Mermaid Parade 2012 (more by Sachyn Mital)

Dear Friends of the Mermaid Parade:

I have two important announcements for you today:

1) Registration for this year's Mermaid Parade is now open. Click here to register.

2) We do not know whether there will be a Mermaid Parade this year.

Don't panic just yet-we have a plan. But first I want you to understand where we are and what we're up against.

Our first parade back in 1983 had more participants than onlookers. It is because of you-whether you've been marching for years or are joining us for your maiden voyage-that the Mermaid Parade has grown into the largest arts parade in the country.

A Free Parade is Expensive

This year we face unprecedented challenges. As the crowds have grown over the past years, the city has begun imposing new regulations and restrictions that have sharply increased the cost of the event. On top of that, Hurricane Sandy, that malevolent sorceress, wreaked havoc on the Coney Island community. We as an organization, like many others, are still recovering from the damage. What this all means is that the Mermaid Parade now has a budget shortfall of $100,000. This is an impossible gap for a tiny non-profit arts organization like ours.

The Plan

On May 7th , we'll be launching a "Save the Mermaid Parade" Kickstarter campaign to raise $100,000 for the Parade. We'll be actively updating our website and sending out news and information as the campaign to "Save the Mermaid Parade" progresses.

Next week you will receive a link to our Kickstarter campaign. Once you have it, please spread the word. If we don't meet our funding goal, there'll be no parade.

Registration this year is more important than ever before, but we also need to ask for even more from you to preserve our beloved cultural institution. Be advocates. This is your parade - get on your bullhorns!

Sincerely,
Dick Zigun
Founder & Artistic Director
Coney Island USA

No more shelter at the Park Slope Amory. DNA Info reports:

The Hurricane Sandy evacuees that were staying at the Park Slope Armory YMCA have moved out of the building and it will reopen soon to YMCA members -- but officials don't know exactly when.

The last of the evacuees -- many of whom were elderly people from senior homes in the Rockaways damaged in the storm -- left on Sunday, according to City Councilman Brad Lander. One group moved back into an adult care facility, and two other groups will stay in "transitional housing" at other assisted living facilities while their buildings are repaired, Lander said in an email.

The Armory, which usually houses a YMCA branch complete with an indoor running track and spinning and yoga classes, will reopen "as soon as possible" to its members, a spokeswoman said, but she declined to speculate on an exact date.

Park Slope residents (or anyone) looking to still lend a helping hand can do so via Congregation Beth Elohim who have been posting sign up sheets with jobs ranging from "Food Preparation in the CBE Kitchen" to "Volunteer for Field Work in Coney Island." If you choose the latter, just make sure to stay healthy.

As always, Occupy Sandy (who held a big benefit concert over the weekend) can also use your help.

relief efforts in Coney Island...

Head to ConeyRecovers.org and Occupy Sandy to find ways you can still help out in hurricane-ravaged Coney Island (one way is just to donate).

Watch an amazing time-lapse video, taken from an apartment window as water from the ocean started to cover cars in Coney Island during Sandy, below...

Continue reading "WATCH: Time-lapse video of Hurricane Sandy in Coney Island (where help is still needed)"

photos by Nick Childers

Coney Island, Brooklyn, NYC - photos from 11/6/2012

I'm just going to publish this letter in full:

UPDATE FROM TODAY 11/8:

I have spent the better part of four days volunteering with Hurricane Sandy victims in Coney Island.

I am working with Occupy Sandy AND the Presidents of the Coney Island Houses and the Odwire Houses. This is Mutual Aid- we are working WITH the community, not simply giving charity. The NYCHA residents I have personally dealt with- Deborah Reed the President of the Coney Island Houses and Ilma the president of the Odwire Gardens Houses are incredible women. They are, however, spread thin and have no-one to help them answer to the thousands of residents that they represent.

