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December 12, 2019
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Thanks to all who showed up for the Book Launch last Sunday. If you weren't able to come, and you're interested in buying a copy, I have them for sale at the theater for $15. If you aren't in the Portland area, you can order one from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
I want to publicly thank all of my helpers--Eleanor O'Brien for her enthusiastic turn as the mistress of ceremonies, Lesley Harper and Krystee Sidwell for adding their artistry to the event through sharing their own original work, and Amy Bugbee who kept the book signing from erupting into chaos. Roger took photos and poured champagne and, when it came to the book itself, he did the most amazing job creating the front and back cover along with the interior design.
I wanted the event to encompass other stories, because I have one story out of many, many stories--each with the underlying premise that women must have agency over their own bodies. One of my friends chose to have an abortion. One of my friends decided to become a single mom at 35. Both were able to figure out in their hearts and minds what they needed to do for themselves. When I was pregnant, I was only given one option, which isn't any kind of choice.
Just this past week, the Supreme Court allowed Kentucky’s extreme anti-abortion law to stand. This means that from here on out, if you want an abortion in Kentucky, your doctor must first conduct an ultrasound, describe the fetus in great detail, and play the sound of its heartbeat. In a pregnancy of nine weeks or less, you will be forced to submit to a transvaginal probe. To me this is nothing short of state-sanctioned rape, and how this law was allowed to stand is beyond my comprehension.
As I wrote in the closing pages of my book, "The objectification and denigration of women is becoming normative once again, and the latest trauma-filled stories never have happy endings."
So, this may seem like a leap, and I know my head isn't quite screwed on right today, but I want to share an audio poem of Neil Gaiman called "The Mushroom Hunters."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak6sdSAcNkw
There's a connection somewhere here. Maybe we should have coffee and talk about it.
Traces
-- Matthew Shenoda
In the hard shadow of the moon
when the recesses of light have gone
and the faint red of the hawk’s shoulder has disappeared from the sky
in the growing pulse of the praying mantis
when the city has come into its own new light
it is here where I often remember:
the weaving of ocean vines
the trails of history, cemented by touch
the small ridged blossom of the cowry shell
the indigo dye made radiant by the seller’s basket.
The way the long grass
emerges at the shore.
Something of that meeting.
These are memories both distant and near
traces of them lived and felt
laughing in the company of the ones who came
holding the silence of the moment, as we stare
with wonder, at the bubbling ruptures of a painter’s canvas,
pull, with care, the clinging skin of a stubborn fruit.
I recall these moments
not from the grand gesture
of a thing once known,
but from a small place
the place where my child’s hand
is hidden warmly inside my own.
WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
D/I/Y/ Docs
Presented by NW Documentary
Friday, Dec 13 @ 7:00pm
Formerly Homegrown DocFest, D/I/Y/ Docs is a 2-times-annual event showcasing varied documentary shorts produced by students in NW Documentary workshops & emerging local filmmakers.
This winter's event features work from DIY students, the winner of Best NW Documentary at Gateway Film Festival, the winner of our Doctober 1-Tape Challenge, and more!
About Beacons of Portland:
- by David Pascual-Matias
Winner of Gateway Film Festival's Best NW Documentary
The city of Portland has a reputation for being a progressive and liberal city but is predominantly white in areas of leadership and residency. From this, students and urban youth of color are living in a system where they have no avenues of higher education, leadership or development. Due to this issue, non-profits in Portland are working to change this system by empowering students and urban youth of color to pursue higher education and leadership. The Beacons of Portland film is documenting these events of change from the perspective of the Portland Leadership Foundation and Voices Project.
Stick around for a filmmaker Q&A following the screening.
Tickets are $5 at the door and all sales benefit NW Documentary, a 501(c)3 non-profit that teaches the art of non-fiction storytelling.
BAD SANTA
Presented by Projekt Records "Movies in the Dark"
Friday, Dec 13 @ 10:00pm
Projekt is a Portland, Oregon-based independent record label that specializes in darkwave, ambient, and shoegaze, started by Sam Rosenthal in 1983. Projekt is also known for releases in the gothic rock, ethereal, dream-pop, and dark cabaret genres. Every couple of months they dig into the vault and bring us one of their favorite late-nite cult films.
This month we've got BAD SANTA, one of the darkest, funniest and most profoundly profane Christmas movies imaginable.
Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) is a con man and a thief who teams up with his friend Marcus (Tony Cox), a midget, for a very special scam each year during the holiday season. Willie gets a job as Santa Claus at a shopping mall, his pal tags along as an elf, and they use their employee status to crack mall security and rob stores blind just before Christmas. However, there's one flaw to this plan -- Willie is a bitter, foul-mouthed and perpetually grouchy alcoholic who doesn't care for kids, and it's all he can do to keep himself from getting fired while on the job.
