March | 2014 | Amusing the Zillion

Archive for March, 2014

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Posted in circus, Events, sideshow, tagged Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Keith Nelson, Stephanie Monseu, variety arts, Vaudeville on March 14, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Ringmistress Philomena and Kinko the Clown of Bindlestiff Family Cirkus via Facebook

Bindlestiff (BIN-dl-stif) noun. A hobo who carries a bundle of bedding and other possessions. From English bindle (bundle) + stiff (tramp).

Tonight through Sunday, the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is bringing their cabaret show – a mix of vaudeville, circus, Wild West, burlesque, and sideshow – to the Brooklyn Lyceum. The variety arts troupe founded by Stephanie Monseu (Ringmistress Philomena) and Keith Nelson (Kinko the Clown) is celebrating their 20th anniversary season.

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, 1996. Photo via Facebook

Over the past few weeks, they’ve been posting photos from the family album on their Facebook timeline, beginning with this old-timey snapshot from 1996 with some of the many performers who’ve been with the Cirkus. It’s also a reminder of the many venues where we’ve seen the troupe perform, from Coney Island to Rhode Island, from the Bindlestiff’s Palace of Variety on 42nd Street to a Spiegeltent. For a calendar of upcoming events through the spring and summer, visit http://www.bindlestiff.org.

20th Annual Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret, March 13-16, 8pm shows are 18+. $20 advance / $25 door / $10 discount for anyone in circus makeup. Family matinees for all ages on March 15 and 16 at 3pm. $12 / 4 for $40. Info: 1-877-BINDLES. Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215.

March 15: Coney Island USA Spring Gala at Webster Hall

Posted in Events, tagged Coney Island, Coney Island USA, fundraiser, Ides of March, Spring Gala on March 13, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Coney Island USA Gala, 2012. Photo © Norman Blake

On Saturday, the Coney Island Sideshow, Burlesque at the Beach and an entourage of quirky entertainers take over Webster Hall in Manhattan for Coney Island USA’s Spring Gala. Highlights of the Ides of March party include the mock assassination of Caesar, a Mini-Mermaid Parade, and over 50 performers from go go and burlesque dancers to sideshow sword swallowers and fire eaters. Tickets for the annual fundraiser start at $100. Online ticket sales end Friday, March 14th at 5pm. Tickets at the door at Webster Hall on day of show beginning at 6:30pm.

Coney Island USA Spring Gala 2014, Saturday, March 15th, 7pm – 11pm. Webster Hall, 125 East 11 St, between 3rd and 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Sasha FireGypsy Gaulin at Coney Island USA Gala, 2012. Photo © Norman Blake

Thor’s Coney Island: BurgerFi, Arcade Coming to Stillwell & Surf

Posted in Real Estate, tagged arcade, BurgerFi, Thor Equities on March 11, 2014| 4 Comments »

At the Alliance for Coney Island Gala last Thursday, ATZ stopped by Thor Equities’ table to network. Seriously, it was a great opportunity to find out the answer to a question that’s been on our mind since last season. Will there be arcade machines in Thor’s retail building this year? The building has gorgeously lit, expensive signage for two arcades where there’s nothing but “Retail Space for Lease” signs. As we’ve noted previously, it makes a mockery of the City’s 2009 rezoning requiring a percentage of amusements on the property. The dummy arcades are our pet peeve.

Good news! Glenn Vogel, Director of Leasing for Thor Equities told ATZ that one of the two arcades had been leased and will open for business this spring. The reason the arcades were not previously leased, despite many inquiries, was that Thor wanted to put something new and different in the space, Vogel explained. We promised to be the first one there to play on the arcade’s opening day!

BurgerFi Cheeseburger. Photo via BurgerFi Facebook

The other piece of news that Vogel was able to confirm is the rumor that’s been floating around Coney Island that BurgerFi is coming to the Stillwell Avenue side of Thor’s building. The Delray Beach, Florida-based burger and hot dog chain has reportedly leased the vacant store between Brooklyn Rock and the Brooklyn Nets, which will put them right across the street from Nathan’s and around the corner from a Johnny Rockets. Thor’s building’s roof deck, which hasn’t been used with the exception of a private party last summer, is part of the deal.

Launched in 2011, BurgerFi now has 62 locations, including franchisees. According to their franchising FAQs:

Our natural burgers are a healthful, wholesome and guilt free indulgence made from fresh, never frozen natural Angus beef that is hormone and antibiotic free and raised humanly to create the best tasting burger possible. All beef dogs, real dairy fresh frozen custard and fresh cut fries, as well as craft beer and wine, are all served up in our urban hip design setting.

BurgerFi is the latest national chain to come to the new Coney Island. Back in 2012, ATZ asked “Will Coney Island’s Surf Ave Become a Mecca for Franchises?” (December 19, 2012). Clearly, the answer is yes. Like attracts like. In 2014, Johnny Rockets, Red Mango, Rita’s Italian Ice and Subway Cafe, which are currently under construction, are expected to join It’Sugar, Applebee’s, Popeye’s, Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins and Subway on the main drag of Coney’s amusement district. Also on Surf and in a category unto themselves are Nathan’s original 1916 store, which is a year-round magnet for tourists, and Brooklyn-grown Grimaldi’s Pizzeria.