Grave Matters--The Good. The Bad. The down right Zombified. 2013 revisted & beyond

One distressing crew!

Hello Kittens, It's been some time since I've had a free moment to sit these old bones down and stretch my rotten fingers out to recap last years Invasion, talk about some updates and bring you some general zombified and horrifying news. It's officially three months until what should be Village Invasion V--just seems like yesterday when the Village Invasion was just a zombie baby of an idea. Who knew that it would become a giant event that for one night in October would take over the quaint and quiet Village of Saugerties, NY. ( or as I like to call it--sauGHOULties)  I've been interviewed by all sorts of folks, horror and non-horror alike, been in a TV pilot, been asked to be a TV host ( even though that still hasn't gone anywhere--still, it's pretty zomberiffic and quite an honor to have even been thought of in that way!) I've even been an extra in Blondie's newest video, Mother and got to use my most zombitastic make-up skills for the band and their extras. There's so much other amazing crap that's happened that it's totally mind blowing and I'm glad I can share it all with you here in the Crypt. So without further adieu I bring you my latest installment in Grave Matters--The Good. The Bad. The down right Zombified; 2013 revisited and what the future holds for the Village Invasion.

So many of the undead!

My dreadful self and a tiny minion.

1. Village Invasion IV this past October 19th was an absolute scream. There were SO MANY OF YOU with a giant tally of over 4,000 zombies dragging their oozing corpses up and down the streets of sauGHOULties, NY. Whoa--you all seriously outdid yourselves! The Carnival of the Dead theme was a total blast and it was a horrific sight seeing so many of you embracing your dark inner zombie-carnie-clown-freak-selves. It was especially heartwarming, ( Yes--it did warm this cold zombroad's heart) to see so many kids just having the time of their little zombie hearts! In fact, so much so it's becoming even more popular with the families than I could ever have wished! With all the technical issues and the rain (which dampened only a few spirits) all in all--a success! Sadly however, with anything that grows in size, it also grows in liability and organizing as managing and dealing with funding for something this large can get out of hand rather quickly. I've had the pleasure of working with several folks in the town who have taken the event to the next level for sure, and for that I thank them--it's been amazing! Unfortunately no one wants the responsibility and liability of dealing with something of this magnitude. It looks like the prior idea of just having a group of zombie lovin' humans shambling through to help support local businesses has outgrown its shuffling grounds. I'm still working on secondary plans and ideas and maybe soon we'll have some less than sub-par news. Stay tuned, Kittens!

The streets overflowing with shamblers!

Some of our Brain-tastic Volunteers!

2. Did you get your uber collectible and one of a kind t-shirt from the Village Invasion III and IV? No? Well you're in luck! If you'd like one from 2013 AND 2012--We have 'em. They're $10 and all the proceeds go to our Small World Playground Fund which is to help rebuild our playground that the Boys and Girls Club uses in the Village of Saugerties, NY. For more info or to order these stellar limited event shirts please email: captaincruella@gmail.com and I'll be sure to get you one of these epically stellar T's!

3. Did you know that Goblin came to New Haven, CT this December? Yes, they did and myself along with Brian Solomon from the Vault of Horror got to catch these guys perform some of their gloriously eerie music. Many of you horror fanatics have seen Italian terror maestro Dario Argento's Suspiria, which weaves a menacing tale of witchcraft as a fairy tale gone horribly awry, and if you haven't--stop what you're doing and go rent this right now! So for those of you who have seen it also know that the soundtrack laid down by Italian musicians, Goblin combined with Argento's brilliant use of lighting and cinematography, is well accompanied by their creeptacular sound. Somehow chimes paired with whispered lullabies means ridiculously creepy!

4. Killer TV: There's been so many great series running, especially on FX recently that it's been so hard to pull my favorites from my rotten memory. Here's a few that I've recently gotten myself hooked on and hope you're watching too:

Do you smell bacon?

The Walking Dead. Not much to say here except, "they messed with the wrong people." Thrilled beyond belief for next season. Lets hope they don't kill off anyone we've invested in too soon this season, shall we?

