Amusing the Zillion

Casting Call in Coney Island: Talent Show, Mermaid Parade, Pageants!

June 10, 2010 by Tricia

Calling all contestants! Among the Coney Island 2010 Season’s “first annual” events are the Miss Luna Mermaid Pageant, the Searching for Mr. Cyclone Contest and the Coney Island Talent Show. These brand new competitions join quirky favorites like the Mermaid Parade, Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, the Miss Coney Island Burlesque Beauty Pageant, the Coney Island Beard & Moustache Competition and the Tattoo & Motorcycle Show. Now all we need is for someone to bring back the Most Beautiful Baby Contest!

Miss Luna Mermaid Pageant, Luna Park NYC
Entry Deadline: June 12. Pageant: ~~Wednesday, June 16~~, rescheduled for Thursday, June 17, 7 pm

Coney Island’s new Luna Park is staging its first-ever Miss Luna Mermaid Pageant on ~~Wednesday June 16th~~ Thursday, June 17th, at 7pm. One queen will be crowned Miss Luna Mermaid and along with four runners up will ride on Luna Park’s float in Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade on June 19. Contestants ~~must be age 21-30 and~~ will be judged in two categories, swimwear and talent. Be demure! “Please refrain from any talents or swimwear that is explicit and/or not appropriate for the viewership of all park guests.” Entry form and pageant rules on Luna Park’s website. Contact: kventre@caiparks.com, 718-373-LUNA (5862)

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The Mermaid Parade, Coney Island USA
Saturday, June 19, 2 pm; Register online or on site on the day of the parade starting at 10 am

Chief Justice pours first bribe of Mermaid Parade. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

If you’re a mermaid planning to join the parade, we recommend that you first read the FAQs on CIUSA’s site. Do not underestimate the importance of bribing the judges if you hope to win a prize. As a former Mermaid Parade judge we’ve received beer, vodka, more beer, chocolate cake, beer, lubricants, play money, glow in the dark octopus toy, more beer, more vodka, lemonade, the Book of Mermon, rum balls, and finally more beer. The most unusual bribe that we know of was the wooden boat with no engines and in need of structural repair. It was offered by the Rude Mechanical Orchestra who said show up with a tugboat and it’s yours. Last year’s thread on the CIUSA Message Board about Traditional Bribing of the Judges is required reading. Or you could splurge on a judgeship, sit back and enjoy the parade. Happy Mermaid Day!

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Searching for Mr. Cyclone Contest, Cyclone Roller Coaster
Entry deadline: ~~June 26~~ July 11. Pageant: Saturday, August 7, 12-3 pm

Miss Cyclone Angie Pontani on Coney Island's beach looking for Mr Cyclone. Photo © Charles Denson

According to the contest guidelines, “The Cyclone knows no fear and neither should you in your quest to become the first ever MISTER CYCLONE in the history of the free world!” Contestants will be judged on strength, endurance, Coney Island wits, creativity, talent, style and romance.

To compete for the title of Mr. Cyclone, applicants must fill out an application on the contest webpage by ~~June 26~~July 11. Contestants will be selected by a team of “Cyclone experts” to have a profile posted on the Cyclone roller coaster’s homepage, where the public will be invited to vote for their favorite and send the top 7 to the live competition in Coney Island on August 7th.

“Mr. Cyclone 2010” will take part in the Cyclone’s 2011 Opening Day Ceremonies, the Mermaid Parade, receive a season pass to the Cyclone Roller Coaster, throw out an opening pitch at a Brooklyn Cyclones game and revel in the glory of being Mr. Cyclone. Contact: misscyclone2010@gmail.com, 718-265-2100

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Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, Nathan’s Famous
Event: Sunday, July 4th, 12 noon, pre-show at 10:30 am
This summer will mark the 95th year of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, It’s too late to register for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest qualifiers around the country, but on the Fourth of July you can join the crowd watching the contest live in Coney Island instead of on ESPN. Contact: International Federation of Competitive Eating

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Coney Island Talent Show, Thirsty Girl Productions
Entry deadline: ~~July 7~~ July 16. Talent Show: Saturday, July 31, 4-8 pm

The first-ever Coney Island Talent Show on the Boardwalk has posted an open call for performers in five categories: Best Drag Performance or Celebrity Impersonator; Circus Freaks and Sideshow Geeks (including all variety, novelty acts); Dance Your Pants Off (including soloists, troupes & step teams); Creative Kids, 9-12 years; Sassy Seniors, 60 and up. According to the contest guidelines: “The sub-category in each level is Best Costume, so be sure and dress with pizazz to this Coney Island affair. Singing is encouraged for all categories!”

1^st prize in each category will receive a cash prize of $200, a season pass to participating Coney Island Amusements and an opportunity to perform live before a Brooklyn Cyclone’s Baseball Game, The 22^nd Tattoo & Motorcycle Festival, or The 8^th Annual New York Burlesque Festiva.l 2^nd prize in each category will receive a cash prize of $50, and day passes to participating Coney Island Amusements. 3^rd prize in each category will receive day passes to participating Coney Island Amusements. The Best Dressed person in each category will receive a special mystery prize. The Best Dressed person in each category will receive a special mystery prize.