In the annals of movie profanity, this movie would rate an Oscar, but it's actually pretty sweet at heart, although never sentimental. And if you don't believe me, you know what you can do.
Paul Byrnes, Sydney Morning Herald
$7-10 suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds.
CHOPPING MALL
Presented by Rad Max in the "So Bad, It's Rad" Series
Saturday, Dec 14 @ 7:00pm
Rad Max, a hard-edged trash pop band from Portland, OR, every so often comes up with a music/movie night with a cheesy, trashy 80s flick bookcased by a couple of sets of -- you got it -- hard-edged trash pop!
This time we've got CHOPPING MALL, an update of the TV movie Trapped, also known as Killbots and Robot. It concerns a group of teenagers trapped in a mall overnight. Instead of looting the stores, they must flee the machinations of a fleet of security robots gone haywire after an electrical storm.
Disreputably fun... just about the best low-budget movie about killer robots destroying a shopping mall that can ever be produced.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Tickets are $8 in advance or at the door.
FORCE OF NATURE NATALIA
Presented by Stage Russia
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 11:00am
From BAFTA winning director Gerry Fox, a portrait of dance superstar Natalia Osipova which combines unique access to the rehearsal rooms of the Royal Ballet with Natalia's contemporary dance projects, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the working life of a great dance artist.
"Takes us places few outsiders have been in the world of dance" – Gary Naylor, Broadway World
$10 in advance or at the door.
A TOWERING TASK
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 2:45pm
Founded during the Cold War, the Peace Corps stands as an icon of American idealism. From the beginning its mission of world peace and friendship proved to be a towering task. Imbued with the unbounded energy and vision of its charismatic leader, Sargent Shriver, and thousands of vigorous volunteers, the story of the Peace Corps is a uniquely American tale. From the political machinations to establish not just a brand new government agency, but a new concept in international relations, to the growing pains of an agency striving to define its mission, A Towering Task takes viewers on a journey of what it means to be a global citizen.
With government agency budgets under fire, increased nationalistic tendencies in America, and Peace Corps Volunteers at the forefront of some of the most pressing themes facing the global community, A Towering Task asks: What role should the Peace Corps play in the 21st century?
START A CONVERSATION ABOUT GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
POST FILM DISCUSSION FEATURES Glenn Blumhorst, President, National Peace Corps Association
Tickets in advance $10; At door $12.
A Night of Stand-Up Comedy
and Short Films
Presented by the Portland Film Community
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 6:30pm
Hosted by Jocelyn Brady & Scott Thomas
Short Films kick off at 6:30.
Featuring local shorts, trailers and Music videos by accomplished filmmakers.
including:
- Marty Beaudet
- Phiamma Elias
- Montetre
- Jules Bianchi
- & More
Stand-up Comedy kicks off at 7:30.
Featuring:
- Scott Thomas
- Emily Hemson
- Avery Scott
- Belinda Carroll
- Tory Ward
- Dan Weber
- Jake Silberman
- & More
This event is free and open to the public. Donations of any amount gratefully accepted to keep the theater running and to cover staffing costs.
THE DARK CRYSTAL
Monday, Dec 16 @ 7:00pm
Another planet, another time. 1000 years ago the mysterious Dark Crystal was damaged by one of the Urskeks and an age of chaos has began! The evil race of grotesque birdlike lizards the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. Meanwhile, the orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of the peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal which gives the Skesis their power and restore the balance of the universe.
Crystal is a miraculous rush of innovation and storytelling patience, and, in the last 25 years, the film has grown from a 1982 misfire, to a cult wonder, to a bona-fide classic that's timeless in stature and masterful in execution.
Brian Orndorf, DVDTalk.com
Tonight's nonprofit partner is p:ear, an organization that builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives.
Admission is free. Please donate generously to p:ear!
SANTA CLAUS
Presented by Church of Film
Wednesday, Dec 18 @ 8:00pm
Church of Film is a weekly gathering for the reverence and worship of cinema programmed and hosted by local cinephile Muriel Lucas.
This week we've got Santa Claus, a ghastly fever dream of Christmas imagery in absolutely terrifying distortions, and a remarkable marvel of children's programming gone horribly wrong. It's also a bizarre wonderland of amazing set pieces, costumes, and truly unforgettable sequences bursting from a deeply submerged and disturbed psyche.
Wax and Gold
Presented by Stumptown Coffee
Thursday, Dec 19 -- every half hour starting at 6pm and continuing until 8:30pm.
