Gathering within the haunting seance repeatedly filling seats at Heritage Square, Los Angeles
Experience the thrill of the past in a modern setting with "Phasmagorica," an event that transports you to a vintage séance atmosphere in Los Angeles. Created by BC Smith, a composer-turned-magician-turned-spiritual guide, this event takes place at the Heritage Square Museum (3800 Homer St, Los Angeles).
BC Smith, the event's visionary, has been deeply affected by "Phasmagorica." He now sleeps with a night-light when his wife is away, such is the impact this experience has had on him. The event takes place within a tent inside a Victorian-era house, adorned with a spirit board, tarot cards, and a black scrying mirror.
"Phasmagorica" is not a performance or a show, but an exploration of the modern Western history of communing with the deceased. It's a highly curated experience, focusing on personal encounters and realism. Unlike Smith's theatrical seances, which are tailored specifically to guest needs and requests, "Phasmagorica" follows a set format.
The event is open to both believers and nonbelievers, and it's different from the traditional seances you might have heard about. Before the Fox sisters, attempts to commune with the beyond were more personal and ritualistic. The Fox sisters, Kate and Maggie, who performed in the late 1880s in New York, are credited with popularising seances.
Lisa Morton, author of "Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances," notes that the seance is a group activity that suggests anyone can communicate with the spirits of the dead, requiring only a medium. Morton also points out that "Phasmagorica" is a unique reimagining of the traditional séance, offering a blend of history and personal experiences.
Tickets for "Phasmagorica" are $110, and more information can be found on the website www.twilightdisturbances.com. The event typically sells out, with new events announced on Instagram. With "Phasmagorica" running on select weekends at Heritage Square Museum since the late summer, and additional events planned throughout the fall, there's no better time to immerse yourself in this intriguing experience.
BC Smith, the creator of "Phasmagorica," describes himself as a "hopeful skeptic" and purposefully stays out of the experience to avoid guests trying to figure out if he's holding onto any secrets. Smith has encountered unexplained phenomena during his theatrical seances, which led him to create "Phasmagorica."
Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, "Phasmagorica" offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world of séances and the history of communicating with the deceased. It's a séance reimagined as art, and an experience not to be missed.
