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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2022)
Page 8 September 21, 2022 Arts & ENTERTAINMENT Spirit of Halloweentown Returns Full set of Jackson 5 outfits. Photo by Rebecca Sapp, courtesy of the GRAMMY Museum Motown: The Sound of Young America Showcasing in Portland The GRAMMY Museum’s exhibition travels to the Oregon Historical Society The Sound of Young America will be on view at the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland from September 23, 2022, through March 26, 2023; this exhibit shares the story of the famed record company and the artists who collectively changed the musical direction of the nation. Berry Gordy, Jr., was the vi- sionary behind both the music and the Black-owned record company he named Motown. A former prizefighter and song- writer, he believed that talent could be found on nearly every Detroit street corner. This blend of gospel, blues, and pop quick- ly became “The Sound of Young America,” crashing the Ameri- can pop charts and challenging the British Invasion. From Mo- town came the Supremes, Ste- vie Wonder, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Gaye, the Jackson 5, and others. Motown: The Sound of Young America features stage outfits from many of the label’s top performers, interviews with Motown legends, and opportu- nities for visitors to get deep inside the creative process per- fected at Motown. Visitors will also experience interactive dis- plays, including an opportunity to perform the Supremes’ “Stop! In The Name of Love” on stage and learn the Temptations’ sig- nature dance moves. “One of my favorite parts of the exhibition is a jukebox where visitors can play their fa- vorite Motown hits in the gal- lery,” said OHS Boyle Family Executive Director Kerry Tym- chuk. “While this exhibition provides important context on a pivotal period in American pop culture history, it also engages visitors in fun interactive expe- riences that will provide a sense of nostalgia for many.” Some of the iconic piec- es on display in the exhibition include the iconic “Butterfly” gowns worn by the Supremes, a harmonica and keyboard played by Stevie Wonder and many more. The Oregon Historical Society’s museum is open seven days a week, Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 12pm– 5pm. Admission is $10, with discounts for students, seniors, teachers, and youth. Admission is free every day for OHS mem- bers and Multnomah County residents. Learn more and plan your visit at ohs.org/motown. Giant pumpkin in the Spirit of Halloween town St Helens recreates movie magic and other Halloween fun Each year, the city of St. Hel- ens, Oregon undergoes a mag- ical transformation, decking out its Riverfront District in all things Halloween as homage to two movies that were filmed in the town: Disney’s “Halloween town” and the vampire-nov- el-turned-movie “Twilight.” The only visiting Holographic Alien on Earth will be answering pressing questions about visita- tions, abductions, intentions, and more. This state of the art visual and audio effect will be seen for the first time worldwide exclusive- ly at Spirit of Halloween town. In the same building The Museum of Peculiarities and Oddities filled with whimsy and stories will en- tertain everyone. The new Water Taxi will ferry people to Sand Island in the mid- dle of the Columbia River for a viewing Big Foot, a scavenger hunt, games, fireside marshmal- lows, stories and more. --Back this year is the Spooky Shuttle taking visitors to uptown St. Helens for pizza, candy, a ghost story from a fabled puppeteer and the Scare- crow Walk. The Haunted House has been a favorite and now with upgraded features and animatron- ics props, it is even more fun and scarier than ever. The Dark Market offers Spirit of Halloween town merchandise. The most popular event of Spirit of Halloween town is the lighting of the giant pumpkins. Partici- pants start the holiday season by counting down the seconds until two giant pumpkins are lit in the city’s historic town square. In 2022, the Pumpkin Lighting Cer- emony takes place on Saturday, October 1st. One pumpkin is a replica of the giant pumpkin fea- tured in “Halloween town” and the other is an enormous work of steampunk metal art. The pump- kins, which both stand over six feet tall, are available for pho- to opportunities every day until the end of October. The plaza is home to many other photo oppor- tunities like huge crows and an over seven foot tall hand carved scarecrow. General admission tickets to Spirit of Halloween town, along with special celebri- ty engagement tickets and a full list of events, are available on the festival’s website at www.spiri- tofhalloweentown.com.
