Celebrating Halloween in Portland, Oregon: pirate party! Watch me on German TV, Pro Sieben Joko & Klaas.
The dream of the 90s is alive… in Portland! That’s where I’ll be for Halloween 2013, with First Mate Naomi (left) and my fabulous film team.
The tourism board is shipping us to Portlandia to party and prance around in costumes (er, I mean, do travel journalism). Want to join us for Halloween festivities? Read on… and if you’re in Germany, I’ll be on your TV screens this Saturday. Full details at the end of this post.
All Hallow’s Eve is my favorite holiday, and I always try to celebrate in the biggest possible way. Last time, I nightcrawled in Los Angeles. The previous year involved Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. And before that: dark Tokyo festivities.
Can’t wait to show you my costumes for this year. I’ll be wearing something skimpy from J Valentine (remember their monster costume, which I modeled with Josie Stevens?).
This is my first time in Oregon, even though it’s geographically close to Vancouver. When I was growing up, few people went out of their way to see small and sleepy PDX. That’s changed in the past 5-10 years, with Portland becoming a mecca for comic artists, hipsters, food trucks, pickling, putting birds on things, and generally “keeping it weird.”
I can’t think of a better place to celebrate Halloween! We invite you to join us, and be in the travel video.
– On Oct 31, my crew and I will be shooting the underground party at Steep and Thorny Way to Heaven (RSVP on their page).
– Nov 1st afternoon, we’ll be at the Day of the Dead parade (see previous link).
– Nov 1st evening, we’ll hit the HP Lovecraft bar for Brickbat Goth night.
First Mate Naomi, who resides in the dark canals of PDX, has told me about the incredible alternative events here. She brings us a missive about some upcoming shanties:
Yoho! If ye dock ship in Portland, Oregon you’ll find that many a varied theme has a dedicated subculture here. Those with a seafaring spirit will be right at home with PDX Yar, Portland’s local pirate community.
I first ran into PDX Yar at Dr. Sketchy’s Portland, where a fully rigged 5 person pirate crew appeared for a three hour life-drawing session.
In addition to participating in local art and pirate fests (yes there is more than one pirate festival) Captain Redgoat McHaggis and the crew of the Yar put together their own annual bash, the Swashbuckler’s Ball.
This massive party is attended by all manner of properly dressed rapscallions. Even the dead and deep sea creatures turn out for the fun.
Folk fusion band Tempest rocked the main stage last year, while local troupe Critical Hit burlesque brought a lineup of themed performances (photo: Russell Bruner of SwingTime).
The ball happens again this November and will be headlined by steampunk band Abney Park!
But once a year is certainly not enough. This week PDX Yar has announced a new monthly event, “Shanty-aoke.” The singalong is exactly what it sounds like: belt out Sea Shanties with a full Pirate crew at your back. So if ye be at port, RSVP and get all the info here. (Captain Carmina’s note: Naomi made the scurvy illustration above.)
Finally, a head’s up for those of you in Germany: watch me Pro Sieben TV! This Saturday, Oct 19 at 8:15pm, I’m hosting a body modification segment on the hit program, Joko und Klaas “Duell um die Welt.”
Don’t worry, non-Deutsch readers, I’ll soon post a video clip and bloody insane photos from the filming.
Do you know what you’ll be wearing this Halloween? Got any outfit suggestions for Basil Farrow?
And if you have Portland, Oregon travel tips, please let me know in the comments. I’m already getting inspired by the IFC show Portlandia…
Coming up next: Bangkok, Thailand posts, and announcements about my November travels to far-off lands!
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Lavish Dubai & Abu Dhabi travel video! Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Arabian architecture.
Are you ready for my travel team’s newest video? You’re in luck: our Dubai and Abu Dhabi episode is published on Business Insider, one of the world’s most-visited news sites!
In this 4-minute webisode, I visit the world’s tallest tower (Burj Khalifa), largest shopping center (Dubai Mall), highest-rated hotel (Burl al Arab), and more. There’s even a dressing room montage scene, featuring glittery dresses… you don’t want to miss this!
Watch our video above and here on Business Insider.
We feel our story-telling is getting stronger each time, and want to thank you for supporting us over the years. Any share or comments on the article would be much appreciated.
Super happy with the cinematography in this episode. Major props to my LA-based filmmakers, Melissa Rundle and Eric Bergemann.
I’m glad to have them with me on my journeys to far-off places.
I hope our blog posts and videos give you a taste of wanderlust, and that you’ll witness these Arabian marvels someday.
In the second half of the video, we visit the famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The white minarets reminded me of hard-boiled eggs or scoops of ice cream!
Opened in 2007, the mosque is considered one of the most beautiful on the planet. Look at how the water reflects the graceful columns.
Let me warn you, there’s a dress code… Clothing should be loose and fully cover the arms and legs. Women must wear a veil.
I thought I dressed according to the rules — until filmmaker Eric pointed out that my long lace skirt was see-through! No need to fret: women and men go into separate lines at the entrance, and receive a long, flowing garment (abaya) to put over their clothes.
The men wear white, and the women wear black robes with hoods.
Gold and flowers everywhere. The mosaic courtyard is the biggest in the world.
Indescribable, the way the light reflects the curves of the arches and minarets.
Inside, the hall of worship glitters with stained glass and crystals.
There are seven chandeliers, and the main one is one of the largest ever made. The prayer hall is air conditioned, so the space feels as airy as it looks.
The 99 names of Allah are written on the wall in Kufic calligraphy.
Everyone takes off their shoes outside before stepping on the world’s largest carpet.
Thank you to my filmmakers, Melissa and Eric, for their hard work in bringing these travel videos to life!
We hope you enjoy the latest episode about the United Arab Emirates. Please take a minute to watch and share.
Are you awed by Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque? What were your favorite moments in the video?
PS: the gorgeous hotels featured in the video are Fairmont Abu Dhabi and Fairmont Palm Jumeirah. We loved staying with them. Here are more photos of the interiors and me wearing a veil.
LA CARMINA
