Doors - 2:00 PM 

Concert - 3:00 PM 

Tickets - $17 

The Detroit Theater Organ Society’s long running Organ Pops Concert series continues its 2024 season with yet another afternoon of songs and splendor at the Senate. This time around we’re combining the power of our Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ, (the eighth largest ever constructed) with the talents of an up and coming young organist, Ian Fraser! Don’t miss your chance to experience the majesty, nuance and diversity of sounds that only a theater pipe organ can provide. 

Whether you are a lifelong theater organ enthusiast or just a curious music lover, we hope to see you there! 

Artist Bio:

Ian Fraser’s fascination with organs started at the age of two when he heard a band organ on a local carousel in his hometown of Staten Island, NY. His interests soon expanded into the world of mechanicalmusic with player pianos, orchestrions, etc. When he was 16, after seeing a silent film accompanied by Bernie Anderson at Chaminade High School in Mineola, NY in 2017, he had the opportunity to sit at the console and play the theatre organ for the first time. From there, he has followed his passion to become a theatre organist.

Leveraging his ability to play by ear, Ian taught himself in just a few short years to play the theatre organ. This has been influenced by studying his favorite genres and organists. He has performed at John Dickinson High School (DE), Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall (NJ), the Loew’s Jersey Theatre (NJ), the Trenton War Memorial (NJ), the Union County Performing Arts Center (NJ), Babson College (MA), Cleveland Grays Armory Museum (OH), the Capitol Theatre (PA) and The Grand Theater (PA) among others.

Ian is the first-place winner of the American Theatre Organ Society’s Young Theatre Organist Competition which was held at the 2023 Chicago Convention.

Now residing in Plainfield, NJ, Ian is the house organist at the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee, NJ performing pre-shows before film screenings and accompanying silent films. He is also the house organist at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island, NY performing pre-shows for their “Better on the Big Screen” classic movie series and “Arts-In-Education” series where he regularly plays for audiences of over 1,500 students in grades K-12 exposing the theatre organ to the next generation.

In addition to being a concert artist and a silent film accompanist, he has developed a new themed live show format blending silent shorts, historical presentation and a mini-concert.

Ian’s other interests are in the restoration of pipe organs and mechanical musical instruments.

He is the Vice President of AMICA’s Lady Liberty Chapter (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association) and a Director of COAA (Carousel Organ Association of America). He is also a member of the NCA (National Carousel Association), GSTOS (Garden State Theatre Organ Society), NYTOS (New York Theatre Organ Society), Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (EMCATOS), Susquehanna Valley Theatre Organ Society (SVTOS), Rochester Theatre Organ Society(RTOS), Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley (TOSDV), and ATOS (American Theatre Organ Society).

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in a gated parking lot on Gilbert St., behind the theater.

Join #TeamGSR for our 2nd Annual D6 Movie Night! This free screening of Puss in Boots will include a free hotdog, popcorn, beverage, and candy for the first 300 attendees!

Sat. Nov. 9

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 35min | R | Action/Comedy| Hong Kong/China 

Dubbed in English 

Presented in partnership with Cinema Lamont

This autumn at the Senate, kung fu returns to our big screen for the 20th anniversary of the wacky action extravaganza, Kung Fu Hustle! As the leaves fall outside so too will the karate chops and flying kicks rain down, bludgeoning your eyeballs with acrobatic martial arts action, leaving you reeling, clutching a belly made sore by a relentless slapstick comedy attack. 

Directed by and starring filmmaker, actor and master of the absurd Stephen Chow, Kung Fu Hustle follows the travails of Sing, an inept wannabe gangster. In the slums of 1940s Shanghai Sing struggles to find the true hero within as he faces off against a tornado of axe-wielding thugs, hidden powers, and cartoonishly nasty villains.  

This award-winning new classic is as brazenly brutal as it is beautifully silly, combining the energy of Bugs Bunny’s most manic antics with artful and elaborate fight choreography.  

