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Tampa Theatre Recheck

1/7/05

The Tampa Theatre remains one of the SPIRITS most active areas of investigation. A new group of members recently explored the theatre's spectra side when a local television news show called upon us to demonstrate our skills. Once again, the spectral energies present hailed our visit.

The conditions were not typical for the group and the methodology of research was much more relaxed than our standard investigations. We arrived in the area around 3 p.m. in the afternoon, which is not a high time for ghostly activity. Because the staff started to arrive around 4, we had only a short window of opportunity to see what we could find in as vast an area as Tampa Theatre. Plus, there was the additional pressures of the media crew; ghosts are notorious for their shyness when the camera is on.

Sensitives in the group reported immediate phenomena upon walking through the front gate and into the lobby. A cool breeze greeted us and standing on the stairwell was a male presence dressed in uniform. At first, one sensitive thought it was an old Army uniform, perhaps from the Civil War days. However, she revised that idea; the man was dressed as an old time movie usher.

Moving to the second floor, sensitives felt called to the lobby area near the bathrooms. In this area the EMF trifield meter began a series of spikes, moving from .6 to 1.2 on the scale. The spikes continued to occur on and off; timing them indicated that they were sporadic and most likely not produced by anything electronic. The entity that contacted us here was amazing. Referred to as the "Lady in White" or the "Lady in Waiting" she was the most active of the spectral energies that afternoon. She often waited on the balcony for a loved one that she was looking for and went by the name of "Jesse." It was sensed that she was a woman of expensive tastes and possibly referred to herself as "Jezebel," an unusual self-reference. She lived in the 1800's and died around 1920. According to what sensitives picked up, she was hit by a horse and buggy while waiting for her fiancé, for whom she still waits.

While filming the session with a video camera in infrared mode, one person captured a "rod," or an orb on film. These images appear as elongated shapes that move very rapidly; to view the image clearly it must be slowed down via computer. Rods often moves in a way contrary to dust or insects, making sweeping arches in space. This particular rod appeared behind the director of the news crew who had walked up. As he stood in the doorway, the spirit shot past him, moving from the upper left of the screen behind him then disappearing from view.

This woman continued to work with the group. As we moved through the second floor to the projection booth a sensitive felt that the ghost stood in the window and often gazed down at the audience. One orb image was captured in the projection area and appeared to match the other orbs photographed at the stairwell.

The SPIRITS left the booth and moved down to the second floor where the team split up. Part of the team worked with the news crew while the other explored the stage area. The woman's spirit followed with; she began to dance on the stage. The stage group requested that Jesse "dance with them" and took a series of pictures. Again, powerful orb images matching those taken earlier in the investigation appeared in the frame.

The most remarkable aspects of this investigation, outside of the rods and a very communicative spirit, are the orb images themselves. Though different digital cameras were in use, orb images throughout the theatre were consistent. The orbs appeared multi-dimensional and had a cross-shaped nucleus. They manifested in areas where activity had happened before or continues to happen during the SPIRITS time there. Their unique appearance matched with other readings and events taking place and indicates that they hail from a common source.

Another unusual result of the investigation is that this particular entity manifested. Tampa Theatre is a known haunt of "Fink Foster," one of the long time projectionists. No book mentions a woman within the walls of this Mediterranean-styled marvel. However, twice she has manifested for the SPIRITS. The first group, who "met" Fink, also experienced her. She was described as sitting in the second floor balcony wearing a fancy light-colored dress and smelling of perfume. Could this be the same woman? If so, then she is a long term resident.

Her identity is not known by the staff at the theatre, her true story is a mystery. She simply appears to sit and wait for her beloved to come for her. At least she is in good company and well entertained in the process. What better place to wait in eternity than the ever-changing venue of the Tampa Theatre?

cindy's report

tampa theater 1-7-05

2:50 p.m.

walked into the front doors and got a rush of cold air. was greeted by a man in uniform (soldier maybe but i don't think so more like a old time movie usher uniform). possibly named roger. walked into the area where the concestion stand is and looked up and was welcomed by a woman around 17-25 years of age. possibly named amanda or mandy walked into the projection room and new that there was another being in there with us that stood by the 2nd camera thing with the tarp on it looking out at the audience. (Older man) would like to come back when we have more time to investgate more throughly. here are my pictures from this site:

#1-- orb between candles and bust

#2-- faint orb on the right of the light just in the middle of the molding. #3-- 2 orbs in the midddle of the stage. #4-- faint orb on the left of the door. #5-- faint or in the middle of the picture just on the edge of the curtains

END OF REPORT

Tampa Theatre

1/7/05

Brandy's report

SPIRITS present:  Brandy, David, Cindy, Denise, Amy

Others present: Cameraman, producer, Tara, different staff from the theatre, though they did not interact with us for the investigation.

