Get blazed. Great Jack O’Lantern Blazed that is! Every year the Van Courtlandt Manor in Sleepy Hollow, New York hosts its outdoor Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. Literally thousands of pumpkins are carved by volunteer artists and are put on display throughout the landscape. I mean, I like pumpkins but these carvers reallyyyy like pumpkins….… Continue reading Gettin’ Blazed in New York
Opeth Speaks of a Musical ‘Heritage’
This review of Opeth’s new album Heritage was without a doubt, the most challenging article I’ve written for Alternative Control so far. To start, I’ve chosen to review an album that at my time of writing this, has only been out for a couple of weeks, and already it has split the fan base of… Continue reading Opeth Speaks of a Musical ‘Heritage’
Which Way Do You Swing on Halloween?
Halloween is by far the best holiday of the year. No worrying about which divorced parent will be more offended if you don’t go to their dinner, or wondering what the heck to buy your grandma who doesn’t like movies, eat sweets, or leave the house. All you have to do is get drunk… Continue reading Which Way Do You Swing on Halloween?
Book Review: Shock Value
“The first monster that an audience has to be scared of is the filmmaker. They have to feel in the presence of someone not confined by the normal rules of propriety and decency.” Wes Craven It is with this quote that Jason Zinoman opens his book, Shock Value: How a few eccentric outsiders gave… Continue reading Book Review: Shock Value
The Kids Are Alright… And They’re Raising Money for the Tommy Fund
Don’t say that “kids” are good for nothing these days — Fair Weather Records, an outfit put together by a couple young guys from the New Haven area, has recently released the compilation album The Kids Are Alright to benefit The Tommy Fund. Featuring 24 tracks from Connecticut indie bands, FWR plans to donate… Continue reading The Kids Are Alright… And They’re Raising Money for the Tommy Fund
Grown-Up Halloween Treats
I have a vivid memory of trick-or-treating as a kid. It must have been late 70’s early 80’s (yes, I’m that old) and apparently there was a lot of hoopla going on about razor blades in candy. Of course we didn’t have Snopes.com back then — we had the telephone game and you know how… Continue reading Grown-Up Halloween Treats
Vulgar Display of Garlic
Where can you get garlic ice cream? At the Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival of course! Last year we flocked to this festival where we were greeted by the scent of garlic before we even entered the grounds. I was amazed at how many other garlic-philes there are in society. These people are passionate… Continue reading Vulgar Display of Garlic