******CREEPSHOW at the FREAKSHOW****** Begins This Weekend at Coney Island

I experienced Creepshow at the Freakshow two years ago and was so scared that I had to take a year off! If you like your Halloween scary, this is for YOU! Creepshow at the Freakshow in Coney Island really is creepy, especially the part when they take you down into basement, you get the feeling that there really are a lot of ghosts in the bowels of the Coney Island USA building. It's also alot of fun and like everything else that happens at Coney Island USA, completely unique. This years theme is "The Ride Inspector's Nightmare".

From the press release:

"THE RIDE INSPECTOR'S NIGHTMARE is an interactive show (allow 45 minutes for the complete experience) that tours various rooms at the Coney Island Sideshows by the Seashore building generally not available to the public such as the damp creepy basement, back stairs, etc.

Audience members will take a "tour" of several amusement park ride "NYPD Crime Scenes" including a deadly collapsed roller coaster and will meet living-dead performers along the way including drunken incompetent ride inspectors, creepy ticket sellers and lots of dead and decapitated bodies of innocent tourists. At the conclusion of the show, the audience will also get to partake in a courtroom trial of the negligent ride inspector and will be sworn in for horrific jury duty. "

CREEPSHOW AT THE FREAKSHOW is Coney Island’s original Halloween extravaganza and one of the best haunted tours in all of New York City. This year, the rides at new Luna Park will be open weekends during the October run of the show. Come see what the New York Press called "not only the best and wildest haunted house in town, but the smartest as well."

CREEPSHOW AT THE FREAKSHOW can be found at Coney Island USA,

1208 Surf Ave. Corner of Surf Avenue and West 12th Street

Dates and Times:
Friday, October 15, 7pm - Midnight
Saturday, October 16, 5pm - Midnight
Sunday, October 17, 5pm - 10pm
Friday, October 22, 7pm - Midnight
Saturday, October 23, 5pm - 9pm
Sunday, October 24, 5pm - 10pm
Monday, October 25, 7pm - 10pm
Tuesday, October 26, 7pm - 10pm
Wednesday, October 27, 7pm - 10pm
Thursday, October 28, 7pm - 10pm
Friday, October 29, 7pm - Midnight
Saturday, October 30, 5pm - Midnight
Sunday, October 31, Halloween!, 4pm - Midnight

All tickets $10 at the door. Parent or Guardian must accompany anyone 13 and under.

Go to the website here.

Read about F.I.B's visit to the Creepshow when the theme was Phantom of the Dead Presidential Wax Museum here.

Coney Island Film Festival 10th Anniversary this weekend! Brooklyn Boy Darren Aronofsky Honored!

The Coney Island Film Festival  held at the fab Coney Island USA on Surf Avenue is one of the most unique film festivals in the world. The location of the festival, put together yearly by the talented Rob Leddy, is condusive to the fun spirit of the festival. As the press release says, "The festival's ties to carny culture are undeniable."

I highly recommend going to the kick off opening party as I have for the past four years. For 25 bucks you get to see the opening films, be entertained by the finest burlesque and sideshow entertainers in the USA and partake in a buffet and open bar which is also included. The films shown at the Coney Festival run the gamut; humor, oddities, shock, horror and films that take place in Coney are prevelant but you never know what you might see! A few of the programs are already sold out, and at 6 bucks a program that is not surprising.

And dig this! On Sunday, September 26th at 5pm inside the Coney Island Museum, the festival organizers will honor South Brooklyn born auteur Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, The Wrestler, The Fountain, Requiem for a Dream, Pi). Immediately following the ceremony, the festival will screen Aronofsky's harrowing masterpiece Requiem for a Dream.

Click here to see what is playing when and get your advanced tickets! For 45 clams you can go to the opening party AND see all the movies (except for Saturday nights screening of the Warrior's which you also do not want to miss!) You will also find info about how to get there and other stuff to do in the area if you haven't been.

