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!

The Official Village Invasion II Press Release & Map!

The Village of Saugerties is once again bracing for the ultimate zombie pub crawl, as the 2nd Annual Village Invasion is poised to take the Hudson Valley by storm on Saturday night, October 22. Last year, nearly 1,000 zombie enthusiasts from far and wide donned their ghoulish best to roam the streets and patronize local businesses. And this year, they’re coming back—hungrier, and in greater numbers. Not only that, but this year, the event will collect donations to help the victims of Hurricane Irene, which recently hit the Valley extremely hard.

“Some towns were completely washed away by the deluge here in the Hudson Valley, and it has left many homeless and even townless,” says event organizer Cruella Moxham, a.k.a. Captain Cruella. “I'll be setting up a donation drop box at select locations, with all the details of how you can help and what items are needed most.”

Nearby hotels are booking up, as Cruella gets the word out across a multitude of social media platforms including Facebook (http://facebook.com/CaptainCruella), Twitter (http://twitter.com/captaincruella) and Blogger (http://cruellascrypt.blogspot.com). The event kicks off promptly at 7p.m. along Main and Partition Streets, with many businesses staying open late to take part in the festivities.

Much like last year, this year’s event will offer many reasons for folks to show up and have a good time. For the second year running, Kingston-based funk-rock band Voodelic will be playing at Dave’s Wine & Coffee House. Additionally, just down the street at the Donlon Auditorium, Tyrannosaurus Rocks will be bringing down the house with what they call Zomstock, a parody of that other famous event that occurred in the area back in 1969. Also at the Donlon will be the night’s highly anticipated costume contest at 10p.m., with awards to be given out in categories like Most Gruesome Zombie and Best Celebrity Zombie (contest to be preceded by a performance from “Zombie Gaga”, winner of last year’s costume contest.)

As costumed cavorters make their way around town, they will encounter events happening at many other nearby establishments. Sugartown Vintage Boutique will be presenting a special screening of cult classic The Evil Dead, hosted by award-winning blogger Brian Solomon of TheVaultofHorror.net. Meanwhile outdoors, the Vincent Price favorite The Last Man on Earth will be projected for all to enjoy. Acclaimed artist Peter Smith will have his works on display, including his popular zombie T-shirts. Local bars like the Partition Street Wine Shop, Main Street Restaurant and Dutch Ale House will be doling out zombie-themed cocktails. The Village Apothecary will even be joining in the fun, handing out doses of the “zombie cure” to the public.

“I'd like our gathering to be the very first zombie event where we literally take over an entire village,” ambitiously proclaims Captain Cruella, who has become a bona fide internet celebrity over the past year thanks to the Village Invasion and other activities, including the series of horror films she hosts at the Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut. “Through dedication to the cause and all things horrifying, I know that my followers and I can do it. And it’s all for a good cause. So spread the word and Viva la Zombie!”

Over the course of the past decade, zombies have infiltrated pop culture as never before, with movies such as Resident Evil, 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead gaining cult followings; just one week before the Village Invasion, AMC will present the season premiere of its Walking Dead TV series—further proof that the zombie has hit the mainstream. Part of the phenomenon has been the rise of a colorful and devoted subculture of zombie-lovers that has helped popularize public zombie walks worldwide.

Those interested in participating in this year’s Village Invasion are encouraged to visit http://www.crawlofthedead.com/crawls/info/village_invasion_ii/ for more information, as well as the official Facebook event page (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133979686675020).

Click the map for a larger, printable version!

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!

Grave Matters II

It's that time once again ghouls and boils for a brainy babbling of epic proportions from the one, the only, the very dead Captain Cruella of the Carnivorous Cadavers. There's quite a bit on my mind this time so grab a cocktail, sit back and enjoy the slimy slippery slope!

