Announced back in May as a way to help save Halloween, Living The Scream has ridden the waves of uncertainty through COVID-19 and is about ready to land in Los Angeles.
The horror gallery pop-up event founded by Alexander Montoya, owner of Zombie Killer Clothing, invites the horror community for a socially distanced, pandemic-compliant art gallery event on Oct. 24 from 4-10 p.m.
“I am always inspired by Halloween and horror,” said Montoya. “But when all the events like Midsummer Scream were canceled this year due to the COVID-19, I stumbled across an advertisement in regards to an art gallery rental in West LA. With my mind automatically on horror mode, I thought it would be a good idea to have a horror art gallery/horror photo booth type of event. I felt that a smaller horror pop-up venue is what the Halloween/horror community needed during these times.”
With all the unknowns surrounding the pandemic and health safety strategies, Halloween events have remained in a state of perpetual uncertainty. But horror fans like Montoya have vowed to continue forward to make Halloween happen one way or another.
“This is a live horror art show, so I want people to be inspired, network with each other and/or leave with an item created by an artist,” he said. “But most of all, I want people to leave happy and pleased with the show.”
There has been some tweaking of the event along the way, including a date change. In September, the date was postponed from Sept. 26 to Oct. 24 to keep within safety guidelines.
According to the event’s Instagram account:
“We have postponed our event because California museums and galleries will only be able to operate at (tier 1) 25 percent capacity once they reopen. We have a normal capacity of 71 people inside the gallery! We need to be at a minimum of (tier 2) 50 percent capacity since @livingthe_scream is both indoor and outdoors!”
But the show has gone on and Living The Scream has continued adding new participants — such as airbrush artist @abarbercalledrockin, who will be presenting a live demo, and candy apple maker Enchanted Apples (@enchantedapples), serving up some spooky treats.
At the center of the event is art.
“Differentiating is something I am always trying to achieve, but when I first had my eureka moment I thought of my friend Rawl Paredes from Rawl of the Dead, who specializes in horror photography,” said Montoya. “I felt I could make Rawl our main attraction, but I also knew enough horror artists, vendors and performers that would make this show unique.”
And of course, this is a fan-focused event.
“Cosplay is absolutely encouraged,” he said. “I will be cosplaying the headless horseman myself.”
In addition to the limited capacity, Living The Scream will take temperatures of guests with a touch-less temperature reader. Masks are required and the gallery will be disinfected.
“Many people assume Halloween will be canceled this year and we just want to make sure we get everyone in the Halloween spirit again,” Montoya said. “I mean Halloween falls on Saturday followed by Daylight Savings and a full moon.”
The Gory Details
Living The Scream
Oct. 24, 4-10 pm
Los Angeles
$10 per person for all-day entry
Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/living-the-scream-tickets-108495194046
