The films for this year's Coney Island Film Festival have been announced.
It's time to rally the troops to Save Coney Island!!Save Coney Island is assembling a group of active members to help us ensure that the true spirit of Coney Island is maintained within the current redevelopment of Coney Island. In the next few weeks we are going to have our very first Save Coney Island meeting to brainstorm ideas about how to defend our beloved Coney Island from the possible fate of becoming a land of generic luxury high-rise hotels, timeshares and condos, to ensure that the Amusement District remains an amusement park and an accessible form of
recreation and fun.We will be announcing more details about this meeting very shortly!! Please let us know if you are interested in becoming an active member of Save Coney Island. Please also indicate the ways in which you would like to become involved. thanks so much for your interest!
First AOL Travel hit up on the top amusement parks to visit. Now they're tapping the top Ferris Wheels. Among them is none other than Coney Island's very own Wonder Wheel. The landmarked Wonder Wheel is one of Coney's anchored structures that will stay a main fixture in whatever new Coney arises from the zoning battle underway in Coney Island.This weathered East Coast resort is Americanus nostalgicus at its most colorful and resilient. Deno's Wonder Wheel Park is a family-owned amusement area anchored by the historic 150-foot wheel. An official New York landmark since 1989, the Wonder Wheel is now celebrating its 85th birthday, and has been consistently operational the entire time.
America Online Tavel also mentions the Sun Wheel at Disney's California Adventure Park in Anaheim California, stating that the smiling sun face at the wheel's center pays homage to the Coney Island Wonder Wheel. Unless there's something not very obvious there it would be difficult to see what exactly is the reference to Coney's Wonder Wheel or Coney for that matter. The smiling sun face is surely not Tillie the smiley face which is Coney's trademark. But what probably is the homage is the similar feature; The Sun Wheel like the Wonder Wheel has swinging gondolas.
Disney and many other theme parks, in many ways, were inspired by Coney Island.
Selected films for the 7th Annual Coney Island Film Festival will be announced August 28th. The festival will take place end of September.
Image by Mr. Cavin (Flickr.com)This park is home to the world-famous Cyclone coaster and Wonder Wheel ferris wheel. But hurry -- while the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel will survive, this is the final season for the park that is home to many of the area's other rides, Astroland.
Images by bucklesw1 (Flickr.com) 
In tribute to Philip's Candy, Coney's oldest candy shop which was housed at the entrance of the Stillwell station since 1930, a giant lollypop has been propped up as an art installation by Philomena Marano Artist & Designer.
Image by RGuskind from (The Gowanus Lounge)
Delving into the Coney Island of yesteryear, TV legend Joe Franklin takes us down Memory Lane as he tells and records his own Coney Island stories at the Coney Island History Project. Franklin who hosted his show for 40 years also had a open-air movie theater at Feltman's during the 1950's.from the Coney Island History Project website:
Broadcast legend Joe Franklin will kick off an afternoon of "Coney Island Memories" on Sunday, Aug, 26 at noon when he sits before a camera to recall his lifelong experiences at the world-famous amusement zone for the video archives of the Coney Island History Project. He will be the first to participate in the recordings, which will continue until 3:00 pm. The public are invited and encouraged to record their memories. A second recording session, also open to the public, will take place the following weekend on Sunday, Sept. 2 from noon to 3:00 pm.
Joe Franklin At The Coney Island History Project
Sunday, August 26th
Noon to 3pm
at the Coney Island History Project
Under the Cyclone (Corner of Stillwell & W. 10th St)
Image by ryan.dowd (Flickr.com)The Shmaltz Brewing Company launches their Coney Island Lager at various establishments throughout the city and Coney Island during the 2007 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival taking place on the boardwalk off Stillwell Avenue. The Rockabilly Festival is four days of Rockabilly, burlesque, surf and sideshow with over 80 Acts. Featuring free beer tastings plus more than 50 acts, including the legendary Bonnie Dunn, the Electric Sideshow, burlesque performers from all over the U.S., sideshow freaks and live surf and rockabilly bands.
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle writes:
“Inspired by the spirit, the history and the future of the famed Brooklyn playground, we at Shmaltz Brewing are introducing the first act in our own new sideshow of spectacular craft beers in association with Coney Island USA,” said founder Jeremy Cowan, who will be at Cha Cha’s on the boardwalk this weekend, along with East Coast manager Matt Polacheck. “Indulge your inner beer freak and join us for a taste of Coney Island Lager at Cha Cha's.”
