Flashback Weekend: Day 3 Highlights and It’s a Wrap!

Well, another Flashback Weekend in the books and it was one of the best Flashbacks ever.

Each day I posted highlights (here are Day 1 & Day 2) with shared stories, pictures, and videos… it’s been a blast. Here are my final Highlights for this year!

1) Photo Ops!

Day 3 is usually when I take advantage of the vendor room and the Celebrity Photo-Ops.

The casts from "The Warriors" and "John Carpenter's The Thing" were so generous and nice to everyone they met and it was no exception with me.

With the cast of “The Warriors”

With the cast of “John Carpenter’s The Thing"

2) Adrienne Barbeau!

I hosted a Q&A panel with the unbelievably entertaining, lovely, and talented (and remarkably kind) Adrienne Barbeau.

I have done Q&A panels with Adrienne in the past, but this one was the best by far.

We talked about her days as a cast member of “Maude;” how she met and married director John Carpenter; her years on stage in New York; what it was like to act under the direction of George A. Romero; and how she is NOT a fan of horror.

Signed by Adrienne

She also told an unbelievably funny and surprising story about Carpenter and his love of The Jerry Lewis Telethon (check out the clip above). One of the best panels I’ve ever done.

3) The Warriors Reunion!

My final Q&A panel for the weekend was with seven cast members from the "The Warriors:" Michael Beck, James Remar, Thomas G. Waites, Brian Tyler, David Harris, Dorsey Wright, and Terry Michos.

The guys told stories about the making of the movie and about the lifelong bond that exists between them and fans of the film. They took questions and comments from the audience (check out attendee Nathan's hilarious comment below) and showed us how much they'd come ready to play-yay!

4) Old Friends & New

As the weekend came to a close, I was able to spend a little time with my lovely girlfriend Julie (her second Flashback), her sister Kathleen and cousin Carin (their first!), do a final round in the vendor’s room, pack up my stuff, say farewell to my Flashback Family and co-workers, and head home with a giant smile on my face.

Kathleen, Don "the Mayor," Julie, Nick, and Carin

I love this event and those people. I already miss it and them very, very much.

I won't have to wait long to see them again because Part 2 is coming up Saturday, September 21st at The Midway Drive-In in Dixon, Illinois.

It’s a Dusk to Dawn Horrorfest featuring four classic horror movies on the big screen, under the stars, and from your car. So far, the lineup will be:

• “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (a 35mm print of the original!)

• “Phantasm” (Remastered!)

• to be announced!

• to be announced!

Flashback Weekend is special, and I’m honored to be a part of the family. See you next year at the convention. And see you in September at the Midway Drive-In!

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Flashback Weekend: Day 2 Highlights

Here are my 5 Favorite Things from Day 2 as Flashback Weekend continues!

1) Live Recording of The NickD Podcast!

With the great Esmeralda Leon during our live show of the NickD Podcast

My favorite thing about Day 2 was the recording of a bonus episode of The Nick D Podcast LIVE in front of a terrific crowd on Saturday afternoon.

Esmeralda Leon and I had a fabulous time chatting with the audience about the first times they were ever scared by a TV show or a movie.

Some of the responses were truly classic (“Tales from the Darkside” and “Goosebumps” were mentioned), and the participants were all rewarded with Nick D Podcast T-Shirts.

Svengoolie also stopped by to chat about scary things and his awesome 45 years as Sven before our special guest, filmmaker Don Coscarelli, joined us.

Don Coscarelli shared great stories during the live Podcast with Esma and me

We had a great time talking about the “Phantasm” series, “Bubba Ho-Tep,” and Don’s latest project, a book of short stories that take place in the “Phantasm” universe called “Phiction.”

2) "John Carpenter's The Thing" Reunion

Steve Prokopy and I co-hosted a Q&A panel and reunion of “John Carpenter’s The Thing” that featured David Clennon, Peter Maloney, Keith David, Thomas G. Waites, and Richard Masur.

We learned some of the cast's favorite lines from the movie (check out the video clip below!) and how they dealt with knowing/not knowing who was The Thing. It was an unforgettable hour that is really one of the best Q&A panels I have ever participated in.

3) The Sinister Visions Costume Contest

My favorite part of almost every single Flashback convention is the Sinister Visions Costume Contest hosted by Svengoolie, and this year certainly did NOT disappoint.

Teeny-tiny Ash with Ted Raimi

A teeny-tiny girl dressed as Ash from “Evil Dead" won in the kids' category.

The the winner in the adult category was a guy who came as BOTH Arnie Cunningham AND his possessed car Christine. Spectacular!

4) Flashback VIP Party

Every year, the VIP party is a great opportunity for Ultimate Package holders to hang out with the celebrity guests, have some drinks, chat, and take pictures.

