Friday, May 30, 2008
Coney HOOPLA!
They're Tearing Down My Coney Island [Zombos Closet of Horror]
Coney Mania #5: Fun Ride or Animal Cruelty? [Gowanus Lounge]
6/1 SUN: help Rev. Billy beatify Coney Is. freaks [NY Protest Calendar]
GL Photo Du Jour: Clean Streets, Clean Beaches [Gowanus Lounge]
on coney island dance dance, deep forest, and letting it all sink in [Political Poet(ry)]
"Save Coney" Protestors Rain on City's Beach-Opening Parade [Runnin' Scared - Village Voice - by Neil deMause
Coney Mania #5: Fun Ride or Animal Cruelty? [Gowanus Lounge]
Coney Island Crapwatch [Curbed]
Man Falls Through Floor at Ruby’s on Coney Island [gothamist]
Brooklyn Nibbles: Beer Island Arrives in Coney [Gowanus Lounge]
One Freak of an Awards Show in Coney Island [Advertising Age]
Images:
Coney Island Creek... [Lornagrl]
Coney Island Graffiti [Answers to the Questions]
Video:
CONEY ISLAND, NEW YORK
Description:
pictures of coney island with music by miles davis
Posted by apustilnik [YouTube]
Audio:
BallyCast Podcast guest Doug Higley - episode #017 [BallyCast]
Coney Vid: SPOOK-A-RAMA
SPOOK-A-RAMA
Description:
A short film of the inside of the 52 year old Coney Island darkride, the SPOOK-A-RAMA!
Posted by ArtMeetsCommerce [YouTube]
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Coney Events: Coney Island Weekends Photo Show
Coney Island Weekends
Fahey Bodell
Umbrella Arts
Opening Reception: Wednesday, June 4
6pm to 8pm
Gallery Hours: Thursday to Sunday
1pm to 6pm
by appointment only
at 317 East 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
212.505.7196
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Coney Events: Georgia Sothern In Burlesque At The Beach
GEORGIA SOTHERN goes to CONEY ISLAND !
A historical re-creation of the Minsky Follies and burlesque legend Georgia Sothern continues in the playland of playlands! Ixion will present another evening of LIVE MUSIC - GROUP CHOREOGRAPHY - MINSKY SKITS AND COMIC BITS - and of course the multi-talented RunAround Sue as GEORGIA SOTHERN!
Georgia Sothern
Burlesqu At The Beach
Ixion Burlesque
10pm
$15
at Sideshows by the Seashore
Corner of Surf and West 12th Street
See the 2008 Burlesque Schedule
Get Connected With The CIDC
CIDC's New Fun Guide Website For All Your Coney Events
The new Coney Island Fun Guide states:
Welcome to Coney Island.
Coney Island is a thriving, year-round entertainment destination full of fun things to do, and it's just a stone's throw away from Manhattan. The Coney Island Fun Guide is the perfect resource to use in planning your Coney Island adventure.
New Coney Welcome Banners For 2008
The CIDC's new revamped website writes:
CIDC works to support and enhance existing events and marketing efforts throught Coney Island.
This Year Joe Sitt Is In The Coney Mood
As the Gowanus Lounge observes:
Yesterday, we found that the plywood has been painted yellow and red. There are two reactions that one can have: (A). Plywood is plywood and the windows have been replaced with plywood or (B). At last Mr. Sitt is trying to make it look less like plywood.
Coney Mania #2: Even the Plywood is Now Colorful [Gowanus Lounge]
Are Ponies Being Treated With Cruelty At The New Coney Rides?
The Gowanus Lounge writes:
The five ponies and the ride are ostensibly part of a petting zoo set up on developer Joe Sitt’s property. Whether one considers the attraction and the sight of ponies chained to such a device and forced to endlessly walk in circles depends on one’s perspective.
Luckily, the ponies will only be going in circles here for only two weeks.
