Join the Detroit History Club for a game night like nothin’ Detroit’s seen before. We are calling it “Beano for Halloween History” and it’s just that. A performance, a history talk, a giant game of Beano, and prizes galore! This is a old fashioned beano game (minus the cash prizes)- with a Detroit History Club twist. During the course of the game, different numbers will trigger Halloween history facts about that number: History night meets game night!Whether it’s N44 for the 44% of American’s who carved a jack o’ lantern last Halloween, or B3 for the number of times a former Detroit mayor’s body has been moved, we’ll deep dive the fun, freaky, and fighting history of Halloween in Detroit.
You see, Bingo has quite the history- In its earliest forms it can be traced back to 1530, to an Italian lottery called "Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia". From Italy, the game was introduced to France in the late 1770s, where it was called "Le Lotto", a game played among wealthy Frenchmen. The Germans also played a version of the game in the 1800s, but they used it as a child's game to help students learn math, spelling, and history.
When the game reached North America in 1929, it became known as "beano". It was a country fair game where a dealer would select numbered discs from a cigar box and players would mark their cards with beans. New York toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe renamed it "bingo" after he overheard someone accidentally yell "bingo" instead of "beano."
We’ll let you yell “Bingo” but reward you heavily if you remember to yell “Beano”!
Edwin S. Lowe hired a Columbia University math professor, Carl Leffler, to help him increase the number of combinations in his trademark bingo cards. By 1930, Leffler had invented 6,000 different bingo card combinations. They were developed so there would be fewer non-repeating number groups decreasing the heated conflicts that would arise when more than one person got Bingo at the same time.
The original Lowe and Leffler cards are still in print and we wouldn’t dream of using anything else!
The information you need to know:
This is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) event. Guests are welcome to bring their own alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages with them. Please no coolers larger than a lunch box.
No alcohol will be available for purchase.
Each guest will receive 3 games of Beano with a single bingo card per game.
Winners will receive prizes of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park made products, Detroit History Club swag, or gift cards to local establishments.
This is adult fun and intended for guests 21 years old and older.
Doors to open 1/2 an hour before ticketed time. We will play three rounds from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm with a short break for silliness.
What do I need to bring as a player?
Everything you need to play will be provided.
BYOB- see above
A great attitude
A lucky charm.
Many think that they are silly, pointless and just superstition, but almost 50% of modern bingo players have some sort of lucky charm or ritual that they believe will bring fortune their way. Feel free to bring your lucky charm for Bingo for History. Best lucky charms may win prizes.
All participants must be members of the Detroit History Club - Don’t worry it’s easy to join.
Buy or renew your Detroit History Club membership when purchasing your tickets: Membership is only $5 a year!
The Detroit History Club operates as a members-only club. We exist in the brightest of shadowy places. Holding expertly curated events out of private homes, hidden spaces, and secret locations. We welcome anyone to join our noble ranks... as long as they aren't an asshole.
We require all members to be over 21 years of age and generally friendly. You’ll need to join before being able to buy tickets to club events. Membership to The Detroit History Club is five dollars per person per calendar year. Each person attending an event must have a membership of their own. If you’re buying more than one membership please enter the other peoples names in the provided space. Membership cards will ship though the good ol’ United States post office within a week of ordering.
There is an oath but, it isn't secret. There are no hidden hand signals. There isn't a secret password. There aren't uniforms or badges for accomplishments. There are no ranks. It's just a damn fine group of people who salivate for the extraordinary, wallow in the weird, and absolutely love the stories of Detroit’s past. Won’t you join us?
These events are held at The Detroit History Club (3103 Commor St., Hamtramck, MI 48212) Parking is free on street parking along Commor St, and McDougal St. in front of the church and our building.
Event Venue
3103 Commor , Hamtramck, MI, United States, Michigan 48212
Tickets
