Friday, March 6, 2020

Are you ready for the most HORRIBLE WEEKEND OF THE YEAR?


It happens every year.  Sometime on a Saturday, in the middle of the night, a demonic hand reaches out, changes our clocks and erases an hour of sleep from our lives.

This is how I dream about it.
Your nightmare fuel may vary.

I have no idea why we continue to submit ourselves to the scourge that is Daylight Savings Time, as it often leaves most of us in a perpetual state of grogginess for several days, and can cause health issues.  It's PURE EVIL, yet we have to keep putting ourselves through it every few months. 

But here's something that might make you smile this weekend, the latest edition of the Weekly Update.  It might not be a full of events as the weeks later in the year, but it's loaded with some great movies, music, stage events and MORE!

And speaking of later in the year, head over to the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar, updated with details on movie series, conventions, festivals and other amazing genre events coming in 2020 and beyond!!

If you are hosting an event that would interest Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans, send me an email with the details and promotional artwork to shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll take care of the rest.  And remember, having your event listed on the site is FREE!

From Ashland, OR, to Vancouver, BC, The Shadow Over Portland has you covered!

Now Playing

The Lodge, a 2019 psychological horror film from directors Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, plays at the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) through Thursday, March 5.  For more details, including showtimes, visit the Darkside Cinema website.

Film Submissions

Submissions are being accepted for the 2020 H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival in Portland, OR, and the third biennial H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival in Providence, RI.  And the stars have aligned for you, as you only need to click this FilmFreeway link for all the details on submitting your Lovecraftian short or feature film to BOTH festivals.  Final submission date is July 28, 2020.

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From the people who created the HUMP film festival comes SLAY, a chance for you to make a short horror film (up to 8 minutes in length) and possibly win some cash!  Your film can be terrifying or funny, gory or campy, animated, or whatever your twisted mind can think of.  Prizes will be awarded for the Goriest, Funniest and Scariest film, along with a Best in Show award.  The submission date is Friday, August 7, 2020 at 5 pm PST, and the films will be screened in Portland and Seattle on October 17, 2020.  For more details, visit the SLAY Film Fest website.

March, 2020

Friday, March 6

King Ghidora, The Latter Day Skanks and Wallcrawler will be performing at Erebus (409 Pacific Ave S in Kelso, WA) tonight.  The show starts at 8 pm, and admission is just $7 and you must be 21 or older to attend.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page. 

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Quentin Dupieux's homage to "'no reason' - that most powerful element of style," the horror film Rubber, plays at the 5th Avenue Cinema (510 SW Hall St in Portland, OR) through Sunday, March 8 in GLORIOUS 35mm.  And yes, this one is weird, as a discarded tire become sentient and starts out on a killing spree.  Think Jason with treads.  For more details, visit the 5th Avenue Cinema website.

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The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) presents the feminist commentary on slasher films, The Slumber Party Massacre, tonight at 9 pm.  Sure, it has an important message, but it also is a damn fine slasher flick as well!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Beacon website.

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The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) will screen the witchcraft classic The Craft through Thursday, March 12.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Academy Theater website.

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The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) will screen Richard Stanley's version of H. P. Lovecraft's Color Out of Space, starring Nicholas Cage, through Thursday, March 12.  For more details and advance tickets sales, visit the Academy Theater website.

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The Geekenders presents A Marvel-ous Comic Strip tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) at 8 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales (be aware, tickets are SELLING OUT), visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Friday Late Night Movie at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) is Richard Stanley's sci fi/horror film Hardware.  The show starts at 11:30 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Saturday, March 7

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) presents the anime version of Ghost in the Shell tonight at 11:15 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Rio Theatre website.

