Theatre Bizarre

Theatre Bizarre The Greatest Masquerade on Earth Oct. 14/15, 21/22 2022
Heed the call! It’s proven to be a very popular formula. Doors for each event open at 6:30pm.
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Theatre Bizarre has been the singular, must-see annual event since it launched (illegally) in the early days of the 21st century. Year after year, its creators return with a spectacular event unlike anything else on earth. Since finding its permanent home at Detroit’s Masonic Temple (the largest in the world), Theatre Bizarre has been offering progressively grander and more decadent events to thos

e lucky enough to get a ticket. In late October each year, thousands of elaborately-clad and eager attendees fill the carved stone hallways of the labyrinthine tower as they move throughout the night from one indescribable performance to another. Detroit’s most adventurous souls slipping anonymously past each other as they celebrate their darkest selves into the early hours of the morning. In fact, the biggest challenge facing Theatre Bizarre has always been capacity. And now, they’ve solved the problem in grand style. The Grand Preview Gala offers a whole new, far more intimate Theatre Bizarre experience. With just a few hundred attendees (as opposed to the thousands that attend the main event) the night is an elegant affair with an open bar, strolling dinner and valet parking included in the price of admission. Gala guests will enjoy selected performances from past shows, highlights from this year’s show, and exclusive sets created especially for that night only. Costumed attendees will follow a trail of fire-eaters, burlesque performers and musical acts as they follow the evening’s path through the transformed historic site.

“The event is based on a world we have created over the years,” explains Theatre Bizarre’s creator, John Dunivant. “What started out as a backyard party with a bunch of friends has turned into a critically-acclaimed, enveloping production that has been referred to as a “cultural institution by the Miami Foundation. We have also received grants from the Kresge Foundation, the Knights Foundation and others. We will honor these grants and recognition and continue to push forward to create a new and immersive experience unlike anything else in the world.”

This year we will be hosting 2 spectacular weekends. Two consecutive Fridays in October, the 14th and 21st, will entertain the exclusive Gala Masquerade. The Historic Event will be held on the 2 consecutive Saturdays, October 15th and the 22nd. All taking place at The Detroit Masonic Temple at 500 Temple Street in downtown Detroit. Dinner, drinks and valet parking are included in the cost of admission for The Gala Masquerades. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on Saturdays. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Costumes are mandatory. More information:
http://theatrebizarre.com/faq/
http://theatrebizarre.com/tickets/

The future remains unclear for Zombo and his Accolytes. Thank you to those who keep a candle lit in His name.What is cle...
04/29/2024

The future remains unclear for Zombo and his Accolytes. Thank you to those who keep a candle lit in His name.

What is clear, is that the creators of Theatre Bizarre have another event you may also enjoy!

is an immersive Star Wars fan event, with sets, props, characters and performances inspired by the films, designed and assembled by the TB crew! Much like Theatre Bizarre, it is a costumes mandatory affair filled with debauchery and carousing, drink and mischief. We simply know no other way.

If you wish to attend, tickets are still available for both weekends at www.spacedive313.com/tickets

Limited door tickets are also available for sold-out nights.

Keep those candles lit, Hail Zombo, and may the force be with you!

BLACK FRIDAY APPROACHESAs the days grow shorter and the kingdom of night encroaches, embrace the darkness with the .empo...
11/21/2023

BLACK FRIDAY APPROACHES

As the days grow shorter and the kingdom of night encroaches, embrace the darkness with the .emporium Black Friday sale!

Use code DARKTIMES for 15% off store-wide, Friday only

Though it has been a strange year languishing in Zombo’s absence, we have felt such deep love and conviction from our co...
11/01/2023

Though it has been a strange year languishing in Zombo’s absence, we have felt such deep love and conviction from our community that our black hearts have remained full all the season long.

Keep the flame burning throughout the year, and know that Zombo is always just behind you, watching. Waiting. His dark machinations have only just begun.

Thank you.
Good Samhain.
Happy Hallowe’en.

Hail Zombo.

Zombo may slumber, but the Ghost Train shall not be derailed!Attend thee, loyal servants, and take heed! Our steadfast c...
10/24/2023

Zombo may slumber, but the Ghost Train shall not be derailed!

Attend thee, loyal servants, and take heed! Our steadfast compatriots at The Detroit Bus Company have a few tricks and treats in store for you on an arcane tour they call The Rotten Route.

Those who have attended Theatre Bizarre are likely to recognize a few familiar faces along the 3 secret destinations of this phantasmal expedition, plus be given the opportunity to ride our very own Ghost Train!

