Organ Pops Concert Featuring Justin Stahl 

Sunday, Nov. 2 

Doors - 2:00 PM  

Concert - 3:00 PM  

Tickets - $17  

The Detroit Theater Organ Society’s long running Organ Pops Concert series continues the 2025 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 diverse musical talents of organist, Justin Stahl! Don’t miss your chance to experience the majesty, nuance and diversity of sounds that only a theater pipe organ can provide.  

About the Artist: 

Justin Stahl is a native of Beech Grove, Indiana. Beginning at age five with the encouragement of his great-grandfather, Justin was mostly self-taught in piano and organ. His passion for music has reached many venues that have included accompanying for several choral departments, contributing as his church's music director, playing for community theatre, and serving for over twelve years in the Indiana Army National Guard's 38th Infantry Division Band. 

Justin has most recently entertained thousands of patrons of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in the last three productions of their annual Yuletide Celebration, playing the 3/24 Wurlitzer installed at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. Theatre organ has always been an "advanced hobby" of Justin's and it has taken him to performance venues in Birmingham, Detroit, Boston, Joliet, and Erie. Most recently, Justin was a featured artist at the 59th American Theatre Organ Society Convention held in Indianapolis. 

A graduate of Marian University with a Bachelor's degree in piano performance, Justin taught at the Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, where he served as a choral director. His approach and philosophy includes the continued promotion of the theatre organ by using a wide base of musical genres. 

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. 

Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980) 

Sat. Nov 1 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Films – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 42min |R| Martial Arts/Horror/Comedy | Hong Kong 

 Sorcery and possession. Ghosts and zombies. High kicks and hijinks.   

. . . A hopping vampire?  

It’s the trailblazing action horror comedy kung fu mashup, Encounters of the Spooky Kind, written, directed and starring Hong Kong legend, Sammo Hung! Released on the cusp of a long string of hits for Hung, (including several action comedies with his drama academy classmate, Jackie Chan) this sensational martial arts romp follows the exploits of Bold Cheung, a hapless rickshaw driver facing haunted temples, monsters in various stages of decomposition, an unfriendly sorcerer, and his unfaithful wife.  

With timing and finesse, (both in the comedy and fight choreography) Encounters helped set a new standard in the martial arts action comedy subgenre. And, by adding to the mix supernatural horror influenced by Chinese folklore, it even started a sub-subgenre of “hopping vampire” flicks based on the mythological jiangshi, reanimated corpses who have come to suck your. . . vital force.  

It’s eerie. It’s exciting. It’s absurd. It’s a lark.  

It’s at the Senate. 

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

Suspiria (1977) 3rd Annual Halloween Fundraiser and Costume Party 

Sat. Oct. 25 

Doors – 6:00 PM 

DJ Adam Stanfel (aka DEATH) 6:45-7:30 PM

Spooooky Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM  

1hr 35min | R | Mystery/Horror | Italy

Tickets – $10 

Costume contest 

Seasonal Vibes 

Join us for a special screening of Dario Argento’s supernatural horror classic Suspiria, a movie that synthesizes its sound and vision to such an extent it might just be about trippy colors and totally sick music. What happens on screen? Murder and magic at the intersection of ballet and an actual coven of witches. What happens in your mind? A descent into our collective, primordial terror, conjured from the mind of a cinematic sorcerer.  

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 Death himself as DJ, extra special spooky organ overture, vendors costume contest and eerie seasonal music. Admission starts at $10 but further donations of any amount are graciously accepted.  

Vendor List:
Cherismagikalmanifestations

Beth_amber_detroit

MichelleL. Unique Jackets

Green Brain Comics

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

Frankenstein (1931) PLUS Silent Frankenstein (1910) 

Sat. Oct. 18 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Films – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

Frankenstein (1910)  

Live organ accompaniment by Dave Calendine

16min |NR| Horror| USA 

Frankenstein (1931) 

1hr 11min |NR| Horror | USA 

Demoralizing! Gruesome! Unsuitable for the nervous! Banned for “strangeness”! Blasphemous! Morally debased! It must be 1931’s Frankenstein! 

