DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '14 II => Topic started by: Uncle Roger on July 01, 2014, 03:25:48 PM
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It was announced at the banquet in Tarrytown this weekend that, aside from the cruise in January, there would be no official DS Festival event in 2015. A "big" event is being planned for the 50th anniversary in 2016.
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Interesting info, Uncle Roger. Thanks for sharing! [ghost_smiley]
It will certainly be very interesting to see what they come up for the 50th. [ghost_wink]
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Looks like I may finally make it back to the 2016 fest - YAY! Long gaps in between and this will only be my 3rd one - but, I AM already psyched!!!
Did the fest folk happen to mention which coast? It seems appropriate to me that it would be in NYC - which is always a good time! Also, if anyone knows - are there any future plans or thoughts on the fest continuing after that?
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No, Castlebee, they didn't indicate where the 2016 festival might be. New York festivals are usually better attended but that doesn't mean it will be there. Doesn't mean it won't either. And nothing was said about anything beyond 2016.
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It would be awesome if they could get David Henesy and Alexandra Moltke as guests for a 50th anniversary event.
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Thanks Uncle Roger.
Agree with you Ronny G...that would be awesome!
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I've been waiting for input on this year's fest. No info or pictures yet?
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Janet the Wicked, you could join DS Real Friends (https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dark.ShadowsrealFriends/) to see, as the group name suggests, several fans I'm sure you know, many from these boards. Also, I recall a couple of Lara Parker, Sharon Smyth Lentz and Chris Pennock.
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there has been a pretty deafening silence on the subject here...
did no one attend this year? [ghost_huh]
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Sadly, it was not possible to attend the festival. Not since 2011, Jonathan Frid's Last Appearance, have I attended, no connection in my opinion. Expenses, personal obligations and just not watching the calender all contributed to my absence. [ghost_sad]
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Janet the Wicked, you could join DS Real Friends (https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dark.ShadowsrealFriends/) to see, as the group name suggests, several fans I'm sure you know, many from these boards. Also, I recall a couple of Lara Parker, Sharon Smyth Lentz and Chris Pennock.
Not a member of Facebook.
I know it usually takes a little while for folks to post about the fests on this forum, but sheesh!
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IMO, the programming on Saturday was nothing special. Essentially, it was only a half-day at Lyndhurst. Lyndhurst remained open to the public for guided tours until 2:00. From then until closing, the mansion was open to fans, who could walk freely through the rooms and take non-flash photographs. Vendors (primarily MPI) and autographing actors gathered inside the barn. The main activities took place inside a large tent.
Marcy Robin spoke for the first hour, answering fan questions and reciting the litany of the dead. Afterward, Marie Wallace and Jim Pierson performed a staged reading of a deleted scene from House of DS. She was to have played Nancy Hodiak, a customer of Jeff Clark's, who commissioned a portrait and was murdered by Barnabas while returning with it to her car. Although the performers struggled at times to decipher Dan Curtis's handwritten notes, Marie was very emotive and even screamed when Barnabas attacked her. She seemed to regret that the piece had not been filmed. "I could have been immortalized in a portrait," she lamented. "Maybe they could have even made two portraits--one for Barnabas to destroy and one that I could have kept." The scene also revealed that Maggie had given notice, unable to cope with David's pranks and Roger's vicious attitude.
According to the schedule, the next events were the charity auction to benefit Lyndhurst (the grand prize was a tour of the tower room with the actors; it went for $900) and an informational appearance by Big Finish about the audio dramas. I was not in the tent during this time and returned only during the last half of David Selby's musical poetry slam.
Accompanied by his wife, Chip, on piano and by Jim Storm on guitar, Selby performed/sang some of his poems to a countryesque beat. Some of the pieces related to DS. Others had political overtones. Selby performed this same show at the April luncheon in Coronado last year, so if you were there for Dr. Mabuse, you heard it.
Finally, the cast reunited to take questions from the audience and sign more autographs. Both films were supposed to be shown too, but I did not stay to see them. The last event I attended was back at the Double Tree Hotel in the gazebo outside the hotel. After hours (around 10:00 PM), Sharon Smyth-Lentz regaled a healthy crowd of fans with ghost stories (some that she had experienced first-hand, and others that had been related to her by others). She also invited audience members to share their own tales. Unfortunately, Ms. Smyth-Lentz was not provided with any lighting nor even a microphone during her talk. Although, I had been looking forward to this event, I ended up not staying long because it was too difficult to hear anything.
The luncheon on Sunday featured several delightful performances by the actors. Marie Wallace, Lara Parker, and KLS performed their own rendition of "Friendship" with DS-themed touches, prefaced by some mock backstage cattiness. The act got off to a slow start due to some technical difficulties with the music, but the ladies remained in good spirits and kept on with the show. Next, James Storm played some classic country songs and dedicated a performance of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" to Jonathan Frid. He recalled the last Festival where he has seen Frid (2010 in Burbank) and that, even though it had been the first time in 40 years that the two had been together, Frid still recognized him and vividly remembered details about Storm and his family. Finally, Chris Pennock gave a lively and funny reading of his 2002 semi-autobiographical comic, "Fear of Losing Dark Shadows." The luncheon closed with another charity auction and more opportunities for autographs.
