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Universal Studios unleashes first all-female Halloween haunted house to counter 'male-centric' genre
Universal Studios hopes to “create powerful female characters” to reinvent the “male-centric” horror genre at its annual Halloween event.
Earlier this year, Universal announced the themes of eight new haunted mazes as part of the Halloween Horror Nights 2024. One new addition was called “Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines,” a new all-female horror character attraction featuring the Bride of Frankenstein, Van Helsing’s daughter, She-Wolf and Dracula’s daughter.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Halloween Horror Nights creative director John Murdy revealed this was intentional to push back against the “hierarchy” of Universal movie monsters that have been “all guys.”
The “Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines” is primarily focused on lesser-known female monster movie characters. (Photo by Universal Pictures/Getty Images)
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“I want to create powerful female characters,” Murdy says. “When horror started, it was pretty male-centric. Even into the ’80s — it was Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Michael Myers. That’s what we started doing. It was that genre of horror. But as time has gone on, and the event has grown and evolved, we’ve kept an open mind about embracing all horror.”
Murdy said the inspiration came from the popularity of a 2021 haunted maze that was centered around the “Bride of Frankenstein,” giving him the confidence that an all-female take on the attraction could work.
Tourists take photos at the globe outside the entrance to Universal Studios Orlando on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in Florida. (Katie Rice/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“I really love the female-centric take,” Murdy says. “I have two daughters, and honestly I have probably one of the world’s largest collections of Universal Monsters paraphernalia. It’s in my house here in L.A., so since the time they were babies, they were in the monster room. I have pictures of them kissing the busts of Frankenstein, so they knew this as normal as kids. Like me, they have a weird emotional attachment to them, and I want to create powerful female characters for my kids.”
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“My 11-year-old is coming for the first time,” Murdy added. “Up until now, she’s never asked, but she said, ‘I think I’m ready.’ And I want her to see female representation.”
Halloween Horror Nights 2024 opened in August at Universal Orlando and September at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua via Getty Images)
“Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines” opened on Aug. 30 at Universal Orlando and Sept. 5 at Universal Studios Hollywood. It is expected to run on select nights until Nov. 3.
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Beach Boys co-founder selling Tahoe mansion for $43 million
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You love to see it: local artists on local stages. Here are 12 shows featuring local artists between now and Labor Day, including rock, metal, punk, folk, jazz, hip-hop and more.
Bark Hardly
This indie-folk group from Reno headlines an all-local bill with Glitter Bats, Sad Giants and Anabelle and the Desert Scrubs. It starts at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta St.
The show is July 10. Tickets are $12. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.
Thrashmob
It’s an all-local hip-hop night featuring this artist as headliner. They perform at 7 p.m. at Club Underground, 555 E. 4th St.
The show is July 11. Tickets are $20-$25. Details at clubundergroundreno.com.
Shared Scars
This Reno metal band celebrates the release of its new EP with a show that also features area metal bands Emberwake, Desolist, Titvn and Everglade. It all begins at 7 p.m. at The Alpine, 324 E. 4th St.
The show is July 11. Tickets are $20-$25. Details at thealpine-reno.com.
Cruz Control featuring Bree Rose
Rock, soul and hip-hop mix with this group from Reno. They play at 7 p.m. the first night and 8 p.m. subsequent nights at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St.
Free shows are July 16-18. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Next Question
The popular indie-punk group from Reno kicks off its tour at this show, which also features locals Blackstallion and Ring Pop Wedding. It begins at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta St.
The show is July 17. Tickets are $10-$12. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.
Vampirates
The longtime local progressive-punk/noise band performs with Sacramento ska punks Lesdystics and local hardcore punk band The Scattering. It all begins at 7:30 p.m. at Lost Highway, 1526 S. Wells Ave.
The show is July 17 and there is a $10 suggested donation. Details at instagram.com/corrigans_losthighway.
Fireman’s Ball Reignited
A benefit for the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department, this show features some big northern Nevada and regional names including former Tahoe resident and country-rock singer/songwriter Matt Axton. Also on the bill are Darren Senn, Charity Kiss and Next Question, among others. It all starts at 1 p.m. at Silver City Park, 385 High St., Silver City.
This free show, with donations accepted, is July 18. Details at instagram.com/silvercityvfd_nv.
Everything Sucks Fest 2026
The annual punk-band event returns, this time with locals Hired Fun, Irreplaceable Beings, Flicker And Fade and Cold Amber Medicine. It begins at 4 p.m. at Shoe Tree Brewing Co., 1496 Old Hot Springs Road, Carson City.
This free show is July 25. Details at instagram.com/shoetreebrewing.
Reno Jazz Orchestra with Matt Mauser
For their Artown show, this local group will be joined by Mauser, an “America’s Got Talent” finalist who specializes in pop and jazz standards. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road.
This show is July 29. Tickets are $35. Details at artown.org.
Reno Devilles
Rockabilly meets surf-rock with this local band. They play at 8 p.m. at Pele Utu, 1275 Stardust St.
