Thor Equities Seeks Carnival Carnie Types

In a free amusement business website called usedrides.com Thor Equities has placed an ad calling for amusement independents who operate kiddie rides and game operators complete with their rides and concessions for the Coney Island 2009 season. Though the ad seems to have been removed the text was found posted on the Coney Island USA message board.

The ad on usedrides.com reads:

CONEY ISLAND , NEW YORK NOW BOOKING 2009 SEASON Description: NOW BOOKING NEED WHOLE CARNIVAL OR PART OF FOR 2009 SEASON BOOK NOW FOR BEST LOCATIONS NEED INDEPENDANTS WITH SPECTACULARS,MAJORS,KIDDIE RIDES,ALSO NEED GAMES AND GAME OPERATORS ALL TYPES ALSO FOOD TRAILERS SOUVENIRS,STRAIGHT
SALES,ALL NEW AND OLD UNUSUAL ACTS WELCOME MILLIONS IN ATTENDANCE BOOK NOW

Is Thor going to make better in 2009? Are they going to bring in temporary carnival rides that will close before the season ends? Are we in store for more inflatable madness?

Coney Events: Prom Night At Dreamland

From the Dreamland Roller Skating Rink:

Calling all High School Playground lovers! Get in your limo and come to Dreamland for a night you'll never forget! Reunite your friends for this special Saturday night at Dreamland with breath-taking views of the Coney Island Beach!

CONTEST!
Submit your high school prom pictures to DreamLand @lolastaar.com to be part of the slideshow to be shown this Saturday! The most memorable picture wins a special prize from Lola Staar! Don't forget to include your contact information, name and year taken (optional)!

Relieve the Prom Queen/King in you for reduced price! Girls, impress the boys with your satin bright colored glamorous prom outfits! and boys, charm the girls with your handsomest tux, don't forget the corsage! Winners of best costumes will be crowned Prom Queen and King!!

Saturday, October 4th! 7PM
7PM
$12 admission / $10 (reduced)
$5 Skate Rentals
21 and over

Congrats To All The Coney Island Film Festival Award Winners

Top Row: Paul Andersen (The Visitor), Randy Scott Slavin (Temporarily in Love) Angelica Torn, Luke Zarzecki (Lucky Days) Marcos Meconi (Carlos Catani) Bottom Row: Chris Fox Gilson, Carolyn Travis (Airplay) Amanda Jencsik (Coney Island Saved Me!) Peter LiPera (Save Coney Island) Photo: Norman Blake, Location: El Dorado Auto Skooters

Congrats to all the award winners of the 2008 8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival.

Best Feature: Lucky Days - Angelica Torn, Tony Torn
Best Short: The Heart Is A Hidden Camera - Gabriel Judet-Weinshel
Best Documentary Feature: Airplay - Carolyn Travis, Chris Fox Gilson
Best Documentary Short: Save Coney Island - Peter LiPera
Best Experimental: Carlos Catani - Marcos Meconi
Best Animation: Luna Park - Yuliya Vinokur
Best Music Video: Temporarily In Love - Randy Scott Slavin
Best Silent Film: The Visitor - Paul Andersen
Best "Made In Coney Island": Coney Island Saved Me! - Amanda Jencsik

Coney Film Festival Vid: Made In Coney Island

Here's another nicely done short film that was screened at the 8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival. Capturing the solemn feeling of what was then believed to be the last year of Astroland and Coney Island as we knew it for 2007.

Made in Coney Island

Description:
Made in Coney Island is a short film filled with artful images telling the past, present, and uncertain future of America's Playground. This film was an official selection of the 2008 Coney Island Film Festival.

Posted by EvansCrusade [YouTube]

For The Coney Crime Stats: Strangled Man Found In Ocean

Man found in the ocean that was previously thought of as drowned has been found have been strangled according to coroners reports CBS News Radio. At this time the victim and of course the cause has not been identified.


Man Found Dead Near Coney Island was Strangled [WCBS News Radio]

Coney Events: 1st Annual Coney Island Freaktoberfest

It's a year for 1st annual events here at Coney Island. Usually the Coney Island Film Festival was one of the last big events of the summer's tail-end to look forward to, but now there's another: it's the Boutique Beer and Music Festival - OCTOBERFEST!