There were no fan-centric activities (e,g, skits, trivia games, videos) this year, which saddens me because these activities have given me the greatest enjoyment at DS events through the years. I always loved to see the creativity of the other fans, to feel like I was part of a big inside joke, to share my own songs and skits, and to partake in our common culture, so to speak. Personally, I wish there was a larger participatory element at the Fests/conventions/DS Weekends. Here's hoping that 2016 will see a return to the traditional 3-day format with a variety of activities on schedule!
ProfStokes
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Sounds like it wasn't altogether that spectacular. Thank you so much, PS, for the detailed update.
On a lark, I spent one day last week in Essex, CT. Took some photos of the post office and the inn, and had a grand lunch at the Griswold, but couldn't find the Evans cottage.
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Yeah, it was pretty lackluster. There wasn't that much in the way of events of any kind. The Doubletree was comfortable enough but Lyndhurst is not airconditioned. They had portable units in the stable where the actors had their tables. But they weren't sufficient for the number of people there. A sizeable chunk of Saturday's programming consisted of screening HODS & NODS. Most people took the opportunity to go to dinner.
The banquet was okay. The waitstaff was very efficient and polite. They were very good about substituting an alternative for those who had issues with the mushroom ravioli. And, unlike some banquets, they waited until you had finished eating before they took your plate.
One highlight of Sunday's auction came when an autographed picture of Grayson Hall sold for $130. It's a headshot from HODS.
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as always thanks for your great report Prof...
I know it's "old school" but I'm all for the return of the classic hotel bound three day fest for the 50th anniversary. hopefully in New York. but for this I might make my first trek out to LA if the event lineup seems worth it.
the recent attempts to introduce new formats, cruises and dinky day and a half mini events out at Lyndhurst, have not worked for me. I'm not looking for "newness" or "innovation" for my festival experience. I'm looking for a big well stocked dealers' room. interesting film and video presentations. the big panel discussion and so forth.
and how much "newness" can one really attach to the concept of a 50 year old soap opera??? I think any delusions we might have had a couple of years ago about the Depp/Burton film sparking a renaissance and a massive uptick in festival attendance have largely been put to bed. from what I understand the film was not screened or even mentioned at this year's event.
and let's be honest. at 50 years we're nearing the end of the period when the surviving cast will have the health and ease of mobility to endure a large convention type situation. so it would be great to have one big last hurrah before things get scaled back again.
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I would have liked to have heard Marie read that scene from hoDS. I vaguely recall it from the "Marilyn" Ross novelization. Pity they couldn't get one of the actors to partner her in it.
Apart from seeing old friends (which would be the most exciting of all), the only thing I could imagine that would make a 50th anniversary Festival exciting is if they were able to persuade Alex Isles and David Henesy to attend. I am very doubtful of that happening. Shutting out the fan vendors and performers has robbed it of a lot of its charm.
G.
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indeed a giant MPI booth does not a dealers' room make...
and if ever there was fest for Alexandra and David Hennesey to attend it would be the fiftieth. but I won't count on it either. [ghost_sad]
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The best part of the festival was sitting in the Double Tree lobby after hours talking to "Professor Stokes" and other fans. It was great catching up with old friends and making some new ones.
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I wish they could play the film "Curse of the Full Moon", a 2 hour, fan parody movie, done by Spencer Productions, starring Kathleen Cody, Sharon Smyth Lentz, Darryl Schaffer, and Chip Coffey, at the 50th. This film has gotten great reviews by the DS fans who have seen it so far, but the sad part is there is no place to show the film to all the other DS fans. So for now, i hope they can play it there. I do know that Spencer Productions is considering another film for the 50th anniversary fest., we shall see. I like Prof. Stokes do miss the fan activities at these fests., so i hope they bring them back too. If you want to check out Spencer Productions, you can go on facebook, or go to youtube and type in Curse of the Full Moon sneak peak, they also have a film titled "Back from the Grave to Haunt Me", and you can type in Back from the Grave to Haunt me trailer, to see that film trailer as well. JVjr
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I love these things. The guy playing Willie has Karlen's mannerisms as Willie down pat.
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I know it's "old school" but I'm all for the return of the classic hotel bound three day fest for the 50th anniversary hopefully in New York.
I’m kind of “old school” too michael c. and would also love to see a big three day blow-out in NYC in 2016. Of course, I would probably enjoy the cruise and the smaller events if time and money allowed…which, having only managed to attend two fests over the years, it rarely does. In the mean-time I have had to live vicariously through all the reports and photos. Speaking of reports, thanks so much Prof. Stokes for posting yours. Excellent as always.
