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!

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

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

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.

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.

Nuestra Cultura's Chicano History Week 2024 (Detroit, MI)

Join us for an exciting event celebrating Chicano History at the Senate Theater in Detroit, MI! Get ready for a vibrant and immersive experience as we explore the rich cultural heritage of the Chicano community. We will be screening the film, American Homeboy, by Director Brandon Loran Maxwell. From engaging live art and thought-provoking panel discussions to Chicano art exhibitions, this event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Chicano history and culture.

American Homeboy is a documentary film that explores the complex origins of pachuco and cholo culture which sprouted from American soil in response to wartime sentiment, social alienation, and government discrimination only to become a pop culture phenomenon. The film draws from rare interviews shot on 5k with leading Mexican American historians, academics, artists, activists, cholos, and former law enforcement officers against a backdrop of 50 hours of restored archival footage.

Ballet Folklórico De Detroit is a volunteer run organization that provides affordable dance classes to the community. Join us for their annual holiday concert of traditional Mexican folk dancing,

Ballet folklórico, traditional Mexican folk dancing, is not any one style of dance, but rather, the  combination of traditional indigenous roots mixed with African, Spanish or other European styles.  Ballet folklórico encompasses all of these various traditional, regional and ethnically diverse dances.

Join Council Member Santiago-Romero for free, family-friendly fun at The Senate Theater on Wednesday November 8. We will be screening the animated classic, Shrek, and providing complimentary refreshments to the first 200 guests!

6:30 p.m. Doors open, audience check-in begins

7:00 p.m. CALIGARI begins

8:45 p.m. Intermission - Check-in for NOSFERATU ticketholders

9:00 p.m. NOSFERATU begins

CINEMA DETROIT presents INVINCIBLE CZARS and their nightmarishly fun live soundtracks to THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920) and NOSFERATU (1922) at the Senate!

This immersive live sound experience will transport you back 100+ years via these age-old tales accompanied by chilling modern scores and sound effects, created with an impressive blend of traditional acoustic and present-day electronic instruments. Known for performing their own eclectic live film soundtracks nationwide, INVINCIBLE CZARS will mesmerize you into the world of these films.

The world’s first feature-length horror film, THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI has inspired many artists including Tim Burton and David Bowie (among many others) with its strikingly modern visuals. Its craggy edges, disjointed backgrounds and heavy makeup have earned this dark fairy tale a reputation as the quintessential German Expressionist film. Its influential twist ending is also considered the first in cinematic history.

NOSFERATU, the first feature-length vampire movie, has endured for more than a century inspiring countless vampire films, video games, memes, publications and other content. The Invincible Czars’ chilling soundtrack, inspired by everything from Romanian folk music to horror sound design, amplifies the scariness to a goosebumps-inducing heights.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The first film, CALIGARI, starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 each for either of the films or $30 for both. Complete info and tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinema-detroit-presents-invincible-czars-tickets-554667283777

Music. Art. Food

This year you can expect 48 performances across three stages and over 100 vendors to check out throughout the day! Come join us in uplifting and celebrating all that our beautiful community and city has to offer!

FREE Admission

Making of Mucho Gusto, Nice to Meet You Documentary Premiere and La Carpa Teen Ensemble Kick Off! 

Sat. Jul. 22

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT

1hr 22min

Enjoy a documentary about last summer's first La Carpa Theatre production, Mucho Gusto, Nice to Meet You. Then meet the organizers and learn more about this amazing theater opportunity for our neighborhood teens!  

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

Show - 8:00 PM

Tickets - $10

Join us on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 for the 8th Annual Detroit International Festival of Animation (DIFA). This celebration of animation will showcase a diverse range of works from local and international animators. With approximately 90 minutes of animated shorts on display, DIFA will feature a wide range of styles, from experimental and quirky to more sophisticated mini-features.

The 2023 schedule and advance tickets will be available by April 1st.

NOTE: This event is recommended for 18+ due to some mature content and themes.

For details please visit:

• difestofanim.com

Thursday, Mar. 16

Doors – 6:00 PM

Organ Overture—6:30 PM

Film – 7:00 PM

Tickets - $10

1hr 19min | NR | Documentary | USA

The Senate Theater is proud to present this encore screening of the locally and lovingly produced documentary, Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale, the winner of the Hometown Talent Award and Opening Night Film at the Freep Film Festival. Narrated by local music legend Martha Reeves, the film tells a story of local history and contemporary preservation efforts surrounding the long shuttered Boblo Island amusement park and its ferry boats. With whimsicality and magical realism Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale creates a fantastical atmosphere in keeping with the collective memory of that bygone bit of Shangri-La in the Detroit River. 

Synopsis: 

When Ste. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the coming of summer and the magic of ferrying over to nearby Boblo Island Amusement Park. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships – the oldest in America - awaken from a deep slumber to find a devoted team of enthusiasts have set out to rescue them from their deteriorating state. SS Columbia has been whisked away to New York while Claire's fate rests in the hands of an unlikely band of heroes: a doctor, a psychic, and an amusement park fanatic. Martha Reeves, the Motown legend with a lilting voice, narrates this revelatory fable-doc that’s full of heart and hard truths about a challenging restoration, the iconic amusement park’s exciting yet whitewashed history, and the intoxicating ways that nostalgia can inspire and blur memories. 

