Flickr Convoy: Winter Lull

Image courtesy of Coney817 / KC Flickr Pool

On a boardwalk bench in a last winter lull before Coney Island enters a new era. An era of change and rebirth.

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

Coney Vid: Coney Island Dream

Here's a great little Coney vid found via the Coney Island Houses blog. Video by Joshua Brown.

Coney Island Dream

Description:
A subdued Coney Island as a winter storm approaches. I will be making prints available soon, follow me on twitter if you would like to be notified. If you like the film, please share it. I am primarily a still photographer, but I am looking to work and collaborate on more films.

Coney Island Dream from Joshua Brown on Vimeo.

Thor's Coney In Shambles

Images courtesy of Captain Nemo (Coney Island USA board)

Coney roving eye, Captain Nemo, has caught some current neglect in some of Thor Equities and Joe Sitt's land. The failed flea market tents and signs have been left to blow in the recent nor-easterly gusts creating continued eye sores in Coney Island.

As of mid-December, the flea market tents have been left to be shredded by the winter winds and now signs of the flea market are flapping off in the high winds. With the influx of Polar Bears and spectators coming in for the New Year's swim, we hope Thor gets off his mighty butt and clean up their part of the act.

Happy Holidays From Kinetic Carnival

Coney Vid: The Coney Island Polar Bears Take A Post Blizzard Dip

The always high-strung Coney Island Polar Bears are always eager to jump into the cold Coney waters. Here is their first dip after this years first and probably last real blizzard! Don't forget to catch them for their big New Year's Day dip coming up!

Coney island polar bears

Description:
Day after blizzard.Burrrrr

Posted by paullee54 [YouTube]

Coney Goodies: Lola Staar's Holiday Wonderland

There's plenty of Coney Island goodies for this holiday season. Take a trip to Lola Staar's Holiday Wonderland and treat yourself to some wonderful holiday gifts for you, your friends, and family!

Visit Lola Staar's Holiday Winterland!

Happy Holidays!

City Closes Deal On Almost Half Of Thor's Coney Land

Though this still does not put Joe Sitt and Thor Equities out of Coney Island completely, it does make a change for the better. The city now has the opportunity to modify their plan for the main amusement core in Coney. Let's see if they now turn around and make the needed changes to the oxymoron parts of their plan.

Here is the press release from Thor Equities press rep.; Stefan Friedman:

THOR EQUITIES CLOSES DEAL WITH CITY OF NEW YORK TO SELL 6.9 ACRES IN CONEY ISLAND

Thor Retains Nearly Half of its Coney Parcels, Will Remain Largest Private Landowner in Amusement District

Plans to Develop Hotels and Retail as Part of Revitalization of ‘People’s Playground’

(BROOKLYN, NY): Thor Equities and the City of New York have officially closed on the sale of 6.9 acres within the amusement district of Coney Island, officials from Thor Equities announced today. The deal allows Thor to retain nearly half of its parcels in Coney Island.

"Today marks a new beginning for Coney Island and the culmination of a lot of hard work," said Joseph Sitt, Chairman and CEO of Thor Equities. "In the end, we all wanted the same thing: to return Coney Island to its historic grandeur and prosperous past. The sale of half of our land allows the City to move forward with its vision and for Thor to continue to be an integral part of Coney’s future. Now it’s time for all of us to come together and get back to work in restoring the People’s Playground to its prominent position as the preeminent amusement and entertainment destination in the world."

The sites sold comprise approximately 300,000 square feet of land, mostly within approximately 9-acres of planned parkland located between KeySpan Park and the landmarked Cyclone roller coaster along the boardwalk, where the City plans to develop an outdoor amusement park as part of its 27-acre amusement and entertainment district.

As part of the deal, Thor Equities will retain roughly six acres in Coney Island, enabling the company to join the City of New York in a dynamic partnership. As the city works to attract the best of the best in amusements, Thor intends to build new hotels and bring in new retail stores and services to the region as soon as infrastructure improvements are made by the city that will help put Coney back at the top of tourist destination spots.

All these elements will help spur economic growth and deliver year-round jobs for Coney Island the people of New York.

Coney Vid: A Few Coney Lovers Speak Their Minds

Some fleeting comments from a few Coney lovers including an 'articulate' self-proclaimed temporary Coney Mayor.

Coney Island

Posted by CMediaProject [YouTube]

Coney Goodies: Surprise Yourself With Goodies

The Coney Island USA gift shop offers Mystery In a Box. For only $25 dollars get a box of Coney surprises in gifty goodies.

What's in the box? It's a mystery! There's only one way to Satisfy your curiosity! Buy it now! You'll receive a wrapped gift box ranging in value from $35-$$$$ worth of merchandise for only $25 shipped! There are two ways to go. You can request a sized gift or a non sized gift. If it's sized you know that part of what your getting is something to wear... if you choose a non-sized gift, you won't be slipping it on over your head! Order now! Don't let the suspense get the better of you!!!!

