The real and imaginative adventures of Dennis Spielman

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Soonercon, Roughtail and Haunted Shuffle

Hello, everyone!

had a great time at Soonercon in Norman, Oklahoma, this year, and I want to start this post with a recap of my experience.

Photo of Dennis with panelists at Soonercon.For the first panel about urban legends, moderated by Jeff Provine with Trina Jacobs, I knew in advance I would be late due to a gig with the OKCMOA, so Jeff said I should make a dramatic entrance. When I arrived, I burst in as Mr. Menace the Sixth, proclaiming I had a message from beyond the grave. Since Jeff was in on the plan, he introduced me to the audience, so they would know we were doing a bit. I went on to share the story of the EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) I captured at Flower Bluff Manor, in which a man said, “I’m here.” You can listen to that full story on my Tales Unveiled podcast episode, I’m Here at Flower Bluff Manor. After my entrance, I took my TV head and proceeded with the rest of the panel as myself.

The title screen for the Haunted Shuffle horror trivia game night.

Following this panel, I hosted my horror trivia game. When I did the trivia session last year, I filled up the room (and I did again this year). From what I learned in the previous session, I created a slide deck this year to display the questions and answers on the big-screen TV. I included a diverse assortment of trivia questions from TV, movies, anime, podcasts, art, and even real-life horrors. Out of 24 questions, the winner got about 17 correct, with the audience average being 10. I also had a couple who came last year come back because they had so much fun; however, they arrived after I finished, but I had time, so I did a private game session, which they enjoyed. 

Play testing Haunted ShuffleOn Saturday, I got to do a one-on-one play test for my Haunted Shuffle card game. A play-test with strangers has been on my to-do list for a long time. I got some great feedback. Next, I need to run a large-group playtest, since up to 8 people can play. Then I’ll need to print a new version and test it before I get to the launch phase.

A selfie taken by Dennis Spielman with other panelists.For Sunday, I was on a panel about being creative in Oklahoma, moderated by Elizabeth Campbell with J.D. Woods, Karen Thrower, and Matthew Price. I enjoy chatting with other professional creatives because I always learn something new or get inspired.

I also filmed a cosplay interview with Mr. Ray, asking them about their fears and how to hide a body. This was a test for a new Spooky Talk segment, which you can watch here

Photo of the Doorventure.art box and pull tabs.

I ended Soonercon by setting up in the Creator Spotlight for an hour, talking to folks about Doorventure.art. I had a wonderful time meeting with everyone, and I know some of you are here now because of that encounter, so thank you again!

As for what’s next, I’ll be at Roughtail Brewing Co. in Oklahoma City on Friday, July 10th, at 5 pm, as part of their horror short-film festival. Several of my Haunted Shuffle skits will be scattered throughout the programming block to break up the pacing with the longer shorts. I also plan to be there, all dressed up as Mr. Menace. 

That’s all for this blog post! Thank you for following me!

Your Emotional Forecast: 100% Chance of Doomscrolling ⛈️📱

The emotional forecast is in, and there’s a heavy fog of doomscrolling approaching! You may start out reading about a simple sourdough recipe, but before you know it, you’ve completely spiraled into a two-hour deep dive on the inevitable heat death of the universe. Mr. Menace can’t put the phone down because he needs to know if the sourdough survives, and honestly, we’ve all been there. Just remember to stay informed until you are completely paralyzed by fear.

In Dreams: Tour of the David Lynch exhibition at Uncanny Art House

David Lynch (1946-2025) was an American filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and writer whose work reshaped modern film and television. He is known for creating dreamlike worlds where ordinary settings conceal unsettling truths, and where emotion and intuition take priority over traditional explanation.

Lynch began his career as a painter, and that visual approach carried into his films and television work. His storytelling often follows dream logic rather than linear narrative, using sound, symbolism, and atmosphere to invite personal interpretation rather than fixed meaning.

“In Dreams: A Tribute to David Lynch” features a mix of works from artists across the country that include direct references to Lynch’s films and imagery, as well as original pieces inspired by his themes, tone, and artistic approach. The exhibition features artwork by longtime Lynch collaborator Michael Horse, whose work reflects a shared creative world shaped by collaboration, intuition, and exploration of the unseen.

A photo of a section of artwork by Paul Reed at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Exploring the Legacy of Paul Reed with Dr. David Gariff

I recently had the opportunity to film a one-on-one tour of the new Paul Reed: A Retrospective at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Guided by guest curator David Gariff, PhD, senior lecturer at the National Gallery of Art, we explored the chronological evolution of Reed’s work.

As the definitive home of Paul Reed’s collection, OKCMOA has dedicated over half of its third floor to this exhibition. In this video, Dr. Gariff breaks down Reed’s transition from early still-life studies to his large-scale shaped canvases and his innovative use of acrylic staining. It is a fascinating look at an artist who is finally reclaiming his narrative in the history of the Washington Color School.

Watch the full walkthrough to see why this exhibition is a pivotal moment for American abstract art history.

Look Who’s Playing! Sarah from “Are You Scared?” Hosts The Movie Murder Mystery Party

Thinking about hosting The Movie Murder Mystery Party, but not sure where to start? You need to watch this.

Sarah from the YouTube channel “Are You Scared?” recently gathered her friends to play the game, and she documented the whole experience. It serves as the perfect crash course for prospective hosts.

As the cast and crew celebrate the completion of their fictional film, the Director dies, and the party turns into a crime scene. Sarah’s video captures the chaos and fun perfectly, but she also shares valuable insights, including:

  • Setup: How to prep the materials.
  • Gameplay: How the “murder” unfolds in real-time.
  • Hosting Tips: How to keep the energy high and the mystery solving on track.

If you are looking for inspiration for your next game night, check out her playthrough above or click here to watch on YouTube.

It is so rewarding to watch a group get fully immersed in the mystery. A huge thank you to Sarah for sharing this awesome playthrough and bringing the story to life!

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