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Halloween Happenings: Where to Find Spooky Music, Films, Art and More

Lenny Sandvick

There’s no shortage of spooky activities happening in Athens this October to get everyone into the Halloween spirit. As the city’s largest Halloween celebration, the 16th annual Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle will take over downtown on the evening of Oct. 26 with a parade, four-block festival zone and pre- and post-parties. Other seasonal favorites include The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast and the Boo-le-Bark costumed dog parade, both held Oct. 20 (see Calendar Picks on p. 19). Check out the highlights below, and remember to visit Flagpole’s calendar for even more fall festivals, children’s activities and other themed events. 

ART: Every October, Flicker Theatre & Bar’s pumpkin-colored walls host a wide range of weird and wicked artworks by local artists. Organized by Dan Smith aka See Dan Paint, the lineup includes Jesse Blalock, Rachel Burnham, Joe Dakin, Ed Edderson, Will Eskridge, Charley Ferlito, Brian Kindamo, Sara Kirkpatrick, David Mack, Peter James and Ruby Gene McCarron, Marisa Mustard, Jeremy Long, Tim Root, Lenny Sandvick, Maggie Seee, SLAW, Scott Stripling, Klon Waldrip, Corwin Weik and Joey Weiser. 

On view at the Athens-Clarke County Library through Nov. 2, “Death Becomes Him” spotlights works by Evan Michael Bush, a librarian, storyteller, musician, artist and collector of midnight tales. His exhibition includes a series of oil paintings depicting dapper skeletons as well as a collection of haunting pen and ink illustrations. 

Lenny Sandvick Artwork by Lenny Sandvick at Flicker Theatre & Bar

DRAG: Drag queens and kings reign supreme when it comes to elaborate costumes and shockingly grotesque yet gorgeous performances. The Boybutante AIDS Foundation will host its annual BOObutante: Frightfully Fabulous event—which rivals its own long-running Boybutante Ball in popularity—on Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. at the 40 Watt Club. The lineup boasts over 15 artists including Lacie Bruce, Jacqueline Daniels, Karmella Macchiato, Semaj Onyx-Coxring, Lori Divine and Zizi Foxx. Tickets are $30 and support the nonprofit’s ongoing mission. 

The Athens Showgirl Cabaret’s ongoing Fabulous Fridays series will continue this month with a special Halloween edition at Hendershot’s on Oct. 25 at 9 p.m. The evening will feature performances by Kellie Divine, Alice D, Jenna Sparx, Sasha Stephens, Billy Jean, Diego Wolf and several others. Tickets are only $5. Both drag events encourage attendees to dress up for a costume contest. 

FARMS: Zombie Farms is Northeast Georgia’s quintessential haunted trail, featuring intricate horror sets and over 100 cast and crew members dedicated to terrifying and entertaining guests across a preserve for the undead. Currently in its 12th season, this year’s story theme is “Legend of the Chop Chop Man.” Tickets are $33–35, and Zombie Farms will be open on Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 2. 

Going above and beyond the average pumpkin patch, Washington Farms offers you-pick zinnias, a corn maze and a variety of kid-friendly activities through Nov. 3. Check washingtonfarms.net for hours and ticket breakdowns. The Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival at Classic City Flowers & Nursery in Winterville also offers wholesome fun on Saturdays and Sundays through October. In addition to plenty of pumpkins, activities include decorating stations, hayrides, s’mores, a photo booth and a haunted tea room. 

FILMS: Ciné’s annual Schlocktoberfest is already underway and packed with holiday classics. This year’s lineup includes Ghostbusters, Evil Dead (2013), Shaun of the Dead, Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, Candyman (1992), Beetlejuice and The Shining. The theater plans to show multiple screenings of each film throughout October and early November, so head to athenscine.com for showtimes. 

At Flicker Theatre & Bar, My Bloody Horrorcast will host The Suckling on Oct. 16, Three Star Cinema will present Litan on Oct. 23 and a True Crime Movie Night will spotlight The Deliberate Stranger on Oct. 29. Festivities will culminate with Klon’s Ghastly Horror Halloween Mix on Oct. 30. All films are free and begin at 7 p.m. Flicker will additionally host its annual all-ages matinee screening of “Over the Garden Wall” on Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. 

Buvez is jumping in on the freaky film fun with free screenings every Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. The lineup includes The Monster Squad on Oct. 15, The Thing on Oct. 22 and Halloween on Oct. 29.

HAUNTED TOURS: New this year, Athens Trolley Tours has partnered with local haunted history expert Jeff Clarke to host a Spirits of Athens Haunted Ghost Tour. Departing from The Foundry, the trolley will pass by the Lyndon House, Oconee Hill Cemetery and South Kitchen + Bar inside the Georgian, sharing spooky stories along the way. The trip will conclude at the Taylor-Grady House with a tour, cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres by Epting Events. Tours will be held Oct. 24 and Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Passengers are encouraged to come in costume for a chance to win prizes. Tickets are $48, and the tours are for ages 21 and older. Visit athenstrollytours.com.

Presented by the Historic Athens Welcome Center, the Death & Mourning Candlelight Tour at the Church-Waddel-Brumby House will explore mourning traditions of the Regency Era. Built circa 1820, this Federal-style house is believed to be the city’s oldest surviving residence. The parlor and dining room will be decorated throughout the month, with special after-hour tours scheduled for Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 at 5:30 p.m. Tours are $20 and can be reserved at athenswelcomecenter.com. 

MUSIC: The 40 Watt Club will host the second annual Southern Gothic Festival this year. The two-day post-punk and goth-centric fest includes the March Violets, Korine, Tears for the Dying, House of Harm, Vincas and Panic Priest on Oct. 25, followed by The Chameleons, Vision Video, Cherry Delight and Deceits on Oct. 26. Tickets are $45 per night or $70 for the weekend.

Halloween is also always a popular time for local bands to get into character and cover the songs of others. Members of Classic City Jukebox will do a post-Rumpus tribute to Tom Petty at Nowhere Bar on Oct. 26, with Creedence Clearwater Revival act CCRn’t opening the night. Flicker will host a cover show Halloween night with Coma Therapy as the Pixies, Telemarket as the Violent Femmes and Asymptomatics as the Talking Heads.

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