There are ZERO agencies with a big presence out in the Coney Island Housing, Odwire Gardens Housing or Surfside Housing as of right now. NO FEMA, NO RED CROSS, NO NYC HOUSING, NO AUTHORITIES WHATSOEVER. The FEMA tent is a 20 minute walk away. The Red Cross has BARELY been there [they sometimes send one truck for 15-20 buildings once or twice a day]. There are elderly people stuck on the top floors of pitch-black buildings with NO FOOD AND WATER. Families with no food to feed their children. Mothers with no baby formula or wipes. Diabetics and asthmatics with no medicine. THERE HAS BEEN NO POWER, HEAT OR WATER FOR OVER A WEEK AND A HALF. Next to no one has flashlights and/or batteries. My small crew of volunteers PERSONALLY gave out these goods to the above people in need and encouraged them with what little info and energy we had. We saw the issues first hand. Today we used the community rooms in multiple buildings a relief sites- distribution for all necessities like food, water, batteries, baby supplies, feminine products ect. We expect to do this in more buildings.

All of the supermarkets and bodegas within a 15 minute walk of the above Housing have been flooded or looted. THERE IS NOWHERE TO BUY FOOD. Please link to these images - use them as much as you please- courtesy of Nick Childers.

WHAT IS NEEDED:

MORE PRESS

Non perishable and hot FOOD
BATTERIES of any size
FLASHLIGHTS
BLANKETS
GLOVES
HATS
BABY FORMULA/WIPES
TOILET PAPER

*NO CLOTHING*

Please understand, this email is a direct account of what is happening now. NYC IS NOT BACK TO NORMAL. Every area mentioned above has Katrina-level devastation and needs with only small citizen groups to aid everyone and distribute everything. Please help by donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word. This is the only article I have found on the subject and it is accurate for the housing it represents but not for Coney Island: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/living-hell-nycha-houses-article-1.1197748 - Conditions were similar but there we some glaring problems on top of what they reported about.

I will be setting up a distribution center at 2828 Neptune Avenue tomorrow and will write back with more info. Please call me at 201.658.6194 with any questions.
Please help.

Sincerely,
Eric Moed

We previously posted pictures of the damage in Coney Island, but continue below for a more current look at the situation...

Continue reading "Relief efforts continue in CONEY ISLAND, HELP STILL NEEDED (pics & info) "

photos by Brian Russ

As Lola Star, who designed that "Coney Island Forever" graphic you see above points out, volunteers are still needed in Sandy-devastated Coney Island (maybe you're there today?). If you're working this week, you can head there this weekend:

Help Coney Island -- VOLUNTEER
SAT NOV 10TH & SUNDAY NOV 11TH 9AM - 5PM
Meet on the Boardwalk & STILLWELL AVE
at TOMS RESTAURANT [which is back open]

Wear warm clothes! Wear sturdy footwear or boots, and bring work gloves!
Bring your own flashlight (with extra batteries), a backpack, and snacks/water for yourself for the day.

Donation requests to help with Saturday's work:
-- Power strips
-- Extra flashlights
-- Outdoor brooms

Please note that bathroom access on site will be very limited.
No RSVP required
You can refer to MTA.info for latest transit updates. Carpooling and biking are encouraged.
Please forward this to all of your networks.
Organized by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Brooklyn Community Board 13, Astella Development Corporation, and the Coney Island Development Corporation, & The Coney Island Dancers.

Meanwhile bring your donations of nonperishable goods, individually wrapped sandwiches, toilet paper, baby formula, diapers, blankets, outerwear and baby clothes to Coney Island's FEMA station which is now located at The Shrine Church of Our Lady Of Solace at 2866 West 17th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11224.

And donate to help the aquarium get back on its feet. As discussed, the aquarium was flooded very badly.

If you're a Coney Island resident wondering where to vote today, check HERE (you might need to take a shuttle bus).

We previously posted a set of pictures taken in Coney Island right after the hurricane. Here's another set of pics by Brian Russ (who is in Brooklyn band backwords who are streaming their most recent album and playing Glasslands 1/18 with Gringo Star and Radical Dads). More below...

