Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2012

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade this weekend was a blazing spectacle, complete with people in various stages of costumes, dress and undress.

Lots of water, sunscreen, and energy to brave through the crowds were all essential for the day of wackiness in the sun. I sighted everything from pink- and red-haired little girls to women ice skating on a parade float to a pole dancer, to the deranged clown in the bar.

 

 

 To get out of the crowd for a bit, I also stopped into Ruby's Bar on the boardwalk, which had a bar outside in addition to the primary one inside. It was also a great place to use the restrooms and get some respite from the sun. The place was not so crowded - or stressful - compared to the moving masses on the boardwalk. I sighted the deranged clown here.

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The mermaid parade was a terrifically crowded celebration of everything nautical, and then some, in true Coney Island fashion.

Top 10 Sunday Memorial Day Picks!!

So much going on today.

My top 10 choices are as follows, not necessarily in any particular order:

10) Union Docs, Last Summer at Coney Island: Benefit Preview Screening

As their website says, "In recognition of Coney Island’s newest amusement park opening Memorial Weekend, we’re hosting a benefit preview screening of JL Aronson’s upcoming documentary, Last Summer at Coney Island. We will screen a 93 minute fine cut version of the documentary. The film will be going to festivals soon but needs to raise money first to pay for all the archival imagery and music licensing. Last Summer is a thorough rendering of Coney Island’s roller coaster relationship with redevelopment, focusing on the last few years as the City, a private developer and the public all wrestled over the future of this legendary amusement destination. This is an important film about an important place and what better weekend to support it?" RSVP to info@creativearson.com to confirm your seat.

Union Docs is located at 322 Union Ave., in Williamsburg, off the Lorimer L stop.

• Sunday, May 30th at 7:30pm
• Suggested $9-20 sliding scale donation
• Filmmaker JL Aronson present to discuss this project after the screening, along with beer, hot dogs, candy apples and merriment.

9) The Great Small Works Greatest Smallest Parade!

It's Parade of Teeny Tiny Floats with a Big Bangin' Community Brass band through the streets of Dumbo to kick off the Toy Theater Festival. The parade will end at St. Ann's Warehouse, where there will be an opening reception (4 PM to 7 PM) for the Toy Theater Festival's Temporary Toy Theater Museum. Floats will be displayed in the lobby of the Warehouse for the duration of the afternoon. (38 Water St, DUMBO, BK, 3pm-4pm, FREE)

8) Oh! You Pretty Things: KILLER QUEENS
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121458101215953
tix: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/111498
Michael T, Benjamin Ickies, Shien Lee & Twig the Wonderkid present a musical homage to the brilliant talents of Queen, Roxy Music and David Bowie + Fashion Shows, Burlesque & Live DJs in a FabRock and Roll Dance Party. MC: NC Shuva. LIVE MUSIC: This Ambitious Orchestra (12:30 & 1:30), Michael T and the Vanities (11:30), Judas Priestess: America's All-Girl Tribute to Judas Priest (10:30), .357 Lover (9:30), Sorceress (8:30). FASHION SHOWS (12:30): Berit New York, Renee Masoomian, John Ashford. Late-Nite BURLESQUE: The Flying Fox, Nasta Canasta. GLAMTASTIC DJs: Twig the Wonderkid , Keanan Duffty [Slinky Vagabond], Dj Patrick , Kelle Calco [Colored Boys]. Spin: Glam Rock, Glam Punk and Glam Goth. Hosts: Kayvon Zand, Laura Rebel Angel, Lady Valtronic, Allure. Glam Make-overs: Miss Jayme Jennings. Photo booth: Steven Rosen Photography. Door: Thomas Onorato. Dress Code: Regal, Queenly, Foxy-Roxy, Leather Stache Gay Daddy channeling Freddie Mercury or Rob Halford, Brain Eno asexual fantasies, Ziggy Stardust or Thin White Duke [72-76] Roxy Music Cocktail "space lounge" Chic, Victorian, Futurist, Glam Punk Trash.

