SPOOKS and SPOKES

Calling all ghost-hunters, paranormal-investigators, psychics, sensitives, and those interested in getting a glimpse of the "other side." Whether you are acting alone, or in a team, GHOULA wants you! Whether you are a seasoned pro or first-timer,...

GHOULA WANTS YOU!
for Los Angeles' Largest Paranormal Experiment!

Date: March 22nd (Sunday)
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Location: North Hollywood
Ventura Blvd (From Coldwater Cyn to Lankershim)
Lankershim (from Ventura Blvd to Chandler)
Check ciclavia.org for map

Admission FREE!

Ventura Blvd and Lankershim are the two oldest roads in the Valley, going back a couple hundred years (and they were possibly Native American trails before that). When the early Spanish settlers started building Missions in the 1700s, they also created a path that connected these Missions (The Royal Road or "El Camino Real") for traveling and distributing supplies between outposts. That was California's first road, and every Mission is on this route with the exception of the San Fernando Mission. This strange anomaly is the result of moving the original Mission from one side of the valley to the other side (from North Hollywood to San Fernando) and thus they had to create a detour off of the main road. Today, the original "Royal Road" is called Ventura Blvd, and that detour is Lankershim. The first Mission is thought to have been where the two roads intersect. Needless to say this general area near Universal Studios (plus both roads) has many legends of restless spirits (ghostly monks, soilders, outlaws, etc.) and tales of buried treasure.

Which brings us to our experiment...

The CICLAVIA event this Sunday will shut down these two historic (haunted) roads to vehicular traffic, which gives everyone 7 hours (9:00am to 4:00pm) to transverse these streets by foot or bicycle to document anything "out of the ordinary" since paranormal activity can happen at anytime (even in direct sunlight). From electro-magnetic anomalies to shivers down your spine, if you feel it, witness it, or hear it, we want to know about it, and we want to know exactly where it happened. So, bring your EMF meters, your "Spirit Boxes," your cameras, or just yourself, and let your "goose-flesh" guide you.

If you accept our challenge, all we ask is that you go to this event, have fun, and note the location of any activity, evidence, or "heebee-jeebees." Please keep your info confidential to discourage copy-cat contamination. Then, email your findings to ghoulahq@live.com

Based on everyone's data, "hot spots" will be determined. Then, we will compare this info with the actual stories associated with these two streets, and reveal the results.

For more info about CICLAVIA go to... ciclavia.org

HAUNTED PUPPET SHOW!

GHOULA presents
Beneath the...
STRINGS That Go Bump in the Night!
An evening of SPOOKY PUPPET STORIES in a HAUNTED PUPPET THEATER!

THE DATE: April 18, 2015 (SOLD OUT)
2nd night added: April 19, 2015 (SOLD OUT)
THE PLACE: The Bob Baker Marionette Theater
1345 W 1st St Los Angeles, CA 90026 (Downtown) (map)
THE TIME: 7:30pm - 9:30
ADMISSION: SOLD OUT!!!
13.00 SEATS (Chairs)
$6.66 CARPET (Floor)
+PLUS a handling fee
(for ticket info...)


Featuring...
a LIVE CAPTURED AURAL PHANTASY THEATER horror-themed show about ghostly marionettes, a screening of local artist/filmmaker Kevin McTurk's new puppet horror film THE MILL AT CALDER'S END (pictured above), a performance from puppeteer Eli Presser of VEM, an appearance by the famous Bob Baker Marionettes, some personal ghost stories about this historic theater, and... a few surprises.

WARNING: Show may not be appropriate for young children.

Two years ago, Bob Baker welcomed GHOULA into his historic theater (the oldest puppet theater in the country), for our first "STRINGS" night of "movies, marionettes, and mayhem." We screened BLUEBEARD (1944), and Bob spoke, even bringing out the original marionettes used in the film. We did a second "STRINGS" night months later, but Bob was too sick to attend. Sadly, Bob Baker past away last year, but luckily his theater is still here, and still carrying on his legacy of putting on great puppets shows every weekend.

Please come out to this enchanted oasis (while it lasts) that has been entertaining and inspiring the children (and adults) of our city for over fifty years, for this rare spooky night-time event that tempts the spirits... if you dare.