Coney Island USA :  1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY, Coney Island!

TIckets can also be bought on the day of screening and can be purchased at The Coney Island USA Gift Shop/Box Office -718-372-5159.

F.I.B coverage of Coney Island Film Festival gone by are here.

Mermaid Parade This Saturday!

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What is the Mermaid Parade?

"The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression. The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed."

This year the Mermaid Queen is performance artist/musician Laurie Anderson and King Neptune is LOU REED!! (Who whatofthought?)

This is the route!

* The Parade will start at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue
* The Parade will roll east to West 10th Street
* at West 10th Street the Parade will turn south towards the boardwalk
* cars and motorized floats can park on West 10th Street
* At the Boardwalk, the marchers and push-pull floats will turn west and head towards Stillwell Ave.
* At Stillwell Ave. the Parade will disband

Go to this website for more info..you can STILL REGISTER to MARCH!

Read here about when F.I.B marched in the year 2000! (Last year I volunteered read about that here)

"The Jazz Stripper" on Thursday at Coney

As it is getting warm, naturally my thoughts start turning to Coney and low and behold when I checked the haps on the Coney Island USA website I saw that they are kicking off the season in their usual inimitable style. I am psyched for another great summer and look forward to seeing the new Luna Park amusement area which opens on Saturday BTW but anyway.....this one is too good not to mention and it needs mentioning because it is happening waaaaaaaaaaaaay out in Coney Island on a Thursday night, this is an event that will draw one of the most interesting crowds that perhaps will ever mingle..burlesque devotees and Neil Diamond fans!

From the press release:

Brooklyn is famous for many things: hipsters, a bridge or two, the Dodgers - and of course, Neil Diamond. On Thursday, May 27th, Sweet and Nasty Burlesque brings THE JAZZ STRIPPER to Coney Island's Burlesque At The Beach for a night of tassel-twirling tributes to the greatest singer-songwriter ever to come out of Kings County.

THE JAZZ STRIPPER will feature old favorites, new surprises, the return of the Neil Or No Neil trivia contest - and a special finale tribute to Mr. Diamond, as only Coney Island can do it. So turn on your heartlight, thank the Lord for the night time, and travel down those Brooklyn roads with Nasty Canasta and Sweet and Nasty Burlesque: Creamy Stevens, Gal Friday, Sapphire Jones, Bastard Keith and Tigger! will make you a believer at THE JAZZ STRIPPER, a Diamond-studded night of burlesque on Coney Island

Neil or No Neil Trivia?! It is a MUST see!
Starts at 9pm- 10 dollar admission

Burlesque at the Beach
Coney Island USA
1208 Surf Ave.

Go to Coney Island USA to see all the other fab events happening. There is more burlesque on friday and a screening of the film, Escape from New York on Saturday. Five bucks includes free popcorn.

Congress for Curious People at Coney Island this Weekend

Calling all Coney Lovers and lovers of curious things, check out this fab event out at Coney Island USA this weekend! This event is partially put on by the people at the Observatory over here in Gowanus and also Morbid Anatomy.

Date: Saturday April 17th and Sunday April 18th

"The Congress for Curious People is a 2-day symposium exploring education and spectacle, collectors of curiosities, historical fairground displays and more, in conjunction with The Coney Island Museum. The symposium will feature panels of humanities scholars discussing with the audience the intricacies of collecting, the history of ethnographic display, the interface of spectacle and education, and the politics of bodily display in the amusement parks, museums, and fairs of the Western world. Also on view in the museum will be “The Collector’s Cabinet,” an installation of astounding artifacts held in private collections. In conjunction with the events at the Coney Island Museum, Observatory’s Gallery space will host “The Secret Museum,” an exhibition exploring the poetics of hidden, untouched and curious collections from around the world.

The Congress for Curious People will serve as an academic counterpoint to Coney Island’s Congress of Curious Peoples, which Coney Island USA has convened since 2007 at Sideshows by the Seashore. In the past, the Congress has included performances by artists like Joe Coleman and Harley Newman, feats of strength, and world-record breaking attempts, among others."

