Open Daily through Labor Day, 1pm-7pm (last ticket sold at 7pm)!
Defending the Honor of American Popular Culture
Coney Island USA News
By
DICK D ZIGUN &
CHICAVA HONEYCHILD
Fridays & Saturdays May 25-26, June 1-2, 8-9 at 8pm, $20
Coney Island USA is proud to present Becoming Bettie Page. Bettie’s ascent to icon began with a fateful meeting on the Coney Island boardwalk when off duty cop Jerry Tibbs spotted the beauty and ask to photograph her. His sharp eye suggest that the simple cut of bangs would set Bettie apart from the rest. Gosh, was he right! Set in the Bluebird Casino the 1950’s incarnation of Coney Island USA to the boogie woogie music of Champion Jack Dupree.
Burlesque starlet Seedy Edie stars as Bettie Page! The cast includes Tomike Ogugua (Power), John Crandell (Title IIV), Arron Lloyd (Blue Bloods) as Champion Jack Dupree and Nancy Reinstein as Coney Island legends Tirza and Mary Fish.
As seen in the Brooklyn Paper!
A Coney Island USA Funhouse Philosophers Program funded by NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
Only Six Shows.
Only Six Hundred Seats.
Advance Tickets Suggested.
Coney Island USA
Shooting Gallery/Arts Annex
1214 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Click here for tickets and further info.
March 11
Bindlestiff CALVACADE OF YOUTH
March 23,24,25
RITUAL CABARET
March 24
SPRING GALA
KITCHEN 21
March 29, 30
Free Workshop Readings of BLOODY BRAINS IN A JUKEBOX
A Rock Opera by Dick D. Zigun & Nikos Brisco
March 31, April 1
SIDESHOW OPENS
April 6
SIDESHOW HALL OF FAME
April 7,8
SUPERFREAK WEEKEND
April 22
BECOMING BETTIE PAGE
April 21
PHANTOM CREEP THEATER
April 27,28,29
NERDLESQUE FESTIVAL
May 11
DICK ZIGUN 65th BIRTHDAY BURLESQUE
May 19
PINBALL PARTY
May 24
CONEY COMEDY FREAKSHOW with Brandon Scott
June 8 - September 3
Daily SIDESHOW
June 16
36th Annual MERMAID PARADE
June 23
PHANTOM CREEP THEATER
June 30
LASER SHOW
July 12, August 9
ANCHORS AWEIGH
July 28
LASER SHOW
August 11
PHANTOM CREEP THEATER
August 25
LASER SHOW
September 7
MISS CONEY ISLAND CONTEST
September 8
BEARD AND MOUSTACHE
September 14,15,16
FILM FESTIVAL
September 28
LASER SHOW
October 6
QUEER CONEY
November 2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,23,24,25
THE EDUCATION OF AL CAPONE AS IF TOLD BY JIMMY DURANTE by Dick D Zigun
Directed by Anabella Sciorra
BURLESQUE AT THE BEACH 2018
MAY
4, 5, 11 (Dick's 65th), 12, 18, 25, 26
JUNE
1,2,8,9,22,23,29
JULY
6,7,13,14,20,21,27
AUGUST
3,4,10,11,17,18,24,31
SEPTEMBER
1,7
OUTCAST WOMEN
May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20
It is with great sadness that Coney Island USA must announce that we have lost a long time friend and loyal co-worker, Don Ferris. Don died of a heart attack on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
A Coney Island native, Master Carpenter, ride mechanic, and much more, he was involved with CIUSA since the early 1980's and was integral to the remodeling of Coney Island USA, from our expansion into the full Child’s Building in 2007, the reconstruction after Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and continued to work for our improvement until the day he died. Coney Island USA would not be what it is today without Don’s efforts.
After brief stints with the US Military and the NYPD, Don became involved with local amusement work and eventually became a traveling showman working East Coast carnivals from Canada to Texas. In the last decade of his life he worked throughout the neighborhood, building and rebuilding aspects on nearly all properties beloved by Coney Island Fans. He had worked for McCullough’s Kiddie Park on the Bowery, B&B Carousell, was featured in Amy Nicholson’s 2012 documentary “ZIPPER: Coney Island’s Last Wild Ride.” And contributed source material to Dick Zigun's play "The Ride Inspector's Nightmare".
Often found at the Freak Bar at the end of a long day, Don was a working class hero with sand in his shoes, exemplifying everything that makes Coney Island the Peoples Playground.
We will miss him dearly and cherish the time he was with us.