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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show the latest horror film from the writer/director team of Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, The Lodge tonight and tomorrow.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Sunday, March 8

Frank and Zed, an all-puppet monster movie made in Portland, OR, premieres tonight at the Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR) at 8:30 pm.  Cast, crew and PUPPETS will be in attendance.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show Rabid, the remake of David Cronenberg's body-horror classic by filmmakers Jen and Sylvia Soska, tonight at 9:30 pm.  The Soskas will be in attendance for a Q and A after the film.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Tuesday, March 10

Burlynomicon returns to the Lovecraft Bar (421 SE Grand Ave in Portland, OR) this evening.  Doors open at 8:30 pm, with the show starting at 9:30 pm.  Admission is $15, and you must be 21 or older to attend.  For more details, including a list of performers and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Thursday, March 12

The Emerald City Comic Con takes place through Sunday at the Washington State Convention Center (800 Convention Pl in Seattle, WA).  Guests include Mark Ruffalo (the MCU Hulk), Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future) and MANY MORE!  For all the details, visit the Facebook Event Page or the ECCC website.

UPDATE: The ECCC has been CANCELLED due to concerns about the COVID-19 (the coronavirus), and will be rescheduled later in the year.  Visit the website linked above for more details.

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Nocturnal Emissions brings that other 1981 werewolf film, Joe Dante's classic The Howling, to the Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave in Seattle, WA) tonight at 7:30 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Friday, March 13

Rocko Zevenbergen and The Bad Taste Video Team presents the local premiere of their first feature film, I NEED YOU DEAD, at 9:30 pm tonight at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR).  The film follows DOOD (Estevan Munoz), a young punk living in Shmucksville, USA, who births a strage fleshy creature after a moment of total teen angst.  Now DOOD must find a way to kill the creature, the embodiment of his most self-deprecative thoughts, before he's convinced to get rid of himself.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Hollywood Theatre website.

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Wyrd War presents exploitation filmmaker Stephanie Rothman's reimagining of the vampire mythos, The Velvet Vampire, at 7 pm tonight at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR).  The film stars Cleste Yarnall (Beast of Blood) and Michael Blodgett (Beyond the Valley of the Dolls).  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Hollywood Theatre website.

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The Friday the 13th Haunted Taft Tour takes place this evening at 7 pm, starting at the Sapphire Center (4840 SE Highway 101 in Lincoln City, OR).  Learn about the Ghost Schooner of Siletz Pay, Lincoln City's Haunted Fire Truck, and the apparition showing up on the beaches since Prohibition.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The supernatural comedy Extra Ordinary, about a reluctant exorcist force to help a father rescue his daughter from a rock star who sold his soul for a second chance at fame, plays through Thursday, March 19 at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA).  For more details, visit the Grand Illusion website.

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The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) presents the slasher flick with the GREATEST twist ending ever, Sleepaway Camp, tonight at 9:30 pm.  DO NOT spoil it for people seeing it for the first time!!  Instead, just enjoy their reaction to the final scene!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Beacon website.

Saturday, March 14

Portland Sinful Walking Tour: Shanghaiers, Saloons, Skullduggery starts at 1 pm today at Floyd's Coffee Shop (932 SW 3rd Ave in Portland, OR).  Walk through Old town and hear the history of "Portland's naughty bits!"  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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VHS Uber Alles brings Phantom Brother, the story of "normal" young man with a zombie family killing people in a deserted house AND a drunken hillbilly foster family scheming to claim his inheritance, to the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) in GLORIOUS VHS!  Showtime is 9 pm and admission is just $2.  For all the details, visit the Grand Illusion website.

Sunday, March 15

Fathom Events is bringing the Eighth Wonder of the World back to theaters nationwide!  The 1933 classic King Kong will play at 1 and 4 pm today only.  And if you haven't seen this film on the big screen, DO NOT MISS IT!!!  I'm not kidding, DO NOT MISS IT!  For more details, including advance ticket sales and a list of locations near you, visit the Fathom Event Page.

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The Future is NOW: Film Noir Hybrids for the Nervous Generation series at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen the grittiest, darkest post-apocalypse film from the 50s, Five, tonight at 7 pm in GLORIOUS 35mm.  As the last five people alive after a nuclear holocaust work to rebuild some sense of civilization, things start to fall apart as each succumb to their desires and prejudices.  The event is hosted by noir expert Elliot Lavine.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Hollywood Theatre website.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Happy Ash Wednesday, Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans!


