10:00pm

NOTE: This may be the penultimate "SPIRITS with SPIRITS."

THE GHOSTS:

"...No logic. No reason. No explanation. Just a prolonged nightmare, in which fear, loneliness, and the unexplainable walk hand in hand through the shadows..." ---excerpt from Rod Serling's intro to "Five Characters in Search of an Exits" (Twilight Zone episode)

In the 1920's, there was a popular prison-themed restaurant in Hollywood, where the waiters dressed like guards. When it closed, the space was converted into a theater. It was on this spot Ed Wood worked as an actor (and was paid in beer) before he directed "Plan 9" (the worst movie of all time). By 1963, some young people took over the then run-down theater in the canyon below Sunset Boulevard, and forever changed the cultural landscape of Hollywood.

Fiery flamenco-enthusiast Maragrita Cordova and her singer/guitarist husband, Clark Allen, with help from fellow dancers Marta Amaya and Armando Media, and very little money created a home for Flamenco dancing and Spanish (not Mexican) cuisine and culture when they opened "El Cid." It was named after a popular movie of the day, but more specifically it was chosen because of its limited number of letters (less letters meant a cheaper sign out front). Money was so tight in the early years, on rainy nights, patrons were given umbrellas because of the building's many leaks. But what their approach to Dinner Theater lacked in frills, they made up for with their spunk and some potent wine concoctions named after Spanish dances.

60 years later, El Cid still stands below Sunset Blvd, and Flamenco is still performed there (on weekends), and perhaps one of the troupes original members still lingers on that historic stage...

Staff claims that when the theater is empty, and during the day, they will hear the phantom strumming sounds of guitar music, as if an invisible guitarist were practicing on the vacant stage. The ghostly musical notes are generally attributed to the spirit of Clark Allen, one of the founders of El Cid, who passed away in 2008.

Interestingly, in addition to his possible ghost haunting this building, Clark Allen has achieved immortality in a different way with legions of Sci-Fi fans for his role as the eerie bagpiper in a Twilight Zone episode entitled "Five Characters in Search of an Exit." He played a musician stuck between ethereal planes in a netherworld. Could life (or rather the after-life) be imitating art?

Then again, maybe the ghostly guitarist is one of the many other musicians that have come through this space.

So, come out and enjoy one of this city's most unique restaurants, have a drink, and listen for the macabre melodies of a former guitarist... if you dare!

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

Ghoulish Graveyard Gala

NOTE: This is not a GHOULA event. This is a ghost-themed event that GHOULA feels its members will enjoy.

San Fernando Valley Historical Society and
LA Mission College Drama Club present:

Voices of the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery
ALMAS
A Day of the Dead Celebration

Historical Re-enactments and Phantasmagorical Installations.
A fund-raiser to restore tombstones and preserve history.

DATE: OCT 25,26, NOV 1,2
TIME: 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm, Midnight
WHERE: San Fernando Valley pioneer Memorial Cemetery (map)
ADMISSION : $15 (in advance) $20 (at the gate)

http://tinyurl.com/pioneervoices (tickets)
http://tinyurl.com/voicesyalmas (donations)
www.voicesofpioneercemetery.com (info)