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Posts Tagged ‘Boardwalk’

Video: Coney Island Dancing 2011 by Jim McDonnell

Posted in Events, Music Video, tagged Boardwalk, Coney Island Dancers, Coney Island Dancing, dance party, dancing, free event, Jim McDonnell on September 6, 2011| 6 Comments »

“Everyone likes to dance at Coney Island,” says photographer and Coney regular Jim McDonnell, who has been shooting Coney Island Dancing 2011 all summer long. We’ve been anticipating the debut of the second vid in what promises to be an annual series. Jim is a professional film editor and self-described “footage guru” who has a knack for distilling a season’s worth of dance moves at the People’s Playground into a short video.

The 2011 vid clocks in at four minutes and 48 seconds–one minute and 19 seconds longer than Coney Island Dancing 2010–so you’ll get to see more dancers this year. In addition, it’s set to music with a less frenetic tempo and a mellow mood: Intodeep’s “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life.” Highlights include the Coney Island Dancers, Mermaid Paraders and performers in Luna Park and the Coney Island Talent Show on the Boardwalk. Music at the Polar Express, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park and Coney Island Flicks on the Beach also sets the stage for impromptu boogying.

If you’re not in this video, or on the cutting room floor, chances are you haven’t spent enough time dancing on the boards. There’s always next summer.

May 7: Coney Island Boardwalk Trash Can Art Contest

Posted in art, Photography, tagged Boardwalk, Bruce Handy, Coney Island, free event, New York City Parks, trash can art on May 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Composite Hand Painted Trash Can - Three Sides, Coney Island. July 22, 2008. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

Calling Picassos of all ages! On Saturday at 10 am, you’re invited to create trash can art that will be displayed on Coney Island’s world-famous Boardwalk all season long. The Parks Department provides the barrels and painting supplies for the 5th annual Boardwalk Barrels of Fun, you supply the talent.

On flickr, ATZ found almost 200 photos of Boardwalk trash can art from past seasons, including abstracts, seascapes, and carnival-themed art. The above composite by Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy shows the three sides of a striking Cyclone, Wonder Wheel and mermaid-themed barrel from 2008.

To get an early start on your masterpiece, register in advance by phoning 718-965-8917. You may also register at the event, which begins at 10 am on the Coney Island Boardwalk between W. 10th and W 12th Street. Judging starts at 12 noon and awards are presented at 1 pm.

The free event is sponsored by New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement & Kiddie Park, Coney Island Development Corporation, New York Aquarium, Brooklyn Cyclones, Luna Park & Scream Zone.

UPDATE May 8, 2011…The new crop of Boardwalk Barrels of Fun are looking good! Here’s a link to Bruce Handy’s flickr slide show of Saturday’s event.

UPDATE May 2, 2012…This season’s Boardwalk Barrels of Fun is scheduled for Saturday, May 5th. Registration starts at 10 am on the Boardwalk between West 10th and West 12th Streets in front of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park and Luna Park. Paint and brushes are provided.

Men in Black 3 Set Transforms Coney Island Boardwalk

Posted in film, Photography, tagged Astroland Rocket, Boardwalk, carnival booth, Coney Island, Diana Taft Shumate, Men In Black 3, movie set on May 2, 2011| 3 Comments »

Men in Black 3 Set on Coney Island Boardwalk. Photo © Diana Taft Shumate

Coney Island is ready for its close-up in Men in Black 3! Retro-looking booths and signage started going up last Monday on the beach side of the Boardwalk from 12th Street to Stillwell Avenue. Madame Zava Phrenology, Balloon Dart, Water Race, Cotton Candy, and a Souvenir Stand topped by a mini Astroland Rocket delighted visitors over the weekend. Thanks to Coney Island photographer Diana Taft Shumate for this set of photos. Filming begins on the Boardwalk on Monday morning, May 2, and continues through May 5 at other Coney locations, including the Bowery on Wednesday.

Men In Black 3 stars Will Smith as Agent J traveling back in time to 1969 to stop a villain from killing a young Agent K played by Josh Brolin. According to the storyline, if the killing were carried out in the past, it would result in the destruction of Earth in the present. As ATZ reported in “Men in Black 3 Rescues Coney Island’s Oldest Building” (ATZ, April 10) the production company leased Coney Island’s oldest building, the long vacant Grashorn, from Thor Equities and rescued it from oblivion. They fixed up the gutted interior of the building located at Surf and Jones Walk to use as their location headquarters.

Our favorite part of the Boardwalk set is this darling little Rocket. Was it inspired by the Astroland Rocket, which was perched atop the roof of Gregory & Paul’s Boardwalk eatery until two years ago? The Rocket came to Coney Island’s Astroland Park in 1962 as one of the first of the imaginary space voyage simulators constructed during the Space Race. What role will the imaginary Coney Island of Men in Black 3 play in saving the Earth from destruction? We’ll find out when the film premieres next May!