One of my favorite weekends of the year is Chicago's annual Flashback Weekend, the horror convention created and run by Mike and Mia Kerz that takes place in Rosemont, Illinois. It's three days of panels, parties, contests, vendors, celebrity guests, live music -- everything you could want as a horror fan.
This will be my fourth year hosting panels at the convention -- I wrote about how much fun I had last year -- and this year is promising to be the biggest and best weekend yet. In addition to my regular hosting duties, I'll be recording a LIVE episode of F This Movie on Friday at 5:45 pm CST with special guests Nick Castle and Nancy Stephens! How cool is that?
This year's Flashback features a salute to four huge horror directors, giant cast reunions for some of the best movies ever made, the world premier of a brand new Full Moon movie (relevant to my interests!), in-costume photo opps, Alan Howarth playing the score to Halloween III: Season of the Witch LIVE along with the film, a tribute to Svengoolie (the greatest horror host of all time), and so much more.
One of my favorite things about Flashback -- besides all the cool guests and the chance to spend the weekend surrounded by horror stuff and horror fans -- is that it's a family-run convention and really feels that way. Plus, all of the proceeds from the con go into supporting the Midway Drive-In located in Dixon, IL -- the nicest and best drive-in in Illinois -- which they bought in 2007. I love that Flashback is dedicated to preserving the big-screen theatrical experience.
Here's more on this weekend's convention from the press notes:
Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention is Chicago’s largest and longest running Horror Convention. For more than two decades, Flashback has been known for its notable celebrity guests, innovative programming, and unique evening events. Highlights from Flashback Weekend over the years include Robert Englund’s 2014 appearance in the Freddy Krueger make-up (a horror convention first), outdoor 35mm film screenings, major film premieres, and Flashback Weekend’s 2007 purchase of the Midway Drive-In in Dixon, IL to host Horror Film Festivals.
For Flashback Weekend 2024, our theme is a tribute to legendary Horror Directors and large cast reunions of several of the best horror films ever made!
Here are some of the highlights and special events at this year's Flashback:
SALUTE TO THE HORROR DIRECTORS – Sam Raimi, Eli Roth, Don Coscarelli, and Charles Band
Sam Raimi – The innovative Director of the original THE EVIL DEAD trilogy, the original SPIDER-MAN trilogy starring Toby Maguire, DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS, and many more! The story of how young filmmakers Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert banded together to make the indie horror classic “THE EVIL DEAD” (1981) has inspired countless young filmmakers! We are proud to welcome Sam Raimi for the 20th Anniversary of his classic SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004), regarded by many as the greatest comic book movie ever!
Eli Roth – In 2003, filmmaker Eli Roth made the indie horror classic CABIN FEVER (2003). He went on to direct horror classics including HOSTEL (2005), HOSTEL PART II (2007), THE GREEN INFERNO, and THANKSGIVING (2023). Eli Roth has hosted the acclaimed ELI ROTH’S HISTORY OF HORROR, and has directed non genre films starring the biggest names in the industry, including the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster BORDERLANDS, scheduled for release on August 9, 2024!
Don Coscarelli – Don created and directed the legendary PHANTASM (1979). It was an enormous creative and financial success which was followed up by four sequels. Don’s other films include the beloved THE BEASTMASTER (1982), JOHN DIES AT THE END, and the classic BUBBA HO-TEP. We are thrilled to have Don as a guest for the 45th Anniversary of the original PHANTASM.
Charles Band – As a young filmmaker and entrepreneur, he produced and directed Horror and Drive-In cult classics, founded the first home video company, pioneered made-for-video features, took horror merchandise to a new level, created the first interconnecting horror cinematic multi-verse, founded Full Moon Entertainment, and made hundreds of horror cult classics in the process! His new Pulp Noir Thriller QUADRANT receives its World Premiere at Flashback Weekend on Saturday Aug. 3, 2024!
Flashback Weekend is proud to honor film and TV star (and Chicagoland native) Michael Gross. Michael’s character “Burt Gummer” from the TREMORS films and TV series is one of the most memorable characters in recent film history!
Star Studded Cast Reunions of Classic Horror films
John Carpenter’s THE THING (1982) Reuniting the cast of one of the greatest films ever made including Keith David, Richard Masur, David Clennon, Thomas G. Waites, Joel Polis, and Peter Maloney,
Cast reunion of the HALLOWEEN series and the Cinematic Carpenter-verse! – Reuniting the stars of the HALLOWEEN series and the John Carpenter-verse featuring Nick Castle (the original Michael Myers), Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, James Jude Courtney, Nancy Stephens, Stacey Nelkin, and composer Alan Howarth.
CABIN FEVER (2003) reunion featuring Director Eli Roth and stars Cerina Vincent, Jordan Ladd, James DeBello, and Joey Kern.
THE WARRIORS 45th Anniversary reunion featuring Michael Beck (“Swan”), James Remar (“Ajax”), Dorsey Wright (“Cleon”), Thomas G. Waites (“Fox”), David Harris (“Cochise”), Terry Michos (“Vermin”), and David Harris (“Snow”).
