ChicagoVampire.com has a couple of nifty new features to make it even easier for you to find and connect with other vampire fans in and around Chicago!

First, you can now login to the site using your existing Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo or other accounts.  Look for the Login box on the right.

Second, you can now create a profile on the site, add friends, post to the site, etc. All you have to do is create an account to get started!

PLEASE NOTE: If you try to leave a comment on another user’s post using CV’s new social interaction features, it may appear as if nothing happens when you click the “COMMENT” button. It’s a bug that we’ve alerted the developer to; your comment DOES post, you just won’t see it unless you refresh the page after you click the button. For what it’s worth.

…at least according to the front page of ChicagoMagazine.com today:

Looks like ChicagoMagazine.com decided to capitalize on New Moon's opening weekend...

I’m more annoyed that the article leads off with “Chris Savage”, but what the hell – at least they’re linking back here, which is cool (thanks, CM!). You can now read the article from the November issue of Chicago Magazine online at http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/November-2009/Bitten-Chicago-area-vampire-enthusiasts/

The November 2009 issue of Chicago Magazine features a spotlight on vampires, featuring ChicagoVampire.com’s own Chad Savage and noted Chicago vampirologist Martin V. Riccardo.

This spread ran in the November 2009 issue of Chicago Magazine

LOVELAND — Kathy Reams turns to Rick Roberts and almost begs him to do his line.

Roberts hesitates before smiling through his plastic teeth. “Come and be counted,” he said.

It’s funny. Really. Reams and Roberts were dressed as vampires. Get it now? We’ll pause for your laughter.

OK, and their outfits, part of a blitz to promote the Harvest Night Run, come with a twist. The Loveland Road Runners want to set the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires.

You probably didn’t know there was a world record. There really isn’t. But if the Loveland Road Runners can persuade at least 250 to show up in a vampire costume — and they don’t even have to run, just come dressed as Count or Countess Dracula — then it should be a Guiness World Record…

FULL ARTICLE

Everyone knows that one of the best Halloween destination vacation spots is none other than the sultry city of New Orleans and this years events are shaping up to be simply to die for.  So, go and get some costumes together and get your plane ticket bound for the vampire mecca that is New Orleans, and no…it isn’t all about Anne Rice any more.

To start things off Friday, October 30th check out the Tru Blood and Gold Ball with special guest Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels that HBO’s hit show True Blood is based on.  Charlaine will be at the ball and at a special wine tasting event the evening before and ending her stay with a book signing at the Garden District Bookstore Halloween afternoon. There will also be live entertainment with three bands taking the stage at Republic New Orleans.
Go here for ticket and all event  info for the Tru Blood and Gold Ball.

Then, if that isn’t enough vampire mayhem, be seen at the House of Blues at midnight on Halloween for the Endless Night XII Vampire Ball where you can revel in the night, take in hypnotic Gothic belly dance and dance the night away to the sounds of imported DJs spinning your fave Gothic/industrial/vampire music all leading up to a HUGE costume contest!  So channel your dark side and bring your fetish, steam punk, horror, Gothic or your favorite vampire persona and enter the contest to win.  Each winner of their category gets a HUGE prize bag and the Best In Show gets a prize bag and a cash prize.   Go here for info and tickets for the Endless Night XII Vampire Ball.  VIP packages available for a limited time only.  VIP status gets you into other preand after parties for free along with some special Endless Night swag.

Both of these events are private ticketed events.  You can purchase tickets online via PayPal or buy them at the venue door if available.  BOTH EVENTS ARE 18 and UP!

So, be seen in New Orleans this Halloween weekend!

A Chicago reporter is looking for some local vampire enthusiasts to profile for an upcoming magazine piece on Chicago vampire fans. If you’re interested in talking (and being photographed), please email Crystal Yednak at cywork@att.net. Thanks!

True Blood Tastings & VIP Party

Join RCN in Chicago on Labor Day Weekend for some tasty treats and a VIP Party, featuring Nelsan Ellis (“Lafayette”) from True Blood!

True Blood Tastings

When: Wed. Sept. 2nd, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Where: Qdoba Mexican Grill
Address: 2427 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614 (near The Biograph Theater)
What: Come try True Blood!

Fangtasia VIP Party

When: Fri. Sept. 11th – 9 p.m. to Midnight (or later)
Where: Hamilton’s
Address: 6341 N Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60626
What: Join us for an Exclusive VIP Fangtasia Party, with Special guest, Nelsan Ellis (“Lafayette”) from HBO’s True Blood

SOURCE: http://www.rcn.com/j/fangs?bid=vanityURL–chicago–RedCross–2009-07-21–fangs

ChicagoVampire.com has received 25 Admit Two passes to see BLOOD: The Last Vampire in Chicago. These tickets are good for any screening of the film Monday through Thursday at the Landmark Century Center Theater while the film is showing there (it opens today).

To enter for your chance to win one of these passes:

• Follow http://www.twitter.com/DarkChicago on Twitter (if you aren’t already)
• Post the following: @DarkChicago – I want your BLOOD
  between now and Tuesday, July 14
• Check your Direct Messages in Twitter to see if you won!

Winners will receive tickets by mail – BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR DMs so that you can send in your mailing address if you win!

The much-anticipated Japanese live-action version of the hit anime movie “BLOOD: The Last Vampire” will begin a limited engagement at the Landmark Century Theater on July 10th.

On the surface, Saya is a stunning 16-year old girl, but that youthful exterior hides the tormented soul of a 400 year-old “halfling”.

Born to a human father and a vampire mother, she has for centuries been a loner, obsessed with using her samurai skills to rid the world of vampires, all the while knowing that she herself can survive only on blood like those she hunts. When she is sent to an American military base in Tokyo by the clandestine organization for whom she works, Saya immediately senses that this may be her opportunity to finally destroy Onigen, the evil patriarch of all vampires. Using her superhuman strength and her sword, she begins to rid the base of its evil infestation in a series of spectacular and elaborate showdowns. However, it is not until she forms her first human friendship in centuries with the young daughter of the base’s general that Saya learns her greatest power over Onigen may well be her ability to make a human connection…

Renowned producers Bill Kong (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON; HERO) and Abel Nahmias (11 COMMANDMENTS, LA BEUZE) team up with director Chris Nahon (KISS OF THE DRAGON) on this English language vampire slaying adventure, where the hope of the world rests in the hands of a beautiful young woman.