Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Zak Bagans may have creepiest piece yet
ZAK BAGANS does not creep out easily. But as he looks into the eyes of the newest display piece for his Las Vegas museum, he says, “This is creepy as hell. You can literally feel him looking back at you.”
That “him” is late mass murderer and cult leader Charles Manson.
Bagans, proprietor of Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum at 600 E. Charleston Blvd., has in his clutches a painting of Manson with Manson’s ashes in the eyes. This is a common medium for the painting’s artist, Ryan Almighty, who uses human blood (in this instance, his own) and human remains to create his artwork.
Bagans, host of Travel Channel’s paranormal investigation series “Ghost Adventurers,” received the painting at his Las Vegas attraction on Saturday morning. He is having it framed and plans to display the work beginning Wednesday.
Thus, the new Manson piece will be displayed alongside such items as Manson’s false teeth and art he created while in prison for 46 years until his death in November at age 83. Other works Bagans has displayed include a bloody Manson handprint, paintings made with Manson’s urine, and jewelry made from his hair and underwear.
But the posthumous painting is especially unsettling. Just gazing at a photo of the piece elicits chills.
“Obviously, this piece is a little more charged,” Bagans says. “It’s a little more creepy than most of the other objects.”
Bagans is certain of the authenticity of the materials used in the painting — specifically Manson’s remains — as his production company is developing a documentary about the cult leader’s life. Bagans has been working with Manson’s grandson, Jason Freeman, who won a legal tussle over possession of Manson’s body and organized his memorial service.
With Freeman’s consent, Bagans’ crew recorded footage at Manson’s funeral in March in Porterville, California. Manson’s body was cremated after the open-casket service, and his ashes were then spread across a creek bed. During that event, someone connected to Bagans’ production obtained Manson’s ashes, which were then presented to Almighty for the painting that will now hang in Bagans’ museum.
Bagans describes himself as simply a collector of a remarkable items particular niche — the creepy — and this painting fits ideally in his macabre empire.
“It gives you the chills,” he says, “and it is awesome.”
Case study at Mars show
Bruno Mars locked up our phones Friday night at The Park Theater. He didn’t take them personally, but enlisted the ushers at the venue to stuff all smartphones into locking “phone cozies” at start of the performance.
The phones, locked into cases provided by San Francisco company Yondr, were released (under the rules of mobile-phone probation, I believe) as the crowd filed out. I call these types of shows “pouched.”
Dave Chappelle was the first Strip headliner to pouch a show, in May 2017 at Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Chris Rock (also at The Park Theater) soon followed, along with such stars as Jack White (at Brooklyn Bowl) and Kevin Hart (at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas) who have also pouched performances.
MGM Resorts did provide a warning about this policy (without exactly trumpeting the information). From the Park MGM/Ticketmaster link for Mars’ shows: “No Refunds or Exchanges. No smoking, this includes vaping and e-cigarettes, no audio recorders/cellphones/smart watches/cameras/recording devices, and no outside food.”
A company spokeswoman said Saturday that it is the entertainers’ choice whether to pouch, or not to pouch.
But as always, read the small print.
Encore for Princess Leia
Carrie Fisher is offering one final performance as Princess Leia. Fisher’s iconic role is being reprised posthumously in the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode IX.” Film producers Disney and Lucasfilm have culled previously unreleased footage of Fisher, originally shot for the 2015 release “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” for one final performance.
Fisher’s family is applauding the decision to include her once more in the new “Star Wars” film.
“I couldn’t be more personally thrilled and happy that our Carrie will reprise her role as Princess Leia in the new and final ‘Star Wars Episode IX,’” her brother, Todd Fisher, said in a statement Saturday morning. “As we, her family, as well as her extended family of fans around the world so believe, Carrie’s Princess Leia is forever entrenched in the franchise and her indelible presence is fundamental to the film.”
Filming begins next week in London, and the film has announced a Dec. 20, 2019, release date. Contact John Katsilometes at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.