Image courtesy of The Gowanus Lounge
Coney Mania #5: Fun Ride or Animal Cruelty? [Gowanus Lounge]
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Reithoffer’s Short Run Playland In Coney Impressive
CIDC Scoping Meeting Info
The CIDC Revamps Its Website
The CIDC Unveils Redesigned Website
We’ve updated our website with a fresh new design and expanded content. The site will continue to be a resource for the extended Coney Island community to learn about the many active projects, initiatives and opportunities in the neighborhood.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Reithoffers Playland At Coney Island
Thor Equities has also put up Beer Island where the mini golf course and the Hippo water slide was up last year. Beer Island seems like a parking lot for drunks. A temporary drunk fest in Coney Island. The images below were also posted on the Coney Island USA message board by Captain Nemo.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
More Coney Demonstration Video: Reverend Billy
Save Coney Island Demonstration - Reverend Billy
Description:
Coney Island 5/22/08. Shot by Rob Leddy on a Canon Digital Elph.
Posted by cifilmman [YouTube]
Friday, May 23, 2008
Protester Video: Amos Wengler Sings To Save Coney
Description:
Amos Wengler sings Save Coney Island. Shot by Rob Leddy on a Canon Digital Elph.
Posted by cifilmman [YouTube]
Coney Beach Season Opens With Protesters
In the NY1 video segment one protester, Angie Potani expresses herself:
"Why do people love Coney Island? Not for strip mall, not for condominiums,” said protester Angie Pontani. “They love it for the amusement and the history and when we redevelop we have to focus on preserving that. And the major change in the city’s plan is now to reduce the amusement district."
Lynn Kelly gives her retort:
"I think they believe were taking away the amusement area which is frankly inaccurate,” said Lynn Kelly of the Coney Island Development Corporation. “We are more then doubling the existing size of what’s out there today and we are providing uses in and around it that will compliment an amusement area and bring people here year round, such as restaurants, entertainment, retail bowling alleys, movie theaters."All in all change is what we need here in Coney Island - but the right change. Perhaps the city should rethink the whole idea and forget about big business in Coney Island. And instead, should create some sort of template to allow the little guy to thrive here.
Click here to view video.
You can follow the discussion on the Coney Island USA message board.
Save Coney Beach Opening Colorful Protest
The pictures were posted on the Weblicist of Manhattan website.
Brooklyn / Coney Music Vid: THE BROOKLYN WAY
THE LORDZ feat. EVERLAST - THE BROOKLYN WAY
Description:
The Brooklyn Way feat. Everlast music video from the album The Brooklyn Way by The Lordz. Title song to the docu-series The Brooklyn Way premiering on FUSE.
Posted by lucymac1 [YouTube]
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Help Save The Dreamland Roller Rink
The opening event this past March, 22nd brought out the glam of today's Coney including one celebrity; Marisa Tomei.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
More Coney Grand Theft Auto Action
The video clip and images are once again brought to you by switchback who posted this video clip and images on the Coney Island USA message board. You can see a few screenshots at the message board.
Gazebo
Description:
Attemps to destroy a gazebo at Fierfly Island
Posted by GTAtodayvid050708 [YouTube]
Reminder: Coney Island USA Spring Gala
From the Coney Island USA website:
It's Time for the Coney Island USA Spring Gala!Come out and celebrate the 2008 season with us, as we kick off the summer with a big blowout at the Angel Orensanz Foundation. There's an Open Bar, and The Brooklyn Bombshells will teach you some swing dance moves so you can dance to to the stylings of our band: Lady Luck and the Suicide Kings.
Coney Island USA Spring Gala
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
7 PM to 11 PM
Angel Orensanz Foundation
172 Norfolk Street New York, NY
Monday, May 19, 2008
Coney Vid: Coney Island Memories
Coney Island Memories
June 1st, 2007 visit to Coney Island following an article in the free local newspaper (AM New York) reporting that it was closing down. Share your memories here. Edit of May 17th, 2008 for a Surrealist Movie Night at the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center premiering the "Brave Destiny" documentary.
Posted by CinemaVII [YouTube]
Coney Firefighters Save Three Trapped On Jetty
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thor Ride Being Built At Coney
Correction: To be more specific, as a comment that was made to this post, indicating that we were too general: It is a given that Thor Equities is not assembling these rides but have contracted the traveling carnival company, Reithoffer Shows to bring these rides to Coney Island. This is not a spin tactic. Kinetic Carnival whole heartedly supports the movement to keep a large thriving amusement area in Coney Island.