Continue reading "more Hurricane Sandy pictures from Coney Island (where they still need our help -- donations & volunteers accepted)"

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Coney Island opened today at Surf and 17th St (MCU Park). You can see two pictures of the scene there, one with Marty Markowitz and Bloomberg in it, above. Any food and water donations may be brought to the Disaster Recovery Center in the MCU Parking Lot: 8am-8pm. The National Guard, whether Bloomberg likes it or not, is also there and brought water and ready-to-eat meals at Surf Avenue and West 25th Street. Those looking for post-Hurricane Sandy assitance can also go to disasterassistance.gov.

Also open and pictured above: Tom's Coney Island restuarant, which seems like an amazing feat considering the destruction the Brooklyn shore neighborhood suffered.

"Coney Island USA" meanwhile, the company behind the Mermaid Parade, the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. the Coney Island Museum, Burlesque at the Beach, and much more, also need help:

We could use the following to assist in cleaning up our flooded Ground floor at 1208 Surf Ave. - dehumidifiers, fans, squeegees, mops, mop buckets, protective clothing such as hazmat suits, household heavy duty rubber gloves, respirators, paper towels, cleaning cloths, brooms, bleach, disinfectant. If you are able to donate any of the above items, we would kindly accept them from Noon - 6pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Bring to Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Ave. (corner of West 12th street).

We are seeking volunteers who have experience doing flooded condition clean up. Preferably you have a respirator and protective clothing as safety is a priority in these conditions. Please email us at ciusacleanup@gmail.com.

The aquarium still remains an issue and they may have to evacuate the 12,000 water-dependent creatures within (Baby Walrus Mitik included). Gothamist posted some pictures and a statement you can read, with some videos, below...

Continue reading "Tom's & FEMA open for business in devastated Coney Island; Aquarium may be evacuated"

photos by John Huntington/controlgeek.net

As you know, Coney Island took a beating by Hurricane Sandy. John Huntington headed down there Tuesday morning, and this is what he saw...

Continue reading "Coney Island Hurricane Sandy flood aftermath photos"

UPDATE: More photos of the Coney Island Sandy aftermath posted

Coney Island this morning (via @dimkas79)

As you might expect and/or saw on the news, Hurricane Sandy hit Coney Island pretty good with major flooding, including the New York Aquarium whose entire 14-acre facility was entirely "under water". They won't be able to access the damage till the water recedes but we sure are worried about the sea otters and other animals there.

The Cyclone made it through intact, which is more than we can say for 'Jersey Shore' stomping grounds Seaside Heights, NJ whose boardwalk was almost entirely destroyed by the hurricane and the Jet Star roller coaster, well you can see for yourself::

Jet Star roller coaster hanging into the Atlantic Ocean in NJ (via NBC4)

Atlantic City, as you probably heard, was also hit very hard too.

UPDATE: More photos of the Coney Island Sandy aftermath posted

As we mentioned previously, Los Angeles band Lavender Diamond are set to release their first album in five years, Incorruptible Heart, on September 25 via Paracadute. One of the things singer Becky Stark has been working on in the half decade between records is a web series called We Can Do It which features her with such notable guests as John C. Reilly, Damian Kulash of OK Go, and actress Jena Malone to name a few. We've got the premiere of the show's first episode with guest Andrew WK which you can watch below.

Don't forget, Lavender Diamond will be on tour later this month. That brings her to NYC for two shows: Mercury Lounge on September 26 (tickets ) and Glasslands on September 29 (tickets ).

Andrew plays Coney Island TONIGHT (9/11).

Lavender Diamond tour dates are listed below, along with the video of We Can Do It.

Continue reading "Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark hosting new web series; watch the first episode featuring guest Andrew WK (who is playing in Coney Island tonight)"

Since posting about the free Seaside Summer Concert Series at Coney Island, the organizers have added a show: The Jacksons happening Saturday (8/11) night. That's right, Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito -- who have been touring this past year and played the Apollo in June -- will bring the hit parade. Again, it's free. Can you feel it?

