Well, my vacation was nice. Spent too much time in the sun, but managed not to take home a burn of any type, and it was wonderful visiting my parents. Last week, I flew back into Portland calm, rested and relaxed.
But that buzz of contentment vanished soon once I clocked in at my day job. Back in the rushed, stressed environment of work, the feeling of peace didn't trickle out of my body as much as it fled in terror.
After that first day back at work, I walked back into The Shadow Over Portland office, opened my laptop and planned on a relaxing evening working on the Horror Calendar.
Until I noticed all the Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy events announced in JUST TWO WEEKS....
Where did all this come from?!?!?
It was quite a shock, as not only did the month fill up with fantastic events and movies, but the rest of the year is looking great as well. The Hollywood Theatre in Portland, OR, and the Rio Theatre in Vancouver, BC, have announced some great screenings into July. The Pickford Film Center in Bellingham, WA, has a monthly series of classic big bug/arachnid movies (including Them! and The Black Scorpion) starting in July. Evil Dead the Musical is returning to Portland, OR and Renton, WA in October. It's time to get revved up for the Halloween in July Car Rally and Concert in Portland, OR. And Mystery Science Theater 3000 is coming to Portland for a live riff of Eegah in July (A word of advice: Buy tickets EARLY!).
You should pull out your Day Planner (or phone planner) and check out the updated Horror Calendar. Just be sure to keep checking back, as Halloween is coming and you know that's going to be a busy time of the year at The Shadow Over Portland!
Remember, if you are planning an event that will interest Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy fans, I'll be happy to post it on the site for FREE! Just send me an email at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll get the details and any links you have on the site.
I want to thank Joe Sherlock and Anthony Dluzak for sending me details on a couple of upcoming events. You don't have to be involved, just let me know it's happening and I'll take care of the rest!
And, should you attend any of the events listed here, please let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!!
Buy Tickets Now!
You might need to watch for snakes as Mystery Science Theater 3000 presents a LIVE riff of the Arch Hall Jr. film Eegah at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 SW Broadway in Portland, OR) on July 28 at 8 pm. I don't need to say much more about this, except that tickets will sell out fast, so don't delay. For additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Portland'5 Centers for the Arts website.
Ongoing
You might need to watch for snakes as Mystery Science Theater 3000 presents a LIVE riff of the Arch Hall Jr. film Eegah at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 SW Broadway in Portland, OR) on July 28 at 8 pm. I don't need to say much more about this, except that tickets will sell out fast, so don't delay. For additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Portland'5 Centers for the Arts website.
Ongoing
Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway, who finds herself in control of a kaiju attacking South Korea, is playing at The Laurelhurst Theater and Pub (2735 East Burnside St in Portland, OR) through Thursday, June 1. For showtimes, visit The Laurelhurst Theater website.
Colossal is also playing through Thursday, June 1, at The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR). For showtimes, visit The Academy Theater website.
Colossal is playing at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) through Thursday, June 1. For showtimes and advance ticket sales, visit the Pickford Film Center website.
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Alien: Covenant continues at Cinema 21
(616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR) through Thursday, June 1. For a list
of showtimes, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Cinema 21 website.
Alien: Covenant continues to play at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) through Thursday, June 1. For a list of showtimes, and links to advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.
Alien: Covenant is playing at the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St in Yelm, WA). Visit the Yelm Cinemas website for more details.
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John Carpenter's sci fi classic, Escape from New York, plays at McMenamins Mission Theater and Pub (1624 NW Glisan in Portland, OR) on Tuesday, May 23 at 5:30 pm, Wednesday, May 24 at 8:30 pm, Thursday, May 25 at 5:30 pm and Saturday, May 27 at 8:30 pm. No need to for any further details, just get to the show! For more details, and link to advance ticket sales, visit the Mission Theater website.
Haunted Attractions
Please visit the Haunted Attractions page for details on trap rooms and ghost tours in the Pacific Northwest, as well as an advance date for an October haunted attraction.
Open Film Submission
May, 2017
Wednesday, May 24
The fantasy film Ladyhawke plays tonight at McMenamins Mission Theater and Pub (1624 NW Glisan in Portland, OR) at 5:30 pm. The film also plays on Thursday, May 25 at 8:30 pm and Saturday, May 27 at 5:30 pm. The film stars Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer as lovers trying to break a curse placed upon them by a corrupt Bishop. Oh, and Matthew Broderick is in it as well. For more details, and link to advance ticket sales, visit the Mission Theater website.