This is Hong Kong cinema at its biggest and boldest. See it big. See you at the Senate! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

An exclusive screening of award-winning writer and filmmaker dream hampton’s powerful new documentary, presented by the Museum of Contempory Art Detroit with a panel discussion to follow with the filmmaker. DOORS AT 5:30

Join us at the historic Senate Theatre for an exclusive screening of award-winning writer and filmmaker dream hampton’s powerful new documentary, It Was All A Dream. A visual memoir reflecting on the dawn of the golden era of hip-hop from hamptons personal archives, takes viewers inside the studio with intimate access to some of rap’s most celebrated minds, including hampton’s neighbor The Notorious BIG, Wu Tang’s Method Man, Mobb Deep, Snoop Dogg and many more. And celebrates a phenomenal era in hip-hop history. Experience an evening of thought-provoking storytelling that challenges norms and inspires change. Following the film, we’ll have a short discussion and Q&A with the director and MOCADs Co-Director/Artistic Director, Jova Lynne . Don’t miss this chance to witness a groundbreaking work that pushes boundaries!

About the event:

Join Diary of a Wimpy Kid author, Jeff

Kinney LIVE in Detroit for The Hot Mess Show, a deliciously entertaining and interactive one hour event. Jeff will be serving up laughs and celebrating the latest Wimpy Kid book, while satisfying your craving for family fun! Audience members will have a chance to join Jeff on stage for a family-style feast of friendly competition! Make your next family outing a HOT one!

How to join:

The admission ticket can be purchased at this link. Each ticket purchase includes admission for 2 people and 1 signed copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid #19 : Hot Mess. Tickets are $26 ($14.99 cost of book + venue fees and tax). Please present your ticket to bookstore staff and recieve a book upon entering the event. There will be addtional books and other new related Wimpy Kid books and items for sale at the event.

(We can not control the Eventbrite language about 2 for 1 package with two tickets, please see the above information.)

About the book:

In Hot Mess, book 19 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley is in for a particularly awkward summer with his whole family.
The pressure is building for Greg Heffley, who discovers that when you mix heaps of family, a tiny beach house, and sweltering heat, it’s a recipe for disaster.
Speaking of recipes—the secret ingredients behind Gramma’s famous meatballs have been closely guarded for years. Can Greg unpack all of his family’s mysteries before their vacation is over? Or will he just stir the pot?

This sidesplittingly relatable summer story is the funniest Wimpy Kid book yet!

About the Author

Jeff Kinney is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and the Awesome Friendly Kid series. He is a six–time Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award winner for Favorite Book and has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Sat. Oct. 26 

Doors – 6:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM  

1hr 23min | R | Horror | USA 

After Party – 10:00 PM - Midnight 

Tickets – $10 

Full bar 

Costume contest 

Halloween themed art and music 

A night of film, art, and seasonal vibes to benefit the Senate Theater!

Join us for a special screening of Tobe Hooper’s disturbing and influential horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Much like the Senate Theater, this independent, low-budget sensation—a grimy bit of 1970s cinematic grit—has endured for decades and is sure to capture your imagination. Unlike the Senate Theater, it follows a group of hapless travelers, lost and reeling in the oppressive heat of the Texas summer, who stumble upon a family of cannibals. Things do not go well. 

But at least you can help keep the music and movies alive in Southwest Detroit! 

All proceeds support the Senate Theater and the further restoration of our historic Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. 

In addition to our usual film screening, you can expect an extra special spooky organ overture, costume contest, art show, eerie seasonal music, and a full bar. Admission starts at $10 but further donations of any amount are graciously accepted.  

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors - 2:00 PM 

Concert - 3:00 PM 

Tickets - $17 

The Detroit Theater Organ Society’s long running Organ Pops Concert series continues its 2024 season with yet another afternoon of songs and splendor at the Senate. This time around we’re combining the power of our Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ, (the eighth largest ever constructed) with not one, but two leading organists: Scot Smill and Stephen Warner! Don’t miss your chance to experience the majesty, nuance and diversity of sounds that only a theater pipe organ can provide. 

Whether you are a lifelong theater organ enthusiast or just a curious music lover, we hope to see you there! 

Artists Biographies:

Scott Smith is a life-long resident of Lansing, Michigan. He is the owner of Scott Smith Pipe Organs, LLC, a full-service pipe organ business that services and restores both theatre and church/classical pipe organs. He has worked extensively in the field of pipe organ maintenance and restoration since high school, when he joined the volunteer crew that restored and maintained the Barton organ in Lansing’s Michigan Theatre.

Scott has performed concerts and accompanied silent films across the country, but first performed regularly at the Michigan Theatre in Lansing as its last staff organist, from 1972 to 1980. When the organ’s new home was secured as the Grand Ledge Opera House in Grand Ledge, Michigan, he was responsible for the organ’s redesign and oversaw its installation and tonal refinement, where he has been House Organist since 1995.

