KINETIC CARNIVAL - The Coney Island Blog

Dried Lemons On The Boardwalk

2009-07-13T10:29:00.008-04:00

Image courtesy of Capt_Nemo (Coney Island USA message board)

The squeezy lemon shop that Thor Equities allowed to squeeze out genuine Coney flavor; Lola Staar had apparently been dried up with nothing to squeeze on the boardwalk. Word via our friend Rubys Host, tells us that the lemonade shop is no longer there. Or at least were no signs of them the entire weekend. She also adds, "Rumor has it that the Coney Island Beach Shop has a spot in the Stillwell Station and will open this fall".

On another Stillwell Station storefronts: The Subways sandwich shop which was closed for refurbishing is almost set to open...whoo wee! Let's hope these little franchises stay north of Surf Avenue.

Image on left courtesy of Rubys Host

Coney Weekend TV - July 13, 2009

2009-07-12T15:45:00.005-04:00

Note: This weekend's TV lineup has been updated.

Ask Mr. Coney Takes Your Questions

2009-07-11T10:50:00.002-04:00

Coney Connoisseur Charles Denson will be entering the City Room to take all your Coney Island questions regarding its preservation and more.

From The Coney Island History Project:

The feature, which runs weekly on the Times webstite, highlights an expert in a field and gives readers the opportunity to ask them about their work.

Beginning on Monday, July 13, you can post your own questions for Charles Denson at City Room.

The answers will published on the City Room blog on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (July 15-17). at the City Room blog

SPECIAL CONEY PRESENTATION: Coney Mayor's Public Service Announcement

2009-07-10T10:25:00.007-04:00

Here's a friendly yet important Public Service Announcement from your Coney Island Mayor, Dick Zigun. Urgently pleading for public help to voice their concerns with the City's plan which includes allowing high rises along the south side of Surf Avenue. This would create a very un-Coney wall that would cause a block to the ocean and a diminished amusement area. In addition a huge shadow will shroud the fun in the sun. The plea is to move the high-rises to the north side, though a shadow will still be a problem at least it won't create a wall. So, please take the time to voice your opinion and help the city not drive in the nails in Coney's coffin.

Zigun’s specific concerns and recommendations include (Via Save Coney Island):

The City’s plan would create a wall of four high rises limiting public access to the water and amusements. To fix this, Zigun recommends moving the 27-story towers north of Surf Avenue, a change endorsed by the borough President and Community Board.
The City’s plan calls for a reduction from 60 acres to 12 acres devoted to amusements, not enough for the rides that will draw in the tourists. To address this, Zigun proposes expanding the acreage for outdoor rides and amusements.

Finally, Zigun notes that the City’s plan creates financial incentives to tear down Coney Island’s few remaining historical landmarks, including Nathan’s Famous. Zigun’s fix: build new, but let us keep a few bits of history by protecting Coney Island’s iconic landmarks.

Don't Kill Coney! Fix the Plan!: A Friendly PSA from Coney Island's 'Mayor'

Posted by SaveConeyIslandUSA [YouTube]

URGENT CONEY NEWS: Last Chance To Save Coney Island

2009-07-10T09:51:00.005-04:00

It just takes two phone calls from everybody to improve our chances to save Coney Island from the City's plan the way it stands. Don't let the city place high-rises along the south side of Surf Avenue to creative a very un-Coney wall to our fabled amusement place. Coney Island has received devastating blows to its character in the past. But none has totally killed it. Robert Moses and Fred Trump along with the city admins back them helped to cripple it. Don't let the city now finish the job of killing it.

PLEASE PICK UP THE PHONE AND STATE YOUR CASE.

To make it simple, here is the press release from the Save Coney Island folks:

Two Phone Calls to Save Coney Island

The Bloomberg administration's plan to shrink Coney Island's amusement district and to block it off with four high-rise hotel towers is now before the City Council. They have until Monday, July 13th to request changes to the City's plan.