From the Coney Island USA website:

GENERAL ADMISSION: $50 • Sample Beers from over 14 local and national craft brewers • Live music from Chin Chin, Dogs of Winter, Junk Science, Iller Than Theirs, Tone Tank and Smokewagon• Burlesque courtesy of Barrette • Perfmances by the world famous Coney Island Sideshow

V.I.P. ADMISSION: $75. As a VIP ticket holder, you will have access to the Coney Island USA Museum where you will be tasting exclusive, rare, and vintage beers, as well as talking to some of the brewers who made these tasty recipes come to life.

Click here for tickets
Click here for VIP tickets
CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR NIGHT OF THE EVENT21 AND OVER
PARTICIPATING BREWERIES: Shmaltz, Sixpoint, Southampton, Southern Tier, Ithaca, Chelsea, Captain Lawrence, Blue Point, Dogfish Head, Stone, Smuttynose, Lagunitas, HarpoonMagic Hat, + More to come.


1st Annual Coney Island Freaktoberfest
Friday, October 3rd
5pm to Midnight
at the Sideshows By The Seashore
Corner of Surf and West 12th Street

Coney Film Festival Vid: Brooklyn Babydoll

Here's a short film that screened this past weekend at the Coneyt Island Film Festival.

Pamela Sparacino is 'World Famous in Brooklyn.' As pinup model 'The Brooklyn Babydoll, her fame and notoriety actually extends way beyond New York's most populous borough, but her true passion lies squarely on the shores of Coney Island.

Brooklyn Babydoll CIFF edit [Hello?
exits and entrances]

Flickr Convoy: Wet Pre-Winter Blues Boardwalk

Image courtesy of Pablo57 / KC Flickr Group

A nice dreary feeling on the boardwalk soaked in a sepia setting. A whiff of pre-winter in the air. What will Coney Island be like next summer is a worry to many. We hope it won't be a summer of hopelessness.

Coney Island Film Festival: Last Day Sunday

Last day to catch the films. Check the Coney Island Film Festival website for today's line up.

We appoligize but due to technical difficulties with our internet connection the Sunday line-up could not be posted.

An Orwellian Coney Island Nightmare

Image courtesy of Elephant Man (CIUSA message board)

To some run-of-the-mill folk this Coney Island image above may be look like progress in Coney Island's ongoing redevelopment saga, but for those eccentric Coney amusement enthusiasts this is straight out of George Orwe'lls version of big city and big developer power control. To give us an emotional feel of the latest redevelopment plan by the city to rezone Coney Island and diminishing the amusement core to a mere nine acres, Dick Zigun sort of proposed Coney fans to work on their own rendering for the purpose. This one above created by Coney Island USA poster Elephant Man does a very good job of that. Other posters, like Swithback's (unofficial rendering of CIDC's plan, below) and egulvision (following), have done their own renditions of the horror Coney Island would look like in resembling every-where-else America.

Image above by Switchback (CIUSA message board)


Image by egulvision (CIUSA message board)
Click image for larger view

Reminder: 8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival Begins Tonight

8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival

September 26-28, 2008
at Sideshows By The Seashore and The Coney Island Museum in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood Coney Island, New York!

Tickets are now onsale! Click each program for descriptions, stills and to buy your tickets in advance. There is no extra service charge to buy online. We strongly recommend advanced purchase to avoid programs selling out!

Full Pass: Includes opening night party and all screenings (Warriors not included), $45
Saturday Pass: Includes all Saturday Screenings (Warriors not included), $15
Sunday Pass: Includes all Sunday Screenings $10

Check out the Coney Island Film Festival Website for all the details!

Pigs In Coney Get A Rain Check

The pig has been saved due to rainy weekend. The BBQ Island Pig Roast scheduled for this Saturday, September 27th has turned to hog wash afer being cancelled due to weather forecast but is planned on being rescheduled.

Coney's Dick Zigun Takes Time Out To Talk NY

Coney Island USA's director, the 'Mayor', and defender of amusements, Dick Zigun talks New York and his ideal vision of it to Time Out New York.