The show happens at West 21st St and Surf Avenue, which is right next to the Brooklyn Cyclones stadium. Show starts at 7:30 PM. After The Jacksons, the only remaining show in the series is Gladys Knight and The Commodores on August 16.

Last night, Joan Jett played the Seaside series and there's video of her performance below.

Continue reading "The Jacksons playing free show in Coney Island Saturday; Joan Jett played last night"

As mentioned earlier today, Billy Bragg -- whose Mermaid Avenue records with Wilco brought the songwriter back in to the pop culture zeitgeist in 1998 -- will be in NYC soon for some Woody Guthrie 100 celebrations. It's part of a North American tour for Bragg who tonight (7/6) will play the legendary Winnipeg Folk Festival. The tour will then continues, and includes a stop at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Guthrie's Okemah, OK birthplace on July 12th.

Bragg then heads to NYC for City Winery's WoodyFest on July 13 (tickets) with Amy Helm & Joe Purdy and host Steve Earle who then plays with Billy again in Coney Island the next day on Woody's actual birthday (July 14). The Coney Island potion includes two events: a screening of Mermaid Avenue documentary Man in the Sand followed by a book/CD signing with Bragg and Nora Guthrie; and an outdoor screening of Hal Ashby's 1975 Woody Guthrie biopic Bound for Glory that will be preceded by a performance by Bragg and Steve Earle at 8PM (the movie starts at 8:45PM).

Bragg's tour continues after that, hitting Sweden's Way Out West festival in August, and many other Woody-themed shows throughout the year. All dates are listed below.

Back in April, Nonesuch Records released Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions which takes the original, critically acclaimed 1999 album where Wilco and Bragg wrote music to unpublished (but complete) Guthrie lyrics and adds 17 previously unreleased recordings made during the Mermaid Avenue sessions, plus a DVD and 48 page booklet.

The Billy Bragg show at City Winery is one of three nights of "Woodyfest" that Steve Earle is hosting and playing. Steve doesn't have any more NYC dates scheduled after that at the moment, but later this month he does head out on a tour with the Dukes that hits Tarrytown and in September he's doing a solo, acoustic tour that visits NJ, Bethel, and Poughkeepsie. In October he plays Austin City Limits.

Below you can read a little more on Guthrie and the Mermaide Avenue album, penned by Billy himself, plus all upcoming BB tour dates.

Continue reading "Winnipeg Folk Festival underway; Billy Bragg on tour (dates)"

Woody Guthrie was born on July 14th, 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma. Over the decades, his songs have run around the world like a fast train on a well oiled track. They've become the folk song standards of the nation, known and performed in many languages throughout the world. Pretty Boy Floyd, Pastures of Plenty, Hard Travelin', Deportees, Roll On Columbia, Vigilante Man and This Land Is Your Land are among the hundreds of his songs that have become staples in the canon of American music.

The GRAMMY Museum is partnering with the Guthrie Family / Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. and the Woody Guthrie Archives to create the Centennial celebrations. The year-long celebration will include a host of concerts, programs and events taking place throughout the country and across the pond.

The Guthrie Family ("Arlo Guthrie w/ Abe, Cathy, Annie, Sarah Lee, Johnny Irion...and the Kids") will celebrate with a "Guthrie Family Reunion" tour featuring three generations of Guthries. Arlo Guthrie commented:

"Getting the family together and heading out on the road is the perfect way to celebrate my father's centennial - only once before did we have the whole family on tour, and we did 80 shows. Instead of doing an entire year of touring and taking the kids out of school, we are focusing on shows right around Woody's actual birthday. This time of year marks the climax of the Woody Guthrie centennial celebrations all over the world. I'll also continue my solo touring in honor of my dad through spring 2013."

On July 10 (12-1 pm), NYC's 92YTribeca hosts author Ed Cray who will discuss his book "Ramblin' Man: The Life and Times of Woody Guthrie."

