Todd Ray is freaking out, and with good reason. And while rumors swirled that the building was being emptied to make way for Snapchat, a spokesperson for the Venice-headquartered tech firm Sunday firmly denied that. Todd Ray, known professionally as T-Ray, is an American record producer and mixing engineer, known for producing Cypress Hill 1993 single "I Ain't Goin' Out Like That" and having founded the Venice Beach Freakshow in 2006, as well as creating and executive producing the TV Series Freakshow for AMC . And the new owner of the building is ironically named Snapshot Partners. Amir Edwards, known locally as Devil Man, has lived in Venice since 1997. ", City News Service; Photo courtesy of Paul Zollo (Patch Poster). They were not particularly good neighbors, said Fran Solomon, a raspy-voiced four-decade resident of Venice who was a member of the original Venice community council. LAWeekly Instagram: Featuring the culture of LA since 1978 , Relationship with the Victim* The two were worth billions before either hit the age of 30. To create the razor bed, Todd, Morgue, and Asia visit Rick Lazzarini, a special effects artist. An insane photo tour of the Venice Beach Freakshow, subject of the AMC reality series 'Freakshow' . "The Tallest American," has moved to California and ended his relationship with his girlfriend Diane. Update: As of summer 2017, the Freakshow is closed. [3][4] It was announced in April 2013 that the series had been renewed for a second season, which premiered on May 6, 2014. A Snap spokesman responded to these and other criticisms by pointing to a list of Snaps philanthropic efforts with underserved communities in Venice, work the company has been modest about promoting in the public sphere. Creature tries to reunite with his estranged five-year-old daughter. Thanks, Gentrification | L.A. Weekly", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Todd_Ray&oldid=1105504566, "The Show Ain't Over Till the Fat Man Swings", co-produced w/ J. Diamond Washington & Stewart Harris, Back To The Grill (12") Back To The Grill (Remix) Def Jam Recordings 1992, Losin' Myself (12") Losin' Myself (T-Ray's Atlantic 1992, Our House (12", Promo) Turnstyle Records 1992, Sexual (CD, Maxi) Sexual (Safe Sex Mix), Big Beat 1992, From The Brick Jungle (12") Bitch Control (Da Fell Big Beat 1993, I Ain't Goin' Out Like That (12") Hits From The Bong Ruffhouse Records 1993, Judgment Night (Music From The Motion Picture) (12") Just Another Victim (T Epic 1993, Just Another Victim (CD, Promo) Epic 1993, Swim (CD, Single, Ltd) Swim (T. Ray H2O Mix) Columbia 1993, The Program (12") The Program (Soul Assa Mercury 1993, We Ain't Goin' Out Like That (12") Hits From The Bong (T- Ruffhouse Records 1993, Who's The Man? Check out the Venice Beach Freak Show! [1] Using his portion of the sponsorship money, T-Ray began building his record collection, which provided a solid foundation for his budding production skills. The same tape that I had played for the trees in Lancaster, South Carolina. You can buy the property, but you cant buy Venice Beach and its spirit, he told The Argonaut. In early 2017, the company leased a 300,000-square-foot space at a business park near the Santa Monica airport and announced it would be subleasing roughly half of its space in Venice. People come to Venice because they love the character and uniqueness of it, and then they change it., Snapchats Disappearing Act Leaves Venice Beach Searching for Its Future, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/style/snapchat-venice-resistance.html. Freakshow 2014 TV-14 Reality Being a freak is a family affair for Todd Ray, who owns and operates the world-famous Venice Beach Freakshow with his wife and two children. For now, Market Street is a ghost town, Mr. Rago said approvingly. LOS ANGELES For a lot of Venice die-hards, the thing that irked them most about Snapchat was the security guards. Locals would run up and demand free food. He went on to produce an entire album for Double X, with 'Not Gonna Be Able To Do It" (1992) becoming his first video. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. I walked down there the other night, its like Mad-Max Thunderdome, said Mr. Hawkins, the former neighborhood council member. Asia wants to expand her electric act by a deadly Tesla coil stunt. His parents divorced when he was a teenager. CONGRATULATIONS to Jessa, our Beautiful Bearded Lady, and her husband Paul. Snapchats reported building buy-up of funky Venice Beach frustrates Ray, and not just because he believes its forcing him to pack up and move. To create the razor bed, Todd, Morgue, and Asia visit Rick Lazzarini, a special effects artist. But with Snaps exodus, what comes next? The Amazing Boobzilla performs at the show; Ali goes through surgery. That remains a mystery, but supporters of the Freakshow note that everyone in the Ocean Front Walk building that houses the attraction is being evicted -- except Snapchat. "You can buy the property, but you can't buy Venice Beach and its spirit," Ray told the paper. [6] Snapchat denied these claims, stating that they are unaffiliated with Snapshot Partners and was uninterested in the floor of the property in which the Freakshow was housed. A chronicle of life at California's Venice Beach Freakshow, a repository for unique performers, creatures and artifacts, begins with proprietor Todd trying to recruit a living giant and a. He made a name for himself on the Venice Boardwalk in California, where he became known for performing dangerous stunts including sword swallowing and regurgitation. Parts of that will not change. Ive seen my community grow less diverse, said Robert Lopez, 61, a journalist and Venice resident of 25 years. If everyone would just hold that idea in their heart, then in fact the Freakshow will still be alive. It may not be a Snap, Amazon, Google or Facebook that comes in, said Jeff Pion, a vice chairman at CBRE based in Los Angeles. As he, Asia and Morgue discuss the expansion, Todd reveals plans to separate Asia and Morgue and have one perform in Vegas while the other stays in Venice Beach. In the meantime, the local commercial real estate market is holding its breath, expecting, at some point, for other start-ups to snatch up the post-Snap spaces. Homeless encampments have sprouted on the sidewalk. Todd tries to organize a pop-up show at a suburban mall; Short E. Dangerously visits. Before that, it was once a trailblazing restaurant known as 72 Market Street. Snap took over an eatery that had been called Seans Cafe and as with Nikkis bar turned it into a commissary for employees. Today, it houses a Starbucks. '', Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. In order to wow the heads of the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Todd decides to bring the Freakshow members with him to Sin City. Ray founded the Venice Beach Freakshow in 2006. Snap took up the lease and turned it into an employee commissary. I sit in front of the mirror, I practice my tricks, I make sure its going to look good. StarringTodd Ray Danielle Ray Asia Ray Season 1 S01:E01 - Two-Headed Bearded Dragon Birthday Todd tries to convince a bearded lady and a living giant to join the show. When Ray grew up he moved to California and became a successful music producer, but despite working with artists such as Santana and the Beastie Boys, he never forgot the human cigarette factory and his love of oddities. Regarding Snaps legacy, he said: It was just a matter of time before gentrification started reaching Venice, and Im kind of shocked it didnt happen faster.. Can Todd pull off a surprise 21st birthday party for Asia? Regardless of the politics behind the move, the Freakshow will be no more after Sunday. The tour will be conducted by Max Maven, an acclaimed magician and mentalist who Morgue considers to be one of the best in the business. He recalls going to a carnival sideshow as a kid in Charlotte, N.C., and watching a man who was paralyzed from the neck down perform a stunt in which he rolled a perfect cigarette using only his face. Todd Todd announces that he and some members of the Freakshow have been invited to The Magic Castle, a famed club for magicians in Los Angeles. Street performers have had a big role in shaping Venices creative ethos. The Freakshow travels to Gibsonton, Fla., to learn about its rich history as a carnival town and to try to revive it with a performance. At first, the laid-back locals were intrigued. Venice Beach a hub for graffiti artists, body builders and street performers became a popular tourist destination long before the Venice Beach Freakshow took up residence. We have already said publicly that we intend to focus our future expansion outside of Venice.. (It reopened under new management in October 2018). If companies come here, they need to be willing to integrate.. Todd wants everyone to take on new responsibilities in order to expand. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Snap paid for new showers at Safe Place for Youth, a organization that offers services for homeless young people, where Snap employees also volunteer. Venice Beach Freakshow is a Family Show for All Ages. The series premiered on February 14, 2013, preceded by the mid-season premiere of Comic Book Men and followed by the series premiere of Immortalized. You can also meet Rocky the five-legged dog and . Its been a year since Snap decamped from its many storefront offices scattered across the area. He brings Zoe, a girl he met at a tattoo event, to his house and tries to impress her with his family's collection of oddities. Later, Todd brings some Freakshow members to a nursing home to visit his sick pal, George French. Weve just been trying to be an example to the fact that it isnt necessarily binary.. Todd Ray, the operator of the Freakshow, has said he isn't sure where the show will land, suggesting that Las Vegas was a possibility. I walked up to him, and said, Hey, Bobby, Im the one who started the protests, Mr. Rago recalled. Ray got a call back on his application as an intern at Big Beat Records. Todd played a tape of his beats for Craig Kallman and informed him "All I have is music". The Venice Beach Freakshow is only the latest casualty of the gentrification sweeping Venice as a result of companies like Snapchat, which hasbought or leased a handful of properties including one that left a homeless shelter for teens with a homeless problem of its own since opening its headquarters there in 2013. Soon, Snap took up at the Gingerbread Court, a brick-structure courtyard on the beach with small storefronts. On Sunday, April 30, from noon until 6 p.m., Ray and his performers are hosting a farewell party they hope will also serve as a de facto protest against Venice gentrification. The Venice Beach drum circle, which forms every Sunday until sunset, resists change. Katy Perry and Luke Bryan Announce Summer Dates for Las Vegas Residencies Katy Luke By To that end, the new Waterfront is hosting community fund-raisers and events for children and parents. For Venice at large, a tipping point came with the loss of the Venice Beach Freakshow. Its not a race thing. worlds largest collection of two-headed animals. Freakshow backers say Snapchat claims to have no affiliation with Snapshot Partners, but the Los Angeles Business Journal reported that Snapchat has the right of first refusal on space in the building. The news came . They talk with Grady "Lobster Boy" Stiles about his father's unique fame and their troubled relationship. Asia attempts sword swallowing in hopes of participating in sword swallower's day. He's a star on AMC's hit reality show "Freakshow" and, he's well known as "the Creature" -- one of the most tattooed and pierced individuals in the world. Know Before You Go. Todd Ray was born in Lancaster, South Carolina. Dragon Boat Festival 2023: Marina Del Rey. He prefers to think of it as a celebration, rather than a funeral. it is only interested in the top two floors. Between 2000 and 2016, the Oakwood tract lost as many as 1,400 low-income residents, according to the Institute for Metropolitan Opportunity at the University of Minnesota Law School. Jessa, 'the bearded lady,' holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest beard on . Freakshow Season 1 (20) 2013 TV-14 AMC's Freakshow follows Todd Ray's quirky family business - the Venice Beach Freakshow. Ms. Solomon, 70, runs a Venice Beach walking tour business with her husband, Jeff. This article has been updated with comment from Snapchat. [2] With no rural job opportunities, and his pre-med scholarship lost, Todd worked non-stop on music production. venicebeachfreakshow Follow 1,208 posts 36.3K followers 6,487 following Todd Ray Official Instagram of Todd Ray aka. Its not as simple as a lot of people want to make it, said Will Hawkins, a founder of the nonprofit group Chamber of Hope, which hasnt received donations from Snap. In order to wow the heads of the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Todd decides to bring the Freakshow members with him to Sin City. After more than a decade of thrilling visitors with acts such as the Bearded Lady, the Wolf Boy and an array of two-headed animals, the Venice Beach Freakshow closed its doors Sunday, victim to a lost lease. But the darkness and quiet at night has left other concerned locals feeling like its the 1980s all over again. People began paying handsomely for his chairs and he was able to save enough money to make the trip back to New York. While Ray is hopeful that the Venice Beach Freakshow will continue on in a new location, he acknowledges that finding affordable retail space in Venice will be extremely difficult. They ask Morgue about the state of his and Asia's relationship but he doesn't go into details. In this episode of Canote's in CALI, the family heads out to Venice Beach, California to see all the craziness, especially the Venice Beach Freaks. At its peak, Snap took up 305,000 square feet of office space in Venice, mostly on Market Street, Ocean Front Walk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard. A family drama that centers on former music producer Todd Ray as he pursues his dream to own and operate his own Freakshow on the famed boardwalk in Venice Beach, CA. Snap changed social media and Venice, Calif. for good. Jade Burkly March 27, 2015. Apartment building was once posh playground to the Hollywood elite. It was the worst winter of the 11 years weve been in business, he said. The show served as a protest, a farewell and a fundraiser. 