Stephen Warner is the organist at Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in Detroit and a staff organist at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. He grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, where he studied piano from age seven and participated in almost every facet of the Traverse City Public Schools music program.

In 2003, Mr. Warner completed dual bachelor’s degree in organ performance and in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. There, he had the opportunity to play the organ with many of the bands, orchestras and choirs, including the U of M Men’s Glee Club, which he was a member for 6 years. He studied organ primarily with Dr. James Kibbie and piano with Dr. Louis Nagel.

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in a gated parking lot on Gilbert St., behind the theater

Silents at the Senate Presents: The Phantom of the Opera (1925) 
Sat. Oct. 12 
Doors – 7:00 PM 
Film – 8:00 PM 
Tickets - $12 
1hr 18min | NR | Horror/Drama | United States 
Live Organ Accompaniment by Tony O’Brien
Tarot readings before the show!

This spooky season Silents at the Senate is proud to present the 1925 adaptation of the world’s most famous gothic romance, The Phantom of the Opera, with live organ accompaniment by theater organist Tony O’Brien! 

Silent screen legend Lon “The Man of a Thousand Faces” Chaney stars as the title character. A seemingly supernatural figure, the “Phantom” terrorizes patrons and employees at the Paris Opera House, all in the hopes of furthering the career of Christine, a singer and object of his deranged affections. But the real star just might be Chaney’s self-devised make-up work. Nearly a century on this grotesque tour deforce still represents the pinnacle of cinema—how imagery can creep into our minds, lurk in the shadows, and strike with vengeance when we least expect it. 

And to that visual power the Senate will add the unmatched auditory majesty of a Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ, an instrument literally made to accompany a silent film. There is no better way to see The Phantom of the Opera!  

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts 

Sat. Oct. 5 

Tickets - $6 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

First Film – 8:00 PM 

Second Film – 9:45 PM (approximately) 

The Masque of the Red Death (First Film) 

1hr 23min | NR | Horror/Drama | USA 

House on Haunted Hill (Second Film) 

1hr 15min | NR | Horror/Mystery | USA

 

Behold! The poetic grandeur of not one but two classic Vincent Price performances, his singular visage projected in all its emotive glory on our big screen!  

The master of villainy and heroically huge theatricality, Price’s imposing frame has long loomed large amongst the pantheon of horror icons. His turn towards the genre began in the 1950s with the likes of William Castle’s camp classic, House on Haunted Hill, now one of Price’s best-known pictures. He soon found steady employment with director Roger Corman in a string of low-budget and high-style Gothic horror flicks adapted (loosely) from Edgar Allan Poe’s tales of the macabre. This collaboration ended in 1964 with two films, including the psychedelically tinged fantasia of depravity, The Masque of the Red Death.  

Experience the joy of vintage terror, filtered through the sonorous voice and unmatched enunciation of a master thespian, with nearly three hours of horror at the Senate. It's a spooky season miracle! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Sat. Sep. 21 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

2hr 8min | NR | Melodrama| Mexico

Presented with Cinema Lamont and La Carpa Theatre Teen Ensemble 

The Senate is honored to present Nosotros los Pobres (“We, the Poor”) an all-time classic melodrama from the golden age of Mexican Cinema, starring the eras most beloved icon of screen and song, Pedro Infante!  A portion of proceeds will benefit La Carpa Theatre Teen Ensemble.

Infante plays Pepe, a poor carpenter living with his adopted daughter Chachita in the slums of Mexico City. Amidst tragedy, betrayal and violence their fragile family attempts to find a place for love and hope in a world where the downtrodden have little else.  

Don’t miss your chance to see this enduring and heart-wrenching tale at the Senate. This is big drama and deserves the big screen. 

Sábado. 21 de septiembre.

Horario de ingreso: 7:00PM

Inicio de ceremonia: 7:30 PM

Película: 8:00PM

Precio de tickets: $6,00

Duración 2h08min/ Sin clasificación/ género: melodrama/ México

con Cinema Lamont and La Carpa Theatre Teen Ensemble 

The Senate tiene el honor de presentar Nosotros los Pobres, un clásico atemporal del melodrama de la época dorada del cine mexicano, protagonizado por el ícono más querido de la pantalla y la canción de la época, ¡Pedro Infante! Una parte de las ganancias beneficiará El Grupo de Teatro Juvenil La Carp.

Infante interpreta a Pepe, un pobre carpintero que vive con su hija adoptiva Chachita en los barrios bajos de la Ciudad de México. En medio de la tragedia, la traición y la violencia, su frágil familia intenta encontrar un lugar para el amor y la esperanza en un mundo donde los oprimidos tienen poco más.