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion play Hill Country in NYC on 7/12.

On 7/14 head to Coney Island for a free screening of "Bound for Glory" on the beach along with "live music by Billy Bragg and Steve Earle starting at 8:00pm, and the feature film starting around 8:45pm." Get to Coney Island earlier and see a free screening of "Man In the Sand" at the Coney Island museum. "Following the film, there will be a book signing by Nora Guthrie and CD signing by Billy Bragg, with both items available for purchase."

City Winery in NYC will play host to a trio of events titled "Woodyfest" from July 11-13 Hosted by Steve Earle, the shows will feature an assortment of artists paying tribute to the troubador. July 11 features John Hammond & Tim Robbins, and more TBA (tickets). July 12 has Rachael Yamagata, The Wood Brothers & Allen Toussaint (tickets). July 13th features Billy Bragg, Amy Helm & Joe Purdy (tickets).

Brooklyn College will host a "Woody at 100" celebration on September 22 with a conference, and a tribute concert.

More events, dates, and some videos from the party that took place at the 2012 Clearwater Festival in June, below....

Continue reading "Woody Guthrie turns 100 (and that means lots of events)"

Squeeze at Coachella 2012 (more by David Andrako)

Like he's done in past years, Brooklyn Bourough president Marty Markowitz is presenting the Seaside Summer Concert Series in Coney Island (at West 21st Street and Surf Island) which features free concerts every Thursday from July 12 to August 16. All shows begin at 7:30 PM.

The series this year includes Squeeze and The Romantics on 7/20 (which is a Friday, not a Thursday) Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (8/9) and Gladys Knight with The Commodores (8/16), among others. Full lineup below...

Continue reading "2012 Seaside Summer Concert Series lineup (free concerts in Coney Island w/ Squeeze, Joan Jett & more)"

The Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC), and NYC & Company, New York City's tourism, marketing and partnership organization, in conjunction with Rooftop Films [present] a new outdoor film series--Coney Island Flicks on the Beach--will take place in Coney Island for eight weeks this summer. Selected films will be shown on a jumbo 40-foot screen on the beach at West 10th Street every Monday night beginning July 2nd; screenings are free to the public and begin at dusk.

Continue reading "Coney Island Beach Flicks 2012 schedule (free Monday night movies on the beach)"

photos by Sachyn Mital

The 2012 Mermaid Parade saw another set of folks in various degrees of nakedness make their way down Surf Ave and the boardwalk this Saturday (6/23). Here are some pictures from the day's festivities. More below....

Continue reading "pics from the 2012 Mermaid Parade in Coney Island"

Mermaid Parade 2010 (more by Chris La Putt)

No need to wait for Sunday's Gay Pride Parade to experience colorfully and barely dressed people marching down a NYC street in front of thousands of spectators. Saturday (6/23) is the annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. The parade starts at 2 PM on West 22nd St. between Surf Ave. and the Boardwalk, but get there earlier for a good spot (and don't forget to leave time for the long subway ride).

This year's king and queen are comedian Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling (Howard Stern Show) and actress Annabella Sciorra (Jungle Fever, True Love).

As always, the parade will be followed by the Mermaid Ball, which starts at 7 PM at the New York Aquarium. This year's ball features a Moby DJ set and live sets by The A Bones, Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 and The Moto-Wrays, in addition to this year's king Jackie Martling performing in the Aquatheater, burlesque dancers, go go dancers, "real live mermaids," a laser light show tent and more. Tickets for the ball are available.

Meanwhile, Friday Night Fireworks on Coney Island have begun and will continue every Friday (including tonight) through August 31. "For the best seating, locate yourself on the boardwalk or beach between West 10th Street and West 15th Street." The flier for this is below.

More Mermaid Parade details below...

