What an amazing performer he must have been Magician and actor John Calvert who dies at 102 and was still performing at that age. He was very inspirational and he was also known for creating the illusion of sawing off the head of a spectator using a giant buzz saw.

By Jenny Alvarez

Photos by Alfonso De Elias

Special Coverage for GalaTView.com

 Knott’s Scary Farm pulls back the curtain on wall to wall terror this Halloween season from September 26 until November 2, 2013.  Event hours are 7pm – 1am; Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm-2am.

Since 1973 Knott’s Scary Farm has been the benchmark by which all Halloween events are judged.  What started as a handful of monsters and sparse decorations has grown to be the largest, most creative and most attended Halloween attraction in the United States.

12 mazes and haunted attractions has six live shows, and four endless scare zones.

These are all the New Mazes:

Trapped:  The New Experiment*

Making its debut in 2012.  Trapped: The New Experiment returns bigger and more intense than its predecessor.  Trapped will offer a longer running time, more challenging puzzles, more mind-bending contraptions, and more in-your-face scares.

Black Magic

The veil between the living and the dead is severed when Houdini’s ghost materializes during a séance and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes on his theatre.   Will you be part of the disappearing act?

Forevermore

The twisted mind of Edgar Allen Poe comes alive as the “Forevermore Killer” works his way through one haunting tale after another.  All the victims unwittingly find themselves a part of “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” The Masque of Red Death” among other horrific stories.  Guests will want to catch up on their reading to stay a chapter ahead of their demise.

The Gunslinger’s Grave

Return to the Old West and walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path to retribution against a corrupt township.  This journey back in time takes guests on a trail of terror through abandoned gold mines, a treacherous corral, a seedy saloon and a final showdown at town hall.

Mirror, Mirror

Enter a world where madness is just a looking glass away.  What is real and what is an illusion?  A cursed mirror absorbs everyone into a mechanical wasteland of despair.  Hideous creatures of beauty and horror stalk the mirror world, hoping to draw another victim into a nightmarish labyrinth.

Dominion of the Damned

The Blood Queen’s reign has ended, but the seductive vampires continue to lure unsuspecting guests into this gothic lair of terror.  Ancient vampire lore decrees there shall always be one to rule the damned… Long live the King!

Returning Mazes

Pinocchio Unstrung

Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, but Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters.  The purpose of his killing spree – human flesh to cover his twisted wooden body.

Delirium

In the deep recesses of the mind, on the clouded brink of insanity, lies the hellish wasteland of delirium; a place so gruesome that your imagination fails to comprehend the horrors.  Illusion and paranoia are your only anchors to reality.

Trick or Treat

Trick or treat, which will it be?  Step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell.  Oh, she is home, but where?  You are not quite sure.  Don’t be afraid, her minions will guide you.  I am sure that the tales of the many Hallows Eve victims are just that.  You can come away with a treat, but is it worth it?

Endgames: Warriors of the Apocalypse

The world as we know it has ended.  The survivors in this barren desert have scavenged to rebuild society.  The rich and the powerful have turned all others into slaves for sport.  Enter the post apocalyptic arena where gladiators are forced to battle to their deaths for entertainment.

Uncle Willy’s Slaughterhouse

Folks near and far come a-runnin’ for Farmer Willy’s world famous BBQ!  Guests are welcome to venture through the Slaughterhouse where Uncle Willy will feed them full of BBQ, slather them with special sauce, tenderize them with his chainsaw and grind them into a tasty treat.  Bone appetite!

The Witch’s Keep

Many years ago, The Green Witch uncovered a wicked source of power in the depths of the Calico Mine, and now she’s hell-bent on using this mysterious energy to capture and corrupt all who dare enter.  Could this be the origin of her wretched Tricksters?

Scare Zones

New for 2013, those brave enough to shake off the fear in “Fiesta De Los Muertos” will encounter the grim fusion of dance music, colorful costumes, and larger than life stilt walkers.  This scare zone is the ultimate late night celebration of Dia de los Muertos.

“Necropolis,” a vampire world of flesh and machine, of gears and steam offers a journey through the streets of a steam punk influenced city of the dead where blood is power.

There is no place quite like “Ghost Town,” home to a whole cast of night stalkers including the notorious Sliders who lurk in every fog-filled corner.  Guests attempt to navigate the winding streets that may just lead to the graveyard!

Knott’s Boardwalk is taken over by “CarnEVIL,” where the freak show is the main event and clowns crave your undying attention.

Shows

A trip to Knott’s Scary Farm would not be complete without the shows and you will have many choices.

A Knott’s Scary Farm legend returns to the Ghoul Time Theatre – Elvira, Mistress of the Dark – stars in her all-new stage show: ELVIRA’S SINEMA SÉANCE. Elvira is back in all her ghoulish glory bringing her own brand of sexy sass and comedy to a fast-paced, multi-media extravaganza featuring the unique hip-hop/freestyle dance team The Academy of Villains direct from America’s Got Talent. Appearing live 9/26 – 10/31.

Mystery Lodge will be the site of the new show, “Possessed” where guests experience a new kind of terror as ghosts of the past are released and possession is their goal.  “Possessed” is filled with evil spirits and ghastly special effects that will bring a new dimension to your nightmares.

At Necropolis Theatre guests can watch the ghoulishly great performance of Street Drum Corps “Blood Drums” show.  This high energy drumming quartet is known for their unique blend of amazing percussion skills.

In Knott’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, “Carny Trash” offers up Aye Jaye, a sideshow comedian and magician with impeccable comedic timing who is a master of the unexpected. The Gypsy Camp will present “Cursed” featuring the magical and hypnotic powers of the beautiful belly dancers.

By GalaTView staff

Photos By Alfonso De Elias

Sandra Bullock was honored at the famed TCL Chinese Theatre with her very own handprint and footprint ceremony.  Her hand/footprints join the ranks of legendary stars such Judy Garland, Meryl Street and Clint Eastwood.  Sandra’s 3 year old son Louis and George Clooney attended the ceremony which also drew celebrities including Chelsea Handler and Octavia Spencer.

Never in the history of entertainment have two more self centered people come together especially with Kanye West compares himself to Michael Jackson, declares he’s the ‘number one rock star on the planet’ and Kim Kardashian has the same ego. According to the rapper he’s gifted in being able to make up song lyrics spontaneously in the moment.