Dear Friend,
I'm writing to you today as a fellow lover of Coney Island. Marching in the Mermaid Parade, visiting the Coney Island Museum, watching the world famous Circus Sideshow, enjoying a beer at the Freak Bar—these are just a few of the one-of-a-kind experiences that can only be found in Coney Island.
The staff and volunteers of Coney Island USA are committed to “defending the honor of American popular culture” by preserving the unique history and traditions associated with the People’s Playground, and helping to ensure that the fun continues for generations to come. However, as a not-for-profit cultural organization, we depend on the generosity of supporters like you to help make it a reality.
Thanks to your support, in 2017 we were able to:
· Present the 35th annual Mermaid Parade featuring Debbie Harry and Chris Stein as our King and Queen, as well as celebrate that milestone at our annual Spring Gala, hosted by Julie Atlas Muz and Mat Fraser of “American Horror Story.”
· Partner with the New York Transit Museum to bring the “Five Cents To Dreamland” exhibition to Coney Island and welcome more visitors to the Museum than ever before, including many local school, youth, and special needs groups, as well as researchers from around the world;
· Celebrate the centennial of our landmarked headquarters at our first fall gala.
We are hoping to make 2018 better than ever, but we can’t do it without you. Please consider making a year-end, tax-deductible contribution, or purchasing/renewing a membership today at: www.coneyisland.com/coney-island-usa/donate. By making a gift, you’ll be joining us in celebrating “the sand in our shoes” and preserving our amazing history.
Thank you, once again, for your ongoing support. I wish you and your family a happy and healthy New Year, and I hope to see you in Coney Island in 2018!
Sincerely,
Dick Zigun
Founder and Artistic Director
A Funhouse Philosophers Special Event!
Ring in the New Year with us, your Not For Profit Arts Organization at the Beach!
Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door.
Click here for further info and to purchase tickets.
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Upcoming Events
Coney Island Circus Sideshow
Continuous Admission 1pm-7pm (last ticket sold at 7pm)
2018 Schedule: March 31, April 1, 21, 22, 28, 29 May 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, June 1, 2, 3, Daily June 8 through September 3, September 8, 9, 22, 23
Coney Island Museum
Open Saturdays 12pm-6pm, Sundays 2pm-6pm. See 2018 schedule below.
June 14th through Labor Day, Wednesday through Saturday, 12pm - 6pm, Sunday, 2pm - 6pm.
Special Events
Thursday, August 16, 2018 - 9:00pm
Music Of Curiosities the new live music series at Coney Island U.S.A is already gaining a reputation for quality live music and Free Draft Beer from Coney Island Brewing with admission.
Burlesque at the Beach
Friday, August 17, 2018 - 10:00pm
Hosted by StormStarring:Tiny DDame CuchifritaJack BarrowMunroe LillyEdie NightcrawlerJohnny Panic18 to enter. 21+ with proper I.D. to drink.
Ask the Experts
Saturday, August 18, 2018 - 5:00pm
Included with Museum Admission. $5 for Adults, $3 for Seniors, Kids (under 12) and residents of Zip Code 11224, at the door. Free for Members of Coney Island USA!
Special Events
Saturday, August 18, 2018 - 7:00pm
See Vintage 16mm films and touch interesting Summer of Love things!
Burlesque at the Beach
Saturday, August 18, 2018 - 10:00pm
The Wicked Gingers are bringing the sauciest Cape Cod clam bake to Coney Island this summer!
Magic at Coney!!!
Sunday, August 19, 2018 - 12:00pm
Magical Promotions, together with Coney Island USA, presents an afternoon of fun and wonder for the entire family.
Thursday, August 23, 2018 - 9:00pm
Hungry? Restless? Craving savory repletion? You need more culture in your life! Come see burlesque at its dairy best, starring the freshest cream of the crop of our scene.
Burlesque at the Beach
Friday, August 24, 2018 - 10:00pm
The Schlep Sisters team up with their favorite Boychiks* for a Male Burlesque and Drag Extravaganza! Join Minnie Tonka and Darlinda Just Darlinda in their never before seen all "boy" revue!
Ask the Experts
Saturday, August 25, 2018 - 5:00pm
Included with Museum Admission. $5 for Adults, $3 for Seniors, Kids (under 12) and residents of Zip Code 11224, at the door. Free for Members of Coney Island USA!
Burlesque at the Beach
Saturday, August 25, 2018 - 10:00pm
It’s BACK!!! NYC's only all improvised burlesque show returns to the historic Coney Island stage for a night of unexpected, unrehearsed and never to be repeated acts.