About the film: THE MILL AT CALDER'S END (2014)
In the remote village of Calder's End stands an old windmill, a repository of dark secrets. Nicholas Grimshaw has returned to this haunted place, his childhood home, intent on breaking a generations old family curse. Grimshaw's journey takes him deep below the decaying mill, into mysterious, forgotten catacombs, where upon he confronts the very source of the evil that has corrupted his family. "The Mill at Calder's End" is a Gothic tale inspired by the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, and M.R. James and is told with the use of 36 inch tall bunraku rod puppets operated by puppeteers dressed in black.
(Watch Trailer...)

THE BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER'S GHOST(S):

Although people generally associate ghosts with violent/sudden deaths, there are many other theories as to why a ghost will haunt a certain location. Some believe that spirits will return to places that (in life) gave them great pleasure, or perhaps sites where (in life) much time was spent. There is also a theory that confused ghosts sometimes seek out humanoid objects to possess like wax figures, mannequins, or dolls, and thus gravitate to spots where these objects can be found (old wax museums, children's bedroom's, etc.)

So, naturally (or super-naturally) the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, the oldest continuously-operating puppet theater in the United States, is said to have a phantom of a former puppeteer lingering around (seen by staff), watching the staff from his favorite seat on the east side of the theater (last row against the wall, three seats from the aisle). Perhaps he just doesn't want to leave this happy place, or maybe he just likes being around puppets. Additionally, he is seen in the backstage area. On the wings (on the West side of the building), there are mirrors so that performers can check their puppets, or practice moves. While doing this, they will see the ghostly puppeteer (in the mirror's reflection) watching them.  When they turn around, no one is there. Plus, whenever something goes wrong during a performance such as a string breaking or a set falling, it's always blamed on the resident spook, presumably unhappy about something in the show.

In ancient times, the "illusion of life" created by marionettes was thought to be work of other-worldly forces. Who knows, maybe this resident "ex-puppeteer" still lends a hand during performances, animating the inanimate objects, and making them move in realistic ways. Is it possible that old habits die hard,... even if the ghost didn't?

(for ticket info...)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beneath-the-strings-that-go-bump-in-the-night-tickets-16440680518

Beneath the STRINGS That Go Bump in the Night!

GHOULA presents
Beneath the...
STRINGS That Go Bump in the Night!
An evening of SPOOKY PUPPET STORIES in a HAUNTED PUPPET THEATER!

THE DATE: April 18, 2015 (SOLD OUT)
2nd Night Added: April 19, 2015 (SOLD OUT)
THE PLACE: The Bob Baker Marionette Theater
1345 W 1st St Los Angeles, CA 90026 (Downtown) (map)
THE TIME: 7:30pm - 9:30
ADMISSION: SOLD OUT!!!
$13.00 SEATS (Chairs)
$6.66 CARPET (Floor)
+PLUS a handling fee
(for ticket info...)


Featuring...
a LIVE CAPTURED AURAL PHANTASY THEATER horror-themed show about ghostly marionettes, a screening of local artist/filmmaker Kevin McTurk's new puppet horror film THE MILL AT CALDER'S END (pictured above), a performance from puppeteer Eli Presser of VEM, an appearance by the famous Bob Baker Marionettes, some personal ghost stories about this historic theater, and... a few surprises.

WARNING: Show may not be appropriate for young children.

Two years ago, Bob Baker welcomed GHOULA into his historic theater (the oldest puppet theater in the country), for our first "STRINGS" night of "movies, marionettes, and mayhem." We screened BLUEBEARD (1944), and Bob spoke, even bringing out the original marionettes used in the film. We did a second "STRINGS" night months later, but Bob was too sick to attend. Sadly, Bob Baker past away last year, but luckily his theater is still here, and still carrying on his legacy of putting on great puppets shows every weekend.

Please come out to this enchanted oasis (while it lasts) that has been entertaining and inspiring the children (and adults) of our city for over fifty years, for this rare spooky night-time event that tempts the spirits... if you dare.

About the film: THE MILL AT CALDER'S END (2014)
In the remote village of Calder's End stands an old windmill, a repository of dark secrets. Nicholas Grimshaw has returned to this haunted place, his childhood home, intent on breaking a generations old family curse. Grimshaw's journey takes him deep below the decaying mill, into mysterious, forgotten catacombs, where upon he confronts the very source of the evil that has corrupted his family. "The Mill at Calder's End" is a Gothic tale inspired by the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, and M.R. James and is told with the use of 36 inch tall bunraku rod puppets operated by puppeteers dressed in black.
(Watch Trailer...)

THE BOB BAKER MARIONETTE THEATER'S GHOST(S):

Although people generally associate ghosts with violent/sudden deaths, there are many other theories as to why a ghost will haunt a certain location. Some believe that spirits will return to places that (in life) gave them great pleasure, or perhaps sites where (in life) much time was spent. There is also a theory that confused ghosts sometimes seek out humanoid objects to possess like wax figures, mannequins, or dolls, and thus gravitate to spots where these objects can be found (old wax museums, children's bedroom's, etc.)

So, naturally (or super-naturally) the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, the oldest continuously-operating puppet theater in the United States, is said to have a phantom of a former puppeteer lingering around (seen by staff), watching the staff from his favorite seat on the east side of the theater (last row against the wall, three seats from the aisle). Perhaps he just doesn't want to leave this happy place, or maybe he just likes being around puppets. Additionally, he is seen in the backstage area. On the wings (on the West side of the building), there are mirrors so that performers can check their puppets, or practice moves. While doing this, they will see the ghostly puppeteer (in the mirror's reflection) watching them.  When they turn around, no one is there. Plus, whenever something goes wrong during a performance such as a string breaking or a set falling, it's always blamed on the resident spook, presumably unhappy about something in the show.

In ancient times, the "illusion of life" created by marionettes was thought to be work of other-worldly forces. Who knows, maybe this resident "ex-puppeteer" still lends a hand during performances, animating the inanimate objects, and making them move in realistic ways. Is it possible that old habits die hard,... even if the ghost didn't?

(for ticket info...)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beneath-the-strings-that-go-bump-in-the-night-tickets-16440680518

GHOULA's Annual Report 2014

(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 2014.

The question that we were asked most often last year was "When is SPIRITS with SPIRIT coming back?" So, let's address this first... We took a break from our monthly meet-ups in historic (haunted) bars to concentrate on other events we wanted to do, namely off-beat ghost tours of our city. The temporary hiatus will continue thru 2015, so that we can focus on other events in mind for 2015. This is not the end however, "SPIRITS with SPIRITS" will return (most likely in 2016), since there are still so many haunted restaurants/bars we haven't been to yet.

That said, it should be mentioned that if a special opportunity arises this year, we might break from form and do an impromptu SPIRITS with SPIRITS. For example, last year, the Magic Castle opened their doors to GHOULA for a special SPIRITS with SPIRITS, which included a discussion of the "Castle's" many ghost, a walking tour of the haunted areas led by magician/author Tom Ogden, some eye-witness accounts from the staff, and of course drinks and socializing. Obviously, if another amazing opportunity presents itself, we will do our best to make it happen.

The big news of last year was our unique "one-time-only" ghost tours of Los Angeles, where we picked a topic, and talked about everything one would want to know about that subject. Despite the very niche nature of these tours, surprisingly just about every tour sold out. Thus, we want to thank everyone who came out and supported the obscure ghost-lore of our city. These tours includes topics such as Houdini, Valentino, Ghostbusters, Laurel Canyon, haunted buried treasure, and haunted mirrors. The second most asked question this year was when are we going to bring back these tours. Unfortunately, there are no plans at this time to repeat those tours (there are too many new events coming).

GHOULA also finally did our ghost tour of Griffith Park throughout the summer months. If you have been following our group for the last couple of years, you know we have wanted to do this tour for the last couple of years, but for some reason we always had to cancel it. Since forces seem to always be against this tour, we called it "The CURSED Tour of Haunted Griffith Park." This year we did it (despite a few new challenges and obstacles).

Last October, GHOULA collaborated with our friends at Captured Aural Phantasy Theater to create a tribute to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion (which had its 45th anniversary last year) called "Tales of the Lonesome Ghost." For the first time ever, performers acted out the original (but never used) script for this beloved attraction when it was intended to be a guided tour of a haunted house. Concept art for that incarnation was also presented throughout the show, and the event was held in a haunted venue that may have a connection to the famous dark ride. Look for more GHOULA/CAPT collaborations next year.

Also in October, GHOULA also brought back the ghost-themed "walking" tour, we initiated two years ago, 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 spot.

Because of our group's LA-centric interest in the phantom folklore of this city, GHOULA participated in Los Angeles' 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.

GHOULA was also invited to participate in the annual "Archives Bazaar : LA as Subject" event at USC to discuss the connection between our city's history and its ghost folklore.

Last, but not least, last year GHOULA published "Hollywood Ghost Comix," a collection of ghost-themed comic strips created by local artist Victor Avila.

2014 was a great year for GHOULA, and judging from the surprises that are in the works, 2015 will be even better.