In 1892, three cabaret-restaurants in Paris’ Montmartre district began enrapturing tourists with grotesque portrayals of death in the afterworlds of Hell, Heaven, and Nothingness. Each had specialized cuisines and morbid visual displays with flashes of nudity and shocking optical illusions. These death-themed amusements soon gained popularity in America—from Worlds Fair attractions to Coney Island’s disaster spectacles—attracting throngs of curious Victorians. Join author, curator, and photographer Joanna Ebenstein for this illustrated talk as she explores the intersections of death and culture through the death-themed cabarets of Paris and situating them within the context of Victorian America.

This event also features three short films by director Ronni Thomas detailing the history of three death themed amusements of the era.

This program is one in a series of Victorian-themed Twilight Talks.

Tickets are free; donations are encouraged. Become a member today to help us continue to offer free programs for all to enjoy.

Please call 617-994-6678 for more information.

The link for the webinar will be included in the order confirmation for this program.

Register here.