Doors - 2:00 PM

Concert - 3:00 PM

Tickets - $17

'Tis the season to listen to holiday music, and there's no better instrument to provide that festive soundtrack than a Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. (Okay, we're biased, but we think you'll agree!) That's right, we're carrying on tradition by closing out the 2024 Organ Pops Concert series at the Senate with a Christmas concert! This year we are featuring the supremely talented, Lance Luce!

But you won't simply be able to listen to unique theater organ arrangements of seasonal tunes on one of the largest theater organs ever built. Mr. Luce will also be asking you, the audience, to help promote the Christmas spirit by joining him in a carol sing-along. Additionally you can expect a short Laurel & Hardy film with live organ accompaniment, a perfect way to show off the power of our unique theater organ.

About the Artist:

Lance Luce is an internationally acclaimed theatre organist. He has played hundreds of

concerts all over the United States, Canada, England and Australia. In 2014 he was

awarded Organist of the year by the American Theatre Organ Society. In 2017 he

became organist for the Detroit Red Wings at the new Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit.

He has played concerts for numerous chapters of the American Theatre Organ Society

and other affiliated theatre organ groups and clubs. He has played for National and

regional conventions of the ATOS in the United States and TOSA in Australia.

At age 18, Lance won first place honors in the Yamaha National Electone organ

competition in California. The next year he was appointed the Head Staff Organist at

Radio City Music Hall in New York, on the largest Wurlitzer ever built. Lance has made

many recordings, including being part of the famous "Theatre Organ Greats - A Salute to Radio City Music Hall"

Lance was the house organist at several family style restaurants, two of them in

Michigan. While at the Organ Grinder in Toronto, Ontario, he played for well over a

million patrons in 8 years.

Lance has been a church organ consultant in Michigan since 1991. He is the owner of

Allen Organs Southeast Michigan. He is also on the Allen Artist roster. Lance has

designed and installed over 350 organs in churches, homes and institutions. His

background includes pipe organ maintenance, as well as electronic organ design,

installation, voicing, pipe interfacing and MIDI implementation.

Lance is on the staff at the Fox Theatre and Redford Theatre in Detroit, and the

Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor. He has been a church organist for 49 years and is

organist at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society, a non-profit and all-volunteer organization, is supported in part 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.

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.

Doors - 2:00 PM

Concert - 3:00 PM

Tickets - $17

'Tis the season to listen to holiday music, and there's no better instrument to provide that festive soundtrack than a Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. (Okay, we're biased, but we think you'll agree!) That's right, we're carrying on tradition by closing out the 2023 Organ Pops Concert series at the Senate with a Christmas concert! This year we are featuring the supremely talented, Stephen Warner, an indefatigable champion of the art of the pipe organ!

But you won't simply be able to listen to unique theater organ arrangements of seasonal tunes on one of the largest theater organs ever built. Those timeless melodies will also be accompanied by the vocal stylings of Rose Warner, who will be adding to that yuletide cheer with the incomparable beauty of the human voice.

About the Artist:

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.

Mr. Warner studied engineering primarily due to his interest in organ building. He has had the privilege of working as an intern for John Brombaugh and Associates in Eugene, Oregon and now is an assistant for the Holden Pipe Organ Company in Ferndale, Michigan. Recently, Mr. Warner was awarded the David L. Junchen Technical Scholarship from the American Theater Organ Society. The summer of 2001 provided him with a unique study of the organ through a program called “Summer In French Organ Studies,” sponsored by the University of North Texas and the Bedient Pipe Organ Company. This program provided opportunities to perform on and learn the technical details of historic French instruments. This program has inspired Mr. Warner to consider a similar dual approach to studying the history of American instruments, particularly those of the 1920’s. The current application of this interest is in the creation of a fully illustrated book descibing the function and design of Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian's Skinner Organ. For this project, Mr. Warner has recieved the support of the Organ Historical Society through the awarding of the Mader Memorial Research Scholarship.

Mr. Warner has enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with his wife, Rose, singing with him in performances on both the classical and theater organ. He has also collaborated with long-time friend and saxophonist, Adam Olson, in recording and performing the works of vaudeville virtuoso, Rudy Wiedoeft. Lately, his performance focus has also turned to accompanying silent films, performing often at both the Senate and Redford theaters. Additionally, he has recently collaborated with banjo player Aaron Jonah Lewis on an upcoming album of traditional ragtime music entitled Ragtime Banjo Revival.

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society, a non-profit and all-volunteer organization, is supported in part 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

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!

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.