Month: July 2023

New horror movie release: End Times

End Times is available in limited theaters and Video On Demand. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In movie news today, get ready for another post-apocalyptic zombie movie as End Times releases today.

End Times stars horror icon Jamie Bernadette and Craig Stark and is available now in limited theaters and Video On Demand. Jim Towns is the writer and director and The Asylum is the distributor. (The Write Way, 2023)

End Times follows a pair of mismatched travelers, Claire and Freddie (Bernadette and Stark), as they try to escape a deadly pandemic that has turned Los Angeles into a zombie-infested wasteland. Claire is a privileged young suburbanite ill-equipped to survive in this hostile new landscape, until she meets Freddie, a retired soldier who lost his daughter to the virus. As they travel together to reach the perimeter, Freddie teaches Claire the skills that will enable Claire to survive, and the uneasy partnership between the two grows into something more akin to a father/daughter relationship. Before they can reach safety, the two will have to escape brutal gangs, cannibals, cults, and the undead.

“We have a heartfelt horror here that has not only scared those who have previewed the film, but has also left them in tears at the end. Perhaps the toughest acting I have ever done is in the last 20 or so minutes of this film—yes, maybe even tougher than I Spit on Your Grave if you can believe that ha ha. It tried me as an artist, pushed me as an actor, and tested me as a person. I owe a big thank you to actor Craig Stark for being an incredible scene partner throughout this film and to writer and director Jim Towns for his brilliant vision and guidance.” – Jamie Bernadette

“I’m excited that after a lot of hard work, End Times is being unleashed on the world. This film was a battle to make from start to finish, but I’m so very proud of it and of everyone who came together to make it. I think it tells a universal story about the bonds between people that get us through tragedy and disaster, and finally bring us to a place of hope. My thanks to my producing partner Jamie Bernadette, our stars Jamie and Craig Stark, Dominique Swain, Kaiwi Lyman and Sadie Katz, and to the Asylum for their trust in the film.” – Jim Towns

The supporting cast includes Dominique Swain, Jessica Morris, Kaiwi Lyman, Dan Buran, Stefanie Estes, Maria Olsen, Sadie Katz, and Victoria De Mare.

Halloween party idea: ‘Sip and Shade Party Art Book’ by Sunny J Shores

This Halloween, let ‘Sip and Shade Art Book: A Gathering of Haunted Creativity and Inebriation’ by Sunny J Shores inspire you. Photo: Sunny J Shores, used with permission.

Halloween is right around the corner and if you are hosting a Halloween party and looking for original ideas besides the tired old costume contest, I have an exciting and creative idea. How about hosting your own Sip and Shade Party with this Halloween-themed edition book?

Adult coloring books have gained popularity in recent years because they can be therapeutic. Some studies have shown that focusing on the complex drawings on these coloring books can actually put your mind into a relaxing and meditative state. So why not get together with friends this Halloween, put on your best costume, and enjoy some adult beverages, all while bonding, expressing yourself, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

“Sip and Shade Party: A Gathering of Haunted Creativity and Inebriation: Halloween Edition” by Sunny J Shores is more than just a coloring book; it is also a party planner to help you host the best spooky get together this season. It is made from high quality paper perfect for all types of mediums, from colored pencils to markers. The padded pages are sure to handle all types of artists, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing experience. Do you have guests who are left handed? This coloring book is formatted to complement left handed or right handed artists. It even comes with a guest list and memories page perfect for capturing every moment. (Sunny J Shores, 2023)

So this year surprise your friends with a unique Halloween party courtesy of the Halloween edition of “Sip and Shade Party.” Set aside a space for creativity to bloom surrounded by spooky Halloween decorations, drinks, and a variety of art supplies to fit every artist’s needs. Of course, costumes are always encouraged! And remember, if it is not on social media, it did not happen, so share your experiences online by using the hashtag #SipAndShadeParty.

