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Photo of The Day: The Lizardman on Stage in Coney Island

Posted in Photo of the Day, sideshow, tagged body modification, Bruce Handy, Coney Island USA, freak, Lizardman, Luna Park on May 19, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The Lizardman on Coney Island USA's Bally Stage, August 8, 2009. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

Save the dates! As we reported on Monday, “The Lizardman” will return to Coney Island this summer to perform in a free stage show at the new Luna Park. “I will be there July 30 and 31 and August 6 and 7,” he tells ATZ. “I’m excited about it even though I don’t really know much yet. It’s just great that there will be another performance venue in Coney that by all I can tell thus far will be putting on great shows and I get to be part of it thanks to my friend Todd Robbins.”

If you missed the Lizardman’s appearance as “Guest Freak” at Coney Island USA last August, you have to see his photo to begin to understand why he is one of the luminaries of the sideshow world. This totally tattooed, self-made freak’s body mods include subdermally implanted horns, fangs and a lizardlike split tongue. “My physical appearance is part of a transformation project I began as an undergraduate working in body based performance art,” writes the Lizardman on his website. His new book Once More Through the Modified Looking Glass documents his transformation.

In addition to his striking looks, the Lizardman performs classic sideshow acts like sword swallowing, fire-eating, and escaping from a straitjacket as well as the weirdest stunt we’ve ever seen: mental flossing with live snakes! We’ll be curious to see if the Lizardman comes up with a lunatic new stunt for Luna Park.

“I’m just happy that reports of Coney Island’s death continue to be greatly exaggerated,” the Lizardman told ATZ. “And I am looking forward to working there again this summer, both at Luna and Sideshows by the Seashore.”

Photo of the Day: Whale Vibrations in Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel Park

Posted in Photo of the Day, tagged amusement park, Bruce Handy, Coney Island, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, kiddie ride, photograph, reflection, Willie the Whale on May 15, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Whale Vibrations. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

The title of Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy/pablo 57‘s knockout photo of this popular kiddie ride at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park is “Whale Vibrations.” Commenters on his flickr photostream liked the composition and the splash of color against a clear blue sky. It’s one of our favorites, too!

The ride’s official name is Willie the Whale and its manufacturer is Zamperla, whose Luna Park with 19 rides is set to open next door to Deno’s on Memorial Day Weekend. Willie the Whale is one of three Zamperla rides currently operating in Coney Island’s amusement area. Can anyone guess the names and locations of the other two? We’ll post photos of those rides as soon as we receive the correct answers.

Coney Island’s 40 rides including the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone roller coaster opened for the 2010 season on Palm Sunday. This weekend is sunny with temps in the mid-70s. Willie the Whale says come out and ride!

Photo of the Day: Iconic Luna Park Logo Rises on Coney Island’s Horizon

Posted in amusement park, Photo of the Day, tagged Amusement ride, Bruce Handy, Coney Island, design, logo, Luna Park, pendulum swing, pinwheel, Zamperla on May 8, 2010| Leave a Comment »

New Luna Park ride & logo seen against backdrop of Coney Island's landmark Wonder Wheel and Parachute Jump. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

This week a new yet familiar icon joined the landmark Wonder Wheel, Parachute Jump and Cyclone on Coney Island’s horizon. The logo of Coney Island’s new Luna Park was inspired by the fanciful pinwheels and crescent moons on the gate of Coney Island’s original Luna Park. Bruce Handy’s photo marks the dramatic first appearance of the logo in the new park, which is currently under construction.

Luna’s pinwheel and moon are atop the newly set up Discovery pendulum swing ride. Zamperla’s website describes the ride as follows: “Suspended from an overhead axis, Discovery riders will soon experience the rush of land and sky meshing into one as they fly head over heels through the dual swinging and spinning motions. After dark, the thrills become illuminated by a dynamic light package- sure to keep people coming back for more.” We can’t wait to see those bulbs that spell out LUNA illuminated! The Discovery is one of 19 rides set to debut at the Coney Island amusement park’s May 29th grand opening.

Coney Island resident and contributing photographer Bruce Handy/pablo 57 sent us his amazing photo this morning with the comment “7:30AM Saturday, lights are on, looks like they worked the night thru, 12 workers on site, chills when I took this one.” Bruce has been documenting the historic Birth of Luna Park in his flickr set. You’ll want to check for updates!