DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements '26 I => Topic started by: Uncle Roger on November 27, 2025, 03:27:03 PM

Title: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on November 27, 2025, 03:27:03 PM
TLATKLS has announced that there will be a 60th anniversary celebration of Dark Shadows next summer in Los Angeles next summer from July 31st through August 2nd. While it is the first 3 day event in some time, no other details such as location and cost are available at this time.
Title: DS 60th Anniversary celebration
Post by: Midnite on December 14, 2025, 07:56:04 PM
(http://www.dsboards.com/images/DS60th.jpg)

Guest panels, presentations and performances, autograph sessions, rare video screenings, memorabilia for sale, a charity auction, a luncheon with the DS actors, a costume contest and other activities to be announced.

Westin LA Airport Hotel
5400 West Century Boulevard, CA 90045
(310) 216-5858.

Special discounted hotel room rates are currently sold out.  Unclear if more rooms at the special rate will be opened.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on January 05, 2026, 05:29:05 AM
The first round of guests has been announced for the California event. Those planning to attend are David Selby, Marie Wallace, Jerry Lacy, James Storm, Roger Davis and Kathryn Leigh Scott. There are a couple of surprises as well. This is the first time that Sharon Smyth has been invited to a California event. And Joanna Going from the NBC series is also on the list. Other guests are promised as well.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on January 05, 2026, 07:04:25 PM
Tickets for the event go on sale January 15 via EventBrite.

An Aug. 2 trip to Greystone with guided tour has been added.

Discounted rooms now available. Extra nights are included for out-of-towners.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on January 15, 2026, 03:34:34 PM
To purchase tickets (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dark-shadows-60th-anniversary-tickets-1979092924212?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawPV2ZBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwbzFuQ1ZSa0RodVluVFFzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk041h1noIAi9BTDJvUoZd_ygBSnjbdAh--_RIeIRYXj-TDBkJ9GG4bjabEz_aem_TuAa5KGl5oI7vJ6Ue4JaLw)

2-Day Discount Rate (Friday, July 31 & Saturday, August 1) - $30

1-Day Ticket, Friday, July 31 (12pm - Midnight) - $20

1-Day Ticket, Saturday, August (10am-10pm) - $20

Saturday, August 1 Luncheon (12pm-3pm) with DS Stars & Exclusive DS Gift Bag - $70

Sunday, August 2 Bus Trip/Picnic Lunch At Collinwood (10am-3pm) - $30

Note: Children under 13 are half-price, excluding Luncheon and Bus Trip.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on January 15, 2026, 03:43:00 PM
Eventbrite is working to fix the problem with registration.  [snow_rolleyes]
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: patrickm on January 15, 2026, 04:06:34 PM
I couldnt find it on eventbrite til I saw your link. It worked up until I logged in, then the event disappeared. Also, it looks like other than the bus trip to Greystone Sunday is a nothing happening day since only Friday /Saturday combo tickets and separate Friday and Saturday tickets being sold. It's really pretty much a 2 day event then excluding the Greystone tour. Guess  I'll spend the day at the hotel mingling and enjoying the pool then.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: patrickm on January 15, 2026, 05:03:15 PM
The page is back up but still not working properly. The credit card I have on file with eventbrite was declined at checkout.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on January 16, 2026, 04:01:20 AM
We were told it could take a day to fix. That's looking to be true.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on January 16, 2026, 06:34:42 PM
Site working, link is above.  Go, purchase.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: patrickm on January 16, 2026, 07:28:32 PM
Thanks for the heads up... This time order processed ok and tickets in my eventbrite folder. Looking forward to it!
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on January 16, 2026, 07:49:45 PM
You're welcome.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on January 17, 2026, 08:47:03 PM
Terrayne Crawford and Roy Thinnes have been added to the guest list.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on January 19, 2026, 07:06:31 PM
An actor from the 1991 series is supposed to be joining fans on the Greystone tour. I wonder who that might be. And the tour is supposed to be via a "luxury" bus. I'd like to see precisely how they define luxury.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 19, 2026, 10:38:46 PM
 [pointing-up]  Two bathrooms.  [b003]
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on January 19, 2026, 11:29:53 PM
Good one, MB!!!
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: patrickm on January 20, 2026, 05:47:34 PM
It looks like the Dark Shadows fest room rate at the Westin for Fri-Sun is sold out but the 3 days prior and day after are still available at Fest rate. However rooms are still available for Fri-Sun for those who havent booked yet, just at higher price. When I first booked earlier, Sunday wasn't available so I booked Fri and Sat at fest rate and Sunday using AAA rate. When additional rooms were added , I was able to add Sunday to Fest reservation and cancel AAA reservation.  The difference looked to be about $25/ night,  which isnt bad. So anyone still wanting to go, I would make my reservations now ..if you are staying longer, book the earlier dates at the fest rate and should they add addtional rooms for Fri-Sun, you can then change your reservation. Also, should your plans change and unable to attend, you can always cancel the reservation no charge. Good news is there appears to be strong interest in this years Fest finale attendance-wise. 🤗
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: patrickm on January 22, 2026, 09:44:46 PM
Looks like more rooms were added since all dates are available with the hotel fest rate again.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on February 02, 2026, 07:30:03 PM
Donna Wandrey has been added to the guest list.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Bob_the_Bartender on February 02, 2026, 11:27:30 PM
[pointing-up]  Two bathrooms.  [b003]

