Relive 'The Blair Witch Project' at The Egg this Halloween

October 27, 2026

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Hey, 518 readers! Today, we have the last of our Halloween-themed stories with a look at The Blair Witch Project, coming to The Egg on Sunday.

Alas, our favorite month of the year is coming to an end, which is bittersweet because Oct. 31 is Phat’s birthday! Yes, he’s a Halloween baby 🎃 👶 🎂 

🎟️ Bookings for Wednesday’s 518 Dinner Club on Lark Street (sponsored by The Loft @ 205) are now closed, but you can still make our Saratoga evening (sponsored by Gaffney’s & The Parlor) on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Who wants to sponsor our December dinner??

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Relive The Blair Witch Project at The Egg this Halloween

Incredibly, it’s been 27 years since three unknown actors wandered into the Maryland woods and emerged as stars of one of the most influential horror movies ever made.

The cast of The Blair Witch Project—Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael C. Williams—is reuniting for a special screening and Q&A at The Egg this Sunday.

We recently caught up with Mike, who is still amazed at how a low-budget experiment became a $248 million worldwide phenom.

"You could never have guessed it," he says.

A SUNY New Paltz theater grad, Mike landed the role through an open casting call in Backstage magazine. The filmmakers warned him that the movie would be shot under tough conditions, with no real script.

"99% of the dialogue was improvised,” he says. 

The directors used hidden instructions and staged encounters to create conflict among the actors, who never knew exactly what awaited them in the woods each night.

This gave the “documentary” an aura of authenticity. Fueled by this newish thing called the internet, the innovative guerilla marketing also convinced many people that the footage was real—and the actors were actually missing.

Mike remembers watching moviegoers leave a Manhattan theater visibly shaken. Within weeks, the little indie film had exploded into a cultural sensation.

But the explosive fame didn’t necessarily translate into a long Hollywood career—or riches—for Mike.

Even as he was appearing on the cover of national magazines, he still needed to work his day job moving furniture. Because the shoot was a non-union job, Mike notes, the actors have never received residuals from the film.

“I didn’t have a huge acting career after Blair Witch,” he says. “But I've been super happy with my life and where it's gone. I'm 53 years old. I have no regrets.”

Eventually, he stepped away from acting to raise a family. Today, he's a school counselor in Westchester County who still teaches improv and occasionally performs. He says his students usually don’t recognize him, but their parents sometimes get a kick out of it.

By the way, Blair Witch is coming back.

Directed by Dylan Clark, a sequel—Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2—is scheduled to be released in September 2027. For the first time, Mike and Joshua are involved creatively as executive producers.

Mike says the experience of working on the new film has been “totally cathartic.”

And the enduring affection for the original continues to surprise him.

"People really still love this movie. It's fascinating, you know."

The deets: Blair Witch Project: Screening & Cast Q&A at The Egg. Sun, 8p. Tickets: Starting at $48 (plus fees).

The screening will be followed by a live conversation with all three original stars, moderated by Albany filmmaker Daysia Leneé Hiller of Youth FX.

A word from our sponsor

The Rock Orchestra: Arena of Fire comes to MVP Arena on Nov. 12 for one night only!

Legendary rock and metal anthems collide with the power of a full orchestra in an explosive two-hour spectacle. With world-class vocalists, a choir, and elite fire performers The Fuel Girls, The Rock Orchestra is bringing the music of Metallica, AC/DC, Linkin Park, Guns N’ Roses, Evanescence, System Of A Down and more to the arena stage with fire and pyrotechnics.

From haunting symphonic passages to full-throttle rock explosions, this is a night of spectacle and sound you won’t forget. Tickets are on sale now. Grab yours before they’re gone!

🎟️ We’re supporting annual fundraisers for two of Albany’s cultural gems. Consider purchasing tickets to the Ten Broeck Mansion Gala 2026: Raise the Roof for Education on Nov. 5, or the Albany Institute of History & Art’s Artful Evening on Nov. 13—or both!

🍾 Pét-nat is short for the French term pétillant naturel, which translates to “naturally sparkling.” It’s sparkling wine that’s lighter and fizzier than Champagne. On Nov. 8, Bocage Champagne Bar in Saratoga is bringing back its Pét-Nat Fest, featuring 8 pét-nats, unlimited pours for two hours, tinned fish, and unique cheeses. Sounds delicious!

