When someone constructs a DIY haunted house in their backyard and invites 100 people over, you know they really fucking love Halloween. That guy is Albert Reyes, an L.A.-based artist renowned for his horror-inspired artwork and annual Halloween parties.
Gathering with some of L.A.’s kookiest personalities in one place felt like entering the Afterlife in “Beetlejuice.” Almost every surface glowed, slightly illuminating dazed and giddy faces. Attendees snacked on mini cupcakes and Costco pizza before washing them down with canned Pacificos. Michael Myers mingled with a White Claw in hand, plastic snakes radiated from Medusa’s headpiece, and Louise from “Bob’s Burgers” grubbed on a few tacos.
Reyes’ handiwork covered his entire yard. Some pieces were horrifyingly on theme–like the haunted house’s decrepit church facade–while others were full of political commentary, the latter standing out as scarier than skeletons and cobwebs, given today’s atmosphere. One huge painting depicted a hidden figure taking a photo on his phone, the subject being the viewer.
The night started with a lineup of five comedians delivering sets to a crowd of monsters, villains, and beloved cartoon characters. Some sets could have used more workshopping (and less cringeworthy jokes about race). Sam Cooper, a six-foot-six man dressed as a giraffe, and Alfredo Resendiz, a costumeless Altadena local, were two of the night’s modern-day jesters. During his set, Resendiz described Reyes’ style as “cholo horror.”
Then a trio called LOVEPIG took center patio, warming up for just a few notes before performing for the crowd gathered on the grass. Roman Morales, dressed as the Mad Hatter from “Alice in Wonderland,” was on bass and provided lead vocals. Charles Morales played the drums, while Rafael Salgado was on the organ.
La Chaparrita’s Munch Truck was parked in the front yard, serving classics like tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. Pupusas were on the menu, too, ‘til they sold out.
The $13 asada quesadilla plate was served with rice, beans, chips, crema, and guacamole. The quesadilla was the star while the tough rice and just-alright beans were lackluster, but when you’re tipsy from a beer and taking hits from a pen, it tastes like a 6/10.
Reyes’ backyard haunted house was the night’s main attraction. His homemade “Horror Nights” was an echo chamber of screams, punctuating the murmurs of mingling outside. When a few attendees came out from the other side of the garden, gasping between laughs after escaping the haunt, they shared with L.A. TACO that they exited with more piss in their pants than when they entered.
Some people learned about the party through the extensive web of L.A. creatives, like Raven Sanchez, a tactile artist. Felix Quintana, a photographer and teacher, said that he first attended Reyes’ Halloween party back in 2017.
The entire event took place in Reyes’ yard, a clever manipulation of the space. Perusing the party felt like visiting a set on a studio’s backlot. The door to a shed was open and invited curious partygoers into the orange abyss. Inside, the TV screen was stuck on the DVD menu of John Carpenter’s “Halloween” and laughs were heard from each corner of the room.
Reyes’ annual parties are clearly a labor of love for the most bizarre parts of life in L.A., the parts that are celebrated year-round by Saturday’s eclectic crowd. This year, Reyes used Halloween as a chance to embrace the grungy underbelly of our city–with a beer in one hand and a taco in the other.
Check out the L.A. TACO Halloween zine, designed by Albert Reyes, here.
