VAMPIRICUS - "Gothic Subculture"
The following is a written portion taken from a paper on "Gothic Subculture" by Jeffrey P. Diehm (Fall 1997)

Come Out! Come Out! Wherever you are. Vampiricus has arisen!! More than a dance club! It's the premiere weekly meeting place of the Gothic, Death Rock, Vampiric, and all night spirit clans of Souther California...Revel in an array of bewitching amusement and indulge in the darl culture on display; dark art, music, merchants, fashion and travel. Join the living and the Undead! You will feel the embrace of Vampiricus. It's passionate. It's genuine. Welcome! All true children of the night.

One night a week a restaurant overlooking the water of the Long Beach Harbor is dressed up to host a Gothic event, Vampiricus - the Vampire Circus. In August of 1996, founder Blade created Vampiricus to be a meeting-ground for people with similar interest in the Gothic subculture, with a particular bent toward Vampire imagery. Blade explains that the apparent irony of of the title - combining solemn Vampire symbolism with a circus gaiety - is a reflection of his ideology. Vampiricus is meant to be more than just a Gothic dance club, it is a Gothic cultural event.

Patrons at a Gothic club can appear quite intimidating. Dressed in all black with outrageous hairstyles, adorned in lace and leather, and dismissing traditional gender roles, the Goths are a portrait of dark theater. Yet, underneath the intimidating combination of Vampire romanticism and festive morbidty is a culture rich with symbolic meaning. "We're trying to make a club that is user-friendly. We all know we're bad!" explains Blade. Vampiricus in creating an atmosphere for Gothic culture, also attempts to foster the development of community within that culture.

Vampiricus creates an event through an assemblage of elements sometimes unconventional at dance clubs. While the focal point of the club is the dance floor, Vampiricus also features merchant booths, hosts of Vampire role playing game, displays art and presents local Gothic bands. Merchant booths range from makers of custom-fitted vampire fangs, bondage and fetish clothing and paraphernalia (including a whipping demonstration on a full-sized bondage table), and even "Gothic garage sales" (for people who can convince Blade that they need the money and have enough interesting things to sell). Local artists display their works, which also serve the club by adding to the aesthetic of the room. Graveyard-inspired sculptures, photographs, and banners of flowing silk and lace adorn the floor and walls.

The Vampire role playing game is a live-action drama, a sort of real-life Vampire soap opera. Participants join as Vampire characters of their own invention, playing ou involved scenarios of intrigue. Guided by strict rules that prohibit physical contact, the characters interact by reading, verbal communication, and by performing ritual acts symbolizing unity (or unity against a common enemy). There is a strict code of honor for Vampires, and characters that break the rules are subject to punishment or ostracism. Each week, a short newsletter is published to summarize the past week's events. Visitors are discouraged unless they plan to participate, but the game can be viewed through a glass wall.

Local bands are featured a few weeks a month. Some of the bands are unknown, while others are more familiar within the scene. Though the audience is generally more favorable to dancing (which is typical of Goth clubs), they politely give their attention for forty-five minutes of an hour. Since the pay and sound system are modest, bands generally play Vampiricus for the exposure or to support the club. Gothic concerts usually take place at Gothic dance clubs, which has been the case from the beginning.

The effort to create a Gothic cultural event is what distinguishes Vampiricus from many other Southern California clubs.