Upcoming Events
Charles Dickens: Ghost Hunter
Charles Dickens’ ghost story, A Christmas Carol, is one of the most well known and beloved all of supernatural tales. But Dickens wrote a number of ghost stories and was himself a paranormal investigator who even took part in some of the earliest ghost hunts. Join supernatural historian and folklorist Ursula Bielski for this fascinating look at the true events—both natural and supernatural--that inspired some of Dickens’ darkest tales.
Supernatural Folklore of Chicagoland Cemeteries
From "death chairs" and moving monuments to some of the nation's most famous ghosts, America's cemeteries host some of the country's most enduring and intriguing folklore. Explore the strange tales from America's burial grounds with Ursula Bielski, author of "Graveyards of Chicago" and eleven other books of supernatural history. This is a non-credit online course through Harper College. Attend from anywhere in the world. To register, click below:
Rock Island Paracon
You can watch a video presentation from me during the Rock Island Paracon on October 5th! More info below . . .
2024 SUPERNATURAL SUMMER CAMP ONLINE!
Join Ursula Bielski and WORLD OF THE SUPERNATURAL for an exciting one-day online seminar featuring some of the best researchers from the paranormal world! We’ll look at ghostlore and cemetery history during seven hour-long presentations by authors, ghost hunters and more during the 9am to 5pm CT event. You’ll get a chance for Q&A with our speakers and we’ll have giveaways throughout the day. A single ticket gets your entire household access to the event—family members can log in from multiple devices. And you’ll get recordings of all the sessions to re-watch and save to your video library. A great way to attend if you can’t make the day of the event, too! Only 40 tickets will be sold to maintain quality. Don’t wait!
ONLINE COURSE: Ghosts of Route 66
For generations Americans have sought adventure on one of the world's most famous roads: Route 66. But there's a dark side to the neon diner signs and sunshine-soaked stretches of desert highway. Author and Ghostlorist Ursula Bielski is your driver for a haunted, historic trip down the Mother Road, where you'll search for ghosts at an uncanny Chicago hotel, the notorious Joliet Prison, Meramec Caverns, Santa Monica Pier and many more of the old road's most notorious sites, meeting some of America's most infamous characters along the way. Offered through Harper College online. One session.
ONLINE COURSE: occult Aspects of the UFO Enigma
Join thirty-year paranormal investigator, historian, and author Ursula Bielski for a look into the strange personalities and practices behind the UFO enigma. We'll look at the ties between Alisteir Crowley, L. Ron Hubbard and Jack Parsons--the brain trust of the Jet Propulsion Laboratories. We'll look at how some of the most compelling phenomena of the UFO movement--including the explosion of "contactee" and "abduction" experiences--were reportedly initiated by Ouija boards and ancient conjuring. And we'll delve into the shrouded myth of the so-called Collins Elite: a group of government agents who reportedly vowed to stop the American government from a diabolical pact with fraudulent extraterrestrials.
The Haunting of Joliet Prison
Join Ursula at the Elwood-Manhattan Public Library as she takes you through the dark history of the prison, the escapades of its most notorious inmates, the truth about the old prison cemetery, and the ghosts of the prison today.
To register: https://allevents.in/manhattan/the-haunting-of-joliet-prison/200025556585735
The Unnervingly Unexplained with Ursula Bielski
Author and 35-year veteran ghost hunter Ursula Bielski will share chilling tales from places like Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, Hull House, the Congress Hotel, and more. Her paranormal adventures are guaranteed to get you in the mood for a hair-raising Halloween. At Edgebrook branch of the Chicago Public Library.
How to Attend
This event takes place in person. Masks are strongly encouraged in all CPL locations. Questions about visiting the library? Check out our Using the Library FAQs.
Accessibility
Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.
For more information: https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/650b4379c0db8d2800d177e6
THE DEVIL IN DREAMLAND: Occult Origins and Engines of the UFO Enigma Livestream Course
Course Description
Investigation into the UFO phenomenon has grown into one of the most enigmatic and controversial movements in human history. In our age of AI and a new mission to the moon, its scientific trappings cloak the phenomenon in modern garb, with a wide appeal to secular forward-thinkers. But peeling back the layers, the true origins and engines of "Ufology" are soon revealed to be ancient indeed, drawing on the tenets and tools of Spiritualism, Theosophy, Black Magic, Mysticism and more.
Join thirty-year paranormal investigator, historian, and author Ursula Bielski for a look into the strange personalities and practices behind the UFO enigma. We'll look at the ties between Alisteir Crowley, L. Ron Hubbard and Jack Parsons--the brain trust of the Jet Propulsion Laboratories. We'll look at how some of the most compelling phenomena of the UFO movement--including the explosion of "contactee" and "abduction" experiences--were reportedly initiated by Ouija boards and ancient conjuring. And we'll delve into the shrouded myth of the so-called Collins Elite: a group of government agents who reportedly vowed to stop the American government from a diabolical pact with fraudulent extraterrestrials.
Chicago's Irish Ghosts: A World of the Supernatural Livestream Lecture
Banshees, Bishops and Bootleggers . . .
Wear the green and join us for an Irish odyssey through Chicago's haunted history, where author and ghostlorist Ursula Bielski shares tales of Irish Chicago’s phantom-infused heritage brew. From the haunted rectory of Bishop Muldoon to Francis Leavy’s “Hand of Death” . . . from the ghostly builders of the I&M Canal to the curse of Cap Streeter . . . from the night the Devil came to Bridgeport to the ruthless specters of the Northside Irish Mob . . . you’re sure to get in the spirit of the season with these chilling tales and more.
Tickets are $10 per household pass (unlimited devices)! Want a free ticket? Check out the info below the button!
(You’ll get a recording of the lecture afterwards too, in case you can’t make the livestream or want to re-watch it later or share it with family members).
Psssst! . . .You can get a FREE pass to this lecture and EVERY monthly lecture when you join my Patreon community at the $15 level at this link!
Livestream Lecture: Guns & Roses: Chicago's Valentine's Day Ghost Stories
Valentine's Day means chocolates, flowers, diamonds, and...ghosts? In Chicago, February 14th conjures up much more than champagne spirits. In fact, the ghosts of love and crime populate some of the city's most infamous supernatural stories. From the ghost called Resurrection Mary (a dancing date gone very bad indeed), the phantoms of the ill-fated marriages of the "Sausage Vat Murderer" and H.H. Holmes’ The Devil in the White City, to the restless specters of Chicago gangland, such as John Dillinger, Bugs Moran, and the victims of Al Capone's well-known "St. Valentine’s Day Massacre". Historian, folklorist, and paranormal researcher Ursula Bielski (author of twelve books on America's haunted history) introduces you to the supernatural side of Valentine's Day, Chicago style!
Sign up through Mc Henry County College. $12 per student.
Livestream Lecture: The Brown Lady & Supernatural Norfolk
Join Ursula Bielski for a deep dive into the story of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall and other chilling tales of England's Norfolk region, home of some of the most classic of all English ghost stories. During this 1.5-hour online event, Ursula will share stories of this fabled region through lecture and slides via the Zoom platform. You'll learn the tragic backstory--or was it?--of the Brown Lady (the "ghost on the staircase") and uncover the history of how the photo came to be taken . . . and what researchers and photography experts have said about it over generations. Along with the Brown Lady, we'll look at many other fascinating tales of Norwich, including the Maid's Head Hotel, Cromer Pier. Thetford Priory and Castle Rising, and others. And we'll learn the bizarre story of the "Scole Experiment"--considered by many to have resulted in "proof" of ghosts. Get tickets for this livestream event at Eventbrite here!
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