Modest, but successful: Vampire-con 2009

Vampire-Con 2009 website art

From newly bitten to centuries old, Vampire-Con had a delightful quantity of surprises to please even the most well-versed vampire academic. Despite the modest turn out, there were plenty of vendors, sights, and exciting information of upcoming books and movies to keep everyones attention.

Highlights from the August 16 daytime convention:

For the first time since the 1931 film adaptation, the Bram Stoker estate has endorsed a sequel to the infamous novel, Dracula. Dacre Stoker, (Bram Stoker's Great-Grandnephew) and screenwriter/ historian Ian Holt, verbally publicized their new book Dracula: The Un-Dead during the first panel on August 16, 2009. The basis for the novel was taken from Bram Stoker's hand-written character and plot thread notes, excised from Dracula, and turned into its own work. It begins in 1912, 25 years after Dracula's "death", following the grown son of Jonathan and Mina, Quincey Harker, and his encounters with Bram Stoker, and a now morphine addicted Dr. Jack Seward as he stomps out evil across Europe. The novel will be released on October 13, 2009.

Angela Aleiss, PhD and film historian, announced that film remakes/ new films were going to be made for the Vampire Chronicles Series written by Anne Rice. It has been rumored that Robert Downey Jr. will play Lestat in a Interview with the Vampire re-make, however, there is no credible confirmation(s) to support that statement. (Not to mention he would be TOO old to play Lestat, meaing that he looks too old.) In an email to one of her fans, Anne Rice wrote:

"I cannot confirm this story. The negotiations are entirely in the hands of my agents. I know they are always working on setting up my books with good motion picture prospects. But I do not have anything specific to say on the matter right now. I am optimistic that we will see good movies in the future based on the Vampire Chronicles. When I do have news to report, I will post it on my website. I thank you for your interest. I can certainly confirm that the film of Queen of the Damned was a terrible disappointment to me and to many of the readers. Thank you for your letter." 

Please visit Anne Rice's website for factual information regarding future films.

The Vampires and Sexuality lecture had a few surprise guest from HERE TV’s The Lair, including Writer/Director Fred Olen Ray and a few cast members. The Lair is about a private gay club run by vampires, who use it as a source to lure in attractive young men for food. Thom, a local journalist in the small island town, begins digging into the anonymous bodies turning up drained of blood, coming to the attention of the head vampire, Damian, who sees Thom as the reincarnation of his own dead lover. It is a spin off of Dante's Cove. Celeste Yarnall (star of The Velvet Vampire and also known for her work in The Beast Of Blood, Star Trek and Live A Little, Love A Little opposite Elvis Presley) was another guest speaker, promoting her soon-to-be-available Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care book.

Free Durex condoms were also distributed to audience members during this lecture.

AIDS Project Los Angeles provided a mobile HIV testing unit on-site and The Red Cross also provided a mobile unit for blood donations. Donors received a free t-shirt for every pint donated.

Contrary to circulating rumors, there was not a specific lecture nor vendor dealing with Twilight or True Blood merchandise, nor any other popular vampire franchise. Popular vampire films and literature were briefly mentioned throughout each lecture, but the main focus was on vampire history and it's influence today.