DEAD AND LOVING IT - St. Petersburg Times

Over the past year, zombies have become the vogue thing to be in Tampa Bay. With Halloween just around the corner, the undead will be striking the bay in force for the next couple of weeks.

What started out as a group of kids who liked to get dressed up for fun has grown into a Tampa Bay movement, largely due to the existence of the Deadite Empire, Tampa Bay's first zombie social club, run by Jesse and Bridgette Fisch. Coming from experience as a scare actor at places like Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream and other haunted attractions for eight years, starting up a zombie club seemed only natural to her.

While mainly a northern trend in places like Pennsylvania, where George Romero filmed his Living Dead series of movies, zombies have become more popular down south as well.

"We noticed a growing zombie trend nationally, and just thought to start it up here," Bridgette said.

Since their inception and first party at the Castle's second "Infected Night" — the Ybor club's annual zombie-themed anniversary party — the Deadite Empire has become as rampant as a plague of the monsters they emulate with nearly 100 of the devoted dead coming out to each event.

While alcohol always seems to play a part at zombie parties, participants also play many smaller games that stay consistent with each shambling crawl's theme, such as a blood-filled pinata at a Cinco De Mayo event, or a Charleston dance at the roaring-twenties-themed "St. Valentine's Day Massacre." The winners usually receive some sort of zombie memorabilia, such as a rubber zombie head.

It's not just the games and drinking that attract people. Just as many come for the camaraderie and fellowship that they get when hanging with those of like minds.

"It's a chance to hang out with the same type of people who like the same movies as I do," said participant Matt Bercham. "and we get to dress up and act weird."

On Saturday, the Deadlite Empire will host a major zombie walk littered with celebrity guests, such as makeup artist legend Tom Savini, to kick off the Spooky Empire Halloween Horror Convention at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. About 400 flesh-eaters will chase ne little girl all the way to the Wyndham while she screams at passers-by for help.

But by no means is the Deadlite Empire the only game in town. Recently, the Pegasus Lounge in Tampa started a zombie event that runs one Sunday a month with different themes, like an undead '80s prom or a zombie luau. It's a nice alternative for those who want to dress in blood and the gore, but don't want to wander the streets dripping wet.

Of course you can drink as a zombie, but what about going to a zombie movie dressed as a zombie? The Beach Theater in St. Pete Beach has you covered there, too. They had so much success with this summer's Zombie Bikini Beach Party — in which the audience was encouraged to dress the part and try to be the sexiest zombie they could be during screenings of Return of the Living Dead and The Rocky Horror Picture Show — that they have another zombie event planned for Oct. 25.

Given the variety of different types of events, it's easy to see why a lot people get involved.

"I love being able to walk around and see the faces of the people in the street," said Laura Rifkin, special-effects makeup artist for the Deadite Empire.

The undead are here in sunny Florida. The only question is: Are you one of them yet?

One man's Top 5 zombie movies

1. Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn (1987): This one is classic. I prefer it over the original Evil Dead (which is still amazing!) because of the increased gore and the fashioning of the ultimate zombie hero. Hail to the King, Baby!

2. Bio Zombie (1998): Japanese zombie cinema that oozes pure brilliance with its buckets of blood. Oh, yeah, there's a zombie sushi chef, too!

3. Cemetary Man (1996): Pure brilliance as a legitimate film. The main character delves into the ideas of death and love while contemplating the cyclical nature of life. Plus, we have a biker zombie and zombie head placed in a TV!

4. Fido (2006): A newer film, but the fact that it mimics the '50s lifestyle while offering a reasonable explanation for the plot is genius.

5. Dead Alive (1992): Goriest film ever. Hands down. It actually holds the world record for the most amount of blood used in one movie. This darling was made by none other than Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame. — Leigh Armstrong

Got brains?

Check out one of these upcoming zombie parties:

Saturday

Spooky Empire Halloween Horror Convention's Zombie Walk The centerpiece of Florida's largest horror convention (which runs all weekend), the Zombie Walk will begin at 1 p.m. at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, 8001 International Drive, Orlando. Tickets to the convention, which features appearances by stars like Malcolm McDowell, Elvira, Tom Savini and Corey Haim, are $25 per day or $40 for the weekend. Get the details at spookyempire.com.

Sunday

Zombie Fetish Party Make sure to break out the BDSM gear and rotting-flesh makeup for this one. 10 p.m. at the Pegasus Lounge, 10008 N 30th St., Tampa. (813) 971-1679, pegasusniteclub.com.

Oct. 25

Zombie Night at the Beach Theatre Following a screening of Night of the Living Dead, the Interchangeable Parts theater group that performs the Rocky Horror Picture Show each week at the Beach Theatre will host a zombie night, including a performance by the Funeral Dazies, an all-zombie punk band. beachtheatre.com.

Oct. 26

Tampa's World Zombie Day A walk will start at 5 p.m. at the Dirty Shame Pub, 20th Street and Seventh Avenue, Ybor City, with an assortment of games and ice cream (bring the kids!). Bring a non-perishable food item for charity. This is one of about 50 zombie walks that day around the world; the goal is to break the Guinness World Record for the largest coordinated zombie walk. Anyone who walks in Tampa will have their name sent to World Zombie Day HQ in Pittsburgh as part of the final tally. Get the details at myspace.com/worldzombieday and myspace.com/the_deadlite_empire.

Oct. 30

Zombie Halloween Eve Featuring a zombie costume contest at 7:30 and 9:15 p.m., with a $25 bar tab awarded for the best couple, most original and best overall costume. Zombies (or, at least, people in zombie costumes) receive one free drink. No cover. The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. (823) 247-2555, theritzybor.com.

Oct. 31

Dance of the Zombies! A cabaret-style zombie get-together on Halloween night at G. Bar in Ybor City. Free before 10 p.m.; after that the cover is $10 for ages 18-20 and $5 for 21 and up. 1407 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. (813) 247-1016, gbartampabay.com.

How to look your deadest

Want to join the zombie uprising? Laura Rifkin, special-effects makeup artist for the Deadite Empire, offers these tips to make sure you look as frighteningly ghoulish as possible.

1. Don't be cheap. The cheap stuff shows. It's better to spend a few extra dollars to make sure you don't look like the "I like turtles" kid.

2. Add water to your fake blood for clothing. When added for clothing, it helps you get the most out of your blood. Don't try on your skin, though, because it'll just make you look you have a ridiculously wet red face.

3. Use a movie for inspiration. Watch Dawn of the Dead a couple times and try to emulate that zombie-nurse look instead of working from memory.

4. Wolfe Brother is the best stuff to use. This is the stuff the professionals use. No zombie would be caught alive without it. wolfefx.com/

5. Don't buy the contacts unless you know how to use them. Rifkin bought the contacts and unfortunately couldn't figure how to get them in (the perils of having 20/20 vision). Thirty bucks, down the drain.