That’s probably two more than Barnabas had in the Old House.  [snow_rolleyes] [snow_smileydevil]
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on March 02, 2026, 05:29:02 PM
The DS 60th Anniversary Celebration Facebook page announced that Rebecca Staab and James Hall will be attending, joining Joanna Going and Roy Thinnes from the 1991 series and David Selby, KLS, Terry Crawford, Roger Davis, Jerry Lacy, Sharon Smyth Lentz, James Storm, Marie Wallace and Donna Wandrey from the original series.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on March 02, 2026, 06:19:05 PM
James Hall? Whoa!
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on March 18, 2026, 01:42:32 AM
Donna McKechnie will also be attending the event. There will be more cast members at this than any other DS gathering in years.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Bob_the_Bartender on March 18, 2026, 02:38:28 AM
Donna McKechnie will also be attending the event. There will be more cast members at this than any other DS gathering in years.

Didn’t Ms. McKechnie bail out of an appearance at an East coast DS event several years ago after she had previously committed to appear at the event? And, then supposedly, she went on social media, happily informing everyone what a great time she had attending some Broadway show during the same weekend as that DS event?

Maybe history will repeat itself come this July in southern California?  [easter_huh] [easter_rolleyes]
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on March 18, 2026, 05:07:41 PM
Now that you mention it, Bob, I so remember that. As I recall, I don't think that anyone was especially surprised or disappointed 
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Bob_the_Bartender on March 18, 2026, 06:59:20 PM
Now that you mention it, Bob, I so remember that. As I recall, I don't think that anyone was especially surprised or disappointed

Uncle Roger,

I do recall that some fans were disappointed that Ms. McKecknie cancelled her appearance at that DS event at the last minute and expressed their annoyance here, especially after she got on a social media site and she just had to share the “exciting” news that she had instead attended the opening of some Broadway show over that same weekend.

 Did Ms. McKechnie really think that everyone would get a vicarious “thrill,” upon hearing about her “wonderful”
evening at the theater? Somehow, I don’t think so.  [easter_rolleyes] [easter_evil]
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Nancy on March 18, 2026, 07:46:51 PM
James Hall? Whoa!