Save Coney Island Group Sues City

The City did well in aquiring much of the land owned by Thor Equities but their plan still needs major revision. The way it stands it's an oximoron. Their plan for high rises and hotel does not justify what will be left there for amusements.

Here is the full press release from 'Save Coney Island':

SAVE CONEY ISLAND FILES SUIT TO KEEP DREAM OF REVITALIZED, WORLD-CLASS CONEY ISLAND ALIVE

CITY’S PLAN WOULD SHRINK AMUSEMENT AREA, BLOCK IT OFF WITH HIGH-RISES

New York, N.Y. Dec. 2, 2009 — Grassroots activist group Save Coney Island announced today that it had filed a lawsuit challenging the Bloomberg administration’s rezoning of Coney Island’s amusement area. Several Coney Island residents and amusement district workers and performers joined Save Coney Island as plaintiffs.

The suit was filed Wednesday, November 25 at New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan by attorney Albert K. Butzel of the Urban Environmental Law Center, who is representing the plaintiffs. The suit seeks to have the rezoning declared illegal and annulled.

The Bloomberg administration’s rezoning plan, which passed the City Council on July 29, dramatically shrinks Coney Island’s famed amusement district, leaving a proposed amusement park that is restricted to a narrow, 12-acre strip of land. The rezoning allows the insertion of four hotel towers — rising up to 27 stories tall — along the south side of Surf Avenue in the heart of the historic amusement district. The placement of the proposed high-rises invites developers to tear down Coney Island’s handful of remaining historic buildings, including Nathan’s Famous and several structures that are more than a century old.

“The goal of this lawsuit is not to stop the redevelopment of Coney Island as a world renowned amusement district,” Mr. Butzel said, “but rather to make it possible for that to happen. Responding to the interests of private developers and ignoring expert studies, the City has so reduced the area available for outdoor amusements that it will not be capable of regenerating a world-class Coney Island. In evaluating the impacts of the rezoning, the City ignored this and other critical information. That and its knuckling under to private development interests violated the law.”

The lawsuit contends that the rezoning was effected in violation of the State Environmental Quality Review Act and other relevant laws. The plaintiffs assert that the City’s Environmental Impact Statement on the rezoning failed to adequately address expert testimony from the Municipal Art Society concluding that the area allotted for amusements under the rezoning was too small to create a viable amusement park, that it failed to take a hard look at the visual impact of the proposed high-rise hotels, and that it failed to adequately consider impacts on Coney Island’s historic resources.

The suit also contends that changes made by the City to an earlier version of its rezoning plan — such as the placement of new high-rise hotels and the reduction of the size of the mapped amusement area — were not made for public benefit, but were instead for the private benefit of Thor Equities and to induce the developer to go along with the rezoning.

Over the past two years, Save Coney Island had urged the Bloomberg administration to fix its rezoning plan by expanding acreage reserved for amusements and relocating the proposed hotels outside the heart of the amusement district. These recommendations, which were ignored by the Bloomberg administration, had been echoed by the Municipal Art Society, the editorial board of The New York Times, numerous Coney Island stakeholders, and 15 prominent historians of New York City.

“The Bloomberg administration has tried to portray this rezoning as an effort to revitalize Coney Island,” said Save Coney Island spokesman Juan Rivero. “In fact, this rezoning threatens to irrevocably squander the tremendous potential of this world-renowned ‘People’s Playground.’”

“Save Coney Island strongly supports the redevelopment of Coney Island,” Rivero added. “But the Bloomberg administration’s short-sighted plan puts the interests of real estate speculators ahead of the long-term interest of New Yorkers. This plan erases Coney Island’s past and sacrifices its future. New Yorkers don't want a small amusement park walled off by high-rise towers. They want an extraordinary Coney Island worthy of its name and history. This lawsuit keeps that dream alive.”

For more on what experts have said about the City’s Coney Island rezoning plan, visit: Save Coney Island website .

Your Easy Vote Can Help Coney Island USA Win $25K

Chase is giving a helping hand to twenty lucky non-profit organizations with $5 million in charitable donations. And on the list is the cultural organization; Coney Island USA. With your easy clickable vote you could help Coney Island USA win $25,000. That's just one click at Chase Communities Facebook page. Become a fan and click away. Hurry, because the voting ends December 11th, 11:59pm ET.

Help support the Mermaid Parade, the Sideshow, The Museum, the Film Festival and all of Coney Island USA's innovative arts programming.


It's that easy! Click here!

Coney Lovin'

Artists, sculptors, and bakers are spreading their lovin' Coney flavor through their passionate work. From a Coney lovin' kitchen to a big firm's canned masterpiece. New York is tasting the fabled place with all their senses.

Coney Island USA poster Winterblock15 bakes for a Coney lovin' niece. With these beautiful looking tasty Coney iconic delicacies you'de want to bite into them but wouldn't dare mar the workmanship. It would be great if more of these colorful tasties were made and sold at Phillip's Candy for the rest of us to enjoy.