If you want to save Coney Island, PLEASE CALL your City Council member TODAY (the sooner the better!).

To find your City Council member and their phone number, plug in your street address and borough here:
http://council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtmlCall their lEGISLATIVE OFFICE number first. Try calling during the workday.

* Tell them you live in their district.

* Tell them that you're calling about the plan for Coney Island currently under review by City Council.

* Tell them Coney Island is an issue of CITYWIDE concern and that the current plan would RUIN Coney Island forever.

* Tell them that the area for open-air amusements needs to be EXPANDED and that the proposed high-rise hotels need to be MOVED out of the amusement area.

* Tell them to urge the Department of City Planning and Councilmember Domenic Recchia to FIX the City's plan.

* Tell them you would like to know what their position is on this issue.

* Tell them to check out www.saveconeyisland.net for more information.

Be polite. Be brief. Be passionate. Leave a message if nobody answers.

If you REALLY want to Save Coney Island, also call Speaker Christine Quinn and deliver the same message.
Christine Quinn's legislative office: (212) 788-7210.

PASS THIS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS. WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET.

Coney Events: The Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society

2009-07-09T13:19:00.017-04:00

Yes Coney Island has always been Coney Island for many decades, in fact Coney Island has been thriving with resound of its glory all over the world for over a century, tickling the fancy of those from other parts of the planet, including those curious about how the human psyche works. It's been 100 years since Sigmund Freud visited Coney Island.

Decades ago a culturally diverse group of thinking and dreamers from, 'The Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society', gathered artists from different backgrounds to explore the unprecedented quirks and uniqueness that was Coney Island through various works of art and intellectual exploration from 1926 to the 1970's.

Today, artist Zoe Beloff has brought back long-lost world of the Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society and showcasing it into a new exhibit at the Coney Island USA Museum.

Sure to be a highly interesting event, the press release indicates:
"Dreamland" examines the Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society, whose forward-thinking attitude flourished from1926 through the early 1970s. The Society’s members, most of them working people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, were filled with the desire to participate in one of the great intellectual movements of the 20th century. The exhibition presents a range of their amateur films, which reveal an incredibly brave, unapologetic exploration of their
inner lives.

As part of the Coney Island USA Ask The Experts Series, The Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society and its circle 1926 - 1972 will be presented as a kick off to this most intersting showcase at the museum.

Opening Reception for this exhibition celebrating the courage and creativity of Coney Island's residents and friends. Beloff will be discussing the exhibition and guiding tours. July 12, 4pm - 7pm. Click here for further info (pdf document)

ASK THE EXPERTS!
Zoe Beloff - Dreamland:

The Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society And Its Circle 1926 1972
Sunday, July 12th
4 p.m.

FREE!

at the Coney Island Museum

located at 1208 Surf Ave.

The Dreamland exhibit runs from July 11, 2009 - March 21, 2010

Micheal Jackson Neverland Ranch Kiddie Ride At Coney Island

2009-07-08T10:47:00.008-04:00

Image courtesy of Norman Blake

Temporarily residing in Coney Island's new Dreamland Park by Thor Equities is one of the kiddie rides brought over by a California amusment ride company, Butler Amusements. The Dragon Wagon Kiddie Coaster was purchases from Micheal Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch last year. And eventually brought here this year to Coney Island.

Found on Amuseing the Zillion, Tricia Vita writes:

ATZ learned of the Coney Island ride’s Neverland provenance earlier this month in a conversation with the ride’s owner, Earl “Butch” Butler, CEO of California-based Butler Amusements. The carnival owner purchased four rides from the Jackson ranch last year including the Balloon Samba ride, which is currently at California’s Alameda County Fair. Butler is the new carnival provider for the California State Fair and has a strong fair and festival route in California, Oregon and Washington State.

Read more about Butler's Coney connection on ATZ blog.

Image courtesy of Amusing the Zillion / Tricia Vita

Over the 4th of July weekend Michael Jackson fans in Coney Island who were aware of the kiddie ride from Neverland Ranch placed posters of the pop icon as a memorial to him.