Coney Vid: Documentary On Coney's Closed Amusements
Coney island
Desciption:
A short documentary showcasing the emptiness of coney island since its amusements closed in 2007.
Posted by lcfoxfc [YouTube]
Friday, May 16, 2008
'Summer Of Hope For Coney' Brought To You By Thor Equities
Thor Equities is hoping to win your hearts by creating a summer dreamland this summer.
Their press release reads:
Dozens of new amusements, including the largest number of new and exciting rides in decades, coming to Coney through Labor Day
World-renowned Reithoffer Shows, a new ‘Dreamland’ and family friendly sideshows just a few of the new attractions
(BROOKLYN) – The “Summer of Hope” is opening in Coney Island on Memorial Day, Thor Equities announced today, featuring the newest and best rides to come to the Boardwalk in decades; fun and challenging games and family-friendly sideshows.
The festivities kick off with a 10-day limited engagement with the oldest traveling amusement show in the country—the Reithoffer shows—and won’t stop until Labor Day, as Thor debuts a new, summer-long version of Dreamland Park.
“Nowhere in the world has a richer tradition of electrifying rides, mind-bending sideshows and fun-for-the-whole-family games than Coney Island,” said Joseph J. Sitt, President of Thor Equities. “Thor is fully committed to the amusement industry in Coney, and from the Ring of Fire to the world’s smallest woman, we’re sure the Summer of Hope will be a Summer to remember for the hundreds of thousands of thrill-seekers who will crowd into Coney Island from Memorial Day to Labor Day.”
Rides coming in with Reithoffer from May 22 to June 3 include:
The Tidal Wave, Swinging Fire Ball, the largest Bumper Car in Coney, Giant Power Surge, The Storm, Giant Century Wheel, Crusty Crab Wheel, Demolition Derby, Super Fun Slide, Mini Indianapolis, Giant Avalanche, Starship 2000, Drive in Go-Round, Rocking Tug Boat, Crazy Bus, Tilt-a-Whirl and Bumble Bee.
Rides that will operate in “Dreamland” all summer include:
Majestic Himalaya, Ring of Fire, Spin Out, Giant Gondola, Wacky Worm, Zipper, Mind Scrambler, Bumper Cars, Mini Himalaya, Mini Jet 6, and a Carousel. A petting zoo will also be located inside “Dreamland.”
Sideshow attractions the will alternate throughout the summer include:
The World’s Smallest Horse, the World’s Largest Alligator, the 100-lb. rat and the World’s Smallest Woman.
During the Summer of Hope, all rides will be located off Stillwell Avenue Between Surf and The Boardwalk.
Joe Sitt: Bring On the Petting Zoos at Coney Island [New York Observer]
Thor Declares “Summer of Hope,” Brings Rides [Gowanus Lounge]
You can follow the discussion on the Coney Island USA message board here.
Save Coney Island Demonstration
This opening beach day at Coney Island come out and help save Coney Island with the Save Coney Island Demonstration. 9:45AM will be the gathering for the rally to start at 10:30.
NO to High Rises in the Amusement District. . NO to Retail, Malls or Entertainment Retail in the Amusement District. NO to shrinkage of the Amusement District from 15 acres to 9 acres! YES to preserving Amusement Zoning in the Amusement District!! YES to keeping Coney Island the People’s Playground- providing accessible Amusements for ALL to enjoy!!
WHAT TO BRING:
Big Colorful Signs!! (see below for slogan ideas)Attend our FREE Poster making party on May 13th (details below)
WHAT TO WEAR:
We will be providing FREE Save Coney Island tee shirts to those attending the demonstration (while supplies last!!) or Wear the Save Coney Island colors electric blue, red, and yellow!!or Costumes! Glitter! Face Paint! Wear whatever costume that you feel expresses the Spirit of Coney Island!!
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!!: Download this Save Coney Island
Demonstration Flyer Make copies! Hang it up in your neighborhood! Pass em out!! Decorate your office with them!! Please help us promote these events!!