Artist Philomena Marano loves to capture the essence of Coney Island in her wonderful works of art. Here is one of the 4 cut paper collages she has in a group exhibit entitled Collages (1936-2009) at the New York Institute of Technology, Manhattan Campus, Opening reception: Friday, December 4th 5-7pm. You're invited. Exhibit runs through January 8, 2010. Location: New Technology Building, 11th floor, 16 West 61st Street, NY, NY. Viewing hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm. Go see this magnificent work with your own eyes!

And as Coney Island USA poster Elephant Man was slumming through Manhattan he was wowed at a glimpse of this mini canny Coney Island. Local firms create these for what's called a Canconstruction Competition.

More Coney lovin' surprises are sure to spring up as the true character of Coney Island remains to be a permanent fixture in the hearts of many Coney lovers.

Saving Coney Island Depends On You!

The plan to revitalize Coney Island made a big step forward last week when the Bloomberg Administration announced the City will be purchasing seven acres of land from developer Thor Equities. While this releases a big hold from a developer who seemed to only descend on Coney Island under the false impression to change it for the better and only reveling himself themselves as another speculator in the end, the city still needs to modify the current plan in order to keep Coney Island alive with the same character and spirit it has always thrived on.

A word out from the Save Coney Island group makes it loud and clear:

This is good news, but it's not enough to save Coney Island

We're concerned that the City's plan for Coney Island leaves only a narrow strip of land for outdoor amusements. This tiny amusement area would be hemmed in by four high-rise hotels rising up to 27 stories. To add insult to injury, these proposed hotel towers would be built on top of many of Coney Island's most historic buildings, obliterating what remains of Coney Island's rich past.

If this plan is executed, it would ruin Coney Island forever.

Save Coney Island is committed to doing everything we can to fix this plan and making sure that Coney Island reaches its potential as a world-class amusement destination - as the playground of the world.

But we need your help. Over the next few weeks, Save Coney Island will be announcing exciting new initiatives to ensure both the short- and long-term success of the People's Playground. We need you to be a part of our effort. If you have skills to offer as a volunteer, please let us know. If you can donate money, that would be terrific.

With your support, we will help to make Coney Island great again.

Coney Events: The Siren Screen Series

A Park Slope pub gets the Coney buzz with a night of Coney-short films.

Here's the lineup:
1) John Salvatore - "Sodom by the Sea" - narrative, 19 mins.

2) Ilya Chaiken - "The 100 lovers of Jesus Reynolds" - narrative, 7 mins. (Ilya is known for the indie feature "Liberty Kid")

3) Howie Alex - "Falcons are Three" - narrative, 6 mins.

4) Lila Place - "Under the Roller Coaster - doc, 15 mins.

5) David Rogers - "The Light of Eons" - narrative, 16 mins.

6) Adam Davis - "The Green Flash" - narrative, 25 mins. (this movie was shot in 1989 and stars Omar Epps in his first ever role)
See you there!!

For more information, maps and other resources, visit the Save Coney Island website


The Siren Screen Series
at the Black Horse Pub
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009
8pm
$10 cover
located
68 5th Avenue @ 16th Street
Park Slope, Brooklyn

All profits go to support Save Coney Island

Coney Pioneers Given Awarded Postumously

Among the glitz of the Las Vegas style show world, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo 2009 held in Nevada gave kudos to the creators of the beacon of glitz of the older world at the turn of the century in Coney Island. Fred Thompson and Skip Dundy, who were the dreamers around a depression ara who dared to imagine and turn their dreams into a motion of lights and dazzling beauty and spectacular amusement.

Last year's IAAPA Expo 2008 was held in Orlando, where Lynn Kelly, president of the Coney Island Development Corporation attended, bringing back a roster of names and good handshakes. At least that's all we know. Last year what happened in Orlando stayed in Orlando. However, this year what happened in Las Vegas will surley be brought back here to Coney. On behalf of Skip and Dundy, Coney Island History Project director, Charles Denson and co-founding partner and Coney Island Cylcone Roller Coaster operator, Carol Hill Albert accepted the award.

(Pictured above with Carol Albert and Charles Denson is Tim O'Brien, Chairman of the IAAPA Hall of Fame Committee.)

Image courtesy of IAAPA

The ceremony kicks of the event of the IAAPA International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. It's the largest trade show of its kind, dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry in regards to permanently situation amusement facilities.

From the Coney Island History Project press release:

"We'd like to see Coney Island rebuilt with the same sense of creativity and wonder that Thompson and Dundy showed 100 years ago," said Charles Denson, Executive Director of the Coney Island History Project and author of Coney Island Lost and Found. "Thompson and Dundy were risk takers who used new technology to create a sense of wonder. They were competitors who joined forces. Their creativity came out of competition. Coney Island needs multiple operators to succeed."