An ideal New York would have new buildings, all of which are as quality as the Chrysler Building. I’d like to see Coney Island have a Surf Avenue trolley again and ferry service again. But yeah, more Chrysler Buildings—not copies of them, but quality architecture. People like Rem Koolhaas, who just built that outrageous building in Beijing for the Olympics that looks like it can’t even stand up. Rather than what’s going on near Ground Zero, which is sort of bland and not that innovative, you know more Frank Gehrys, more Rem Koolhaas, more Chrysler Buildings, and Coney Island needs the Surf Avenue trolley back. Our transportation system could be a tourist attraction in and of itself. Look at New Orleans; look at San Francisco.

* * * * * * * *

An ideal New York would have new buildings, all of which are as quality as the Chrysler Building. I’d like to see Coney Island have a Surf Avenue trolley again and ferry service again. But yeah, more Chrysler Buildings—not copies of them, but quality architecture. People like Rem Koolhaas, who just built that outrageous building in Beijing for the Olympics that looks like it can’t even stand up. Rather than what’s going on near Ground Zero, which is sort of bland and not that innovative, you know more Frank Gehrys, more Rem Koolhaas, more Chrysler Buildings, and Coney Island needs the Surf Avenue trolley back. Our transportation system could be a tourist attraction in and of itself. Look at New Orleans; look at San Francisco.

* * * * * * * *

An ideal New York would have new buildings, all of which are as quality as the Chrysler Building. I’d like to see Coney Island have a Surf Avenue trolley again and ferry service again. But yeah, more Chrysler Buildings—not copies of them, but quality architecture. People like Rem Koolhaas, who just built that outrageous building in Beijing for the Olympics that looks like it can’t even stand up. Rather than what’s going on near Ground Zero, which is sort of bland and not that innovative, you know more Frank Gehrys, more Rem Koolhaas, more Chrysler Buildings, and Coney Island needs the Surf Avenue trolley back. Our transportation system could be a tourist attraction in and of itself. Look at New Orleans; look at San Francisco.

The New York 40: Dick Zigun [Time Out NY]

8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival: Line Up

Program 6
5pm
at the Coney Island Museum

Around The World in 90 Seconds
William Nunez, Elizabeth NJ, USA. Narrative Short, 5:04

Age Old Story
David Kramer, New York NY, USA. Silent Film, 15:24

Three Minute Culture
Henning Christiansen, Hamberg, Germany. Experimental/Music Video, 9:40

One Little Step (pictured)
Nicholas Economides, Tallahassee FL, USA. Silent Film, 6:06

Watching The Sun, 1 Wish
Veronika Belianina, Toronto On, Canada. Animation, 5:35

The Long Goodbye
Angelia Sciulli, Cleveland OH, USA. Experimental, 7:21

Counting Waves
Eric Maryea, Flushing NY, USA. Narrative Short, 13:21

Detachment
Robert Moore, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 23:42

Program 7
6pm
at Sideshows by the Seashore

The Upper Hand
Lana Schwarcz, Yarraville, VIC, Australia. Narrative Short, 6:25

Dead Boyfriends
Xstine Cook, Mooky Cornish, Neil Evenson, Calgary AB, Canada

Sexy Clown Bitch (pictured)
Laura Newman, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 6:42

Teat Beat of Sex: Episodes 8,9,10,11
Signe Baumane, New York NY, USA. Animation, 6:57

Belvedere & Me - A Love Story
Lin Gathright, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 9:00

Swing Vote - what side are you on?
Rebecca Pelletier, Emily Morse, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 23:00

Butterfly Witch
Amber Dawn, Los Angeles CA, USA. Documentary Short, 26:25

Temporarily in Love
Randy Scott Slavin, New York NY, USA. Music Video, 3:37

Program 8
7pm
at the Coney Island Museum

Watch Out
Steve Balderson, Wamego KS, USA. Feature, 90:00

Program 9
8pm
at Sideshows by the Seashore

Zombie Gets a Date (pictured)
Leetal Platt, Burbank CA, USA. Animation, 2:30
Animation/Experimental, 6:39

Little Snaps of Horror
Graham Rathlin, London, UK. Narrative Short, Horror, 2:16

Even
Ben Jurin, Brooklyn, NY. Narrative Short, Horror, 6:02

Family Affair
Rafael De Leon Jr., Bronx NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror, 6:44

