You’ve experienced Africa in April and Memphis in May, but are you ready for the “Sivads of March”?

The Sivads of March — a public tribute to the memory of the late Watson Davis, the Malco ad executive who, as Sivad, “the Monster of Ceremonies,” was the host of the “Fantastic Features” horror movie program on WHBQ-TV Channel 13 from 1962 to 1972 — will take place at various venues March 25-28, with movies, an art show, and a rock concert featuring the Reigning Sound.

Davis co-workers and family members are expected to attend, and rare film clips and Sivad “artifacts” will be displayed.

As the comically ghoulish Sivad, Davis — who died five years ago this March 23, at the age of 92  — was simultaneously beloved and frightening, with a community-wide popularity that transcended class and race in a way that perhaps was rivaled only by wrestler Sputnik Monroe and a few other entertainers. A 1963 appearance by Sivad at the Mid-South Fairgrounds attracted 30,000 fans, according to The Commercial Appeal.

Sivads of March highlights will include:

A “monster martini” opening ceremony and reception on March 25 at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, followed by an 8 p.m. screening of the 1958 horror masterpiece, “Night of the Demon.”

Screening of other films originally introduced by Sivad — including “The Giant Claw,” “A Bucket of Blood,” “From Hell It Came” and “I Was a Teenage Werewolf” — at the Brooks, March 26-28, along with a March 28 panel discussion featuring Sivad colleagues and experts. The famous “Fantastic Features” introduction will be shown before each film.

A “Sivad Art Show” at 7 p.m. March 26 at the Adam Shaw Studio, 2547 Broad Ave., featuring Sivad-inspired work by local artists.

“Li’l Film Fest 13” at 2 p.m. March 27 at the Brooks, featuring shorts created by local filmmakers that pay homage to Sivad and the tradition of TV horror hosts and scary movies.   (Entries still are being accepted: Visit livefrommemphis.com for more information.)

A March 27 concert featuring the Reigning Sound, the acclaimed band led by former Memphian and Sivad fan Greg Cartwright, at Nocturnal,  1588 Madison. The Reigning Sound’s latest album, “Love and Curses,” is named for a Sivad catchphrase, and the CD itself is imprinted with a picture of Davis’ vampiric alter ego.

For more, visit sivadsofmarch.com.

More Sivad!

Tags: Adam B. Shaw, Adam Shaw, art show, horror, lin workman, Memphis, Mid-South CArtoonists Association, MSCA, SIVAD, Watson Davis

Here are a few conventions and events members of the MSCA will be attending next year-

Shadowcon XIV

January 8th & 9th, 2010

Holiday Inn Select

2240 Democrat Road

Memphis, TN 38132

http://www.shadowcon.org/

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Midsouthcon

March 12-14, 2010

Whispering Woods Hotel and Convention Center

11200 Goodman Road

Olive Branch, MS 38654

http://www.midsouthcon.org/

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CGS Super Show

March 27 & 28, 2010

Greater Reading Expo Center

Reading, PA

http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/supershow/

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Cape Comic Con (Cape-Con)

April?

Cape Girardeau, MO

http://www.capecomiccon.com./

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Free Comic Book Day

May 1st, 2010

Comic Cellar

3620 Austin Peay HWY Ste 2

Memphis, TN 38128

http://www.comiccellaronline.com/

http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

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Phoenix Comicon (Cactuscon)

May 27-30, 2010

Phoenix Convention Center & Hyatt Regency

Downtown Phoenix, AZ

http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/

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Metropolis Superman Celebration

June 10-13, 2010

Metropolis, IL (off I-24 north of Paducah, KY)

http://www.supermancelebration.net/

I’ll add more as I get the info.

Lin

Tags: Adam B. Shaw, Cape Girardeau, CGS, comic, comic books, Comic Geek Speak, comics, Comics and Collectibles, dave beaty, free comic book day, Gail Simone, Janet Wade, jetta, kevin l williams, lin workman, martheus antone wade, Memphis, metropolis, Mid-South CArtoonists Association, midsouthcon, MSCA, muley, Phoenix, shadowcon

Here are a few pics from the “Harpe” signing at Comics and Collectibles this past Saturday.