“Sip and Shade Party: A Gathering of Haunted Creativity and Inebriation: Halloween Edition” is available online. For bulk orders of 10 or more, you can order directly from the publisher’s website. Happy Halloween!

Photo: Sunny J Shores, used with permission.

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New album release: Morning Shift – Steep Canyon Rangers

Hominy Valley is the first single from Morning Shift, out September 8, 2023. Photo: Steep Canyon Rangers

Steep Canyon Rangers are made up of Graham Sharp on banjo and vocals, Mike Guggino on mandolin/mandola and vocals, Aaron Burdett on guitar and vocals, Nicky Sanders on fiddle and vocals, Mike Ashworth on drums, dobro, guitar, and vocals, and Barrett Smith on bass, guitar, and vocals. Over the band’s esteemed career, the three-time Grammy nominees have released 14 studio albums, three collaborative albums with actor and banjoist Steve Martin, been inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, and appeared on some of music’s biggest stages. In 2013, Nobody Knows You won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album, while 2012’s Rare Bird and 2020’s North Carolina Songbook garnered nominations in the same category. Steep Canyon Rangers unearth layers of human history with Hominy Valley, the first single from upcoming Darrell Scott-produced album, Morning Shift—out September 8. (IV-PR, 2023)

Produced by the distinguished Darrell Scott and engineered by the legendary Dave Sinko, Morning Shift found the Rangers recording their 14th studio album in Bat Cave, North Carolina, at the Inn Bat Cave, a historical refuge settled near a long-forgotten crossroads of Southern Appalachia. This was the perfect space to feel confident in expanding upon that Carolina sound, the perfect runway to let their well-oiled machine do what it does best- craft stories from the ground up, as a unit. Morning Shift also marks the band’s first album with new band member Burdett on guitar and vocals, bringing a soul-stirring element to the Rangers’ mastery of mountain music. Burdett is an award-winning singer-songwriter and a student of folk tradition providing a fresh, emotional context to the Rangers’ songbook.

Last month, Folk Alley premiered the track, writing “‘Hominy Valley’ perfectly kicks off the anticipation of another excellent new album from the Steep Canyon Rangers.” Fans can listen to Hominy Valley now and pre-order or pre-save Morning Shift ahead of its September 8 release. Steep Canyon Rangers are on tour throughout the summer with a string of dates with longtime collaborators Steve Martin & Martin Short beginning in September.

Morning Shift track list:
Hominy Valley
Deep End
Second in Line (Junior)
Old Stone House/Handlebars/Chimney Rock
Harvest Queen
Ghost of Glasgow
Above My Burdens
Birds of Ohio
Alabama Calling
Morning Shift
Fare Thee Well, Carolina Gals
Recommend Me

Catch Steep Canyon Rangers on tour:
July 13 – Grey Fox – Oak Hill, NY
July 14 – Rams Head – Annapolis, MD
July 15 – Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA
July 16 – Long’s Park – Lancaster, PA
July 21 – Midtown Listening Lawn Outdoor – Grand Rapids, MI
July 22 – Murphy Theatre – Wilmington, OH
August 2 – Denver Botanic Gardens – Denver, CO ^
August 3 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO
August 4 – Matthews Opera House – Spearfish, SD
August 5 – Centerfest – Lewistown, MT
August 12 – Podunk Bluegrass Festival – Goshen, CT
August13 – Stone Mountain Arts Center – Brownfield, ME
August18 – North Carolina Museum of Art – Raleigh, NC ^
August 19 – Shenandoah Valley Music Festival – Orkney Springs, VA
September 2 – The Blue Ridge Music Center – Galax, VA
September 8-9 – Mountain Song Festival – Brevard, NC
September 14-16 – Benedum Center for the Performing Arts – Pittsburgh, PA *
September 21 – AmericanaFest – Nashville, TN
September 22-23 – Encore Theater – Las Vegas, NV *
September 28 – Brooks Center for Performing Arts – Clemson, SC
September 29 – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre – Wilmington, NC
October 13 – Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts – Greensboro, NC *
October 14 – Township Auditorium – Columbia, SC *
October 15 – North Charleston Performing Arts Center – Charleston, SC *
October 26 – Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre – Red Bank, NJ *
October 27 – Academy of Music – Philadelphia, PA *
October 28 – The Lyric Theatre – Baltimore, MD *
October 29 – Altria Theater – Richmond, VA *
November 3 – The Lyric Theatre – Stuart, FL
November 4 – Florida Theatre – Jacksonville, FL
November 5 – Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL
November 10 – Merrill Auditorium – Portland, ME *
November 11- Providence Performing Arts Center- Providence, RI *
November 12 – Turning Stone Resort Casino – Verona, NY *
November 30 – Salle Wilfrid Pelletier – Montreal, QC *
December 1-2 – Meridian Hall- Toronto, ON *