Will you be there?
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on March 18, 2026, 09:10:33 PM
Bob, I remember meeting Donna at Broadway Cares in NYC back in the 1990's. I asked her if she would ever consider attending a Dark Shadows event. Her response was a very chippy Sure! I had a feeling that I would received the same answer if I had asked her to go play in traffic in the middle of I95 in the rush hour.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Bob_the_Bartender on March 19, 2026, 01:03:31 AM
Uncle Roger,

It really is a shame that during Ms. McKecknie’s long and extensive stage career that she never had the opportunity to portray Marie Antoinette. I’m sure that she’d impress us all as much with her portrayal of the doomed legendary French queen as she did with her truly memorable portrayal of the doomed Amanda Harris/Olivia Corey on DS.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on March 19, 2026, 01:57:47 AM
Bob,

You said a mouthful!!!
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Nancy on March 19, 2026, 05:02:04 PM
Bob, I remember meeting Donna at Broadway Cares in NYC back in the 1990's. I asked her if she would ever consider attending a Dark Shadows event. Her response was a very chippy Sure! I had a feeling that I would received the same answer if I had asked her to go play in traffic in the middle of I95 in the rush hour.

LOL!!!

Sometimes people are asked to attend, say I might, and that is passed along as having committed to the event when, in fact, they didn't.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on March 23, 2026, 11:44:42 PM
Lisa Richards has been added to the guest list.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: KMR on April 17, 2026, 02:30:11 AM
When this was first announced, I contemplated attending. I went to the 25th anniversary festival in 1991, which was great, but I haven't been to one since. Eventually I decided not to go, but recently I began rethinking that decision. This is supposedly the final one. I would regret never having gone to another one. So, today I bit the bullet and bought my tickets and committed to a hotel reservation (non-refundable).

I'm hoping this will be a chance to rectify one major error from 35 years ago. Back then I was a very timid young man, not really sure yet who I was. While I was immensely enjoying all of the scheduled events (including the trip to Greystone), I don't think I interacted much--if at all!--with anyone. (I was very starstruck, but I do think I did manage to respond to a casual "hello" or some such from Robert Rodan in the elevator. But my inevitably timid response wasn't due solely to my general shyness. During the DS run, I was too young to really appreciate how attractive the actors were, and of course Robert had been covered with Adam makeup on TV. But there, close up in the elevator ... my goodness ... 😍)

Anyway, now I will be attending as an arguably less timid old man, and I am really looking forward to meeting other attendees and sharing our love of DS and DS-adjacent things. Hopefully I'll have the honor of meeting the cousins on this board who have been such a pleasure to read and interact with.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on May 05, 2026, 09:29:16 PM
Matt Hall (son of Grayson and Sam Hall) has been added as a guest.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: KMR on May 06, 2026, 04:28:18 AM
That's great to hear, Midnite! Thanks for the update. I'm really looking forward to this event.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on June 07, 2026, 02:52:05 AM
An email went out from Jim Pierson this morning stating that those taking the bus tour to Greystone MUST(!) also pay an additional $10 fee via Eventbrite by July 1 if they wish to tour the mansion interior. Yeah. The total actually comes to $12.38 payable to Paypal.

