Bring the family to see the ultimate haunted house, the Field Museum, and see “Vodou: Sacred Powers of Haiti,” opening October 24, and stay at the nearby and affordable Chicago Lake Shore Hotel!
It is Halloween so you may be thinking, zombies, evil spells, pins stuck in dolls’ eyes and witches singing Bill Shakespeare’s song, “By the pricking of my thumbs…” But “Vodou: Sacred Powers of Haiti,” takes you beyond the Hollywood and pulp fiction stereotypes of Haitian culture and explores Vodou as a spiritual and vital force in the everyday activities of its followers.
Vodou, in fact, reflects the triumph of the Haitian people over slavery, very much the way Negro spirituals served as coded messages to escaping slaves, in the Underground Railroad days in this country’s history.
“Vodou: Sacred Powers of Haiti,” introduces to you the “Lwa,” the spirits who represent love, sensuality (hide the kids’ eyes) and the courage of brave warriors. Get a look inside the workroom of a Vodou secret society. See and hear a ritual possession ceremony. Actual Vodou practitioners will tell stories of their faith and talk with you about your religion and the common ground between cultures.
Oh yes, and the Field Museum has mummies (but no daddies) and other spooky stuff to explore!
The FieldMuseum is located at 1400 SouthLakeShore drive. For more information, call (312) 922-9410.
Make your Field Museum experience more enjoyable by staying at the Chicago Lake Shore Hotel, in Hyde Park. Chicago Lake Shore offers free shuttle bus service to and from the Loop area and is close to bus and train services. The Lake Shore Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. AND Jazz, Friday nights.