The Strain. Anyone watching this? Thoughts? So far--I'm pretty hooked. After a string of sickeningly sweet and romantic love vampire stories I'm all in for a gruesome tale that's based on what I'd like to think a vampire truly is, a disease.

American Horror Story, Coven. Great season with witches however I am getting tired of the same actors just changing up roles. I know I'm gonna get a bullet to the head here for saying it but, Jessica Lange--must you play the same character in EVERY season? Geesh. The last episode will always stick with me when actress, Lily Rabe, (who plays character Misty) gets stuck in "hell" with her having to be in biology class and repeatedly being forced to dissect a frog. I can completely relate, only for me it's being stuck in I-95 rush hour traffic, over and over and over and over. If you haven't caught any of these--you should, Captain's orders!

Rosendale Zombie Fest zombies doin' the two step shuffle.

5. Appears the Rosendale Zombie Festival will be happening once again in Rosendale, NY this September 27th. You can swing by the good Captain's zombification station again this season. Get there early! I'll be arriving a few hours prior to the zombie parade's initial launch in order to bloody up those who lack their inner zombie. After you do the zombie-shuffle, head back to the park for a costume contest to see if your zombification makes the cut all while doing the death-dance to local bands and DJs.Typically there's a killer screening of  horror flicks which rounds out your night of all things horrifying at the Rosendale Theatre later in the evening. Make sure to bring some canned goods as like with the Village Invasion--this event helps to restock the local food pantry! See you there, Kittens!




Looking forward to writing more in the future and for those who expressed interest in helping to keep the Village Invasion alive, please contact me, Captain Cruella at:
captaincruella@gmail.com

Here's to another horrifying zombified season! Viva la Zombie!

GRAVE MATTERS-What every zombie needs to know, KILLER EVENTS this 2012

Hello all you zomBeriffic ghouls and boils! It's great to be back talking to all you zomBabes and zomBoys in this latest installment of Grave Matters. I know it's been a little dry spell here for the Capt. however, I do hope you'll forgive this rotten wretch when I tell you why, dear kittens, it's been so quiet up in the crypt. I've been one busy zomBabe working my cadaverous fingers to the very bone ensuring that all you zomBie freaks and fanatics have one hell of a  good time. I've even dragged my human counter part, Brian Solomon of The Vault of Horror in to the oozing mix beyond the Village Invasion. Here's all the latest gory details:

1. Mr. Solomon, of The Vault of Horror, will be kicking off in style with his special 5th anniversary celebration with a killer series he's calling, Bedlam at the Bijou. The three part series launching on September 27th at the historic and lovingly restored Bijou Theatre in Downtown Bridgeport, CT is surely not something all you horror movie buffs will want to miss! So far it's September 27 with double feature Godzilla and Them, October 25th with Zombi and Last Man on Earth and on November 15th it's Nosferatu and Dracula 1931. I've been told that these are themed, with Q&A, special guests and even a costume contest on the October 25th night. Go check it out, celebrate in style with the Frank Sinatra of the horror world! For more information crawl on over to The Vault of Horror and the Bijou Theatre calendar of events page!



2. What's this? Another zomBie event on October 11th? That's right kittens, if you live in Connecticut and live close to Fairfield County be sure to drag your freshly dug carcasses on over to Downtown Bridgeport. We're celebrating the arts with food, music, specials and ZOMBIES! The whole thing happens out at McLevy Green and weaves its way through all of downtown where all the restaurants and spaces have been charged with the gruesome task of keeping the hoards entertained. Costume contests, drink specials, zomBie hula hoopers, give-aways, ambient and eerie projections by local artists on buildings and MORE. October 11th, Downtown Bridgeport from 7-9 pm so don't miss it!