• The Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St, 8pm-4am, $15

7) First Annual Dreamland Beach Party (Water Taxi Beach, 2-03 Borden Ave at 2nd St, Long Island City, Queens; dreamlandorchestra.com; noon–5pm; $18–$25). In addition to live performances by Michael Aranella’s Dreamland Orchestra, the event will feature ’20s-themed cocktails and a Bathing Beauties contest (so don’t forget to come in costume).

Read more: http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/own-this-city/80781/things-to-do-in-nyc-this-weekend/3.html?cmpid=TD053010#ixzz0pQ8Wjyx7

6) Body & Soul (Webster Hall, 125 E 11th St between Third and Fourth Aves; 212-353-1600, websterhall.com; 6pm; $30, advance tickets $20). Joe Claussell, François K and Danny Krivit deliver what their fans expect: deep and soulful house, classics and Afro-Latin rhythms.

Read more: http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/own-this-city/80781/things-to-do-in-nyc-this-weekend/3.html?cmpid=TD053010#ixzz0pQ97cFMZ

5) Movie Night at Glasslands Gallery

This should be an awe-inspiring first annual animation screening. Enjoy a cold beer and relax as you watch amazing creatives unleash their power. In case you didn't know already, you most likely will not have to attend work the next day so stay late and delve into exciting conversations with your local artists. Featured Filmmakers include Alisa Stern & Peter Ahern, Andrew Hess, Bill Plympton, David Sheahan, Drew Henkels, Jacob Reinstein, James Buran, Jeffrey P. Martell, and Julia Pott. (Glasslands Gallery, 289 Kent, Wburg, BK, 8pm, $5)

4) Perez Hilton Saves the Universe

As the website describes, the musical comedy "explores a normal day in the life of celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton. Well, were it not for the plans of evil Islamic terrorists and Kathy Griffin. Throughout the course of the day, Perez must wrestle with the demons of love, ego and celebrity, all whilst saving Los Angeles from an imminent nuclear disaster."

Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater (425 Lafayette St between Astor Pl and E 4th St; 212-539-8563, joespub.com; 9:30pm; $20)

3) Sunday Best, Dance Party

Sunday Best is a nice party for Sunday afternoons and evenings produced by resident DJs Doug Singer, Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin. Each weekend, they are joined by incredible guests while we get busy eating huaraches, drinking sangria, and dancing it all off. This week's guest is Michael Mayer (who plays the warmest, most melodic version of techno that we’ve ever heard)

3pm – 9pm

$8 before 4pm with RSVP@sundaybestnyc.com
$8 tickets available at Resident Advisor

$12 at the door

www.SundayBestNYC.com

3) Le Cirque Feerique Dance Performance

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/106445
Step right up to the golden tent! With Le Cirque Feerique, Company XIV will delight and amaze, as they re-imagine your favorite childhood fairy tales as only Austin McCormick and his exquisite troupe can. Don't miss this Baroque confection for all ages, a magical menagerie of opera, dance, theatre and opulent design. McCormick incorporates a myriad of dance styles, fusing Baroque, classical ballet, flamenco, ballroom, contemporary partnering and Indian dance, along with contemporary movement.

The show includes an array of music, including pieces by Vivaldi, Aphex Twin, Lady Gaga and Bizet, and features a special guest, the Charites Baroque Opera Trio. This lush extravaganza includes classic fairy tales such as Charles Perrault's Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Princess and the Pea, The Brothers Grimm's The Fisherman and His Wife, Munro Leaf's Ferdinand the Bull and more. (thru 6/8, Saturdays 2PM and 7PM, Sundays 2PM and 5PM, Company XIV 303 Bond Theatre, 303 Bond St @ Union st, $30)

2) Donnell Rawlings, Comedy

He’s most recognizable as Ashy Larry on Chappelle’s Show, for which he also wrote. But it’s Rawlings’s intelligent and confident stand-up that’s garnering attention now.