Happy Birthday
Rik Burns, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror, 8:32

Security & Fee
Daniel McKleinfeld , Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror, 13:05

The Walking Corpse
Terrence Smith, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 14:24

Zombie Jesus!
Steve Miller, Toronto, On, Canada. Narrative Short, Comedy. 12:42

Abracadaver!
Nathan Schiff, Great Neck, NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 19:55

Apathy Breeds Contempt
Rory Douglas Abel, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 9:30

The Pod
Jeremiah Kipp, Astoria, NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 19:30

Eat Me
Victor Bonacore, Ronkonkoma, NY, USA. Silent Film, Horror. 9:53

Program 10
9pm
at the Coney Island Museum

Probed (pictured)
William Torres, New York, NY, USA. Animation, 01:00

Dishwashers
Simona Prives, Brooklyn NY USA. Music Video, 01:27

Apex Predator
Esther Bell, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Music Video, 3:51

I Love You I Love You I love You
Mikey Reyes, New York, NY, USA. Silent Film, 4:23

Getting Out
Ian Topple, Syosset, NY, USA. Animation, 5:03

Mishka
Yuliya Lanina, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Experimental, 5:00

Harvest
Robert Nevitt, Sheffield, UK. Narrative Short, Horror, 14:05

Gothkill
James Connelly, New York, NY, USA. Narrative Feature, 71:00

Special Screening
10:30pm
at Sideshows by the Seashore

The Warriors

8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival
Programs 6 - 10 includeing Special Screening
Program tickets: $6
Special Screening: $10

Sitt Accuses City Of Smear Tactics

Through a letter from Joe Sitt's lawyer, he accused Coney Island Development Corporation, Lynn Kelly attacking him with a 'campaign of deceit', as reported by the NY Daily News.

"Ms. Kelly's misstatements are both factually incorrect and unhelpful ..." wrote Masyr [Sitt's lawyer] in the Sept. 22 letter, obtained Tuesday by the Daily News.

* * * * * *

Masyr's letter, which was sent Monday, apparently stemmed from a Sept. 8 column Kelly wrote for The News. In the letter, Masyr slammed Kelly for claiming:

That condominiums continue to be a key aspect of Sitt's plan for the area - even though Masyr says housing was scrapped by the developer more than a year ago. Still, plans for huge 900 square-foot hotel rooms - more than twice the size of an average hotel room - have critics worried Thor may be planning time-share apartments.

8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival: Line Up

Program 1
(12 pm)

The Ferris Wheel Song (pictured)
Richard Jack, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 2:00



Unexplained Incidents
Gwyneth Leech, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 2:00

Transit
Charlie Shelton & Gabe Gomez, Brooklyn NY, USA. Experimental, 2:55

Hopeful Home
Ryan Bethune, Brooklyn NY, USA. Documentary Short, 7:51

Against The Wind
Dan Masucci, Scotia NY, USA. Narrative Short, 9:52

First Bass
Philip Hodges, Marina Del Ray CA, USA. Narrative Short, 18:06

Coney Island: Remnants (pictured)
Marc Harwood, Bayshore NY, USA, Narrative Short, 13:50


Walking Shadow
Douglas Hosdale, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 20:54

Frank Sidebottom: Frank's World
Chris Sievey, Cheshire, United Kingdom. Animation, 11:28

Program 2
1pm

Luna Park (pictured)
Yuliya Vinokur, Brooklyn NY, USA. Animation, 2:49

Bird Strikes
Chris Cassidy, Brooklyn NY, USA, Documentary Short, 6:39

Brooklyn Baseball
Robert Cassidy, Wantagh NY, USA. Documentary Short, 8:05

Mermaids of New York: The Brooklyn Babydoll
Ilise "The Lady Aye" Carter & Mica Scalin, New York NY, USA. Documentary Short, 8:07

Carlos Catani
Marcos Meconi, Brooklyn NY, USA. Experimental (subtitled) - 15:30

Virgins of New York
Katina Sossiadis, Bethlehem PA, USA. Documentary Short - 21:42