Don’t miss this Universal monster classic at the Senate, starring Boris Karlof as the monster! Based on Mary Shelley’s famous gothic novel about the folly of man and the potentially destructive nature of creation, Frank Whale's adaptation was a sensational and controversial hit. Today it remains true to say IT'S ALIVE . . . with lavish photography, iconic makeup, and timeless chills and thrills!

And before the feature we are excited to present, with live organ accompaniment from Dave Calendine, a short silent film version of this familiar tale. Produced in 1910 by Thomas Edison’s Edison Studios, this one-reeler is a very loose but fascinating adaptation. It is the very first screen appearance of Frankenstein and a great chance to behold a feat of early 20th century technology, the Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ in action! 

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 

Silents at the Senate Presents: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) 

Sat. Oct. 11 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $12 

1hr 15min | NR | Horror | Germany

Live Organ Accompaniment by Stephen Warner 

Pipe chamber tour to follow 

 Silents at the Senate returns for its fall 2025 season with a masterwork of German Expressionism, Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with live organ accompaniment from Stephen Warner on our Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ! 

This art film dressed as a nightmare dazzles the eyes and spirit with style and substance, predating the current trend of “elevated horror” by about a century. Using twisted and distorted sets and telling a tale of murder and madness, this anti-authoritarian allegory explores the hypnotic allure of power, its ability to coax from us our free will. 

And, as always, following the silent film presentation patrons will have a chance to take a tour of the organ pipe chambers. Additionally, the organist for the evening will be available to field any questions you may have about theater organ and the art of silent film accompaniment! 

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

Your favorite poet's favorite poet is back outside. Join me for a night of love, laughter and healing.

Frankenweenie (2012) PLUS Frankenweenie (1984) 

Sat. Oct. 4 

Doors – 2:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 2:30 PM  

Film – 3:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

Frankenweenie (1984) 

30min | PG | Family | USA 

Frankenweenie (2012) 

1hr 27min | PG | Family | USA 

 Are you unwilling to relinquish the unconditional love of a deceased pet but savvy enough to know there is no “nice farm upstate?”  

Why not take a page from ol’ Victor Von and try giving your dearly departed a little jolt? That irreplaceable little scamp will be back up and running in no time. 

Any unintended consequences are, however, not the responsibility of The Senate Theater and are, in fact, simply the plot of Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie. This beautifully animated stop-motion gem features the vocal talents of Martin Short and Catherine O’Hara. It is a playful retelling of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein and an affectionate satire of the 1931 film adaptation starring Boris Karlof, replacing Karlof’s lumbering monster with a bull terrier named Sparky. 

But it’s also an expansion of its director's breakout short film of the same name, 1984’s Frankenweenie, featuring Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern. And no this isn’t a case of re-animation. The original is all live-action, and we’re screening it before the feature. 

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

Thur. Oct. 2

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:40 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $12

Cast & Crew Q&A to follow film

1hr 38min | NR | Horror/Sci-fi/Comedy | Canada

The Senate Theater is excited to present this independent film out of Canada on its "Drac Attack" tour of North America! Be sure to stick around after the film for a Q&A with the cast and crew!

If you put Mel Brooks, Ed Wood, and South Park into a blender you’d get VAMPIRE ZOMBIES…FROM SPACE! an over-the-top comedy which satirizes and pays homage to drive-in, creature-feature horror films of the 1950’s. It’s the latest film from award-winning writer-director Mike Stasko (The Birder, Boys vs. Girls) and award-winning comedy writers Jakob Skrzypa and Alex Forman (Your Money’s No Good Here, Fun Uncle, Funny or Die).