Time:  3  4:30 p.m. (awkward for an investigation, and also remarkably short for such an investigation, but still able to yield results).

Due to the time constraints, David, Cindy, Denise and Amy went through the theatre for a few minutes on their own.  I was present on the first investigation.  This was not as tight or as well organized as I would have liked it to be, but the sheer size of Tampa Theatre, and trying not to tip my hand to the others, who came completely cold (not reading the site, etc.) made this difficult.  There were added distractions with the camera crew.

We stayed together as a group.  We started on the second floor.  Denise felt drawn to the area of the men's room.  There she and Cindy both stated they felt that there was a woman waiting at the Theatre when we first arrived; Denise called her a Lady in White, or a Lady in Waiting.  She had a long white dress on and stood on the balcony.  She was very welcoming and was waiting on a loved one.  She went by the name Jezebel, "Jesse".  Her last remembrance was in the 1920s.  She lived in the 1800s. 

During this session, my EMF (0-3 range) meter started to register a series of spikes.  They went from .6 to 1.2 twice, there was a pause, then once, then a pause, then once.  I asked David if he would time the seconds between the spikes to make sure that it wasn't something mechanical.  For the next 3 spikes, again within the same range, David timed 15 seconds, 10 seconds, and 24 seconds. 

I used my video camera to record this session.  Upon review (post investigation) I was aiming my camera toward the door in the narthex outside the men's room.  Denise was talking with Jesse.  The producer came to stand in the doorway.  A rod shoots behind him and across the doorway; the video was viewed by others of the SPIRITS team who also believe it is a rod image. 

I asked how she died; Denise answered that a horse and buggy hit her.  She was waiting for her fiancé. 

Cindy asked who "Rodger" was; both David and Denise stated they had picked up a male involved with the military.  David thought it was military; Cindy later said she thought he was in an usher's uniform. 

We continued up into the projection room.  There we got some orb images; Denise said that she felt the Lady liked to look down on the audience from the projection booth; she thought some people who came to the theatre could look up and see her, too. 

Denise was also called down to the stage.  At one point, when I was not present, she sensed the lady coming to the stage and twirling around.  She asked the spirit to dance for her; Amy, who was coming on the stage, also started to dance.  Denise took pictures; orbs appeared above and in front of Amy as she danced on the stage. 

Post investigation:  review of Denise's pictures shows several orb images; enlargement of the orbs show a consistent pattern. Each orb has a cross in the center of it, and a swirl around the middle.  Denise also captured what appears to be an orb that is moving in front of the stairs; one orb makes a "Q" pattern.

In my images, I had two orbs. Due to the constraints and my own distraction, I did not take many pictures of the theatre.  I believe I took a total of 15 pictures.  Of those pictures, two had orbs in them.  One orb was a bit flat and could be explained as dust.  The other, however, showed up in the projection room.  It was bright and three-dimensional; with a possible cross nucleus and textured wrap. 

Upon review of the video, I discovered two rod images.  One (discussed above) was during a time of activity.  The second was at the end of the investigation.  Denise and David were being interviewed; I walked alone to the second floor Mezzanine (where I had a prior experience).  As I pan across the room a rod bounces at the bottom of my camera's lens.

I read the original report.  I was stunned to re-read that both Lee and Karen sensed a woman during the first investigation.  She was described as wearing a long dress, frilly, and she also had perfume.  She hung out in the second floor balcony, and she also created EMF.  I had forgotten any details of the first investigation, other than a female entity who had a perfume smell on the second floor balcony.  I was stunned that so many on the second investigation seem to have sensed the same persona.

Tampa Theatre

Friday, January 7, 2005

Report by David Michaels, written January 13, 2005.

This investigation was a little different from most.  For one of our members, Brandy, this was a repeat visit.  The rest of us had never been there before in an investigative capacity.  (I had seen a couple shows at the Tampa Theatre before, but went as a satisfied customer rather than a paranormal investigator.)  Aside from Brandy, we went in "cold," not knowing what to expect or where to focus our attention.

Well, sort of.

Joining us was Craig Patrick and his camera man from the Fox 13 News team.  The movie "White Noise" was released that day.  Fox 13 wanted to do a local spin on things, seeing what real ghost hunters do.

So having the extra camera around made things a little different than usual, although they gave us the freedom to go off on our own and do what we needed to do.  However, we were on strict time constraintsand the Tampa Theatre is no small place.

