While the usual frights that drew thousands to the Queen Mary each year have been canceled, thousands can still get their fill of the famed ocean liner’s purported supernatural residents this year thanks to a brand-new, virtual event.
Brought to you by the visionaries behind A&E”s “Ghost Hunters” is “The Dark Zone: Queen Mary Virtual Haunt and Music Festival,” a four-day online event featuring live paranormal investigations of the liner by some of the biggest names in that field, as well as music performances and a 24-hour live video broadcast of the ship’s most notoriously haunted spaces and staterooms.
Viewers watch from six night-vision cameras, including a multi-cam, installed in notably haunted sites such as the Pool Room, Churchill’s Suite and Room B340. Through an online chat function, audience members can alert on-site staff and investigators to any strange activity they see.
“Whether you are an avid paranormal enthusiast or arm-chair dabbler in watching popular ‘ghost hunting’ genre shows, there will truly be something for everyone,” said Gian Temperilli, a local paranormal enthusiast who helps runs the “Ghost Host” online radio show hosted by his daughter, 21-year-old Sophia Temperilli, on the website LiveParanormal.com. Having investigated ol’ Mary a few times already, Sophia noted that the production of “The Dark Zone: Queen Mary” is especially striking.
“The Queen Mary’s elegance will now be dimly lit, or dark altogether, which creates a feeling of uneasiness,” Sophia said. “For the filming, producers were permitted to have all of the lights in the area turned off for their night-vision cams, and I had never seen the environment like that before; nor, had so much activity in the pool area since.”
The Dark Zone has amassed a lengthy roster of leading paranormal researches, investigators, historians, authors and celebrities to appear. They will share their methods, personal encounter stories and careers seeking the supernatural. There are more than 35 featured guests, including Chad Lindberg of “Ghost Stalkers,” Brandon Alvis of “Ghost Hunters” and Susan Slaughter of “Ghost Hunters International” who will co-ghost with Aiden Sinclair and Becca Knight, resident appartitionists at the Queen Mary’s “Illusions of the Past,” magic show.
Music performances will feature pre-recorded sets by Silversun Pickups—yes, Silversun Pickups—Filter, Beasto Blanco, DeadSara, Sound Barrier as well as redoubtable metal mariachi band, Metalachi.
The event goes live Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. and runs until Sunday, Nov. 1. Access costs $19.99 and may be purchased online—click here to buy tickets. For more information about all the event has to offer, click here.