“You’re myX! You’re myX!” Sylvie, the strange front-woman of fictitious band myX, rocked the stage at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream 2010.
A group of her loyal followers decked out in fishnets and black eyeliner moshed their way through myX’s headlining set of three songs on the Gwazi Pavillion.
Arms and fingers contorted into X’s at Sylvie’s command and haunting screams filled the chilly October air. Needless to say, this year’s Howl-O-Scream was off to a spooky start, rocking out with gothic goodness.
Busch Gardens set out on a viral marketing campaign for this year’s Howl-O-Scream event, by inventing Sylvie and her band, myX. Over the summer, Busch Gardens began a series of “behind the band” videos featuring myX’s back-story.
According to the made-up legend, the band used to be called YX with lead singer Alex, who after an YX show, became Sylvie’s boyfriend. A few months into their relationship, Sylvie found out Alex had cheated on her.
Days later Alex and Sylvie disappeared, and when Sylvie returned, she claimed that Alex had gone missing. She announced that she would be taking over the band YX and renamed the band myX.
The scariest part of this campaign was the finding out what “really” happened to Alex (it involved guitar strings and severed fingers) and realizing just how twisted Sylvie really is.
“At first [the theme] seemed to fall a bit flat for me, but as I’ve seen all the aspects of the event unfold, I’m very satisfied with the theme and how it ties into everything,” stated UT student and first-time Howl-O-Scream employee, Shelby Catalano.
After a four-hour long competitive interview process and audition, Catalano is excited to be working at the event this year as a substitute entertainer. “I always have to stay on my feet, because I never know what role I’m going to get for the night.”
Catalano was impressed at how much work goes into putting on the event every year. “There are make-up artists, designers and costume designers that spend a majority of the year developing ideas to bring to life the scary atmosphere,” she said.
Howl-O-Scream’s elaborately spooky atmosphere certainly does not go unappreciated. This year, two new haunted houses were introduced.
MyX: Revenge Rocks was made specially to fit into the theme, and took visitors through the backstage frights of a MyX concert, as well as the horrors of Sylvie’s dressing room.
The other house, called “Alone,” is for the most part self-explanatory. Guests must pay extra to get into “Alone,” and have the option of experiencing the labyrinth of terror with a group of three or less, or completely alone. Those who are brave enough to stomach the house by themselves receive a free t-shirt and bragging rights for the night.
Keeping with myX’s theme, there was also a 21-and-over dance club Club X, which is described in the program as being an “adults-only nighttime playground.”
The six remaining haunted houses were all sequels from previous years: Nightshade Toy Factory: Son of Nightshade, Delta Epsilon Delta: Extreme Rush,
Trapped in the Walls: Ghost Chasers, Taste of Blood: A Different Vein, Death Row: Vengeance No Escape and Deconstruction: The Doctor is Out of Control.
Without giving too much away, each house was scary in it’s own right. From DED sorority sisters to demented dolls with chainsaws, every house gave you a reason to want to jump out of your skin.
The Howl-O-Scream’s shows this year were all terrifying and hilarious. Blood Relations incorporated a relative’s murder, today’s radio hits and even some YouTube hits (Old Spice Commercial, Bed Intruder Song, etc.) to create an out-of-the-ordinary show, featuring characters such as “Cheetah” Woods and Lady YoYo. Another must-see would be Fiends.
Dr. Freakenstein makes his return to the stage as he assembles his crew for the Monster Ball to dance, scream, sing and spook the night away.
Besides the houses, shows and goth rock theme, Howl-O-Scream would not be the same without it’s Scare Zones. No one is safe walking from attraction to attraction.
Crazed Love, Road Trip, Spiders & Snakes and Light of Doom all offer their own set of fears and frights at every turn, so be prepared to lose your voice from screaming when a bush or ghoul jumps out at you.
Catalano has experienced both sides of the scaring spectrum. “I’ve gone twice this year as an attendee and it’s undoubtedly different,” Catalano remarked.
“Being on the customer side, everything seems genuinely scary and you’re set in a constant state of anxiety because you have no idea what to expect. On the employee side, however, you hold the advantage of knowing everything: the tricks, dark corners and methods to get the best scares.
So it kind of takes the magic out of the special effects, but it’s still a great time nonetheless.”
As an employee Catalano has the privilege of making sure no attendee leaves without a thorough scaring. “I really enjoy the acting component [scaring] requires,” and as a substitute Catalano says she has “to adapt to different aspects of the park quickly.”
When asked what her favorite part of her job is she said, “More than anything, it’s the scares I get. Every shift there’s a feeling of fulfillment every time you get someone to scream or run away in terror.” You definitely will leave good and scared if Catalano and her crew have anything to do with it.
Howl-O-Scream 2010 will continue to rock on this October; Thursdays from 7:30 p.m.-1a.m., Fridays & Saturdays from 7 p.m. – 2 a.m., and from 7:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. on Halloween.
In addition to shows, scare zones and houses, Montu, Kumba, Sheikra and Gwazi roller-coasters run all night long. Ticket information can be found on tampa.howl-o-scream.com. You don’t want to miss Howl-O-Scream 2010–seriously, don’t miss it, or Sylvie (and maybe even Catalano) might get you neXt.
Amanda Sieradzki can be reached at asieradzki@spartans.ut.edu.