Tag Cloud
Friday, February 10, 2012
Witchapalooza Combines Costumes, Rides and Fantasy
by Greg Majewski, published on October 11, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Storyline: Events in Sacramento
Loading images
The second day of Witchapalooza brought rows of vendors to a small covered section of Cal Expo on Sunday.
With Halloween quickly approaching and fall already in full swing, most of the booths focused on costumes and items for the spooky event. It seemed that each vendor was dressed for the occasion, whether as a wizard, witch or other horrorific character.
Local all-girl pop rock act Adhara opened the festivities, playing covers and original songs. High schoolers and other fans swayed to the squeaky-clean sound and soulful inflections of lead singer Athena Marie. Danceable and melodic, the band’s tunes began the day on a bright note, in contrast to more edgy tone of the main area.
A running theme seemed to be steampunk, a subgenre of fantasy culture that focuses on Victorian-era fashion with a futuristic, science fiction emphasis on technology. Many booths featured clothing and accessories appropriate to the style, while those running them wore goggles, top hats, vests, pocket watches and even holsters carrying model flintlock pistols. Novels that influenced the genre, such as Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” also were for sale, as was an assortment of jewelry and trinkets.
Numerous vendors featured costumes and merchandise from “Harry Potter” and its latest successor, the wildly popular “Twilight” series. Calendars adorned with glossy photos of Edward Cullen and other vampires and werewolves sat across from wands, hats and cloaks in a clash of the fantasy titans. Bearded men dressed as professors from Hogwarts School tended the booths.
In another connection to the film world, two actors in the horror genre appeared at the event. Malcolm McDowell, famous for his portrayal of Alex DeLarge in Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of “A Clockwork Orange,” sat behind a table stocked with production stills awaiting signature.
Kristy Swanson, mostly known for playing the title character in the 1992 movie “Buffy the Vampire Slayer," sat next to McDowell with her husband and "Skating With Celebrities" partner Lloyd Eisler. Swanson signed autographs on wooden stakes and posters of "Buffy" and posed for pictures with families. She seemed surprised when one fan commented on her bit role in “Dude, Where’s My Car?” responding with a smile, “Oh, yeah, I did do that one!"
For kids, the biggest attractions were the rides. Bungee cords attached to a V-shaped pole swung riders into the air and pulled them back like a rubber band. The more adventurous thrill seekers did flips in mid-air, screaming at their weightlessness.
That sound should make those who put together Witchapalooza in this, its first year, very happy.
Conversation Express your views,
debate, and be heard with those in your area closest
to the issue.
Leave a Comment
I totally agree,nice article!