Vampire Zombies…From Space! features a horde of appearances by cult icons including Night of the Living Dead’s Judith O’Dea, Troma’s Lloyd Kaufman, Tim & Eric’s David Liebe Hart, and SAW VI’s Simon Reynolds.

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

FREE!

ALL MUSICIANS WELCOME!

Join accomplished organist and silent film accompanist John Lauter for an immersive experience that explores the origins and evolution of the art of silent film accompaniment.  

The workshop will begin with a demonstration on the Senate Theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer with a collection of silent short clips demonstrating different emotions and scenarios. Then John will explain different traditions including improvisational methods and cue sheets, then break down different elements that were demonstrated. The workshop will conclude with an up-close explanation of how the Senate Theater’s Wurlitzer operates to create the music and a discussion amongst participants.  

This event is free. However, if you would like to make a donation, we thank you for your support! The Senate Theater is owned and operated by the Detroit Theater Organ Society, an all-volunteer non-profit organization. All donations from this event will go towards maintaining and preserving the Senate and its Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ.

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 

El Cantante (2006) 

Sat. Sep. 27 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 46min | R | Drama/Musical | USA 

Come see “the singer of all singers” on the big screen at the Senate! 

With a powerhouse performance from Jennifer Lopez and a soundtrack that will have you dancing in the aisles, this musical biopic is an unsparing but adoring exploration of the life of salsa legend Héctor Lavoe. Told from the perspective of his widow (Lopez) the film follows Lavoe (Marc Anthony) on his journey from a Puerto Rican nobody to a genre innovator, all while fighting his inner demons and the pressures of fame. 

At his best, throughout his tragically brief life, Lavoe personified that special ingredient that made salsa—a blending of rhythms and modes from Cuba and Puerto Rico—into a phenomenon of Latin music in the 1970s and 80s. In his commanding voice and electrifying charisma was a powerful, vivacious energy. In his songs and in his soul was an irresistible call to dance, to celebrate, to live.  

In El Cantante the many sides of the man are laid bare. But the love inherent in his enduring art shines brightest. And, for one night only you can see—and hear—it 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 

The Most Dangerous Game (1932) 

Sat. Sep. 20 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 18min | NR | Horror/Adventure | USA 

Is this screening of a classic “pre-code,” psycho-sexual adventure involving hunting humans for sport a family friendly event? 

Not really—too much carnage—though you could afford to bring the whole family at these prices!  

The Most Dangerous Game was the first film adaptation of the classic short story, telling the tale of shipwreck survivors confronted with a double threat of aristocratic excess and hedonistic depravity. It stars Joel McCrea, (archetypal burly leading blonde man) the original scream queen Fay Wray (King Kong) and Leslie Banks as an exiled Russian nobleman with sadistic proclivities.  

Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack using the same jungle sets from his next film, King Kong, its violence and sexual themes led to walkouts during its original theatrical run. It may even shock some today, making it a perfect example of the short lived free-wheeling era of early 1930s Hollywood before the self-censorship of the “Hays Code” took hold. 

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 the 2025 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 extraordinary talents of organist, Jared Goldinger! Don’t miss your chance to experience the majesty, nuance and diversity of sounds that only a theater pipe organ can provide. 

About the Artist:

Jared Goldinger, 26, from Jackson Township, Ohio, serves as the organist at both Faith Lutheran Church and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Massillon, Ohio, and is one of the House Organistsat the Palace Theatre in Canton, home to the 3/11 Kilgen “Wonder” Organ, along with performing on the 3/17 Kimball organ every summer at for Cinema at the Square, a classic movie series held at the Connor Palace Theatre in Cleveland.