No pierdas la oportunidad de ver esta conmovedora y desgarradora historia en The Senate. Es un gran drama y merece la gran pantalla.

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 33min | PG | Comedy/Musical | USA 

We all know rock music is dangerous, but did you know it might just blow up your children’s school? 

That’s according to the cult teen movie classic, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, a delightful alchemy of sneering punk rock attitude, goofball energy, and campy performances! 

Produced by Roger “King of the B-movie" Corman, this tongue-in-cheek comedy follows the exploits of a plucky teenage troublemaker Riff Randall as she attempts to meet her idols and hopefully kickstart a nascent songwriting career. It was originally conceived as Disco High, an update of the rock ‘n’ roll exploitation films Corman and others made in the 1960s. That concept was soon abandoned, however, as the script veered deep into screwball antics and back towards rock music, eventually leading to the hiring of (then unknown) punk rock legends The Ramones.  

The result lands somewhere between Grease and Animal House, with a soundtrack featuring a heavy dose of The Ramones, alongside the likes of Brian Eno, The Velvet Underground, and Detroit’s own MC5. 

See you there. Don’t be a square. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Music. Art. Food

This years SW Fest will once again take place on August 24th at the historic @senatetheater! Join us for mesmerizing performances from local artists, experience delicious food from local vendors, beautiful art and jewelry, and most importantly the warm embrace of our wonderful community, there’s something for everyone of all ages to look forward to.

FREE Admission

Puertas – 8:00 PM 

Pelicula – Oscuridad (approx.9:00 PM) 

Entradas - GRATIS! (FREE!)

1h 25m | NR | Horror/Sci-fi | USA 

En Español (with English subtitles) 

Es verano en el Senado y una vez más con calor, sudorosos y raros con una serie de películas para satisfacer tu ardiente deseo de tonterías y subculturas, exageramientos y cultos, e incluso un superhéroe/detective/héroe popular mexicano de lucha libre!

El Santo, el legendario luchador convertido en actor protagonista de El Santo vs. Los Zombies. Una película de misterio y crimen con un estilo de cómic al estilo de Dick Tracy pero con mucha más lucha. Esta mezcla de géneros (que presenta zombis al estilo anterior a la Noche de los Muertos Vivientes) es típica de las películas de luchadores de la época. En esta primera aparición de El Santo, el enmascarado de plata hace tiempo entre combates de lucha libre para luchar por la justicia contra enemigos viles, sobrenaturales y algunos otros un poco más extraños. En donde las autoridades locales han fallado, El Santo debe intervenir para detener esta ola de crímenes violentos con un toque de vudú.

Únase a nosotros para esta PROYECCIÓN GRATUITA AL AIRE LIBRE en el Senate Coney Lot (al lado del teatro en Michigan Ave.) y disfrute de esta exagerada y cursi pieza de la historia de la cultura pop mexicana.

¡NO OLVIDES TRAER TU PROPIA SILLA!

¡EL PUESTO DE CONCESIONES Y LOS BAÑOS ESTARÁN DISPONIBLES DENTRO DEL TEATRO!

¡PELÍCULA AL AIRE LIBRE GRATIS! (FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING!) 

Sat. Aug. 10  

Doors – 8:00 PM 

Film – Dusk (approx. 9:00 PM) 

Tickets - GRATIS! (FREE!)

1hr 25min | NR | Horror/Sci-fi | USA 

En Español (with English subtitles) 

It’s summer at the Senate and we’re once again getting Hot, Sweaty & Weird with a series of flicks to satisfy your burning desire for schlock and subculture, camp and cult, and even a wrestling Mexican superhero/detective/folk hero! 

El Santo, the legendary luchador turned actor stars in Santo vs. The Zombies. A mystery crime film with a comic book style ala Dick Tracy but with a whole lot more wrestling, this genre mashup (featuring pre-Night of the Living Dead style zombies) is typical of the luchador films from the period. In this early Santo outing, the perpetually masked crusader makes time in between wrestling matches to fight for justice against nefarious foes, both supernatural and otherwise. Where the local authorities have failed, Santo must step in to stop this violent crime wave with a voodoo twist. 

Come join us for this FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING in the Senate Coney Lot (next door to the theater on Michigan Ave.) and enjoy this campy piece of Mexican pop culture history. 

DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR!  

CONCESSIONS STAND AND BATHROOMS WILL BE AVAILABLE INSIDE THE THEATER! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Sat. Jul. 27 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 32min | R | Comedy/Sci-fi | USA 

The Senate’s 4th annual Hot, Sweaty & Weird summer series continues with a countercultural hit, ready-made to feed your hunger for cult sci-fi and oddball satire! 

It's a film that combines punk rock attitude, car repossession, and extraterrestrial activity in the trunk of a 1964 Chevy Malibu.

Which means it can only be Alex Cox’s incomparable black comedy Repo Man, starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton. Released without much hope or support by Universal, this critically lauded film was initially little seen. But thanks to an eccentric tone and killer soundtrack, it soon garnered a devoted fan base through video rentals and television reruns. 

So cut off your sleeves, tell that crappy job to shove it, and get to the Senate for this quirky and pulpy takedown of the Reagan era through the lens of Atomic Age science fiction! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Sat. Jul. 20 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 23min | NR | Exploitation/Comedy | USA 

It’s summer at the Senate and we’re once again getting Hot, Sweaty & Weird with a series of flicks to satisfy your burning desire for schlock and subculture, camp and cult! 

First up is Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, the grandmama of “sexploitation” films from writer/director/producer and consummate boundary pusher, Russ Meyer—hailed as the “best movie ever made” by director John Waters (Hairspray, Pink Flamingos).

This low budget masterpiece follows the violent exploits of three go-go dancers/sports car enthusiasts led by the terrifying and shockingly busty speed demon, Varla (Tura Santana).  

Originally dismissed by the film critics, this boldly bad and brazenly bawdy film has since been reevaluated as a sneaky satire with cheeky humor and quotable dialogue; its b-movie aesthetics and production values elevated by its subversive and still relevant takes on sexuality and gender. 

Don’t miss it! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Sat. Jun. 22 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

2hr 4min | PG | Crime/Drama | USA 

Acclaimed film director, Sidney Lumet would have celebrated his 100th birthday this June. In celebration the Senate is excited to present one of his best regarded and beloved films, Dog Day Afternoon, starring Al Pacino and John Cazale!  

Based on a real-life robbery turned hostage situation, this typically grimy piece of 70s realism was rightfully lauded by critics upon release and, today, has earned its place in the pantheon of great American films. In no small part its captivating and honest portrayal of desperate people at the edges of society solidified the legendary status of its director and star.  

Brimming with tension and pathos, it is just as potent now as it was in 1975. 

Come see it the way Mr. Lumet intended, on a big screen, in a movie theater, surrounded by fellow lovers of film! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $12 

2hr 34min | NR | Adventure/Fantasy | United States 

Live Organ Accompaniment by Andrew Rogers 

Presented with the Arab American National Museum and the Center for Arab Narratives 

Flying carpets! Monsters of land and sea! Crystal balls! Derring do! Immortal love! 

A GRAND ADVENTURE MADE ALL THE MORE MAGNIFICENT BY A LIVE ORGAN SCORE! 

Silents at the Senate, along with our partners at the Arab American National Museum and the Center for Arab Narratives, is proud to present the silent film classic, The Thief of Bagdad!

Organist Andrew Rogers will provide the magnificent musical accompaniment, playing our Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ along with the film. enhancing the action and emotions on screen in real time. 

Few films are as extravagant, as romantic, as fantastic, or epic. With enormous sets, innovative special effects, and a cast of thousands, this loose adaptation of several stories from One Thousand and One Nights tells the tale of a thief named Ahmed—scoundrel turned hero, transformed by the power of love. In order to win the hand of his beloved princess, he must embark on a dangerous quest across vast distances, beset by gigantic beasts, mythical creatures, and sinister rivals. 

AN ENDURING, SWASHBUCKLING MASTERPIECE! 

Released at the height of Douglas Fairbanks’ career, the film cemented the star as a matinee idol of lavishly staged adventure films, a dazzling screen presence known for acrobatic stunts, physical prowess, and boyish charm. It was an enormous hit. Today, The Thief of Bagdad stands as a premier example of the art of silent filmmaking and has deeply influenced subsequent works inspired by or adapted from the folktales of One Thousand and One Nights.  

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts 

Parking is available in a gated parking lot on Gilbert St., behind the theater.

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 44min | PG | Comedy/Fantasy | USA 

A neo-noir mystery, a hard boiled detective story, a . . . wacky comedy? 

