Transylvanian Voodoo Ball, Mortified Portland, Turkish 'Star Wars,'

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Nope, that isn't Han Solo. Wikipedia

1 There are all sorts of ways to celebrate the imminent arrival of Halloween, but what could be more fitting than "The Transylvanian Voodoo Ball"? The annual Halloween bash presented by Portland's own "neo-cabaret gypsy-pop ensemble," Vagabond Opera, also celebrates the group's 10-year anniversary. What to expect? Appalachian music by Dum Spiro Spero with Flip Cassidy and the Junkyard Gospel; belly dancing by Rachel Brice and Karolina Lux; Butoh performers; a "sacred fire ritual honoring our ancestors"; interactive Day of the Dead altar; the "Russian party band" Chervona; and more. Costumes are encouraged. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Wednesday; $16 in advance, $20 at the door; 21 and over; Star Theater, 13 N.W. Sixth Ave.; http://vagabondopera.com

2 If you have a little too much fun at the Halloween bash, it might be turn out to be perfect material for the "Mortified" format. This is the storytelling series that began in the 1990s, when founder Dave Nadelberg got the ball rolling by sharing an embarrassing love letter with friends. Dubbed "Mortified" in 2002, the event has spread around the country, inviting people to share awkward missives, memorabilia and tales. "Mortified Portland" celebrates its fifth anniversary by inviting grown-ups to revisit the cringe-inducing diary entries, photos and other ephemera of their youth. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 1); $12; Mission Theater, 1624 N.W. Glisan St.; mcmenamins.com/210-mission-theater-home

3 Plenty of would-be junior George Lucases have made fan-film tributes to "Star Wars," but there's only one Turkish "Star Wars." More correctly known as "Dunyayi Kurtaran Adam," the 1982 effort was an attempt by Turkish filmmakers to make their own low-budget version of the space epic. Joining in the spirit of that brand of insanity is Portland's own Filmusik, which will be offering a new soundtrack and dubbing for the film. The live performance also celebrates the release of a new Filmusik DVD of this spectacular creation. 7 p.m., Fri.-Sat., Thurs. (Friday performance in Spanish); general admission, $12; Hollywood Theatre, 4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd.; http://filmusik.com

4 What would make Things From Another World's "Geek Trivia" night even more awesome than usual? Coming in costume, of course. Hey, this is Halloween season, in case you snoozed through the first item in this column. The regularly scheduled geekfest will present the usual brain-teasers, and your hosts Cort & Fatboy. If you come in costume, you can earn extra points for your team. Doors at 6:30 p.m. (or earlier), game starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday; 21 and over unless accompanied by parent or guardian, and be warned the language is R-rated; Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.; facebook.com/PortlandGeekTrivia/events

5 Still craving Halloween-themed fun? Back for a 15th year is the Brody Theater's "Scary Movie," an improv salute to classic horror flicks. post source internet.........