^ With Amythyst Kiah
* With Steve Martin & Martin Short

1694165036

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Morning Shift release date

Suspense book of the week: ‘Let’s Kidnap Me’ by Kyle Guillou

‘Let’s Kidnap Me’ is the debut suspense novel by Kyle Guillou. Photo: Amazon

If you love suspense/thriller novels, this debut novel by Kyle Guillou may be right up your alley.

Kyle Guillou is a debut suspense author based out of New Jersey where he was born and raised– but he asks that you do not hold that against him. His first novel, “Let’s Kidnap Me” was released in print in December 2022 with a second to follow by Fall of 2023. When Kyle is not putting pen to paper he works as a tax accountant by day and by night suits up and hits the gritty Jersey streets to rid them of crime and corruption (or so he says, we have yet to confirm the latter part). In the suspense novel “Let’s Kidnap Me,” Claire and Corey get mixed up in sex, lies, and the perfect get rich scheme. (Amazon/Kyle Guillou, 2023)

“Let’s Kidnap Me” – Meet CLAIRE. Your average broke mid-twenty millennial who is sick of the way her life is going. She is sick of living at home with her insufferable mother and rich, snooty stepfather. Sick of hopping from one waitressing job to the next. Most of all, she is sick of having no future in sight. All she has keeping her afloat is her longtime boyfriend, Corey. She wants nothing more than for the two of them to escape this frustrating New Jersey life together. So Claire comes up with an idea: fake her own kidnapping with Corey. Together, they will extort Claire’s parents out of two million dollars in ransom money, which they will use to run away and start a new life together. Perfect, right?

Now, meet COREY. Your average broke mid-twenty millennial who is sick of the way his life is going and especially sick of his girlfriend, Claire. Just when Corey is finally ready to break up with her, she comes to him with this crazy idea to get rich. An idea just crazy enough to work in his favor…

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New book release: ‘Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor’ by Robert Sounvonnakasy

‘Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor’ is the new paranormal horror novel by Robert Sounvonnakasy. Photo: Robert Sounvonnakasy, used with permission.

In today’s book news, here is a new one I want to put on your radar if you like paranormal horror, urban fantasy, and horror suspense – “Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor” by Robert Sounvonnakasy.

Robert Sounvonnakasy is known for his captivating works in the realms of paranormal horror and urban fantasy. With two acclaimed titles under his belt, namely “The Prescott Legacy: A Medical Urban Fantasy Novel” and “Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor,” Robert has established himself as a master of crafting unique and innovative storytelling experiences. Robert’s passion for video games has been a lifelong inspiration for his writing. Games such as Final Fantasy, The Last of Us, and Street Fighter have fueled his creative fire and influenced his storytelling style. In his new book “Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor (The Prescott Legacy Spinoff Volume One): A New Adult Paranormal Horror Novel,” prepare yourself for a ghostly tale that will send shivers down your spine, featuring a one-of-a-kind fusion of The Karate Kid and American Horror Story. (Robert Sounvonnakasy, 2023)

“Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor” – In Russelfield, Alabama, the youth have long shared a bone-chilling legend of Branford Manor—a haunted house that seals the fate of anyone who dares to enter. Melissa Weller, an unsuspecting taekwondo student seeking personal growth, becomes the latest victim of the manor’s horrifying curse, unleashing ghastly apparitions that will torment her very soul. Despite the overwhelming odds against her, Melissa is determined to break the curse that has claimed numerous lives before hers. However, the supernatural manifestations are fearsome, and will relentlessly pursue her until her demise reaches a grisly conclusion. Can Melissa triumph over the malicious phantoms, or will she be lost forever in the infamous cycle of tragedy and horror?

“Overall, this is a brilliant first installment of a paranormal saga that lovers of the genre will relish.” – Readersfavorite.com

“If Stephen King, Colleen Hoover and Jackie Chan were to join forces and write a novel, this book would be a byproduct of their combined imagination.” – Amazon customer review

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Book of the week: ‘Empire of Blood and Darkness’ by Travis Yardley

‘Empire of Blood and Darkness’ is book one in the epic fantasy series by Travis Yardley. Photo: Travis Yardley, used with permission.

If you like epic fantasy books with vivid worlds and complex characters, “Empire of Blood and Darkness” by Travis Yardley is worth checking out. It is book one in the series and from now until July 11, it is available for free for Amazon Kindle Unlimited members.

Travis Yardley is an author who at the age of fifteen, already knew he wanted to write books. He spent his early life both in Texas and Oklahoma and started the earliest draft of his first book before finishing high school. He has been at multiple book signings at Oklahoma’s largest independent book store, Full Circle Bookstore. His e-book, “Empire of Blood and Darkness,” is currently free until July 11 for all Amazon Kindle Unlimited members. He sells signed copies for US mailing on Etsy at yardleybooks. In “Empire of Blood and Darkness,” Alexander Kai and his friends are dragged into a war when their neighboring Kingdom of Xythuu invades their home country. This story is the first book in a series that details their struggles as they fight back for their country. It is also available through Best of Books. (Travis Yardley, 2023)

“Empire of Blood and Darkness” – Alexander Kai and his close-knit group of friends begin their Eltheneaen apprenticeships with a thirst to learn the skills needed for the life of a soldier, such as wielding magic, Essence, and their weapons of choice. However, a surprise attack from the neighboring Kingdom of Xythuu steals the futures they had hoped for—as well as the hometown and family they all hold dear. This group of inexperienced apprentices must trek across their country to seek aid, learning to rely on each other’s skills and companionship as tragedy after tragedy befalls them. As the perilous journey unfolds along with the horrors of war, Alexander begins to wonder if he will ever see his home of Jylinae again. Is there any hope left of resisting Xythuu?

Photo: Travis Yardley, used with permission

Book review: ‘The Family Bones’ by Elle Marr

‘The Family Bones’ is the new psychological thriller by Elle Marr. Photo: Amazon

Elle Marr is the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of “Strangers We Know,” “Lies We Bury,” and “The Missing Sister.” Originally from Sacramento, Elle graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. She now writes and lives in Oregon with her family. In her new book “The Family Bones,” a young woman digs into her family’s shadowy legacy. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Family Bones” – Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture? The story begins with a brief news article about the chaotic events that took place at her family reunion. From there, it goes back two weeks with Olivia going through the 1945 trial recordings of her great uncle Calder Saffron Eriksen, who was charged with patricide, for her psychology dissertation. When she gets home she discovers the invitation to the Eriksen Family Reunion. Although she has kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits, but nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. First, Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river and an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation—and she is following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. No one, not even Olivia, will see the inevitable deadly twist coming.