Go to Bobloboatdetroit.com for more information on the Ste. Claire restoration efforts. 

  
Check out bobloboatsfilm.com to learn more about this remarkable Detroit-centric film. 

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. 

Saturday, Jan. 14

VIP Entry – 7:00

Doors – 7:30 PM

Organ Overture—7:30 PM

Film – 8:00 PM

Tickets - $12

VIP Tickets - $25 (See below for details)

1hr 19min | NR | Documentary | USA

The Senate Theater is proud to present this screening of the locally and lovingly produced documentary, Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale, the winner of the Hometown Talent Award and Opening Night Film at the Freep Film Festival. Narrated by local music legend Martha Reeves, the film tells a story of local history and contemporary preservation efforts surrounding the long shuttered Boblo Island amusement park and its ferry boats. With whimsicality and magical realism Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale creates a fantastical atmosphere in keeping with the collective memory of that bygone bit of Shangri-La in the Detroit River. 

This may be your only chance to see this film in a theater, and it is sure to be a memorable night, filled with a sense of community, nostalgia and hope for renewal. A portion of each ticket will go towards historical preservation: one portion to the upkeep and restoration of the Senate and its priceless theater organ, and the another towards the ongoing efforts to restore the “Boblo Boat” Ste. Claire steamboat which was severely damaged by fire in 2018. Attendees can also expect an organ overture featuring Boblo Island music, plus a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker and the Ste. Claire Restoration Project. Additionally, there will be a 50/50 raffle with prizes for attendees with all proceeds going to the Ste. Claire restoration. 

Synopsis: 

When Ste. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the coming of summer and the magic of ferrying over to nearby Boblo Island Amusement Park. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships – the oldest in America - awaken from a deep slumber to find a devoted team of enthusiasts have set out to rescue them from their deteriorating state. SS Columbia has been whisked away to New York while Claire's fate rests in the hands of an unlikely band of heroes: a doctor, a psychic, and an amusement park fanatic. Martha Reeves, the Motown legend with a lilting voice, narrates this revelatory fable-doc that’s full of heart and hard truths about a challenging restoration, the iconic amusement park’s exciting yet whitewashed history, and the intoxicating ways that nostalgia can inspire and blur memories. 

Go to Bobloboatdetroit.com for more information on the Ste. Claire restoration efforts. 

  
Check out bobloboatsfilm.com to learn more about this remarkable Detroit-centric film. 

VIP ADMISSION INCLUDES: 

• Early entry (7:00) to theater for behind the scenes tour 

• Free small popcorn 

• $5 discount on movie and St. Clare Restoration project merch 

• Vintage design souvenir ticket 

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. 

A fun night of Mexican Folklorico dance performed by BFD dancers; including, our award winning competition group.

TITLE SPONSOR : Aldana Mexican Bar & Grill, www.aldanamexicangrill.com
A night of tradition and family oriented fun! Hope to see you there!!

For more information: 313.615.6533

General seating available on first-come, first-served basis.

The Jackson family is having a rough time this Christmas, and only prayers and love will get them through it.

Press and Pictures at 6:30pm /Performances at 7:30pm/ Show starts at 8pm.

General Admission $25.00 and Vip Admission $40.00 which includes VIP seating and a fabulous Vip Gift bag. Call 313 465-2273 for more information.

Je' McClain has been writing plays for 5 years. She has written twenty stage plays and has directed and produced over 36 shows to date. She has worked with the best from Carl Anthony Payne to legendary grammy winner Ann Nesby. With consistent sold out shows, Je is a Detroit playwright to watch.

The Moth presents the Detroit GrandSLAM, a battle of wits and words - fierce, hilarious, heartbreaking and all points between.

The Moth is dedicated to finding people from all walks of life to tell inspired stories. At The Moth StorySLAM, those people find us. On this night, winners from our StorySLAM series compete to determine The Detroit GrandSLAM Story Champion.

Media Sponsor: WDET

SWFest 2022
Sat., Aug. 27
2 - 11 p.m.

SWFest is a FREE large scale music and art festival organized by a collective of young Southwest Detroit creatives and organizations that celebrates our vibrant community and culture with a snapshot of everything that Southwest Detroit has to offer.

Taking place Sat. Aug. 27 from 2-11 p.m. inside and on the grounds of our historic Senate Theater, this family-friendly festival will highlight performing artists, visual artists and entrepreneurs, and an array of organizations who offer valuable resources to our residents.

Follow @SWFestDetroit on Instagram or RSVP to the Facebook Event for up-to-date event information.

Thank you so much to the community members and sponsors like Couhy Bags, E&L Supermercado, Corktown Community Development Fund, Deeply Rooted Consulting, Donut Villa, Grace in Action and Southwest Detroit Pride who are making this year’s festival better than ever. To support our movement to create an accessible and inclusive festival chip in here.

The Senate Theater’s participation in SWFest is made possible with support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and National Endowment for the Arts.