Current:Home > ContactChainkeen Exchange-Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US -Mastery Money Tools
Chainkeen Exchange-Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow that went viral, caused mayhem is set to debut in the US
Robert Brown View
Date:2025-04-06 14:33:17
Second time's the charm?Chainkeen Exchange Remember the Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow, Scotland that went viral earlier this year, with its sad Oompa Loompa becoming a meme? It's making a comeback.
Despite the backlash and mockery, the now-infamous event is returning, and this time in Los Angeles, California, according to an event page that popped up on Eventbrite.
"Yes, this is a real event," reads the first thing on the event page, set up by the House of Illuminati LA.
"Get ready to step into a realm of pure imagination as the highly acclaimed 'Willy’s Chocolate Experience LA' makes its debut in the United States, courtesy of House of Illuminati LA," the event description reads. "Following its groundbreaking success in Glasgow, this fantastical event promises an immersive journey into the whimsical world of 'Willy' Wonka."
'Fiasco':Willy Wonka experience in Scotland creates sour taste for ticket buyers
Features of previous event in Glasgow to be recreated
The "sad" Oompa Loompa, Kirsty Paterson, who instantly became a meme, will also be participating in the event on April 28 with an "exclusive absurdist Q&A and fan photo opportunity," according to the organizers.
Other features of the Glasgow event, such as the setting, will also be replicated with the event planned to be held in "a nondescript warehouse nestled in the heart of downtown Los Angeles." The exact location has not been specified.
Tickets are priced at $44 and are non-refundable. However, the proceeds of the event will be donated to an unnamed mental health charity, say the organizers.
In another nod to the previous event, attendees will get 2 complimentary jellybeans "to kickstart the sweetness".
Meanwhile, other "enchanting attractions" include local music and comedy performances, an "immersive" silent film screening complemented by live music and local vendors selling sweet treat. The organizers have also teased the possibility of "renowned comedians" to be attending the event, "promising an evening filled with laughter and unexpected twists."
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on April 28 for photobooth and mingling, followed by the Q&A session with Paterson at 6:30 p.m. Around 9 p.m., the event will transition into "Willy's Rave" with a D.J., who will be "keeping the energy going until 4 a.m.," the next morning.
"Prepare to be transported to a realm where imagination knows no bounds and every moment is infused with wonder," the event page adds.
Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow was dubbed a 'fiasco'
In February, earlier this year, a Willy Wonka-themed event in Scotland went viral after ticket-buyers went to an event marketed as a place "where dreams come to life," only to find a sparsely decorated warehouse with a pair of women with green wigs – apparently the Oompa Loompas – and an actor portraying Willy Wonka, who looked more like an Oompa Loompa than Wonka.
Attendees, many of whom were children, were enraged and upset with the organizers, a U.K. event company called House of Illuminati, demanding a refund. The police even showed up at the event to calm the irate crowd and shut down the event, that had promised chocolate fountains, performances by Oompa Loompas and "a celebration of chocolate in all its delightful forms."
One of the event attendees, Stuart Sinclair, who attended the event with his children said called the event "an absolute con," saying that his kids only received "two jelly babies and a quarter of a can of bars limeade," and that the whole experience took only 2 minutes. One of actor's, who participated in the event, called it a "fiasco" and said that he and the other actors "were furious."
"We’d been conned, as well, and it did turn quite scary at one point because people were angry," he said.
The company organizing the event later apologized for the event, releasing a statement that read: "Unfortunately, last minute we were let down in many areas of our event and tried our best to continue on and push through and now realize we probably should have cancelled first thing this morning instead."
Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (1216)
Related
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Pottery Barn's Holiday Sale Is Up To 50% Off, With Finds Starting At Just $8
- Did embarrassment of losing a home to foreclosure lead to murder?
- Raheem Morris is getting most from no-name Rams D – and boosting case for NFL head-coach job
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Breaches by Iran-affiliated hackers spanned multiple U.S. states, federal agencies say
- The 10 best quarterbacks in college football's transfer portal
- Packers activate safety Darnell Savage from injured reserve before Sunday’s game with Chiefs
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Felicity Huffman breaks silence about college admission scandal: Undying shame
Ranking
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Barbie doll honoring Cherokee Nation leader is met with mixed emotions
- Hilary Farr announces she's leaving 'Love It or List It' after 'a wonderful 12 years'
- Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Make Red Carpet Debut as a Couple at Jingle Ball
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Alabama woman pleads guilty in 2019 baseball bat beating death of man found in a barrel
- College football bowl game schedule for the 2023-24 season: A full guide for fans.
- Blake Lively Shares Her Thoughts on Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Aligning
Recommendation
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Stephen Colbert suffers ruptured appendix; Late Show episodes canceled as he recovers
Ewers throws 4 TDs as No. 7 Texas bids farewell to Big 12 with 49-21 title win over Oklahoma State
Fiery crash on New Hampshire interstate sets off ammunition
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
Washington gets past Oregon to win Pac-12 title. What it means for College Football Playoff
7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes off the southern Philippines and a tsunami warning is issued
Elon Musk sends vulgar message to advertisers leaving X after antisemitic post