Last Chance To Walk Through Coney Island's History Before It's History

A free walk through Coney Island's dying history is available by the Save Coney Island. Here is your last chance before Coney's only historic 'district' is destroyed by Coney's evil empire: Thor Equities.  Another example of how society is not capable of appreciating and honoring anything precious or worthy,and relent to their dark nature of greed.  While Thor Equities barged in and help raise the stakes in Coney Island, they've managed to wreak havoc along the way.  And now they're latest manhandling will destroy the only remaining buildings that link us to Coney Island's past.

Here is the press release by Save Coney Island: group. 

Walking Tour on Sundays
Don't miss the chance to join us in our walking tour of historic Coney Island!  The guided tour will cover all the historic buildings along Surf Avenue, as well as some of Coney's existing landmarks. We will have historic pictures so you can see what the buildings once were; and a few renderings illustrating how these buildings could be creatively restored and reused.

WHERE - In front of the Shore Theater, on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Aves
WHEN - Sunday, September 12th at 11:00 am (and every Sunday thereafter through the end of Sept.)
FREE! (but suggested donation of $10 appreciated)

All comers get a free Save Coney Island button and a copy of our brand new Save Coney Island map!  (a special thanks to everyone who donated and made the printing of this trial run possible!!)

Make Your Voice Heard!
Call AND write to Coney Island Councilmember Recchia, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Mayor Bloomberg with this message.  This sample letter includes a link to our renderings.  These calls and letters get logged and they can make a difference!

Forward this to a friend!  As always, thanks for your support! 

Save Coney Island

Coney Events: The Wonder Wheel's 90th Birthday Party

(click image for larger view)

This week, the fabulous Wonder Wheel in Coney Island turn 90 years.  The structure which stands at 150 feet with a diamter of 140 feet can hold up to 144 people at one time.  It was built by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company.  Each year the entire 400,000 lb. ride is maintained, overhauled and painted to protect it from all the elements of weather and the wear and tear.  Thirsty Girl Productions presents this wonderful birthday bash!

CELEBRATE THE WONDER WHEEL’S 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

WITH Live music, great performance, and prizes!

(if Hurricane Earl crashes this party, it will most likely be moved to Sunday--stay tuned for more updates!)

Join us for a grand celebration of Deno’s Wonder Wheel’s 90^th Birthday on September 4^thin Coney Island.  Live entertainment on the Boardwalk and at The Wonder Wheel from 4-8pm.

Hosted By The World Famous *BOB*

Featuring Live music by The Hungry March Band, The Banjo Rascals & Curtis Eller

with performances by Coney Island Talent Show winners;

Phineas, Jason Perez, The Minsky Sisters, M’Lady Uppercrust, & The Amazing Amy

Also renowned performers; The Wau Wau Sisters, Miss Saturn, The Maine Attraction, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Ambrose, The Animal Crackers & Lady Circus

Plus Clowns, Face painters, stilt walkers and more!

All those who ride the amazing NYC Landmark Deno's Wonder Wheel will receive a FREE Wonder Wheel 90th Anniversary collectible button!

THE WONDER WHEEL’S 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
September 4, 2010

4pm-8pm

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

Boardwalk at W. 12th St  (718 372 2592)

www.WonderWheel.com

Coney Events: Coney Island Beard And Moustache Competition

For the third year in a row, people are coming from near and far to celebrate facial hair long and short, quaffed and unkempt at Donny Vomit’s third annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition.

Shaving Demonstrations and Victrola Spinning by the Antique DJ, Michael Harr starts the night off while contestants enter their furry faces in categories including Best Moustache styled, Best Moustache Natural, Best Beard Style, Best Beard Natural, Best Fake (or real!!) Female, Best in Show and the coveted Worst in Show.

Entertainment by Cowboy and World Champion Trick Roper, Chris McDaniel and Jennifer Miller, The Lady with a Beard.
Judges (Cowboy Chris McDaniel, Heather Holliday & Donny Vomit) will award the best display of hair with customized Coney Island Fez’s-an honor that only few can cherish.
Come out whether as spectator or competitor-and enjoy a night of lovely faces, Schmaltz Brews and good company!

Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition

Saturday, September 11

6 pm

$15
Coney Island USA

1209 Surf Avenue

Coney Events: Ringling Racers Compete In Coney!

Ringling Racers Compete In Coney!

Behind the Scenes At the 2nd Annual Stop the Violence Soapbox Derby!

08.25.2010 – On a mid-August weekend, a group of Brooklyn kids took to the streets of Kaiser Park on Neptune Avenue in Coney Island to compete for glory and bragging rights in the Second Annual Stop the Violence Soapbox Derby.

The event was the result of a partnership between The Coney Island Generation Gap, a consortium of Brooklyn professionals, and a group of sponsors, which included Feld Entertainment, parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.

"Our goal here in Coney Island is to not only bring wholesome family entertainment to Children of All Ages, but to also be part of the community," said Steve Yaros, Vice President of Event Marketing and Sales for Feld Entertainment. "Working together with the CIGG, we want to support great kids and their families -- and the people who are working hard all year round making a difference in the lives of families on Coney Island and throughout Brooklyn."

"The CIGG's mission is to enhance, enrich and enlighten the children, families and senior citizens of Coney Island by organizing and hosting safe, wholesome, family centered events that bring advancement opportunities for the people who live there," said CIGG Executive Director, Pam Harris.

for more info go here!

Another Chance To See "Last Summer At Coney Island"

If you missed the world premiere at BAM a couple weeks ago, here's another chance to catch the film everyone's talking about.

Rich Calder, in NY Post's Brooklyn blog writes, "Director JL Aronson's ambitious documentary, "Last Summer at Coney Island," exquisitely portrays the ongoing push over the past few years to revive the gritty seaside amusement district as the bumpy roller coaster ride it's been."

see the rest of the press release after the jump

Thor To Send In The Opera Clowns To Coney Island

Slated for early September, Thor Equities will lend one of their empty lots, 50,000 square feet to be exact to a popular Italian which tells a tale of strolling performers or clowns.  This one is said to be set in Coney Island as well.  According to Crain's New York, the vacant lot near the Boardwalk and Nathan’s at West 15th Street that is owned by Brooklyn developer Joseph Sitt’s Thor Equities will become a performance space of the fine arts for a temporary period.

Crain's New York quoted:

"As we have always said, we will do everything in our power to help bring Coney back to prominence and restore its proud history as the People’s Playground,” said Thor Equities in a statement. “While we are working hard to help rebuild and revitalize the area, we’re pleased to be able to offer the land and bring the wonderful Mercury Opera to Coney.”

The Mercury Opera's version of "Pagliacci" which is an Italian word for Clowns, will be set in Coney Island during the popular Mermade Parade.

“I love Coney Island’s history, and we’ve embraced its energy putting this show together,” said Darcia Parada, the Mercury Opera’s artistic director, said in a statement, adding that the company cast New Yorkers in a talent search and casting competition in May. “My home town fell for our debut production, and I’m thrilled to bringing it to Coney Island.”

Coney Island landlord calls in the opera  [Crain's New York]

Coney Weekend TV - Talent Show

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