Tags: Adam B. Shaw, bushi tales, Chad Kinkle, comic books, comics, Comics and Collectibles, Harpe, holiday, Janet Wade, jetta, martheus antone wade, Memphis, Mid-South CArtoonists Association, MSCA, Toshigawa

Looking for something fun to do on Friday night? There will be an art show on Friday, December 11, 2009, at the studio of Adam Shaw featuring some of his art in a show titled “The Heidi Series.” There will also be other artists on display, so be sure you show up! The show is at 2547 Broad Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112.

www.abshaw.com

But, the “Adam” fun times don’t end there! On Saturday, December 12, you can meet and greet with Adam Shaw, the artist of the new graphic novel, HARPE (about the first serial killers in the U.S.), at Comics and Collectibles from 2 – 4 p.m. Comics and Collectibles is located at 4730 Poplar Ave. #2 Memphis TN 38117.

http://www.memphiscomics.com/

But, wait! Your Saturday fun isn’t over just yet–you can also see Kevin Williams performing as Riverthing, the favorite mascot of the Mississippi Riverkings at the Desoto Civic Center. The game begins at 6:30 p.m. on December 12. If you’ve never been to a Riverkings game before, you should. Skate on down to the DCC and watch an awesome game, and if you show up and find Riverthing that night and mention you’re with the MSCA, you’ll get a special photo opportunity!!

www.muleythemule.com
www.riverkings.com/

Watch the MSCA site for frequent updates, like this week’s very fun text version of “Mule on the Street” when Muley the Mule interviewed none other than our own Sam Ray!  Ever wanted to know more about an original member of the MSCA?  Sam Ray is one of the guys to talk to.  If you missed his talk at the December dinner meeting, this is your chance to get caught up.

We’ll be looking for a speaking member in January, so if you are interested in discussing more about who you are and your work, technique, tools and business, send me an e-mail.  The next dinner meeting is January 7, 2010, at 7 pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza on Walker Ave., and would be the night you would speak.  And you know me:  If someone doesn’t volunteer I will have to appoint! 

(It’s weird to already be typing 2010!)

Now, to add some Holiday cheer, our good friend Sean Taylor (writer for such comics as Gene Simmons’ “Dominatrix”) has shared an e-mail with us regarding music from his very awesome band:

Happy holidays! Hope you’re having a relaxing and fun season. Maybe this will help. Enjoy two free mp3s from my musical past:

- The first, a Nothing Regal recording from 2006, a Ramones-esque version of “O Come All Ye Faithful”: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8441196

- The other, a Nothing Regal original, but an alternate recording, “So Long Awaited”: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8441194 (the CD version has Jeff singing lead, this is the demo version with me taking lead vox).

- And a bonus song, a cover of “Christmas Must Be Tonight”: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8441195 (this one just streams, no download, sorry)

Take care, and have an enjoyable celebration this season, no matter the name of it (except for you Festivus folks, ya’ll are nuts, heh).

Later,

—-
Sean Taylor
Writer & Editor

Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well,
Kevin and the Mule

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Hey gang-

The second part of the interview Wonton and I did with Shawn Pryor and Jon Carroll for The Black Box podcast is now available. We talk more about digital comics, distribution, web comics, Jetta, Bushi Tales, my B/W art show and Comic Whore site.

http://thepkdblackbox.podbean.com/

Type at ya later,

Lin

Tags: Adam B. Shaw, antone, bushi tales, CGS, comic, comic books, comics, Comics and Collectibles, dave beaty, free, jetta, Jon Carroll, kevin l williams, lin workman, martheus antone wade, Memphis, Mid-South CArtoonists Association, MSCA, muley, Riverkings, Sam Ray, Shawn Pryor, The Black Box podcast

Chad Kinkle will participate in some of these signings as well.

Visit our forums for more information.

Tags: Adam B. Shaw, Chad Kinkle, comic books, comics, Memphis, Mid-South CArtoonists Association, MSCA, serial killers, Tennessee