Contestants are asked to fill out an application on the website and post a video of their performance on YouTube or Vimeo. Seven contestants in each category will be selected by a panel of top secret Coney Island talent scouts and be asked to compete in the live event on July 31.
Contact: coneyislandtalent@gmail.com, 917-770-8559

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The Miss Coney Island Burlesque Beauty Pageant, Coney Island USA/Burlesque at the Beach, Friday, September 17, 10-11 pm

Miss Coney Island 2007 Ekaterina & Bambi. Photo © Norman Blake via coneyislandusa's flickr

Gigi LaFemme is the reigning Miss Coney Island. Her predecessors have included Gal Friday, Serpentina, Ekaterina and Bambi. The Great Fredini, who runs Burlesque at the Beach, responded to our request for info on this year’s pageant: “Bambi carefully curates the Miss Coney Island Pageant herself. We usually have 8-12 competitors and I MC the show with a band. It’s run in a classic beauty pageant format with segments for runway, talent, lineup, etc. As far as this year… I can confirm that Angie Pontani will be competing, so the competition is going to be steep! The thing is you just never know who will take it because the audience in the theater votes to decide who the new Miss Coney Island will be. So it’s really about who the audience loves the most. It’s very Coney Island!” Contact: www.coneyisland.com

Fence Wrap Advertising Comes to Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue

June 7, 2010 by Tricia

AFTER: Advertising on Fence Wraps, Stillwell Ave East, Coney Island. May 28, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Thanks to some fence wrap magic, tourists who walk down Stillwell Ave on their way to the Beach and Boardwalk will no longer be confronted by abandoned flea market tents and empty lots. In April, the Coney Island Development Corporation initiated the fence wrap project for the City’s parcels on the Boardwalk side of Stillwell, where CAI/Zamperla will build Scream Zone after finishing work on Luna Park.

Thor Equities abandoned flea market, Coney Island. April 16, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita//me-myself-i via flickr

BEFORE: Thor Equities abandoned flea market tents on Stillwell Ave East, Coney Island. April 16, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita//me-myself-i via flickr

Since Thor Equities Stillwell lots have remained vacant, the CIDC got permission to install the wraps on Thor’s property as well. The advertising campaign does a good job of hiding what remains of Thor’s tent structures from last summer’s failed flea market. The structures are on Thor’s land only, since the city cleared their section of Stillwell after the property was purchased from Thor in November. The mesh banners advertise the Brooklyn Cyclones, Ringling’s Coney Island Illuscination, the Cyclone Roller Coaster, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Luna Park and the Coney Island Fun Guide’s “More Ooohs. New Aaahs” campaign. Kudos to the CIDC’s Lynn Kelly and Nathan Bliss, who were seen installing the fence wraps themselves without any help from Joe Sitt.

Advertising on Fence Wraps, Thor Equities Stillwell West lot. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

AFTER: Advertising on Fence Wraps, Thor Equities Stillwell West lot. May 28, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Not exactly news: Thor Equities’ flashy ad in IAAPA Funworld amounts to a charade because Sitt failed to lease his property to any of the amusement operators who came to New York to negotiate a deal. While the City can’t force Sitt to rent his property, it appears that he was made to clean up his mess. The tent sidewalls and tops have come down since we reported that bedraggled tents were the first sight visitors see when they stroll down Stillwell Avenue (“Thor’s Coney Island: Tattered Tents, Deathwatch for Vacant Buildings,” April 21).

But the framework remains standing since Sitt was reportedly asking prospective tenants to pay the cost. “They won’t take it down. It costs 10 grand to take it down,” Mark Lovell of Universal Fairs told ATZ last month (“Scoop: Deal to Rent Thor’s Coney Island Lots a No-Go for Fair Producer, May 13). Rumor has it that yet another potential tenant is waiting to sign a lease. Sorry, we’ll believe it when they’re set up and selling tickets! Let’s not forget what Stillwell looked like before Joe Sitt bought the property and got rid of the amusements.

BEFORE: Thor Equities abandoned flea market tent, Stillwell West. April 16, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Ringling Circus Back in Coney Island, Congrats to Trivia Contest Winners!

June 5, 2010 by Tricia

Coney Island Illuscination & Deno's Wonder Wheel posters in Stillwell Station. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

Stillwell Terminal is lined with vivid posters for Ringling’s Coney Island Illuscination, which opens on June 17, and for Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, whose landmark Wonder Wheel celebrates its 90th birthday this year! On Friday, Ringling’s sleek blue-and-yellow striped circus tent was raised for its second season in Coney Island. Photos of the tent raising from start to finish can be found in Ringling’s photo album on Facebook as well as Amanda Stevens’ flickr set.

In 2009, the Coney Island circus made history by bringing “The Greatest Show On Earth” back under “The Big Top” for the first time since 1954. Justin Case, who rode a tiny bicycle through a ring of fire, was our favorite performer in last year’s Coney Island Boom-A-Ring. This season’s all new show features illusionist David DaVinci, a trio of Italian clowns, Russian acrobats, Chinese Kung Fu masters and more!

Coney Island Illuscination's Empresses of the Air, Widny Neves and Viktoriya Medeiros. Photo via Ringling Coney Island's Facebook

Last month ATZ had a history trivia contest to give away two Family Four Paks for opening weekend of Coney Island Illuscination. Readers who sent in correct answers were eligible for a drawing for the circus tickets. Congrats to our two winners –Bill F. of Old Bethpage, NY, and Jim A. of Smithtown, NY. Enjoy the show!

Bill and Jim were among several people who correctly answered question # 2: “Tell us the name of a Coney Island attraction that was named after a member of the inventor’s family! Name of inventor and relationship to family member also required!” One correct answer is Luna Park–the original Luna Park, of course– which opened in 1903 and was named after park co-owner Elmer “Skip” Dundy’s sister Luna. Another correct answer is the Virginia Reel, a popular ride that made its debut in 1908 at Luna Park. It was designed by Henry E. Riehl, who named the ride after his daughter, Luna Virginia Riehl. With the rebirth of Luna Park Coney Island, will Luna become a popular girl’s name once again?