Amusing the Zillion

Historian Charles Denson’s 6/27 Talk on Future of Coney Island, “Mayor” Dick Zigun’s 6/28 State of CI Address

June 23, 2009 by Tricia

Summer 2008: Thor Equities Future of Coney Island tarp hides empty lot where evicted amusements once thrived. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Save the dates: This weekend Coney Island heavy hitters Charles Denson and Dick Zigun will be giving talks about the precarious present and imperiled future of the People’s Playground. If you want to know what’s likely to happen in Thor-land if the City’s rezoning of Coney passes the upcoming City Council vote, your presence is required at one or both of these events.

On Saturday, Charles Denson, noted historian and author of the award winning book Coney Island: Lost & Found will give a slide talk at the New-York Historical Society. Denson, who grew up in Coney Island in the ’50s and ’60s, began documenting his neighborhood at age 12 amid rumors that Steeplechase Park was going to be torn down. Denson’s talk will follow a showing of the Ric Burns documentary about Coney Island. The program is free and open to the public. Saturday, June 27, 1 – 4 pm, Free. New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th St

On Sunday, Dick Zigun, Coney Island USA Founder and Artistic Director and “Permanently Unelected Mayor of Coney Island” will give his annual State of Coney Island Address. Last year’s address was on July 20, nearly a month later than this Sunday’s talk. Time is of the essence since the all-important City Council review, the next to the last step in the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), is scheduled for ~~this summer~~ July. At the recent “Don’t Shrink Coney Island” rally at City Hall, Zigun called on the City to increase the acreage for outdoor rides, move the high-rise hotels to the north side of Surf, and protect Coney Island’s historic resources.
Sunday, June 28, 4 pm, $5, Free for members of Coney Island USA
Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Ave. between Stillwell and West 12th St

Posted in Events | Tagged Charles Denson, Coney Island, Coney Island Redevelopment, Coney Island Rezoning, Dick Zigun, talk | Leave a Comment »

A Judge’s Photo Album of the 2009 Coney Island Mermaid Parade

June 22, 2009 by Tricia

The view from the reviewing stand. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The view from the reviewing stand. June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Thanks to the generosity of artist Deb Stern, who bought “Big Spender” memberships with Coney Island USA for several friends, we were once again entitled to a fun judgeship at the Mermaid Parade. From our front row seat in the tarp covered reviewing stand, we were able to take lots of photos and partake in the traditional bribing of the judges.

The first bribe of the Mermaid Parade? The Chief Justice pouring rum. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The first bribe of the Mermaid Parade? The Chief Justice pouring rum. June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The rum came compliments of Topsy the Merman and Turvy the Mermaid. Cheers, everybody! Other bribes offered to the judges were 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 was probably 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. Are there any other interesting bribes we haven’t heard about?

King Neptune Harvey Keitel and Queen Mermaid Daphna Kastner arriving at the reviewing stand. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

King Neptune Harvey Keitel and Queen Mermaid Daphna Kastner arriving at the reviewing stand. June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Actor Harvey Keitel, who grew up in Brighton Beach and went to Lincoln High School, came home to Coney Island as King Neptune! His lovely wife, the actress Daphna Kastner, was Queen Mermaid. It is the custom for the Mermaid Parade’s King and Queen to take their seats on the reviewing stand after touring the parade route in an antique rolling chair from the Coney Island Museum. Once upon a time these wicker chairs were used to transport visitors on the Boardwalk.

The Mayor of Coney sez put picnic basket bribe right here! Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The Mayor of Coney Dick Zigun sez put picnic basket bribe right here! June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Bambi the Mermaid and her friend (pictured above) assisted with the receiving of the bribes. The picnic basket, reportedly one of the best bribes of the day, was from the Sexcamaids dancing troupe. When Dick opened the picnic basket, we beheld a beautifully designed menu. Then a Sexcamaid poured us cups of lemonade from an ice cold pitcher. Classy!

The Book of Mermon at the Mermaid Parade. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

"The Book of Mermon" at the Mermaid Parade. June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Good news from the Church of Lobster Day Shells courtesy of the Mermon marching group. My fellow judge was presented with the book. I was busy elsewhere taking photos when it happened, so I’m not sure if it was a bribe or proselytizing.

It was a Great Parade! A huge thank you to Everyone at CIUSA, and to King Neptune and Queen Mermaid, Emcees Kay Sera & Chris, Paraders, and to the Deity who made it stop raining soon after the parade reached the reviewing stand and for the duration of the parade! Here are some of my favorite pix from my 2009 Mermaid Parade set on flickr. I’m still processing and uploading the images. I took more than 100 photos! More to come…

Roller skating mermaid. June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Mother & daughter mermaids (# 67). June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Mrs. Chief Justice & Associate Chief Justice for Little Mermaids. June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Mrs. Chief Justice & Associate Chief Justice for Little Mermaids. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Pirate Boy. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Pirate Boy. June 20, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Day of the Dead Mermaids. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

A Coney Island Mermaid's Hug. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Q & A with Coney Island Mermaid Parade Three-Time “Best Mermaid” Kate Dale

June 19, 2009 by Tricia

Mermaid Kate Dale on Purple Sofa Float in 2008 Mermaid Parade. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

When I spotted this fabulous purple sofa in the staging area minus its mermaid at last year’s parade, I just knew it belonged to Kate Dale. I’m pretty sure Kate has won Best Mermaid more than any other mermaid in the parade’s history. She once won for her elaborate Girl on A Swing float inspired by a painting by Fragonard. Kate graciously took a few minutes from ongoing preparations for tomorrow’s parade for a quick Q & A. ATZ can’t wait to see what Kate and her crew have created for 2009! Oh, and best of luck to all of you last minute mermaids…

Q: Are you still head of the costume department at Juilliard?

A: I am the Prop Shop Supervisor at Juilliard, I’ve done so since 1990.

Q: Is it true that you won Best Mermaid more than any other mermaid in the parade’s history?

A: I have won Best Mermaid 3 times. I do not know if some one else has won more. There are a few good ones who’ve been in the game as long as I have. I have also won best float twice.

Q: What were some of your costumes and floats in the parade?

A: Sea turtle, hot air balloon with Gibson girl mermaid, giant silver coin, space mermaid, origami mermaid

Q: Which ones won Best Mermaid?

A: I won Best Mermaid first in 96 in a walking costume with a bustle style tail, 2000 in a Fragonard inspired swing and 2005 in the hot air balloon. My Best Float Winners were the space mermaid waterspeeder in 02 and the silver anniversary coin in 07. The ones that should have won were the champagne bottle in 02 (in a downpour) and the lobster car in 97, but I’m not bitter.

Q: How many hours or days do you and your friends typically spend in preparation?

A: Lots, though we’re dialing it back these days. It’s down to a 2 week build.

Q: Do you have any tips for last minute mermaids?

A: Get away from the computer and back to work!!!!!

2009 Mermaid Parade is Saturday, June 20th, 2PM! Rain or Shine!

UPDATE: If you’re curious to see Kate’s float in the 2009 parade, here’s my photo on flickr. This lovely “push pull float” was pulled by a team of clowns. Congrats to Kate and her crew!