The Oaks Theater Celebrates 'Women in Horror'

Now that the day of roses and heart-shaped chocolates is in the past, it’s time to get to the scary part of February.

It’s Women in Horror Recognition Month, and Horror Realm is teaming up with the Oaks Theater in Oakmont and Eljay’s Used Books in Dormont to celebrate the women who helped make horror movies, books and art truly terrifying.

“I think there’s a view from the outside that horror is kind of a guys game, but it’s not,” said Chris Rickert, of Eljay’s. “I like letting other women know that it’s not a guys-only thing.”

In partnership with The Oaks Theater, Horror Realm will present a 35 mm film screening of "Near Dark" on Friday, Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. 

"Near Dark" is a 1987 vampire film written and directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow went on to become the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director for her work on "The Hurt Locker," which also won the Oscar for Best Picture of 2009.

Cost of admission is $8 at the door. All paid admissions will be entered into a drawing for a pair of tickets to Horror Realm's Spring Break Massacre & Zombie Gras on March 10 at the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South. A portion of the proceeds also will benefit Pittsburgh Action Against Rape.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m., Eljay's Used Books will host a panel discussion about gender in the genre.

Rickert said that since the horror genre is a specialty of the bookstore, Eljay’s seemed like a natural fit for the event. But Eljay’s and Horror Realm owner Sandy Stuhlfire wanted to build a fundraiser into the day, too.

From noon to 4 p.m., a percentage of all sales in the store will be donated to Pittsburgh Action Against Rape.

“Women in Horror month started three years ago,” Stuhlfire said. “We feel very strongly about doing something to celebrate and we always like to have a charity attached to our event.”

Stuhlfire said many people aren’t aware of how many women writers, producers and directors were behind the scenes of some of the best-known horror stories.

“You can go back to the very first woman in horror, Mary Shelly. It’s been out there, but not with as much spotlight on women,” she said. “Debra Hill was involved in the creation of 'Halloween' and a number of other films, in partnership with John Carpenter. He’s a great guy, but I think she was overshadowed by him.”

The work of women like Hill paved the way for other women in the genre, Stuhlfire said. Some of those women will take part in Saturday’s event.

Panelists include Pittsburgh-area actress and director Amy Lynn Best, author Kimberly Bennett, editor and reviewer Kriscinda Meadows, author Christine Soltis, and actress/artist Kyra Schon—who’s also known for her role as Karen Cooper, the little girl in “Night of the Living Dead.”

The event will include light refreshments, and wine for those who are of age.

More information can be found on Women in Horror Recognition Month Facebook page and website.

Editor Heidi Dezayas contributed to this article.