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 . . .

Click to continue reading]]> 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!