Ghosts Spotted at Florida Theatre, Paranormal Investigation to be Conducted by Local Haunts

Ghosts Spotted at Florida Theatre, Paranormal Investigation to be Conducted by Local Haunts

Historic performing arts venue in Jacksonville hosts local ghost-hunters for Halloween event

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- If you visit the Florida Theatre on October 31, you may have a strange encounter -- seeing a weird shadow in the balcony or meeting a long-deceased family member. Hosted by Steve Christian and Pamela Theresa of the hit CW17-TV show, "Local Haunts," the Certified Spiritual Medium, Christian, and Metaphysical Parapsychologist, Theresa, will be conducting a Paranormal Tour of the Florida Theatre from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

According to Technical Director, Saul Lucio, who has more than 30 years' experience at the historic venue, the Florida Theatre was built in 1926. However, he said, the location that the building currently occupies was the former site an unkempt police station.

"The 1920s brought significant real estate development and speculation to the city during the great Florida Land Boom. Hordes of train passengers passed through Jacksonville on their way south to the new tourist destinations of South Florida. When the theatre opened, Forsyth Street was known as 'theatre row;' there were half a dozen other theatres." Today, the Florida Theatre is the only original picture palace remaining in the downtown core.

Many believe the theatre is haunted by a deceased motion picture technician from the early days of the venue, but Mr. Lucio disagrees. "The idea that it was a motion picture technician is probably more a romantic notion than an historic fact due to the fact that at the time the theatre opened, it was the 15(th) - and most lavish - movie palace in Jacksonville," the theatre employee said.

During the Paranormal Tour, participants will be divided into groups and will have an opportunity to explore the main auditorium, backstage, and infamous "ghost chair." The team from Local Haunts will show participants how to use investigative equipment and lead them in their own paranormal investigation of the historic theatre.

Participants are encouraged to show up 15 minutes before their scheduled time and are urged to bring flashlights and cameras.

Mr. Numa Saisselin, President of the Florida Theatre, said the theatre is "thrilled to welcome the team from Local Haunts." "The paranormal group has previously visited the Florida Theatre and we are so happy to welcome them back again. The evening's investigation will be a terrific way for patrons to learn more about the 86 year old theatre's history, and, hopefully, experience something extraordinary," Mr. Saisselin said.

Tiffani Irish-Soutra, who serves as house manager for the Florida Theatre and is often in the theatre after shows late at night, reports some strange encounters.

"I've heard a strange humming sound which made the hair on the back of my neck stand up," Mrs. Irish-Soutra recalled. "I thought it was a bar refrigerator, so I unplugged it, but the humming noise continued." Mrs. Irish-Soutra said several of her employees have reported a strange-looking shadow in the balcony, and many picture takers have exposed strange lights in their photographs.

The house manager said she was excited about the special event and is looking forward to seeing what history the team from Local Haunts digs up.

"We're honored once again to have the opportunity to investigate the Florida Theatre," said Steve Christian. "We're excited to explore a multitude of reports surrounding paranormal activity in the theatre, and we're anxious to uncover the answers to many questions about the unexplained activity that's on so many people's minds."

About the Florida Theatre: The historic Florida Theatre first opened in 1927, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is managed and programmed by the Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, in a public/private partnership with the City of Jacksonville, which owns the building. Over 125,000 people a year attend music, dance, theatre, film and arts education programs at the theatre, resulting in an economic impact of over $7 million a year for downtown Jacksonville. For more information visit floridatheatre.com or call 904-355-ARTS.

About Local Haunts: Local Haunts is a television show created by Steve Christian airing Sundays at 9pm & 11:00pm on CW17 in Jacksonville. On Local Haunts, Steve Christian and spiritual medium Pamela Theresa investigate local paranormal hot spots for scientific evidence of paranormal activity. Christian and Theresa take their work seriously, but they manage to have a lot of fun in the process which is reflected in the show.

For more information on Local Haunts and hosts Steve Christian and Pamela Theresa, visit their website at http://www.localhaunts.com/http://www.yourjax.com/localhaunts. For tickets to this special Paranormal Tour and Investigation please call 904-355-ARTS or visit http://www.floridatheatre.com.

CONTACT: Vincent Iaropoli, 1-904-562-5983

SOURCE Florida Theatre

Florida Theatre

Web Site: http://www.floridatheatre.com


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