With the incredible James Remar from "The Warriors," "48hrs," and so many other classics

Hearing great stories from "The Warriors" Michael Beck during a pause in the day's activities

She said yes

With the "The Warriors" Terry Michos and Michael Beck

This year was even more special as we spent time meeting the casts of “The Thing” and “The Warriors,” and chatting with other performers and guests.

Celebrity guests at Flashback are always kind, generous, and a blast to hangout with and this year was no exception.

Great stories, great pictures, and even a marriage proposal (she said “yes,” by the way).

5) Alan Howarth Live Score to "Halloween III"

The evening closed with a screening of one of the most divisive films ever made: “Halloween III: Season of the Witch,” with a live performance by composer Alan Howarth playing the score and accompanying the movie.

Alan Howarth performing live to "Halloween III"

The crowd was way into it, clapping along to the famous “Silver Shamrock” theme, laughing, and cheering throughout.

My girlfriend had never seen “Halloween III: Season of the Witch,” and ended up loving it, while also thinking it was monumentally silly, yet gory and fun. It was a terrific way to end an incredible day.

With the great Ted Raimi

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Flashback Weekend: Day 1 Highlights

Well, the first day of the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention is in the books, and it was a great one! Below are a few highlights from Day One.

Greeting Guests at O’Hare Airport 

I have been a part of this wonderful convention for 22 years now, and I help out in any way possible. This year, I did my part by going to the airport to greet & welcome the celebrity guests to Chicago.  

I look cool, like a real musician, but I'm just holding Alan Howarth's guitar while he gets his luggage.

Adrienne Barbeau is here! And she thinks I'm cute, so that's awesome.

It was mostly fun (except for delays and IT problems at the airport) and quite rewarding to chat with the celebrities, get to know them, and prepare for Q&A panels and more. 

We welcomed Don Coscarelli, Michael Gross, Cerina Vincent, Jordan Ladd, Keith David, David Clennon, Peter Maloney, Thomas Waites, Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Nancy Stephens, Alan Howarth, Michael Beck, Terry Michos, David Harris, Brett Wagner, and Quinn Lord.  

They were all wonderful and kind, and happy to be in Chicago. I was particularly thrilled to see one of my favorite people, Adrienne Barbeau (she also said that I was cute….so, that was pretty amazing.) 

Don Coscarelli 

Met up with my old friend Don Coscarelli, and stopped by to see the incredible 1971 Hemi Cuda from his film “Phantasm II,” a car that made me want to renew my license immediately.  

“Halloween” Guests Nick Castle and Nancy Stephens 

A terrific episode of Patrick Bromley’s “F THIS MOVIE” podcast was recorded in the Q&A Room with special guests from the “Halloween” universe Nick Castle and Nancy Stephens. 

Rohan Campbell

Rohan Campbell, the terrific star of “Halloween Ends”

Campbell is outstanding in “Halloween Ends” as Corey Cunningham, and he was delighted to see that-I was wearing a t-shirt OF him, talk about the movie, and make plans to hang out over the weekend. I liked him immediately because he was wearing a Pixies t-shirt.

Cabin Fever Reunion 

Steve Prokopy moderated a great “Cabin Fever Reunion” Q&A panel with the cast of the movie and writer/director Eli Roth. Smart, funny, informed work, and a very satisfying panel discussion. 

“The Warriors” party at Ventana’s 

Many people came dressed as their favorite characters from the classic movie. Tons of people drank, danced and had a blast…all while enjoying a playlist of songs that I put together! 

The 45th Anniversary Celebration of Rich Koz as Svengoolie!  

The true highlight of the day!

We enjoyed a few surprise visits from celebrity guests who also happen to be big fans of Sven: Jordan Ladd, Ted Raimi, and Tom Atkins.

Celebrating my good friend Sven

The awesome Tom Atkins having a blast

Ted Raimi admiring Kerwin

It was sweet, nostalgic, entertaining and unbelievably funny. And it was a massive pleasure to share the stage with a legend and entertain the great crowd. 

I have no idea what I'm doing in this picture.

So, that was day 1, and it was a great one. And Julie got to meet Sven, which made....her....day.

Julie and Sven

For more great pictures, check out the Flashback Weekend Facebook page.

Day 2 (schedule here) will even be better with even greater with more Q&As, movie screenings, cool celebrity photo-ops, exclusive parties, the Sinister Visions Costume Contest (hosted by Svengoolie), AND, a LIVE edition of The Nick D Podcast at 12:30pm with special guest Don Coscarelli!  

I hope to see you this weekend to share in the fun! 

Thanks, and please SUBSCRIBE to my weekly NEWSLETTER. Consider joining me on Patreon as a paid subscriber to help keep this thing going. Thanks again!