I'm bummed I will be out of town at another curious place. The place that spawned John Waters and Edith Massey. Baltimore!!! Can't wait!

Coney Island Film Festival #9 Wrap

Miss Cherry Delite and Scott Baker perform at the opening night party.

The Coney Island Film Festival once again successfully featured great films of all kinds this year. Despite the torrential rains on Saturday, the film fans came out. As usual, the opening party was fabulous. The amount of talent and work put into the show with it's mixture of burlesque, vaudeville and side show talent never ceases to wow me. Although not part of the film festival, F.I.B also attended the screening of the Warrior's on Saturday night, I saw the Warrior's on their HOME TURF! How cool is that? And how cool is it to listen to Dick Zigun tell people to be LOUD after telling everyone to be quiet and turn their cel phone off for days?

This year's 2009 Award Winners were:

Best Feature - Sea Legs - Craig Butta
Best Short - Basket Bronx - Martin Rosete
Best Documentary Feature - The Prince Of Mermaid Avenue - Charles Denson
Best Documentary Short - Young at Heart - Brian Paccione
Best Experimental - Who Shot Coney Island? - Howie Alex
Best Silent Film - The Institute of Séance - Kevin Corcoran
Best Animation - The Terrible Thing of Alpha-9! - Jake Armstrong
Best Music Video - "Blue Sky" KaiserCartel - Grizlet
Best "Made in Coney Island" - The Poor Man's Follies - Micropunta

Congratulations to all!

Read more about it here.

*******2009 Coney Island Film Festival******** October 2nd - 4th!

It's time again for one to THE BEST film festivals in one of the most unique locations in the United States, the Coney Island Film Festival! Now in it's ninth year, this years line up seems as fascinating as ever with opening night kicking off with a 28 minute short about side show performers called "Step Right Up" by Luke Marshall followed by documentary The "Prince Of Mermaid Avenue" by Coney Island historian, Charles Denson. "The Prince of Mermaid Avenue"The story of Jimmy Prince, owner of Major Meats on Mermaid Avenue, who retired after a sixty-year run as an anchor of the community.

These are followed by the always entertaining and WILD opening night party, where sideshow and burlesque performers hobnob with the film crowd. 25 bucks gets you a ticket to the films AND the party which includes an open bar.

Shorts! Docs! Features! This festival has it all! Get your tickets NOW as program #6 has ALREADY SOLD OUT! Also! Do not miss the screening of the WARRIORS on their home turf!!!

Click here for the complete schedule.

Stupendous Sunsets & Sand Castles

Outstanding workmanship! The symmetry was amazing and the detail!!! Steps! Gothic Style Windows! Flying Buttresses! And of course the beach, the water was divine. As I have said before, who needs the Hamptons and those annoying people that go there. Gimme Coney!

P.S- When you visit be sure to stop by Coney Island USA and see the Side Show (I did!) or visit the museum or have a beer at the fab Freak Bar where you just might herar live xylophone music by Fisherman as I did yesterday. Always something going on there so check the schedule.

Also! The FOUR DAY Rockabilly Festival is still going on at Cha-Cha's Bar. Checkitout!

Coney Island 2009 Mermaid Parade

The rain didn’t stop the 2009 Mermaid parade yesterday out at Coney Island, although the crowds were nowhere near as huge as on sunnier Mermaid Parade days, spirits were just as high. F.I.B decided to get involved in the parade form the inside this year and volunteered with her favorite arts organization, Coney Island USA . I got placed in the staging area under the “head quarters” tent, not too shabby!
I would compare it to being backstage at a talent show. It also gave me a great opportunity to see absolutely everyone who was in the parade as Dick Zigun says in the little video clip I shot, all the “families and floozies, the Mermaid Parade has it all!” and Harvey Keitel to boot!
The drum that gets banged on at the start of every Mermaid Parade.My first Mermaid encounter of the day. She was very elegant.
Genie Mermaid!
Bunch of Mermons....
These mermaids had amazingly beautiful french toile tails, the details were stunning.
Harvey Keitel as King Neptune.
This group was jitterbuggin' and lindy hoppin' for a couple of hours before the parade even started!The Mummers from Philadelphia.
Harvey Keitel and his Queen Daphna.
I think this guy said his name was "Lone Howlin' Elvis".