We hope now that with the city aquiring much of the land, speculator Joe Sitt and Thor Equities had a grip on, the city will reflect upon this honor to Skip and Dundy and rethink their plan and come up with a better solution to the little land that is left for amusements in Coney Island. And yes, smaller more independent amusement and entertainment operators are needed but it's going to be tough to entice them to come here to Coney Island and make their dreams happen during these hard economic times. But then again Coney Island was never for the weak and fearful.

You can read the full press release at the Coney Island USA message board.

[This post has been updated]

Turning Point In Coney Saga: City Buys Sitt Land

A major turning point in the Coney Island revitalization saga happened yesterday as the City most of Sitt's hold on Coney Island. Which in the end proves Sitt was who we always thought he was: a speculator. The city has agreed to pay $95.6 million for 6 or so acres of Sitt's land he owned in Coney Island. Most of that is the land in the core of the amusement area including the former Astroland lot. What Sitt still owns in Coney Island is still questionable as what will be the situation there.

Curbed writes:
Nastiness has reigned on both sides, and in the end he'll get $95.7 million in taxpayer skrilla for seven acres, a slightly ridiculous amount given the market value of land nowadays.

The New York Times writes:
Each side claimed victory, though no one wanted to comment for the record before Thursday’s announcement. While Mr. Sitt got much less than the $140 million he had been demanding for 10.5 of the 12.5 acres he owned, the $95.7 million for 6.9 acres came to more than $300 a square foot — a huge amount in the current market. Mr. Sitt, chief executive of Thor Equities, plans to develop hotels and stores in the 5.6 acres he still owns as the city invests in the neighborhood.


Seeking Revival, City to Buy Land in Coney Island [NY Times]
Coney Island Land Deal Finally Sealed [Curbed]
Closing Bell: City Reaches Deal with Sitt for Coney Land [Brownstoner]
Save Coney Island Applauds City’s Land Purchase, but Warns It’s ‘Not Enough’ [Save Coney Island]

Coney Vid: A Look Back...Before The Saga

A look back at a not-so-distant past summer in Coney Island. A summer that was yet untouched by greedy hands. A Coney Island that needed repair but was still alive and thriving without its future in peril or in question. A Childs Building that still had not let in the sun for decades, a thriving boardwalk, the Wonder Wheel still shimmering in the sunlight, the B&B Carousel whirling to the grind of the organ, an Astroland still alive and kicking, and the Top Spin and the Zipper still spinning with verve.

Coney Island- Summer, 2005

Posted by CoasterToolProd [YouTube]

Coney Goodies: Get Cozy This Winter Lola Starr Style

From the Lola Staar store:

Get Cozy with Lola Staar this Fall! Check out our incredible sale on all our Lola Staar cozy gear! Lola has designed tons of adorable new online exclusive items to keep you warm as the brisk breese drifts onto the boardwalk! Hoodies only $25 (usually $35)! Long Sleeve Tees $15 (usually $25) Now till Thanksgiving! Don't be left out in the cold!!

Take me to Get Cozy with Lola!

Save Coney Island Meeting Update: Tonight!

The Save Coney Island group meets tonight at Freddy's on Dean Street in Brooklyn.

From the Save Coney group:

Meet in Freddy's back room from 7-9 pm tonight (Monday, November 9th) for an important meeting about our exciting post-rezoning-vote strategies to preserve and expand Coney Island's amusement district.

Topics that will be discussed:
1.What steps to take to create a landmark district in Coney Island
2. Ways to effectively lobby City Hall to buy up land and dedicate it to amusements
3. How to expand our constituency in Coney Island and across the city
4. Other ways to pressure the city that depend on your participation
5. Fundraising efforts so we can have more resources to fight the fight!

We need your input and help on all of these subject to make a difference in Coney Island. We will break into small groups to collect ideas and find solutions to the tough challenges that lie ahead. Your presence at this meeting will affect strategic decisions that need to be made in the very near future.

SEE YOU THERE!
Freddy's Bar and Back Room
485 Dean Street Brooklyn, NY 11215
phone: 718.622.7035
That's the corner of Dean Street and 6th Avenue in Brooklyn.
(In the proposed footprint of the Atlantic Yards Project!)
For directions visit website: Freddysbackroom.com

Save Coney Island Stragety Meeting Monday

This coming Monday at 7 pm is an important Save Coney Island strategy meeting. Presented will be strategies and movements for a new direction in saving Coney Island from the grips of greedy developers and city officials. And of course expect a fun social and tipsy atmosphere.

Location and further info to come up shorty so stay tuned at SaveConeyIsland.net

Save Coney Island Fundraiser

From the Save Coney Island group:

This Friday, November 6 At 9 pm, see Angie Pontani's show "This is Burlesque" and support Save Coney Island AT THE SAME TIME! 10% of the door at Sweet Carolines will go to support Save Coney Island's efforts to create a C.I. historic district and keep pressure on the city to designate park land for outdoor amusements. Be dazzled and entertained by the beautiful Angie Pontani and comedian Murray Hill in the funniest and sexiest show this side of the Mississippi. The show kicks off at 9:00 pm.Sweet Carolines is at 322 W. 45th Street between 8th & 9th Avenues.