Who Framed Roger Rabbit puts the “toon” in Chinatoon and the “Dip” in Diple Indemnity. It’s the only film that could contain Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Daffy Duck, and the impressive talents of award-winning actors without exploding to pieces like a stick of (Acme brand) TNT. 

It’s a marvelous melding of live-action crime drama and animated slapstick antics

Bob Hoskins, Christopoher Lloyd, Kathleen Turner and Charles Fleischer star in this beloved classic, set in a world of cartoons living side by side with human beings. Eddie Valiant, (Hoskins) a gruff and hard drinking private eye, finds himself embroiled in a (bunny) tail of corruption, lies, and infidelity as he tries to exonerate his “toon” client, the ever-plucky Roger Rabbit, of murder. But can he rustle up the evidence he needs before the sinister Judge Doom (Lloyd) executes Roger in a bubbling, toon-killing brew known as “The Dip?” 

P-p-p-please! 

Come see this one-of-a-kind film the way we saw it for the very first time: on a big screen, laughing along with your fellow movie-lovers, enthralled by its jaw-dropping special effects and enduring performances! 

For one night only at the Senate! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors - 2:00 PM 
Concert - 3:00 PM 
Tickets - $17 

The Detroit Theater Organ Society’s long running Organ Pops Concert series continues its 2024 season with yet another afternoon of songs and splendor at the Senate. This time around we’re combining the power of our Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ, (the eighth largest ever constructed) with the talents of veteran organist, Tony O’Brien! 

Don’t miss your chance to experience the majesty, nuance and diversity of sounds that only a theater pipe organ can provide. 

Whether you are a lifelong theater organ enthusiast or just a curious music lover, we hope to see you there! 

About the Artist: 

Hailing from the Detroit area, Mr. O’Brien is a trained theater organist with a degree in classical organ and many years of concert experience both domestically and internationally. It is this pedigree that provides him with the ability to create a diverse and technically impressive set of musical sounds at the organ console. His versatility allows him to both put on an exciting organ concert and accompany a silent film with the requisite timing and emotional resonance.  

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $12 

Shorts Program: The Goat (1921) and One Week (1920)  

48min | NR | Comedy | United States  

Feature: Sherlock Jr. (1924) 100th Anniversary Screening! 

45min | NR | Comedy/Fantasy | United States 

Live organ accompaniment by Dennis Scott

A season of Silents at the Senate would not be complete without the timeless pairing of cinema and physical comedy—SLAPSTICK!

With two classic shorts and one short feature directed and starring the most deadpan titan of silent comedy, An Evening with Buster Keaton is sure to delight.  

Irate cops stepping into open elevator shafts, a crudely assembled house with teetering walls, a movie screen turned into a doorway toward which a dreamer falls, searching for a way back to his beloved. Even after a century or more, his films—overflowing with physicality, absurdity, mischief, and even wonder—remain as captivating and hilarious as ever. They are . . .

PURE MOVIE MAGIC!

And their magic will be made all the more powerful by the internationally known silent film accompanist out of Chicago, Dennis Scott. At the console of our Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ, Mr. Scott is sure to show off our instrument’s kaleidoscopic tonal color without ever showing up the images on the screen as he creates a live film score in real time, right before your very ears! 

A LIVE FILM SCORE IN REAL TIME, RIGHT BEFORE YOUR VERY EARS!

Be sure to stick around after the show for a chance to ask the organist a question and take a tour of the organ pipe chambers. This is a rare opportunity to get an up-close look at the inner workings of this marvelous musical machine! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts 

Parking is available in a gated parking lot on Gilbert St., behind the theater.

MICHIGAN MADE DOCUMENTARY!

BENEFITS THE SENATE THEATER

CO-CREATORS JOSEPH BEYER AND JORDAN IN ATTENDANCE WITH PRODUCERS BETH MILLIGAN AND CHRISTAL FROST ANDERSON

$10 TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

About:

No one fights to preserve a multiplex, but some people will risk everything to save a marquee. Through booms and busts, Delft Theatres Inc. - and its innovative gem, The Nordic - endured in Marquette Michigan for almost 100 years, even as the world changed endlessly around them. Local kid Bernie Rosendahl’s modern crusade to restore the historic arthouse to its former glory leads filmmakers to discover a hidden cinema empire in the Upper Peninsula.

Portraying the fascinating history of motion pictures through one iconic screen - and featuring dozens of real-life Marquette locations and characters - Marqueetown is the true story of chasing your dreams, redefining failure and success, and reembracing the enduring magic of cinema.

