Midsummer Scream

LVCRFT's new album includes a duet from Freddy Krueger and Nancy (Robert Englund and Heather Langenkamp)... a special mausoleum tour for fans of Ghost (the band)... and more, sponsored by SoCal's notorious haunt THE 17th DOOR. - https://mailchi.mp/midsummerscream/spookyseasonbulletin2026-number5

🎃⚡L.A. house stars in a double axe murder, and more in this week's Spooky Season Bulletin presented by this weekend's Seaside Oddities Expo 🎃⚡ - https://mailchi.mp/midsummerscream/spookyseasonbulletin2026-number4

The 5th Annual Seaside Oddities Expo is coming to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, September 26 & 27

A full weekend celebrating the strange, macabre, and extraordinary. The event features over 100 curated vendors, artists, and creators specializing in taxidermy, preserved specimens, vintage medical antiques, dark art, occult collectibles, and bizarre curiosities.

Attendees can explore interactive photo ops, meet roaming sideshow performers, and shop an extensive selection of alternative oddities from across the West Coast. All ages are welcome.

More info at: https://seasideodditiesexpo.com/

🎃⚡The SoCal Haunt List needs you! (Spooky Season Bulletin #1)🎃⚡
The Spooky Season Newsletter is dead! Instead we bring you the first edition of this season's Spooky Season Bulletin.
https://mailchi.mp/midsummerscream/the-socal-haunt-list-needs-you-spooky-season-bulletin-1

We are heartbroken by the passing of Tim Curry, a true icon who taught so many of us how to embrace the weird and the dark.

Some of his most iconic roles include Pennywise in IT, Dr. Frank-N-Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, and Darkness in LEGEND. Whatever part he played, his talent for the macabre was undeniably his own.

Throughout his career, he gave us a staggering number of unforgettable spooky performances, including The Grand Wizard in THE WORST WITCH, Wadsworth in CLUE, the sinister voice of Hexxus in FERNGULLY: THE LAST RAINFOREST, and memorable roles in TALES FROM THE CRYPT, SCARY MOVIE 2, and his recent return to the genre in STREAM.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans everywhere.

Midsummer Scream is a curated show that heavily supports and promotes human artists. We do not use AI-generated art for public-facing designs, including posters, logos, and signage.

We take immense pride in commissioning human creators including the best artists in the haunt, horror, and Halloween communities:

Our "Horror Musicals" poster was sketched and painted entirely by hand by Stephen Andrade .
Additional 2026 promotional artwork was made by Austin Pardun and El Gato Gomez .
Our 2026 Black Cat Lounge pin was designed by .art.
We proudly worked with Creepy Duck Design for our 2027 announcement graphic.
And for several years we've employed graphic designer/prop maker Derek Young (the man behind Van Oaks Props and the SoCal Haunt List ) to adapt the original artwork into our onsite banners and graphics.

What We Actually Screen
We don't run forensic tests on art, but during the vendor application process we do require vendors to affirm their products are AI-free, and we reject merchandise when we recognize obvious AI generation. This applies strictly to the products being sold to guests, not the promotional menus, logos, or banners used by food trucks and haunts or other events and attractions.

On-Site Realities
100% flawless screening is virtually impossible. Furthermore, immediate on-site evictions based on AI accusations are not legally or logistically feasible once contracts are signed. If a vendor misrepresents their work and slips through, it is handled internally post-event, and they will likely not return.

Our Ask
Rather than giving oxygen to companies that rely on AI, the most powerful thing we can do is loudly support those that don't. Channel your energy into showcasing artists you love. Buy their work, share their accounts, and celebrate practical talents to ensure our community thrives.

(Note: We appreciate the passion surrounding this topic. To prevent our page from becoming a debate forum, comments are closed so this statement can speak for itself.)