There will also be a sign painting party for the event as well as a brand new Save Coney Island website coming up soon.
Reminder: Woody Guthrie's Coney Island Years
Woody Guthrie's Coney Island Years
The Coney Island History Project is pleased to announce their 2008 opening exhibition, Woody Guthrie's Coney Island Years. Guthrie and his family lived on Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island from 1943 - 1952. The exhibition will feature photographs about the famed activist's life in Coney Island.
Featuring: The Mermaids at 2pm
The Coney Island History Project's
Open Memorial Day Weekend - May 24 - 26 - 1- 6pm
Visit website for summer schedule
Woody Guthrie's Coney Island Years
May 24th
at the Opening Day of The Coney Island History Project's Exhibition Center
Free Admission
1pm-6pm
Exhibition Center is located under the Cyclone Roller Coaster
Surf Avenue near 10th Street
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Coney Vid: Sideshow School
Sideshow School
Description:
Students at the Coney Island Sideshow School learn how to eat fire, shove a nail up their nose, swallow swords and escape from a straightjacket while hanging upside-down.
Posted by diagonaluk [YouTube]
Coney Asser Levy Park Receives $36 Million In Funding
The brownstoner writes:
The development will run between Sea Breeze Avenue to the north, Surf Avenue to the south and West 5th Street to the west. The formal review process for the project is supposed to start sometime this year
Coney Vid: "Bally Master" Trailer
This film "Bally Master" by Gary Beeber staring Coney Island's Scott Baker THE TWISTED SHOCKMEISTER.
BALLY MASTER - TRAILER
Description:
"GRAND JURY AWARD IN DOCUMENTARY" DC Independent Film Festival, 2008. "BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT" Coney Island Film Festival, 2007. OFFICIAL SELECTION, On Location: Memphis, 2008. OFFICIAL SELECTION, Backseat Film Festival, 2008. OFFICIAL SELECTION, Da Vinci Film Festival, 2008. OFFICIAL SELECTION, NewFilmmakers NYC, 2008. OFFICIAL SELECTION, CHARLOTTE FILM FESTIVAL-2007. Trailer from a film by Gary Beeber entitled "BALLY MASTER." A peek into the BIZARRE world of Scott Baker, magician, actor, and master of the Bally stage at the world famous Coney Island Circus Sideshow.
Posted by garybeeber [YouTube]
Coney Boardwalk Doesn't Make The Cut For AOL
From John's Pass Boardwalk and Village located in St. Petersburg, Florida, The Santa Monica Pier, Canal Walk in Richmond Virginia, to Atlantic City - they are placed on AOL Travel best scenic boardwalks. The dilapidation of the boardwalk in Coney Island further removes it from any 'best' lists of places that bestow a boardwalk of any kind.
The Pike at Rainbow Harbor
Location: Long Beach, California
Atlantic City
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Canal Walk
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Coney Island History Project Summer Schedule
The History Project’s Exhibition Center is located under the Cyclone Roller Coaster, Surf Avenue near 10th Street Open Weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day
Free Admission for One and All!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Coney Events: Coney Island Advertising Freakshow
Wrath of Cannes - The 2nd Annual Advertising Freakshow:
No call for entries, no fees.
Come to the party, bring one great idea on a thumb drive or other removable media. Entries will be judged in real time and the Grand Coney will be awarded all in the same
night.
Wrath of Cannes
The 2nd Annual Coney Island Advertising Freakshow
Thursday, June 19th, 2008
6pm to 10pm
at Cha Cha's Club Atlantis
Boardwalk in Coney Island
Nathan's Hot Dog Less Caloric Than The Big Mac
The hot dog here is comparable to the Subways sandwhich which boast about half the calories to the McDonald's Big Mac and the Burger King WhopperNathans is now posting the calories of all their food items. The difference in some of the prices and their calories is very close Ever wonder what the calories are in a plain hot dog? wonder no more.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Coney Vid: "Coney Island Baby" By Tom Waits
A self-made music video comprised of archival footage of Coney Island. The music is performed by Tom Waits & written by Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan (from Waits' album "Blood Money").
