Spencer Charnas’ renowned horror convention Silver Scream Con hits Worcester, Massachusetts, this weekend — and it’s truly a horror fan’s dream.
Hosted by the DCU Center and taking place from September 13th through September 15th, this extreme celebration of the macabre oozes with gut-churning terror. The con will offer creepy vendors, photo ops with horror’s biggest icons, trivia, costume contests, parties, and killer panels with cinema’s scariest actors and directors. You can even get tattooed by some of Salem’s finest artists.
Additionally, the Bostonian heavy metal band led by Charnas, Ice Nine Kills, will perform live in concert on Saturday at the Palladium Outdoors, supported by rockers In This Moment, heavy metalists Avatar, and emo/punk artist TX2. Ice Nine Kills recently supported Metallica on their stadium tour.
First Jason, led by Ari Lehman, is also performing on Saturday night.
If guests arrive in Worcester early, they can attend a surprise double feature of ICE NINE KILLS: WELCOME TO HORRORWOOD and THE RETAILIATORS, hosted by Ryan J. Downey, journalist, Silver Scream Con alum, and the con’s panel curator and moderator.
“New England has been home to so many great bands in the hardcore scene. There’s such a history there,” says Downey, a passionate and affable horror and metal/hardcore music guru. “There’s just so much community and culture. When I think of autumn leaves and Halloween, I think of New England. It offers such nostalgic, warm feeling. With its proximity to Salem and the community it offers, Worcester is just a really cool place to hold the con.”
Massachusetts natives attending the festival include Swampscott-born Charnas and splat-pack star and horror director Eli Roth, who is originally from Newton.
In 2023, Roth wrote, produced, and directed THANKSGIVING, a slasher set in Plymouth, MA that was highly praised by critics. This is Roth’s first time attending a horror convention and will be available for photo ops with fans. He’ll also be hosting a panel, titled “Wurst Vacation,” on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The critically acclaimed HOSTEL and CABIN FEVER creator will discuss all things gore and terror and will even take questions from fans.
Silver Scream Con’s panels are sure to serve up plenty of frights. They’ll will kick off with Inked in Blood with Ice Nine Kills, where the band will discuss their new INK graphic novel by Downey and Charnas. Horror trivia — MCed by “metal ambassador” and Sirius XM curator and host Jose Mangin — will take place on Friday, from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Other panels include “The Jig Is Up” with SAW alum and scream queen Shawnee Smith, “Clownin’ Around” featuring TERRIFIER director Damien Leone and stars David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Amelie McLain, and Elliott Fullam, and panels featuring the stars of the 1978’s HALLOWEEN and an array of cast members from the FRIDAY THE 13th franchise.
“For a con that falls on Friday the 13th, we just had to have a panel for the film,” laughs Downey.
SCREAM alums David Arquette and Jamie Kennedy will also be in attendance to discuss all things Woodsboro.
From chill-packed panels, killer music performances, and spooky vendors to extensive photo ops and exciting cosplay competitions, Silver Scream Con III is bound to be the most thrilling celebration of all things scary.
Don’t miss Silver Scream Con III this weekend in Worcester, MA — tickets are available here!
Tags: Amelie McLain, Ari Lehman, Bill Moseley, Bonnie Aarons, Cerina Vincent, Conventions, Damien Leone, David Arquette, David Howard Thornton, Derek Mears, Devon Sawa, Eli Roth, Ice Nine Kills, James Jude Courtney, Jamie Kennedy, Jose Mangin, Lauren LaVera, Linnea Quigley, Massachusetts, Nick Castle, PJ Soles, Ryan J. Downey, Sean S. Cunningham, Silver Scream Con, Spencer Charnas, Worcester
No Comments