Don’t get me wrong: I’m a California boy to the bone and can’t imagine living anywhere else on the planet. That being said, the horror fan in me has long been jealous of the amount of kick-ass conventions held each year on the East Coast. Sure, we’ve got the San Diego ComicCon and WonderCon, but as far as conventions that are 100% horror-focused are concerned, we lack. Which is why I was absolutely thrilled to hear about Sinister Creature Con, a brand new horror convention that’s taking place in Sacramento on October 17^th & 18^th of 2015.

Sinister Crearure Con Co-Founder and Convention Director Tim Meunier is no stranger to the horror community, having founded the successful annual Sacramento Horror Film Festival in 2007. While he has been peripherally involved in convention planning in the past, Meunier was only willing to helm Sinister Creature Con under certain conditions:

Meunier: When I was approached to partner for this convention, I said I would only do it if it was an event that celebrated the art and artists.  This is the same motivation that drives my other event, The Sacramento Horror Film Festival.  With a goal of 80% artists to 20% vendors, I wish to make it evident that once attendees step through the convention halls that this event is art-focused.  No flea market style vendors.  No halls full of celebrities that have done nothing of note for 30 years.  Instead, attendees can expect: Live makeup demos, workshops, tattoos by the industry’s top talent, live painting, costume and character makeup competitions, and tributes to the core inspiration of the event- creature feature and horror films.  Best of all, Sinister Creature Con will be priced around the $20 marker to start for both days, giving attendees more cash in their pocket to shop the halls.

Clearly, Meunier and his team are anxious to set themselves apart for those “typical” horror conventions—and I personally couldn’t be more excited!  I asked Meunier about his personal experiences at conventions, the current state of horror conventions, and how Sinister Creature Con plans to break the mold!

Meunier: Cons should represent what is popular in the industry.  Unfortunately we are in this creative lag in mainstream horror that has yet to give us genre gems similar to what I experienced in the 80’s with Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, etc.  So promoters have essentially gone to the way far too many times bringing fans guests that have seen their fair share of miles on the convention scene.  This type of booking behavior can’t sustain itself. 

The atmosphere [at many conventions] has this human zoo vibe of lost souls yearning to be recognized and given $20 or so to rent their time for a minute.   It makes me uncomfortable.  It makes other fans uncomfortable.  So as a promoter, you have to do more market research.  

 Sinister Creature Con will have a selection of notable celebrities [but] our main focus is on the artists of the genre: The makeup artists, fabricators, sculptors, etc.  The minimal amount of celebs we do have often double as artists.  They are active within the industry today.  They may be known for something cult appreciated or nostalgic, but they haven’t ceased their craft at all.

While many specifics of the first annual Sinister Creature Con are still being finalized, those interested can check out their Official Website for updates: HERE.  And be sure to like their Facebook Page for weekly updates: HERE.

Featured guests already confirmed include:

• John Russo, co-author of the screenplay for Night of the Living Dead.
• Dallas tattoo artist Liz Cook.
• Sculptor and SFX artist Mikey Rotella, known for his work in V/H/S Viral and The Taking of Deborah Logan.
• Ink Master’s “Instigator”, Portland tattoo artist Joshua Hibbard.
• SFX artist Aubriana Zurilgen, aka “The Mad Masker”.
• Industrial Light and Magic Model Shop alumni Fon Davis.
• Face-Off Season 2 contestant Miranda Joy.
• Prolific SFX artist Tate Steinsiek.
• Award-winning SFX artist Shelby Michael Patton from Los Angeles.
• Obscura Antiques & Oddities co-owner Evan Michelson.
• Face-Off’s “King of Fabrication” Roy Wooley.
• Howard Berger, co-founder of KNB EFX Group, Inc.
• Actress Judith O’dea, best known for playing “Barbara” in George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.
• Actress Kristin Bauer of HBO’s True Blood.

Joshua Hibbard

Judith O’dea

Kristin Bauer

Liz Cook

Miranda Joy

Roy Wooley

Artists and vendors interested in participating in Sinister Creature Con can contact Tim Meunier at TIM@SINISTERCREATURECON.COM.

Also, California horror film fans will want to check out the Sacramento Horror Film Festival, also taking place in October; take a look at their official website: HERE.

Does Sinister Creature Con sound like an event you’d like to attend? Sound off in the Comments section!

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