Are you curious about the things that go bump in the night? If you are, then you are probably tuning in this week for Part Two of my series on the local haunts of New Iberia, to find out what happened during our investigation last week at The Sliman Theater with Louisiana Spirits.
After we all got situated and signed our release forms, (because you know, ghosts) the lead investigator, Marci took to the stage to begin the training. What I loved most is her first training requirement: Do Not Run. We all had a giggle at that and I am not going to lie, as I sat there waiting for the class to start I was planning my way out in case, you know things got real. But as Marci explained, a bunch of us running in the theater in the dark would only exasperate the situation, so the best thing to do in any investigating is to remain calm and try to figure out what exactly was happening.
Marci then advised that they do not use any threatening or provoking language during an investigation. If you watch some of the paranormal shows on TV as I do, you know that some of the teams will do this to try and see if they get a reaction or can record any evidence. This is not part of the Louisiana Spirits protocol during any investigation they do, which I like.
Next, we were all asked to put our cell phones in airplane mode as they can interfere with the equipment that is being used. We talked a bit about some of the common ghost apps that most smartphones can download and how they are not truly reliable for gathering any evidence during an investigation. The one app Marci did recommend for any amateur hunters out there who may be interested is GhostTube SLS. This app will map on any object and even pictures or people on tv. According to Marci, it’s best to use it only if the figure performs acts for you. For instance…ask it to raise its right arm or right leg. Ask it to twice to make sure. I did not have it for this investigation, but I will for the next one I do!
 From left to right, Melinda, Marci, and Michele. Members of the Acadiana Chapter of Louisiana Spirits. Image by Tracie Ysaguire |
We then went over all of the equipment that was available for us to use that night while inside The Sliman Theater:
Dowsing rods
Rem pods
K2 meter
K2 latern
Mel-meter
Thermal camera
These items are standard tools for any investigator and I was excited to see them live and in person do their thing! As paranormal investigators, Marci explained they always try to debunk things that happen so they prefer to use their equipment in conjunction with one another for debunking purposes. For example, using dowsing rods along with K2 or rem-pod or balls.
I must say my favorite pieces of equipment are the ones that light up! These objects, like a toy race car and baby doll, have been repurposed into rem-pods and are used as trigger objects during the investigation. The only way they will light up is if they are directly touched. Boo-bell is one of the team's favorites, although I'll say she looks a little creepy with those blue eyes. Another popular item of the night was the light-up cat toy balls, (cat toys?) ... but more on that later.
 The famous Boo-Bell. Paranormal equipment used during the investigation of The Sliman Theater in New Iberia. Image by Tracie Ysaguire |
We then discussed terminology and the types of activity that Louisiana Spirits can encounter. Active locations, not haunted, is how Marci and her team refer to some of the places they investigate. We also discussed the difference between intelligent energy and residual energies in active locations.
After some more housekeeping items and Q&A, we were ready to begin our night! We broke out into 3 groups and as the team recommends, it is best to do your investigations in groups of 3 or 4 at the most. Marci, Melinda, and Michele each took some of the participants and we began to do our walk-through. Some investigated the stage area and behind it, while others were able to go next door to the Bayou Teche Museum, which is under renovation, to investigate in there.
I was with Marci, as she was training 2 new members of the New Orleans team and I got to see firsthand how they handle investigating. We started off in the front stage area, and after a few questions and quiet observation, we were not getting too much feedback. After a while, each of the three groups met up by the stage, shared our observations, and then switched up so each group could investigate other parts of the building.
I was excited to hear that the group with Michele in the museum was getting some responses, knocks, and bangs, as well as some equipment lighting up while asking questions. The group with Melinda behind the stage was using the dowsing rods and was able to get answers to some of the questions they were presenting as well.
I then headed with Marci and her team to the museum where we brought the light-up cat toys and K2 meter. Marci was leading the investigation and asking questions to anyone that was willing to answer. Lo and behold, those cat toy balls lit up 3 times right in front of me seemingly in direct response to some of Marci's questions. Remember, these small objects only light up if the button or antenna is touched. We also got some knocks and bangs in response to asking the question, "If anyone is here with us can you knock on something in the room to let us know?" I got a few goosebumps during that question-and-answer session as there was no one else in the room but us.
All in all, I must say I had a great time sharing stories with the other members of Louisiana Spirits and the folks who showed up to investigate The Sliman Theater last week. This investigation has definitely got me wanting to do some more! And with that being said, The Acadiana Chapter of Louisiana Spirits is planning on doing some more investigations around New Iberia over the next couple of months.
The Essanee Theater is next on the list this weekend and a future date is planned for the old post office on Main Street. These will strictly be investigations for the Acadiana Chapter but I am happy to tag along to report back to our New Iberia readers about any activity that is found during the investigations!
If you are interested in attending one of their classes, be sure to connect with Louisiana Spirits on Facebook and online to find out how you can join in.
Much thanks to Mark Boyance and Marcia Patout for allowing us into The Sliman Theater and The Bayou Teche Museum to do this class and investigation in New Iberia!
Stayed tuned for next chapter of New Iberia haunts!