© Stephen Cousins, 2006
Posted by debibulated [YouTube]
Coney Events: 2008 Siren Music Festival Lineup
8th Annual Siren Music Festival
July 19, 2008
from 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m.
This event is a free, all day, all ages music festival
Save Coney From A Shrunken Amusement Zone
New Coney Island Coalition Says:
Oppose New Zoning! Save Coney Island!
Coney Island USA, The Coney Island History Project, Citylore and the Coney Island Hysterical Society are just a few of Coney Island Community groups who have joined forces with Save Coney Island, which has over 4,000 members, to form a coalition to oppose the city’s new zoning compromise. The City's new plan almost completely abolishes the amusement industry for the sake of residential condos, hotels and retail.
The Under the new proposal, Coney Island will be overwhelmed by new residential, hotel and retail uses and amusements will be squeezed out!
Coney Island is currently zoned for 61 acres of amusements; the city’s new proposal reduces the amount of amusements to 9 acres, supplemented by retail.
This reduction of proposed space for amusements will be unable to create critical mass for the amusement area, defeating the goal of creating a world class amusement and tourist destination. This is not the grand amusement park that we were promised!
Goodbye day at the beach…hello day at the shopping mall!
25 to 30 story towers do not belong in an amusement neighborhood!
Retail is no substitute for amusements! Niketown is not a rollercoaster! Toys ‘R Us with a ferris wheel is not an amusement park!
“Amusements are not profitable” is a lie! Ask Disney, Six Flags, Cedar Fair, Astroland, Deno’s or the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions!
Politicians seeking to turn Coney Island into the Mall of America are placing their own parochial interests over those of Coney Island, Brooklyn and New York City! Shades of Walter O’Malley!
There is plenty of other space in Coney Island for hotels and retail! Why destroy the amusement area forever to meet this goal?
Save Coney Island will protest the city's plan with a demonstration during the Opening of the Beach Ceremony on May 22nd in Coney Island. In glittering Coney Island style, we will demonstrate that Coney Island Community does not want malls and high-rises in the Amusement District.
Publicity Contacts:
Dianna Carlin, Save Coney Island - Lola Staar
Lola@LolaStaar.com
Charles Denson, Coney Island History Project
David Gratt, Coney Island USA
david@mermaidparade.com
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Capturing The Spirit Of Coney
One of those enamored with it is not only a talented photographer but a really nice person as well. He spends a lot of time coming down to Coney Island and has even conducted workshops here.
This summer Kevin Downs, originally from Birmingham, Alabama and based in New York, begins another workshop in Coney Island starting June 7th. The Kevin C. Downs Photography website has many wonderful samples of his work.
Using equipment that encompasses everything from the latest Canon equipment to his vintage Speedgraphic camera, Kevin's photographs capture the older "good-ol'" days: vintage signs, the Lollipop Hotel, greasers at a Rumblers Car Show and candied marshmallows and the Sideshow at Coney Island. His work contains in them, a medley of cultures, peoples and places, from Mexican wrestlers to the shrines of Tokyo.
The Coney Island USA website states:
During this workshop, students will be documenting the changing conditions of light and weather, interacting with the environment and architecture of Coney Island. The natural elements and all of the remaining details tell the story of its history beginnings as the people's playground to the present. Students will be shooting the icons of the Cyclone, Wonder Wheel, Astroland and the Mermaid Parade, boardwalk denizens and personalities, the beach, Nathan's, the tourists, etc., from the water to Mermaid Avenue, developing their powers of observation and their techniques.
2008 SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY SEMINAR & WORKSHOP
Coney Island: Different Perspectives
With Kevin C. Downs
Saturday afternoons/evenings
13 Sessions Total
June 7, 14, 21, 28; July 5, 12, 19, 26;
August 2, 9, 16, 23,
September 6
Plywood Bandaid On Coney Boardwalk
Captain Nemo writes:
Gowanus Lounge wrote:Someone, possibly the city, places boards over the area that a couple of weeks ago, was sectioned off. The businesses operating on the Boardwalk threatened to fix things on their own, so I am not sure who did this.
Injuries promise to keep the FDNY and NYPD teams on the boardwalk all summer
long.