Singer songwriter Paul Sanchez and his band Neptune Jam are jamming this weekend in Coney Island. On Saturday, April 23rd, they’re performing at 9 pm at Bratva, a bar and cafe on the north side of Surf across from the Coney Island Sideshow. “We’re a casual lounge owned for and by good old friends and welcome you to join us for beer, cocktails and a wide range of American pub and Russian-style snacks and meals,” says the bar’s website
On Easter Sunday, April 24th, at 3 pm, Neptune Jam will rock Cha Cha’s, home of Wild Women and Wise Guys on the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue. This emerging Coney Island band does Rock ‘n Roll, Blues, Country and Reggae. They will be performing covers and originals such as “A Coney Island Song” and “Kingston Town.”
Next Saturday at 6 pm, longboard skaters will gather outside Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx for the 2nd Warriors Race to Coney Island. The 26-mile themed race follows the route of the gang making their way home to Coney in the 1970s cult film “The Warriors.” Last year’s event kicked off with the ceremonial chanting of lines from the movie like “Can you dig it?” and “Come out and playyyy.” The race finishes at the entrance to the Cyclone at Surf Ave and West 10th Street in Coney Island. Can the skaters beat last July’s best time of 2 hours and 3 minutes?
Registered teams include the Lizzies, Riffs, Blades, Coedz, Bopperz, Indie Pushers, Kryptonchronics, and of course the Warriors. ATZ asked Warrior team member Mike Dallas to fill us in on the details of the race and why it’s scheduled so early in the year…
Most teams are returners but 4-5 teams have registered that are new to the event. Not all teams have the same members either – this year the rules are slightly different. The only checkpoint is Union Square and teams may start with more than 3 members. Three skaters must finish per team to qualify for an official time.
Most skaters are local but because of the Longboard Expo at Longboard Loft NYC at 132 Allen St on March 11, we expect a lot more to join. We started the race with 51 last year. 31 finished. Top time was 2 hr 3mins. We will do more than one Warriors Race in 2011. This was planned early because of the Longboard Expo and flood of skaters in NYC that weekend. Hype about the race has made it around the world, this is a chance for skaters outside NYC to get involved in an event while they’re visiting for the Expo and Concrete Wave Reader’s Choice Awards Ceremony.
The world’s first longboard trade show will showcase the products of 32 national and international companies. The free event at Longboard Loft on the Lower East Side is on March 11 from 12 noon till 8 pm.
The first Warriors Race was held on July 23, 2010. Check out Mike Dallas’s great report and photos on Bustin Boards. This video was shot on Surf Avenue after the skaters arrived in Coney Island.
When Coney Island’s now demolished Henderson Music Hall was subjected to “pre-demolition” work in October, we shuddered at the destruction to come and said it was time to start planning a New Orleans style funeral. As it turns out, James Demaria, a New York filmmaker with strong ties to New Orleans, is planning a traditional “Jazz Funeral for Coney Island” on Sunday April 3, 2011.
The event is currently seeking angels on Kickstarter, the popular funding platform for artists, filmmakers and other creative types. With 23 backers and 25 days left to go, the project currently has pledges of $1,015 towards its $3,000 goal. “Our Jazz Funeral and Second Line Parade will say goodbye to the old and express our hopes for the rebirth,” says Demaria, who staged a “Second Line” over the Brooklyn Bridge last year on the same date. Following the funeral parade to dance along with the music is called “second lining.” These joyous parades have been called “the quintessential New Orleans art.”
The April 3rd event in Coney Island will feature a New Orleans style brass band, horse and carriage for the symbolic coffin, and Darryl “DancingMan504” Young leading the way. The group will stroll down Coney’s Stillwell Avenue in a somber march. But when the procession nears the Boardwalk, says Demaria, “it’s time for the dead to be reborn. From that point we will ‘Second Line’ and dance until we can’t dance no more.”
According to Kickstarter’s all-or-nothing rules, the project must be fully funded before its time expires on Saturday, February 19, to receive any funds. The minimum pledge is just $5.00. Pledges of $200 will receive a limited edition framed photo from the event. Pledges of $500 will receive a Second Line dance lesson by DancingMan504, with whom you will lead the parade. Here’s the project’s page on Kickstarter.
“Coney has always been one of my haunts and I feel that both places have a similar aura. NOLA and NYC for that matter,” DeMaria tells ATZ. He says the project is part of his mission of keeping the Second Line culture alive. The New York City-based photographer is currently working on a series of films and photo stories with the musicians of New Orleans and plans to film the event. “Coney Island USA is behind us to help secure the permits. Jambalaya Brass Band out of New York City will be playing along with some New Orleans musicians who are flying up for the event,” Demaria says.
“In turn, we will use the footage to help shine a light on DancingMan’s charitable program, ‘Heal To Toe.’ Since Hurricane Katrina, Darryl has been using his gift of dance to inspire and motivate the kids of New Orleans. He helps them get in shape and instills a sense of pride in their culture that was almost destroyed in 2005.”
Amusing the Zillion 