Out and about Atlanta. Ange Alex, Amanda Wilson and April Bumpus of The Backstage Beat in costume provided by Eddie’s Trick Shop.

The Backstage Beat hit Johnnie McCracken’s on the Marietta Square to see Atomic Boogie. Here is a review of the night by our friend Karla Hill:

The mob of zombies, monsters, and creatures from beyond closed in on the three men with raised fists and loud exclamations. No, this wasn’t a scene from a  horror movie, but the best Halloween party of Atlanta! Local band, Atomic Boogie, played to a packed house at Johnnie McCracken’s in Marietta Saturday night. The crowd that gathered enjoyed Atomic Boogie favorites like Liquor, King Catfish, and Tennessee Wiggle. With their energetic live show, John Barton, Chad Lee Vaillancourt, and Steve Duncan ensure that every Atomic Boogie show is a treat! You can find Atomic Boogie on Facebook at and on Myspace at  . Atomic Boogie will return to Johnnie McCracken’s on November 19th and 20th. Please see their Myspace page for a full schedule of upcoming shows.

The Backstage Beat then hit the 99x Brouhaha followed by The Hard Rock.  It was a great night of  music, friends and fun!

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photos by: April Bumpus

Blowing Screams Farm = 3D Forest of Fear, GhostRide, and The Enchanted Maize – by:  Leisa Foretich

On this All Hallows Eve I decided to make the nearly two-hour drive to Flintstone, Ga., which is only a bone’s throw from Lookout Mountain, TN.

During the month of October at the foothills of the Tennessee Mountains just along the state line, Blowing Springs Farm turns into a ghostly Civil War nightmare. Thus changing the name from Springs to “Screams.”  The property most definitely gives you the feeling of stepping back in time.  It’s almost hauntingly majestic in a rustic sort of way.  I liked it.  While on-site, you can dine on themed food such as “gator bites,” get your face painted, or hang out by the bonfire and enjoy some music provided by a local band.  The featured attractions are the Forest of Fear, GhostRide and The Enchanted Maize.

Reportedly, the Forest of Fear is the world’s only outdoor 3-D haunt (And yes, you are given 3-D glasses), which has also been noted for paranormal activity.  You are self-guided on a frightful journey through the cursed woods and swamplands to the 165 year old house that was used during the civil war as a hospital.  The undead lurk in the shadows, so be sure to stay close to your crew.  NOTE: There is a lot of uneven terrain, so make sure you wear tennis shoes.

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GhostRide is a storytelling nighttime hayride which envelopes YOU into its own ghost story.

“The battle has raged for 150 years and you are caught in the crossfire. Take a hay ride like no other back in time to witness ghostly combat first-hand.  The cannons roar and the muskets crack as you make your way through the trenches.  You are there as General Maeham and his GhostRiders rise from the dead to fight once more….

Locals claim that these ghostly sounds have been getting louder and more intense as the years go by.  Denial of a proper burial, they say has caused the GhostRiders to rise from their uneasy rest.”

Rock City’s Enchanted Maize is one that you can roam through by day or by night.  If you choose to go at night, you are forewarned that the cornfield is cursed.  It’s only up to you to be able to find or fight your way out, with or without a flashlight.

This was a fun outing. I recommend that if you go, take a group of friends. The more, the scarier! It’s also a great family place during the day, with inflatables, funnel cakes and pumpkin painting!

Scare Factor Rating = C (with MUCH potential).

Fun Factor Scale = A

Do you remember being in the sixth grade?  Remember how uncool adults and authority figures became in your life?  I think of all this as I drive to The Netherworld Haunted House off of Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross, GA.  Sitting in my passenger seat is my nephew John, who happens to be in the sixth grade.  He fires questions at me, such as: “Is this like the school’s haunted house?  How big is it?  Is it going to really scare me?  Are we there yet?”  I look at my little buddy and tell him, “Just wait.”  I know he has no clue of what he is about to happen to him; I do.  Netherworld is the #1 haunted house in the United States.  This place has scared the crap out of me and Atlanta for fourteen years.

Upon approaching the doors, John spies his first costumed character.  His eyes light up and a smile creeps across his face.  I am so happy to share his first official haunted house experience with him.  There are two attractions here and we do not hesitate to get tickets to both.   At the entrance a lady kindly asks us to pose for a photo and she hands me a ticket for a free photo online.  FREE!  This is great, other places charge.  I feel my anxiety level increase and my heartbeat starts to pound when my feet cross the threshold between reality and darkness.  I look at John, and say “Are you ready.”  His face is a little pale and I can tell he is nervous, just like me.  I grab his hand and we begin.

I am not one to give away secrets as I would not want to ruin this experience for anyone.  Netherworld, I am floored by the spectacular array of animatronics, characters, obstacles, and pure fear I experienced at your haunted houses.  I felt like an actress in a million dollar horror movie whose goal was to get out of the place alive.  John and I must of screamed a million times as unexpected things popped out in the dark.  If you dare, I recommend Netherworld to everyone.  Halloween is today.  How will you spend it?  What!  You have parties all weekend and cannot make it?  Don’t you fret my pets! Netherworld is open the weekend of Nov 5 – Nov 7 for all of you who want one more chance to live Halloween before next year.  Want to know what John said as soon as we were through?  “Can we go again?”  Oh, welcome to the world of haunts and frights kiddo!  You are now coming with me every year!

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On the drive home, John and I talk and talk.  He is nothing but smiles and told me how scared I was in Netherworld.  His hand is a little red, as I think I almost crushed it due to fright. Soon his voice gets quiet.  I look over at him to make sure nothing is wrong.  He is out cold.  Netherworld, I thank you. You made me look “cool” in the eyes of my nephew and allowed us to spend awesome time together.  People, bring your friends, bring your kids, bring your “others”, but prepare to be scared!