The RAIMI BROTHERS reunion! – Director Sam Raimi, Actor Ted Raimi (the original THE EVIL DEAD trilogy), and screen writer Ivan Raimi (ARMY OF DARKNESS). This creative trio of brothers have created many horror classics!
ICONIC SLASHERS unite! – Brett Wagner (“Leatherface” in the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2003), and Quinn Lord (“Sam” in TRICK ‘r TREAT).
SVENGOOLIE (Rich Koz) - The legendary Horror Host SVENGOOLIE (Rich Koz) appears both Friday and Saturday for special events! Svengoolie autograph and selfies will be Saturday, August 3, 2024.
SPECIAL EVENTS!
FRIDAY AUG. 2 - “AN EVENING WITH RICH KOZ CELEBRATING 45 YEARS AS SVENGOOLIE” Svengoolie (Rich Koz) will take the stage to share conversations and stories about his amazing 45 years as Svengoolie! Featuring celebrity guest appearances! Co-hosted by Nick Digilio.
SATURDAY AUG. 3 - SINISTER VISIONS COSTUME CONTEST HOSTED BY SVENGOOLIE The contest will be hosted by the legendary Svengoolie (Rich Koz)! All ages welcome! Kids Category for ages 12 & under. Sponsored by Sinister Visions.
SAT. AUG. 3 - ALAN HOWARTH PERFORMS THE SCORE TO HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH LIVE TO SCREENING OF THE FILM. 8:30PM This all-immersive audio and visual experience is not to be missed! Composer Alan Howarth will perform his classic score to HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH live to a screening of the film. This will be an awe-inspiring tribute to one of the best HALLOWEEN sequels!
SAT. AUG. 3 - WORLD PREMIERE OF QUANDRANT Prizes and more! Introduced by Director Charles Band. QUADRANT is the new Pulp Noir Thriller from Full Moon film which has the vibes of the early Empire films and their classics such as CASTLE FREAK. In QUADRANT, scientists Harry and Meg develop the Quadrant helmet which allows your mind to transport you into a world where all your phobias and nightmares are real, while also granting you the strength to defeat them, liberating you from their control forever. But the Quadrant experiment is about to go terribly wrong. When Erin, a young girl who’s obsessed with Jack the Ripper, uses the device to become the Ripper, she unleashes a reign of terror.
OFFICIAL AFTER PARTIES in VENTANAS The elegant bar on the top floor of the Hyatt with a panoramic view of Chicago’s skyline & O’Hare. Party in Elegance!
Friday Aug. 2, 2024 - THE WARRIORS COSTUME PARTY Dress as your favorite gang or character from THE WARRIORS (Costumes optional). Civilians and Prom couples also welcome.
Saturday Aug. 3, 2024 - PARTY TO THE MUSIC OF ALAN HOWARTH & COSPLAY! Composer Alan Howarth will interact with fans at the party while his classic soundtracks play in the background! Relive the movies with themes from HALLOWEEN II, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, THEY LIVE, and more! Cosplay welcome! Feel free to dress as characters from the Carpenter Cinematic Multi-Verse! Costumes optional.
CELEB PHOTO-OPS – You can receive a professional 8 x 10 photo and digital print of you with your favorite celebrity guests. “Special Edition” Celeb Photo-Ops are now on sale including:
Celebrity costume photo-ops
Brett Wagner – Full Costume – LEATHERFACE
Quinn Lord – SAM TRICK ‘r TREAT Costume Photo-Op
Special Themed sets for Celeb Photo-Ops (by Karnivorous Creations). Many photo-ops include practical sets!
INSIDE THE EVIL DEAD CABIN - Sam Raimi, Ted Raimi, and Ivan Raimi
CABIN FEVER Reunion – CABIN set - Eli Roth, Cerina Vincent, Jordan Ladd, James DeBello, & Joey Kern.
John Carpenter’s THE THING Reunion - DOG KENNELL set –Keith David, Richard Masur, David Clennon, Thomas G. Waites, Joel Polis, and Peter Maloney
HALLOWEEN – Michael Myers House – Nick Castle, James Jude Courtney, Nancy Stephens, Rohan Campbell
HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH – Silver Shamrock Display – Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Alan Howarth
TREMORS – REC ROOM with GRABOID – Michael Gross
TRICK ‘r TREAT set – Quinn Lord in costume!
Celeb photo-ops on sale now at https://celebphotoops.com/event/flashback
WHEN THE VENDOR ROOM CLOSES, THE PARTY IS JUST BEGINNING!
When the vendor room closes, after-parties will run all night and into the morning hours!!!! You will have a BLAST exploring the many beautiful party areas of the elegant and luxurious Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago and party hopping!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone August 2-4, 2024! TICKETS ON SALE at www.flashbackweekend.com.
Stay tuned next week for my recap of Flashback!
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