The Spirits of Poe: A Macabre Night at the Speakeasy

MACABRE NIGHT FOR 21+

As an English major, child of the ‘80s, and lover of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe has always held a special place in my Tell-Tale Heart. I memorized The Raven in 7th grade. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. I also wanted to name our new puppy at that time "Lenore” but was outvoted. Would you name a Bull Terrier “Peggy Sue”? She was more of a Lenore, I’m telling you. I’m also telling you that if you ever get the chance to check out the Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy, you should. 

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A traveling show and bar, four tales from the Master of the Macabre are told with spirit and spirits. Each story comes with a bit of history regarding the author and its own cocktail concoction: 

CHILLING SPIRITS ON THE ROCKS

• Pale Blue Eye—a blue vodka-based cocktail—is paired with the Tell-Tale Heart, just one of Poe’s stories of a descent into madness. 
• The Cat's Meow—bourbon, brandy, cream, and spices (reportedly one of Poe’s favorites)—goes well with the homey bliss of the tale of The Black Cat. 
• The Nevermore—a dark and dreamy vodka concoction—works into your senses just like the words of The Raven, told by the troupe’s matron.  

SEE ALSO:Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum: A Must-See in Lansing 

• The final drink, and story of the night was the Cocktail of the Red Death, paired of course, with Masque of the Red Death, Poe’s take on opulent hubris. 

MASTERS OF THE STAGE TAKE ON THE MASTER OF THE MACABRE

Like the ever-pour of the cocktails (see what I did there?!), the acting troupe kept the audience enthralled for the full 90 minutes. Masters of the craft and art of storytelling, the bards of the night delivered Poe’s words that would have made him...a little less melancholy at least.  

The audience, in turn, came prepared. Dressed in period costume and with a sense of hedonistic abandon, we threw ourselves into our role as the speakeasy patrons—eventually. Although, as was pointed out by the bards, Lansing seemed to believe that syphilis was the cause of Poe’s trauma and dismay. 

NO, SORRY, SYPHILIS IS INCORRECT

While tuberculosis was the right answer for most of the questions asked of us that night, the Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy was a great answer for a Friday night in Lansing. Thanks to UrbanBeat for being such a gracious host. I will forget this night...nevermore.