• The Village Invasion II-Crawl of the Dead is in full on promotion mode and I'm delighted to tell you about the additional shops opening their doors for your corpses to shamble through this year. The Dutch Ale House, Main Street Restaurant, Inquiring Minds Bookstore, Sugartown Vintage Boutique, Dave's Coffee and Wine Bar, The Hudson Valley Dessert Company, Partition Street Wine Shop and the list just keeps growing! I'll be presenting a map once again and giving shout outs to the shops, pubs and restaurants participating in this years Crawl. In these online mentions I'll be talking about what they'll be offering to all you ghouls and boils with detailed information about their devious plans. I'll also be discussing the gifts I've been fortunate enough to receive from online and local merchants who love all things horror, and what treats are in store for the winners of the costume contest. ( And I'm always willing to accept more! Hint, hint...)  I'm also embarking on a very special donation drive for those who were flood victims from Hurricane Irene. If you weren't aware, some towns were completely washed away by the deluge here in the Hudson Valley and has left many homeless and even townless! I'll be setting up a donation drop box at select locations with all the details of how you can help and what items are needed most, so keep checking in! As always, we'll be crossing our rotten fingers for good weather as I've been planning and plotting with Brian Solomon, of The Vault of Horror, and Perri Naccarato of The Computer Guys, some movies to be projected on the Reis Building in the parking lot where the Crawl will begin. Speaking of The Vault of Horror, be sure to visit Cruellas Crypt along with his blog to see what horrendous plans he has up his sleeves for this night. It's sure to be gorrific! See you in Saugerties, NY on October 22nd at 7 pm, Kittens! And as always, Viva la Zombie!

You can imagine that this much water is never a good thing.

• Exciting news! You might have seen several posts about the Vault Keeper and I about us traveling to NYC to be in a pilot for a television series. Well it looks like things are moving right along and you might end up seeing our faces on yet another medium--cable television! Many thanks to Double Wide Media for the camera time and to the uber talented Kevin Maher for asking us to participate. He either thought we were perfect for it, or just perfectly nuts. Check out this photo for the promo! -Faints-

• The Rosendale Zombie Festival in the quaint little town of Rosendale is nearly upon us! My best ghoulie, Lara Hope, convinced me that a zombifying booth was in order. So this year I'll be there with my very own SFX table. Come drag yourself to my booth, say gaaaaaargh! and for $5 you will get the whole gory treatment! Booth opens at 11 am. So get there early and pick up a Village Invasion II flier and keep on spreading the infection!

• If you follow my daily zomBie shenanigans I'm sure you're more than aware of my human counterpart and Vault Keeping partner, the brainy half of the Terror Team, Mr. Brian Solomon, who just so happens to be participating in the ridiculously hilarious Kevin Geeks Out, Rip-off Cinema! at 92YTribeca on Thursday, September 15th at 8 pm.  Here's a paragraph I pulled from his Facebook page talking about the event, if this doesn't make you want to go...you're just not fit to eat! Kevin Geeks Out is the comedy-variety show hosted by writer-comedian Kevin Maher—a confabulation of vintage film clips and videos, new finds, guest experts, games and curiosities. To geek out with Kevin you don’t need to be a geek, you just need to love cool stuff This month, Kevin Geeks Out about Rip-Off Cinema, chronicling the “knockbusters” that attempt to capture the magic of E.T., King Kong, War of the Worlds and other big-budget blockbusters. The two-hour cultural cavalcade includes trivia, snacks, prizes and guest speakers presenting rare film footage and TV clips you won’t find on YouTube or Netflix! I've had the opportunity to brain storm with The Vault Keeper about the Halloween rip-offs he'll be covering, and let me tell you...it's not to be missed! You can buy tickets here and we hope you drag yourselves out and mingle with us!

Hide your children, the zombies are BACK!

 That's RIGHT! The Village Invasion II-Crawl of the Dead is in full steamroller ahead mode and we're working our fingers to the bone in order to bring to all you ghouls and boils a most gorrific time!

Please spread the infection as I'd like our gathering to be the very first zombie event where we literally take over an entire village! Through your dedication to the cause and all things horrifying I know we can do it. So Spread the word and Viva la Zombie!

Keep checking back here at CruellasCrypt, The Vault of Horror, the FB Cruella Moxham and Captain Cruella of the Carnivorous Cadavers fan page on FB, AND Crawl of the Dead for the freshest information regarding the devious delights planned throughout the town.

See you in Saughoulties, NY on October 22nd at 7pm Kittens!

Celebrating the 1st Cruella Anniversary--Direct from the Crypt!