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by Patrick BromleyChicago's biggest and best horror convention returns!One of my favorite weekends of the year is Chicago's annual Flashback Weekend, the horror convention created and run by Mike and Mia Kerz that takes place in Rosemont, Illinois. It's three days of panels, parties, contests, vendors, celebrity guests, live music -- everything you could want as a horror fan. This will be my sixth year hosting panels at the convention, but I've been going to Flashback much longer than just these six years. I love it.This year's Flashback features a salute to 30 years of the Scream franchise, celebrates Halloween II, a Night of the Creeps reunion, features first-time Flashback appearances from Henry Thomas, Steven Weber, and the Silent Night, Deadly Night Santas, and even has Obsession co-star Megan Lawless making her convention debut (I get to host her panel on Sunday! Come on out!). Plus, this year sees the world premiere of a brand new Full Moon movie (relevant to my interests!), in-costume photo opps, Alan Howarth playing the score to Halloween II LIVE along with the film, a tribute to Svengoolie (the greatest horror host of all time), and so much more.One of my favorite things about Flashback -- besides all the cool guests and the chance to spend the weekend surrounded by horror stuff and horror fans -- is that it's a family-run convention and really feels that way. All of the proceeds from the con go into supporting the Midway Drive-In located in Dixon, IL -- the nicest and best drive-in in Illinois -- which they bought in 2007. I love that Flashback is dedicated to preserving the big-screen theatrical experience.From this year's press release:Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror ConventionJuly 31 - Aug. 2, 2026Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago, Rosemont, IL 60018 Tickets now on sale at www.flashbackweekend.comFlashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention celebrates its 25th year with a MASSIVE Celebrity guest line-up, amazing evening events, luxurious after-parties, an enormous vendor room, and special Celebrity costume Celeb Photo-Ops.All of this and more, taking place in one of the largest and most beautiful Convention hotels in the World!FLASHBACK WEEKEND 2026 SALUTES;-30 years of SCREAM! Horror Icons! Tribute to the 1980's Golden Age of Horror!"OBSESSION" (2026)!!! Megan Lawless - "Sarah Harper"! JUST ANNOUNCED - Henry Thomas - "E.T.", "THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE", "DR. SLEEP"! The Celeb Photo Ops schedule and the Q & A schedule is posted for Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention July 31-Aug. 2, 2026. The Celeb Photo-Op schedule is at https://celebphotoops.com/schedules/2026Flashback.pdf The Flashback Weekend Q & A schedule is at http://www.flashbackweekend.com/schedule.html Start your planning! Many amazing Celeb Photo-ops!CELEBRITY GUEST LINE-UPCELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF SCREAM!"SCREAM" Series Reunion !!!David Arquette - Deputy / Sheriff "Dewey Riley" - "SCREAM" 1-5Marley Shelton - Deputy/ Sheriff "Judy Hicks" - "SCREAM" 4-5Dermot Mulroney - Detective Wayne Bailey - "SCREAM 6"Roger L. Jackson - The Voice of Ghostface Tony Revolori - Jason Carvey "SCREAM 6" Celeste O'Connor - "Chloe Parker" - "SCREAM 7"Joseph Whipp - "Sheriff Burke" "SCREAM" (1996)Jeremy Conner - Ghostface - "SCREAM 7"Kraig Dane - Karl Gibbs - Ghostface "SCREAM 7"Spencer Charnas ICE NINE KILLS - Official "SCREAM 7" "Twisting the Knife" Hit Song & Music VideoHORROR ICONS Megan Lawless "Sarah Harper" ("OBSESSION" 2026)Steven Weber - "Jack Torrance" "THE SHINING" mini-series (1997)Henry Thomas - "Elliott" - "E.T.", "THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE", "Jack Torrance" - "DR. SLEEP"William Katt ("CARRIE", "HOUSE")Spencer Charnas - Lead singer "ICE NINE KILLS" - Special "SILVER SCREAM" Costume Celeb Photo-OpCharles Band - Full Moon FounderRichard Band - Full Moon ComposerQuinn Lord - "Sam" ("TRICK 'r TREAT" 2007)Svengoolie (Rich Koz) - Horror Host IconHORROR LEGENDSCELEBRATE THE 1980's GOLDEN AGE OF HORROR "AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON" 45th anniversary David Naughton - "David Kessler" "NIGHT OF THE CREEPS" 40th anniversary - Costume Celeb Photo-Op!Tom Atkins - "Det. Ray Cameron"Jason Lively - "Chris Romero"Jill Whitlow - "Cynthia Cronenberg" "HALLOWEEN II" (1981) 45th anniversary reunion Dick Warlock - "MICHAEL MYERS" Pamala Susan Shoop - "Nurse Bailey"Ana Alicia - "Nurse Marshall"Gloria Graham - "Nurse Alves"Alan