Carny Girl (pictured)
Erin FitzGerald, Vallejo CA, USA. Documentary Short, 25:20

Progam 3
2pm

Okay: KaiserCartel
Grizlet, Brooklyn NY, USA. Music Video, 3:07

Pretty Lisa
Helen Quinn, Jackson Heights, NY, USA. Animated Short, 2:35

Billboard Girl
Brandon J. Herman, Staten Island NY, USA. Experimental, 4:24

Submerged
Jacob Daschek, New York NY, USA. Documentary Short, 6:00

The Heart is a Hidden Camera
Gabriel Judet-Weinshel, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 11:50

The Red Room
Elina Fessa, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 9:52

Treasure of Riverside Park
JSOK ., Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 4:45

Gangster's Crib
Jack Bank, New York NY, USA, Narrative Short, 22:30

The Last Freak Show (pictured)
Simon Tatum, Essex, UK. Documentary Short, 23:06

The Velocet: Concertina
Bil Thompson, Brooklyn NY, USA. Music Video, 4:07

Program 4
3pm

Lucky Days (pictured)

Tony Torn, Angelica Torn, New York, NY, Narrative Feature, 103 minutes








Program 5
4pm

Serialist Art
Lauren Stambaugh, Boston MA, USA. Narrative Short, 7:36

Horsefingers 3: Starfucker
Kirsten Kearse, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 13:02

The Visitor (pictured)
Paul Andersen, Dapto, Austrailia, Silent Film, 12:12

Euology For Jack
Harold Einstein, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 9:30

Sovereignty
Jonathan Sale, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 19:16

Pumpkin Hell
Max Finneran, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 21:49

Dream On Cupid
Michael Grabow, Sayville NY, USA. Narrative Short, 5:24

Coney Island Film Festival
Saturday, September 27, 2008
at Sideshows by the Seashore
3006 W.12th St. @ Surf Ave.
Tickets are $6.

Click here to buy tickets for this program.
Advanced ticket purchase strongly recommended.
There is no extra service charge to buy online.

Coney Events: Bon Fire A La Pig Roast

Everyone is invited to the Pig Roast/ Bon Fire at Coney Island Beach! BBQ Island Restaurant is having a Pig Roast and Bon Fire Party for the end of the 2008 Season, this Saturday. The following day, on Sunday, BBQ Island will be pulling the truck away from Coney Island and parking it in front fo their restaurant in Clinton Hill until January 1st. - Polar Bear Day.

For this Saturday's event you can pick your own pig for your pork. On the menu you can find: Keg beer, chicken, cranberry, cole slaw, baked beans, corn pawns, sweet potatoes fries, and fried apples!

BBQ Island's Pig Roast/ Bon Fire at Coney Island Beach!!!!
Saturday Sept 27th - anytime after 6 pm
ALL YOU CAN EAT $15.00 – KIDS 10 & Under $6.00

Coney Events: Rocky Horror Dreamland Skate Party!

Join the Dreamland Roller Skating Rink for a Rocky Horror Event.

Whatever happened to Saturday night?

Let all the Rocky Horror freaks answer that question as you skate your way to sweet transsssssssexual Transylvania! Do the Time Warp to all your favorite Rocky Horror songs as well as all the electro-disco/cabaret/new wave tunes that will keep the night hot-and-horrifying!

Rocky Horror Skate Party!!
Saturday, Sept 27th!
7PM
Wear your golden hotpants, Frank-n-furter monster custume or other fabulous Transylvanian transvestite attire for reduced admission! Prizes for best costume!!$14 admission / $12 (reduced)
$5 Skate Rentals!!
21 and over
at the Dreamland Roller Skating Rink

on the Coney Island Boardwalk's landmark Childs Building

Flickr Convoy: Coney Ride Tickets

Image courtesy of Barry Yanowitz / KC Flickr Group

Gives us a feeling of what Coney might start to look like when only amusement relics are left behind after the dismantling and carting away of Astroland.

8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival: Opening Night Screening And Party

Short Presentation:
Down The Hatch
The Life Teachings of John "Red" Stuart
Andrew David Watson - Philadelphia, PA - Doc Short, 20 Minutes
The American sideshow survives in a working-class neighborhood in Philadelphia, where one of the greatest sword swallowers of all time -- the last of legends -- teaches his craft to the next generation.