'Supa Cat' sold 70,000 copies and was the true beginning of T-Ray's career as a producer. In preparation for the week's big show, Short E. begins working on his upper body so that he can pull off the notorious stunt. Community journalists in Venice faithfully covered Snaps every move. Still, for people like Mark Rago, a film distributor who moved to Venice in 1999, seeing a Starbucks on Ocean Front Walk was akin to stepping into an alternative universe. Whats next? Freakshow is an American unscripted reality documentary television series from AMC that chronicles the operations of former music producer Todd Ray's Venice Beach Freakshow. A woman named Simone Scharff was previously married to Werner Scharff, the now-deceased womens fashion magnate responsible for giving Venice a makeoverafter moving there in the late 1930s, though its unclear if that woman is the same one associated with General Real Estate Management. The last show at its Venice Beach location is on Sunday, and Ray says hes being pushed out by Snapchat. A circus-style ragtag production that beckoned visitors on 909-913 Ocean Front Walk its concrete, so not a boardwalk because there is no wood, Ms. Solomon insisted on noting the Freakshow featured among its many attractions a sword-swallower, a little lady and a werewolf man from Mexico who grew hair all over his face. But the loss of diversity, especially as it affected the black community and the Latino community, is really the tragedy of all of this.. An unusual library of dead things at the Rhode Island School of Design. Or consider the beatniks and hippies. Unfortunately, Ali has been experiencing hip pain and doesn't think she'll be able to do the stunt. At home, Todd shows Danielle some of his new oddities, including a pig that was born with his brain outside of its head. It quickly became known for its unique performers, as well as its large collection of oddity specimens. Official Homebase for AMC's TV show FREAKSHOW, the Venice Beach Freakshow and it's owner Todd Ray. I don't blame them for wanting to work on the beach, but at some point its like saying, I want to live in this exotic area of the world and you go there and cut all the trees down and you kill all the wildlife., Performers at the Venice Beach Freakshow; Credit: Nanette Gonzales for L.A. Weekly. As a teenager, in 1982, Todd fell in love with the early hip hop singles coming out of New York and began DJing and performing locally with friends. It definitely needed a remodeling, but its not the core local spot it used to be, Mr. Rago said with a frown. Snapchat reportedly has been interested in the building that houses the Freakshow since last year, and had a right of first refusal when the space became available, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal. The Waterfront bar, which closed in December 2017, was a Venice Beach mainstay. The staff, Mr. Mathews said, knows when local legends from the echelons of professional skating or surfing come in, and they are treated accordingly. His next tenant was Snap. Venice Beach a hub for graffiti artists, body builders and street performers became a popular tourist destination long before the Venice Beach Freakshow took up residence. I had made one copy for Eclipse (yes- that Eclipse), who originally lived in South Carolina too, who had sent it to an old friend in Rhode Island, who moved to L.A. and became one of the members of Jurassic 5, whose DJ just happened to be Cut Chemist. But Snap was a tenant there, renting out a unit on the third floor in mid-2015. I think a lot of companies saw how Snapchat was treated by the protesters, and they dont want to see the same thing.. Last year, Mr. Lopez wrote an op-ed in The Los Angeles Times lamenting the loss, in particular, of the historic First Baptist Church in Oakwood, which is the historically African-American section of Venice. In an oceanfront community still defined by hippie eccentricity, that didnt go over