Howarth - co-composer music score"SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT" series Reunion - Costume Celeb Photo-Op!Robert Brian Wilson "SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT" (1984) - "Billy Chapman" Eric Freeman "SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART 2" (1987) - "Ricky Chapman" Stay tuned for more updates!!! Indie Horror Directors!Jason Paul Collum - "SCREAMING IN HIGH HEELS", "OCTOBER MOON" series, "MARK OF THE DEVIL 777"Tony Wash - Scothworthy Productions, "BETTER LUCK THAN CHUCK", Director of Programming SCREAMBOX. CELEB PHOTO-OPS now on sale at https://celebphotoops.com/event/flashbackCeleb Photo-Ops for our Flashback Weekend Celebrity guests are now on sale including solo and group Reunion ops! “Special Edition” Flashback Weekend Celeb Photo-Ops including:NIGHT OF THE CREEPS In costume Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow Sat. Aug. 1, 2026"TRICK 'r TREAT" - Quinn Lord in Costume Sat-Sun Aug. 1-2, 2026SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT In Costume - Robert Brian Wilson Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1, 2026SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART 2 In Costume - Eric Freeman Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1, 2026DUO SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT In Costume - Robert Brian Wilson &Eric Freeman Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1Spencer Charnas - IN COSTUME - Silver Scream Ghostface Saturday Aug. 1, 2026Svengoolie (Rich Koz) In Costume Fri-Sat July 31 - Aug. 1, 2026Celeb photo-ops now on sale at https://celebphotoops.com/event/flashback When the Vendor Room closes, the convention and party is just getting started!Special evening events on Friday and Saturday night!Elegant and Luxurious after-parties on Friday and Saturday evenings! SPECIAL EVENTS!Friday July 31, 2026SVENGOOLIE LIVE! THE LIVE HORROR TALK SHOW HOSTED BY SVENGOOLIE!The Legendary SVENGOOLIE (Rich Koz) will be taking the stage for “SVENGOOLIE LIVE”, the live Horror talk show on Friday July 31, 2026. Featuring Svengoolie live on stage with celebrity guests and surprises, all in the classic Svengoolie style that we love! Imagine your favorite late night talk show. Imagine Svengoolie hosting. Imagine yourself in the studio audience. You can stop imagining, because it is happening! This will be the Horror Event of the Year!Separate ticket required. Purchase in advance or at the door (pending availability)Saturday Aug. 1, 2026ALAN HOWARTH IN CONCERT – ALAN HOWARTH PERFORMS THE SCORE OF “HALLOWEEN II” LIVE TO A SCREENING OF THE FILM!Composer Alan Howarth will perform his classic score to “HALLOWEEN II" (1981) live to a screening of the film at Flashback Weekend on Sat. Aug. 1, 2026! This all-immersive audio and visual film screening experience is not to be missed!Separate ticket required. Purchase in advance or at the door (pending availability) FLASHBACK WEEKEND FILM FEST!Friday July 31, 2026 - 9:15PM Chicago Premiere!"THE FRIGHT STUFF" (2026) - The acclaimed new documentary on the Haunted Attraction Industry!From director Mike Myer (the popular web series Days of the Living Dead) and haunted attraction legend John LaFlamboy, comes "THE FRIGHT STUFF" , the first documentary to cover the history and cultural impact of haunted attractions from the inside. From humble beginnings in the early 1900s to a multi-million dollar industry, haunted attractions remain one of the few linchpins that connect modern American folk traditions and regional commerce...a place where dreamers and misfits come together to entertain people at a scale that is simultaneously huge but personal to their community. At the center of the story is the journey of seasoned "haunter" John LaFlamboy as he battles time and resources to build his dream attraction....HellsGate Haunted House. Flashback Weekend ticket holders for Friday July 31, 2026 are welcome (Either Weekend pass or single day Friday passes). Attendance limited to capacity.Saturday Aug. 1, 2026 10:00PMWORLD PREMIERE - "ROBOTICA"(2026)Full Moon Founder Charles Band's newest film "ROBOTICA" will have its World Premiere at Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention on Saturday August 1, 2026! Buckle-in and get ready for director Charles Band's latest film ROBOTICA, a hot and high-octane new sci-fi thriller that stars Lilly Bell (PROMPT) as the titular beautiful sex-bot with murder on her mind. After getting brutalized once-too-often by her despicable male overlords, Robotica snaps out of her pre-programmed stupor and enacts a wave of bloody, brutal revenge. A contemporary, blood-and-skin-soaked indie pulp classic that only could have come from Band and Full Moon!Flashback Weekend ticket holders for Sat. Aug. 1, 2026 are welcome (Either Weekend pass or single day Sat. passes). Attendance limited to capacity. OFFICIAL AFTER PARTIES Friday July 31, 2026 After Party 9:15PM - ???UNDER THE DOME - Conference Center LOCATED ON THE HOTEL REGISTRATION DESK LEVELAll Flashback Weekend ticket holders welcome.One (1) drink purchase minimum from the bar upstairs.