2021 Preseason Primer
(Last Updated: 9/13/2021) Great Caesar’s Ghost! Has it really been two years? While we gear-up annually to serve the haunted house community of Chicago since 1999, COVID-19 certainly had other plans for us and caused us to sit-out 2020. We have missed you, are definitely sick of our couches, and are beyond excited to be back! We can’t wait to join you screaming at the best attractions anywhere! As we prepare to embark on another exciting journey this Halloween season, let’s catch-up on some news, updates, recaps, and a little preview of what to expect for 2021. Queue up the...
Friday the 13th!
Aside from Halloween, Friday the 13th may be the next most-celebrated holiday for haunters. But, why? What inspired legions of folks to suffer from triskaidekaphobia and fueled a nearly 40-year old slasher franchise? Some say the history is rooted to the time of the last supper, and some say the middle ages, but the most popular origin story seems to be surrounding the attack of some Knights Templar on October 13, 1307. While most of us spend effort avoiding walking under ladders and wishing we could attend Camp Crystal Lake, the origin still seems a big foggy. But, want to...
2019 Preseason Primer
Welcome back, haunters and hauntees! September has returned and with it all the amazing indicators of the impeding season ahead. Just like you, we await the doors of our favorite attractions to creak open and awaken the spirits from their long off-season slumber. Soon, the air will be filled with the sound of shrieks and screams; a symphony, indeed. As we prepare to embark on another exciting journey this Halloween season, here’s some news, updates, recaps, and a little preview of what to expect for 2019. Queue up the Fear Inoculum, grab two scoops of USS Butterscotch, and strap-in for...
Chicago’s Own Stevie Calabrese on Season 9 of Syfy’s FACE OFF
Well-known and much beloved Chicago makeup FX artist Stevie Calabrese (instructor at Kosart Atelier and lead makeup artist at The Realm of Terror) will be competing in Season 9 of the Syfy channel's show FACE OFF. Everybody here at Dark Chicago will be rooting for her each week! Go #TeamStevie! Face Off Season 9 premieres on July 28th on the Syfy Channel. Connect with Stevie on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Official Website
Chicago Well Represented in Syfy’s Face Off Season 8
Well known and respected in the Chicago haunted attraction community, Stephanie Masco is a multi-talented actor, artist and designer, a veteran of Statesville Haunted Prison and Amhurst Asylum, and now a contestant on Season 8 of the Syfy channel's hit special effects makeup reality show Face Off, premiering this January. We'll be rooting for you every week, Steph! You can connect with Stephanie through her official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SJMascoFX. And just to make sure Chicago is well represented, Season 4 Face Off Champ and Chicago native J. Anthony Kosar will be one of 3 Face Off winners on-hand to...
Days of the Living Dead Season 5 Premieres 9.13.14!
The new season of Days of the Living Dead launches on Saturday, September 13th!