“Where the Weird Things Are” returns to Historic Fourth Ward Park in October. (Photo by Erin Sintos)
Each week, ArtsATL delivers a critic’s short list of the shows, exhibitions, concerts and events we recommend for the coming weeks within one discipline or venue type in the kaleidoscope of Atlanta arts and culture. This week, we spotlight some arts-related spooky season happenings.
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October 1-November 2
Scarecrows in the Garden brings dozens of creations by local artists, crafters and youth groups to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This is the 23rd year for the event, and the entries will be judged by a panel. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for the winner of the Visitor’s Choice Award. It’s on view daily (except Mondays) from October 1 through November 2.
October 2-30
On the Fox Theatre’s Haunted History Tours, you’ll learn about some of the unexplained phenomena and eerie happenings experienced by staff, guests and performers during the Fox’s storied history. For those looking for more chills, the venue’s Ghost Tours are also returning for select dates in October. They include a look inside the original 1929 Hospital Room, a power room that even Frankenstein would admire, and chilling sub-basement areas.
October 4
Chantelle Rytter is probably best known for her annual Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade, but, in 2023, Rytter and her Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons introduced Where the Weird Things Are, a special Halloween experience that brings together local folklore, giant mythical creatures and their stories. It’s happening at the Amphitheater at Historic Fourth Ward Park from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and will include live music by the Black Sheep Ensemble, alongside new elements like shadow puppetry by artist Damon Young and “weird music” by Climchak.
October 4-26
Cat Eye Creative in Decatur will present the debut solo exhibition from Ericka Sobrack titled Witching Hour. “My paintings are disorientations of everyday spaces,” says Sobrack, “offering the viewer access into a realm of the unknown, ripe with psychological strangeness.” The show opens on October 4 and will be on view through October 26.
October 4-31
The Plaza Theatre has a long list of horror films scheduled throughout October. On October 4, see Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, starring Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi. On Halloween, things get a little more lighthearted with Hocus Pocus. A couple of the month’s highlights are the October 15 showing of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, which will include live music provided by Bent Frequency, and the all-night marathon Vinegar Syndrome Spooktacular, which begins at 8 p.m. on October 18. Other films screening this month include Get Out, Slumber Party Massacre II, Frankenhooker and Candyman.
October 8-November 1
The Ghastly Dreadfuls brings together a deadly ensemble of musicians, dancers and puppeteers who rise from the dead to take audiences into the world beyond this mortal plane with a cavalcade of creepy stories, frightful songs and devilish dances unearthed from near and far. Check it out at the Center for Puppetry Arts Wednesdays through Saturdays.
October 10-November 2
Woodstock Arts Theatre presents Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, in which five actors bring a Rocky Horror Show-like sense of absurdism and joy to the classic tale of horror.
October 15-November 2
Spookhouse Annie lives in a haunted house, so when Dave is invited over for a playdate, he’s more than a bit nervous. Their adventure introduces them to an assortment of Halloween monsters that are more goofy than scary. Performances happen Wednesdays through Sundays from October 15 through November 2 at the Center for Puppetry Arts.
October 16-23
Costumed storytellers bring the tales of Oakland Cemetery’s notable and notorious residents to life in living color in Capturing the Spirit of Oakland, the annual exploration of the cemetery after dark. Meet a few of the fascinating characters who made Atlanta into the city we know today.
October 18-19
The Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade is the biggest Halloween celebration in the Southeast, and it’s something everyone should experience. The two-day event, which takes place from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. each day, will welcome more than 100 artists and vendors, along with live music, wrestling and more. The big event is the annual parade, which happens at noon on Sunday, October 19.
October 24
The original Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Magenta (Patricia Quinn) will be on hand for a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast and audience participation. There will be a memorabilia display with artifacts and actual costumes from the movie, a costume contest and attendees will be provided with a bag of props for audience participation. The screening begins at 7:30 p.m. on October 24.
October 26
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Family Series gets underway with Halloween at Hogwarts, as the wizarding world comes to Symphony Hall with spooky favorites and selections from the Harry Potter movie series. William R. Langley conducts the orchestra in two performances at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on October 26.
October 31 and November 1
The Supermarket’s Coven offers double the Halloween fun with two nights of Southern gothic scares, live performances by magicians and dancers, DJ sets, immersive art installations and more. It’s happening on Friday and Saturday., October 31 and November 1.
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