3. The Village Invasion III is working hard to build a most zomBeriffic event this 3rd year. We've closed down the Village this year to ensure all you zomBies have full reign to terrorize the humans, (or the humans to hunt down the zomBies) as this year it's Humans Vs. Zombies and we're so excited to be finally growing up and out! Did you know that this year the Village Invasion is a charity event? We'll be asking you ghouls to donate a canned item upon entry to restock the Saughoulties food pantry and if you CAN't ( see what I did just there?) It's a measly $2 to help out our fellow food groups known as humans because after all who wants to eat a starving skinny human? There's music, outrageous specials, a costume contest, vendors and so much gory goodness one simply must come to experience what's becoming the premier tri-state zombie event ever created! We're still fleshing out our website but if you're a ghoul or boil who wants to vend their zomBie and horror wares please print this out and submit! Space IS limited so sign up now! See you there kittens, October 20, 2012 from 6-10 pm! Village Invasion and on twitter-#villageinvasion. SPREAD THE INFECTION.

4. What better way to wrap this entire post up than with the very first zombie cruise--ever? That's right, The OOZE CRUISE sets sail on January 6th through the 13th. This is going to be one HELL of a slaycation, kittens. Do go to this website and sign up now. It's insanely cheap, you'll get to hang with other zomBie nuts like us and you'll get to enjoy warmer weather in the dead of winter. Now who doesn't like that? Did we also mention we'll be featured in October's issue of Rue Morgue Magazine?

As always kittens, can't wait to see you at any and all of these events we put together for your entertainment. Spread the infection, tell a fiend and viva la zomBie!

XOX
Captain Cruella

Village Invasion III and all the gory crap one can handle

Yes indeedy kittens, the little zombie social media project I embarked on in 2010 has grown up and is barreling down hell's highway at an amazing rate. With 2012 comes a new alliance, complete with a sponsor who holds close to his little black heart the same sense of community as I do. Much zomBie love goes out to Neil Smoller of the Village Apothecary, who owns two very successful, local, family-run pharmacies and believes keeping things local and supporting each other makes for a super glue-like bond.

With the support of local businesses, the tireless support of Brian Solomon's Vault of Horror, and Neil's collaborative brainstorming and backing, the world will certainly be quivering at our feet this October. With talks of billboards, radio spots, closing down the entire village of Saugerties, epic mailing lists, a food and clothing drive, specific horror related vendors, killer local music--it's like watching my zomBaby grow up, heading off to huge festival college. We promise to give you one hell of a time and uphold the highest zombie standards for years to come. I invite you to come out and celebrate all that's gruesome this 10.20.12 for what will inevitably become the most zomBerrific event  in the Hudson Valley!

Also, be sure to keep an eye out for the soon-to-be-launched Village Invasion website, as well as my blog, FB page and The Vault of Horror! The countdown begins with the humans locked in an epic battle against the zomBies. What side will you be on when the two collide?

Grave Matters

Unlife with the an award winning horror blogger isn't all what it's cracked up to be. Actually, it's down right motivational and inspiring. For about a year now I've been watching Brian Solomon of The Vault of Horror, write, review, and interview his little horrific heart away. As we start 2012 I've decided to make use of his undying love and passion for writing and put some of the spark he has back into my own carcass to do much of the same. So here's a taste of what the Captain's got cookin'...

1. Once again Brian Solomon's blog, The Vault of Horror, has been nominated for a Splatcademy Award through the ghouls over at DeadLantern.com. Be sure to go vote for a man who is as dedicated to his craft as Frank Sinatra is synonymous to New York.

2. After a very successful Village Invasion II this past October in Saugerties, NY seems like the Captain will be adding another cadaverous Commander. I'm excited to be working with Neil Smoller of The Village Apothecary, in making the town wide zombie invasion a continual success. Here's to a ghoulriffic partnership, Kitten! Myself and the rest of the undead Army await the 3rd Annual Zombie Invasion this October 2012!

3. I will be looking forward to the next season of American Horror Story even though the season finale left me sort of disappointed. I'm happy that the writers of AHS decided to end it and not keep the same aging storyline going. I'm a little misty eyed knowing that Jessica Lange and the super hot maid had to go, but am anticipating the next season with an entirely new set of whack jobs to watch on Wednesday nights with Mr. Solomon's laughable quips thrown in the mix.



