It’s the season of the witch and no better time to learn about the legend of the Bell Witch, who is said to have haunted an Adams, TN family beginning in 1817 and has stuck with the town ever since.
Located ~40 miles north of Nashville with a population just over 600 people, the Robertson County city made its mark on the map after a shapeshifting spirit latched on to the family of John Bell.
The Bells moved to the area in 1804 to start a farm on a 1,000-acre property bordering the Red River. Though the origins of the Bell Witch will remain a mystery, its earliest encounter is often linked to the day John Bell ran into a “dog-like” creature that vanished after he shot at it.
Multiple sources say the witch’s first introduction sounded something like, “I am a Spirit; I once was very happy, but I have been disturbed and made unhappy.”
Aside from strange sounds, physical disturbances like pinching and striking were reported. Stories include:
Sermons | The witch was able to recite word-for-word two sermons given at the same time 12 miles apart.
William Porter | The family friend grabbed hold of the witch after it climbed into bed with him with hopes of throwing it into the fire, but its weight and smell stopped him.
Bell family slaves | A man named Dean on more than one occasion encountered “a large black dog or wolf, sometimes with two heads, sometimes with no head.” It also turned him into a mule at one point, attacking him.
Of the town’s residents tormented by the witch, its primary goal was supposedly to kill John Bell. On Dec. 20, 1820, he died with a vial of unknown liquid next to his bedside. When it was thrown into the fire, it’s said to have sparked a “blue blaze.”
Southern California Wine Class | Friday, Oct. 25 | 5 p.m. | Carne Mare | $35 | Taste a selection of pinot noir and chardonnay wines from the region alongside artisan cheese, grilled bread, and marinated olives.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Friends’ Booktacular | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 3 p.m. | The Brentwood Library, Brentwood | Free | Up to 15 treat stations will be scattered throughout the library.
Nashville Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $40+ | The first 10,000 fans in attendance on Pride Music Heritage Night will receive a mini vinyl record coaster with this year’s Pride jersey design.
Kameron Marlowe | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 8 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium | $49+ | The artist brings his “Keepin’ the Lights On” tour to the Mother Church with special guests Owen Riegling and Wyatt McCubbin.
Sunday, Oct. 27
“Practical Magic” | Sunday, Oct. 27-Monday, Oct. 28 | Times vary | Belcourt Theatre | $9+ | Catch the 1998 film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as part of the theater’s “Shocktober” series.
Monday, Oct. 28
Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert | Monday, Oct. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | TPAC’s Jackson Hall | $36+ | The animated show’s three seasons have been edited into a two-hour recap, accompanied by a live orchestra playing the iconic soundtrack.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
New Year, All Year Bagel Collaboration Series | Tuesday, Oct. 29-Wednesday, Oct. 30 | 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bagelshop | The series continues for Diwali with a Bagelshop x Tailor sandwich made with a spiced potato patty, tamarind chutney, spicy chili peanuts, and crispy sev.
Treat yo’ shelf to a book written by a local author when the Main Library reopens tomorrow, Oct. 26 following HVAC maintenance. If the Robinson Courtyard looks a bit different, it’s because its trees have been removed as a cautionary measure — here’s why.
Festival
Music Venue Alliance Nashville and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp are remixing the music festival scene with the introduction of 615 Indie Live. On Saturday, Feb. 1, over 40 local artists will perform across 13 of the city’s independent music venues, with a portion of the $15 ticket supporting MVAN’s mission.
Community
Nashville’s quarantine pods are seeing movement after plans to repurpose the 108 never-used structures stalled in 2021. Metro purchased them for $1.2 million with funding from the CDC. Now, they could be used for temporary housing, pending they’re placed 12 ft apart and a thermal barrier is added. (Nashville Post)
Sports
The Titans confirmed yesterday their trade of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In similar news, the team released Ernest Jones IV to the Seahawks for linebacker Jerome Baker and a fourth-round draft pick.
Pets
A round of a-paws is in order. Nashville Humane Association launched Davidson County’s first 24/7 microchip reunification station outside of the shelter gates at 213 Oceola Ave. If you’ve found a lost pet, just follow the instructions displayed on the station to scan for a chip.
Active
Daddy’s disc golf? Say less. The hot dog shop is celebrating the grand opening of its course at Charlotte Park (16031 Deal Ave.) tomorrow, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m., and we hear there will be food.
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Turn back time
A love letter to Starwood Amphitheatre. | Photo via Starwood Amphitheatre Memories
From noteworthy shows to personal tidbits that bring back fond memories, we asked you to recollect on your time spent at Starwood Amphitheatre — and you delivered.
“I saw Pearl Jam at Starwood at least twice and both shows are among my favorites. It was so oppressively hot during the 2003 show that I remember Eddie saying, ‘You guys are great. I would love to do more songs, but it is so @#$! hot out here!’” — Julie S.
“My 1995 graduation from La Vergne High School was there. I saw so many great concerts through the years: Aerosmith with Stone Temple Pilots, Aerosmith with KISS, and many others. Definitely miss that venue.” — Kimberly H.
“I saw so many concerts there. I attended three shows in one weekend. It’s bad when when the security guards would say to me, ‘Weren’t you here last night?’” — Pamela G.
The Buy
The Buy
An emergency roadside kit. The 90-piece set comes with a LED headlamp, tire repair kit, jumper cables, window breaker and seat belt cutter, first aid kit, and more.
I’ll leave you today with one last weekend must-do. “Journey through Japan: Myths to Manga” opens in the Frist Art Museum’s Upper-Level Galleries today, Oct. 25. Through February, see how popular stories have influenced the country’s art, design, and technology over centuries.