Although the email advises fans that you MUST also let the Festival know, I'm told you don't need to respond to the email unless you have questions or need help purchasing your tour ticket.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: patrickm on June 07, 2026, 06:36:57 AM
Unfortunately, I see messy complications with this. Admissions to the grounds are free ..the first charge was for bus transportation to and from hotel. Normally, admissions to interior tour of Greystone are sold on the Beverly Hills website Greystone page. They do 4 tours per tour day on the hour with a maximum of 90 people per tour. On their site, you choose what time tour you want..the eventbrite page only books the tour with no specific time. Locals will be arriving 30 minutes prior to whatever time they book ...the Dark Shadow herd will most likely be arriving in a caravan of buses all at once. Who gets to go in and who has to wait is anybodies guess. Glad I will be passing on Greystone and luxuriating by the Westin pool instead. 😊
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on June 12, 2026, 01:29:12 AM
patrickm, on the Greystone tickets site, Inside the Mansion tours are booked only on the 1st Saturday or Sunday of each month. For the Fest weekend, that's Saturday, Aug. 1 with no tickets for sale on Sunday. I suppose it's possible that if the Fest tour day qualifies as a "special event", the grounds as well could be closed to the public on Sunday.  Or are you seeing tour bookings somewhere other than on beverlyhills.org (http://www.beverlyhills.org)?
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: patrickm on June 12, 2026, 05:14:45 AM
No, that is where I have seen the tickets for sale beveryhills.org/435/Inside-the-Mansion
They just completed the June tour last Saturday and the August date hadnt been posted til a couple days ago. They still havent updated the July or August dates for purchasing tickets though. I knew they only did one tour a month and didnt know what day in August was the official tour and frankly didnt occur to me that they could or would have a separate private tour for Dark Shadows fans only being sold on eventbrite for Sunday the following day. If thats the case, than never mind what I said previously except that if they have sold more than a couple hundred bus trips and everybody wants to do the tour, they will have to figure out which 90 people get to go in the first hour. I dont think Greystone would let everybody in all at one time. Guess we will see how things work out but like I said, Im more an outsider on this cause Ill be staying put at the Westin instead.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Midnite on June 12, 2026, 03:05:55 PM
Enjoy the pool, patrickm. It will be nice seeing you again.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 11, 2026, 10:11:47 PM
Cathy Curtis, daughter of DC, has been announced as a guest. Jim Pierson will be interviewing her about her father.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: dom on July 11, 2026, 10:19:29 PM
He should interview her about the adult animated series. Let's hope so.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 13, 2026, 01:40:30 PM
Rebecca Staab and Ely Pouget, who played Daphne Collins and Maggie Evans on the NBC show, have been added to the guest list.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on July 13, 2026, 04:07:36 PM
 [pointing-up]  Now that's interesting - thanks for the heads up, Uncle Roger!  [ghost_smiley]
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 13, 2026, 11:01:54 PM
I'm sure that it's just coincidence that this is the NBC show's 35th anniversary.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on July 13, 2026, 11:19:41 PM
I'm sure that it's just coincidence that this is the NBC show's 35th anniversary.

[pointing-up]  Yes, I'm sure it's a total coincidence.  [ghost_wink] [ghost_grin]


But what is a coincidence is that this is the current entry in the '91 Series' slideshow:

(http://www.dsboards.com/91quoteimages_A/0713ds91_0.jpg)
Ep #6 - Maggie: 'I think it's a transference of entities. If it is,
wherever this girl came from, that's where Vicki is now.'
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: KMR on July 15, 2026, 04:22:25 AM
My previous (and first) DS fest was 1991, the 25th anniversary, and the first fest with 1991 series stars. I'm excited that Ely Pouget will be attending this year. I really loved her in 1991 DS, and wish she could have picked up more major roles.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 15, 2026, 02:57:16 PM
Like a lot of actors whose careers faded, Ely moved into selling real estate.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 26, 2026, 01:13:04 PM
Donna McKechnie has canceled her appearance. Scheduling conflicts

The autographs will be handled differently this time. Fans may receive one free autograph from each actor. Any additional autograph will cost $10. Also, the actors will have photos for sale for $10, which will include a signature. This is certainly a change from the usual festival routine where every autograph was free. But, considering how much celebrities charge at other conventions ($40 and up!), this is still a relative bargain.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 26, 2026, 07:55:02 PM
David Selby just announced that due to "pressing family commitments", he will be unable attend the DS 60th event.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 29, 2026, 12:19:33 AM
John Karlen's son Adam is a late addition to the guest list. Adam and John's caregiver will be part of a presentation about John. This will fill the spot in the events that would have gone to David Selby.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 30, 2026, 02:58:59 PM
Marie Wallace has also canceled her appearance.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on July 30, 2026, 04:22:06 PM
If this continues, pretty soon none of the stars to originally announce will be there.  [ghost_nowink]
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 30, 2026, 05:41:08 PM
Marie is at least 90 and has been in frail health for a while now. So it's understandable that she may not be well enough to make the trip. I don't know what the story is with David Selby 
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on July 30, 2026, 06:52:56 PM
And Donna has a scheduling conflict...
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Uncle Roger on July 31, 2026, 12:23:23 AM
Unlike a lot of her DS cast mates, Donna still works quite often.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on August 12, 2026, 08:55:57 PM
I just came across these videos on YouTube:

