The Haunted Basement
October 3rd – November 3rd, 2013
$25 weekdays and $27 Fridays & Saturdays
Tickets go on sale August 1st at www.soapfactory.org

“Don’t be embarrassed about opening your mouth and letting rip with all you’ve got,
because the person right next to you will probably be screaming too. And remember—a scream
at the right time may save your life.” – William Castle, cult horror film director

MINNEAPOLIS – Seven may be a lucky number to most, but for those foolhardy enough to explore The Soap Factory’s infamous Haunted Basement in its seventh, luck is a resource in dreadfully short supply.

Directed for a second year by Noah Bremer, The Haunted Basement is a fully immersive terror adventure designed to traumatize new visitors and returning Haunted Basement fans alike. With a fiercely demented creative team, consisting of set designers, makeup & costume designers and even olfactory scientists, Bremer has crafted an experience that will disorient and terrify visitors at every shadowy twist and turn.

Always a provocative assault on the senses, this year’s Haunted Basement will take sensory overload to outrageous new extremes, ranging from deviously twisted soundscapes and unexpected tactile experiences, and also including the presence of an entirely new spectrum of nauseating odors provided by the smell engineers of the St. Croix Sensory.

Beyond the structural design of this year’s project, Makeup Designer Kristen Leigh and Costume Designer Alli Olwell collaborate with this year’s Haunted Basement performers to create customized character designs, promising to unleash some of the most gruesome unfortunates ever to dwell beneath The Soap Factory.

Fancy yourself a hard-hearted veteran of The Haunted Basement, never breaking a sweat, never uttering a scream? We throw down a gauntlet and challenge visitors to journey through the entirety of the Haunted Basement completely alone. Special “Test Subject” Haunted Basement tickets will be released in September, in very limited quantities. Keep an eye on The Soap Factory’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for updates, giveaways and sneak peeks at this year’s Haunted Basement.

Did all that screaming make you parched? Fridays and Saturday’s during The Haunted Basement, join us for a drink in the Spooky Speakeasy. With craft cocktails, an eerie atmosphere and spooky music, this pop-up bar is the perfect place to decompress after your journey through The Haunted Basement. Ticket price includes entry to the Spooky Speakeasy. Or use the “secret knock” and check out the Spooky Speakeasy without Haunted Basement tickets.

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The Soap Factory celebrates its 25th year as a laboratory for artistic experimentation and innovation, dedicated to supporting artists and engaging audiences through the production and presentation of contemporary art in a unique and historic environment. Based in the historic National Purity Soap Factory in downtown Minneapolis, The Soap Factory is a 501(c )(3) non

Universal Studios Hollywood Brings to Life the Fearful Legend of ‘El Cucuy: The Boogeyman’ Exclusively at ‘Halloween Horror Nights’
Chillingly Narrated by Leading Villain Character Actor Danny Trejo

Universal City, CA – The age-old fear of “the boogeyman” comes to life at Universal Studios Hollywood in an all-new grisly twist, “El Cucuy: The Boogeyman,” as the latest in the lineup of award-winning “Halloween Horror Nights” authentically disturbing mazes opening September 20. Adding to the torment of “El Cucuy’s” grim and dark legend is an exclusive and chilling narration by Danny Trejo, one of Hollywood’s leading villain character actors.

In Mexico, “the boogeyman” is known as “El Cucuy,” a mythical ghost-monster touting pointed teeth and razor-sharp claws. Some believe it is an evil spirit which lurks in desolate caves and ventures into the pueblos late at night, lying in wait under beds, in closets and on rooftops in search of disobedient children. The legend began as a cautionary tale told by parents warning their children to behave or “El Cucuy” would prey on them. This generations-old myth has haunted children over the years as part of popular Hispanic folklore recited throughout Mexico, Latin America and the United States.

“I remember my mother telling me about ‘El Cucuy’ as a little kid and it freaked me out,” said Creative Consultant and Maze Narrator, actor/producer Danny Trejo. “I grew up with it and I told it to my kids, too. I can’t wait to check it out at ‘Halloween Horror Nights’.”

Trejo’s distinctive gravelly, gruff and gripping voice deftly narrates the legend through the eyes of the monster and malevolently morphs into “El Cucuy.” Maze-goers will follow Trejo’s ominous voice as it guides them into disturbingly gruesome sights ravaged and pillaged by the shape-shifting trickery of “El Cucuy” including the scene of a child’s birthday party gone horribly awry. Distressing maze chaos continues in sinister scenes which lure maze-goers through a family room, a child’s bedroom and closet where the merciless attack of “El Cucuy” is witnessed in pools of blood with lifeless bodies exposed to reveal gaping wounds; toys, stuffed animals and clothing are scattered about in the struggle. Maze-goers soon find themselves entering “El Cucuy’s” evil cave; a cavernous macabre of horror where muffled cries for help signal impending torment ahead.

