August 1, 2004
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Coney Island Freakshow!
The Talker tries to entice potential marks…Today we went to Coney Island and saw the “world’s last remaining carnival sideshow”. Photos weren’t allowed so we can only share the stuff on the outside; like the wonderful sideshow banner artwork (by Marie Roberts)…
If you’ve ever wondered what the Coney Island freakshow is like, here’s a quick breakdown of our experience.
- Tyler Fyre, the Human Blockhead - This guy is a natural performer. Brilliant! First he stuck a nail up his nostril; followed by a screwdriver. Then he slid a sword down his throat, followed by two swords, and finally a gladiator sword so thick and long that it would have reached down into his intestines.
- The Rubber Woman was next. She laid down inside a red box, and Tyler Fyre inserted 15 sharp blades (sort of diagonally) into the box from above. Then the audience had to donate extra money (of course!) to walk up and peer inside the box to see how her body was twisted up between the blades. Worth the extra money? “I could’ve done that” I said to Eddie. (…since I’m double-jointed) There was obviously a technique to how she positioned her body so that she could avoid the blades. But then, when the audience were back in their seats, Tyler opened the box and surprise surprise! the Rubber Woman emerged in a totally different position with her head on the opposite side of the box!
- Eak The Geek*/Illustrated Man. This Geek first appeared in a black wrestling mask (while Tyler Fyre announced him as being from the “wild streets of Mexico”), then stripped it off along with this shirt, to reveal a totally tattooed head and body. Seeing that we can’t have real sideshow geeks in this day and age with animal rights, Eak ‘mimed’ being a geek and described the whole process in glorious detail “the way he used to do it, seventy times or more”. This guy had a great villainous laugh. Then he laid himself down on a bed of nails; with another bed of nails (face down) on his belly and got three audience members to stand on it. * a Geek is a carnival sideshow performer who bites the heads off small animals and chickens.
- Electra sat in a high wooden chair with a big electrical switch. The gimmick was that she can conduct electricity. When the electricity was on, she squirmed and shook in the chair. Eak the Geek (these guys play several different roles) held a giant matchstick to her finger (then, her tongue) and the thing burst into flames.
- Then it was the Rubber Woman again – only this time she was Insectivora! She swallowed live crickets and centipedes! (yuck! Also made a point of chewing very loudly and having the worm-thing dangle from her mouth while she ate for extra effect!). Insectivora also walked up a ladder of sharp swords.
- Finally, Tyler Fyre reappeared with a fire-eating/breathing act.
- But that was not all! For another dollar, you could see the “Horrors of Drug Abuse – This Could Happen To You!” freakshow, hidden away in another room. OK, we wanted to see everything, so we forked out more money… what’s a few extra dollars for such very funny and dedicated performers. Turns out the “Horrors of Drug Abuse” were jars of preserved ‘fetuses’ – one had two heads. Uh… ok. (Which reminds me – we should check out that California Science show in L.A. which everyone raves about…)
So would we recommend going to the Coney Island Freakshow? Definitely YES! It’s a much more intimate and ‘old-school’ experience than the Jim Rose Circus, which I saw years and years ago when they toured Sydney. These Coney Island guys are such GREAT showpeople that even if you’re not into the freakish acts, you will be entertained!
Related link: www.carnivalknowledge.com with carny jargon here!
Here’s a photo of me with Eak The Geek.
Eddie: Hey, he’s not totally tattooed…I spy an un-illustrated leg!
I want my money back…
Eddie: The Coney Island Feak Show was a blast! The artists were so into the whole ‘carny’ tradition, that the whole experience was more an example of performance art. My favorite bit was after Eak The Geek had regaled us with his tales of geekery and savagery…then told us all that we should register, and make sure we vote! Classic! A carny with a moral side…
Coney Island is such a great experience. Everything from the amusements to the advertisements is such a throwback to another time. And the place was packed! Seems there’s still an audience for old fashioned sideshows in this day and age.
Astroland Park food stand
The Wonderwheel was scary fun!
The view from above… Aaah! the cages swing !
Ticketstand
Eddie on the boardwalk
( ‘Parachute Jump’ in the background is no longer functional)
Coney Island was – and always will be – ‘Warriors’ turf!It was still very warm and humid and by the end of the afternoon we were feeling exhausted and grimey.
Tomorrow: Possibly Chelsea and Harlem.
Thanks to John and Bee for a very nice dinner at Churrascaria tonight. It was great to meet you guys and finally put real faces to names
Best wishes to xanga.com without which, life on the internet would be less enjoyable. - Tyler Fyre, the Human Blockhead - This guy is a natural performer. Brilliant! First he stuck a nail up his nostril; followed by a screwdriver. Then he slid a sword down his throat, followed by two swords, and finally a gladiator sword so thick and long that it would have reached down into his intestines.