Jared began learning the piano at the age of 7 under the guidance of the late Jack Hone. In 2015,he expanded his repertoire by beginning classical organ studies under Mark Thewes and theatre
organ with Jay Spencer. Jared attended the 2016 American Theatre Organ Society’s Annual Convention in Cleveland as a George Wright Memorial Fellowship winner. Further expanding his skills, Jared attended the annual Summer Youth Adventure from 2017 to 2024, and began studying with Jelani Eddington in 2018 to refine his technique and skill further. As a result, Jared was a finalist in 2019 and 2023 for the Young Theatre Organist’s Competition, held during the American Theatre Organ Society’s Annual Conventions in Rochester, New York, and Chicago, Illinois, respectively.

Jared’s music interest scopes beyond the organ, spending time creating music online, whether for clients or his own enjoyment. Notably, he has arranged a number of pop songs commissioned by Kent State University for their a cappella show choir “Vocal Intensity”. He hopes to continue creating music for the community and broadening his musical horizons to share with the world.

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.

FREE

We’re bringing LILY to the Senate Theater for a public screening in collaboration with Who Got the Props, one of the biggest breaking jams in the Midwest.

Date: August 29th, 2025
Time: 6-9PM
Location: Senate Theater
6424 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

Come through for a night of cinema, music, and drinks.

Music. Art. Food

This years SW Fest will once again take place on August 23rd 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

Sat. Aug. 9  

Doors – 8:00 PM 

Film – Dusk (approx. 9:00 PM) 

Tickets - GRATIS! (FREE!) 

1hr 19min | NR | Horror/Mystery | 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 (con Demonio Azul and Mil Mascaras) en Las momias de Guanajuato!

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!

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 (with Blue Demon and Mil Mascaras) in Las momias de Guanajuato!

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

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 54min | R | Surrealist Fantasy/Adventure | Mexico 

For one night only, the Senate Theater invites you to attempt an ascent through the unseen, mystical world of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain.  

Taking its inspiration from 16th century spiritual treatise and an allegorical novel from a 20th century French surrealist, this cult classic out of Mexico is a symbolic trip and stylistic triumph. It overflows with metaphysical philosophy, making cross-cultural religious allusions as it dazzles with surrealist, psychedelic imagery. Essentially it tells the story of a thief climbing a tower. But in the reality of The Holy Mountain, ascending becomes transcendence and what is “real” is revealed to be but a plane on which we project our perceptions. 

Join us for this decidedly strange installment of our Hot, Sweaty & Weird summer series, where the movies are offbeat, the air conditioning is non-existent, and our doors, (of perception and otherwise) are wide open. 

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. 19

Tickets - $6 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

First Film – 8:00 PM 

Second Film – 9:45 PM (approximately) 

100 Cries of Terror (1965) 

1hr 40min | NR | Horror/Drama | Mexico 

The Curse of the Doll People (1961) 

1hr 21min | NR | Horror/Mystery | Mexico

16MM PRINT, DUBBED IN ENGLISH 

Fear knows no boundaries. Terror crosses any border. But do you dare walk the line between shock and shlock? 

Experience this in-between space—a netherworld of both good and bad taste—at our double feature of vintage Mexican horror, presented on 16mm film in partnership with our friends at the Motor City Cinema Society! 

These tales of homicidal infidelity, premature burial, voodoo curses, and killer dolls make up our first show in the Senate Theater’s annual Hot, Sweaty & Weird summer film series. As always we’re focusing on the strange, the cult, and the so bad it’s good. We aim to provide the kind of oddball entertainment that is sure to distract as you enjoy our 99-year-old theater’s non-existent climate control system. 

Good or bad. Scary or absurd. It’s all going down in a classic neighborhood movie theater with the flicker of film on our big screen. You won’t find that streaming. 

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/Car Show – 4:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 4:30 PM  

First Film – 5:00 PM (Full schedule below) 

Spectator Entry – $10 

Car Entry – $25 (IMPORTANT DETAILS BELOW)

Cars and movies. An iconic pairing. 

Cars transformed the way we moved through our world. Movies put an endless universe of experience within our reach. They brought us freedom, excitement, joy and connection. Cars provided thrilling action to the movies. Movies enhanced the seductive power of cars. Together, they helped define the 20th century experience. 