Tonight, 7:30 pm, 10 pm

Carolines on Broadway, http://www.carolines.com

1626 Broadway (between 49th and 50th Sts)
Midtown West | Map

212-757-4100

N, R to 49th St; 1 to 50th St | Directions

Tickets: $33–$35 plus two-drink minimum

1) Freak Nasty, Erotic Poetry


May 30, 2010
upstairs
Doors @ 7 PM

$10.00

Freak Nasty is our Quarterly Erotic Poetry show, We hand pick the best of the best erotic poets and performers. Each event the line up is a little different but, Freak Nasty promises to please you right down to the core, every single time...this event is for the grown and sexy.


Wherever I end up, I am enjoying this sprawling Memorial Day weekend!!

Donna Summer Tonight - FREE!

UPDATE: I went to see Donna Summer - pictures and videos below!!

So I didn't make it to the last free Coney Island concert I had wanted to check out (with Blondie and Pat Benatar) but tonight I have another chance! Part of the Brooklyn Seaside Summer Concert Series, the show should begin at 7:30 pm. Limited chairs available.

Now I just have to get some work done and maybe make it a beach afternoon before the show!!

BLONDIE - Playing FREE Tonight at Coney Island!

And speaking of free things to do in the city, Blondie is playing for free tonight at Coney Island, along with Pat Benatar and The Donnas. The show starts at 7:30 pm... what time Blondie will go on is anyone's guess, but my hunch is probably closer to 10 pm or later...


The show will be at Asser Levy/Seaside Park -- address below:
West 5th Street and Surf Avenue
Coney Island/Brighton Beach
Brooklyn, New York 11206
Across from the New York Aquarium

The event is part of the Seaside Summer Concert Series, which provides a write-up on Blondie, Benatar an The Donnas as well.

Disclaimer from the Summer Concert Series website:
Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600.


I plan on being there!!

This Weekend: Free Activities in Brooklyn

The past few days have been a flurry of free activities for me.

Thursday evening I went to the Myopenbar.com party at Starr Space, for the Cinema 16 series, which offered a free screening of film shorts by Czech surrealist Jan Švankmajer, free Drambuie cocktails and slices of watermelon (also free). The space, located on Starr St. off the Jefferson L stop, is a large, open room with wood floors and high ceilings. For the screening, folding chairs were arranged in rows, and people who didn't attain seats (such as myself) stood to the sides or crowded at the back. Overall, it seemed to be a nerdy hip(ster) crowd, most of who managed to concentrate and stay silent for the film shorts.

I didn't make it until halfway through the film screening, at 9 pm, and the hour of the screening I was there for seemed to whizz by. The films were captivating in their eerie, experimental and sometimes quite humorous style. The only full clip I saw, entitled "The Death of Stalinism in Bohemia," was a clever collage of claymation, authentic video footage, and edited video work that featured the dissection of a replica of Stalin's head (which contained a very real semblance to human brains). The space quickly largely cleared out after this final clip, and my friends and I remarked on how impressed we were with the space, having never previously known of it. Apparently, Starr Space regularly hosts Sunday film nights, as well as Monday figure drawing sessions, yoga, and other such cultural/hipster-type activities. Maybe I should visit Bushwick more often... *And*, I almost forgot to mention, after the film screening, the space became the host to a little dance party. And a significant amount of people were actually dancing: a nice refutation of the stereotype that "hipsters don't dance."(!)

I spent my day Friday at Coney Island, walking on the boardwalk to the very end (Brighton Beach), enjoying the sand and water and yes, even a ride. Here are some pictures I took at the beach, many from the Wonder Wheel:





Friday night I attended a friend's birthday party, and today, Saturday, so far I spent the day in Fort Greene, where I strolled through the Artisan and Green Markets in Fort Greene Park and sat down to enjoy the Fort Greene Park Literary Festival. (Also see the Flavorpill write-up.) While I did not stay long enough to hear all of the writers, I was impressed by the music of the percussion ensemble which played, Indoda Entsha, and the dancers who performed with them.



Hooray for Brooklyn in the summertime!