Wax & Gold is a visual poem of a film, produced by Stumptown in partnership with Farm League, and directed by Britton Caillouette. In the spring of 2019, we traveled to Ethiopia to learn more about its history as the origin of coffee and the birthplace of humanity. Featuring legendary coffee producer Haile Gebre, and jazz icon Mulatu Astatke, Wax & Gold weaves a narrative portrait of Ethiopia through shared histories and traditions.
Please join Stumptown Coffee after the screening for a celebration at Bar Norman (our neighbor across the street and next to the Comic Book Store)!
FREE!!!
COMING SOON
We're taking a break because we need to find more sponsors and gifters of raffle-prizes in order to continue. We also need a few good volunteers. If you're interested in how you can help, email nel@cstpdx.com.
Another world, another time, in the age of wonder.
The after-school special, RACETIME, is Friday, December 20 @ 3:30pm. This animated feature from Canadian directors Benoît Godbout, Jean-François Pouliot, and François Brisson takes you on a spectacular sled race through the village. Unlike our national elections, I think in this case, the cheaters don't win. $5; children 12 and under FREE with an adult!
RuPaul's Drag Race All Star Tammie Brown brings her "Holiday Sparkle" show to Portland on Friday December 20th! Hosted by Clare Apparently, Star of Season 2 of Camp Wannakiki and the first trans man to be featured in a drag-based reality show, with local support from Portland drag-lebrities Violet Hex (Killer Queen) and Jocelyn Knobs!
Tammie is ready to take you all on her psychedelic journey that is "Holiday Sparkle," featuring an hour of her greatest hits, Holiday classics, and a few new tracks from her upcoming album "Schubert."
Space is limited! General Admission and VIP tickets available. (VIP receives reserved seating, signed Tammie merch, and meet and greet). Tickets are available at www.justinbucklesproductions.com.
This show is 21+ only.
The Amazing Bubble Man is back for six shows. Fun for the entire family December 21 - 24. Please purchase your tickets in advance--this tends to sell out.
Our annual Holiday screening of THE BIG LEBOWSKI is almost here. 7:30pm each night, December 21 through 26. Rice Russians!! Yum, yum!!!
The 8th Annual Screening of Dakota 38 is Thursday, December 26 @ 4pm. In the spring of 2005, Jim Miller, a Native spiritual leader and Vietnam veteran, found himself in a dream riding on horseback across the great plains of South Dakota. Just before he awoke, he arrived at a riverbank in Minnesota and saw 38 of his Dakota ancestors hanged. Four years later, embracing the message of the dream, Jim and a group of riders retrace the 330-mile route of his dream on horseback from Lower Brule, South Dakota to Mankato, Minnesota to arrive at the hanging site on the anniversary of the execution, December 26th.
Free Admission. Donations will be accepted to support the work of Native American Youth and Family Center. 100% of every dollar donated will go to this organization, so please give generously.
 It's still happening!! We haven't forgotten. Announcement of accepted entries goes out next week. Mark. Your. Calendars. PUFF. January 2020!
SafeOregon provides a reliable, anonymous method to report unsafe situations. Funded by the Oregon Legislature as part of a statewide effort to improve safety, SafeOregon offers a way to report concerns such as threats of violence, fights, drugs and alcohol, weapons, bullying, harassment, intimidation and self-harm. Find out MORE.
KBOO Book and Record Sale is clock Saturday, December 21st from noon until 10pm. This year for the season of giving you can give back to your favorite community radio station while at the same time get great gifts for family and friends. KBOO will have a huge variety of books, CDs, tapes, and records at insanely low prices. There will be something there for everyone. You can get all your gifts in one place AND have a great time with live DJs, drinks, food, and other activities.
KBOO is featured in this year's Willamette Week Give!Guide - help them raise $45,000 by Dec. 31st.
Stand Up Smut is an open mic designed for "adult" material. Share your original erotica, poetry, songs, stories, scenes or whatever else you can imagine! Or just come be part of a supportive (and aroused!) audience. Next one is Monday, December 30 at the Nalu Kava Bar on Sumner Street.
Get rid of your winter blues @ the Portland Winter Light Festival, a three-day vibrant outdoor art festival featuring interactive light-based art installations, dynamic live performances, stunning kinetic fire sculptures, and educational programming. Now in its fifth year, you'll find over 100 artists, performers, and creators: www.pdxwlf.com.
The next Portland Womxn's March & Rally for Action is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2020. Save the Date!!! Details coming soon.
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
— Albert Einstein
Don't be a stranger. Come see us soon.
Kind regards,
Lani Jo
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