It might seem a strange headline for The Shadow Over Portland, but like last year, it allows me to use a groovy meme....

Come on, how could I not use this?

If you are celebrating Lent, I hope the next 40 days are fruitful for you.

As for this edition of the Weekly Update, it's a bit sparse.   I've found a few movies and music events to share, but not much else.  But as you know, things will start picking up in the coming months, so you'll want to keep an eye on the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar, where I've listed events running through January, 2021!  And you know more will be added as the year continues on.

If you have an event you want to share with Pacific Northwest fans, send me an email at shadowoverportland@live.com with the details and promotional artwork, and I'll add it to the site.  And remember, having your event posted is FREE!

From Ashland, OR, to Vancouver, BC, The Shadow Over Portland has you covered!

Now Playing

The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) is playing Richard Stanley's version of H. P. Lovecraft's Color Out of Space through Thursday, February 27.  For more details and showtimes, visit the Academy Theater website.

Film Submissions

Submissions are being accepted for the 2020 H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival in Portland, OR, and the third biennial H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival in Providence, RI.  And the stars have aligned for you, as you only need to click this FilmFreeway link for all the details on submitting your Lovecraftian short or feature film to BOTH festivals.  Final submission date is July 28, 2020.

----------------

From the people who created the HUMP film festival comes SLAY, a chance for you to make a short horror film (up to 8 minutes in length) and possibly win some cash!  Your film can be terrifying or funny, gory or campy, animated, or whatever your twisted mind can think of.  Prizes will be awarded for the Goriest, Funniest and Scariest film, along with a Best in Show award.  The submission date is Friday, August 7, 2020 at 5 pm PST, and the films will be screened in Portland and Seattle on October 17, 2020.  For more details, visit the SLAY Film Fest website.

February, 2020

Wednesday, February 28

Tonight's Weird Wednesday feature at The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) is "another top-secret hit..... that will knock your socks off."  So if you want to know the title of the film, you have to show up!  Showtime is 9:15 pm and admission is FREE, but you must be 18 or older to attend.  For more details, visit The Joy Cinema website.

Friday, February 28

The Beacon theater (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) will screen George Romero's Day of the Dead tonight at 9 pm.  Check this out if you can, as Tom Savini's effects are AMAZING on the big screen!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Beacon website.

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The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) the controversial classic Salo, or the 120 days of Sodom tonight at 6:30 pm and tomorrow evening at 5:30 pm.  If you're not familiar with it, be aware, this film is brutal and contains scenes of sexual torture and degradation.  You have been warned.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Beacon website.

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The Lodge, a 2019 psychological horror film from directors Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, opens tonight at the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR).  For more details, including showtimes, visit the Darkside Cinema website.

Saturday, February 29

Dante's (350 W Burnside St in Portland, OR) brings rocker/body builder/actor Thor, featuring Stovokor and Pegasister, to the stage tonight at 9 pm.  This is a 21 and older show. For more details, including a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Frankenstein's Comicbook Swap returns to the East Portland Eagle Lodge (4904 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) from noon to 6 pm.  Admission is just $1, with kids and elders admitted free.  Early Bird admission is $5 and gets you in at 11 am.  The event also accepts cans of food for donation to the Oregon Food Bank.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) will show 1931's Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, today at 3 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Weird Elephant at The Grand Cinema (606 S Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) ends its celebration of Black History Month with the anthology film Tales from the Hood tonight at 11 pm.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

March, 2020

Tuesday, March 3

The Darkside Scifi Extravaganza #39 is The Gypsy Moon, a film made of a three episode story from the 50s TV show Rocky Jones, Space Ranger.  As with other extravaganza events, the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) will open the show at 6 pm with an hour of newsreels, cartoons and other drive-in treats.  The film starts at 7 pm and be advised, heckling is encouraged.  Admission is $5, credited towards food.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
Friday, March 6

King Ghidora, The Latter Day Skanks and Wallcrawler will be performing at Erebus (409 Pacific Ave S in Kelso, WA) tonight.  The show starts at 8 pm, and admission is just $7 and you must be 21 or older to attend.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page. 