Continue reading "Mermaid Parade and afterparty in Coney Island this Saturday, fireworks on the boardalk every Friday"

Deadheads and dads take note, Bob Weir & Phil Lesh's band Furthur have announced a summer tour which plays the Brooklyn Cyclones MCU Park in Coney Island on July 13 & 14. Tickets for both of those shows just went on presale. General sale begins Saturday morning.

photos by Chris La Putt

I posted a few pictures yesterday without even realizing that our own Chris La Putt was in attendance on the beach of Coney Island on New Year's Day. His pictures from this year's Polar Bear Swim continue below...

Continue reading "2012 Coney Island Polar Bear Swim (more pics)"

Coney Island, Jan 1, 2012 (bklynpolar)

Coney Island, Jan 1, 2012 (thegirlsny)

Coney Island, Jan 1, 2012 (bklynpolar)

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Little Feat @ City Winery
* New Music Observatory @ The Stone
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Dan Neustadt performs Arcade Fire's "Funeral" @ Knitting Factory
* Tony Scherr Trio with Anton Fier & Rob Jost @ Living Room, Jim Campilongo Electric trio w/ Stephan Crump & Tony Mason w/ Erik Deutsch @ Living Room
* Xray Eyeballs, Heaven, Sun Ladders, Bloodflowers, Brother Reverend @ Mercury Lounge

Hundreds of people took a swim with the polar bears in Coney Island on New Year's Day. Were you one of them?

What else?

by Jacob Blickenstaff

Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, performed to an overflow crowd at the Seaside Summer Concert Series at Coney Island. Fans and locals lined up behind the fence on the boardwalk and filled up the sidewalks on 21st St between Surf Avenue and the beach.

The only unfulfilling aspect of the show was the absence of a ridiculously awesome hat, otherwise the Queen was in full command, sounding and looking fantastic. The set covered a good amount of territory including the new song 'How Long I've Waited' from her recent album 'A Woman Falling Out of Love' - her 38th studio recording. Other selections included 'Higher and Higher', 'Natural Woman', 'Think', 'Freeway of Love', 'Bridge Over Trouble Water', 'Don't Play That Song', and 'Respect'.

The peak moment of the concert came during 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' which Aretha performed at the piano. The end of the song transmuted into an extended ostinato of piano rumblings and heavenly gospel incantations that built for several minutes before exploding into a rave-up a la 'Spirit in the Dark' . It was the closest I had ever come to accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Still didn't happen, but it was close.

'A Woman Falling Out of Love' is available exclusively at Wal-Mart. More pictures from the Thursday night (8/4) show, below...

Continue reading "Aretha Franklin played to a large crowd in Coney Island (pics)"

If you don't want to go all the way out to Long Island and spend 200 dollars in the process to see soulful R&B (Jill Scott at Jones Beach), you can get your fix for free right here in NYC. As mentioned in What's Going on Thursday, Chrisette Michele (who Jill Scott has interviewed) plays a free show tonight (7/28) in Springfield Park.

For some more venerable musicians, who may have very well influenced artists like Chrisette and Jill, blues guitarist/singer Taj Majal plays a free show tonight (7/28) at World Financial Center and Motown vets Mary Wilson of The Supremes and The Spinners play for free at Seaside Summer Concert Series in Coney Island tonight (7/28).

As mentioned multiple times, including This Week in Indie, Metronomy play Hudson River Rocks tonight (7/28) with Class Actress and American Royalty.

Some pretty major free shows are also happening on Friday (7/29). And I'm not even talking about the free 3 Doors Down show or Journey show. They Might Be Giants are playing a free Williamsburg Waterfront show with Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal. Their show is one of few this summer before they head out on tour in support of their recently released album Join Us. You can also head over to House of Vans for the unreal lineup of Fucked Up, Cro-Mags, Screaming Females, and Pissed Jeans. We're also giving away VIP tickets to the show. Contest details HERE.