4. I'll be adding much more to this blog as previously stated, complete with my own zomBeriffic illustrations, make-up tutorials, Creullasconcoctions updates and Captain Cruella swag you'll only be able to get here. I'm hoping 2012 will be a year of moving forward making strategic plans to launch Captain Cruella of the Carnivorous Cadavers further into the online horror realm and maybe just maybe...the world.

Here's to a horrifying 2012 and may all your nightmares come true. Viva la Zombie!

Zombie takeover starts here. Village Invasion, Part II

What better way to round up 2011 than with the long overdue recap to the most zomBeriffic event on the East coast which invaded the quaint Village of Saugerties, NY for a second time this October. I figured I'd best be getting this out to the masses before the end of the year actually, you know, ended. So in my most evil fashion I bring to you--Village Invasion, part II!

A mob of dancing zomBies.

I'd like to thank all of YOU, the most zomBilicious bunch a ghoul could ever want, for coming out 1000 plus strong for scaring the life out of anyone you could and especially those who came out to photograph the entire death march through the Village of Saugerties. It was big, I mean THE BIGGEST I think Saugerties has ever seen when it comes to total zomBified take over and for this, I thank you from the bottom of my blackest heart. 



The mastermind behind it all.
Your zombie--Captain Cruella,
courtesy of JD Fielding Photography.



This year saw many new additions in particpating shops along side those who never batted a decaying eye to my first year zomBie insanity. We had Sugartown Vintage Boutique whose owner, Ms. Ashley Drewes, created special window decor complete with it's own zomBie fashion line and The Vault of Horror T-shirts. Sugartown also held a special screening of the Evil Dead, where Brian Solomon of The Vault of Horror hosted the whole horrific event. Main Street Restaurant, The Dutch Ale House and Brianna's Full Belly Deli concocted a plethora of dark and delicious delights that titlated the senses for humans and zomBies alike. Lucky Chocolates decked themselves out in full on gore with a butcher shop and a finger food section complete with chocolate fountain. If you didn't stop there, you really missed out!

General  Smoller and the CDC,
courtesy of JD Fielding Photography.

Dave's Wine and Coffee Bar hosted the groovilicious Voodelic once again, this time rounding out their act with a black lite extravaganza and ghoulie Go-Go dancers. Inquiring Minds Bookstore hosted Hudson Valley writer and zomBie expert, Linda Zimmerman. The Hudson Valley Dessert Co. baked up brainy cupcakes and sported a most cadaveresque appearance which literally had the masses lined up and out the door. Another first timer, The Village Apothecary, got so into the spirit of things they handed out the antidote with nurses and zomBie hunter swat teams roaming the streets. They even had a most amazing store window display. I'm looking forward to next year Mr. Smoller...I say bring it on! We also had Vincent Price's,The Last Man on Earth, projected onto the Reis parking lot building thanks to the highly skilled and equally excited horror fanatic Perri Naccarato, owner of The Computer Guys, who really took charge of the entire thing. He even added his own town wide zomBified decor. Many thanks to Brian Solomon of The Vault of Horror and to Perry for their amazingly good taste in horror movies-- Bravo boils! If you were roaming the streets you also just might have wandered into the lens of  JD Fielding of JD Fielding Photography,who came out last year with snap happy fiend, Del Higgins. Many thanks for shooting some of the nights horrific happenings-- the images are outstanding!



The Vault of Horror's Brian Solomon capturing all the gore on video.
Courtesy of JD Fielding Photography.

Another addition was Tyrannasaurus Rocks! who set up and played at the Donlon Auditorium rocking out the night with a laser light show and one kick ass female drummer who guided us into a performance from the one, the deadly, the zomBie GaGa. There' only one word to describe her and that word would be--zomBilicious.The Donlon also hosted The Healing Tree Massage Therapy group who read Tarot for any who were brave enough to know what fate was in teir future. Many thanks to Alicia Viola and all who gave a donation and helped support my crazy world zomBification plans!