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Mikes Movie Riff Off presents Hell Comes to Frogtown tonight at the Acme Tavern (1310 Tacoma Ave S in Tacoma, WA) at 8 pm. This cult classic stars Rowdy Roddy Piper and Sandahl Bergman, dealing with the mutants of Frogtown, of course. Admission is FREE, and you can use your phone to text your riffs to the screen. For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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Weird Wednesday at The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) blasts into the final frontier with Attack from Space tonight at 9:15 pm. Combining two episodes of the Japanese short film series Super Giant, the film follows the superhero Starman as he protects earth from Sappherians. Admission is FREE, but you must be 21 or older to attend. Be sure to support The Joy Cinema in their attempts to keep Wednesdays WEIRD by stopping at the concession stand before the film. Do not bring outside food and drinks with you, or Starman might get angry. For more details, visit The Joy Cinema website.
Thursday, May 25
Sign of the Beast Burlesque presents Metalesque tonight at the Tonic Lounge (3100 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR). This troupe takes burlesque to the ninth circle of Hell, with titillating dance routines performed to heavy metal classics and local Portland metal tunes. This is a fundraiser for Metalesque Fest, the only festival dedicated to heavy metal burlesque. Tickets are $10 in advance, cash only at the door on show night. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales (when it becomes available) visit the Facebook Event Page.
Friday, May 26
Vancouver BC's "nerdlesque" troupe, the Geekenders, return to the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) with The Empire Strips Back: A Sci-Fi Burlesque Adventure tonight and tomorrow (Saturday, May 27) at 8 pm. It's a two-act reboot of a sci fi classic, with all your favorite characters on stage and, well, performing. This is a show for those 18 or older only. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door (door open an hour before showtime). For more details and advance ticket sales, visit this link to the Rio Theatre website for Friday's show, and this link to the Rio Theatre website for Saturday's show.
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It's a weekend full of Star Wars burlesque, as Critical Hit Burlesque presents Geeklesque From a Galaxy Far Far Away tonight and tomorrow (Saturday, May 27) at the Paris Theatre (6 SW Third Ave in Portland, OR). Performances are at 7 and 11 pm both nights. You must be 21 or older to attend. For more details, including a list of performers and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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Miyazaki Nights, a celebration of acclaimed anime director Hayao Miyazaki, takes place this weekend at the 5th Ave Cinema (510 SW Hall St in Portland, OR). Hosted by the Portland State University Anime Club Network, the series features Princess Mononoke tonight, Spirited Away on Saturday, May 27, and The Wind Rises on Sunday, May 28. All shows start at 7 pm. Admission is FREE, but priority will be given to PSU students. For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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Bruce Campbell should have been nominated for his role in the cult classic Bubba Ho-Tep, screening at 11:55 pm tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC). Campbell's Elvis Presley, spending his last days in a Texas nursing home (don't ask me to explain, just watch the film), must battle an Egyptian mummy for the souls of his fellow residents. Not to worry, he's got JFK to help (seriously, just watch the film!). Directed by Don Coscarelli (Phantasm), the film is not only a great watch, but one of the best comments on growing old in America I've seen in a while. Be sure to check it out! For additional details, including a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Rio Theatre website.
Saturday, May 27
The Seattle International Film Festival preents an "insane, blood-and-guts-soaked, action-packed Japanese cyberpunk comedy" Meatball Machine Kodoku, from Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police), tonight at SIFF Cinema Egyptian (801 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) at 11:55 pm. This sequel to Meatball Machine also screens on Tuesday, May 30 at SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA) at 9:45 pm and on Saturday, June 3, at the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) at 8:30 pm. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the SIFF website.
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The Olympia Film Society Kids Club presents a screening of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away today at 11 am. Kids 12 and under are admitted FREE to the show. The screening is at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA). For additional details, visit the Olympia Film Society website.
Sunday, May 28
Slash: A Queer Horror Film Class returns to the Naked City Brewery and Taphouse (8564 Greenwood Ave N in Seattle, WA). Presented by the people behind Shriek: A Women of Horror Film Class, tonight's film is John Carpenter's The Thing. Let's see, body horror, all male cast stuck in an isolated location, possible AIDS analogy... Should be an interesting and lively discussion. The event starts at 6:30 pm, and you must be 21 or older to attend. Fore more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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The Pop Culture Northwest Spring Fling Super Swap! takes place today from 10 am to 4:30 pm at the Salem Scottish Rite Center (4090 Commercial St SE in Salem, OR). The swap features toys, comics, video games, movies, as well as a cosplay contest and a Huge FREE play/video game area with lots of systems. Admission is $5 (Early Bird admission, getting you into the event at 9 am is $8), with one kid under 12 admitted free with a paying adult. Local Horror filmmaker Joe Sherlock (who brought this event to my attention) and his production company Skullface Astronaut will have a table at the event. Visit the Facebook Event Page for more details.