Join us this summer in the Motor City as we celebrate them both at the Senate Theater with a car show and car flick film festival! Expect cool cars in the Senate’s parking lot, four classic features revolving around car culture, a silent short film with live organ accompaniment and more. 

Come admire some cool rides parked outside the theater, Steve McQueen on the racetrack, cruising 1950s teens, vintage car comedy, cross-country racers, and Kurt Russel's goofy hijinks at the used car lot. See you there! 

 Car Show Details:

CASH ONLY!

$25 parking fee includes entry for driver and 1 passenger.

This show is first come, first park.

The car show will take place in the Senate Theater parking lot. Spectators must find parking in the neighborhood.

Film Schedule: 

5:00 Le Mans (1971) 1 hr 46 min 

6:55 American Graffiti (1973) 1 hr 50 min 

8:50 Get out and Get Under (1920) Silent short film w/live organ accompaniment 25 min 

9:20 Last call for 50/50 raffle tickets. Your chance to win cash or prizes! 

9:45 Two Lane Black Top (1972) 1 hr 41 min  

10:25 Used Cars (1980) 1 hr 50 min 

The Car Show will take place in our Parking lot on Gilbert St. Spectators can park anywhere in the neighborhood and on Michigan Ave. 

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. Jun. 21 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

2hr 15min | R | Horror/Noir | USA 

We’ve met before. At the Senate. We’re there right now. With David Lynch’s horror-noir mind trip, Lost Highway.  

Starring Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette and Robert Blake, this surrealist melodrama of sinister surveillance, body doubles, and madness will keep you guessing as it defies your expectations. It melds genre tropes and avant-garde left turns, sending viewers on a twisting journey. And this trip was one that initially polarized and perplexed audiences on release. It still does, offering familiarity and subversion, splitting and then devouring itself, mutating within an unnerving and dizzying narrative churn.  

Love it or hate it. You won’t be bored. 

If this mystery has a resolution, it is up to you to find it. Perhaps the answer lies on the big 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

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets – $12 

Total runtime – 1hr 26min  

7 short films with live organ accompaniment by Scott Smith 

Silents at the Senate continues its 2025 season with a selection of short films from the French magician, theater director and pioneer of cinematic art, George Méliès, with live organ accompaniment from Scott Smith on our Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ! 

Filmed around the turn of the last century, these early moving pictures retain their ability to delight and surprise. They tell fantastic stories from folklore and history, travelling far into outer space and deep into the spectral realm. The work remains timeless, and their uncanny illusions—the awesome technological sorcery of modernity—will be made extraordinary with a live score and a crowd of fellow movie lovers to share in the wonder. 

Join us as we reach into the past and revive it right before your eyes and ears! 

And, as always, following the silent film presentation patrons will have a chance to take a tour of the organ pipe chambers. Additionally, the organist for the evening will be available to field any questions you may have about theater organ and the art of silent film accompaniment! 

Film Schedule: 

Part 1 - 40 min 

Joan of Arc (1900) - 10 mins  

The Kingdom of Fairies (1903) - 16 mins  

A Trip to the Moon (1902) - 14 mins 

Part 2 – 46 minutes 

Cinderella (1899) - 6 mins  

Gulliver’s Travels Among the Lilliputians and the Giants (1902) - 4 mins 

The Witch (1906) - 12 mins  

The Impossible Voyage (1904) - 24 mins  

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 and Vendors – 6:00 PM 

Live Band (Midnight Station) – 6:30 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM  

1hr 38min | R | Horror | USA 

Tickets – $15 

Satin, silk, chiffon, lace . . . a bucket of pig’s blood? It’s Carrie Prom at the Senate! 

Whether your prom was a night to remember or just a nightmare, we cordially invite you to partake in an evening of music and film at our historic neighborhood movie house! All proceeds will go towards a new projector. Expect a live band, our regular organ overture, punch at concessions, vendors, prom-themed decorations, and Brian De Palma’s unmatched adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, Carrie! 