A fab day!I will have loads more pictures over at my flickr account.

P.S- Some more coverage of the Parade

Confessions from the Velvet Ropes. I love this blog!

Amusing the Zillion Great photos and commentary from the reviewing stand!

Mermaid Parade 2009 this Saturday!

It's that time again, the time for the largest art parade in the United States, The Mermaid Parade! And yes HARVEY KEITEL will be crowned King Neptune this year!

From Coney Island USA's website:
Coney Island – The 27th Annual MERMAID PARADE will step off at 2 PM on Saturday, June 20th 2009, incorporating several major changes that will guarantee that America’s largest “art parade” also goes down in history as the biggest parade ever in the 168 summer seasons of legendary Coney Island! Coney Island is indeed open and the Mermaid Parade is alive and well. Special highlights this year include:
King Neptune MR. HARVEY KEITEL with his Queen Mermaid Daphna
Recording artists, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS performing on a float
PHILADELPHIA MUMMERS dressed as Maine Fishermen
MONSTER TRUCK ‘BLUE THUNDER’ performing a parade prelude
Performers from Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey’s BOOM A RING
New & Improved parade route beginning at Surf Ave & West 21st.

Click here for the link with ALL the details from the fab folks at Coney Island USA.

Click here to read bittersweet memories of F.I.B's first Mermaid Parade in 1990 and what it was like to be in it in the year 2000.

Click here for pictures and commentary from Mermaid Parade 2007.

Click here for here for pictures and commentary about Mermaid Parade 2008.

See you there, rain or shine!

*Please note a COMPLETELY new route, conveniently bypassing the abomination created by Joe Sitt around the former site of Astroland. It starts at W. 21st heads to W. 1oth and then goes down the boardwalk ending at W. 15th Street.

Mermaid Ball later at the former Child's Restaurant, details on the Coney Island USA website.

And AFTER the Mermaid Parade at around 8pm, talented friend and author/illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg, of the children's book "Mermaids on Parade" will be at Superfine in Dumbo autographing books at an after party. Details here!

Coney Island Halloween Horrors!

Steeplechase is still lit up in the off season at Coney Island. It is so beautiful, especially when everything else is closed up. It's the only sign of life although the pier across from it has an evening fishing scene. Who knew?Anyway it's five days till Halloween and you still have time to check out the Phantom of the Presidential Wax Museum as I did over the weekend. It is truely a non commercial,non-corporate, original, funny, off beat, dead on, unique Halloween thing to do. So go. As a personal aside, it felt a lot like an Ed Wood production which has added appeal for F.I.B.

I have to tell you one of the scariest parts was when we were shut in a small dark room with Nixon. It was also pretty scary just being in the bowels of the building of Coney Island USA, although there were plenty of rubber rats I am sure there were some real ones lurking around. Once again CUDOS to Coney Island USA for yet another unique presentation! If Coney were located in Manhattan there would be lines around the block for this!

Coney Island does Halloween!

Leave it to Coney Island USA to recognize that politicians are scarier than any ghost!!! Here are the details:

Coney Island USA is proud to announce the 2008 edition of Creepshow at the Freakshow.
PHANTOM OF THE PRESIDENTIAL WAX MUSEUM is an interactive show (allow 45 minutes for the complete experience) that tours various rooms at the Coney Island Sideshows by the Seashore building generally not available to the public such as the creepy basement, back stairs, etc.