Saugerties has become a true destination for those who have a passion for the undead. The second annual Village Invasion has shown me that. The talent, dedication, and skill of amazingly grotesque appearance from an entire Village of people, ( even those who came from out of town!) that zomBies are here to stay. Keep bringing your dedication to the craft of being horrific, Kittens. I'll keep rallying the masses. Viva la ZomBie and here's to next year!

Thanks to Diane Sirios for this beauty. The Village Invasion II
best overall costume winners! This totally kicked ass. Keep up the stellar work!

The talk-nerdy-to-me zomBie group. You guys can talk brains to me
all day long. Thanks Jess Miron, you ghouls deserved best couple!

Tha Voo wants you! And the Zombies do too!

What does phosphorescent fishnets, black light reactive body paint, a north-meets-south funkified attitude and zombies have to do with each other? If you were to ask Little Earl Lundy from Hudson Valley band, Voodelic, he could probably tell you it's a lot more than you'd think.Voodelic's music has been described as spicy funky soul stew and believe me, if you've never heard of them or been to a live show, it is that and much, much more. Recently I had the pleasure to sit down and chat with little Earl, who is the formidable lead singer for Voodelic, about their future plans, their newest album Conjure, and of course about zombies.

One of the best shots of the night taken by uber talented, JD Fielding Photography!

 
Last year you performed in all your glory at Dave's Coffeehouse and Wine Bar. How was that experience for Voodelic? It's not everyday a band gets to perform in front of a packed house full of zombies.
Well, we've played for some packed houses and we've played in front of some real zombies. Last years Village Invasion was definitely a first for us! Here's hoping October 22nd will bring in another house full of zombies!

Where do you get your inspiration from, as you're currently the most unique band in the Hudson Valley.
Musically speaking, Voodelic's inspirations are a big ol' mix. There's funk and R&B, gospel, 70's hard rock, and a kind of psychedelic swamp. 

Whose idea was it to don crazy voodoo get-ups that react to black light? And do you guys think it's enhanced your popularity?
I'm afraid that would be my little obsession. I started messin' with the black lights 'round about 2006, and every year I've just added more and more. Last year I think we did four black light Halloween shows. I've learned a lot through trial and error. The costumes have gotten pretty--colorful . As far as popularity goes, folks really do seem to get off on the whole black light thing. Voodelic is an experience band anyway, and adding another layer to that experience lets the audience get a little deeper into--Tha Voo. 


How do ya'll describe your music? And when are we to expect a world black light dominated tour?
That question gets asked a lot. I don't know maybe, Southern-Gothic Funk? A black light dominated tour, huh? Well, I'm ready baby!  But I'm not sure the other boys would welcome that path, maybe if the money was right--HAHA!

What was it like playing at Mountain Jam? Were there any brushes with greatness that really stuck with you? Playing Mountain Jam was magical. It was certainly the biggest stage and the biggest crowd we've played to, plus it was an incredibly beautiful day. The problem was waking up the next morning and realizing it wasn't gonna happen again that day.

It's been almost a year since the last Village Invasion, what have ya'll been up to?
Well, we went back into Millbrook Sound Studio and started recording stuff for a second album. Paul Orofino, the owner and engineer there, is just an amazing cat to work with. He's very intuitive with a great set of ears.

Considering we have a certain thing in common as the band Voodelic has it's fingers deeply embedded in New Orleans style voodoo folklore and early zombie culture also derives from that same ilk. Would you consider Voodelic and the Village Invasion a perfect match? And is your preference the George Romero flesh eating zombies or the Haitian voodoo revenge type zombies?
Why yes Cap'n, I certainly would! I don't know if it's a match made in heaven or hell, but it's a good'n for sure. I do not wanna ruffle any zombie-type feathers (as I'm pretty sure this audience is all about Saint Romero's sacrament), but the Haitian voodoo/Mississippi hoodoo zombies is my thang!

You're calling your gig on the night of the Village Invasion II-Crawl of the Dead, Night of the Living Voo is NOTLD your favorite zombie movie and if not, what is?
Of the modern bio-hazard zombie flicks, I'm a big fan of Danny Boyle's vision in 28 Days Later. Of the Voodoo variety, well, The Serpent and the Rainbow ... was a great ... book.