Images of the Neverland Ranch can be seen on Flickr. A slideshow by Tunnelbug is below:

Coney Events: Moonwalk Skate Party

2009-07-08T10:37:00.003-04:00

Dreamland's Tribute to the king of pop continues on July 11th!!!

The Roxy's Legendary DJ Julio will be spinning Michael Jackson tunes and Skate Classics!!

Prizes for the Best Moonwalk!

Moonwalk Skate Party
Dreamland Roller Rink
Sat July 11th
$12 admission ($10 if you dress in Michael Jackson Attire!!)
$5 skate rentals
21 and over
at Dreamland Roller Rink
in the legendary Childs Building
located on the famous Coney Island Boardwalk

Joey Chestnut Wins Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

2009-07-05T19:06:00.007-04:00

Click image for much larger View
Image above courtesy of Butch Moran

For the third year in a row, Joey Chestnut wins the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island with 69 hot dogs devoured in only 10 minutes.

From Nathan's Famous:

Joey Chestnut today won the Nathan's Famous July Fourth International Eating Contest by eating 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, 3 1/2 more than Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, his arch-rival.

FULL RESULTS:
1st: Joey Chestnut - 68 HDBs
2nd: Takeru Kobayashi - 64 1/2
3rd: Pat Bertoletti - 55
4th: Tim Eater X Janus - 53
5th: Bob Shoudt - 41 3/4
6th: Sonya Thomas - 41
7th: Hall Hunt - 38.5
8th: Erik Denmrk - 38
9th: Juliet Lee - 34
T-10th: Gravy Brown - 30
T-10th: Badlands Booker - 30
12th: Jim Reeves - 28.5
T-13th: Crazy Legs Conti - 25
T-13th: Pete Davekos - 25
T-13th: Sean Gordon - 25
16th: Marco Marquez - 23
17th: Micah Collins - 21
T-18th: Franco Camerini - 14
T-18th: Bob Coccodrilli - 14
Rich LeFevre wasn't able to attend the event and did not participate due to illness.

Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest - 2009

Description:
Joey Chestnut wins his 3rd Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest consuming 68 hotdogs in 10 minutes. The commentary alone is worth the viewing. This is disgusting, and at the same time, downright hysterical. This is the only competition where you can say the phrase 'he has a 2 dog lead' with a straight face.

Posted by WebsurferguyMN [YouTube]

Happy 4th Of July And Happy 3rd Birthday To Kinetic Carnival

2009-07-04T13:18:00.005-04:00

Elepant Victory In Coney Bun Eating Contest

2009-07-04T00:23:00.008-04:00

Image courtesy of Butch Moran

The Ringling Brother Barnum & Bailey Circus Elephants and humans of the Major League Eating competed in fully sanctioned Bun Eating Contest by International Federation of Competitive Eating! Event that's a mouthful these elephants can't gorge down. The humans lost to the elephants by a mile. What's the exact count is we'll have to find out.

Elephantman of GottaLoveConey said on the Coney Island USA board:

The thing was hillarious! The elephants were quite meticulous, even retrieving single dropped buns off the ground before returning to the big pile. The mammoth gastronomes even enjoyed a few bananas in between hot dog rolls.

Image above courtesy of Butch Moran

Pablo57 posted this video below on the CIUSA board:

A Coney July 4th Weekend: Burlesque Circus

2009-07-03T14:38:00.003-04:00

From Coney Island USA:

Move over, Ringling! Suck it, Cirque! Trixie Little and The Evil Hate Monkey are bringing their scintillating circus to Coney Island! Expect a full-frontal cavalcade of questionable feats, a torrent absolute absurdity, and an all-encompassing barrage of boobies and bananas! With enough daredevilry, trapezes, stripteases and stupidity to make even P.T. Barnum's jaw drop.