We strongly advise that those who miss the familiar chaos of the Temple consider patronizing this ambitious and momentous event, Oct. 26th-29th.

Visit www.TheDetroitBus.com for ticketing and details!

Happy Friday the 13th!If you haven’t visited .emporium yet this season, now is the perfect time! In honor of the unholid...
10/13/2023

Happy Friday the 13th!

If you haven’t visited .emporium yet this season, now is the perfect time! In honor of the unholiday, the entire store is 13% off!

So don your unholy vestments now; This deal isn’t long for this world!

An October most strange.We should be bustling about the temple, placing the final candles and candies, setting the light...
10/12/2023

An October most strange.

We should be bustling about the temple, placing the final candles and candies, setting the lights just so, rehearsing and rejoicing in the anxious anticipation of opening weekend.

Though the halls remain hollow, and the floorboards untrod, let us still revel in the crisp autumn air, the changing of colors, and the restless shifting of spirits in this season of All Hallows. Light a candle for what was, what might have been, and what will yet be.

Yours in liminal eternity,
The servants of The Fool

Hail Zombo, now and always

Attend the Bizarre bazaar! We are happy to announce that Zombo's Emporium will be among the incredible vendor lineup of ...
09/19/2023

Attend the Bizarre bazaar! We are happy to announce that Zombo's Emporium will be among the incredible vendor lineup of Witches Night Bazaar Autumnal Equinox at the Tangent Gallery / Hastings Street Ballroom this Friday the 22nd. Join us for an evening of art, ritual, magic and dance under a bewitching crescent moon. See you there!

We appreciate all those who came out and joined us at Dally In The Alley! Thank you for sharing your stories, photos, an...
09/11/2023

We appreciate all those who came out and joined us at Dally In The Alley! Thank you for sharing your stories, photos, and encouragement. We loved hearing about your favorite Theatre Bizarre memories, your costume ideas, and your hopes for the future. We are grateful to have a community to surround and uplift us, and strive to make a return worthy of all your support.
We are truly, eternally grateful.
Hail Zombo!

📸

Dally in the Alley!Come say Hi!Here til 11pm.
09/09/2023

Dally in the Alley!
Come say Hi!
Here til 11pm.

THIS WEEKEND! Saturday Sept 9th!Zombo may slumber, but his servants shall still be singing his praises at  with lots of ...
09/03/2023

THIS WEEKEND! Saturday Sept 9th!

Zombo may slumber, but his servants shall still be singing his praises at with lots of goodies from .emporium

Come by and say hello, mourn, carouse, console, and celebrate the Great Fool with us, and bring home some unholy vestment to honor His season.

See you there!

It is with deep regret that we announce the 2023 Theatre Bizarre season has been canceled.A double-booking at the Masoni...
07/21/2023

It is with deep regret that we announce the 2023 Theatre Bizarre season has been canceled.

A double-booking at the Masonic Temple has made an impossible situation that disrupts much of our main floor space, including our main entrance. We have a contract for the space and have been pressing for a resolution for some time. Unfortunately, it remains out of reach.

The Masonic Temple has been a tremendous partner for 11 years. We are hopeful this situation will be addressed and a glorious return produced in 2024.

To our dedicated leads, cast and crew who have been hard at work on performances, designs, and logistics, our hearts break with yours.

To our featured performers, who commit their time, vision and effort to their roles year-round, your immense talents will be sorely missed.

To our patrons from all across the country and beyond, whose experience has been denied, we share your disappointment and frustration.

To our many Detroit-area vendors and partners who will suffer a loss in revenue this year without this production, the impact this has weighs heavily on us.

This includes the Detroit Hostel, which we rent in its entirety for almost two weeks, caterers who will lose nearly $130,000 feeding our crew and patrons, the approximately $60,000 we spend on security, the Eastern Market farmer who will lose $15,000 in pumpkin sales, and the legendary Rocky Peanut Co., whose treats are enjoyed by our guests throughout the night. As well as the material suppliers, production houses, sound and lighting companies and countless other businesses that we rent from and work with. Not to mention the many Detroit-area hotels, restaurants and Uber and Lyft drivers that house, feed and transport nearly 10,000 patrons over the course of two weekends.

We appreciate all of you so much and could not have made it these 22 years without your passion, dedication, creativity, and blood, sweat and tears. With utmost commitment to each of you and the City of Detroit, we remain determined that The Greatest Masquerade On Earth will return in 2024.

With gratitude and love,

John Dunivant, Founder
Dawn Orebaugh, Controller
Maria Christian, General Manager
Zombo, Patron Saint

Address

500 Temple Street
Detroit, MI
48226

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