Mütter Museum to Host New Halloween Party, Replacing Mischief at the Mütter Event.

The Mütter Museum is set to reignite its Halloween celebrations with the return of its costume party, now rebranded as “Choreomania.” This new event draws inspiration from the historical phenomenon known as the dancing plague, which captivated the French city of Strasbourg in 1518. Two years have elapsed since the museum canceled its much-anticipated event, Mischief at the Mütter, a decision influenced by an evolving vision for the institution under previous leadership.

The Mütter Museum, renowned for its remarkable anatomical collection featuring rare pathologies, has faced questions about its identity and purpose. Former director Kate Quinn, who departed from her role earlier this year, sought to shift the museum’s focus from macabre themes related to death to a more balanced exploration of health and wellness. This pivot included the cancellation of film screenings and forensic exhibits, aiming to avoid any perception of spectacle or disrespect regarding the collections.

Historically, Mischief at the Mütter leaned heavily into the museum’s eerie reputation. It attracted attendees with stilt walkers, contortionists, and tarot card readers, all while encouraging patrons to walk amid its historical medical exhibits. The event, held annually since 2014, became a significant fundraising effort for the museum, frequently selling out.

With Quinn’s departure, a new leadership team comprised of Sara Ray, senior director of interpretation and engagement, and Erin McLeary, senior director of collections and research, is now at the helm. This new leadership is actively leaning back into the museum’s allure of morbid curiosity, which brings in over 100,000 visitors each year. Ray acknowledges the public’s appetite for Halloween-themed activities, considering it an opportunity to attract a diverse audience to the museum.

Choreomania is designed to blend entertainment with education, drawing from Ray’s academic research into the mysterious dancing mania. The 1518 incident in Strasbourg saw numerous residents engage in uncontrollable dancing, leading to serious health consequences, including exhaustion and dehydration. Despite various theories, the underlying cause of this phenomenon remains a historical mystery.

Promotional materials for Choreomania have been crafted in part from a graphic novel titled “The Dancing Plague,” authored by Gareth Brookes. The event will transform the College of Physicians of Philadelphia into a multisensory experience, featuring a dance floor, a light-and-sound installation, and a range of food and drink options available for purchase.

Attendees can expect to encounter performers portraying medieval doctors, with a