If you're trying to see free music on Saturday (7/30), I can't imagine why you would want to be anywhere other than the Mad Decent Block Party at South Street Seaport. The party will be headlined by Gang Gang Dance and also feature Zeds Dead, Claude VonStroke, BAIO (Vampire Weekend DJ set), The Hood Internet, Bosco Delrey, and PO PO. If you're into the block party, and specifically Chris Baio of Vampire Weekend's DJ set, you've got time afterwards to head over to Brooklyn Bowl and see a DJ set by another NYC indie band member Albert Hammond Jr. (of The Strokes). Doors are at 11 PM.

On Sunday (7/31), head back to the Seaport for the great lineup of The Raveonettes and Eternal Summers at Beekman Beer Garden .

If you don't make it to that show, you could check out the equally great JEFF the Brotherhood, Kingdom, and Friends free show at Rockaway Beach Boardwalk. RSVP required.

On Monday (8/1) , Surfer Blood play a free late show at Mercury Lounge.

On Tuesday (8/2), you can check out the oldest of old school hip hop at Summerstage with Sugarhill Gang. If you prefer reggae over hip hop, you might be in luck by heading over to City Winery for the Hudson Square Music and Wine Festival with CCB Reggae All-Stars.

On Wednesday (8/3), The Budos Band plays a free Summerstage show in Staten Island. You can also catch them tonight (7/28) at a not-free Rocks Off Concert Cruise. A-Trak also DJs on Wednesday (8/3) at the new Fool's Gold Store in Brooklyn. Summerscreen in McCarren Park is screening Clueless, and Zambri is performing.

Things in the free concert world pick up again on Thursday (8/4). It's been revealed that Mystery Night at Seaside Summer Concert Series will be 'The Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin who just played Jones Beach (and who cancelled last time she was scheduled to play Coney Island). As awesome as that show will probably be, if something modern is more your style, House of Vans, who continue to bang out killer lineups, has Man Man, Glass Candy, and Crystal Antlers on the bill for Thursday's (8/4) show.

Also, don't forget that Summerstage and Celebrate Brooklyn are continuing to present free shows throughout the summer, including many this week.

Free outdoor movies on the beach in Coney Island. 2011 schedule and more details below...

Continue reading "Coney Island Flicks on the Beach"

Though no longer in Asser Levy Park (for now), Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz returns for the 33rd time with his Seaside Summer Concert Series in Coney Island in 2011. Now located at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue (next to the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones), there will be free shows every Thursday through August 18. All shows start at 7:30 PM.

The series kicks off right on July 14 with a free show by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and ends with one by Cheap Trick! Full schedule, mystery night included, and more info, below...

Continue reading "2011 Seaside Summer Concert Series lineup (free shows in Coney Island - Joan Jett & Cheap Trick included)"

The Mermaid Parade is underway in Coney Island today (6/18). At 6pm head to the boardwalk near the aquarium for:

...millions of bubbles fly through the air as we converge for a magical bubble battle! Loosely based on the Dr. Seuss Classic The Butter Battle Book. Bring bubble toys, bubble generators, bubble solution, and plenty of AA batteries :) We will meet, fill our weapons and pull the trigger!

Last year over 1,500 people came to disseminate joy by the bubbles per minute. Be creative with your contraptions and take sides: butter side up or butter side down! In the spirit of the day, dress like a mermaid, Neptune, or various sea creatures. This is a family-friendly event. See you on the boardwalk! [NewMindSpace]

Mermaid Parade last year (more by Chris La Putt)

Siren might be gone, but the Mermaid Parade is returning to Coney Island this Saturday (6/18). The parade of scantily clad people starts at 2pm at West 21st St and Surf Ave and ends at Stillwell Ave.

This year's king and queen are Adam Richman from the Travel Channel's Man V. Food and Cat Greenleaf from the Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf. You might remember that last year it was Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson.

The official after party aka the Mermaid Parade Ball takes place at 7 PM at the New York Aquarium. The party features live music, burlesque, hula hoopers, DJS, magicians, and more. Tickets are on sale.

More details below...

Continue reading "The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is Saturday, afterparty too"