Audience members will take a "tour" of the "historic" wax museum and meet Presidential and First Lady ROBOTS along the way including Lincoln, Clinton, Hillary and Laura, Nixon and finally robots Obama and McCain. Audience will also get to partake in a Presidential Shooting Gallery and fire ping pong ball rifles at Kennedy, Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. The show concludes with the funeral for an"almost" dead president with Obama and McCain robots competing to give the better funeral speech.

Along the tour the audience will hear the "true" story of murder and fire that closed the famed Coney Island Presidential Wax Museum in 1971.

All in all this is a story of 1970's carny horror!

CREEPSHOW AT THE FREAKSHOW is Coney Island’s only Halloween extravaganza and one of the best haunted tours in all of New York City. Come see what the New York Press called "not only the best and wildest haunted house in town, but the smartest as well."

DAILY, October 17th - 31st
Mondays - Thursdays: 7-10 PM
Fridays: 7-11 PM
Saturdays: 4-11 PM
Sundays: 4-10 PM
$10 ADULTS
$5 KIDS
(Not Recommended for Small Children)
Halloween Friday, October 31st ONLY, 6-12 PM, All Tickets $15 includes midnight Horror Movie Party!
Continuous Admission
Allow 45 minutes for the complete experience.
Sideshows By The Seashore
3006 West 12th Street off Surf Ave.

Coney Island Film Festival Wrap #8!

The Fabulous Insectavora!
While the Coney Island Film Festival was a fun event you couldn’t help but getting a sad vibe when you looked around the area surrounding the Coney Island USA building. Although it is closed for the season anyway the vacant lots surrounded by chain link fences bulldozed by Thor Equities last year intensify a feeling of impending doom only amplified by the rainy weather. Coney was enveloped in a surreal mist for most of the weekend. Correct me if I’m wrong me but aren’t at least the Cyclone & the Wonder Wheel still operating on the weekends at this time of year?

I attended many screenings over the 3 days, unfortunately it was impossible to see them all as the screenings (over 125 shorts!) were done simultaneously between the Freak Show Stage and the Coney Island Museum but I managed to take in a lot.

The selections seemed a bit darker this year. Sunday afternoon’s Coney centric shorts viewing were bittersweet as nostalgia has set in big time already. Will the recent economic developments halt Joe Sitt & Bloomberg’s big dreams of condos and Nike towns? Save Coney Island by Peter LiPera is a doc (and winner of the festival!) chronicalizing the “Save Coney Island” Movement, from the organization of the protest at City Hall last year till the unknowing period of now. Of course it’s open ended as the fight is still going on. (go here to see what you can do to help.) One Coney short unrelated to the amusement park that I really liked was by Alexis Neophytides called “Coney Island’s for the Bird’s” a doc about the underground world of Brooklyn pigeon racing, looked like it was filmed on Neptune Avenue. And as usual the festival closed Sunday night with the filmmakers claiming their awards at Eldorardo Auto Skooters, as I am SURE they do in Cannes as well! Click here for the Coney Island Film Festival website for a complete list of winners!

It's a Rainy Weekend! Go to the Coney Island Film Festival!

A blurry yet atmospheric photo of the fab entertainers of Coney Island Sideshows by the Seashore
A reminder that the Coney Island Film Festival is going on this weekend and with rain in the forecast for the whole weekend it’s the perfect thing to do. I attended the opening last night which kicked off with documentary short “Down the Hatch: The life teachings of John “Red” Stuart” and documentary feature “Sideshow Still Alive”. Both films were about the unique lives of the sideshow performer, I saw more sword swallowing, fire breathing, glass walking and nails hammered in to nostrils within 90 minutes than I have seen in my entire life. And it continued LIVE at the opening party entertainment provided by the performers of Coney Island’s Sideshows by the Seashore crew. Outside I schmoozed with filmmaker Juan C. Lopez and burlesque performer Little Brooklyn who performed an unusual and stunningly choreographed routine involving a gorilla and a banana at the party. As usual a friendly crowd and a splendid time appeared to be had by all.