*Attendance limited to capacity*All Flashback Weekend ticket holders welcome.One (1) drink purchase minimum from the bar upstairs.*Attendance limited to capacity* Official After-Party Saturday August 1, 2026. WELCOME TO WOODSBORO DANCE PARTY.Official After-Party Saturday August 1, 2026. In the Conference Center – UNDER THE DOME. Party and Dance to the Music of SCREAM! The music soundtracks of SCREAM 1-3 defined the decade in which the first SCREAM trilogy took place. Saturday night at Flashback Weekend you will relive the amazing era of the 1990's! All Flashback Weekend ticket holders welcome. (1) drink purchase minimum from the party bar. Attendance limited to capacity.THE LEGENDARY SVENGOOLIE (RICH KOZ)!Svengoolie (Rich Koz) joins Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention for his annual appearance! SVENGOOLIE SCHEDULE (Times TBA)Fri. July 31, 2026Celeb Photo-Ops - (purchased separately)"SVENGOOLIE LIVE! THE Live Horror Talk Show Hosted by Svengoolie! (separate ticket required)Sat. Aug. 1, 2026Celeb Photo-Ops (purchased separately)Autographs and Selfies (based on availability)Svengoolie hosts the Sinister Visions Costume Contest You may also purchase a professional photo-op with Sven by Celeb Photo-Ops and receive a high quality 8 x 10 photo with Sven! SINISTER VISIONS COSTUME CONTEST HOSTED BY SVENGOOLIESat. Aug. 1, 2026 at 5:00PM Join us on Saturday, Aug. 1 in your favorite ghoulish costume for our 19th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest and compete for fun and prizes! The contest will be hosted by the Legendary Svengoolie (Rich Koz)! All ages welcome! Prizes are awarded for First, Second and Third Place, and there's a Kids Category for ages 12 & under. Winners are determined by audience applause. This event is sponsored by Sinister Visions. All you need to enter is to pre-register, your Flashback Weekend convention tickets, and your costume! Seating limited to capacity.You must PRE-REGISTER for the 18th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest at the Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Con.The last couple of years have seen overwhelming attendance at this event, which is great, but we only have so much time and space! The first 20 adults and first 10 kids (12 & under) who submit their info via this registration form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcgYPOJdZExNduftxKizeReGYzs5LyBWnYKWxon7-SxTj8VA/viewform?pli=1 will be this year's contestants; first-come, first-served. Please share this post and spread the word! More info about the SVCC at http://flashbackweekend.com/schedule.html.Flashback Weekend Q & A's and Panel Discussions are moderated by Prominent Film critics, Journalists, and Podcast hosts;Dann Gire - The Daily HeraldNick Digilio - The Nick D PodcastSteven Prokopy - Third Coast ReviewPatrick Bromley - "F THIS MOVIE!"Morgan Gire - "Fighting Gire With Gire," Podcaster
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Jonathan is out for the summer on sabbatical but John-Mark & Brad are keeping things cool in the studio for Midweek. This week's episode features an interview with SVCC member Courtney Bryant! JM's Album Of The Week: Dave Matthews Band: Take Me Back: Live At The Gorge Bradford's Book Club: On Social Justice: St. Basil The Great by C. Paul Schroeder & Gregory P Yova
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We continue our ongoing Meet A Member series with a conversation featuring SVCC member Paul Bryant! JM's Album Of The Week (Jonathan's Pick): Switchfoot - Forever Now (&) The Strike - The Lost Years Bradford's Book Club (Jonathan's Pick): The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
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We continue our meet a member series today featuring an interview with SVCC member Smitty Weldon! We also take an extended sports break about the Masters! JM's Album Of The Week: Angine de Poitrine - Vol. II Bradford's Book Club: Worship and Awe in Christian Psychology: How Centering God Transforms Mental and Spiritual Health by Joshua J. Knabb
