In the world of colleges and universities, prom nights are usually disposed of and disregarded as social nightmares from high school that none of us wishes to relive. Somehow when the term “zombie” is added to the mix, heads start turning—turning all the way around, in fact.
Now in its third year, PDX Zombie Prom has rapidly become a crucial aspect of the “keep Portland weird” culture. It ranks high in the category of unusual events unique to Portland, along with the Zombie Walk, the Naked Bike Ride and the Plunderathon.
Zombie Prom will frighten and terrify this Saturday at the Bossanova Ballroom. The theme this year is “Pretty in Pieces” and prom-goers are encouraged to dress in zombie-fied 1980s prom attire.
Like any prom, there will be live music, but the 1980s theme won’t cross over. The appropriately named band Nekronotz will headline the stage with rockabilly and psychobilly music. A special appearance from Barnyard Ballers offers up more of the same style. The rest of the night will consist of DJ Apocalypse, DJ Skittish and DJ Non spinning some goth, industrial and house music.
Unlike most proms, though, this one serves alcohol. No hidden flasks or vodka-filled water bottles required. Naturally this means that the prom is only open to the 21+ crowd.
Zombie Prom veteran Daniel Taylor said that the best part of the event was “the overall spirit of so many Portlanders just letting loose, spending a few bucks at Goodwill and throwing themselves into an exhibitionary affair that is oh so Portland.”
After the undead have sufficiently gorged on drinks and spare limbs, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” will blare over the sound system, which means that the time has come for the costume contest. Awards for prom king and queen go to the best-dressed zombies. Performer Uncle Eerie, who specializes in everything scary, creepy and grotesque, will host the event.
If there’s any question of what to wear to the Prom, the event’s website is a clarifying source. The website advises “standard prom attire which has been run over by a large truck, put through a meat grinder and/or attacked with a sandblaster.”
As with previous years, the event production company Morti Viventi produces the prom. Morti Viventi is Portlander Heather Erickson’s creation. It surfaced from a desire to create unique events in the city that don’t take themselves too seriously. The company also specializes in wedding and party planning, as well as event coordination, production and management.
For zombies inexperienced with the makeup required to create green, bleeding pustules, the Prom will offer the expertise of zombie makeup artists on site. At a fairly cheap price, they can decorate attendees with undead skin accessories like wounds, rotten teeth and protruding glass shards.
New World Industries photographer Adam Michaud will work as the event photographer. Of course, personal cameras are allowed and it would be a shame to go without one.
Vendors at the event will include mostly gothic arts and crafts from local artisans Goth Fox, SteamBaby and others. Hollywood Vintage is sponsoring the event, along with the PDX Hallowe’en Bazaar and Best Care Animal Hospital.