Carnie talent show comes to Coney Island

By Alex Rush

The carnie competition is back!

The second annual Coney Island Talent Show returns to the Boardwalk on July 30, paying homage to the neighborhood’s history as the early 20th century capital for kooky entertainment.

This year’s contest will feature circus freaks and sideshow geeks (hey, it’s what the category’s called), including contortionists and celebrity impersonators; dance troupes; and a costume contest. There’s also a “creative kids” round for pre-teens and teens who think they have what it takes to be the People’s Playground’s next great circus performer.

The show’s host may be just as entertaining as the competing acts: World Famous BOB — a longtime staple on the city’s burlesque and drag queen circuit known for Marilyn Monroe-look and the ability to mix martinis with her cleavage — will lead the annual ode to Coney’s past, when sword-swallowers and men who could blow smoke through their ears were a dime a dozen.

“It’s really great to bring the entertainers together with people from the community to celebrate the tradition,” said Gin Minsky, a Bushwick-based dancer who will be competing with a less-bodily harming, 1940s-style swing routine.

The Coney Island Talent Show on the Boardwalk (between W. 10th and W. 12th streets), July 30 from 4 to 8 pm. Free. For info, visit www.thirstygirlproductions.com.

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Coney Island's got talent

Fire breathers and vaudeville-esque dancers will be put to the test this Saturday in the first annual Coney Island Talent Show.

“I’ve wanted to do this event for a couple of years. I was surprised there wasn’t a Coney Island talent show already, it seemed like a natural thing to do,” said Jen Gapay, the producer of the talent show, to be held on the Boardwalk.

With burlesque notables as Miss Saturn and The World Famous Bob leading the festivities as the hostesses, participants will compete in such categories as Best Drag Performance of Celebrity Impersonator; Dance Your Pants Off (not literally — but then again…); creative kids ages 9-12; and, for those on the opposite spectrum, sassy seniors (the latter two are open to anything from magic acts to jokes).

And this wouldn’t be a Coney Island-based talent show without a Circus Freaks and Sideshow Geeks category.

“Anything goes in this one,” said Gapay. “We have everything from sword swallowers to magicians to a contortionist.”

The Bushwick-based Minsky Sisters (pictured) will be showing off their 1920s-inspired dance act in the Dance Your Pants Off category.

“We’ve never performed in Coney Island and figured why not, we love Coney Island,” said Jen Minsky, who, along with her sister, Kristen, make up the duo, which has been tap dancing across Brooklyn in flapper dresses at places like Williamsburg’s Public Assembly, Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO and the Montauk Club in Park Slope.

The sisters hope to hold their own against the evening’s other acts, which include step teams and break-dancers.

“We will certainly be unique,” said Jen, who plans on doing the duo’s fan dance, which involves the use of two large white feather fans, for the performance. “Especially in New York nightlife, tap dancing is a little bit of a rarity.”

The Minsky Sisters and other contestants are vying for $200, a season pass to the amusement park, and future performance opportunities in Coney Island if placing first in their category. Deciding in that will be judges Dick Zigun, who’s seen it all as the man behind Coney Island USA, burlesque performer Ms. Ghost Hole and musician Don Undeen.

“They’ll be judging on who has the most talent, and also what’s the most entertaining act,” said Gapay. “Somebody can be a great singer and have no stage personality.”

Because in Coney Island, it’s all about the personality.

The Coney Island Talent Show on the Boardwalk (between W. 10th and W. 11th streets), July 31 from 4-8 pm. Free. For info, visit www.thirstygirlproductions.com.

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Cha Cha Cha's

By Meredith Deliso

Since opening seven years ago, Cha Cha’s Coney Island Bar & Café has been there for every big Boardwalk moment, from the Mermaid Parade to the Siren Music Festival.

This past Memorial Day weekend, the spot returned for another season, with a full line-up of bands, burlesque, and rockabilly.

Coming up next at Cha Cha’s, the bar will have live music to help celebrate the annual Mermaid Parade, returning to Surf Avenue on June 20. The venue’s rooftop lounge will be open as well (where you can also get a nice view of the fireworks every Friday night this summer in Coney).

Throughout the rest of the month, there will also be a Latin jazz ensemble on June 21, featuring Friends of El Rey, Tito Puente and Mario Rivera (they also play July 12). On June 28, you can rock with the Rockinhams, a ‘60s and ‘70s rock cover band (who also play at Cha Cha’s on July 5 and 26, August 9 and 23, and September 13).

Kicking off July’s festivities, the classic rock cover band Back Pages takes to the stage July 3 (you can also check them out again on August 7). On July 10 it’s more rock and blues with Tom Kat & the Whiskey Rats. And on July 18, head to Cha Cha’s after the Siren Music Festival, where live music will continue into the night.

Every Saturday throughout the summer, Cha Cha’s presents Squidling Brothers Circus Side Show – Karnival of Kuriosities & Burlesque Side Show, with sword swallowers, glass eaters and, of course, dancers. “It’s your typical Coney Island sideshow,” says Cha Cha. On July 27, fans wouldn’t want to miss the Burlesque Rock-n-Roll Birthday bash, a night of rocking music and Brooklyn babes.

The festivities continue into September with the third annual Coney Island Rockabilly/Burlesque Festival from the 4th to the 7th, featuring more burlesque, as well as rockabilly bands, special guests Sasquatch on September 6, and a pin-up contest on September 7.

The next weekend, head down to Cha Cha’s for the Nassau Chain Saw Side Show Rock Revue on September 13.

Owner John “Cha Cha” Ciarcia splits his time between Coney Island and Little Italy, where he was born and raised and also operates Cha Cha’s Café on Mulberry Street. He recently launched his own wine, Grandpa Cha Cha’s Home Style Wine, a red developed from his grandfather’s secret family recipe, which he sells at Beer Island, his Coney Island bar, and the cafe in Little Italy.

In addition to operating those venues, Ciarcia is the part owner of the year-old Beer Island, located at Stillwell Avenue and the Boardwalk, and the new Chicken Shack, which opened last month at the corner of Surf Avenue and 10th Street, serving chicken, of course, as well as crab cakes, pizza, fried shrimp, fresh clams, Nathan’s hot dogs and other snacks & drinks.

“I’m trying to keep Coney Island going,” said Ciarcia from the set of his friend Danny DeVito’s show, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” where the TV and radio personality was filming a scene as a fruit vendor for an upcoming episode. “Coney Island is the Brooklyn Rivera. Where else are you going to go to get a great beach on the Atlantic Ocean for the price of a subway ride?”

Cha Cha’s of Coney Island is located on the Boardwalk between Stillwell Avenue and West 12th Street. It is open through the end of October. There is a $5 minimum in the evenings for shows and no cover charge unless noted for special events.

For more information, go to www.chachasofconeyisland.com or www.myspace.com/chachasbar or call 718-946-1305. For more on Grandpa Cha Cha’s Home Style Wine, go to www.chachaswine.com.

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