Trixie And Monkey Burlesque Circus
Burlesque at the Beach
Firday, July 3rd
10 p.m.
$15
at the Sideshows By The Seashore
corner of Surf Ave and West 12th Street

A Coney July 4th Weekend: American Stars Roll Out At Dreamland

2009-07-03T14:15:00.005-04:00

Stright from the Dreamland Roller Rink:

Stars and Stripes come ALIVE this 4th of July at Dreamland Roller Rink!
Live your American fantasies at Dreamland Roller Rink and become your favorite American Star for one magical night of 4th of July Fabulousness!!
Be anyone from Madonna, Elvis or Brittney to Abe Lincoln, Johnny Appleseed or the Lone Ranger!!

American Stars

Dreamland Roller Rink
Night of 4th of July!
$12 admission ($10 if you dress like your favorite American Star!!!)
$5 skate rentals
21 and over
at the famous Coney Island Boardwalk
in the Childs Building

A Coney July 4th Weekend: First Ever Cross Species Eating Contest

2009-07-03T14:05:00.006-04:00

The very first and probably one of the last or at least for the near future elephant vs. human eating contest was underway this morning as spectators watched as the prodigious pachyderms of the The Greatest Show On Earth battle the Major League Eating orifices as they gorge down buns starch!

If you missed it stayed tuned for images coming right up!

CEO Of Thor Equities, Joe Sitt's Statement On City Council Hearing

2009-07-02T03:05:00.009-04:00

Image courtesy of Adrian Kinloch (Brit In Brooklyn)

Like many on the council who lean towards protecting the established businesses in Coney Island as well as push for private investment for Coney's only chance of revitalization, Joe Sitt warns that passing the zoning purposed by the city will not only hinder private investment but also lead to future years of decline for the 'former' people's playground, as he puts it.

In a press release yesterday Joe Sitt's statement reads:

"As we've said time and again, the city's zoning proposal as it currently stands will not lead to the revitalization of Coney Island,but rather to years, if not decades, of more of the same decline for the former People's Playground. By sacrificing any hope of private investment in Coney, the city is in real danger of passing zoning that will waste a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to return Coney to its heyday.

As the largest landowner in the amusement district, we stand ready to work with the city to come up with a zoning proposal that encourages private investment, allows for year-round amusements, games, shopping and other activities, and ensures significant job creation."

The statement released yesterday by Loren Riegelhaupt, Senior Vice President, KnickerbockerSKD

City Council Chews And Spits Mayor's Plan Back On The Table

2009-07-02T02:50:00.010-04:00

Whether Coney Island’s future will eventually thrive or not from Parkland or private investment there is now time on our hands to push for a better plan.

The City Council met yesterday with the public on a all-day event which dwindled down before most who went to speak actually stuck around for it. The City Council shrugged their shoulders and gasped, “too many unanswered questions and too many concerns.” Since most felt the mayor’s plan came with too many flaws they suggested to slow down the process and take the plan off the clock until it is smoothed out.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle’s Linda Collins wrote reported:

“I believe the best thing to do is to temporarily pull the application from the ULURP clock,” said Zoning Subcommittee Chair Tony Avella, referring to the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, which requires that the council vote by July 29, or by July 13, if it wishes to modify the plan and send it back to the Planning Commission.

“I want to make it clear this is not an attempt to let anybody down in Coney Island but to allow more time for Domenic [Council Member Domenic Recchia, who represents Coney Island] and the council and the property owners and the residents to come up with a better plan,” Avella added.

Council members also questioned and [Seth, president of the Economic Development Corp.] Pinsky confirmed that even if the parkland designation is approved, “until the city owns the property, the zoning does not change, it remains the same.”

And in the event the city exhausts their attempts at property acquisition, the threat of eminent domain worries some of the council members. And that is one of the flaws they see in the plan.

But Pinsky who is for parkland mapping remains positive that the quirks in the plan will be worked out.

