Need an excuse to depart from normalcy, perhaps into the paranormal? For many young children, Halloween means trick-or-treating for candy - and eating too much of it. To some adults and kids, Halloween is a chance to put on a costume and be someone or something else for a night.

The nonprofit Culture Shock Community Project in Salem hopes to add another meaning: one of community involvement and unity with its “13 Nights of Halloween” events.

“One of the goals of the ‘13 Nights’ is to reach out to the community. Not just the people who will participate in the events, but other organizations, businesses, etc., that are active in Salem, so we may build a stronger community network,” said Carlee Wright, Culture Shock’s associate director. “Each of the events happening during the ‘13 Nights’ has a community partner, thus making the entire program truly a community project.”

13 Nights of Halloween includes a variety of acts from a Psychobilly

show to a Pets-n-Kids Costume Contest and trick-or-treating. Wright said Culture Shock has attempted to tailor the events in a way that reaches out to all people in the community.

Originating at Willamette University, Culture Shock now employs two people part-time and attracts a multitude of volunteers.

Ryan Rogers, the organization’s founder and president, said Culture Shock’s overall goal is to create a whole, complete and connected community.

“People working together, not just as isolated parts, in order to create a thriving community - that’s what we are working for,” Rogers said. “[Culture Shock] has an altruistic vision that all of us living in the community share in each other’s successes, that we can put away an us-against-them mentality and encourage more common involvement.”

Events, Dates, Partners

Thursday, Oct. 22

KICKOFF - Zombie Walk to Brown's Towne Lounge for Art Auction (Horror-ific

Art all month long)

Partner: Brown's Towne Lounge

Friday, Oct. 23

Psychobilly show

Partners: Normandy Guitars & Cherry Redd

Friday, October 23 5:30-6:30

Zombie Yoga

Partner: Indigo Wellness Center

Saturday, Oct. 24

Scavenger Hunt

Partner: Downtown businesses

Saturday, Oct. 24

Thriller Dance - Breaking world record

Saturday, Oct. 24

Ed Wood Film Festival

Partner: Salem Cinema

Sunday, Oct. 25

Low Cost No Cost Costume Creation Day

Monday, Oct. 26

Pumpkin Carving

Partner: Willamette Art Center

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Paranormal Salem

Partner: Salem Paranormal Society

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Mad Science Night

Partner: Willamette Chemistry Club

Thursday, October 29

Ghost Stories & Psychic Fair

Partner: Tea Party Bookshop

Friday, Oct. 30 5:30-6:30

Zombie Yoga

Partner: Indigo Wellness Center

Friday, Oct. 30

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Partner: Salem Cinema Downtown & Salem Rep Theatre

Saturday, Oct. 31

Pets-n-Kids Costume Contest and trick-or-treating

Partner: Go Downtown

Saturday, Oct. 31

Halloween Monster Mash Dance Party

Partner: Venti's

Sunday, November 1

Pumpkin Kill - pumpkin "recycling" day

Monday, November 2

Day of the Dead celebration

Partner: Salem Multicultural Institute/World Beat Festival

Friday, November 13

Post-Mortem Party (event wrap up, volunteer appreciation, extra day to win prizes!)