So, it’s 1:30 pm on Saturday now (and FIB has no internet at home and is blogging from the library, now THAT'S dedication!) and there are still more than a 100 shorts, docs and features running through 8pm tomorrow night. Check it out! Here is the schedule! On my way back out there now!

Coney Island Film Festival Next Weekend!

The 8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival is happening next weekend (weekend of the 26-28th) opening with some sideshow related documentaries, "Down the Hatch" and "Sideshow is Still Alive". I highly recommend taking the trip out to there to experience this unique event. As usual tons of films, shorts and docs of all genres. After the premier you MUST attend the always fantastic opening party. This year it is at the recently finished Freak Bar at Coney Island U.S.A. I attended last year (in the museum) and had a most excellent time and at 25 bucks it’s the bargain of the century as it includes drinks, live burlesque and sideshow performers! Hosted ny the Great Fredini! The whole sha- bang is worth every penny, so go!

A portion of the press release:

8th Annual Coney Island Film Festival announces lineup. One hundred twenty five films plus special events.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY, September 15, 2008 -- The 8th annual installment of the Coney Island Film Festival hits the shores of Coney Island from Friday, September 26th through Sunday, September 28th. This year's festival features one hundred twenty five films from around the world; a stunning array of high and low-brow fare, as diverse as the neighborhood it represents. Subjects range from the profound to the profane, showcasing the independent spirit and irreverent nature of the one and only Coney Island.

This year’s centerpiece film is Peter LiPera’s, Save Coney Island. Working with a small crew for over a year, director/cinematographer Peter LiPera paints an intimate portrait of Coney Island’s first annual last season. SAVE CONEY ISLAND shows a group of boardwalk friends’ journey over the course of a year as they try to preserve what they can within the ever-changing, ever-fading, atmosphere of Coney Island.

Click here for full schedule and film descriptions.

Click here to read and see F.I.B's coverage of last years festival.

So What's Up With Coney Next Year?

The last firework show for the summer at Coney Island. The view from in front of Ruby's was primo!!!

I haven't said much about Coney Island's potential doom this year as last year there was so much drama about it closing and then it ended up being open for another year. I suppose I fell victim for what the powers that be like to do, BEAT YOU DOWN! Anyway, Carol Albert, whose family has operated Astroland for many years chose to sell Astroland to developer Joe Sitt about two years ago and afterwards had second thoughts about what hand she dealt to the NYC public as far as the future of Coney Island. Now she is saying if she doesn't get a 2 year lease by September 4th at 1pm she is shutting it down. Thanks Carol. For all your wise moves. Anyway our current Mayor Bloomberg (I hope to GOD he doesn't get his wish of extending his Mayorship!!) has big plans involving Niketowns, multiplexes and all the things you don't need to go to the beach for to visit. HELLO!!! Oh YEAH it's gonna bring minimum wage jobs for the locals and shut down the unique family businesses such as my friend Desree's Pina Colada Hut on Jones Walk. The area needs to be rezoned for this plan to happen and that is going to take some time. The only shining light in this situation is that Coney Island USA owns their building and I give them ALL the credit in the world for rejuvenating Coney Island over the last 20 years. Go to the Coney Island Message board here for all the news.

It would be a shame if Astroland shut down next summer, the way I see it, so many people enjoy it and it has so much history, why ruin it? Greed at the expense of others is something I will never understand as a hand to mouth life loving resident of Brooklyn and the world. Don't these politicians see the UGLINESS IN THEIR PLANS? Why no! Because it's not anything that they would participate in. They spend their leisure time in the places you see in Travel and Leisure Magazine completely out of touch with the average Joe who they think live to shop in malls. SAVE CONEY ISLAND!!!!!

More chic freaks at coney island....