well. Whatever residue Snapchat left in terms of neighborhood animosity, its kind of ironic that some people are upset that Snapchat moved to Venice, fixed things up, cleaned up things, and then left, Mr. Bill said. These included the world's largest collection of two-headed animals, including a two-headed chicken, a two-headed cow, and a pair of two-headed turtles, amongst others. Theyre buying up the boardwalk because they liked the vibe, he said. I felt like I had come 360 degrees!" I went up to him and I said, Im a young magician. Despite his fame, the Creature is having trouble scaring up someone with whom to live. While headquartered now in Santa Monica, we continue to work closely with Venice schools and local nonprofits to support this community that helped inspire and shape our company., In many respects, the damage, as the Venice Dogz saw it, was already done. The story of its rise was the toast of Silicon Beach in Los Angeles. A Grammy-winning producer he earned the award in 2000 for his work on the Santana album Supernatural he says he spent decades in the music industry working with everyone from Mick Jagger and Jack Johnson to Nas and Beastie Boys. Freakshow (2013-2014) Episode List Season: OR Year: Season 2 S2, Ep1 6 May 2014 Freakshow Auditions Rate Todd Ray has recently expanded his Venice Beach Freakshow and holds open auditions to find new talent. Todd throws a wedding for Ali and fellow little person Matt, trying to replicate the famous Tom Thumb Wedding. It wasnt Snaps fault. The tech giant also said it is unaffiliated with Snapshot Partners, the company reportedly leasing the space. This is the peoples beach, so thats always made it a little weird, even to people who live in L.A., Ms. Solomon said on a recent day. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. The entire gang, including Todd, Morgue, Asia and even Creature pack up and head to the rustic site in the California hills. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. The time has come to meet with the Circus Circus execs. We had just eight employees when we came to Venice, a company spokesman said in a statement this week. At the same time, it added a sense of security to the neighborhood, in a weird way.. LA Co Rain Totals: How Many Inches Did Venice Get? Todd tries to convince a living giant and a bearded lady to join The Freakshow and be a part of the two-headed bearded dragons birthday party. Some of the employees are formerly unhoused. He has won two Grammy Awards and a Latin Grammy Award for his work with Santana and Ozomatli and was nominated for a Grammy Award for "I Ain't Goin' Out Like That". But so much of it is beginning to morph into something else, and we dont know what thats going to look like in the end.. It had sawdust on the floor, and plenty of regulars who seemed to dance on the fringes of homelessness or reality. Catherine Schultis and Rick Campbell sell solar poetry on Ocean Front Walk. The same tape I made in that shack, the same tape that I played for Craig when I met him at Big Beat. The company has funded a computer science program at a Venice elementary school, and tech training for women at St. Joseph Center, a longstanding homeless services organization. First up is the Showmen's Museum where the group sees vintage ferris wheels and photographs of famous sideshow performers. In May 2017, after an 11-year run, the Venice Beach Freakshow was forced out under pressure from its building's new owners: A holding company called Snapshot bought the place, and then. Location: The Jewel Box Theatre, The Erotic Heritage Museum Recently Seen His 1993 remix of House of Pain/Helmet collaboration (Judgement Night soundtrack) led to his producing of the entire Helmet album, which led to more rock gigs, including 311, Kon, Snot, Hed PE, John Spencer Blues Explosion and White Zombie. At the airport, they are greeted by Grady "Lobster Boy" Stiles. (Earlier this year, the grassroots group Evict Snapchat organized protests over the displacement of small businesses.) Morgue is a regular on "Freakshow," an AMC series that depicts the day-to-day experiences of the members of the Venice Beach Freakshow, a sideshow based in Los Angeles. Todd is hesitant, fearing they may be judgmental of his and Danielle's non-conventional lifestyle, but Todd brings Zamora the Torture King to test the skeptics. Asia takes interest in expanding her electric act. When the company behind the disappearing-messages app took over multiple properties on the beach as it expanded, starting in 2012, it also posted guards who would shoo away anyone who wasnt an employee and who lingered too long