Night at the Museum: Mystics & Monsters

The Oddities Museum is hosting Night at the Museum: Mystics & Monsters on Friday, October 23, from 6 PM to 9 PM. It's part of their Night at the Museum series, which pairs live entertainment with a chance to wander through the museum's collection. The night centers on the launch of Southern Monsters, an anthology featuring sixteen Georgia authors: D.C. Phillips, Tony Sarrecchia, Galen David Bunting, William Sterling, David Powell, Matthew W. Quinn, Darrell Z. Grizzle, Bill Bridges, Leanna Riley, Marlena Frank, Alex Tucker, Rhyne Armstrong, Dawn Major, Jessica Nettles, Zach Lamb, and Vanessa Reid.

The anthology took its cue from Flannery O'Connor's observation that the world is going through a "dark night of the soul," and its contributors reimagine what a monster is—whether it's a folkloric beast, a gruesome creature, or a cruel human killer. Alongside the book launch, Seance Magic provides live entertainment with an immersive storytelling séance, and artist Christopher Salmon will have original paintings and prints of classic Hollywood monsters on display.

The venue itself is The Oddities Museum, a 501(c)(3) public charity and registered nonprofit educational institution founded by collector Paul Milliken. It's dedicated to preserving intriguing historical artifacts and offering immersive learning experiences, and it's home to the Museum of the Strange and Unusual. The museum has been covered by Atlas Obscura and FOX 5 Atlanta, and its wider calendar includes themed portrait sessions, vintage wet-plate photography, and art shows by local artists.

Entry to the gallery is free; the museum is open to the public for $13 per person, and members get in free. The museum is located at 3870 North Peachtree Road in Chamblee, Atlanta, GA 30341.