I leave you this to ponder as F.I.B leaves this town to go somewhere most likely even hotter... THE SOUTH! Will be back sometime next week but if I were around I would probrably spend both Saturday and Sunday at Coney. It's gonna be hot and it is definitely least 15 degrees cooler by the shore. After a day at the beach you can take in some hysterical burlesque game show fun on Friday Night with the Great Fredini and Julie Atlas Munez with This or That. On Saturday night it's a screening of the uber fab film Barbarella at the Coney Island Film Society and then there is "Ask the Experts" at the Coney Island Museum on Sunday afternoon.

And of course the freak shows go on all day and night all weekend. With a special "this weekend only" appearance by the Lizardman! He's got a forked tongue! You are COMMANDED to click on that link! Freaky!

I kind of wish I was stayin' in Brooklyn!

All info can be found here!

* This is one of those photos that F.I.B took with a real FILM camera and DEVELOPED all by her lonesome in a DARKROOM! I *WORKED* for this image honey!

Acme FLEA CIRCUS *Coney Island* Sunday!

The Acme Flea Circus "The Most Miniscule Circus in the World" rolls into Sideshows by the Seashore at Coney Island this Sunday. ONE SHOW ONLY and ABSOLUTELY NO DOGS ALLOWED!

From the press release:
The show, the Acme Miniature Flea Circus, is an authentic Victorian flea circus that features trained fleas Midge and Madge who perform spectacular circus stunts as seen before (and on top of) the crowned heads of Europe. Midge and Madge will perform their star turn at Coney Island's historic Museum.

Details magazine called the show "One of the top alternative circuses in the country." The New York Times said "The appeal is irresistible... Gertsacov is every bit the fantastical impresario, in his purple top hat and cash-register voice, introducing us to the wondrous insects itching (sorry) to perform" And the Los Angeles Times says that "Professor Gertsacov holds the audience (and the stars of the show) in the palm of his hand."

Click here for more details.

Also! The Freakbar at the Museum is now pretty much done and open! Fisherman Trio is having a "Love Luau" party on Friday and the Coney Island film society is screening "Taxi Driver" Saturday night at 8pm. Who needs Manhattan? Always something going on at Coney. Fisherman Trio also plays pretty much all day on Saturdays at the Freak Bar for free.

All the details can be found here!

Mermaid Parade 2008 *Saturday* 2pm!

Glue guns are heating and sewing machines are whirring as The Mermaid Parade is happening tomorrow. Weather is supposed to be great and there is lots of discontent among the founders and participators as Bloomoberg continues his crusade to eliminate anything unique and non corporate in this city. Read the post below to find out more....anyway this particular photo is from when Kembra Phaler of the fab rock band the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black was the Queen, I do not recall the year, it might of been 1998, if anyone knows, feel free to comment. The band was selected to be part of the current crop of folks in the Whitney Biennial. A long way from when F.I.B used to see them play at CBGB's in the late 80's, the VHKB used to play a lot with the Lunachicks, Da Willy's and Sloth. That scene was called "Scum Rock' and F.I.B looovvved all the bands!!!

Anyway digressing again, the parade starts at 2pm. Click here for all the details on the parade from the good folks at Coney Island U.S.A who have tirelessly produced this event since the early 1980's! Be there or be, well, you know....square. And don't forget to put some sunblock on.

Click here to read F.I.B's story of being in the parade in the year 2000.

P.S. - SAVE CONEY ISLAND!

Coney Island Sideshow Opens Sunday

Insectivora
A reminder from the folks at Coney Island USA

"The Coney Island Circus Sideshow Opens for the season Easter Sunday, March 23rd!

SIDESHOWS BY THE SEASHORE is the last place in the USA where you can experience the thrill of a traditional ten-in-one circus sideshow.

They're here, they're real and they're alive!
Freaks, wonders and human curiosities!
Runs from 1pm until dark, weather permitting!"

Sideshows By The Seashore
Corner of W. 12th and Surf Ave., Coney Island.
Coney Island USA