Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Good bye August, hello the month before October!



And it will be Halloween time sooner than we expect!  Which is why The Shadow Over Portland will be busy adding more and more items to the Horror Calendar in the coming weeks.  I hope to have it all together, with additional pages for Haunted Attractions and Scary Screenings, so you'll have an easier time of finding the perfect events to enjoy during THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

And remember, listing your event at The Shadow Over Portland is FREE!  I'm happy to post everything from family-friendly events to adult only spooky fun, so email me at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll add your event to the ever growing list of creepy fun coming in October.

I'll be sure to announce when the new pages are up.  But until that time, here's your weekly update from The Shadow Over Portland!!

Ongoing



Submissions are being accepted for the PDXtreme Fest, 3 days of horror, crime, gore and more at the the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark) in Portland, OR, December 2 through 4 this year.  You can find more details on how to enter your film at the Facebook Event Page.

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Mental Trap Escape Room Game invites you, and four to ten members, to escape a locked room in one hour.  And yes, it is timed.  Created by the devious minds behind 13th Door Haunted HouseGlowing Greens Miniature Golf and Haunted Productions, this offers you the challenge to find the clues keeping you locked in the room and escape within an hour.  But, as the website suggests, it's not as easy as it sounds.  Located at 3855 SW Murray Blvd in Portland, OR, you can challenge your wits (and those of your team mates) to solve the puzzle before time expires.  I don't know what happens if you don't succeed, but that's part of the fun.  For more details, visit the link.

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Bleedingham, a Northwest Horror Short Film Festival, is now excepting submissions.  The chosen films will screen at the Pickford Film Cinema (1318 Bay St) in Bellingham, WA later this year.  Submissions are accepted through October 1.  More details can be found at the official website.

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You can still have your Lovecraftian film considered for the H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and CthulhuCon, which happens October 7 to 9 at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR).  For more details, visit the Official Website.



Oh, and you can still register for the Lovecraft Under the Gun: A 72 Hour Film Project.  Filming must take place between September 2 and 5 (keep in mind, that's Labor Day weekend).  The idea is to make a Lovecraftian film in just 72 hours, and have it judge by the folks attending the festival.  Yeah, you need to make it Lovecraftian (it's in the rules, and you know the HPLFF audience will know if you pulled it off or not) and there are prop and line requirements that will be reveled upon registration, which is IN PERSON at Sam's Hollywood Billiards (1945 NE 41st Ave in Portland, OR).  All completed films and paperwork must be turned in between 7 and 9 pm on Monday, September 5.  There is a $20 entry fee for each team.  For more details, visit the HPLFF Portland, OR website link.

Oh, and I'll be a guest at this year's event!  Please be sure to say hello if you happen to attend a panel I'm on, or just see me walking about.  You won't miss me, as I'll be the big guy in the Lovecraft tee shirt and black Stumptown Kilt!

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Submissions are still open for the Eat Your Heart Out Horror Film Festival (formerly Northwest Horrorfest), a festival that runs every two years in downtown Seattle, WA.  You have until August 31 to submit a film under the Late Deadline rules, but if you want to wait until the last minute, the Extended Deadline is December 31.  The festival has a few rules concerning submissions, so be sure to check the link for all the details, and to submit your film.

No word on a venue for the 2017 festival as of yet, though it will take place on Valentines Day weekend, so keep checking back here for updates!

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The Haunted Nightmare 2016 Fall Campout for volunteers happens on September 10 at Haunted Nightmare (6601 24th St SW in Mountlake Terrace, WA).  Orientation starts at 3 pm, but bring a tent, as well as a potluck item, and plan to spend the night, as the after hour festivities include horror movies and other spooky fun!  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

The Hunted Nightmare opens to the public on October 7.

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The 48 Hour Film Horror Project in Seattle, WA, has issued a challenge to local filmmakers.  Create a horror film in just 48 hours and, should you win, your flick will be screened at Filmapalooza 2017!  Early Bird Registration ends on Monday, September 12 (the fee is $150 USD), but you can wait until Friday, October 7 for Regular Registration ($175 USD).  More more details, and to register your team, visit the Official Website.

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If you're interested in joining the Zombie Fest Northwest Makeup Team, block out your calendar for Saturday, September 17 and contact Darla at info@skinperfectinseattle.com.  You can help create zombies for this all-ages, family friendly event designed to raise awareness concerning disaster preparedness, and help raise money for the Highland Food Bank, the Des Moines Food Bank, Highline Schools Foundation Excel Grant Program and the Friends of Normandy Park Foundation.  Visit the Facebook Event Page for more details.    

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The Spirit of Halloweentown returns to the the city of St. Helens in Oregon for a month full of amazing events.  From the St. Helens Halloween Parade today at 4:30 pm, to haunted tours, pumpkin carving contests, a Howl-oween 5K dog walk, and more, this should be on every Northwest Halloween fan's calendar!  You'll find plenty of events happening in the area through Halloween Night, so check out the Official Website link for all the events and details.  And, should you want to be a part of the Halloween Parade, the photo above gives you most of the details.


Buy it NOW!



Fabio Frizzi, composer for some of Lucio Fulci's horror classics such as ZombieThe Beyond and Gates of Hell, is coming to The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) at 8 pm on Monday, October 3, to perform tracks from these classic films LIVE with a seven piece orchestra!  Frizzi 2 Fulci starts at 8 pm, with general admission only $25.  But, for $50, you can be part of a meet and greet event at 6 pm.  For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre official website.  This event WILL sell out, so buy your tickets as soon as possible!