Some members like David Yassky, also feels the plan needs to be delayed, but on the other hand believes that Coney Island would do better through the private sector. According to the Brooklyn Dailey Eagle, Yassky said, “ “I share the vision put forward for Coney Island, but I think we do better when we rely on the private sector. I urge you to reconsider and let the private sector do what it does best.”

The plans path after the city council vote is to the state legislator. Yes, many questions remain, though not all necessarily with the plan's parkland issue but how to utilize that parkland to it's best capacity: indoor and outdoor amusements!

In a statement by Borough President, Marty Markowitz, he said he is very concerned with expanding the ground-floor amusements, and hopes that a solution between the Mayor, City Council, and Council Member, Domenic Recchia come to an agreement.

Follow the active discussion on the Coney Island USA board

City’s Coney Island Plan Meets With Council Opposition [Brooklyn Daily Eagle]

Coney Events: A Fistful Of Pasties

2009-07-01T10:44:00.004-04:00

The Wild West gets undressed when Sheriff Albert Cadabra & Deputy Donny try to tame the notorious outlaw Gal Friday and her Booby Bandits! Miss Friday leads an all-girl gang that's dead set against pasties interfering with the natural beauty of their breasts, but Sheriff Cadabra will keep their boobs undercover until things bust out in an eyeball-bulging, pastie-twirling shootout of bodies and bullets! It's a Fistful of Pasties that shows exactly How the West was Done!

Burlesque at the Beach
Skullduggery & Skin Show:
A Fistful of Pasties
Thursday, July 2, 2009
9 p.m.
at the Sideshows by the Seashore
corner of Surf and West 12th street
$10.

Coney Storybook Reading: Visit Coney With Your Favorite French Bulldog

2009-07-01T10:18:00.004-04:00

Watch (here) the author of "Custard and Mustard: Carlos the French Bulldog in Coney Island" reads from her book which takes her yellow bulldog through Coney Island.

Carlos is feeling the heat and looking for a way to chill out. It would be a shame to waste a summer day sitting around the apartment, so he takes the subway to Brooklyn and ends up in New York's backyard.

Those Stompin' Monster Trucks Are Back!

2009-06-29T19:57:00.005-04:00

Once again the heavy huge tired monster trucks are back to hit the Coney Island pavement! Well, actually the their making a pit stop at the Coney Island Boom-A-Ring lot Wednesday, July 1 - Sunday, July 5

Ticket holders for The Coney Island BOOM A RING will have exclusive access to see, up close, the most famous monster trucks in the world!

For a complete schedule of performances and more information on The Coney Island Boom-A-Ring website, including ticket sales, visit , or call 1-800-745-3000. Group orders are available through "Group Sales Box Office" at 800-223-7565 or BestofBroadway.com.

Last Chance To Submit Your Coney Island Film Gem

2009-06-29T19:41:00.005-04:00

For some filmmakers a looming festival late deadline is their last chance before their extended deadline to get their masterpieces shoved off in hopes that their laborious work will be received with accolades. And whether your film is about Coney Island or not, the Coney Island Film Festival submission doors will close this Friday, July 3, 2009 with a final final chance July 10, 2009.

indiefilmpage.com
and
Coney Island USA
present
The 9th annual Coney Island Film Festival
October 2- 4, 2009
at Sideshows by the Seashore
and The Coney Island Museum
in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood Coney Island, New York!

Late Deadline - This Friday, July 3, 2009 (postmarked by)
Extended Late Deadline - July 10, 2009 (postmarked by)
Entry categories:
Feature, Short, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Experimental, Silent Film, Animation, Music Video.

The Coney Island Film Festival is open to filmmakers working in ALL GENRES, SUBJECTS AND FORMATS.

City Council Public Hearing July 1st, 2009

2009-06-29T16:09:00.004-04:00

The New York City Council is set to vote on the Mayor's plan which carries a major flaw that could destroy Coney Island for what it has been all along its inception and evolution by allowing high-rises along surf avenue cutting off what is also another major flaw in the plan; a shrunken open-air amusement area to a non-resort-destination nine acres.