Feature Presentation:
Sideshow Still Ali

Juan Lopez, Orlando, Fl - Documentary Feature, 70 minutes -New York Premiere!

The most bizarre acts throughout history are still shocking audiences till this day. Sideshow Still Alive explores a branch of the enter- tainment business that is often overlooked and most of the time ignored by the mainstream. Featuring the world's best sideshow performers of our time, Sideshow Still Alive takes a look at a group of truly independent artists who push the limits of creativity and their bodies for the sake of entertainment.Step right up and experience the insane acts of the Jim Rose Circus, the humorous blend of rock and roll and sideshow stunts of the Enigma, Coney Island Sideshow Performers Insectavora and Eak The Geek, the shocking John Shaw Pandemonium Midnight Sideshow plus many more.

See the Trailer below
Sideshow Still Alive

Posted by SideshowStillAlive [YouTube]


Opening Night Party at the Newly Renovated and Expanded Freak Bar! Hosted by The Great Fredini. Live performances by New York Burlesque Stars and performers from The Coney Island Circus Sideshow. Open Bar!


8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival
Opening Night Screening
Friday, September 26, 2008 - 7:30pm

Opening Night Party
9:30 pm

at the Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Ave.
Tickets for the opening night screening & party are $25.
Tickets for the screening only are $6.

Click here to buy tickets for the opening night screening and party $25 (includes screening, party with open bar 9:30pm-12:30am, burlesque and sideshow performances).

Click here to buy tickets for the screening only, $6 Advanced ticket purchase strongly recommended. There is no extra service charge to buy online.

The 8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival runs from Friday, September 26th through Sunday, September 28th 2008

Landmark Childs Building Defaced?

Once again Coney's roving eye Capt_Nemo zooms into one of Coney's crevices and finds something else askew. Here it looks like the Childs building which is a Coney landmark has been in some careless way deformed. Though it doesn't look permanent it sure doesn't respect the aesthetics of the already fragile building. Though, we won't mention who is the most likely culprit, which is a particular contractor who has been working on the Childs building for the last couple of years, we will say 'shame on them'. It looks like previously there must have been some sort of exhaust opening (see image below) which the careless contractor used for access to run electrical wires through (see image above).

Hopefully it is temporary. And it probably is used to service the Dreamland Roller Rink.

Images courtesy of Capt_Nemo (Coney Island USA message board)

Flickr Convoy: Great Irish Fair 2008 At Coney Island

Image courtesy of Rubys Host / KC Flickr Group

The Great Irish Fair 2008 took place here in Coney Island over the weekend at Keyspan Park.

Thor Equities And Their Fence Permits Have Expired

Coney Island's roving eye and Coney Island USA message board poster; Capt_Nemo has taken a closer look and found that the expiration dates on Thor Equities' blue 'construction' fences have expired. Many of these permits expire before the city takes any further steps we could presume but as Capt_Nemo questions:

And isn't there some kind of statue saying if you put up a construction fence, you must build something sooner or later?

Images courtesy of Capt_Nemo (CIUSA message board)

Coney Events: Phatnom Of The Presendential Wax Museum

From the Coney Island USA website:

CREEP SHOW AT THE FREAK SHOW is Coney Island’s only Halloween extravaganza and one of the best haunted tours in all of New York City. Come see what the New York Press called "not only the best and wildest haunted house in town, but the smartest as well."

CREEP SHOW AT THE FREAKSHOW!
PHANTOM OF THE PRESIDENTIAL WAX MUSEUM
DAILY, October 17th - 31st
Mondays - Thursdays: 7-10 PM
Fridays: 7-11 PM
Saturdays: 4-11 PM Sundays: 4-10 PM
$10 ADULTS, $5 KIDS (Not Recommended for Small Children)

Halloween Friday, October 31st ONLY
6-12 PM
All Tickets $15 includes midnite Horror Movie Party!
Continuous Admission Allow 45 minutes for the complete experience.
at Sideshows By The Seashore
Corner of Surf and West 12th Street

Coney Vid: Coney Closes For 1908 Season

Here's a short tid-bit from Century News about the closing for Coney Island for the 1908 season.