Original Airdate: 03/29/26
On this installment of SVCC's Greatest Hits we are bringing you a sermon from August 28, 2023 called "Have You Ever Been To Horeb?". Preached by Dr. Robert Smith, Jr. from 1 Kings 19:1-18. You can find our entire sermon archives on our sermon podcast titled, Shades Valley Community Church. JM's Album Of The Week: Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe - Lateral
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This week Jonathan & Brad are joined by Shae Wall to interview a global missionary that SVCC supports, Suzy Triplett! Check out Friends of the City to see all of the work Suzy does in Thailand! Click here to support their work: https://www.servantpartners.org/donate JM's Album Of The Week: The Brilliance - Brother Bradford's Book Club: Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotionals Readings from C.S. Lewis
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This week Brad & John-Mark sat down for a conversation with the men's ministry deacon at Shades, Nicholas Coker! Nicholas discusses all things men's ministry including discipleship classes, future plans and a big announcement! We also discuss Super Bowl 60! JM's Album Of The Week: Sam Fender - People Watching Bradford's Book Club: When God Seems Distant: Surprising Ways God Deepens Our Faith and Draws Us Near by Kyle Strobel & John Coe
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This week we invited SVCC member and elder nominee Mark Dean on to the show for a Meet a Member interview! JM's Album Of The Week: Andy Squyres - Sacred Vows (EP) Bradford's Book Club: The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis
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Make some hot chocolate, fill up your glass with egg nog, curl up by the fire and check out the most recent Shades Cinema (XMAS EDITION) where we discuss the beloved 1965 animated television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas! And we are joined by a very special guest, SVCC member Kenny McCanse! JM's Album Of The Week: Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas Bradford's Book Club: The Body Teaches the Soul: Ten Essential Habits to Form a Healthy and Holy Life
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Sunday Sermon by Kevin JensenA look at the book of Habakkuk as a lesson on how to pray when God doesn't seem to be hearing our prayers, or when he hears but answers in a way that doesn't seem right.Text: Book of Habakkuk
On this edition of SVCC's Greatest Hits we revisit a Shades Midweek interview from episode 79 that Brad Brown led with Cort Gatliff about death! JM's Album Of The Week: Jonny Greenwood - One Battle After Another (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Bradford's Book Club: Secrets of Sex & Marriage: 8 Surprises That Make All The Difference by Shaunti Feldhan & Dr. Michael Sytsma
This week Brad and JM hear about this year's Women's Retreat through conversations with SVCC members Anna King, Molly McLain & Kristi Crump! They also share an AI generated "jingle" for our Sports Break segment and much more! JM's Album Of The Week: Young Oceans - Love Like Raindrops Made Of Light Bradford's Book Club: Becoming God's Family: Why The Church Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes
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This week we continue our ongoing Meet a Member series with SVCC member Molly McLain! We also take a trip to the Email Corridor and get in a little sports break. JM's Album Of The Week: After - After EP 2 Bradford's Book Club: A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul by David Mathis
This week we welcomed back one of the missionaries that SVCC supports, Josh McClung! To find out about all of the work he and his family are doing in Poland and subscribe to their newsletter please visit mcclungs.epistle.org/ JM's Album Of The Week (Josh's Pick): Loud Harp - Hope Where There Was None Bradford's Book Club (Josh's Pick): The Intentional Father by Jon Tyson
SVCC member Molly McLain joined us this week to talk about her missions trip with Jonathan and others to Cuba earlier this year and more! JM's Album Of The Week (Molly's Pick): Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Bradford's Book Club (Molly's Pick): The Indwelling Life of Christ: All of Him in All of Me by Major Ian Thomas
This week we continued our ongoing meet a member series with an interview with SVCC member Kyle Thompson! JM's Album Of The Week: Young Oceans - Cutting Through (Single) Bradford's Book Club (Kyle's Pick): Heaven Taken By Storm by Thomas Watson