Boney Island Exudes – and Exhumes – Spooky Charm

Posted on by Diversions LA

Skeletons tell your fortune…clever video card tricks invite you to play…optical illusions of disappearing blackbirds and mysterious snake-like rope tricks fascinate, while charming, yes charming displays of the recently departed depict fishing trips and pirate lore, cowboy life, and strange gardens.

Such is the world of Boney Island, returning after a 3-year hiatus due to Covid and relocation. Now happily positioned outdoors near the Exposition Park Rose Garden on the Natural History Museum grounds, this enchanting Halloween world is immersive, interactive, and alight with eerie illumination now through October 31.

We walked through the museum’s garden pathways at dusk and into a world that includes skeleton dinosaurs, carnival barkers, and even carnivorous plants. Both witty, amusing, and properly spooky, the attraction was originally created by Rick Polizzi, producer of The Simpsons, for his family. It was designed as a riff on the Coney Island amusement park, and over the course of 20 years, expanded from a front yard exhibit to a large-scale attraction in Griffith Park. And now, it’s found what appears to be its rightful bones – or rather, home at NHM.

The museum’s nature gardens are a great setting, allowing visitors to wind their way through various themed areas. The carnival barker/Coney Island-themed skeletal attractions are the first portion of Boney Island visitors will enjoy, and it would be just about impossible to walk through it without laughing delightedly at the illusions and tricks offered here. In a small clearing, a compact stage offers a lively information from museum staff about fiendish-looking fossils and creatures from the distant past, as well as magic shows.

Attendees will stroll among the skeleton horses and cowboys, pirates and their buried treasures in Deadwood Forest, view a skeleton orchestra in performance and the somewhat carnivorous appearing plants in Hauntington Gardens, and watch skeletal Teradactyls fishing for boney fish among the other prehistoric creatures in Prime Evil pass.

There’s also a Haunted Halloween Light Trail, and at the far end of the attraction, a large stage featuring a Haunted Mansion water and light show with musical amusements ranging from the classical to the Adams Family theme song conducted by a delightfully snarky skeleton host. And don’t forget your camera! Set pieces such as a Dias de la Muertes skull, massive pumpkins, and a tilted quarter moon are also on hand for photo ops that are perfect for the whole family.

In fact, the entire event is not only family-friendly, its adult-friendly, too. Kids will love the tricks and amusements, adults will revel in the old-time flavor, smart artisanry, and lively quips that abound.

Additionally, there are pop-up demonstrations conducted by the Natural History Museum’s Live Animals team, and a rotating selection of local food trucks and food vendors as well as the museum’s café, the Neighborhood Grill from Post & Beam, as well as both Boney Island and NHM-branded merchandise and light up toys for take-home fun.

This unique and super fun Halloween spooktacular is ticketed at $25 per person; $20 for NHM members. The event runs Thursday–Sunday, and on October 30 and 31st. Entry times are at 6 and 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 and guests are invited to stay until closing. Allow two hours to enjoy all the tricks and treats.

  • Genie Davis; photos by Genie Davis

See the Stars On Screen and In Hollywood: Rooftop Film Club

Posted on by Diversions LA
Rooftop Cinema - Photos: Jack Burke
Rooftop Cinema – Photos: Jack Burke

When this old world starts getting you down, just like Carole King sings – go up on the roof! Even better, go up on the roof and watch a movie.

Where can you go to watch a film with the glittering skyline of Hollywood soaring around you? Have a gourmet burger, nitro frozen custard, sip mixologist specials, craft and specialty beer — all from the comfort of a luxurious striped Brighton Beach deck chair?

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That would be the Rooftop Film Club at The Montalban Theater, where an astro-turfed roof-top becomes the ultimate in plush outdoor movie going.

Yes, the weather has turned a bit chilly in LA but there’s a complimentary micro-fiber blanket to keep you warm. We were in great shape to snuggle up and enjoy a movie.

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We attended on Halloween, when the rooftop deck was decorated with fluffy ghosts and black cats, and many of the guests came clad in film-themed costumes- saw several Audrey Hepburn’s, and as the film screening was Beetlejuice,  a number of Michael Keaton clones.

