Magic lantern enthusiast David Francis, the Magic Lantern Society of the USA and Canada, and Indiana University’s departments of English and Communication & Culture have come together to bring you the Grand Optical Variety Show at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Friday.
The magic lantern was invented around 1659 and provided entertainment
Events include:
Thursday
NICKEL MADNESS, 8 pm in the IU Fine Arts Auditorium, 1201 E. Seventh St. A Gen-u-ine Nickel-o-deon Show, c. 1910, will be presented by “Professor” Russell Merritt with vocalists Mr. Sean Sharp and Ms. Shari Speer and Dr. Philip Carli at piano.
SEE the latest Travel Craze from France, M. Georges Melies A TRIP TO THE MOON. HEAR history-in-the-making, in “The Assassination of President McKinley!” Chase the villains down, in D.W. Griffith’s thrill-a-minute animate picture, “The Girl and Her Trust!”
Friday
A MAGIC LANTERN SPECTACULAR, 7:30 pm, direct from our National Finest Cities, Canada and the Capitals of Europe, a 19th-century MULTI-MEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA and Magic Lantern Spectacular at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
SEE the Eclipse of the Moon with an Astronomical “Professor.” BASK in the Moving Colors of the Saucy Serpentine Dance. MARVEL at the Artistry of America’s First Screen Artist, Joseph Boggs Beale. SING ALONG to Rousing Favorites of the Variety Stage. And much more!
All with: LIVE PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT by World-Famous Dr. PHILIP CARLI! Chief Lanternist “Professor” Terry Borton, utilizing the Magnificent Bi-Unnial Lantern! Chief Lantern Assistant and lovely lady, Mme. Debbie Borton, handling original, authentic and handmade slides!
Tickets are available at the Bus-Chum box office, 812-323-3020. General admission is $9; seniors, children and students are $7. Doors open at 7 pm.
Saturday
PICTURE THE SONGS, 8 pm in the IU Fine Arts Auditorium. Picture the Songs! Victoriana meets Americana in a Grand & Glorious Pastiche of AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC & LIVE-MODEL ILLUSTRATED SONG SLIDES in the Ragtime Era. See some of the earliest and most obscure glimpses of soon-to-be-stars of the silent movies. This all-ages program features a fabulous troupe of singers and musicians from around the country and across the globe.
Sunday
STEAMBOAT BILL, 7 pm at the Indiana Memorial Union’s Whittenberger Auditorium, see Buster Keaton’s classic 1928 comedy “Steamboat Bill Jr.” Features live piano by film accompanist and IU alum Philip Carli.
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