“The ‘La Llorona’ maze we created last year was extremely well received by our guests and praised for its authenticity, so we’re excited to bring another infamous legend from Latino culture to ‘Halloween Horror Nights’,” said event Creative Director John Murdy. “At its core, this legend is even more horrifying than ‘La Llorona’ because ‘El Cucuy’ is known to take on the form of trusted adults like a police officer or your grandmother as a way to approach victims so it’s the perfect subject matter for a maze. When I was writing the maze story line, I pictured Danny Trejo as the voice of the monster, so we’re thrilled to be working with Mr. Trejo to bring the terrifying legend of ‘El Cucuy’ to life at ‘Halloween Horror Nights’.”

Trejo’s filmography includes an impressive lineup with starring roles in titles such as “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn,” “Heat,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” “Machete,” and more recently, “Machete Kills,” the second in the Machete series scheduled for release on October 11, 2013. Trejo can also be seen in Universal Studios Home Entertainment’s upcoming Blu-ray release, “Dead in Tombstone,” starring opposite Anthony Michael Hall and Academy Award® nominee Mickey Rourke. The new action-packed movie is available on October 22, 2013.

Universal Studios Hollywood Will Feature Music from Dubstep Artist Figure,
As Well As New Fan-Generated Monsters Inspired by Two National Competitions
in the ‘Universal Monsters Remix: Resurrection’ Maze During
This Year’s ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ Event

Universal City, California — The addition of all-original monsters inspired by fan-generated character competitions marks the first time that horror fans have contributed to a haunted maze experience for “Halloween Horror Nights.” The winning creatures will exist in the twisted confines of the “Universal Monsters Remix: Resurrection” maze alongside classic Universal Monsters, entombed in a shroud of heavy bass sounds by acclaimed dubstep artist, Figure. “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood begins Friday, September 20, 2013.

“The Universal Studios classic monster movies of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s defined the horror genre and inspired generations of filmmakers,” said John Murdy, Creative Director, “Halloween Horror Nights.” “For ‘Halloween Horror Nights,’ we reimagined classic characters and placed them in a rave-like environment – a present day ‘Monster Mash.’ It proved to be a fan favorite last year, and in 2013 there will be some exciting new twists.”

In addition to the music of Figure, the maze will also include winning designs from Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Design a Character Contest” as well as SyFy’s “Face Off” – a reality competition exploring the world of special effects make-up artists. “Design a Character” winner Christopher Oosting’s imagining of “The Invisible Man” will join a futuristic Frankenstein and his bride, created by the winner of a “Future Frankenstein” episode of “Face Off,” airing August 20 on SyFy.

Set within the antechambers of an eerily gothic castle, the new “Universal Monsters Remix: Resurrection” maze will unleash a cast of legendary creatures including “Frankenstein” and his bride, “Dracula,” “The Wolf Man” and “The Mummy.” From deep within the stone fortress, accompanied by ominous strobe lighting effects, guests will traverse dark and dank arteries of rotting catacombs laced with horror-inspired music by Figure.

Halloween Horror Nights – Evil Dead

It’s that time of year again – Halloween Horror Nights is beginning! This year, the exciting news starts with Universal teaming up with Sony Pictures to bring their recent box office hit, Evil Dead, to life! Elaborately themed haunted mazes at both the Hollywood & Orlando parks will provide an authentic experience that will immerse horror fans in this cult classic! Guests will be captivated and forced to make their best attempt to escape – dodging the possessed victims of the demon and finding their way through the darkness. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights has a more than 20-year history of creating an incredibly entertaining, horrifying Halloween experience that is consistently rated the nation’s best and this is another exciting collaboration.

HHN Creative Director, John Murdy, will also be revealing a running chronicle of exclusive information so follow HHN on their social pages for updates.

Facebook: “Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood,”
Instagram: @HorrorNights
Twitter: @HorrorNights
Hashtag: #UniversalHHN

Monster Look-N-Find is written by Jess Smart Smiley an illustrator, living and working in Utah. His first graphic novel, Upside Down: A Vampire Tale, was recently released from Top Shelf Productions, and he’s currently working on a monster Look-N-Find book (think Where’s Waldo? but with monsters) as a follow-up to his Monster Coloring Book. Did we mention that he like monsters?

Upside Down: A Vampire Tale
Harold is a friendly young vampire – but he loves candy so much, the dentist might have to pull his teeth! Now, what if he and the dentist, plus a couple friendly bats, all get caught up in the evil plots of the local witch? It’s a wild magical romp for all ages, just in time for Halloween!

We just wanted to share Alex Aiono’s Halloween Song with you.

He’s a singer/songwriter/musician that is only 16 and talented beyond his years.