For more information visit SaveConeyIsland.net

Coney Boardwalk Repairs Resume For Winter

Image courtesy of Rubys Host

As our good friend, Rubys Host, brings us, fences are going back up on the Coney Island Boardwalk from the Stillwell Bathhouse to Gregory & Paul's (which is now run by Paul's daughter). They have even snug a fence in the sand and have removed most of the benches. The railings are next to go in preparation for the continuation of the repairs on that part of the boardwalk. The light posts are to remain as they work around them.

Rubys Host points out that Cha Cha's is still open on weekends and the Polar Bear Swims have started for the '09/'10 season.

Coney Vid: Skuld II

A Coney Island nostalgic lull footage taken from various Prelinger films.

Skuld II

Description:

The amusement park is Coney Island, and the footage is taken from three different Prelinger films. All footage in this video is public domain, but this combination of images is copyright 2009.

Posted by CartwheelofFortune [YouTube]

Please Stand By....

Our system crashed a few days ago and currently under repair. We'll be back soon.

Coney Events: Halloween Spooktacular

Coney Island USA is throwing open its doors for a horrifying evening of Halloween hijinx and fiendish fundraising, and you’re invited. The ghoulishly gifted Adam Rinn and that terrifying temptress Legs Malone will preside over the festivities including all your favorite Burlesque Beauoooties, Sideshow spooks and Variety vampires!

Coney Island USA Halloween Benefit

Hallowen Spooktacular

October 24, 2009

8pm to midnight

Tickets: $20 Advance

$25 day of the Event

at the Coney Island USA 1208 Surf Ave.

Thor's Hurriane Proof Tents Can't Handle Nor-Easter Winds

Image courtesy of Captain Nemo (CIUSA message board)

Thor Equities Flea By The Sea non-festival had a very slow start as their naked tent structures awaited reinstallation of the tarps that were hurricane proof. For weeks the tent tenants waited. Now that the season closed and the flea market ended without a memorable season proof shows us that tents were of the same weak structure as previously installed. A few winds this season close has left the unattended tents sagging and ripping in the small winds. As Captain Nemo shows us through his pictures posted on the Coney Island USA message board, Thor Equities has demonstrated that they continue to neglect their property and has still not removed their tents and get out.

We hope Thor Equities finally sells to the city and end their hold on Coney Island.

Flickr Convoy: Cool Slumming On The Boardwalk

Image courtesy of Freaklance / KC Flickr Group

As the Coney fall and winter starts to roll by, pro-year-round activists will reconfirm their desires while slumming through their dismal Coney winter's non-season - yearning for bowling alleys and indoor water parks, north-Brooklyn photographers will arrive in the droves to record what always seems to be the last year for Coney 'as we know it', greedy land speculators will generate new ideas to take over what seemed to be a piece of cake to cash in on, city officials will continue to stand defiant utilizing underdeveloped parcels of the city as token pieces to push through their agendas, and genuine Coney lovers will unravel the mess of Coney's saga and restrategize their next move to save a place they have no power over and which they can only dream of while sitting tired on a boardwalk bench looking helpless out onto the ocean.

Hopefully new light will shed on Coney in the coming months that will brighten its future and the people who stand by its soul and integrity.

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

Coney And Beyond Music Vid: "Feed The Machine" Starring Rev. Billy

Brought to our attention by Coney gal Ruby's Host. A video starring Rev Billy who is a NY City advocate who also shares our plea to save Coney Island, and who opposes the greed machine of corporatism that is taking over our culturally diverse city.

The Dutch band Soulstar has released their new video, "Feed the Machine", feat uring the holy gospel of Rev. Billy Talen and the Church of Life After Shopping! "Feed the Machine" presents a consumer society going haywire. We're thrilled to have our work applied to some hot electronic
beats!

Feed the Machine (Soulstar feat. Rev. Billy) from Soulstar on Vimeo.

Boom-A-Ring An Annual Event For Coney?

After a hugely successful run the folks at the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus want to make their Coney Island Boom-A-Ring show an annual event at Coney Island.

The Northeast Regional Public Relations Manager for Feld Entertainment, Inc., Paulina Piekarski, told the New York Post, “It makes sense for many reasons to come back to Coney Island, many of which are more than economic”.

Their still needs to be negotiations with their favorite Coney Island landlord as of yet; Taconic Investment. The know not to entertain any business with Thor Equities. Something learned from their attempt this past summer with the untrustworthy, "developer"/land speculator Joe Sitt.

The New York Post wrote:

The Boom-A-Ring’s arrival to Coney Island at the start of the summer came with much fanfare as Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Council member Domenic Recchia joined Mayor Mike Bloomberg at Nathan’s Famous for a few celebratory hot dogs.