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Quentin Dupieux's homage to "'no reason' - that most powerful element of style," the horror film Rubber, plays at the 5th Avenue Cinema (510 SW Hall St in Portland, OR) through Sunday, March 8 in GLORIOUS 35mm.  And yes, this one is weird, as a discarded tire become sentient and starts out on a killing spree.  Think Jason with treads.  For more details, visit the 5th Avenue Cinema website.

----------------

The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) presents the feminist commentary on slasher films, The Slumber Party Massacre, tonight at 9 pm.  Sure, it has an important message, but it also is a damn fine slasher flick as well!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Beacon website.

----------------

The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) will screen the witchcraft classic The Craft through Thursday, March 12.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Academy Theater website.

Saturday, March 7

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) presents the anime version of Ghost in the Shell tonight at 11:15 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Rio Theatre website.

Saturday, February 22, 2020

The Devil's Rain (1975)

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Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Here's some Valentine's Day suggestions for the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fan in your life!


It's Valentine's Day on Friday, and if you're looking for a last minute gift for the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fan in your life, this edition of the Weekly Update is filled with films, stage events and other great places to spend a romantic evening. 

It's Valentines like this that make February 14th
a glorious Second Halloween!

Be sure to check out the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar, as I've added some great films, convention news and stage events coming to the Pacific Northwest.  And keep checking back, as I've got even more events to add that you won't want to miss!

From Ashland, OR, to Vancouver, BC, The Shadow Over Portland has you covered!

Now Playing

Experience Theatre Project brings The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde to the Beaverton Masonic Lodge (4690 SW Watson Ave in Beaverton, OR) for an immersive theater adaptation of the Robert Lewis Stevenson tale, this time set in the 1864 gold rush town of Brannock, Mt.  The audience will move through the story in promenade fashion,  and can look for easter eggs hidden throughout the set before the show and during intermission.  The production runs through Sunday, February 16, and is recommended for those 16 and older (due to profanity and brief nudity).  For more details, including showtimes and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 East Pine in Seattle, WA) presents Richard Stanley's Color Out of Space tonight at 7 pm.  The film will play through Wednesday, February 13.  The film stars Nicholas Cage and is based on the H. P. Lovecraft story of the same name.  I got to see it at last year's H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and I strongly recommend you see this on the big screen.  It's amazing!  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the SIFF website.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Richard Stanley's Color Out of Space through Thursday, February 13.  The film stars Nicholas Cage and is based on the H. P. Lovecraft story of the same name.  I got to see it at last year's H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and I strongly recommend you see this on the big screen.  It's amazing!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Hollywood Theatre website.

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Film Submissions

Submissions are being accepted for the 2020 H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival in Portland, OR, and the third biennial H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival in Providence, RI.  And the stars have aligned for you, as you only need to click this FilmFreeway link for all the details on submitting your Lovecraftian short or feature film to BOTH festivals.  Final submission date is July 28, 2020.

----------------

From the people who created the HUMP film festival comes SLAY, a chance for you to make a short horror film (up to 8 minutes in length) and possibly win some cash!  Your film can be terrifying or funny, gory or campy, animated, or whatever your twisted mind can think of.  Prizes will be awarded for the Goriest, Funniest and Scariest film, along with a Best in Show award.  The submission date is Friday, August 7, 2020 at 5 pm PST, and the films will be screened in Portland and Seattle on October 17, 2020.  For more details, visit the SLAY Film Fest website.

February, 2020

Wednesday, February 12

Weird Wednesday at The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) is the American/Mexican co-production, The Beast of Hollow Mountain.  Based on a story idea by stop motion pioneer Willis O'Brien (who, unfortunately, didn't contribute to the special effects), this film is the first to feature cowboys battling a rampaging dinosaur.  Showtime is 9:15 pm and admission is FREE, but you must be 18 or older to attend.  For more details, visit The Joy Cinema website.