This free show is Aug. 1. Details at instagram.com/peleutureno.
Jakota Wass
A country singer/songwriter from Gardnerville, Wass plays at 7 p.m. at the Outdoor Stage, Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., Carson City.
The free show is Aug. 8. Details at breweryarts.org.
The Electric
A straight-ahead alternative rock band from Reno, the Electric headline an all-local bill that also features Sad Giants and The Jackeyes. They play at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta St.
The show is Aug. 15. Tickets are $8-$10. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.
Cape Fear Quartet
This swing-jazz quartet from Reno performs at 8 p.m. at Pele Utu, 1275 Stardust St.
This free show is Aug. 15. Details at instagram.com/peleutureno.
Jelly Bread
Soul music meets alternative rock with this Reno group. They perform at 7 p.m. at the Outdoor Stage, Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., Carson City.
The free show is Aug. 15. Details at breweryarts.org.
Band Wars Music Festival
An extension of the contest at Club Underground earlier this year, the participants now get to play at Bartley Ranch. Contest winners No One Good are joined by Split Persona, Interstate, Giant Skunk and Quitter, among others. It all begins at 2 p.m. at Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road.
The show is Sept. 5. Tickets are $25-$35. Details at clubundergroundreno.com.
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A Cloudcroft barbecue spot has gained national recognition for its slow-cooked, savory meats and generous sides.
Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue landed at No. 7 on Yelp’s latest list of the Top 100 BBQ restaurants and was the only New Mexico spot to make the list. To compile the list, Yelp identified businesses in the barbecue category, then ranked those spots based on the volume and ratings of reviews from the Yelp Elite Squad — which comprises adventurous locals.
“High up in Cloudcroft, Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue brings Texas pitmaster tradition to 9,000 feet, serving up slow-smoked meats, hearty sides, and homemade desserts,” Yelp Elite Squad writes. “With picnic favorites like loaded potatoes, roasted corn, and hand-cut brisket sandwiches, this laid-back spot turns every meal into a mountain getaway worth savoring.”
It’s no surprise that Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue ranked high on the list, since James Jackson, a native of Lockhart, Texas, founded the restaurant. Lockhart is known as the “Barbecue Capital of Texas,” a title it received from the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999.
Jackson’s family bought a vacation home in Cloudcroft, and Mad Jack’s came to be.The line can stretch up to two hours, and people from all over the world, including plenty of Texans, come to taste what Mad Jack’s has to offer, according to its website.
If you can’t make the trip out to Cloudcroft, you can still get a taste of Mad Jack’s by ordering its rubs and sauces online.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
Ryan Reynolds on John Candy’s prideful vulnerability
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Entertain This!
The Aviation American Gin Distillery and visitor center in Portland, Oregon, has closed its doors as the company behind the celebrity-backed spirits brand shifts its production strategy, according to multiple reports.
Diageo, the global spirits company that acquired Aviation American Gin in 2020, confirmed the closure to local TV stations KGW and KOIN, saying the decision was made because of changing business needs.
“This decision reflects evolving business needs, as we continue to support growth ambitions for our Aviation American Gin brand,” Diageo’s statement reads. “Aviation American Gin remains an important part of Diageo’s portfolio and we are committed to the brand, our customers and consumers.”
USA TODAY contacted Diageo on July 9 for comment and additional information regarding the closure.
The nearly 33,000-square-foot facility opened in September 2022 in northwest Portland, offering visitors a cocktail bar, tasting room, gift shop and tours highlighting the gin-making process, including distillation and bottling operations.
Portland’s House Spirits Distillery founded Aviation American Gin in the early 2000s and later became associated with Emmy Award-winning actor Ryan Reynolds, who acquired a stake in the company in 2018.
“A little over two years ago, I became an owner of Aviation Gin because I love the taste of Aviation more than any other spirit,” Reynoalds said in a statement in 2020 after Diageo acquired the company. “What I didn’t expect was the sheer creative joy learning a new industry would bring. Growing the brand with my company, Maximum Effort Marketing, has been among the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been involved with.”
Is Ryan Reynolds still a co-owner of Aviation Gin?
As of July 9, Reynolds remains an owner of Aviation Gin, according to his social media accounts. His Instagram says he owns Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Maxixum Effort and the Wrexham A.F.C. soccer club.
When Diageo acquired Aviation Gin, the acquisition agreement valued the deal at up to $610 million, including an initial payment of $335 million and a potential additional payment of up to $275 million based on the company’s performance over a 10-year period, according to a 2020 news release.
Diageo, one of the world’s largest spirits companies, also owns other alcohol brands including Captain Morgan, Crown Royal and Smirnoff.
What’s next for Aviation, Diageo?
Diageo said it had already begun moving Aviation’s production from Portland to other facilities in 2025 as part of an effort to improve efficiency and strengthen its North American operations, KGW reported.
Diageo also said Aviation American Gin will remain part of its portfolio despite the closure of the Oregon visitor center and distillery.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
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