near a Snapchat entrance. Todd suggests that he attempt "The One-Armed Handstand," a stunt once performed by famed "half-man" Johnny Eck. The performer's name is Morgue and he specializes in stunts that would put most people in a real morgue. Todd decides that he wants the Freakshow to Todd gathers the Freakshow gang for a big announcement - he plans to open a second Freakshow in Las Vegas! When she arrives, she explains that her large chest is due to gigantomastia, a condition that causes her breasts to grow uncontrollably. You can buy the property, but you cant buy Venice Beach and its spirit,. Part of HuffPost News. We talked for about 10 minutes, just on the sidewalk. But, as we're finishing the record he tells me this fucking story of how he was inspired by this fucking tape that he got from down South, and that tape was my fucking tape. If that doesnt happen, hes willing to look at other places, including Las Vegas. A collector all his life, after retiring from the music business Ray moved his collections to a storefront on the beach and opened the Venice Beach Freakshow, a throwback to the kind of dime museums that once inhabited Venice Beach. While sword swallowing truly is an impressive skill, there are few jobs out there that look for that on a resume. The time has come to meet with the Circus Circus execs. Brianna Belladonna "The Indestructible Woman", This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 14:38. The Venice Beach Freakshow is the last true Freakshow left in the world! He confides in Todd and tells him that sometimes he feels like he is "cursed." Protesters were animated, to put it mildly. He helped form the Venice Dogz, one of several community groups that aimed their ire at Snap for the changes happening in Venice. They just had an arrogance about them, said Mr. Rago, 47, who lives a few paces away from the beach. The thing is, this cuts across all cultures. rockstockbarrel January 15, 2015. The series premiered on February 14, 2013, preceded by the mid-season premiere of Comic Book Men and followed by the series premiere of Immortalized. Some of my workers have had to leave the state. By 2015, after several rounds of venture funding, Snaps core group of employees had ballooned into the hundreds, and it needed more room. Ray wasnt always in the business of recruiting people he likes to call the tallest or the hairiest in the world. Mark Rago moved to Venice in 1999 and began organizing protests against Snap in 2017. The gang tries to attend a camp-out, hobo wedding for Digger and Paige; Ali and Matt have marital issues. He never charged more than $5 for admission. The Venice Beach Freak Show was forced to shut down in 2017. On Market Street, all that remains of Snaps former presence are closed-up buildings and glazed-over windows that once shrouded whatever happened inside (plenty of locals say they hated that, too). "Snapchat started buying buildings in the area. The Freakshow celebrates the history of giants with a "Living Giants" special event. Todd Ray has recently expanded his Venice Beach Freakshow and holds open auditions to find new talent. Andrew Gatto November 17, 2014. The show even inspired an unscripted television series on AMC. As a homeowner, sure, Ive gained, but I feel Ive also lost. [5][6], "AMC Launches New Programming Night for Original Unscripted Series", "AMC Greenlights Two Unscripted Series and Renews The Pitch for Second Season", "AMC Greenlights Unscripted Series "Untitled Taxidermy Series" and "Venice Beach Freakshow", "AMC Announces Premiere Dates for 'Breaking Bad', 'Low Winter Sun', 'The Pitch' & More", 'Freakshow' Season Two & 'Small Town Security' Season Three to Premiere May 6 on AMC, "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Swamp People" Returns on Top for History", "Thursday's Cable Ratings: History's "Swamp People," FX's "Archer" Lead Demo Race", "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Swamp People" Tops Third Consecutive Week", "Thursday's Cable Ratings: No Stopping "Swamp People" on History", "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Swamp People" Continues Its Reign for History", "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Swamp People" Holds Off NCAA Onslaught", "Thursday's Cable Ratings: TBS, History Top Charts with NCAA, "Swamp People", "Thursday's Cable Ratings: Another Thursday, Another "Swamp People" Victory", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Freakshow_(TV_series)&oldid=1134207971. See. In early 2017, Mr. Spiegel and Mr. Murphy took their company public. Their DJ just happened to be Cut Chemist, who I knew nothing about.