The 2024 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by UScellular, opens Thursday, Aug. 1 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 11 at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. Agriculture is the backbone of the Wisconsin State Fair and can be seen throughout the barns, milking parlor, and educational exhibits on the fair grounds. Team Gregula cannot vait to make their annual road trip to "America's…
The Chicago edition of the Oddities & Curiosities Expo (O&C Expo) readily returns July 20-21, 2024 at McCormick Place. This vill be our second year in a row at the first and original international event exclusively showcasing oddities vendors and dark artists. Countess Gregula and I are hex-cited to renter the macabre mall of deadly delights for lovers of the strange, unusual, and bizarre.…
Picture it: the year is 1983 and the family is in the mood for pizza and arcade games, so everyone hops in the Oldsmobile (or 70s-80s vehicle of your choice) to head on down to ShowBiz Pizza Place. As you enter the restaurant, a big stage can be seen with three stages covered by curtains, distracting everyone from the food and fun.…
The Rock-afire Explosion (RAE) is an animatronic band that played in ShowBiz Pizza Place restaurants across the United States from 1980 to 1993. The pioneering show featured life-sized characters capable of advanced movement and facial expression. Created and manufactured by inventor Aaron Fechter through his company Creative Engineering, Inc. (CEI) in Orlando, Florida. In addition to overseeing the production of the animatronics, Fechter also provided the voices for several characters.…
C2E2 is one of the major conventions in the Midwest and is a headliner event. It is arguably the most important of the geek conventions in the Chicagoland area. C2E2 has the connotation that if you’re a geek and you’re in the Midwest, you absolutely have to be there. It makes itself huge by choosing the location that proclaims that it’s a…
The Chicago Horror Film Festival will be bringing the world of independent horror cinema to Facets Theater this weekend (May 3rd-5th) for its 25th edition. From the passion of dedicated horror creators and enthusiasts, this eerie event promises three days and nights of captivating programming featuring a curated selection of both local and touring short films. Get ready to experience some fang-tastic…
The Chicago Steampunk Exhibition is a steampunk convention that happens annually in Schaumburg at the Hyatt Regency. This was the first time the entire Crypt team had attended a steampunk convention so we were rather excited and prioritized it over all other events happening the same weekend. We were glad we did. Never have we seen such detailed and intricate costumes! What…
A screening of the science fiction masterpiece Metropolis (1927) was held at the historical Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge on April 8. The Pickwick Theatre was first opened in 1928, one year after the premiere of Metropolis itself, a most appropriate place to host the movie. Upon arrival at the theater, the moviegoer is struck with the beauty of the Pickwick’s art…
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) is returning to Chicago this April! Team Gregula is honored to be approved as the macabre media once again in order for us to cover our 15th edition of C2E2. Excelsior! ReedPop produces this premiere pop culture convention that has grown to be the largest fandom event to take place annually since 2010 in Chicago. During…
Chicago Steampunk Exposition provides an imagination powered inter-dimensional time portal to an alternative 1893 Chicago Exposition! One filled vith awe, vonder, science, and magic! This time they travel to July 1893 vhen the Exposition fell under the dark cloud of Victorian Gothic horrors, Penny Dreadfuls come to life, and the looming presence of the Dark Prince Nosferatu. Vill you fight to protect…