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

2hr 1min | PG | Sci-fi/Adventure | USA 

This Spring, in the year 2024, in this galaxy right here, the Senate implores you to join us in saying, “May the fourth be with you!” as we screen the film that started it all. 

Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy in Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope. Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begin Luke’s Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader and the evil Empire. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 26min | R | Comedy | USA 

Two dopes rip their way from California to Mexico and back again, evading the cops entirely by accident in Up in Smoke, a countercultural comedy of errors. 

Starring the stoner comedy duo, Cheech & Chong, this scrappy, meandering, low-budget farce burned bright at the box office in 1978, virtually creating a cinematic subgenre. With its enormous popularity it blazed the trail for every half-baked flick that has since risen from the ashes of the 1970s and remains a touchstone for a certain kind of high-minded film fan. 

We’ll see you on Saturday, April 20. 

But before you come, we’ll be blunt. While we know these guys are going to light up the joint with laughter, THE SENATE REMAINS A STRICTLY NON-SMOKING ESTABLISHMENT. Thank you for your cooperation in advance. 

Snacks will be available at the concessions stand. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Sunday, April 14 

Doors - 2:00 PM 

Concert - 3:00 PM 

Tickets - $17 

The Detroit Theater Organ Society’s long running Organ Pops Concert series kicks off the 2024 season with yet another marvelous musical afternoon at the Senate. This time around we’re combining the power of our Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ, (the eighth largest ever constructed) with the talents of yet another rising star in the theater organ world, Donnie Rankin!

Don’t miss your chance to experience the majesty, nuance and diversity of sounds that only a theater pipe organ can provide. 

Whether you are a lifelong theater organ enthusiast or just a curious music lover, we hope to see you there! 

About the Artist: 

Donnie Rankin was born in Ravenna Ohio and was immediately immersed in music. After hearing his great-grandfather Don Sr. play the electronic organ at home, Donnie first took an interest in the theatre organ at the age of three when he heard the sounds of the Wurlitzer at the Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio.

After building a musical foundation in the school band, at age 12 Donnie’s family acquired their own organ and he began taking formal lessons. Classical piano training followed at age 16, and his budding talent quickly blossomed into first rate musicianship.

Since then, Donnie has won several competitions and awards, including being named the Overall Winner of the American Theatre Organ Society's Young Theatre Organist Competition when he was 18. After his win in 2007, Donnie began a 5 year journey studying with noted organist Jelani Eddington.

In the course of his career, Donnie has performed for several ATOS annual conventions, and has played for theatre organ audiences around the world, including appearances in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition to performances, Donnie has presented playing clinics as part of the ATOS Summer Youth Adventure and at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. His work as an organist and percussionist have been broadcast on countless stations including NPR, and BBC 2. In 2023 Donnie was named the American Theatre Organ Society's Organist of the Year. 

Donnie resides in Ravenna, Ohio where he runs a piano studio outside of his normal working hours. He remains on call as an organist at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, and the Akron Civic Theatre.

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in a gated parking lot on Gilbert St., behind the theater.

 DIFA 9

 Saturday, April 6th, 2024

 Doors Open 7pm, Organ Pre-show 7:30pm, Showtime 8pm

 Senate Theater, 6424 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

https://www.senatetheater.com/parking

Join us for the 9th Annual DETROIT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION (DIFA) on Saturday, April 6th, 2024. Immerse yourself in an eclectic 90 minute mix of animated shorts showcasing a vibrant selection of works from both local and international animators.

Set in the historic Senate Theater in Detroit, this 1920’s Art Deco gem is not only known for its visual charm but also houses the world’s 8th largest Wurlitzer pipe organ. Enjoy the classic concession stand, comfortable lounging areas, and the added convenience of secure parking.

Be sure to catch the enchanting Wurlitzer Pipe Organ pre-show by the Detroit Theater Organ Society, beginning at 7:30pm. Doors open at 7pm with the main show beginning at 8pm.

Tickets are $10 and advance tickets will be available on March 1st, along the full animation schedule. Please note, this event is recommended for a mature audience (18 and over) due to some content and themes.

Click *INTERESTED* to stay in the loop, and for more details, visit difestofanim.com.

We can't wait to see you at the 9th annual Detroit International Festival of Animation (DIFA 9)!

