Prepare for spine-chilling thrills as we delve into eerie delights, frightful films, and youthful child’s play for “Know Horror” this October. Create haunting imagery in a macabre poetry workshop and use India ink to create a creepy forest painting. Screen a 1922 highly influential silent film and explore American horror films of the 1970s. Get creative with a “charspookerie”-making workshop and sing along to spine-tingling songs with a live band. Kids can attend a DIY monster masquerade and discover new games during an all-ages game night. And don’t miss the literary ghosts haunting the Downtown Bend Library! All programs are free and open to the public. Programs marked with an asterisk (*) require registration.
The Allure of Terror
Do you love horror stories? Join Librarian Chandra vanEijnsbergen for a talk about the meaning and importance of the horror genre and come away with a list of terrifyingly wonderful books to sink your teeth into.
- Tuesday, October 1 • 1pm Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
Ceme-terrariums*
Make your space a little more eerie with these cemetery-themed terrariums. A variety of materials are provided to create your own unearthly scene. This program is intended for high-school-aged youth. Registration required.
- Wednesday, October 2 • 2pm Becky Johnson Community Center | 412 SW 8th Street, Redmond
- Friday, October 4 • 4pm Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
- Friday, October 18 • 2pm Sisters Library | 110 North Cedar Street, Bend
- Monday, October 28 • 4pm East Bend Library | 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend
- Wednesday, October 30 • 3pm La Pine Library | 16425 First Street, La Pine
Embracing the Macabre: Victorian Poetry Workshop*
Dive into the world of Victorian poets, with the help of Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson, to unite the modern-day writer with the macabre. Develop fresh writing techniques drawing inspiration from the classic works of gothic-genius past. Registration required.
- Thursday, October 3 • 2pm Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
- Friday, October 4 • 11am Sisters Library | 110 North Cedar Street, Bend
Public Rock Choir*
Join professional voice coach Deena Kamm and a live band to sing your bloody face off to spine-tingling songs. This event is open to everyone, so come sing with us no matter how scary your voice sounds. Registration required.
- Monday, October 7 • 6pm Immersion Brewing | 550 SW Industrial Way #185, Bend
Haunted Forest India Ink Paintings*
Create a haunting forest scene using India ink, a timeless medium perfect for creating monochromatic paintings. As we explore this traditional technique, participants can practice color mixing and refine their brushwork. This program is intended for children ages 7 and up. Registration required.
- Tuesday, October 8 • 4pm Freak’n Art | 1265 NW Wall Street, Bend
- Tuesday, October 15 • 3:45 p.m. Sisters Library | 110 North Cedar Street, Bend
Scary Treats: Make Fun Halloween Snacks*
Impress your Halloween party guests with fun and tasty treats. Watch a demonstration to create mummy apple turnovers and rice krispie treat monsters, and you’ll make a small plate to take home. Registration required.
- Wednesday, October 9 • 5:30pm Arome | 432 SW Sixth Street, Redmond
Axe Throwing at Unofficial Logging Co.*
“Here’s Johnny!” Try your hand at axe throwing while attempting to hit the bullseye for a swinging good time. Registration required.
- Thursday, October 10 • 5:30pm Unofficial Logging Co. | 910 NW Harriman Street, Suite #100, Bend
Monster Masquerade
Calling all little monsters! Create your very own monster masks using paper bags, craft supplies, and your imaginations. This program is intended for children ages 3-10; all children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
- Saturday, October 12 • 11am Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
- Wednesday, October 16 • 2:45pm Sunriver Library | 56855 Venture Lane, Sunriver
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors Preview Night
Enjoy a humorous and lightning-fast spin on Bram Stoker’s iconic vampire tale. First come, first served. Doors open at 7pm
- Thursday, October 17 • 7:30pm Cascades Theatrical Company | 148 NW Greenwood Avenue, Bend
Becoming Baba Yaga*
Whether you know Baba Yaga as a Slavic witch, earth goddess, or modern monster, she is a force with secrets to divulge. Author Kris Spisak shares Baba Yaga folktales that speak to the dichotomy of our existence. Registration required.
- Tuesday, October 22 • 12pm Online only
Ghostly All Ages Game Night with Modern Games
Attend a spook-tacular game night filled with fun and shrieks for all ages. Our friends from Modern Games provide a selection of their favorite games with staff support to help you discover your next favorite game.
- Tuesday, October 22 • 6pm Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
Stranger than Fiction
Author and Bend Ghost Tours spirit guide Jools Sinclair shares her unique journey from writing about ghosts in her paranormal book series to seeking out the real ones on the streets of Downtown Bend.
- Thursday, October 24 • 6:30pm Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
Literary Ghost Walk
Join our librarians as we introduce you to our favorite dead authors during our Literary Ghost Walk. Ghosts of authors passed will be stationed throughout the library to tell you more about their works. This is an all ages event.
- Thursday, October 24 • 6pm Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
Nosferatu with Radiohead: A Silents Synced Film at Tin Pan Theater
Experience a screening of the 1922 classic Nosferatu, hailed as a groundbreaking masterpiece that shaped both the art of cinema and the horror genre. First come, first served.
- Thursday, October 24 • 7pm Tin Pan Theater | 869 NW Tin Pan Alley, Bend
American Horror Films: 1970s to Present
From Halloween to Carrie, American horror films of the 1970s paved the way for the genre through the present day. Jake Agatucci explores the development of horror flicks and their impact on the industry. This program is intended for ages 16 and up.
- Saturday, October 26 • 3pm Becky Johnson Community Center | 412 SW 8th Street, Redmond
- Sunday, October 27 • 3pm Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
“Charspookerie” — Making Workshop*
Unleash your creativity as we craft delicious and ghoulishly delightful boards, perfect for your Halloween festivities. Registration required.
- Sunday, October 27 • 11am East Bend Library | 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend
For more information about these programs, please visit the library website at deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz Goodrich at lizg@deschuteslibrary.org or 541-312-1032.