A tale of repression, vengeance, and extreme teen angst, this supernatural take on the teen drama will end your magical evening with a (metaphorical!) bang. It's the all-timer that introduced the world to the distinctive screen presence of Sissy Spacek in the title role and the unforgettable performance of Piper Laurie as Carrie’s religiously overbearing mother. 

Now that’s something you can probably leave your prayer closet for, right? 

It’s all about the memories, so don’t drink too much of the suspiciously piquant punch—you wouldn’t want them all to laugh at you, would you?  And be sure to dress like it’s whatever year it is that you definitely didn’t peak. Of course, we promise not to turn you away just because you’re still too much of a non-conformist to get gussied up for the dance. We just ask that you keep your dirty pillows to yourself. 

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 kicks off the 2025 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 extraordinary talents of organist, Greg Owen! Don’t miss your chance to experience the majesty, nuance and diversity of sounds that only a theater pipe organ can provide. 

About the Artist:

Greg Owen has established himself as a widely known concert artist throughout the United States. Originally hailing from New Jersey, Greg’s love for the organ started at the tender age of 9. Inspired by artists such as Virgil Fox, Lyn Larsen, Keith Chapman, Walt Strony and Tom Hazelton, Greg has taken cues from all but building a style all his own. A true chameleon in his playing approach!

Through the past four decades, he has had the opportunity to concertize for numerous organ chapters from coast to coast. Such notable appearances include performing for the Garden State Theatre Organ Society (GSTOS) at the Trenton War Memorial on their mighty Möller organ and the magnificent Loews Jersey Theatre, Jersey City on their historic Wonder Morton theatre organ. Other high points include engagements at the Pascack Theatre, Westwood NJ, Rahway Theatre, Rahway NY, as well as the Lafayette Theatre, Suffern NY, Long Island University in Brooklyn, and the New York Military Academy in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York for the New York Theatre Organ Society (NYTOS). Other concert appearances include the Byrd Theatre, Richmond VA, the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham AL, the Sanfilippo Foundation Mighty Wurlitzer in Barrington Hills IL, the Rose Theatre in Omaha NE, the Kansas City Music Hall and the renowned Times Square Paramount Wurlitzer at Century II Convention Hall in Wichita KS.

Greg holds the rare honor of having played the two largest pipe organs in the world! The world famous Wanamaker Grand Court organ at Macy’s City Center, Philly on numerous occasions as well as the great Midmer-Losh organ at Atlantic City Convention Hall.

Equally at home playing pipes, Hammond and now, virtual organs, he has his own custom instrument he has brought to different venues around the country as well as having played in restaurants and supper clubs throughout the years. Most notably the prestigious position of head staff organist at the famous Organ Loft venue in Salt Lake City for over 4 years.

More recently, Greg was invited to play for the Joliet Area Theatre Organ Enthusiasts (JATOE) on their famous Barton Grand theatre organ as well as the Chicagoland Theatre Organ Society (CTOS) concert series at Lee Maloney's Chicago Allen Organ’s studio annually for three years in a row!

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.

PROUDLY PART OF THE 2025 ARAB FILM FESTIVAL!

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $15

1hr 6min | NR | Family/Adventure | Germany 

Live Organ Accompaniment by John Lauter 

Presented with the Arab American National Museum and the Arab Film Festival 

Complimentary ma'amoul (Arabic cookie) included with admission!

Silents at the Senate, along with our partners at the Arab American National Museum and the Arab Film Festival, is proud to present The Adventures of Prince Achmed with live organ accompaniment by John Lauter!  

This magical tale, the world’s oldest surviving animated feature film, is a landmark of cinematic history—a work of artistry and innovation. Combining several stories from One Thousand and One Nights, the film's depictions of Arab and Muslim cultures demonstrate how folktales from Southwest Asia circulated around the globe for centuries,. It will surely delight audiences of all ages with its whimsical story of adventure, sorcery and transformation. 

