Coney Island | Amusing the Zillion

Posts Tagged ‘Coney Island’

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

Posted in Events, Photo Album, tagged 2009, bribe, Coney Island, Coney Island USA, judge, King Neptune, Mermaid Parade, photo, Photography on June 22, 2009| Leave a Comment »

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

Posted in Interviews, tagged Best Float, Best Mermaid, Coney Island, Coney Island USA, Kate Dale, Mermaid Parade on June 19, 2009| 4 Comments »

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!

Mayor Mike Takes His Re-Election Campaign to Coney Island’s Circus

Posted in Coney Island, News, tagged Bloomberg, campaign, circus, Coney Island, re-election, rezoning on June 19, 2009| 2 Comments »

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Councilman Domenic Recchia & Borough President Marty Markowitz at Opening Night of Ringling Bros Circus in Coney Island. Photo by Pablo57 via flickr

photo via pablo57, flickr

At Thursday’s dazzling opening night of the Ringling Bros. Coney Island Boom A Ring Circus, a cavalcade of politicians stepped into the ring with the performers in a Salute to Coney Island. Mayor Bloomberg, who was presented with a ringmaster’s top hat, remarked that he worked in “the Second Greatest Show on Earth”—politics.

The Mayor spent $84.5 million to win the last election. This time round aides say he plans to spend up to $100 million after successfully overturning the term limits. I’ve already received more than a dozen campaign calls and fliers. On opening night at the circus in Coney, I was surprised to see Boom A Ring Boulevard (21st Street) lined with electioneerers holding clipboards and campaign signs that read “Brooklyn for Bloomberg.” Inside the circus, my friend was stunned to encounter men in suits trying to hand out Mayor Mike brochures to people waiting to use the Port-O-Potties during intermission.

The Mayor and city officials deserve a standing ovation for bringing Ringling Bros. to Coney Island after the circus’s negotiations with greedy landlord Joe Sitt of Thor Equities fell through. But if the Mayor wants to win my vote, he must first Save Coney Island’s amusement zone from Joe Sitt’s desecration.

What about the $60 million difference between Sitt’s asking price and the City’s “final offer” for the People’s Playground? Bloomberg the philanthropist could chip in anonymously as he has done when giving $175 million intended for the City’s not-for-profits to the Carnegie Corporation. Or considering the city’s budget constraints, perhaps Bloomie could pay the entire $165 million and we’ll name a new roller coaster after him.

Electioneering at the Circus. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

What’s the advantage of re-electing a billionaire mayor who is the nation’s no. 1 philanthropist (donated $235 million in 2008) if he can’t save Coney Island from being gutted during his administration by a predatory real estate speculator?

Bloomberg the philanthropist told the NY Times, “As the economy took a turn from bad to worse, I felt it was the right time — the essential time — for someone like me, someone who’s been so fortunate in my own life, to step up and give back even more. I don’t think of it only as a responsibility, but as a privilege.”

Ask yourself this question: Is Coney Island better off or worse off since Bloomberg became Mayor? The Bloomberg administration started this Coney Island rezoning hoopla that triggered Joe Sitt’s destructive buying spree. The Mayor is obligated to set things right.

It’s time for Bloomberg the philanthropist to buy the People’s Playground and give it back to the People of New York!

Astroland Receives Last Rites. Savitri D, Dick Zigun, and Reverend Billy put the developer in charge of this travesty on trial. Sept 7, 2008. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr