Halloween - Story Time

It was a dark and stormy night...

Need some stories to get you more in the mood of the season?  Try these:

Want something fresh that you may not have known about?  Go to NPR's scary stories from around the world .
 
 For well told tales from the South and Appalachia, listen to The Moonlit Road podcast.

Sometimes silly, sometimes very spooky, this podcast only posts during October and touches on all aspects of the Halloween season.  From TV horror show hosts to Poe, Ancient rituals to kid's mask manufacturing facts, this guy obviously enjoys researching his topics and makes them enjoyable to listen to with his creepy soft voice and sound effects. Give the Halloween Haunt podcast a listen!  I especially like it when he reads some obscure, macabre poem.

Most of what I have seen on this site seems tame to me but I haven't been able to give it much time. It has lots of pages of stories to read.  So, if you like exploring, go here and look around... Halloween Ghost stories.

All out fun and family friendly, these short puppet videos are about a young boy who lives in a creepy castle with some very interesting friends!  Check out  Spookhouse Dave.

Halloween Costuming

 There are so many great places to shop for Halloween Costumes now, but here are some places I've found that you might not know about yet:  Ready made costumes  ,    Premium Costumes ,  Halloween 31  .  Their stock seem to be well made and eclectic.   A couple of steps above the local box stores. 

For a  well made mask check out this Italian  Master mask maker .     And for more cultural looks in masks go here:   Masks of the world     
   
Interested in making your own?  Have a look at "how to make a monster mask"

If you are planning to go with the early theatrical look you should know the characters of the Commedia del'Arte  and the significance of their masks before donning the costume.

Vintage Halloween

I love vintage Halloween stuff.   I have a few choice pieces that I have found over the years...a tin tambourine with a ripped drum cover, a tin horn that has some rust, and some other small oddities.  There isn't much left out there but if you are diligent you may come across some gems for your own vintage Halloween collection.  I love the items for sale at Halloween Collector, and they appear to be authentic.  Of course, if you really get involved you will need the vintage Halloween collectible book  to know what to look for and how much you can expect to pay.

Although authentic old vintage is wonderful, there are now some equally wonderful new "Vintage" Halloween items to be collected.  They really capture the feel of early Halloweens along with being better quality, sure to be highly sought after items for years to come!

Here are more reproductions of old Halloween decorations.  And more here.  Enjoy!

Halloween Music

Midnight Syndicate is a duo who make the most haunting and wonderful background music you could ever ask for!  They are truly masters of eerie music.  I listen to them year round!  They are also very generous in that they allow people to use their music as background for haunted houses free of charge!  Just be sure to credit them.  They have several albums out now.  Each with a different theme. Celebrating their 13th anniversary in 2010!   Check them out here.

Danny Elfman is well known for his film music but he has many lovely/creepy scores that you may not have known were his.  Check out his site here and be pleasantly surprised!
I just found this lovely, wonderful, new "Treasure Chest" of Danny Elfman and Tim Burton musical works!  It isn't out until December but is going on my wish list right now!

For fun, here is Disney's sing-a-long video of the  "This is Halloween" song.

And what Halloween season could be endured without the Funeral march for a Marionette, (which should not to be confused with Dance of the Marionettes.)

Education

I think the public education system in the U.S. needs a complete overhaul.  It is outdated and hasn't worked for years now.  But I won't go off on a tangent today about that.  I will, however, offer a site that offers free educational materials.  It has courses, textbooks...take a look and see what you can learn.  It is called Open Culture.

I've spent too much time on the blog this morning. Time to do other things but I will be adding to this on line education list so sign up for updates and come back often!

Halloween!

Want to give out something that won't rot their teeth and clog their little arteries?  Try Oriental Trading Company, or Rhode Island Novelties for big lots of items that are just as cheap as candy.

And for even more off the wall novelties try Pushin Daisies (Not the TV show which is still in my top 5 all time favorites!)

More to come.  I love Halloween!

Stories

 Gather round children, it's time to re-read your favorite fairy tales...and learn their deep dark beginnings.

How many of you adore the beautiful and heartwarming Disney movie Pinocchio?  Me Too!  But I also love the original version, where the mean spirited, self absorbed wooden marionette that comes to life squashes the cricket who is trying to talk sense into him and is haunted by its ghost periodically...and gets his little wooden feet burned OFF, and more!  A great commentary of the story lies here.

SurLaLune Fairy Tales features 49 annotated fairy tales, including their histories, similar tales across cultures, modern interpretations and over 1,500 illustrations. 

I invite you to do some research on your favorite fairy tale and see how it really ends!

Steampunk

Over the past year or so, the SteamPunk genre has made its way to the mainstream.  Meaning: People are trying to cash-in on the term by labeling anything as being "Steampunk."  Visit Regretsy.com  (now Regretsy Archives) and take a look at the "Not Remotely Steampunk" page if you doubt this.  But it isn't just Etsy sellers.  The big box stores seem to be adding dollops of what they think will entice their customers be up to date and to part with some of their hard earned wages without doing their homework.

I can see how it might be confusing to some, so I've found some sites that will help with the translation.  First, take a look at the French Steampunk  ring site.

Then watch this You Tube video from League of Steam.

Go here for authentic costumes.  Now travel over to Antiquus for accessories for your costume!  If you like to DIY then check out Hicronymus Isambard "Jake" Von Slatt's  page.  He also has some great links to further your education of what exactly, Steampunk is.

For some enjoyable reading visit SteamPunk Magazine or  look through this new anthology.  I haven't read it myself yet but am intrigued and will post a review when I have finished it.

Now hop into your dirigible and enjoy the scenery!