CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE

The temperature was 18 degrees and three inches of snow had fallen in the afternoon. The wind whipped in off the Hudson at a brisk 45 miles an hour. Would the weather try to ruin Coney Island USA's First Annual Spring Benefit the same way it had ruined the 2003 Mermaid Parade? The answer was Yes! But we overcame the evil weather and other obstacles. Finally, "Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland" was a resounding success!

In all, more than 230 people jammed the Coral Room on the frigid evening of March 8th, raising more than $25,000, and demonstrating once again that a little inclement weather would not stop Coney Island USA's dedicated supporters from coming out for a great party to support the organization.

The intrepid souls who did manage to walk along 29th Street to 10th Avenue against the wind were greeted by the warm and cozy atmosphere of the Coral Room and serenaded by the smooth vibrations of Fisherman's Xylophonic Burlesque Orchestra. Bambi the Mermaid and Bunny Love provided mermaid photo-ops, while Rheingold and Finlandia provided free drinks and Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitano, Junior's and Phillips Candy provided the best pizza, cheesecake and candied apples known to man. In fact, mermaids being locked in their apartment, fainting guests, and Ice Age temperatures couldn't dampen anyone's spirits. In true Polar Bear tradition, they only added to the legend of the evening.

Todd Robbins emceed the evening's entertainment, introducing such Coney Island dignitaries as Dick Zigun, the Permanently Un-Elected Mayor of Coney Island, Joe Franklin, and Costa Mantis, one of the original Coney Island USA Co-Founders, who had flown in from Phoenix just for the event. The World Famous Pontani Sisters, Dirty Martini, Chris McDaniel and the Great Throwdini all contributed performances during an evening that culminated in the debut of the 2005 Coney Island Circus Sideshow cast. And, having extracted herself from her apartment, Julie Atlas Muz swan gracefully in the Coral Room's 10,000 gallon salt-water tank.

Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland represents the first step in Coney Island USA's move towards financial and organizational stability, enabling the organization to hire new staff for the first time in 25 years, and allowing the organization to continue to grow and flourish in the now rapidly-changing Coney Island neighborhood.

While most New York City not-for-profit arts organizations generate 80% of their revenue through government funding, charitable giving and other forms of sponsorship, Coney Island USA typically generates 80% of its revenues through the box office. We are now in the process of rebalancing this funding equation to make sure we can continue to produce innovated programs and exhibitions for the next 25 years and beyond.

We would like to thank all the people who made this event possible, from our sponsors who provided underwriting and product, to our Honorary and Host Committees which brought people to the event. Special thanks goes out to the Coral Room, our gracious hosts for the evening.

See everyone next year!

Sponsors
Coca-Cola, The Coral Room, Finlandia, Junior's, Ocean-7, The Onion, Phillips Candies, Rheingold, Totonno's Pizzeria

Underwriters
Astroland; The Coney Island Chamber of Commerce; Deno's Wonder Wheel Park

Honorary Committee
Laurie Anderson; Karen Duffy; Maggie Estep; Joe Franklin; Kenneth T. Jackson; Ron Kuby; Penn and Teller; Steve Powers; Elizabeth Streb; Robert Wilson

Host Committee
Mark Alhadeff; Gary Beeber; Jeff Birnbaum; Elizabeth Fairfax Brown; Brian Carr; Greg Carter; Malancha Chanda; Joe Coleman; Jane Cowan; Elida Cruz; Kate Dale; Kristin Ellington; Sophie Fels; Patrick Francis; Tiffany Gerstler; Elaine Goldman; Brian Hartmann; David Kaplan; Dr. Morris Kerstein; Christopher Madden; Aaron Maestri; Deborah C. Matzner; Linda Meier; Scott Morfee; Chris Wangro; Whitney Ward; Bob Yorburg

Coney Island USA Board of Directors
Dick Zigun, President; Todd Robbins, Chairman; Aaron Beebe, Secretary; David Gratt, Treasurer; Fred Kahl; Rob Leddy; Laurie Macmillan Leddy; Marie Roberts