What can we expect from Voodelic in the future?
I don't do no scrying baby! The future can be a dangerous and unlucky subject but as for Voodelic's immediate future? I see black lights, LOTS of black lights!

Killer photo courtesy of Del Higgins Fine Art Photography!

Voodelic is playing this year at the Village Invasion II-Crawl of the Dead at Dave's Coffeehouse and Wine bar on October 22nd. Be sure to stop in, shake your booty, and tell'em the Captain sent ya! If you can't make this most zomberiffic event, ( I can't imagine what better things a corpse would have to do besides dance your pants off to the glorious sounds of Voodelic) You can boogie down these other nights!

10/10-FREE show at Club Helsinki in Hudson, NY
10/22-Night of the Living Voo, BLACK LITE SHOW
10/28-Oasis in New Paltz, NY - BLACK LITE SHOW
10/29-The Fernwood, Palenville, NY - BLACK LITE SHOW
11/28-FREE show The Bearsville Theater, recorded for Vassar Radio!

Rock Bands and Zombies. On the set of a music video shoot!

Greetings kittens! As you may or may not have been aware I had been counting down the days until I was going to be dragging my corpse on to the set of a music video shoot. I was extremely excited as Blondie is a childhood favorite of mine, yes THE Blondie. Leading up to the big weekend I had been back and forth with the production company as to what I might be doing and how I could assist. I've worked in film before and have a background in special effects make-up. I was more than willing to be of help and realize now that I'll be rethinking those tactics if and when I ever do another shoot, I'll get back to that later.

The usual hurry up and wait game occured as it does at any shoot as the crew shot different scenes in seperate areas of the building and the surrounding areas. The time waiting did enable me to meet some really amazing people and I'd say out of the entire experience at least I walked away with that. I met another larger than life online presence, the fantabulous Isis Vermouth, who I secretly stalk online. Suppose my secret is out now kitten, I truly adore you! I did get to meet the band and hang with what I later found out to be some of their closest friends and learned that one of their sons is a fan of mine! Holy crap, really?!

The down side to all this is that I was so busy being asked to help with make-up that I started to feel like that's all I really ended up there for. I showed up as myself, Captain Cruella, as I was asked to do. I'm not a gory zombie nor am I a 1980's club going personality. I'm me. I'm unsure that my look fit what they were needing and instead of asking me to change to fit the look, they just ended up not knowing what to do with me. It went from me asking if I could assist to me being the make-up go-to person. I wouldn't have minded but after 7 hours of that I decided it was really time to bail, especially since I'm not being paid for time as make-up person and no one was reimbursing me to replenishing my supplies. I showed up on time, in costume and ready to go, unlike the majority of extras that I ended up doing make-up for--who by the way will be in this music video. Seems kind of shitty right? I'm not a diva but I did really feel slighted and it ruined my happy to be here feeling. I ended up walking off set when the producer yelled cut during a club scene. I couldn't go on pretending I was excited to be there as that feeling had diminished hours before.

To end on a positive note, overall I did have a great time. The people were fantastic and it was an experience of a lifetime. Even though I know I won't be seen in this video at least my skillful make-up work will be and I can now add a Blondie music video under my rotten belt. Viva la zombie and keep on rockin'!

Here are some more shots from the music video shoot, enjoy kittens!

Don't mind us we're just laying about with the other dead bodies.

Some of the beautiful people in thrilling outer wear.

Isis Vermouth and her zombilicious partners in crime.

What's a little blood between best ghoul friends?

The lovely Estelle hanging with Allen Midgette, the real Andy Warhol impersonator!

The Gore Gore dancers!

 

Mingling with the props on our down time.

Trying to stay warm on set which is sort of silly since we're all a bunch of the undead.

And here's the music video. I some how managed to be in it for about 5 seconds. Yay!

Blondie-Mother

Plus here's some footage from behind the scenes!

Blondie behind the scenes