Pop Culture

Luche Libre: Chupacabras

Just a brief note that with the success of Jack Black in the movie Nacho Libre (2006), many North Americans are awakening to the popularity of luche libre ("free-style fighting"). The masked version of Mexican professional wrestling has been around since the 1930s. As a reflection of popular culture, it is not surprising that cryptids pop up as characters, now and then, in luche libre. One luchador ("wrestler") has even dressed himself as a Chupacabras. Do you know others?

CryptoHealth News: Gimlin and Godwin

Bob Gimlin had open-heart surgery the morning of June 28, 2006, in his hometown of Yakima, Washington. He is reportedly doing well. Of course, Bob is well-known as the "Gimlin" portion of the Patterson-Gimlin footage taken of a Bigfoot at Bluff Creek, California, on October 20, 1967. Meanwhile, weird fiction aficionado and managing editor of Fate Magazine, David F. Godwin suffered a heart attack on June 20. He was supposed to come home on June 23, 2006. Any updates are appreciated on these and other individuals on the quest having health issues.

Lyle Stuart, Frank Edwards’ Publisher, Dies on June 24th

June 24th has seen the passing of publisher Lyle Stuart, above. When I wrote on June 22nd of the "Wonders of St. John’s Day," I observed that some prominent writers and researchers had died on June 24th. The date that is generally remembered today as the "birthday of flying saucers" (June 24, 1947) has historically been the focus of many strange events, from Bigfoot sightings to Chupacabras encounters too. Acknowledging the deaths of various phenomena writers and fans, I mentioned Frank Scully in 1964; Frank Edwards in 1967; Arthur Bryant in 1967; Richard Church in 1967; Willy Ley in 1969; [...]

Origins and Insights: The Exhibition

The Maine Sunday Telegram published an "Audience Section" critique of the new Bates exhibition. It follows: Sunday, June 25, 2006 Artists hope viewers let imaginations run wild By BOB KEYES, Portland Press Herald Writer LEWISTON — The female rears back, teeth clenched, arms ready to attack. She’s frightening, fierce and ferocious. But there’s something anatomically wrong. Instead of strong legs that would suggest her ability to spring, she sports fins and a tail. She is, after all, a mermaid. The creation of Minnesota artist Sarina Brewer, the "Feejee Mermaid" stands – or is it more appropriately, swims? – as one [...]

“Cryptozoology: Out of Time Place Scale” Opens

After four years of discussions and planning, Bates College Museum of Art opens its doors for the exhibition entitled “Cryptozoology: Out of Time Place Scale.” Early reviews are extremely positive, and one of the first write-ups is in Absolute Arts. Three themes are traced through art projects and essays in the exhibition and book: Artists, Adventurers, Environmentalists; History of Science, Taxonomy, Dioramas, Museum Display; and Pop Culture, Myth, Spectacle, and Fraud. Featured artists include Rachel Berwick, Sarina Brewer, Walmor Correa, Mark Dion, Sean Foley, Joan Fontcuberta and Pere Formiguera, Ellen Lesperance, Robert Marbury, Jill Miller, Vik Muniz, Jeanine Oleson, Rosamond [...]

The Wonders of St. John’s Day

St. John’s Day June 24 Knights Templars display “Mysterious Head” at Poitiers (1308). Founding of the Order of the Garter (1348). John Cabot discovers North America (1497). Galileo released (1633). “Woman of the Wilderness” utopian community arrives in America (1694). “W of W” angelic visions (1701). Grand Lodge of Freemasons inaugurated (1717). Ambrose Bierce born (1842). Red rain, Italy (1877). Ice fall, Ft. Lyon, Colorado (1877). Fall of jelly-like mass, Eton (1911). Fred Hoyle born (1915). Mick Fleetwood (1942) and Jeff Beck (1944) born. First day of “flying saucer” history, Mt. Rainier & Mt. Adams, Washington State (1947). Filmstock fire [...]

Vote the Yowie Slate In ‘08

There is finally a political candidate we can all back, totally, and support, unconditionally. Tim the Yowie Man may be running for election in Australia in 2008. According to the media reports out of Australia for June 21, 2006, the threat is a serious one: The wrath of parents may be the least of ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope’s concerns after the announcement the nation’s chief Yowie hunter may fight him at the next election. Tim the Yowie Man has issued a challenge to Mr Stanhope to reverse a string of Budget cuts announced on June 6 or face him [...]