Piekarski called the summer engagement “wonderful” and said that ticket sales “exceeded expectations.”

Though PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will most likely strike up a small tent of their own every summer to house their protesters, the show should be expected to thrive in Coney on an annual basis.

Let's hope the 'Elephant vs. Man Bun Eating Contest' and the 'FDNY's Elephant Bathing on Surf Avenue also become annual events of their own.

Coney Island Boom-A-Ring return in the works [NY Post]

Halloween A-Scarium At The NY Aquarium

Dress up the family and join us for our annual Halloween celebration, occurring over two special weekends. Learn all about monsters of the deep while you enjoy games, prizes, and arts and crafts. Beginning October 10, experience our Haunted Sea-fari Perils of the Sea.

Special Offer: A child age 3-12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive a free General Admission ticket when accompanied by an adult purchasing any full-priced adult admission ticket. Limit one free child per paying adult.

Activities take place noon–4:00 p.m.

A-Scarium Activities
Haunted Sea-fari Perils of the Sea
Storytelling
Music
Pumpkin-carving Demonstrations
Crafts
Treat Stations
New 4-D Movie!

For full information visit the NY Aquarium website!

Award Winners Of The 2009 Coney Island Film Festival

Image courtesy of Norman Blake (CIFF)
Left to Right: Brian Paccione, Jake Armstrong, Michelle Brundige (Grizlet), Jack de Sousa (Grizlet), Howie Alex, Craig Butta, Charles Denson

2009 Award Winners

Best Feature: "Sea Legs", Craig Butta
Best Short: "Basket Bronx", Martin Rosete
Best Documentary Feature: "The Prince of Mermaid Avenue", by Charles Denson
Best Documentary Short: "Young at Heart", Brian Paccione
Best Experimental: "Who Shot Coney Island?", Howie Alex
Best Silent Film: "The Institute of Seance", Kevin Corcoran
Best Animateion: "The Terrible Thing of Alpha 9!", Jake Armstrong
Best Music Video: "Blue Sky", Kaiser Cartel, Grizlet
Best "Made in Coney Island": "The Poor Man's Follies", Micropunta

Coney Events: Kustom Carshow at Coney Island

Special Show at The Freakbar Featuring:
The Turbo A.C.s
The Brains
The Arkhams

Kustom Carshow at Coney Island!
Open to Pre ’64 Hot Rods and Kustoms. Carshow Parking from 3pm to 10pm on West 12th St Between Surf Ave & The Boardwalk.

The Rumbler Car Club Presents "The Sideshow"

Saturday, October 17, 2009
3 pm
$10
at Coney Island USA 1208 Surf Ave.

Flickr Convoy: Pale Hat Peir Jumpers

Image courtesy of Pablo57 / KC Flickr Pool

Fashion statements and free spirits on the boardwalk come on a daily basis.

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

2009 Coney Island Film Festival Line Up For Sunday Oct. 4th

Sunday, October 4, 2009
1:00pm
PROGRAM 11

Fight Day
Chris Cassidy, Brooklyn NY, USA. Documentary Short, 6:30

Are You Happy?
Jonathan Berman, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Documentary Short, 6:15

Finding Meeky: A Fragmentary History
Roy Kohn, Toronto ON, Canada. Documentary Short, 13:47

Bay Rizz "Rescue"
Mike Rizzo , Brooklyn NY, USA. Documentary Short, Mockumentary, 4:53

Outside the Last Game at Yankee Stadium
Chris DePierro, West New York NJ, USA. Documentary Short, 22:00

The Retired Chef
David Elinson, Brooklyn NY, USA. Documentary Short, 4:00

No Strings Attached
Lisa Whitmer, San Francisco, CA, USA. Documentary Short, 37:00

Sunday, October 4, 2009
2:00pm
PROGRAM 12
Coney Island Films

'Blue Sky' Kaiser
Cartel Grizlet, Brooklyn NY, USA. Music Video, 3:41

End of the Line
Melody Idakaar, Landing, NJ, USA. Documentary Short, 6:21

Against The Tide
Doug Durant , West Babylon, NY, USA. Documentary Short, 8:00

Young At Heart
Brian Paccione, Poughkeepsie NY, USA. Documentary Short, 12:29 (Pictured)

The Poor Man's Follies
micropunta, Milano, Italy. Documentary Feature, 60:00

Sunday, October 4, 2009
3:00pm
PROGRAM 13

Here's Herbie
Mary Wickliffe, Los Angeles CA, USA. Narrative Short, 11:07

8 Days Later
Jun Naito, Brooklyn NY, USA. Comedy Short, 10:55

Real Gone
Johnny Von Golden, Brooklyn NY, USA. Experimental, 5:36 (Pictured)