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While I do applaud the festival trying to do something new, a large percentage of the core fan base isn't interested in cruises or Doctor Mabuse. Like the actors, the core fan base is aging and less willing to hang around for hours on end in a tent with insufficient air conditioning. However, TPTB seem to have really been out of touch with the fanbase for some time. This has indirectly led to the splinter events that have popped up in recent years. To quote something that Lara Parker said at her NYC book signing last summer: If you don't give fans the festival that they want, they'll make their own.
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How about a combination of the two? That would be a real blow-out for the 50th anniversary. It could start with a NYC-port based cruise starting on a Saturday (most do). DS performers and personnel who can make the cruise, along with fans able to do the same, depart for a week of warm tropical seas, big drinks with plastic flowers in them, and sorted DS-related on-board activities. Meanwhile, back in NY, the following Friday the big hotel-based blow-out weekend begins. DS fans/cast/crew unable or not wanting to do the cruise portion begin the festivities. Saturday morning, the cruise ship docks (they always dock early; it's not uncommon for many passengers to still be sleeping) and by no later than nine or ten a.m., all have disembarked and for those fans/cast/crew who will be joining the hotel festival, there can even be buses ready and waiting (it can be sold in one of three ways: cruise/hotel combined; cruise alone; hotel alone). Everyone gets together, maybe even having a massive buffet luncheon as both combine, catching each other up on what's happened whether on sea or land, along with pics, "selfies" and videos. Oh, and yes, see if Alexandra Moltke and David Henessy can and will come. Since it is the 50th, invite everyone from '66, '91, '04 and '12. For the mid-centennial, if you're gonna go for it, go first class all the way. Make it four days - have it over the Labor Day weekend with the cruise the week before. Maybe they can see if there's a New-England-in-early-fall cruise (they already did Bermuda).
Gerard
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For the mid-centennial, if you're gonna go for it, go first class all the way. Make it four days - have it over the Labor Day weekend with the cruise the week before. Maybe they can see if there's a New-England-in-early-fall cruise (they already did Bermuda).
What a fun and exciting idea Gerard! I know one thing – if that were to happen (provided I receive an inheritance from a long lost cousin from England or elsewhere in the meantime) – I’m there!
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Wouldn't that be great CastleBee? Several years ago, Cunard offered, on the luxurious Queen Mary 2 (a ship I spent a month on, for free!), a pre-Labor Day Saturday-to-Saturday cruise round-trip from NY, visiting places like Newport (where you can see "Collinwood" and other exterior-shot places), Boston, Bar Harbor among other ports (including in Canada). It decided to sell it at incredibly low prices, starting at - are you ready for this? - $400. Not $4,000 (unless, of course, you wanted to book one of the double-floored penthouses with your own butler, maid and grand piano in the drawing room); $400. A couple of us debated doing it but we took too long - by the time we decided to do it, every single bed was sold. Imagine if that happens again this year!
Gerard
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Not $4,000 (unless, of course, you wanted to book one of the double-floored penthouses with your own butler, maid and grand piano in the drawing room); $400.
Eghad! I think I could afford that - even without the above mentioned inheritance. Too bad you didn't snag it in time!
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In my opinion, the 50th should be held in Mass or Maine. (I don't believe we ever know where Collinsport is, first in Mass, which became Maine.)
Patti
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it's very, very definitely Maine from the very first episode. there's never anything ambiguous about it.
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The confusion comes from the fact that Maine's territory was part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until 1820, when Maine voted to secede and become its own state. This means that 1810, when the backstory of NIGHT OF DS was set, Collinsport was still a part of Massaachusetts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine
G.
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If the golden anniversary was held somewhere in Maine, make sure to invite Stephen King who has always been a DS fan like us, and was inspired by DS for many of his writings. I'm sure he'd come, even for free. I bet he would even help put things together. He's an ultra-nice guy. I met him once by accident when he sat down next to me in an airport lounge. He loves DS. We had a short, but fascinating, talk.
Gerard
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We had a short, but fascinating, talk.
Wow Gerard - how cool is that! [ghost_cool]
It would be great to include famous fans as well especially the likes of Stephen King!
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The confusion comes from the fact that Maine's territory was part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until 1820, when Maine voted to secede and become its own state. This means that 1810, when the backstory of NIGHT OF DS was set, Collinsport was still a part of Massaachusetts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine
Yes, that's correct. We need to keep in mind the distinction between political jurisdiction and geographical location. Collinsport was always geographically located in a place that is part of the current jurisdictional area called Maine. It was never in a place that is part of the current jurisdictional area called Massachusetts.
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We need to keep in mind the distinction between political jurisdiction and geographical location. Collinsport was always geographically located in a place that is part of the current jurisdictional area called Maine. It was never in a place that is part of the current jurisdictional area called Massachusetts.
It's made quite clear from the beginning that it's Maine. Victoria is a farily short bus ride from Bangor. They mention Maine many times throughout the series and rarely mention MA. Boston is referred to far more often.I can only recall the name MA being mentioned one time in 1795.