🗳️ Early voting has surged in New York State, doubling the number of voters in the 2022 gubernatorial race. [News10]

Full of charm and tucked into Troy’s sought-after Frear Park neighborhood, this four-bedroom Craftsman is easy to love. Think soapstone countertops, a sunny front entry, a dreamy third-floor primary suite, and a garden made for alfresco dinners. There’s even a converted garage turned into a versatile studio space, previously used as a floral design studio!

The deets: 4 bd, 3 ba, 2416 sq ft. Days on the market: 5. Asking: $415,000. See the full listing here.

TOP 5 PICKS

⭐️ 🎃 Halloween Weekend | There’s a ton of spooky events happening this weekend, but we’re especially intrigued by Beneath the Hudson: The Haunted Ship Experience at EMPAC, Lost & Found’s Freak Show, and One Last Halloween at Takk House. Also, strolling around downtown for Troy Night Out: The Haunting seems like a fun, low-key way to get into the frightful spirit. The kids will love trick-or-treating at the Palace Theatre or Crossgates Mall. Country music fans should head to Lark Street Tavern’s Dollyween Party!

Check out our full Halloween roundup here.

⭐️ 🏮 Albany Lantern Festival | Prepare for a magical light show around Washington Park Lake this Sunday. To participate, you’ll need to bring your own lantern (battery-operated tea lights will be provided). The Albany Public Library is hosting a lantern-making workshop tonight at the Bach Branch at 4p and the Delaware Branch at 6:30p. Or follow this easy tutorial for Chinese lanterns. Sun, kicks off at 5:15p, free.

⭐️ 🧑‍🌾 Haunted Farm at Radix | The Radix Ecological Sustainability Center in Albany’s South End puts on its annual Haunted Farm experience with the help of local high school students. They will attempt to get a fright out of you with jump scares! True to the Radix mission, most of the props are made from sustainable, compostable materials. Fri, 5-9p, free (donations of $5-$20 requested).

⭐️ 🍽️ Eat well and be merry at an affordable price. Glens Falls Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday with prix fixe menus for $25, $35 and $45. And Saratoga Restaurant Week returns Nov. 2-8 with menus for $15, $25, $35 and $45 at these participating eateries.

⭐️ 🎭️ Mopco Improv Theatre 10th Anniversary Spectacular | If you’ve never seen the improv show at Mopco, you’re in for a treat. And if you’re a regular, here’s your chance to see the original group that started it all, The Mop & Bucket Company, perform live. Fri, 8p, $11.44.

This week’s events roundup is brought to you by

On Halloween night, dress up in your best Dolly Parton outfit to win the $100 costume contest at the Dollyween Party 2026! It’s big hair, drink specials, and country karaoke all night long!

Don’t forget—Sunday Music Matinee features the best local bands. Always a good time, always free.

WEDNESDAY

🧟 The Albany Skyway transforms into a zombie apocalypse at the 2nd annual Zombie Fun Run.

💀 Manic Menagerie Presents: Welcome to Hollowcroft thrusts visitors into a deranged farm town. Through Sunday.

THURSDAY

🎬️ Watch Ridley Scott’s cult classic, The Blade Runner, at The Egg with a live band performing the score.

🩸 Stephen King’s classic, Carrie, is playing at the Cohoes Music Hall through Halloween night.

🎤 The Tang Museum presents Dharma Gaze, a poetry reading by legendary poet Anne Waldman.

FRIDAY

🔭 Halloween Eve at Siena's Breyo Observatory offers a chance to view the starry night with the Capital Region’s largest telescope. Free but reservations required.

🌽 Nine Pin invites you to their Cider Maze at Samascott Gardens Market. Navigate the maze to get cider pours. Over on Instagram, we’re running a giveaway for a chance to win 2 free tickets!

🖼️ The lineup for this PechaKucha Night at Opalka Gallery looks super interesting. What’s a PechaKucha?

👻 A Big Gay Spooky Market at Stable Gate Winery features 25 vendors and a spooky drag show!

🕯️ Join Mostly Modern’s FAB5 for a magical evening of candlelit music.

SATURDAY

🎃 It’s Halloween Night! Check out our guide: Where to go for Halloween weekend in the Capital Region.

📜 The Albany Institute of History & Art raises the curtain on its newest exhibition, Albany, c. 1776, highlighting Albany’s role in the American Revolution.

🏆️ Watch New York’s Rubik’s Cube All-Stars show off their incredible puzzle-solving skills at the Albany Capital Center.

SUNDAY

🌍️ The 55th annual Festival of Nations celebrates our cultural diversity with an afternoon of music, dance, food, and crafts.

UPCOMING

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website.
Click here.

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