Director Lotte Reiniger and her small team of animators spent three years in the attic of a garage making this timeless fantasia, developing and utilizing a then cutting-edge multiplane camera to change cardboard, paint, metal, light, (and even soap) into a reverie of character and setting. Nearly a century later, their ornately designed animated puppet show remains as vital as ever. 

And with the immediacy of live musical accompaniment from a Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ, enhancing the action and emotions on screen in real time, this picture from long ago will never feel more alive! 

 As always, following the silent film presentation patrons will have a chance to take a tour of the organ pipe chambers and the organist will be around to field any questions you may have about theater organ and the art of silent film accompaniment!

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. May 3 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 36min | PG | Comedy/Sci-fi | USA 

Presented in partnership with Motor City Cinema Society on 16mm film  

May the . . .  umm 3rd be with you? 

Close enough.  

The Senate and Motor City Cinema Society are proud to present a special 16mm screening of supreme sci-fi silliness. Don’t miss Spaceballs, starring John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, and the sultan of spoofery himself, Mel Brooks!  

 This classic conglomeration of bits and gags, a very loose retelling of the Star Wars saga, had way better aim than your average spaced out stellar soldier. With accuracy and abandon it blasts away at just about every beloved piece of cosmic intellectual property this side of the galactic divide. It’s enough to make one reconsider their attachment to those “action figures” they keep around.  

 But don’t worry you can always replace your old movie tie-in toys with some Senate merchandise, though we won’t be selling a Senate Theater flamethrower any time soon.  

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 our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Laurel & Hardy Day at the Senate 

Sat. Apr. 19 

Matinee Program  

Silents at the Senate Presents: Hal Roach Comedy Shorts  

Doors – 1:00 PM 

Films – 2:00 PM 

Tickets – $12 (KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE!)

Runtime – 1hr 10min (plus intermission) 

Live organ accompaniment by Lance Luce 

Evening Program 

Atoll K (1951) starring Laurel & Hardy 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets – $6  

1hr 20m | NR |Comedy| France/Italy 

All Day Pass – $15 

Come to one show, come to both, and always feel free to add a donation to your ticket!

The comedy team of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy is iconic. Even those who haven't seen their movies, recognize their image. Beginning in 1926, they were teamed up at with other comedians at Hal Roach Studios as part of Roach's “All-Stars” series of shorts. Soon, it was obvious that Stan and Ollie should be paired together in their own series, and the two adopted the personas that audiences have known and loved ever since. 

The Senate Theater presents a day in tribute to Laurel and Hardy with two separate shows! First, in the afternoon Silents at the Senate Presents: Comedy Shorts, a selection of short films from the early days of the team, plus one more classic from Hal Roach Studios. Live organ accompaniment will be provided by the magnificent Lance Luce! For the second show, we are excited to present a screening of the boys' final film, ATOLL K!

Filmed in Europe, ATOLL K was released there in 1951 with little fanfare. It wasn't released in the United States until three years later and was quickly forgotten. Among other production issues, the multi-national cast and crew had communication problems and Stan and Ollie both suffered serious illness. ATOLL K has since become known more for its plagued production than for the content of the movie itself. It deserves a reassessment, which is why we are excited to screen it as part of this event. 

Film Schedule

2:00 PM –Silents at the Senate Presents: Hal Roach Comedy Shorts 

Leave 'Em Laughing – Laurel and Hardy 1928 (22 min) 

Ollie takes Stan to the dentist, but both get gassed. 

A Pair of Tights – Anita Garvin and Marion Byron 1928 (20 min)

Marion, Anita, and their dates stop for ice cream. Not much gets consumed, but plenty gets tossed.