Far From Home
Christian Amundson, Brooklyn NY, USA. Silent Film, 7:00

Mermaids of New York: Bambi the Mermaid
Ilise S. Carter, Mica Scalin, New York NY, USA. Documentary Short, 10:00

The Dishwashers "Sweetcheeks"
Simona Prives, Brooklyn, NY, USA, Music Video, 1:34

Ed Hamell Rant & Roll
Kate Valentine, Brooklyn NY, USA. Documentary Feature

Sunday, October 4, 2009
4:00pm
PROGRAM 14

The Terrible Thing of Alpha-9!
Jake Armstrong, Brooklyn NY, USA. Animation, 5:45 (pictured)

Slim and Lena
Mollye Asher, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 11:46

True Beauty This Night
Peter Besson, Sherman Oaks CA, USA. Comedy Short, 10:00

Shoebox Redhead
Matthew Lawrence, Toms River NJ, USA. Comedy Short, 15:00

Pirates of the Broadway: Part Deux
Laura Newman, Brooklyn NY, USA. Comedy Short, 7:30

Good Old Days
Seamus McNally, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 12:22

Cesar Salad
L. Gabrielle Penabaz, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, 12:40

Intervention
Daniel Segal, Santiago Chile, Comedy Short, 12:13

Test Music Video
Robert Powers, Woodside NY, USA. Animation, 4:23

Sunday, October 4, 2009
5:00pm
PROGRAM 15

Strongman
Zachary Levy, New York, NY, Documentary Feature, 113 minutes






Sunday, October 4, 2009
6:00pm
PROGRAM 16

Mother
Kimberly Scott, Reel Works Teen Filmmaking, Brooklyn NY, USA. Documentary Short, 4:48

Medicine Man
Himkar Tak, New York NY. Narrative Short, 19:57

Basket Bronx
Martin Rosete, Madrid, Spain, Narrative Short, 14:00

Misunderstood
Clark Johnson, Scenarios USA, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 16:58

Father's Day
Brian Rolling, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 21:02

Maharishi
Mark Lediard, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Narrative Short, 9:30

Mugs
Ronnie Cramer, Denver Co, USA. Experimental, 4:24

F... That
Oliver Conrad, St. Moritz, Switzerland. Music Video. 3:30

Sensations of the Season
Jan Stephens, Portsmouth Hampshire, UK. Animation 5:08 (pictured)



For full ticketing, scheduling, and film entry descriptions visit the Coney Island Film Festival website.

2009 Coney Island Film Festival Line Up For Saturday Oct. 3rd

Saturday, October 3, 2009
1:00 pm
PROGRAM 1

Flying Pumpkins, The Legend of Punkin Chunkin
Costa Mantis, Thousand Oaks Ca, USA. Documentary Feature, 88:00
Come along and have some fun with an unlikely assortment of men, women and children who share a common passion - making pumpkins fly! Did you know that the current world record for a flying pumpkin is 4,428.34 feet? Do you dare indulge yourself in pure, silly, unadulterated fun? These folks do - and you should see the fun they have doing it! 'Flying Pumpkins, The Legend of Punkin Chunkin' chronicles their shared passions and the fun they have making pumpkins fly.

Saturday, October 3, 2009
2:00 pm
PROGRAM 2

Somewhere Between Here and There
Liss Platt, Hamilton, On, Canada. Experimental, 10:30 (pictured)

The Double
Joseph Christiana, Hopatcong NJ, USA, Narrative Short, 9:00

What Is She To You?
Alden Burgess, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 11:09

I Don't Sleep I Dream
J.P. Chan, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 16:23

Damaged
Ramen Cromwell, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 11:52

The Beneficiary
Theodore Melfi, Santa Monica, CA, USA. Narrative Short - 17:59

There's No Justice, It's Just Us
Glen Steinmacher, North Bergen, NJ, USA. Animation, 3:50

Saturday, October 3, 2009
3:00 pm
PROGRAM 3

Brooklyn Force
Adam Bertocci, Bronxville NY, USA. Comedy Short, 12:53

Small Time
Jason Godbey, Brooklyn NY, USA. Comedy Short, 6:34

Silent Treatment
Jonathan Rothell, Shreveport LA , USA. Comedy Short, 6:30

Around the Block
Valerie Harrington, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 23:30

The Vaudevillian
Bryan Nest, Orange, CA, USA. Narrative Short, 17:00 (pictured)

Draw
Ryan Pearce, Plainview NY, USA. Narrative Short, 23:20

Got A Mind
Jim Riffel, New York NY, USA. Music Video, 3:48

Saturday, October 3, 2009
4:00 pm
PROGRAM 4
Coney Island Films

Koolkidz Music Video: Positive
Jivana P. Condak, Brooklyn NY, USA. Music Video, 5:00


The Tin Soldier
Jennifer Suhr, New York, NY, USA. Narrative Short, 5:00

Who Shot Coney Island?
Howie Alex , New York NY. Experimental, 5:30

I Had a Dream I Went to Coney Island
Sherwin Akbarzadeh , Australia. Experimental, 4:11

