Contemporary media are abuzz with talk about the dark side of fairy tales that recent films and television programs have discovered. Despite shows such as Grimm and modern adaptations of classic tales like “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Sleeping Beauty,” the dark side of fairy tales is darker still.

Reading little-known tales from the Brothers Grimm and oral tradition, Wayne State Professor Donald Haase will shed light on fairy tales depicting homicide, infanticide, suicide, cannibalism and child abuse. We will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at HopCat Detroit's Huma Room in Midtown Detroit. The presentation begins at 6 p.m.

Haase is professor of German and associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University. He received his Ph.D. in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research on German, French, English, and American literature and film spans texts from the 18th century to the present.

Knowledge on Tap consists of live — and lively — discussions with some of Detroit’s greatest minds. The events, held bimonthly at various Midtown restaurants and bars, feature an informal presentation by a distinguished Wayne State faculty member on a topic of their choice, followed by dynamic conversation.

All Knowledge on Tap events are free, open to the public — all ages welcome — and require no educational background.

HopCat is located at 4265 Woodward Avenue. RSVP is requested.