We didn't have time to fully follow standard investigation protocol.  Those of us who went in "cold" did some personal exploring and investigating, without any specific direction.  We made notes and collectively decided what areas to focus our limited time on.  One area in particular was the projection booth area, that apparently had paranormal activity in the previous investigation.  Personally, however, I did not notice any such activity there at this time.

We did, however, end up sitting in a small lobby area just outside the men's bathroom.  There we seemed to pick up more activity.  The sensitives in the group confirming picking up a female entity, a "lady in waiting" as she was described.  Myself and another sensitive, Denise, also identified a military figure when we first arrived.  We didn't "hear" or "see" from him since, though.  I make mention of it, however, because both Denise and I sensed this male military figure at the same time and placebut didn't mention it to each other until later in the investigation.

The team picked up interesting orb images in several of their photos.  In particular, one orb seemed to follow us around.  When zoomed in on the image, we noticed that the orb had a unique pattern and texture.  It remained consistent in other orb images throughout the theatre.

Craig Patrick interviewed a few of us and got some additional video footage for his report.  It would be broadcasted later that night, at 10pm.

This was our first time dealing with the news media on this level.  We were a little hesitant, concerned the news broadcast may make fun of us or inaccurately report information.  We were very pleased, however, with the professionalism and respect shown by Mr. Patrick and his camera man.  The news report was handled very respectfully and professionally, treating the subject matter fairly and honestly.  I'd be more than happy to work with Craig Patrick and his crew again, should our paths ever cross again in the future.

So is the Tampa Theatre haunted?  Perhaps one of the theatre staff put it best when they said to me, "I'm not saying it is, I'm not saying it's not.  But if you see something, don't say I didn't warn you."

Whatever you believe, pay a visit to the theatre and enjoy one of their shows.  The building is beautiful and worth a visit, whether you believe in ghosts or not.

# # #

Tampa Theatre

By: Denise

It is always nice to have a paranormal investigation to attend, but it is even better when the place that you are going is so appealing to the eyes.  This was my first thoughts as I walked into the Tampa Theatre.  What a lovely and inviting place.  Not only was the architecture beautiful and inviting, but so were the many spirits that stood on the entrance balcony greeting us with open arms.

At 245 pm, Brandy, Amy, David, Cindy and myself began touring the theatre in hopes to see a show.  Not any type of show, but ones with see through guests.  Upon entering, I immediately saw a female with long dark hair standing on the balcony looking down at us.  She wore a white, or pale colored long dress from the late 1800's to early 1900's.  She was thought of as the "Waiting Lady".  Next to her was a thinner older man in a military uniform.  I could feel other energy on the balcony, but could not place a face with it. 

As we began walking the theatre, I felt as if the female would run a head of us in attempt to stay just out of our grasp.  It appeared that she was somewhat frightened of us and did not know what we were wanting from her.  While in the projection room, I felt as if she stood in one of the windows watching the shows.  She would peer down at the audience taking in all of the newness and energy from the crowds.  I also felt that many bystanders have seen her in the window.

As we continued exploring the theatre, I was drawn to the second floor men's restroom.  I felt that she was there and wanted to speak.  At this point, we attempted a conversation with her.   I picked up that she was born in the later part of 1800 and had a fiancé.  She was very much in love and still looking for him as we spoke.  I believe that she was considered a "Jesse belle" from the other women in the town due to her being flaunted over by the local men.  They would give her extravagant gifts and she wore them with pride.  Other women were very jealous. 

One day she was walking across the dirt street and was struck by a horse and buggy.  Thus, her young life was abruptly ended.  It appeared that she knew she was deceased, but was in no hurry to go anywhere.  She longed for her fiancé, but enjoyed the theatre.  During the conversation with her, many questions were asked.  Each time I would receive an answer the EMF meter that Brandy had would spike.  It was as if her energy was answering yes or no through the meter. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, we were walking towards the stage.  Amy had started up the stairs to the stage when I got the distinct feeling that the female, who I called "Jesse" was standing on stage twirling.  I quickly and verbally asked her to dance for me.  Amy also replied asking her to dance.  I took a digital picture and received what appears to be orbs in the exact spot I had sensed her dancing.  Coincidence? Imagination & dust?  Either way it still left me with interesting and lasting thoughts.

The theatre was a beautiful and interesting place to investigate and hopefully it will remain a place for lost or waiting spirits to enjoy some of their afterlife.

Brandy's picture

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Amy's picture:

Cindy's picture:

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