Historic Detroit Theater Celebrating 100 Years With These 2 Events

DETROIT — The Senate Theater along Michigan Avenue in Detroit is celebrating 100 years this October with two community-focused events.

The theater will host a Centennial Encore event at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 7, which is the exact date the theater opened in 1926.

The theater will recreate the spirit of its first night with a screening of Cecil B. DeMille’s "The Volga Boatman," the same silent film presented to audiences a century earlier.

Detroit Red Wings organist Lance Luce will accompany the film live on the Mighty Wurlitzer. It will allow guests to experience silent cinema as early moviegoers did, with the score created in real time and the theater itself becoming part of the performance.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at https://app.gopassage.com/events/39617.

The second event will happen at 7 p.m. on Oct. 10. It will be a party to celebrate to the era when neighborhood movie houses paired films with live entertainment.

The "Party of the Century" event will feature music, comedy, magic, spoken word, film, Detroit performers and the Mighty Wurlitzer. The theater promises a lively and welcoming evening that feels distinctly Detroit.

Tickets are $25 to $150 and can be purchased at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/party-of-the-century.

"The Senate made it to 100 because generations of volunteers and supporters believed Detroit still needed a place like this," Detroit Theater Organ Society President Lance Luce said. "This anniversary is our chance to welcome more people in, celebrate what the community saved and build the support needed to keep the theater open for the next 100 years."

The theater says ticket sales and donations will go toward rebuilding the building, which needs a new roof, waterproofing and specialized care for the Mighty Wurlitzer.