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Posts Tagged ‘Luna Park’

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

Posted in circus, history, tagged Coney Island Illuscination, free tickets, history trivia, Luna Park, Ringling Brothers, trivia contest, Virginia Reel on June 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

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?

The Virginia Reel at Luna Park, 1910. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division via flickr

Sideshow Stars in Free Show at Luna Park Coney Island

Posted in sideshow, tagged Coney Island, free show, Luna Park, Natasha Veruschka, sword swallower, Todd Robbins on May 31, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Queen of Swords Natasha Versuchka on stage at new Luna Park, Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

On Saturday night in Luna Park, we caught the first sideshow performance of the season on the park’s free stage. Emcee and host Todd Robbins aka “Coney Island Todd” did the blockhead act (hammering a nail up one’s nose) and a bit of fire eating before introducing his guests. As previously reported in “Will Coney Island Host a Trio of Rival Sideshows?” (ATZ, May 17), Robbins has booked sideshow luminaries like Erik “The Lizardman” Sprague and Natasha Veruschka, the world’s only sword swallowing belly-dancer.

Saturday’s show featured MelissaMarie Wilhelm from Cirque-tacular and Queen of Swords Natasha Veruschka. We first wrote about Natasha a decade ago when this modern-day Scheherazade was entertaining high rollers in Las Vegas with a cabaret act torn from the pages of A Thousand and One Nights. “I always looked different from the other belly dancers. I performed differently,” Natasha says. The first time she danced with a balanced sword it felt so natural that the idea of incorporating sword swallowing into her act began to crystallize in her mind.

At Luna Park, Natasha swallowed seven 22-inch swords at once. The medallion around her beautiful throat is inscribed “Guinness World Record.” Her sixth and current Guinness World Record is for swallowing seventeen 22-inch swords at once!

Todd Robbins Performing at Luna Park Preview Event. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

Other acts on Luna Park’s summer schedule include Chris McDaniel, Champion Bullwhip & Trick Roper; Ravi the Scorpion Mystic, Contortionist; and sideshow legends Johnny Fox and Harley Newman. The free sideshows are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 10:15 pm, beginning June 11.

Luna Park Coney Island, 1000 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, 718-373-LUNA (5862)

Photo Album: Preview of Coney Island’s New Luna Park

Posted in amusement park, News, Photo Album, tagged Coney Island, Luna Park, OPening Day, Preview, Zamperla on May 29, 2010| 1 Comment »

Luna Park's Grand Opening is Saturday, May 29th. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

Today at 11 am Coney Island’s new Luna Park opens to the public and will be open all weekend. Don’t miss this historic occasion: It’s the first new amusement park in Coney in four decades! On Friday morning ATZ attended the press event and preview of the park’s attractions. Here are a few photos from our album – you may view the complete flickr set here.

Aerialist at Luna Park's Opening Ceremony.May 28, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

Kids from P.S. 100 wearing “I’m the first LUNAtic on earth” T-shirts were the very first New Yorkers to ride the new rides.

Kids from P.S. 100 visit the new Luna Park. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

Kite Glider as well as the Coney Island-themed Lynn’s Trapeze and Coney Island Sound were among the rides operating at yesterday’s preview. The park will have 19 rides, including two roller coasters and two water flumes.

Race to Ride at Coney Island's Luna Park. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

Look for more photos and commentary tomorrow. We work in Coney Island and are in a bit of a rush to get there to open our booth. Visit the Coney Island Fun Guide online or check out ConeyIsland’s twitterers for detailed info about all of the events and attractions in the People’s Playground. See you soon!