REAL GHOSTS with REEL GHOSTS: The AMAZING World of GHOSTS

(This is not a GHOULA Event!)

THE PLACE: The Silent Movie Theater
(611 N. Fairfax Ave.) map

Come out and see a movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater!
The Silent Movie Theater is said to be the home of a phantom projectionist and a disappearing/reappearing blood stain in the lobby... (read more)

SATURDAY MARCH 26

Phenome-Con 2011!, Day One
(feat. The Amazing World Of Ghosts, The Legend of Boggy Creek, Journey Into The Beyond & The Devil's Triangle!)

The Amazing World Of Ghosts - 7:30pm-ish

Is it accidental surrealism, an arthouse hoax -- or both? The Amazing World of Ghosts holds a special place in our hearts as the single strangest entry in the ‘70s Phenome-con sweepstakes. Comprised out of piles of seemingly unrelated stock footage, glued together with a rambling, Joycean stream-of-consciousness voice-over, the film is a schizo treatise loosely linking the universe’s colorful rainbow of ghosts: Bigfoot ghosts, space alien ghosts, voodoo ghosts, Loch Ness ghosts, wild child ghosts, goat herder ghosts, Chilean earthquake ghosts, bicycle-riding ghosts, and more.

Amazingly, this creation was “directed” by renowned movie historian/experimental filmmaker Wheeler Winston Dixon, and most likely was an influence on a young Craig Baldwin. Like a fuzzy transmission from the heart of the Fourth Dimension, drenched in raw, harsh zonked-out Moog blurps and library record funk cuts, the demented results of this enigmatic oddity make your average paranormal doc look positively -- uh, normal!

Presented in a truly rare archival 16mm print, flown in from Australia!
Dir. Wheeler Winston Dixon, 1978, 16mm, 91 min.



Here's the ticket link! See ya there...and if you go, wear your button so we can come say hi!

Highlights form Feb's SWS

Thank you all for coming out and supporting the (dark) arts!

We had a great turn-out for GHOULA's first foray into the art world, and promoting a local artist that uses ghost lore as her subject matter.

Based on the success of this event, we hope to do more summarily themed art shows in the future.

As a weird footnote to the evening after the exhibit showing, a group of us went Cross's the street to Hop Louie's for a night cap. While conversing, it suddenly dawned on everyone that the interior was filled with boxes coincidentally marked "SWS" (as in SPIRITS with SPIRITS).

How did they know we were coming?

February's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual 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.

THE DATE: Februay 13th, 2011 (Sunday)
THE PLACE: The Studio for Southern California History
977 North Hill Street, (Chinatown) Los Angeles (map)
THE TIME: 6:00pm-8:00pm (then across the street to Hop Louie)

"Playful ghosts have interrupted our tour"
-Haunted Mansion, Disneyland

GHOULA is going to do something a little different this month (we just couldn't resist this unique opportunity). Instead, of the normal "SPIRITS with SPIRITS," we will be celebrating local ghost lore (with libations) with the good people at the Studio for Southern California History for a special art show (and reception), featuring the "Haunted Art" of Cathrine Brogger.

This collection of "plein air" style paintings of local haunted sites has never before been displayed in public. Yes, these 13 works of art will be shown for the first time on the 13th, and the reclusive artist, herself, will be present.

This one-night-only event will be in conjunction with SFSCH's current exhibit "Love is Living Large in Los Angeles," their virtual love letter to the "City of Angels."

So, come out and celebrate the eve before St. Valentine's Day, in the historic West Plaza of Chinatown (aka "New Chinatown") as we explore the dark side of our feelings for the city we all call home.

"SPIRIT with SPIRITS" will resume as usual next month.

(to see last month's location...)

Jan's SWS Highlights

This "Spirits with Spirits" elicited one of the oddest responses from our host restaurant. The staff was extremely put-off by the size of our group (about 30), and almost refused to serve us. They apparently were hoping they wouldn't have to work on this quiet Wednesday evening, and enjoy the solitude of an empty restaurant. I guess they don't want/need customers in these slow economic times.

That said, they finally reluctantly took our orders, and brought out lackluster entrees. Maybe the cooking staff was also bothered by our presence in their otherwise quiet establishment.

Unfortunately, our group's members were the only presences present that night. The only ghost stories of note to report, were the ones told at the table.

On the plus side, GHOULA co-founder, Richard Carradine, was shocked when everyone erupted into a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday," as a blase waiter brought out a platter of "Blood Red Velvet" cupcakes (with lit candles) and a large decorative skull in the center to his seat. He was so not-expecting-it, that he was even singing along, trying to figure out whose birthday it was that night. (Mr. Carradine's birthday was actually the following week) It was a nice, and appreciated, surprise. It just goes to show you, you never know what to expect at "Spirits with Sprits."

(to read about the ghosts of this restaurant...)