Halloween Comes to Brownwood Park in 'Dark Forest' Performances

by Mara Chanin

The East Atlanta Community Association, in partnership with East Atlanta businesses, artists and performers, is producing a one-of-a-kind environmental immersion event in Brownwood Park for the 2012 Halloween season. DrugaNacht: Seven Nights in the Dark Forest is the story of Vasilisa - a lovely maiden from Eastern European folktales of yore - who seeks the gift of fire from Baba Yaga, a devil witch conversant in the forgotten languages of the Underworld.

Vasilisa must travail through the Dark Forest doing Baba Yaga's bidding until she is deemed worthy of the sacred flame. In this enchanted place she is waylaid by mischievous Ravens, hungry Wolves, deranged Fairies and ghoulish Apparitions.

The audience will follow Vasilisa on her quest, participating in her trials and victories as they happen.

Utilizing the wealth of talent to be found in East Atlanta and surrounding neighborhoods, the Forests' inhabitants will be represented by aerialists, gypsy bands, acrobats, dancers and a fire-breathing dragon. The park will be transformed by locally created sculpture and mixed media installations.

DrugaNacht opens Thursday, Oct. 11 through Saturday, Nov. 3 with family-friendly 7:30 p.m. shows on Thursdays and Saturdays and later 9 p.m. adults-only performances on Saturdays. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows will be $10. Tickets for the 9 p.m. Saturday performances will be $12. Tickets will be buy-one-get-one-free for all EACA members.

All proceeds do to the East Atlanta Community Association and its various programs. For ticketing and showtime information please visit www.druganacht.wordpress.com.

If you go:

• What: DrugaNacht: Seven Nights in the Dark Forest- an experiential environmental immersion into an Enchanted World.
• Where: Brownwood Park, East Atlanta. Cross street is Pendleton between Brownwood Ave. and Gresham Ave.
• When: October 11th, 13th, 18th, 25th and 27th. November 1st and 3rd Thursday performances at 7:30 p.m., Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.