Nerd Nite Austin #163: Celebrating Dia de los Muertos and William Castle’s B-Movie Gimmicks

Thursday, October 19th, 7:30pm at Barrel O’ Fun and on Twitch

Welcome to spooky season! This month, we’ll have speakers sharing their nerdy expertise about (and deep affection for) B-movie gimmicks and celebrations of Dia de los Muertos.

“‘Bring Out Yer Dead!’: A Brief Review of the Mexican Holiday, Dia de Los Muertos” by Isis Valencia

This talk will give a brief history of Dia de los Muertos‘ Aztec origins and explain the most prominent traditions and symbols associated with the holiday. We will also touch on the controversy of how Dia de los Muertos came to be during the Cardenas presidency.

Isis Valencia is a proud third-culture Texican, and a life-long advocate for immigrant’s rights. Instagram: Isis_pieces

“Gimmicks & Ghosts: From William Castle to Ravencraft’s Vault of Horror” by Saul Ravencraft

William Castle, the King of Schlock, was an imaginative filmmaker who brought us such wonders as the House on Haunted Hill, The Tingler, and The Screaming Skull! He sold thrills and chills to a generation and had a talent for bringing people into the theater with his wild gimmicks. He reaches beyond the grave, inspiring Saul in one of his recent episodes of Ravencraft’s Vault of Horror.

Wizard, wanderer, horror host, and keeper of the dreams, Saul Ravencraft holds the door open for all who dare to go down the rabbit hole. Facebook: S.Ravencraft, Instagram: saulravencraft


Nerd Nite happens at


the bar inside the
Alamo Drafthouse Mueller

  • Shows are the last third Thursday of every month at 7:30pm.
  • The Barrel opens at 4pm. The show is free, so arrive early to get a good seat.
  • They have a full bar including beers on tap and a great food menu.
  • There’s parking in the garage behind the Alamo Mueller along McBee street. Barrel O’ Fun will validate parking for up to 4 hours. Bring your ticket with you to the bar.
  • The Barrel O’ Fun website has menus, map and more.