Century News - 09-21-1908: Coney Island Closing for Season

Posted by OurKrazyKulture [YouTube]

Flickr Convoy: Shoot The Freak At The Mermaid Parade

Image courtesy of Victoria Belanger / KC Flickr Group

A rare look at the Shoot The Freak this summer on the Mermaid Parade.

Coney Vid: Under The Roller Coaster Short Film

Here's a short film about the house that was nestled under the Thuderbolt rollercoaster in Coney Island. It was screened at the 2006 Coney Island Film Festival.

Under The Roller Coaster PT 1



Under The Roller Coaster Pt 2

Description:
To thousands the Thunderbolt Roller Coaster was a Coney Island icon, but for May Timpano it was home. This enchanting film examines the true life experience of one woman and her unique relationship to Coney Island living under the famed Thunderbolt Roller Coaster. A film by Lila Place.


Posted by Boulevard07 [YouTube]

Coney Crossroads Meeting Response

The Municipal Arts Society's presentation of 'Coney Island At The Crossroads' presented much the same as the last CIDC Scoping meeting this summer, according to Coney Island USA message board poster, Thunderbolt Kin.

Lynn Kelly went through the reasons why it is of the utmost importance that the rezoning plan go through. She said that the city could designate east Coney as parkland and in that way it could protect the amusement area. She claimed that c7 zoning could not protect Coney from vacant lots and inappropriate retail. She showed us slides of Coney Island from this morning showing empty lots, one lot was the Thunderbolt land and the other was Sitt's on Stillwell. She also showed a
slide of the Russian furniture stores as examples of how C7 can't protect Coney. She talked about how the city tried to get Thor to negotiate with the Alberts to extend their lease for another year but Thor wasn't interested.

Dick Zigun spoke about how the plan as it is, is an insult to the amusement industry. He asked that the city go back to the plan that had been worked out by Kelly in which 16 acres were set aside for outdoor amusements. He pointed out that after much work in putting that plan together the city rejected it in April with just one word, "unrealistic."

Carol Albert talked about the plans that her family had submitted to the city for a year round Astroland which included a hotel and enclosed rides.

When it came time for Q & A I asked Lynn Kelly why the city lets Thor push it around. If Thor wouldn't give Astroland a lease extention and they refuse to build amusements on C7 land why doesn't the city take back the land through eminent domain. I also pointed out that C7 was put in place to protect Coney amusements from people like Thor. Why doesn't the city just enforce it's own rules to protect Coney. Her answer was that there is no eminent domain. That the city prefers to take a civil approach to the land holders. She said that C7 just can't protect Coney and that's why there must be a rezoning.

* * * * * * * *

After the meeting I pointed out to her that the empty lots she talked about were caused by the city. I pointed out that Horrace Bullard was going to build an amusement park which was during the Dinkins administration. Then Guiliani came along and put a stop to his plans and demolished the Thunderbolt which caused the empty lot she had on her slide. Kelly said she couldn't speak for the Dinkins or Guiliani administration because she didn't know the history. Shouldn't someone in her position know the full history of Coney Island before they undertake to renew it?

You can read the full post and follow the discussion here at the Coney Island USA message baord.

Flickr Convoy: B&B Carousel 1950's

Image courtesy of egulvision / KC Flickr Group

Kinetic Carnival Flickr Group member; Egulvision's dad took this picture of the B&B Carousel in the 1950's. As of yet the carousel is located in some armory awaiting its restoration, if not already. Hopefully, for a return to Coney Island sometime in the future.

Join the Kinetic Carnival Flickr Group to add your Coney Island images and have them featured on this blog.

Coney Vid: Farewell Coney Island

Farewell Coney Island

Description:
A farewell to my Hamptons of Brooklyn, Coney Island. Astroland, the soul of Coney, is being replaced by shopping malls and condos. Growing up in Brooklyn will never be the same.

Posted by yellowfeverbb [YouTube]

Reminder: MAS Presents 'Coney Island At The Crossroads' Tonight

Though it is considered to be sold out, this is a reminder for those with tickets. Perhaps their may still be room when you get there for those without tickets. The Municipal Arts Society's presentation of 'Coney Island at the Crossroads' will host the discussion along with: Kent Barwick, Purnima Kapur, Lynn Kelly, Carol Hill Albert, Sheryl Robertson, Dick Zigun, and Jonathan Bowles.