The Heart of Coney Island
Melanie Schiele, Brooklyn NY, USA. Documentary Short, 7:00

Woman on a Train
Joel Fendelman, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 9:20

The Mermaid Parade 2008
James Ford Nussbaum, Randolph, NJ, USA. Experimental, 6:00

Presque Isle
John D. Reilly, Erie, PA, US. Silent Film, 2:10

Jigsaw Soul - 'Cockroach Hotel'
Christopher Piazza, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Music Video. 3:55

It's All Here, It's All Real, It's All Alive!!!
Bianca Ahmadi & Kevin Chicas, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Experimental, 6:00

Frank Sidebottom Saves Coney Island
Brian Little, Chris Sievey, UK. Music Video, 2:16 (pictured)

Palmflower - Buried Under
Stacey Goldschmidt, Ray Borchers, Chicago, IL, USA. Music Video. 3:28

Coney Island 2057
Andrea Farkas, Janusz Swiatczak, Hempstead, NY USA. Experimental

Saturday, October 3, 2009
5:00 pm
PROGRAM 5

Friends (with benefits)
Gorman Bechard, Hamden CT, Narrative Feature, 93 minutes
Friends (with benefits) is a feature-length romantic comedy for all those allergic to romance, and for all who have come of (sexual) age in this cynical time of hook-ups, break-ups, and serial amour.

FRIENDS (WITH BENEFITS) is a tale of sexual identity and true love; of controversy and relationships redefined; a thinking person’s romantic comedy (with belly-laughs).

Saturday, October 3, 2009
6:00 pm
PROGRAM 6

Horn Dog
Bill Plympton , New York, NY. Animation, 4:30

Art Film
Amos Posner, New York NY, USA. Comedy Short, 3:30

Turf
Joe Zito, New York, NY. Comedy Short, 13:46

Circus
Lindsay Greer, Carbondale IL, USA. Experimental, 2:10

Attackazoids, Deploy!!
Brian Lonano, Staten Island NY, USA. Narrative Short, 4:16 (pictured)

Silent Film Star vs The Undead
Michael Pierce , Brooklyn NY, USA. Comedy Short, 10:40

Las Historias Mas Sexy Del Mundo! No.2 aka The Sexiest Stories on Earth!
Eric Cheevers, Washington ,DC, USA. Comedy Short, 14:30

Blood
Randy Scott Slavin, New York NY, USA. Music Video, 3:40

Rising Up: The Story of the Zombie Rights Movement
Laura Moss, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Comedy Short, Mockumentary, 27:45

Piece of Meat
Matt Conant, Norristown, PA, USA. Music Video. 4:00

Saturday, October 3, 2009
7:00 pm

PROGRAM 7

The Release of Jan
Jordan Roettele, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 14:00

Sea Legs
Craig Butta, Brooklyn NY, USA. Feature, 75:00 (pictured)






Saturday, October 3, 2009
8:00 pm
PROGRAM 8
Horror Films

X-Mess Detritus
Voltaire, New York, NY, USA. Animation, 1:30 (pictured)

The Institute of Seance
Kevin Corcoran, Media PA, USA. Silent, Horror, 9:10

The Babysitter
Kristen Gray, Astoria, NY. Narrative Short, Horror, 5:06

Wilted
Rafael De Leon Jr., Bronx NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror, 5:25

The Fairy Princess
Stephen Lyman, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror, 14:35

Dead Sucks

Elias, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror, 8:50

Death In Charge
Devi Snively, Mishawaka, IN, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 14:53

Dealbreaker
Mike Madigan, Troy MI, USA. Comedy Short, Horror. 10:00

Survivors
Soham Mehta, Austin TX, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 12:55

Self-Inflicted
Davey Sherwinter, New York NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 8:08

Paper Dolls Live in Glass Houses
Jonny Von Golden, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 12:39

Ice Cream Sunday
Victor Bonacore, Montclair, NJ, USA. Narrative Short, Horror. 17:08

Saturday, October 3, 2009
9:00 pm
PROGRAM 9

Day at Red Hook
Greg Kotis, Brooklyn NY, USA. Narrative Short, 5:16 (pictured)

Red Hook
Elizabeth Lucas, Brooklyn NY, USA. Feature, 85:00

Saturday, October 3, 2009
10:30 pm
PROGRAM 10
Special Screening: "The Warriors"

The Warriors
A Coney Island cult classic. Every year we pack the house and wouldn't you know it, it becomes an interactive film going experience! People reciting lines, loud applause, clanging beer bottles. CAN YOU DIG IT?? Advance ticket purchase strongly suggested to avoid sell out. We are the only venue in the Coney Island Amusement zone to screen this Coney Island Classic. See it in the actual neighborhood it was shot in!


For full ticketing, scheduling, and film entry descriptions visit the Coney Island Film Festival website.