INTERMISSION 

Habeas Corpus – Laurel and Hardy 1928 (20 min) 

A mad scientist offers the boys $500 to dig up a body, so Stan and Ollie venture in to the spooky cemetery at night.

The Battle of the Century – Laurel and Hardy 1927 (19 min) 

Ollie takes out insurance on Stan in an effort to make some easy money by causing him to slip on the sidewalk. What happens next ends in an epic pie fight, reportedly one of the largest in cinema history. 

8:00 PM – Atoll K starring Laurel & Hardy with sound (and even some color)!

The Tree in a Test Tube 1942 (10 min) 

A short made for the National Forestry Service, narrated by Pete Smith and featuring Laurel and Hardy in their only color film appearance! 

Atoll K 1951 (100 min) 

Laurel and Hardy's final film, produced in Europe. The boys are shipwrecked on a deserted island. They settle there and form a government, but are soon besieged with hundreds of settlers, some of who have designs on taking over. 

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. Apr. 12 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 44min | R | Action/Western | USA 

Guns, guitars and guts in the dirt and dust.  It must be Desperado, the bloody, bombastic neo-western from maverick director, Robert Rodriguez, starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek! 

In the wake of Quentin Tarantino mid-90s American cinemas were brimming with pulp—gritty crime stories reaching back to the genre tales of the past, updating them for a flashier modern style and a disdain for the very idea of “good taste.” Desperado fit right in there, telling a timeworn “stranger comes to town” tale with a manic sense of pacing and a relentless focus on action, action, action. Bold in its narrative simplicity, the film dazzles the viewer with stylized but still dreadful brutality. It is the kind of popular entertainment that dares audiences to confront their attraction to violence while at the same time saying, “Because it’s so much fun!” 

Come see for yourself 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 kicks off the 2025 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 talented young organist, Richie Gregory! Don’t miss your chance to experience the majesty, nuance and diversity of sounds that only a theater pipe organ can provide. 

About Richie Gregory
Richie Gregory (Columbus, Ohio) has had a lifelong interest in the theatre pipe organ. 

During its short life from 1999-2010, Richie’s grandparents took him to visit the Roaring 20’s Pizza and Pipes in Ellenton, Florida. The restaurant, featuring a Wurlitzer pipe organ, left a lasting impression. Gifted CDs of Bill Vlasak & Dwight Thomas at the organ, Richie listened to these religiously on a portable CD player throughout his early childhood. 

Richie has competed twice in the Young Theatre Organist Competition hosted by the American Theatre Organ Society; being a finalist both times in 2016 & 2019. Richie served as the Youth Advisor to the Board of Directors for ATOS from 2020-2023.

Richie graduated from Capital University in 2024 with a bachelors in Music Education. He enjoys golfing, spending time with his nieces & nephew, and girlfriend Joanna.

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.

DIFA 10

 Saturday, April 5th, 2025

 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 10th Annual DETROIT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION (DIFA) on Saturday, April 5th, 2025. 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.

To stay in the loop and for more details, visit difestofanim.com.

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.

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

Sat. Mar. 29 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 25min | R | Action/Comedy | Hong Kong/USA 

Thirty years ago, Jackie Chan, the undisputed king of kung fu comedy, broke through to worldwide mainstream success and superstardom with Rumble in the Bronx.  

Beloved by kung fu heads everywhere, the Hong Kong action star had long earned fans with his incomparable feats of agility and a timeless sense of physical comedy. But with this flick, set in the New York City borough of the Bronx, (looking suspiciously like Vancouver, Canada) Jackie was unleashed onto North American screens like never before. And audiences were enthralled, reveling in its antic fights and chases, delighting in its goofy charms. They laughed and gasped at its thrills and absurdities, marching in droves to theaters as the film tumbled and leapt its way improbably toward becoming the most profitable film of the year.  

Join us as we relive the stunts, the brawls, the goofy hijinks, (and the ridiculous dubbing) on the Senate’s big 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