{"id":3307,"date":"2012-06-20T18:22:08","date_gmt":"2012-06-21T00:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/?p=3307"},"modified":"2012-06-20T18:22:20","modified_gmt":"2012-06-21T00:22:20","slug":"monster-mash-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bmovienation.com\/?p=3307","title":{"rendered":"Monster Mash-up"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If you happen to see brain-seeking zombies, many-eyed monsters and lab-created terrors roaming around downtown Elgin this weekend, don\u2019t be alarmed \u2014 it just means Elgin horror fans are celebrating the halfway mark until Halloween.<\/p>\n

Friday and Saturday will witness the first Monster Mash-Up, a celebration of all things B-movie and horror, according to event coordinator Mitchell Wells.<\/p>\n

If you go<\/p>\n

What: Elgin\u2019s Monster Mash Up, a horror-themed event by the organizers who created Nightmare on Chicago Street last fall<\/p>\n

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 22; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 23<\/p>\n

Where: The Haight Building, 166 Symphony Way, Elgin<\/p>\n

Cost: $2 Friday evening, $5 Saturday; $10 for Psychosis Haunted House; Douglas Street Bar and MashUp vendors separate<\/p>\n

Details: Check out the Facebook page,
\nfacebook.com\/ElginMonsterMashUp
\nor call Horror Society at (773) 977-8140<\/p>\n

While several horror films and short films will be screened, Wells said the two-day event much more than a film festival. The Haight building, 166 Symphony Way, Elgin will play host to about 20 vendors of horror merchandise, jewelry and art. Next door, visitors will get a taste of the Psychosis Haunted House, an interactive experience Wells said will liven up the crowd.<\/p>\n

The two-day event has been in its planning stages since early 2012, Wells said, when he and two other horror fanatics were reminiscing about the success of last Halloween\u2019s \u201cNightmare on Chicago Street\u201d in Elgin. John LaFleur, who runs the website Dreary & Naughty; David Metzger, operator of the Wicked Whimsy Studio; and Wells, who runs the website Horror Society, privately funded the event to bring their love of the genre to a local audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll three of us live this every day,\u201d Wells said. \u201cAnything to get what we love out to people to show them that we\u2019re not all crazy. It\u2019s such a cross section of people as well. I\u2019ve met the most down-to-earth normal people that are huge horror fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though horror is a prevailing theme of the weekend, Wells said Saturday during the day will be family friendly, featuring more nostalgic classic monster B-movies. Wells also hopes families can get in on the costume contests, happening both days. Winners of the best zombie, best couple and best zombie hunter category will receive a prize.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just fun; people love to dress up as zombies,\u201d Wells said.<\/p>\n

Late Saturday afternoon will hold two of the weekend\u2019s highlights: a dark magic show by razor blade-eating magician Dan Fitzgerald, and an actual zombie wedding. Schaumburg residents Erin Sistak and Nick Potsch will present their real-life, legal nuptials for all Mash-up goers \u2014 in theme, of course. Wells said the full procession will feature every ghoulish touch, including dead flowers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe public\u2019s invited; the more the merrier,\u201d Wells said. \u201cWe\u2019d love to have everyone check this out. It\u2019s going to be a spectacle.\u201d<\/p>\n

In between events during the weekend, horror fans can pop around the corner to Douglas Street Sports Bar at 231 Douglas. Mash-Up organizers have organized food and drink specials for festival visitors.<\/p>\n

For the hard-core film junkies, Wells said the independent film selection of the Mash-Up is perfect for all kinds of horror enthusiasts. A question-and-answer session will be held after five of the film screenings with these independent films\u2019 directors, writers and actors. Wells said he hopes these sessions can broaden peoples\u2019 perspectives on the independent film scene.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of trials and tribulations that go into making an independent film,\u201d he said. \u201cI think the ones we picked this time are well made and well put together. Hopefully it will broaden peoples\u2019 minds about independent film. It\u2019s (the filmmakers\u2019) passion so I want to get their love of film and love of horror out there to the crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n

For $2 on Friday night and $5 on Saturday, suburban Chicago\u2019s horror-loving crowd can experience the \u201croller coaster ride\u201d along with Wells and the rest of the Mash-Up team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really dig the adrenaline rush you get from watching the films,\u201d he said, likening the experience to an amusement-park ride. \u201cI like being scared.\u201d