Friday through Sunday
Aug. 17-19
from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
On the Boardwalk off Stillwell Avenue
New Coney Island Lager To Be Launched This Weekend at Bars, Restaurants, Stores [Brooklyn Daily Eagle]
Cole Bros. Circus enjoyed a successful engagement in Coney Island, and looks forward to returning next year. In addition to its schedule of advertised shows, Cole Bros. Circus presented sold-out morning and early afternoon performances for children who attend religious camps. Attendance grew each day of the Cole Bros. Circus week-long stay, culminating in packed houses Thursday through Sunday, especially at its 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. shows. A majority of circus patrons used public transportation to visit the circus, evidenced by the waves of customers who lined up at the circus ticket office shortly after their trains arrived at the conveniently located Stillwell Ave. station. A few customers who attended the 8:00 p.m. show on Friday said they had difficulty finding a place to park, likely due to the huge crowds who arrive on Coney Island early in anticipation of the Friday night fireworks.
The circus is grateful to Deno’s for delaying the start of the fireworks, so that our patrons would have opportunity to exit the Big Top in time to view the wonderful display that really rocks the beach. Our circus families, especially the children, loved the fireworks, the amusements, the shore and the ocean, which was not only warm, but crystal clear. Staying at Coney Island was a treat for everyone on our show. The only complaint heard among our staff was with respect to weight gain. Living in proximity to numerous, great restaurants for a week, we indulged.
Manning the 1-800 circus info line, circus staff in Florida was surprised by the number of callers who asked for directions to the circus location in Coney Island. Our customer service representatives explained that the circus was located on Stillwell Avenue, between West 12th Street and Bowery, opposite Nathan’s. Numerous callers asked, “Where’s Nathan’s?” That surprised us, and made us think that, perhaps the circus attracted people who might not have visited Coney Island in the past.
Our experience assures us that Coney Island is a wonderful place. Judging by our crowds later in the week and the throngs of parents and kids on the boardwalk each evening, we learned that people seeking family entertainment will flock to Coney Island.
Renee
Storey
Vice President-Administration
Cole Bros. Circus
In an editorial written by Charles Denson for the New York Daily News, Mr. Denson stresses the importance of protecting Coney Island's amusement zone. He insists the city should not kowtow to a developer who will go to the extent of "darkening" Coney Island in hopes of having the next administration buckle under their demands. The latest land grab is being orchestrated by a developer who seeks to change Coney Island's unique amusement zoning. Most people agree that Coney needs improvement, but they also realize that a scenario that includes just one owner and a rezoning that allows high-rise residential development is a dangerous combination that could lead to the death of Coney Island.
Coney Island has seen vast improvement over the past decade. Crime is down, a new subway terminal and ballpark opened, and the Bloomberg administration saved the historic B&B Carousel.
Coney Island is the most culturally diverse neighborhood in New York and still serves as the people's playground, a place for people of small means to enjoy the beach and the Boardwalk. Coney has a rich history and heritage that must be preserved for future generations.
Thor's Free Monday Movie Madness screens the 1980's "Goonies" on an inflatable screen which many times swayed and tilted in the breeze. Even though the weather was perfect for sitting outdoors, the night's screening drew only a small crowd - perhaps due to the screening choice. A larger crowd may be expected for the "Harry Potter, Goblet of Fire" showing next Monday.
B'klyn Big Top [NY Post]
It’s Coney Island turmoil, USA [Courier Life]
Coney Island Pirateblogging [Multi Medium]
City Considers a Little Tivoli for Coney Island [Gothamist]
Your pathway to the shore - New mats revamp Coney Island beach experience [Courier Life]
Coney Island Monday Fun: 'Anarchy' & Tivoli Gardens [Curbed]
Danish Amusement Park at Coney Island? [mcbrooklyn]
Clown Alert: Circus Now Playing in Coney Island [The Gowanus Lounge]
Officials Travel to Look at Models for Coney Redevelopment [The Gowanus Lounge]
Cole Brothers Circus Lame, Mostly Empty [The Coney Island Reporter]
Coney Island - Labratory For The Mass Culture [SoHo Journal]
$40M 'Field' Day - Brooklyn Park Hits Jackpot [New York Post]
Thor's Coney Island Plan 'Dead in the Water,' Official Says [Curbed]
Elephants Take Over Coney Island As Cole Bros. Circus Comes To Town [NY1]
Trading Spaces: KeySpan Parking Lot for Thor's Coney Land? [Curbed]
Rockability Fest In Coney Island [OTBKB]
Schedule of Performers for the Coney Island Rockability Fest [OTBKB]
AIA Top Ten Green Projects: Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue Subway Terminal Train Shed [greenbuildingsNYC]
Coney Island (Structure) [todaysphotograph]
Corny Coney Island [Anguilla-Beaches.com]
Coney Island New York [Good and Random Articles]
Thor's $1.5B Coney Island Plan "Dead in the Water"? [Gothamist]
A Newark Murder Mystery; a Brooklyn Pizza Battle; Coney Island’s Future; and More [NY Times - City Room]
Official: Thor’s $1.5 Billion Coney Plan 'Dead' [Brownstoner]
Shake That Cosmic Thing [BrklynStories]
Coney Island and Balloon Peace Signs [WHBC Mission Trip Team Blog]
Images:
Flickr.com set of Daft Punk concert at Keyspan Park Stadium [Flickr]
Videos:
YouTube Set of Daft Punk at Keyspan Park Stadium, Coney Island [YouTube]
Late last night sign installers were hooking up a new canopy sign for a new lounge opening up soon at the new building at 1205 Surf Avenue directly across from the Coney Island Museum and Sideshow. What will seem to be a bar and lounge Stars By The Shore will be showcasing Karaoke. The sign sat on the floor before being installed above the store's entrance. Also posted, on the closed gate, is a help wanted sign which reads:3 waitress positions available. Must be friendly & outgoing. Call (646) 525-6634 or (718) 404-4462 or see us around the corner on the 3rd floor at 1205 Surf Avenue.
