Magician and escape artist Harry Houdini performed around the world, amazing audiences with his dangerous stunts. But his extraordinary life came to a close in Detroit 100 years ago.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Houdini’s death, DHS is hosting two events that give more insight into his life, magic and time in Detroit. Jeremy Dimick, DHS Director of Collections and Curatorial, will give a lecture, “Detroit was Wild About Harry (Houdini)” 2 p.m. Friday at the Detroit Historical Museum. Dimick will explore the circumstances of, and the public’s reaction to Houdini’s 19 appearances in Detroit and how these shows reflected the trajectory of his career as a whole. The lecture is free for members and $15 for adults. Thursday’s Houdini talk is sold out, according to the DHS website.
On Saturday (Halloween) DHS invites guests to “Houdini 100: Magic and Mystery,” which is also taking place at the museum. Partygoers will be able to stroll the institution’s Streets of Old Detroit and try some carnival games and DHS historian Brendan Roney will give a presentation on Houdini’s Detroit appearances, rise to international fame and his final days.
Meanwhile, variety performer and entertainment historian Nathan “McScary” Wakefield will blend history with demonstrations of sideshow arts, including sword swallowing. And magician and escape artist Anthony Grupido will channel Houdini in a finale of astonishing escapes and mind-bending mentalism.
“There’s going to be lots of delicious food and drink, too,” said Rebecca Salminen Witt, chief strategy and marketing officer for the Detroit Historical Society. “Our preferred caterers from Common Pub, right behind the museum, are going to do the catering for us. We are also getting out our spookiest artifacts from the collection. An event like this gives us the opportunity to get some different things out, some things that people wouldn’t normally see in the museum. We will have some curators and docents around to talk to folks about that curated special spooky collection.”
The events are part of DHS’s Spooky Week, which also includes its annual Treats in the Streets event on Sunday and a behind-the-scenes event at Whole Hearted Winery in New Hudson on Thursday.
“The 100th anniversary of Houdini’s death was really the motivator,” Salminen Witt said. “We’re trying to do new events and exhibitions that might draw a new crowd of people in.”
Throughout 1926, Houdini was taking his one-man Broadway show, “Houdini” on the road. During a stop in Montreal in October, Houdini brought a student on stage and he sucker punched the magician in the stomach before he was ready to take on the blows, said Salminen Witt.
“Part of his act was the strong man, ‘punch me in the stomach’ sort of thing that they would do at circuses,” she said. “So, he (the student) hit him before he had the opportunity to sturdy his core. One of the theories is that the punch damaged his appendix, and or maybe even caused it to burst at that time, and he just kept getting sicker and sicker.”
On the train to Detroit, Houdini’s health was deteriorating, and a doctor was waiting for him when he arrived at Michigan Central Station, Salminen Witt said. However, Houdini ignored the doctor’s request to check into a hospital and went on to perform his final show at the now-demolished Garrick Theatre on Oct. 24, 1926. The next day, he was taken to the Grace Hospital in Midtown, the current location of Detroit Medical Center. At 1:26 p.m. on Oct. 31, Houdini died of sepsis at the age of 52.
Here are some other Halloween and fall events happening across Detroit:
Sunday, Oct. 25
- 14th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos, Detroit Institute of Arts
The 14th installment of “Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos” features ofrendas, or offerings, by local artists and community members. The annual exhibition, designed to familiarize visitors with ofrendas and the Mexican traditions of the Day of the Dead, builds a sense of community as visitors identify with the reasons and ways people honor the deceased while collectively taking part in the act of remembering. The exhibition is on display until Nov. 1. Admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
- Treats in the Streets, Detroit Historical Museum, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Step into The Streets of Old Detroit for a free afternoon of mystery, wonder, and fantastical fun. Inspired by the magic and imagination of a night circus, the family-friendly Halloween celebration brings curious characters, unexpected surprises and a little bit of enchantment to the heart of Detroit.
There will be a Halloween scavenger hunt, crafts and coloring, and guests can show off their best moves at a dance party with music by local spooky band, Fangs and Twang. Costumes are encouraged. DHS will also have a sensory-friendly hour of the event from 1-2 p.m.
- Boo at the Nature Center, Belle Isle Nature Center, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
At this fun-filled, family-friendly Halloween event, connect with the animals who call the Nature Center home while enjoying indoor and outdoor trick-or-treating. Costumes are encouraged.
- I’d Love to Have You For Dinner, Planet Ant, 3 p.m.
The play follows two lovebirds, Ania and Charles, who meet for their first-and-three-quarters date: a home-cooked meal. But there is a secret at the table: one of them eats people. The other, of course, is fully aware, because the one who eats people – Ania – is an ancient vampire, while the other – Charles – hunts and eats vampires alive. When these forces – life, and unlife – go for each other’s throats, who will go home with a full stomach?
Tickets for the Hamtramck show are $27 online or $32 at the door. In case you miss Sunday’s show, there’ll be two others at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
- The First Reveal, Senate Theater, 8-11 p.m.
Devil’s Night Detroit kicks off its first of three nights of events with a film festival, highlighting horror shorts from Detroit filmmakers. Tickets are $25, with all proceeds going toward the Senate Theater.
Thursday, Oct. 29
- Blood & Black Velvet “Nocturnal Rituals,” Brooklyn Detroit, 8-11 p.m.
Devil’s Night Detroit is offering an evening of gothic romance, surreal horror, film screening and music at the Corktown venue. Costumes or formal dress are mandatory. Tickets are $45.
Friday, Oct. 30
- “Scream” screening, Redford Theatre, 8 p.m.
Check out director Wes Craven’s classic 1996 slasher film, “Scream,” starring Neve Campbell, Drew Barrymore, David Arquette and Courteney Cox. A masked serial killer known as “Ghostface” stalks high school students in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California. Tickets are $7.
Saturday, Oct. 31
- Spooky Spectacular, Orchestra Hall, 11 a.m.
Dress up and join the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a Halloween celebration filled with spooky sounds, magical music, and symphonic surprises. From ghostly dances to mischievous spells, this concert brings classical music’s most delightfully eerie moments to life—with a festive costume contest for young concertgoers. Tickets begin at $21.
- Halloween in the D, various locations across Detroit, 4-8 p.m.
The city of Detroit is back with its 9th annual Halloween in the D, which brings city departments, community partners and neighborhoods together to create safe, fun and free experiences for Detroit children and families.
Families can take part in trunk-or-treat events and other activities happening at police precincts, recreation centers and fire engines throughout the city. Events typically run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. but vary by location. Check out the full list of participating locations here.
- Art After Dark: Lost in the Bayou, Miss Eva’s Detroit, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Inspired by the Ryan Coogler film, “Sinners,” the Halloween party will feature a night full of dancing, crafted cocktails, pumpkin painting and Creole cuisine. Costumes are encouraged. Early bird tickets are $17.