FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2009
Coney
Island USA’s
Artistic Director Dick Zigun
To Risk
Flesh Cuts to
Balance Budget Cuts!
Not-for-Profit
Founder Volunteers to be Human Target for Knife Thrower in Fund Raising
Effort
At
the 5th annual
Coney Island USA Gala,
to be held on Thursday April 16th in
Manhattan's M2 Ultra lounge, Coney Island USA
Founder and Artistic Director Dick Zigun will literally face physical
harm to
raise much needed funds for Coney Island USA (Coney Island’s
resident
not-for-profit arts center). While many CEO’s can barely
conceive of parting
with their bonuses and private jets, Dick has agreed to stand in as a
human
target for Guinness world record holding knife
thrower, The Great
Throwdini, all to benefit Coney Island USA!
“I’ve
spent the last 3 decades of my life spilling blood, sweat and tears for
Coney
Island USA, what’s a little more? NY State’s Arts
funding has been slashed to
ribbons so this seemed like a fitting way to respond and help make sure
that
Coney Island USA's doors stay open” said Mr. Zigun.
While
the
Great Throwdini can boast of a perfect safety record when it comes to
knife
throwing, this time he'll be throwing at an amateur target. An amateur
who is
much more likely to flinch when faced with pointed steel flying towards
his
body at 60 miles per hours. Many of Mr. Zigun's friends have urged him
to
consider other ways to overcome the budget shortfalls. "This time he's
gone too far. He's kind of a twitchy guy to begin with, with a knife
thrown
directly at him he is liable to jump and catch one in a sensitive
spot",
said a worried Coney Island USA Board President Mark Alhadeff.
Mr.
Zigun's beloved wife Patience, currently in Nigeria,
is beside herself with
fear. "I can't sleep and have been praying that he backs out of this
nonsense. If I was in New York
I would not let this go forward. If necessary, I would stand
between him
and the knives."
Donors can
choose to give any amount towards the potential pin-cushioning of Mr.
Zigun and
for every $100 raised; the Great Throwdini will aim one of his knives
squarely
at Coney Island’s
permanently unelected Mayor.
For donor’s pledging $100 or more, Throwdini will announce
their name or short
phrase before he takes aim.
While
all
of the knife dedications to date are of a cheerful nature, there may be
exceptions.
Even though Mr. Zigun has been a very popular figure around Coney for
the last
twenty seven years, with all of the recent controversy over the
potential
re-development of Coney Island
he has made a
few enemies. There are rumors of a few well-heeled folks getting
together to
sponsor a number of knives with some pretty scary dedications to be
read out
loud at the Gala. It remains to be seen whether the negative
dedications
actually materialize.
Promptly
after the event (and one hopes only if no blood is spilled),
video of the
event will be posted on You Tube where the donor’s name will
be preserved for
posterity!
Coney
Island USA has set up a website (http://www.coneyisland.com/knife)
so people all over the
world can donate money to increase the number of knives to be thrown at
Mr.
Zigun.
###
Note
to
editors: If you would like more information about this topic, hi-res
photography, or to schedule an interview with Dick Zigun or the Great
Throwdini, please call Dick Zigun at 718-372-5159 or email
dzigun@coneyisland.com.
About
Coney Island USA
Coney
Island USA
is Coney
Island’s
resident 501( c )3 non-profit arts center. In existence since 1980,
CIUSA
produces some of New York City’s most beloved summer programs
including The
Mermaid Parade (the country’s largest Art parade) and The
Coney Island Circus
Sideshow (the last traditional 10-in1 Sideshow in existence today.)
CIUSA is
also home to the Coney Island
Museum,
Burlesque at the
Beach and the Coney Island
Film Festival. For
more information visit www.coneyisland.com.
About
The
Great Throwdini
The
Great
Throwdini is the World's fastest knife thrower holding 21 World and 1
Russian Record.
He is also one of the Top 100 Guinness World Record holders of all time.
2009 recipient of magic's highest honor, the
coveted
Merlin Award!
For more
information visit www.knifethrower.com.
)