Carol Hill Albert, whose family has operated Astroland since her late father-in-law, Dewey Albert, opened the park in 1962, said she still hopes to find a way to keep Astroland alive at some nearby location.
"I have been optimistic before, and things have not worked out,'' Albert said. "I guess I would say I'm an optimistic person.''
After listing 21 of Astroland's rides for sale earlier this year for about $2.4 million, she asked the dealer to pull all but the Top Spin 2.
"The seller has decided that they can't sell at this time because everything is too up in the air,'' said Tammy Nazarete, office manager at Somerville, New Jersey-based Rides-4-U Inc.
Sitt's proposed development isn't a done deal.
Desperate for attention, the beach chair and water slide prices keep slumping faster than a semi wet drop down the Hippo's hide. The plastic chairs are begging to be rented. "Take me to the beach" they seem to proclaim. The prices dropped from $25 a rental to $10 all day. You can take a chair or umbrella (not both) to the beach with a deposit.
The Hippo water slide prices were dropped as well. 1 Ride is now only $2 dollars. 6 rides $10 dollars, and a total of 2 hours unlimited time on the slide is $15.
This past Monday's Movie Madness night seems to have gone unnoticed or possibly canceled. No word on the screening of the "Nutty Professor". It was probably canceled due to the heavy fog last night. Today the blue carpet was rolled out and the Thor Equities field office trailer was moved closer to the water slide.
The Brooklyn Cyclones juggling unicycling peanut vendor Kyle Petersen started a blog this past June called Tornadic Activity: A Cyclones Blog, which covers the Mets farm team minor league Brooklyn Cyclones with information and data on the team as well as videos of the Cyclones and his self proclaimed burgeoning juggling career.
Clownin' around at Coney!
The Cole Brothers Circus has brought down their tent and moved on and out of Coney Island. Not since 1938 has the Cole Bros. Circus performed here. But this past week the attendance at the circus didn’t turn out as hoped. The day performances seemed to have drawn a nice crowd but the evening performances were pretty much of low attendance. A few of the main factors that contributed to the very small evening crowds were most likely the parking problems in Coney Island as well as the negative reputation Coney has for its night hours in regards to families.
"We [Tavoli Gardens] aren't trying to create Disneyland in Coney Island, but we're trying to create a demand-oriented model that maintains the neighborhood's character and economic interests," said Robert Lieber, president of the city's Economic....
Lieber and other officials also spent time in the Netherlands last week visiting with officials from the successful Port of Amsterdam to help EDC come up with a master plan for improving industrial maritime business at piers in Red Hook, Brooklyn and other parts of the Big Apple....
With the city planning to rezone Coney Island's amusement district this year to help future development, Lieber said he's still not satisfied with developer Joe Sitt's proposal to build a $1.5 billion hotel-entertainment complex in the heart of the amusement district.
Lieber pointed out that Tivoli is successful year-round without the on-site condos, time-shares or hotels that Sitt has pushed for, despite Denmark's cold winters and the park's many outdoor rides and attractions.With Sitt controlling 10 acres of prime boardwalk real estate, both he and City Hall will have to reach a compromise or risk Coney Island remaining stagnant.The city could theoretically try taking Sitt's land through eminent domain, but Lieber said he's "not ready to go there" when asked about condemnation.