Please, join all who care about Coney Island's future and attend the public hearing at the NY City Council this July 1, 2009 at 10 a.m.!

The Save Coney Island organization serves up this further important information:

YOU MUST GET THERE EARLY TO GET THROUGH SECURITY, FIND A PLACE IN THE HEARING ROOM, AND SIGN UP TO SPEAK! Once inside, look for one
of our volunteers wearing "Save Coney Island" stickers. To offer testimony, you must sign up at the beginning of the hearing. You will typically be given no more than three minutes to express your view. We hope to see you all there. This could be our last public hearing; so let's make our participation count.

Public Hearing at City Council
Land-use Subcommittee Public Hearing
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
10:00 AM
at the Council Chambers
in City Hall
(between Broadway and Park Row)

Coney Events: Skullduggery & Skin Show

2009-06-29T15:02:00.005-04:00

In hot pursuit of skinfully twisted burlesque, this show will serve up an outlandish smorgasbord of magic, flesh, and anarchy. The Skullduggery & Skin Show - A Fistfull of Pasties plays at the Coney Island USA's Sideshows by the Seashore.

From Coney Island USA:

The wild west gets hotter and even more dangerous when Sheriff Cadabra comes to town looking for the notorious "Pastie Ban-Tits" lead by the innocent looking but very dangerous Gal Friday & her gang of outlaws! The Pastie Ban-Tits are an ornery gang that is dead set against pasties being used to lock up the beauty of their bodies but Sheriff Cadabra is hot on their trail and will keep them in pasties even if it comes down to an eye twitching, pastie twirling one-on-one shootout to the death! Will Cadabra emerge victorious or will Gal & her gang emerge naked? It's a Fistful of Pasties and it's anyone's game!

Skullduggery & Skin Show - A Fistfull of Pasties

Burlesque at the Beach!
Thursday, JULY 2, 2009
9PM
$10

at the Sideshows By The Seashore
corner of Surf and West 12th street

Coney Weekend TV - 2009 Mermaid Parade Ballyhoo!

2009-06-27T18:22:00.006-04:00

With thousand of images taken at this world famous event in world famous Coney Island, here's a few highlighted kinetic moments of all the zaniness on a wet parade day along with a Coney Latin band playing by the handball courts, a Cyclone miniature, and another example of how all camera lenses from around the world absolutely love Coney Island...even the way it is.

Honoring Michael Jackson In Coney Island

2009-06-27T17:23:00.006-04:00

Join the Dreamland Roller Rink in honoring the life of the king of pop in a roller skating celebration of the super fabulous sounds of Michael Jackson!

Prizes for the Best Moonwalk!!! Discount of you dress in MJ inspired attire!!White glove! Zippered leather Jacket! Nose Job (!?!?) at Dreamland Roller Rink we will be incorporating the extraordinary music of Michael Jackson into our regularly scheduled roller rink soundscape!!

Honoring Michael Jackson
All weekend long
July 26th to the 28th
at the Dreamland Roller Rink
on the Coney Island Boardwalk Childs Building
Visit Dreamland for more info, times, and other upcoming events.

Mayor Bloomberg And Friends Come To The Aquarium Rescue

2009-06-25T10:15:00.004-04:00

With the help of more than 34,000 messages, 7,400 emails, and 51 letters sent to City Hall, the needed funding for cultural institutions like the New York Aquarium, the Bronx Zoo, and the that was in danger of being axed has been restored by Mayor Bloomberg and other city officials.

“The Wildlife Conservation Society thanks Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Majority Leader Joel Rivera, Chairman Dominic Recchia and the delegations from all five boroughs for recognizing the economic importance of the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium and all of the city’s cultural institutions. Their decision to restore our funding is testament to the fact that the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium and our partners in the Cultural Institutions Group are what help to make our city great.

The press announecment was release June 16, 2009. The overwhelming community support is what made the difference.