What is the Mermaid Parade?
Well, kiddos, a long time ago, in the year 1983,
in the mythical world of Coney Island,
The Mermaid Parade was born.
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| Dick |
The parade is the conceptualization of the Great Dick D. Zigun, founder of
the non-profit art corporation Coney Island USA.
Their mission is to "defend the honor of American popular culture through innovative exhibitions and performances."
But one of their largest celebrations is in peril!!
So, again, what is the mermaid parade? Let me quote the source and
hopefully that will paint the picture accurately:
"The Mermaid Parade is the largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride."
This holiday is free of religious, ethnic, or commercial affiliation.
"It’s a major New York holiday invented by artists!"
Make sure to visit This Page for the double scoop with a cherry on top.
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| Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2012 I'm a HUGE fan of the arts, festivals, and any combination in between. Especially when audience participation is encouraged. What else would we ladies do with all those pretty costumes and loads of make-up we hoard like treasure trolls? Maybe that's just me and my girls, but it's never too late to start, ladies! The Mermaid Parade is one of the best excuses in the nation to get prettied up in a way that would make royalty jealous and disgusted at the same time. To quote Coney Island USA once more, the festival monumentalizes 3 goals: "It brings mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune; it creates self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded as “entertainment;” and it lets artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public." |
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| alanshapiro.blogspot.com |
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| Save the Memaids @ silver city light |
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| Save the Mermaid Parade @ Animal New York |
So why is this deliciously decadent celebration of the seas in jeopardy? Like so many other things, Hurricane Sandy destroyed the freakshow, museum, and performance space whose revenue provides funding for this year's parade.
This year, Coney Island USA set up a kickstarter to help raise $100,000 by July 3
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| Save the Mermaid Parade @ Meetup.com If the picture show hasn't gotten you all the way hooked yet, watch the kickstarter video below to reel in all you need to know: |
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| WNYC - A Peek At The Mermaid Parade |
There are plenty of hands on deck helping to spread the word.
Do your part and donate, or commission your minion hoards to donate!
Do your part and donate, or commission your minion hoards to donate!
For more on the current scouts of honor, review this itinerary:
and
This benefit show featuring Amanda Palmer is sure to
blow the roof off the joint.
It's this Saturday, so get those hotdog buns a-movin'!
Maybe it's the history of the place:
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| Photo courtesy of Deceptology |
Maybe it's because I'm a fire-eater. If you think I'm bluffing...
Ta Da!
(I'm even wearing my Mermaid Parade shirt
from Lola Star in this shot.)
Or maybe it's the fond memories I have of Coney Island:
It's all of the above, really.
But more than all of that, it's about the children!!
Don't let our future generations suffer another loss
of a Great American Tradition!
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| Coney Island Mermaid Parade |
Support America's Freaky Arts and History!!
Tell your mama, your brothers, your sisters, and your friends.
And even (or especially) your weird uncle Randy.
If this place disappears before I have the chance to take my kids,
I will hunt you down.
Haha, just kidding.
Or am I?
;)
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