Dark Shadows 60th Anniversary Celebration - The Men of Dark Shadows panel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EU3QCs2DU&t=49s)

Dark Shadows 60th Anniversary Celebration - The Ladies of DS panel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fOTJtvYA4c)

Dark Shadows 60th Anniversary Celebration - Tribute to Grayson Hall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB-lZq7a2MA)

Dark Shadows 60th Anniversary Celebration - Guest - Adam Karlen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_vFUfwvqlI)

Though apparently they've been up for two or three days.
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Gerard on August 13, 2026, 07:46:40 PM
Did anyone here attend?  We haven't received nary a report or update about the goings-on.  In the past, whether it was a full-blown annual festival, or a smaller, more localized event, we'd get them not only every day, but sometimes every few hours, resplendent with pictures.  This time here, crickets.  I know there's stuff on youtube and probably a whole bunch of other "social media," but what happened to cousins attending these soirees reporting in here? 

Gerard
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Bob_the_Bartender on August 13, 2026, 08:00:58 PM
Gerard,

Maybe many (if not all) of the DS fans accidentally wandered into Angelique’s Parallel Time Room in the East Wing of Collinwood like Tony Petersen, the Garners, Adam, Susie - The silent waitress, and the immortal Buzz Hackett apparently did, and they’re all trapped over there for eternity?  [ghost_undecided] [ghost_shocked]

Bob
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: ProfStokes on August 15, 2026, 12:01:31 AM
With so many people now posting videos of DS events to YouTube, I haven’t seen any point in writing lengthy personal descriptions; one can see for oneself what was said and done.   

One change I appreciated this time around was having a variety of panel moderators: Penny Dreadful, Julia99, John Logan, Jim Pierson, and Mark Perry each moderated at least one panel. It was fun to see the different hosting styles. Another change I sincerely appreciated was featuring fans in on-stage panels, not only because I got to participate in such a panel myself, but because I enjoy hearing from the fans. Previous Festivals have often exclusively on the actors or on people who have DS merchandise to sell, such as books or CDs. This time, we got to hear from longtime fans Kathleen Resch, Guy Haines, and Kristi Nelson about the early fan conventions and from Nancybe, who hosted one of the early online fan groups for Grayson Hall/Julia Hoffman. 

 Although I’ve never seen the 1991 series, I enjoyed hearing the actors on that panel. I hadn’t known that Roy Thinnes was such good friends with the Curtis family. It was also fun to hear from the actresses, who had been fans of the original series. Rebecca Staab told a particularly funny anecdote about getting scared by DS when she was home alone. I also enjoyed hearing from John Karlen’s nurse and his son Adam, who told some terrific stories. Yet another highlight was seeing the BBC's behind-the-scenes footage of the show that Stuart Manning recently discovered. It played late Friday night in the upstairs theater, and I believe it was supposed to be shown again on Saturday. This year, instead of playing videos and having live panels in the same room, all live activities took place in the first floor ballroom and videos and films were supposed to screen in a second floor theater. Unfortunately, on the first day of the Festival, the entire second floor was reserved for people taking the state bar exam, so the theater was inaccessible until nighttime. No schedule was ever posted for Saturday. I know The Devil's Daughter and the two DS movies played but I'm not sure what else was featured.

ProfStokes
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Gerard on August 15, 2026, 12:11:49 AM
Thank you, ProfStokes!  Several of us here enjoy living vicariously in "attending" through cousins who were able to be there.

Gerard
Title: Re: DS 60th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Post by: Josette on August 16, 2026, 05:17:55 AM
Thank you, ProfStokes - you always provide such interesting information!