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Tim Burton's sci fi comedy, Mars Attacks!, screens today at 2 pm in GLORIOUS 35mm at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.
Monday, May 29
The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents a tribute to the late Jonathan Demme with a screening of The Silence of the Lambs tonight at 7:30 pm in GLORIOUS 35mm! Oh, this will look amazing on the big screen!! For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.
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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) presents a 30th anniversary screening of the Schwarzenegger sci fi action flick, Predator, tonight at 6:30 pm. The website mentions that special guests will be announced soon, so visit the Rio Theatre website for more details and a link to advance ticket sales.
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The horror hit of the year, Get Out, screens at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 9:30 pm and tomorrow, May 30, at 9 pm. For details and advance ticket sales for both screenings, visit the Rio Theatre website.
Tuesday, May 30
Horror Brew Pub Quiz returns tonight to Home, A Bar (719 SE Morrison St in Portland, OR) at 7:30 pm. Get your team together in an attempt to show off your horror knowledge and possibly win one of two gift certificates for Home, A Bar. Or you might win one of the horror prize raffles. For all the details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
June, 2017
Thursday, June 1
Wyrd War presents Alejandro Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre tonight at 7:30 pm at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR). This newly restored digital transfer is from the original, UNCUT negative, which should be amazing. For additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.
Friday, June 2
The Geekenders and Kitty Glitter present a night hotter than the fires of Mount Doom! Lord of the Schwings: A Tolkien Burlesque Night takes to the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 8 pm. There will be a costume contest with prizes, so dress as your favorite Hobbit, Elf or other Tolkien creature. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door (doors open at 7 pm). For more details, including a link to advance ticket sales and a link to sponsor Boo La La Costumes if you need to fine tune your costume, at the Facebook Event Page.
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The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents Franz Kafka's The Trial, starring Anthony Perkins and Orson Welles (who also directed the film). Part of the Projekt Records Movies in the Dark series, the film centers on a man who wakes up to find the police in his room. He is told he is on trial, but no one tells him the charges, and he faces a Kafkaesque nightmare which could lead to his conviction without a chance to defend himself. The film starts at 9:30 pm, but arrive early, as the first 50 people in the door receive a gift bag. For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
Saturday, June 3
The 11th annual Lilac City Comicon (formerly known as the Spokane Comicon) has expanded to a two day show at the Spokane Convention Center (334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd in Spokane, WA). This weekend will feature a bunch of guests, including special actor guest Doug Jones. General admission tickets are just $20 in advance, with VIP tickets are only $30! For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Lilac City Comicon website or the Facebook Event Page.
UPDATE: Clint Young and his 1966 Batmobile will be at the convention.
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To celebrate the opening of the new DC film, Comic Cave PDX (7315 N Alta Ave in Portland, OR) will host Wonder Woman Day at Comic Cave from 10:30 am to 4 pm. Expect some new product, comics, costumes and other fun stuff. For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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Local Horror filmmaker Joe Sherlock brings B-Movies and Beer back to f/stop Fitzgerald's Public House (335 Grove St NE in Salem, OR) tonight at 8 pm, with a FREE screening of Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires. Described as "Animal House meets Hee Haw with some bloodsuckers tossed in," the film sounds the perfect way to get your cinematic dose of Vitamin B-Movie. Check out the Facebook Event Page for more details on the screening and the f/stop.
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Weird Elephant presents Mad Max: Fury Road-Black and Chrome Edition at The Grand Cinema (606 S Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA). The film starts at 11 pm and should look GLORIOUS on the big screen. For additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.
Sunday, June 4
The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) presents a Silent Sinema Sunday horror fest with a screening of 1922's Nosferatu at 7 pm, followed by a screening of 1920's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at 9 pm. Both features will feature live music accompaniment by Austin, Texas' The Invincible Czars. You can purchase tickets for either feature, or make it a double feature! For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Rio Theatre website.
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The Zymoglyphic Museum (6225 SE Alder St in Portland, OR) is open to the public today from 11 am to 4 pm. For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.