I love outdoor films, and have long been a fan of the screening series in the unique and well curated Cinespia location at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. But there are always certain drawbacks that I reluctantly note there: the wait to get in and mad-dash for the best picnic spots, carrying your own chairs, packing your own picnic, and that occasionally robust group of chatty film-goers to avoid.

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Rooftop Film Club gives you great retro films, and the comfort of a theater – only even better. Cutting edge technology in the form of wireless headphones means the sound is always crisp and clear, and even if people are ordering drinks at the bar or munching on their popcorn, candy, or dinners, you can’t hear them. That might be the biggest selling point for me: outdoor experience, indoor audio.

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Speaking again of food, the provider is Haché LA out of Silver Lake, known for their delicious burgers. We loved the Veggie Burger, crafted from barley and leeks – no soy. A slightly spicy edge from their Karma Sauce added extra flavor to a crisp, tasty veg entree. Carnivores will be delighted with their gourmet steak burgers, too. All burgers come on a fresh baked and light signature bun, and include tomato, cheese, onion and lettuce. We also loved the tangy fresh guac and chips; the cookie butter frozen custard is wonderfully light and sweet. We combined our meal with Modern Times IPAs from the rooftop bar. While food service closes come screen time, the bar is open for additional libations. We tried the Beetlejuice-centric red pomegranate and champagne cocktail. All first rate, quickly provided, and just a short stroll down the aisle from our seats.

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Picture quality is excellent, screen-time is prompt, and what’s better than watching a movie under the stars, with pristine audio, great snacks, and – that skyline.

It’s kind of a thrill to look around you at Hollywood’s glitter – which does not, thankfully, impact screen image due to thoughtful screen positioning – and be watching something that Hollywood itself has crafted.

This is the last official weekend for Rooftop Film Club, with screenings tonight through Sunday of true Hollywood classics:

Friday, November 6, 2015: Casablanca, Saturday, November 7, 2015: Some Like It Hot, Sunday, November 8, 2015: Sunset Boulevard 

But if you can’t make it this season, there’s next spring, summer, and early fall to look forward to. Just be sure to put Rooftop Film Club at the top of your unconventional cinema list.

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Time to Get Scared: Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights

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The Walking Dead Wolves Not Far maze begins at Terminus - Photo: Jack Burke
The Walking Dead Wolves Not Far maze begins at Terminus – Photo: Jack Burke

Remember the magic you used to feel on Halloween? The sense of excitement to go out trick or treating? The spooky but fun dread that maybe there really was something lurking behind the tree in the neighbor’s yard – that wasn’t the neighbor’s cat? Dark rooms, zombie flicks on TV, things that go bump in the night?

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Well you can experience it again, albeit with a fairly substantial price tag, at Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights. Not just any old haunted attraction, this one features movie-quality recreations of set pieces from frighteningly famous franchises like Halloween and The Walking Dead.

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Great sets, fantastic animatronic figures, eerie lighting, and of course, what really makes the event take off, the “scareactors,” some 500 talented performers stalking, scaring, and jumping out at guests, gruesomely attacking each other, and each creating an astonishingly well-choreographed live performance on average once every six seconds.

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So is it worth it to “haunt” Universal Studios after dark? Absolutely. From the kitschy 3D horror humor based on the film This is the End to the longest and arguably scariest maze this year, The Walking Dead Wolves Not Far,  to the supernatural Insidious Return to the Further, these live performance scares are worth every penny.  Also not to be missed: this year’s Terror Tram offering based on The Purge films takes over the back lot, and in a break from all the horror, a live stage show starring the hip hop energy and special effects of Jabbawockeez. Of course there’s scare zones scattered throughout the park – from the evil elves of Dark Christmas to the giant bugs of Exterminatorz you’ll get your screams on. Strolling through the recreation of Homer Simpson’s Springfield or jumping on the Jurassic Park ride are also somehow a lot more fun after dark, when you know just outside the rides’ perimeters lurks – a shadowy menacing monster or two.

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This was our third year experiencing Halloween Horror Nights, and it’s an absolutely horrific delight. Go early – early admission allows guests into the park an hour before HHN officially opens and access to several lower lot mazes before the lines get too deep. And stay late – don’t rush the scares. Savor the midnight magic.

  • Genie Davis; all photos Jack Burke (copyright Jack Burke)