Anne Rice fans finally got the chance to say goodbye to their beloved author over the weekend in New Orleans.
Why it matters: The celebration of life came four years after her death, but attendees told Axios it was worth the wait.
The big picture: Folks traveled from across the globe to dress as their favorite characters, mourn Rice’s death and celebrate her unapologetic spirit.
- They shared stories about what her books meant to them and how her words changed their lives.
- Their creativity was on full display at the famous Anne Rice Vampire Ball and continued at her celebration of life on All Saints’ Day at the Orpheum.
- Rice’s recurring themes of celebrating nonconformists, exploring yourself and seeking light in the darkness were woven throughout both events.
Inside the room: Seats in the Orpheum were filled with fans of various races, ages, genders, orientations and nationalities. Many were in costumes.
- They cheered when Christopher Rice talked about his mother writing “Interview with the Vampire” after a discouraging comment from her husband’s friend.
- They cried when her friend, Eric Shaw Quinn, shared how she once played a Welsh lullaby for him on the piano.
- And they laughed when an actor read an innuendo-filled excerpt from “The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.”
The vibe: Christopher Rice and business partner Quinn produced the tribute as they processed what Rice described as the “body blow that was our grief for my mother.”
- The event was tailor-made for fans. The lobby, stairwells and halls were filled with archival photos and fan-made sculptures.
- The show was a mix of theater, tribute, documentary and memorial. Irma Thomas sang, personalities from Anne Rice’s widely popular Facebook page shared memories and family members gave insight into her defining moments.
- It hit all the right notes for a fan base seeking catharsis.
What she’s saying: “I want to be loved and never forgotten,” Anne Rice said in a recorded clip that played during the event. “I want to be immortal.”…