Home

Friday, October 5, 2012

The Haunted House Tour Continues...

Last weekend we visited Then She Fell,  Nightmare New England,  Field of Screams,  Jason's Woods,  and The Bates Motel.

This weekend is going to be pretty intense. We experienced Killers: A Nightmare Haunted House last night and tonight we are headed uptown to Bronx Haunted Warehouse.

Saturday night, we will make the journey out to Long Island. The first stop is HV Asylum in Coram, NY.  Then it's on to Gateway's Haunted Playhouse of Horrors in Bellport, NY. As if that isn't amazing enough, we will also be given a private ghost tour of the 100 year old property and then get to spend the night in the gorgeously creepy Edwardian mansion.  

On our way home, we will be paying a visit to Slim Chance's Chamber of Horrors in Sayville, NY.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to Live Chat and Receive Photo Updates about this weekend's itinerary.



[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="648.0"]The Gateway c. 1880 - from Bellport Village and Brookhaven Hamlet  by Victor Principe  The Gateway c. 1880 - from Bellport Village and Brookhaven Hamlet  by Victor Principe [/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1008.0"]The Gateway - Present Day The Gateway - Present Day[/caption]

Thursday, October 4, 2012

REVIEW: Then She Fell




Then She Fell
2 Kingsland Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

History

Then She Fell is an extended version of last year's Steampunk Haunted House, Through The Looking Glass.  

Our Visit

Last Friday, I traveled to what was once the outpatient wing of Greenpoint Hospital in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a sneak-preview of Third Rail Projects' Then She Fell presented by Arts@Renaissance. Entering through a small courtyard garden, I found myself in a room with 14 other people. Separated in small groups and sometimes completely alone, we were led through a labyrinth of detailed rooms. Sterile medical facilities provide stark contrast to the pockets of whimsical madness that wait just around the corner. You discover you are a guest at a spectacular portrayal of the mad tea party alongside the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, White Queen, and Red Queen.  A moment later, you are observing the Red Queen in a medical setting. The movement-based storytelling that was so magical a moment before, now seems like a compulsive outburst of the mentally deranged.

This trip to Wonderland explores the dark psychological elements of Lewis Carroll's famous tale in an immersive non-linear multi-sensory theatrical adventure. 

 

Is It Scary?

Then She Fell is a haunting whimsical journey through the lore of Alice.  Sheer perfection for those looking for an elegant blood-free way to celebrate Halloween. 

Here's A Tip

Take the opportunity to talk with other audience members after the performance. Everyone has a different experience and not everyone visits the same rooms.  

What We Loved

The Mad Tea Party and the Mad Hatter herself are both stand outs in this intricate and detailed masterpiece. Other highlights are an eerie bedtime story told by the White Queen, exploring the detailed sets, and sampling the fine elixirs and tasty morsels that rounded out this complete sensory experience. 

What Could Be Better

I found myself wanting the characters to be a bit more forceful with their instruction. I was sometimes unsure of what they wanted me to do and would have loved the use of verbal direction with a playful or funny tone rather than relying so heavily on delicate gestures. 

Final Thoughts

Then She Fell is a truly unique Wonderland experience that will have Steampunk Haunted House fans swooning.  

Then She Fell Runs

October 3rd - November 18th 

Ticket Information

$65 - $85

*  All Performances are currently sold out. Join their Mailing List to be notified if additional tickets become available.

Age Requirements

No one under 18 will be admitted. 

Additional Information



[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="972.0"]Photographer: Adam Jason Photography Photographer: Adam Jason Photography[/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1100.0"]Photographer: Adam Jason Photography Photographer: Adam Jason Photography[/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1100.0"]Photographer: Adam Jason Photography Photographer: Adam Jason Photography[/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1375.0"]Photographer: Adam Jason Photography Photographer: Adam Jason Photography[/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1375.0"]Photographer: Adam Jason Photography Photographer: Adam Jason Photography[/caption]




[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ0FKKfxygM?fs=1&feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&enablejsapi=1&w=640&h=360]

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

REVIEW: Blood Manor




Blood Manor
163 Varick Street
New York, NY

Blood Manor is dishing out a hot serving of gore-filled mayhem this October. The Varick Street haunt opens its doors this Friday, but we caught a sneak-peak at their Media Preview event last Wednesday.

Is It Scary?

According to their Official Website: "Yes. BLOOD MANOR is designed to be intense, creepy, and "scream inducing."

The Raven & Black Cat says: Fear is subjective, but if you're looking for a gory walk-through style haunted house full of murderous monsters and 3-D effects then Blood Manor will seem like a home away from home

What We Loved

Blood Manor gets high marks for its fun startle scares and gruesome sets. Marion Le Coguic is a stand out as an artfully real member of the undead. Other highlights are the black sensory deprivation maze, the crazed nursery-rhyme singing surgeon, and the loud surprise ending. It's a grotesquely blood-drenched tribute to your favorite B-movie slasher films. 

What Could Be Better

We would love to see the order of the rooms change completely, so that returning victims don't know what's ahead. If the layout must remain the same from year-to-year, then finding more extreme ways to startle or disorient will make the experience feel completely new. In addition, a stronger focus on character development would really take things to the next level. I can only imagine what the experience would be like if everyone inside was as scary as Marion Le Coguic's undead monster.

WTF

The Media Preview Bacardi-sponsored cocktail reception was hosted at W.i.P, where an enthusiastic actor escorted guests around the corner to Blood Manor. His performance and costume were so convincing that someone on the street called the police and reported a monster running down Varick Street with an axe! When we left the bar the poor actor was surrounded by police officers.

Final Thoughts

A visit to Blood Manor guarantees that you'll get your annual dose of blood, guts and gore this Halloween season.

Blood Manor Runs

October 5  -  November 3

Ticket Information

  • General Admission (Online): $28.50
  • General Admission (At the door): $35.00
  • RIP Express Entry (Online): $43.50 (Oct. 5- 14)
  • RIP Express Entry (Online): $48.50 (Oct. 18 -Nov 3) 
  • RIP Express Entry (At the door): $50.00

Discount Tickets

  • 50% Off General Admisison & RIP Tickets - Click Here

Age Requirements

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Additional Information



[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="960.0"]The very creepy Marion Le Coguic. - Blood Manor Media Preview The very creepy Marion Le Coguic. - Blood Manor Media Preview [/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640.0"]The Monster on Varick Street with an Axe. - Blood Manor Media Preview The Monster on Varick Street with an Axe. - Blood Manor Media Preview[/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640.0"]Blood Manor Media Preview Blood Manor Media Preview[/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640.0"]Blood Manor Media Preview Blood Manor Media Preview[/caption]




[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5gNxmSWoK8?fs=1&feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&enablejsapi=1&w=640&h=360]

Monday, October 1, 2012

GIVEAWAY: 4 Tickets to The Ghoullog at Cranmore Mountain




The Ghoulog at Cranmore Mountain is a haunted attraction located at a ski resort in North Conway, NH. 'S' will be there to experience it on Friday, October 12th and we are thrilled to announce that The Ghoullog will be awarding 4 General Admission Tickets  to one very lucky reader of The Raven & Black Cat. The tickets are valid any Friday night in October.

The deadline to enter is 12:00 AM on  October 7, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJQRfynXAQk?fs=1&feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&enablejsapi=1&w=640&h=360]