Results tagged “dickzigun”

The battle of the freakshows continues on Coney Island, as Mr. John Strong III (Coney newbie) and Mr. Dick Zigun (Coney mainstay) unleash the freaks for the season. Zigun told the NY Times last week that while Strong claims to run the world’s largest freak show, "It’s likely you’ll see a lot of strange animals and only one live person. We’re a classic 10-in-one circus sideshow with a cast of sword swallowers, fire eaters and other freaks. No animals.”

It's a rumble in the...surf. Word is that dueling freak shows may soon be battling it out as neighbors on the Coney Island Boardwalk. A West Coast sideshow act is angling to set up two blocks from the freak show mainstays of Dick Zigun's Coney Island Circus Sideshow, which includes fire eaters and sword swallowers. The big shot Hollywood honcho, John Strong, would bring in 250 oddities, including a two-headed cow and a 19 inch horse. If his plan comes through, he'll be opening up on April 9th at the former Astroland Park site under the name Coney Island Freakshow (however Thor Equities says they have not picked him for the spot yet). Strong's boasting a big game in the meantime, saying, "My show will do 50 times what Dick Zigun's show does every day. We're going to be on every major talk show and we're hoping we can revive Coney." He better watch his back, though, Zigun says he's ready to protect his turf, and it's likely he's got the locals on his side.

Reverend Billy and Savitri D have been named King Neptune and Queen Mermaid of the 2008 Coney Island Mermaid Parade, taking place this Saturday, and they're using their power to save Coney "from the gentrifying apocalypse of RETAIL ENTERTAINMENT HELL!" But as they say, No pain, No Gain -- and in order to help their cause, the Queen Mermaid has declared a hunger strike.

The Queen Mermaid will refuse to go back in the ocean! She will initiate a hunger strike during the parade, and will live in a window on Surf Ave and West 12th from the Mermaid Ball until the critical scoping meeting on June 24th at 6 pm. She is fasting to draw attention to a destructive scheme to reduce 60 acres of amusements to 9. She is fasting so YOU will come to this meeting, where the fate of Coney Island may be determined.

A nosy Post reporter may have cost Coney Island “Mayor” Dick Zugin his free apartment in a building he purchased with a 3.6 million grant from the city. Zigun runs his Coney Island USA sideshow and museum out of the Surf Avenue building, which the city helped his group buy last year. But when confronted with documents that report the address as his residence, Zigun admitted that he’s also been illegally living there, albeit humbly on a convertible sofa.

Time for everyone to say good-bye to Coney Island, as the 2007 season for Astroland's "Big Park" and Cyclone ends today (the kiddie park will be open through mid-October). And with real estate developer Thor Equities and the city battling it out over Coney Island's future, it's unclear whether the park will reopen next year.

This morning the video mentioned in this Metro piece was up on YouTube. Now it's missing and all that's left is a message reading it "has been removed by the user." The video was posted by Coney Island developer Thor Equities’ and portrayed a clearly scripted and favorably edited scene from the Mermaid Parade.

There is a silver lining to all the talk of Coney Island redevelopment. With everyone worrying whether this may (or may not) be the last season of the Coney Island we all know and love, people are making sure to head there and enjoy it while it lasts! The Post reports that 11 of 12 businesses it surveyed have been doing great business.

As the redevelopment of Coney Island keeps moving ahead, it's starting to become clear what will be around next summer and what won't. Thor Equities, the developer with 10 acres of Coney Island land, has been letting various tenants know whether their leases are up or if they get to stick around. The NY Post put a positive spin on things, noting that "11 boardwalk businesses would be allowed to remain open at least one more summer" and that the attractions - "including Ruby's Bar and Grill, Cha-Cha's and Shoot the Freak paintball - will be given the opportunity to move into the proposed complex."

This Friday at Crobar, the good people at Coney Island USA are having a fundraiser and mini-hot dog eating competition. The "City of Fire" Spring Gala will feature various entertainment, including Miss Coney Island, the World Famous Pontani Sisters, and a mini Mermaid Parade. For our money though, the eating competition is where the money is at. Dick Zigun, Coney Island USA's Artistic Director, will take on Crazy Legs Conti, the IFOCE's 12th ranked eater.

Gothamist on plans to make Coney Island a year-around destination. Tien on a trip to Coney Island, Slice's Coney Island pizza picks, and Satan Laundromat's pictures of Coney Island.