Thursday, February 13

Weird Elephant at The Grand Cinema (606 S Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) continues celebrating Black History Month tonight at 6:45 pm with the insightful documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, and the short documentary #StopErasingBlackPeople, which chronicled how the Tacoma Action Collective organized to address and disrupt the whitewashing of the "Arts, Aids, America" exhibit.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Friday, February 14

Spend Valentine's Day with Chucky, as the Queer Horror series at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents Child's Play 2 tonight at 9:30 pm in GLORIOUS 35mm!  the event is hosted by Portland's premier drag clown, Carla Rossi, and opens with a "Small Wonder" sitcom preshow starting Portland drag all-stars Clare Apparently, Valerie DeVille and Vera Mysteria as Chucky!  For more details and advance ticket sales (strongly recommended), visit the Hollywood Theatre website.

Saturday, February 15

The Free Family Flick series at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) presents Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory this morning at 10 am.  Admission is FREE (seating is on a first come basis) and children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.  Doors open at 9:30 am.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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VHS Uber Alles presents Dark Romances tonight at 9 pm at The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) in GLORIOUS VHS!  This film has not been released on DVD, so don't miss the chance to see it on the big screen!!  Admission is $2.  For more details, visit the VHS Uber Alles Facebook Page.

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Fan Expo Vancouver takes place this weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre (1055 Canada Pl in Vancouver, BC).  Guests include Brendan Fraser (The Mummy, Doom Patrol), Christina Ricci (The Addams Family, Sleepy Hollow), Marina Sirtis and Levar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation) and Bruce Campbell (Ash in The Evil Dead trilogy, Ash vs. Evil Dead).  For more details, visit the official website or the Facebook Event Page.

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Weird Elephant at The Grand Cinema (606 S Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) continues celebrating Black History Month tonight at 11 pm with the alien invasion film Attack the Block.  The screening includes the short film Plz Don't Die, directed by Tacoma filmmaker Lex Alexander.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Family Film series at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents Back to the Future in GLORIOUS 35mm today and tomorrow at 2 pm.  For details and advance ticket sales, visit the Hollywood Theatre website.

Monday, February 17

For a history lesson on the area considered the most haunted sections of Portland, check out Spirits of Stumptown - Tales of Old Town at 7 pm tonight at The White Eagle (836 N Russell St in Portland, OR).  Historian and Paranormal Investigator Rocky Smith will talk about one of Portland's more nefarious regions, with an early history of gambling, brothels, opium dens and shanghaiing.  For all the details and a link to ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Tuesday, February 18

Tonight's Scifi Extravaganza at the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) is Prisoners of the Lost Universe, starring John Saxon, Kay Lenz and Richard Hatch.  The show starts at 6 pm with an hour of newsreels, cartoons and other drive-in treats, with the feature starting at 7 pm.  Admission is $5, credited towards food.  Be aware, heckling is encouraged.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Friday, February 21

Friday Night Frights celebrates Women in Horror Month with a lady that can deliver a sick burn!  Drew Barrymore stars in Firestarter at 10 pm tonight at the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA).  Expect some hot prizes to be given away!!  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Saturday, February 22

MiyakoCon 5: 2020, Salem's annual anime convention takes place this weekend in Salem, OR.  That's all the details I have now, so keep checking back, or visit the Facebook Event Page or the MiyakoCon website for updates.

Saturday, February 29

Dante's (350 W Burnside St in Portland, OR) brings rocker/body builder/actor Thor, featuring Stovokor and Pegasister, to the stage tonight at 9 pm.  This is a 21 and older show. For more details, including a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Frankenstein's Comicbook Swap returns to the East Portland Eagle Lodge (4904 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) from noon to 6 pm.  Admission is just $1, with kids and elders admitted free.  Early Bird admission is $5 and gets you in at 11 am.  The event also accepts cans of food for donation to the Oregon Food Bank.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.