August, 2016

Wednesday, August 31



Oh, it's the middle of the week and time for Weird Wednesday at The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR).  Tonight's offering is Bloody Pit of Horror, a 1965 Italy/US production that was REFUSED a UK cinema certification in 1967.  The plot revolves around a photographer and a group of models planning on taking some sexy photos in an abandoned castle.  But it turns out some looney is living there, an oiled up muscle man (Mickey Hagitay, Jayne Mansfield's hubby and Mariska Hagity's father) who think's he's a 17th-century executioner.  And mayhem ensues!  Showtime is 9:15 pm, and you must be 21 or older to attend.  As always admission is FREE, so don't be a cheapskate and spend a few bucks at the snack bar!  If you try to bring your own snacks into the theater, may Mickey jump off the screen and put YOU on the rack.  Karma, folks!  For more details, visit The Joy Cinema's official website.

September, 2016

Thursday, September 1



Fathom Events is bringing the premiere of Rob Zombie's 31 to theaters around the nation tonight at 7 pm.  The screening includes the world premiere of the Gore Whore and Get Your Boots On music videos, a Q and A with writer/director Zombie and a "special look behind the scenes."  In case you haven't heard, the movie is about a group of people who are captured on Halloween night and forced to fight for their lives in a game pitting them against homicidal clowns.   To locate a theater near you screening the film, and to purchase advance tickets, visit the Fathom Events website.

Friday, September 2



Okay, I just read the synopsis for Kevin Smith's Yoga Hosers, and wow, it sounds WEIRD!  Two 15-year-old yoga fanatics (Lily Rose Depp and Harley Quinn Smith) must join forces with a legendary man-hunter (played by Johnny Depp, and yes, quite related to one of the leads) to defeat an ancient evil arising from beneath Canada's crust and threatening their invitation of a Grade 12 party.  According to the synopsis, yoga poses will be involved, as well as a slew of guest actors.  The film opens tonight at The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St) in Vancouver, WA.  Showtimes vary throughout the week, so visit The Kiggin's official website.

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Okay, I'm sure people have issues supporting any film directed by Roman Polanski, after his escaping statutory rape charges in 1977.  I know I do.  But that doesn't make Rosemary's Baby (1968) any less a classic horror film.  The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) is screening the film through Thursday, September 8, so if you haven't seen it, this would be a great time to check it out!  Remember, you will be supporting a local theater, so that's a BIG PLUS!  No showtimes have been announced, but it will be around 9 pm.  For more details, visit The Joy Cinema official website closer to the opening date.  And be sure to spend some money at the snack bar!

Sunday, September 4



I remember, when I was young (no wisecracks about my age or you can just get off my lawn!  Hehe), The Wizard of Oz was a scary film.  Sure, I saw it on broadcast TV with commercial breaks, and the film has many lighter moments, but Margaret Hamilton is TERRIFYING!  And her flying monkeys are pretty nasty as well.  So, if you want to relive your childhood, or introduce your youngsters to scary movies, head to Overlook Park (599 N Fremont St in Portland, OR) for a screening courtesy of Movies in the Park.  Festivities start at 6:30 pm with the band Echoes of Yasgurs, FREE POPCORN and admission is free as well!  The film starts around dusk.  Remember to bring some warm clothes, as nights in the Northwest can get chilly.  And be sure to follow the park rules: No alcohol at this event, all dogs MUST be leashed and NO smoking or other tobacco products (I'm going to assume that includes vaping, but you can call and find out).  For more details, visit the Portland Parks official website.  Also, please be aware that the event can be cancelled if the weather doesn't cooperate (but I'd say the chances of a rainout this early in September are slim).

Tuesday, September 6

It sounds like things will get sticky at the Substation (645 NW 45th St in Seattle, WA) as Grotesque Gorelesque, Seattle's weirdest and goriest burlesque troupe, hosts their monthly performance tonight at 8 pm.  And the special guest band will be Jugs of Blood!  The troupe takes clothing donations, blankets and hygiene supplies at the door for Stone Soup Group, which meets every Sunday under the Ballard bridge to hand out meals and clothing to the homeless.  The group is requesting mens clothing, underwear, socks and long johns, and a donation will earn you a discount on admission!  And vendors will be present to help you find that perfect spooky accessory!!  Admission is $15 ($10 with a clothing donation) and you must be 21 or older to attend.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Wednesday, September 7



The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) presents The Hour That Stretches tonight at 7 pm.  A presentation to keep live spoken-word alive, tonight features Wonderland Award-winning Bizarro author Garrett Cook, the Cosmic horror of Dominique Lamssies, Science Fictiion by Wendy Wagner, as well as others.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Well, if you've ventured onto the Internet in the past couple of days, you've heard about the passing of Gene Wilder.  The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) pays tribute to this comic genus tonight at 7:30 pm with a screening of the DARK fairy tale, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  Perfect family viewing, if you can get past the chicken beheading during the steamboat ride, this film captures the mood of the original novel, with Wonka coming off as a sarcastic and uncaring jerk (at least till the end).  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the official Hollywood Theatre website.

Thursday, September 8



The Funhouse Lounge (2432 SE 11th Ave in Portland, OR) and Ann Gora Productions presents the sequel to Ed Wood's classic you never knew you wanted.  Plan 10 from Outer Space, a musical comedy WITH GORILLAS opens tonight at 9:30 pm!  Oh, this should be GOOD!!!!!!  The show runs September 8 to 10, with an 8 pm performance on Sunday, September 11, then continues with 9:30 pm shows September 14 to 17.  Tickets start at $15, and you can find details, as well as a link for advance ticket sales, at the Facebook Event Page.

Saturday, September 10



Tickets for the Rose City Comic Con at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd) in Portland, OR, are still available.  Advance ticket sales, and updates concerning guests at the con, are available at  the official website.

UPDATE:  Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, Chad Coleman (Tyreese from AMC's The Walking Dead) and Karl Urban (Dredd) are all scheduled to appear.

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Remember, should you attend any of these events, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!