Who do Voodoo? You do?

Did someone say live music, cupcakes, balloons, costumes, cabaret, belly dancers and lots of ghoulish worship? And more to be revealed? If you are looking for the most happening Halloween show, look no further. All day Saturday, the Secret Society Ballroom in northeast Portland will be filled with Halloween festivities for the young and old, for the energetic and stoic. Hosted by Portland’s very own—though globally renowned—Vagabond Opera, The Transylvanian Voodoo Ball is going to be a night of raising the dead through dirty dance and worship of the spirits.

This being their fourth annual Halloween show, Vagabond Opera is no amateur when it comes to the theatrics of reviving the spirits of the afterworld.

“People can come in and party,” said vocalist and tenor saxophonist Robin Jackson, “and also have some sincere meaning if they want [to contemplate] death in general and the cycle that the holiday brings about.”

What Jackson is referring to here, in terms of quiet contemplation of the dead, is the presence of ceremonial voodoo altars and interactive art installations. A large community of Vagabond enthusiasts is gathering together to create an evening of remembrance and celebration of ancestors and lost souls. One contributor that stands out is the woman who owns Zilla Sake House on northeast Alberta Street. A follower of voodoo and La Dia de los Muertos, she will be constructing her own altar for the evening worship. 

Though Saturday night’s musical focus for the Vagabond Opera will be the eerie and spooky traditions of Russia, Romania and Serbia, their style pulls strands of influence from all over the world. From European Cabaret to vintage Americana, Ukrainian folk-punk to Neo-Classical opera, the band is notorious for submersing their audience, by way of suggestive theatrics, into another world where men still walk around with curled mustaches, Victorian attire and dusty old accordions squealing out magic and mischief. All costume and style aside, this band is comprised of some of Portland’s most talented musicians and no matter the occasion, the audience can be guaranteed a good show.

In addition to the incredible musicians that will be gracing the stage of the old Masonic lodge that is now the Secret Society Ballroom, other activities will be just as exciting. The day is actually divided into two separate shows. At 3 p.m. the family-friendly show begins. This event is targeted at not only children, who are a favorite audience for the Vagabondians, but also for those children’s parents who, in the words of Jackson, “want to party but can’t.” Four members of the Opera are parents, so this demographic has a certain special space in the Vagabond heart, as dreary as that might sound. 

Also for the kid’s show will be the appearance of a long-time Portland entertainer. Some refer to him as the “balloon wizard,” but most know him as Joe the Balloon Guy. For those of you unfamiliar with such a renowned entertainer, know this: By the end of the night, everyone is likely to be adorned with handcrafted balloon hats, each of which are created with the utmost care, creativity and love. 

Now, for the evening show, beginning at 9 p.m., the vibe will be a little darker, deeper and a little more sinister. Opening the stage for Vagabond are two bands, Groovy Wallpaper and Amanda Richard’s Zombie Country Band. Wallpaper is a relatively new collaboration of cellist Skip vonKuske from the Portland Cello Project and the Vagabond Opera and percussionist Don Henson from Sneakin’ Out. They create folksy acoustic ambience that is edgy, suggestive, suspenseful and very tasteful. Amanda Richards, a self-proclaimed “Bohemian country songstress” will be playing with a zombie band in homage to her recently released zombie concept album. Both acts will lend themselves to the spirit of Halloween through song and dance. 

“I love doing theme shows,” said Jackson. “Shows that allow you to enter into a world that you maybe don’t always get to spend time in—and to really explore that world with lots of other people. I like to feel like I’m going on a journey with the audience—in this case, into a creepy Halloween world.”

The show encourages costumes, debauchery and sorcery. ?