For updates, join the DIFA newsletter or the DIFA Newsgroup:

www.difestofanim.com/newsletter

www.facebook.com/groups/DIFANewsgroup

The Senate Theater, home of the Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sat. Mar. 30 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

2hr 7min | PG | Drama/Musical | USA 

Bidi Bidi Bom Bom! Your heart will sing. Como me duele! Your heart will break. 

Selena tells the story of the rise and sudden death of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the trailblazing Mexican American singer, and the tight-knit family who made it all possible.

Released just two years after her tragic death, (with deep involvement and consent from the family) Selena the film has served as a loving monument to the “Queen of Tejano Music” for over a quarter century. 

Directed with sincerity and respect by Gregory Nava this modern classic has endured. It guides viewers through an uplifting musical journey, made real by the touching performances of stars Jennifer Lopez (in her breakout role) and legendary Mexican American thespian, Edward James Olmos. In the process it has ensured the legacy of its subject, allowing her music and light to shine beyond her time, inspiring new generations who otherwise may have never heard her voice. 

We could fall in love with her. 

So come to the Senate and fall in love (again) with Selena! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $12 

1hr 22min | NR | Historical Drama | France 

Live Organ Accompaniment by Scott Smith 

Presented in partnership with Cinema Lamont

Silents at the Senate and Cinema Lamont invite you to behold this singular film. An exaltation. An ode. A rousing picture of conspiracy, belief, and sacrifice. 

The Passion of Joan of Arc is a timeless artistic achievement, relentless in style and achingly evocative. It rightly stands as one of the finest films of all time.

Watch as an icon of women’s history transcends her era, the psychological drama of her final hours on screen. Listen as her struggle unfolds in bold imagery, invigorated by a live score from organist Scott Smith on the Senate Theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. 

Based on the actual medieval records of the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, Carl Th. Dreyer’s masterwork is nothing less than a cinematic reincarnation.

In the soulful visage of Renée Maria Falconetti the patron saint of France comes to life, shot in startling close-ups that aim to “interpret a hymn to the triumph of the soul over life." 

Experience it the way it was meant to be seen: in the communal atmosphere of a theater, the majestic sounds of a theater organ filling the room. It will be a true feast for the ears, eyes, and spirit. We hope to see you there! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts 

Parking is available in a gated parking lot on Gilbert St., behind the theater.

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 54min | NR | Noir/Crime | USA 

PRESENTED WITH MOTOR CITY CINEMA SOCIETY ON 16MM FILM

“Made it, Ma! Top of the World!”  

With these iconic lines James Cagney—his voice aching with crazed intensity—cemented his comeback as Hollywood’s most explosive movie star.  In 1949, as moviegoers sat transfixed by the screen, the movie stars’ manic desperation left little doubt: Cagney and White Heat had reached the peak of the gangster film. And today, 75 years later, few, if any, have come close to attaining such heights. 

Using real-life gangsters like Ma Barker and her four criminal sons as a jumping off point, this firecracker of a story travels across the beauty of the High Sierra mountains, deep into the horrors of the penitentiary, and into the mind of a man suffering from “homicidal psychosis.”  

On the edge of the gangster and film noir genres, it features a bold heist, a femme fatale, and moody black and white photography, all directed by gangster flick veteran Raoul Walsh (The Roaring Twenties, High Sierra).

But what really sets it apart is Cagney. Bursting with vulnerability and rage, he embodies Arthur “Cody” Jarrett, a violently volatile, (and highly quotable) criminal madman beset with mommy issues, a debilitating psychosomatic ailment, and a beautiful woman he can’t help but trust.  

Come see why White Heat, decades later, is still on top of the gangster heap, WITH THE REAL FLICKER OF 16MM FILM ON SCREEN!

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Embark on a riveting journey of self-discovery with “Debating Destiny,” a captivating new play by James Anthony Tyler (“The Drop Off,” “hop the A,” “Some Old Black Man”).

Join Udonis Sparks as he confronts loss, discovers hidden talents, and faces life-altering choices. With teenage antics, rapid-fire banter, and heartwarming revelations, “Debating Destiny” offers a poignant exploration of the complexities of growing up through the art of debate. Don’t miss the world premiere of this amazing theatrical experience. Grab your tickets today.

About Mosaic Youth Theatre:

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit is one of Southeast Michigan’s most highly regarded cultural treasures.

Our critically acclaimed student-driven performances and national and international tours have brought worldwide attention to Detroit as a center for arts and culture while shining a spotlight on the area’s talented young people and creating new and diverse audiences for the performing arts.