Coney Island at the Crossroads
Wednesday, September 17
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
at the Municipal Art Society, 457Madison Avenue
at E. 51st Street.
$15, $12
MAS members/students.Purchase tickets online or call 235 935 2075.
check for availability!

Flickr Convoy: Astroland's Last Spring

Image courtesy of Victoria Belanger / KC Flickr Group

The beauty of an Astroland vibrant spring night in its last year of existence. It will surely be missed as the amusement anchor of today's Coney Island. Without it, the future of amusements in Coney Island will hang in the balance if not for the power of its neighboring landmarks.

Join the Kinetic Carnival Flickr Group to add your Coney Island images and have them featured in this blog.

Is Deno's Amusement Park Selling Rides?

According to a ride broker website, Ital International - pictured are about three rides being sold by Deno's Amusement park as found and posted by FixConey on the Coney Island USA message board.

Could these be just reference pictures of those rides or is Deno's selling them? Either way, they could be looking to replace them with new rides for next season or something else may be in the works.

Did The City Also Help Give Astroland The Big Boot?

Image courtesy of Simbolism (Flickr.com)

After more than four decades Astroland Park, has been the focal point that has allowed the amusements in Coney Island to keep its heart beat. But now it has closed and will be gone, and in its wake, leaving Coney Island, the amusement center; lifeless forever. It all started when the city decided it demanded a year-round Coney Island which was perhaps the beginning of Astroland's demise. Co-Owner and operator Carol Albert saw big new tenants and speculators hovering over Coney Island when they smelled rezoning. They bought up land around her and promised year-round. The city pressed on causing Albert to buckle under those demands and sell for a cheap $30 million, (compared to smaller water-front property in the area which resold for more than double that). Albert couldn't convert her outdoor park to year-round so she sold to Thor Equities. Her new landlord gave them a lease extension for 2008 but she did not meet with the same luck for 2009. And though she may have demanded a two-year extension at the same rate by a certain time, Thor Equities didn't want to negotiate under those conditions. Thor spokesman Stefan Friendman said to the press that they [Thor] will not negotiate through the media or with a gun held to their heads. Friendman who spoke over the phone with Kinetic Carnival last week and who preferred the conversation be kept 'off the record', basically wanted to clear one misconception. He said Thor was always in constant communication with Albert for various issues including arranging special events at Astroland. But with the lease issue, Albert wanted it her way or nothing. What he did agree to be quoted about was that "Thor is very committed to amusements" and that they will do the best they can to fill Coney Island with amusements and attractions next year. However, Thor may be used to dealing, they still chose to ignore Albert's specific situation - in which she either needed time to sell their rides or give her 300 employees stability for two more years.

When Astroland finally shut its gates Sunday, September 7, 2008, Coney Island Development Corporation president, Lynn Kelly said "This further underscores the need for the City’s comprehensive rezoning plan." Now Lynn Kelly claims the city tried to save Astroland in a recent September 12th letter (posted by Tricia on the CIUSA message board). Kelly said, [The city and the CIDC] "proposed a potential scenario in which Thor could provide Astroland with a one-year lease extension". However, Kelly doesn't state, specially, how they tried to save the park. Kelly further states that, "Recent events make it crystal clear that the current zoning has not protected the amusements, as an area that once boasted more than 60 acres of rides."

On the Coney Island USA message board, frequent poster, Switchback explains how the city is at fault for doing nothing to save or relocate Astroland - or far worse, blaming the rezoning push for upsetting the amusement applecart in the first place. Anytime you decide to rezone you attract the speculators.

Switchback writes:

The reason why rides still exist there is because it was not zoned for anything but amusements. The only time that zoning fails is when city officials like yourself announce that the property will be rezoned, then land speculating vultures like Thor Equities comes swooping in.

* * * * *

The city also has eminent domain as a remedy. They seem to have no problem using it against the poor and small business owners in areas like Harlem, Willets Point, and next to the Atlantic Yards. What a shame you all have the attitude that it is undignified to use it against the rich and big corporations even if that rich person is a known con artist who has already defrauded the city.