Nature vs nurture is a frequent topic in stories that deal with psychology and in this case, Olivia is obsessed with her family history because she is nearing the age when most of her family members were diagnosed as “psychopaths” and she fears she may be next. It is fascinating to uncover the family secrets along with her. Halfway through, one begins to wonder if Olivia is the one responsible for the mayhem taking place at the reunion (she is not) and she just does not remember because she is experiencing disassociation from reality. When a book begins with a crowded family tree, you know the character list will be extensive and this one is no exception; it comes in handy as the story develops. It is narrated alternatively though the eyes of Olivia and the true crime podcaster Birdie Tan with newspaper articles filling in the details of the disturbing Eriksen family history. The references to the instances of animal cruelty perpetrated by family members in the past, though only hinted at, are rather cliché and add little substance to the story. Regardless, the language is easy to understand and beautifully descriptive: “moonlight washes the meadow in a white glow.” With relatable characters and a thrilling dialogue driven story that keeps readers guessing until the shocking ending, “The Family Bones” is a must read and recommended for fans of psychological thrillers with smart and multi layered female leads.

“A scream builds in my throat. It scratches at my shoulders, picking my collar. I should be wrestling with some deep-belly grief – the kind worthy of losing a loved one – but I stare at the wool material of the blanket until the urge to fall apart recedes. The precursors of hysteria slink back into the darkness.”

* The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Horror icon Jamie Bernadette stars in serial killer film Sebastian

Sebastian is now available for digital streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Sebastian is now streaming on Tubi, Plex, Vudu, Google Play, and YouTube. The crime-driven horror film in which a serial killer ravages a city stars horror icon Jamie Bernadette, Darius McCrary, Torrei Hart, and Luca Della Valle. The supporting cast includes Clifton Powell, Cocoa Brown, Jermaine Hopkins, Jayson Warner Smith, Tracey Graves, Michael Emery, and Jermel Howard. The film is written and directed by Mann Robinson. (The Write Way, 2023)

Synopsis: Sebastian (Luca Della Valle), a reincarnated Christian martyr who is reborn every 60 years, goes on a pursuit to win the love of Irene (Jamie Bernadette), eliminating anyone who gets in his way.

Sebastian (ac. AD 288) was an early Christian saint and martyr. He was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, initially being tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows, though this did not kill him. Irene of Rome came to his rescue and nurtured him back to health. Although he survived, Sebastian was later killed by his enemies. For centuries after this event, there has been a mass number of young women named Irene murdered and missing around the globe. Legend has it that Sebastian has been living among us disguised as a regular civilian named Augustus and is the murderous, revenging spirit that is reborn every 60 years because of the blood of Irene. The present day Irene is first charmed by his gentleman aurora and his world sophistication but then becomes put off from his aggression. Sebastian will not stop until he gets her blood. Or her love. (IMDb, 2023)

Sebastian is already climbing Tubi’s most-watched lists, having gone viral on social media the day of its release with opinion leaders in film openly praising the movie. Noted film producer Jan O’Connell compared the film to the popular 1995 film “Se7en” and praised the entire cast and Director Mann Robinson in a tweet. Darius McCrary, who is also a producer on the film, says, “I am honored to have had the pleasure of working with my partner Torrei Hart and the brilliant cast she and Mann assembled. Sebastian is one small step for a brilliant independent filmmaker named Mann and one giant step for all his Mankind.”

Director Mann Robinson stated, “It was an honor to work with true legends on this project. Felt like I was working with 7 acting instructors!” Jamie Bernadette commented about joining the cast, saying, “It was a no-brainer to accept the lead protagonist role of ‘Irene’ after I read the brilliant script by Mann Robinson and watched his excellent past directing work. Add to that a really strong cast of seasoned actors and an awesome producing team, and we have gold. They all made my job easy.”

New horror movie release: Aged

The new horror movie Aged is now available on digital streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In today’s movie news, if you love horror movies as much as I do, here is a new release. I am so watching it this weekend.

Aged, a new thriller starring Morgan Boss-Maltais, Carla Kidd, and Dave McClain, and directed by Anubys Lopez is now available on digital platforms. Viewing options include Tubi, where you can watch for free with ads, and Amazon Video, where you can rent or purchase. (October Coast, 2023)

Synopsis: After taking a temporary job as a caregiver, a young woman realizes her employer and the house have a dangerous, dark past.

Filmed in Houston, Texas, the unnerving character-driven dramatic thriller is the latest film from writer/director Anubys Lopez and his Harrowhouse Films, whose previous film the horror film Those That Call was released in 2022. Lopez works are usually horrors or thrillers based on true events or small town’s folklore. He is known for having abrupt, shocking, or unexpected endings to his films.

Summer 2023 exhibitions open at Contemporary at Blue Star

Public opening for the Summer 2023 exhibitions will be on First Friday, July 7 from 6p.m. to 9p.m. Photo: Contemporary at Blue Star, used with permission.

Contemporary at Blue Star, San Antonio’s first and longest running exhibition space for contemporary art, proudly announces the opening of three solo exhibitions on July 7, 2023. These exhibitions feature new work by Brittany Ham, Adam Schreiber, and Michael Velliquette, three artists with strong ties to the San Antonio community. Ham and Schreiber are alumni of the Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program and Velliquette is a former San Antonio resident, now based in Madison, WI. This year marks the 20-year anniversary since his first solo exhibition at the Contemporary. These exhibitions offer unique perspectives on self-portraiture, urban landscapes, and intricate paper sculptures, captivating audiences with their distinct artistic visions. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2023)

Brittany Ham: Unmooring reaches into the exploration of interior and exterior spaces, both architecturally and psychologically. Through oil paintings, Ham chronicles her personal experiences with lockdown, social distancing, and the challenges of early motherhood. The seemingly longing subjects in her artworks often escape claustrophobia through imagined landscapes. Her works draw inspiration from sculptures, woodcuts, and paintings of exhausted women, including the Virgin Mary which she researched during her time at Künstlerhaus Bethanien International Studio Program as a grantee of Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program. Ham’s works employ line and value to create molded planes that provide multidimensional perspectives. The curious contortions and collapsing of space in her pieces evoke a melancholic humor, inviting viewers to reflect on challenging times and the unknown horizons ahead.

Adam Schreiber: Stadtwald showcases photographs created during and since his residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien as part of Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program. Employing large format film cameras, he adopts the role of a photographic surveyor to document the city’s quiet and suspended scenes devoid of action. Schreiber’s images of isolated and decontextualized objects ignite viewers’ curiosity. Some of Schreiber’s photographs are visually dense with textural descriptions of the subject, yet they leave the viewer to decipher what exactly the subject is and what its significance might be. Grids, recurring in his work, hint at the artist’s camera lens and reflect the meticulous process of inspection. By presenting his subjects as unknown and encouraging active observation, Schreiber’s work engages viewers in a delightful game of curiosity and concentration.

Michael Velliquette: The Direct Path features an extraordinary display of intricate paper sculptures, making it the most comprehensive exhibition of these works to date. Velliquette’s installations create intimate spaces that invite viewers into these structural collages. Through layering, complexity, and vibrant colors, his works communicate a sense of ornate preciousness. However, their material and meditative creation process—meticulously measuring, cutting, composing, and gluing paper—reveal a delicate yet ordinary quality. This convergence of methods symbolizes transformation, showcasing unexpected metamorphoses of materials and offering moments of reflection to viewers as they visually enter these temple-like constructions.

As an artist-centric organization, the Contemporary is delighted to showcase the work of these talented artists and to nurture their creative practices. This commitment to supporting artists highlights the vital role that accessible spaces play in fostering a vibrant and dynamic art scene, encouraging artistic growth, and amplifying the diverse voices and perspectives that contribute to the richness of our cultural landscape.