Since the 1860's, Coney Island has been a beacon for strange and interesting people. For generations, it has attracted the curious and the enlightened, the onlooker and the performer. Every spring Coney Island USA convenes The Congress of Curious Peoples, a 10-day gathering of unique individuals at Sideshows by the Seashore and the Coney Island Museum, celebrating Coney Island's subversive and exciting power and exploring its political, artistic, and spectacular possibilities through performances, exhibitions, and films by important artists in the world of the 21st century sideshows.
SCHEDULE:
1) Opening Weekend
The 10-day spectacular begins with the opening night party in Coney Island's Freak Bar and the induction of new members into the Sideshow Hall of Fame. Opening weekend features two days of performances by the star-studded wonderfest "Super-Freak Weekend" - which includes performances by some of the world's most important natural-born freaks, individuals whose performance is their physicality itself.
2) 5 nights of Thrilling Lectures and Esoteric and Bizarre Performances
Opening weekend is followed by 5 nights of lectures and performances by international acts and scholars appearing on stage in the Coney Island Museum and Sideshows by the Seashore.
3) Alumni Weekend and the Congress for Curious People
The climax of this star-studded wonderfest is "Alumni Weekend" - which includes performances by some of the Coney Island Circus Sideshows legendary past performers - and a scholarly conference, called the Congress for Curious People, in the Coney Island Museum.
Events are individually priced and may be purchased online (www.coneyisland.com) or at the door (if tickets remain). A Congressional Pass (includes admission to all events plus an invitation to dinner with congressional delegates and performers) for $75 in advance, $100 opening day.
**OPENING NIGHT, FRIDAY, APRIL 8th**
SIDESHOWS BY THE SEASHORE, 8:00 pm - $10
Opening Night Party (Cash Bar) Musical entertainment and talk by Sol Yaged, legendary clarinetist and former headliner at the Blue Bird Casino, 1208 Surf Ave. in Coney Island (now home to Coney Island USA). The entertainment will be followed by Coney Island USA's annual Sideshow Hall of Fame Inductions.
Join us for discussion, votes, the infamous drinking game and inductions in the following categories:
Working Acts: Little Egypt vs. The Great Waldo
Showfolk: Robert Ripley vs. P.G. Lowery
Born Different: Chang and Eng vs. Sarah Baartman (the Hottentot Venus)
Self Inflicted: Jack Dracula vs. Koo Koo the Bird Girl
Attractions: Magic Mouse vs. the Cardiff Giant
**SATURDAY APRIL, 9TH**
SIDESHOWS BY THE SEASHORE, 1PM - 8PM (Last Ticket sold at 7pm), CONTINUOUS ADMISSION - $10
Super Freak Weekend at Sideshows by the Seashore! All live, all born different. This 10-in-1 sideshow is a once in a lifetime experience, featuring performances by Koko the Killer Clown (rehabilitated children's entertainer and balloon animal sculptor), Lil' Miss Firefly (world's smallest fire eater, balloon swallower and escape artist), Nati the Patchwork Girl (fire, pain proof) , and Jennifer Miller ( Lady with a Beard, Machete juggler and inside talker).
Colonnade of Curiosities in the Freak Bar, 1PM - 8PM, FREE. This year's Congress will feature, for the first time, a bevy of odd and attractive objects to entice your wallet! We've scoured the earth for strange and unusual vendors and purveyors of goods that you, our audience, would like to buy!
CONEY ISLAND MUSEUM, SCREENING, 8PM - $15
The 2011 Season Premiere of Oddities on the Science Channel
Join the proprietors and customers of Obscura Antiques for a screening of the season premiere of their reality television show. Evan and Mike will be on-hand, prizes will be awarded, and there will be free gin drinks for all! Tickets are extremely limited for this special event.
**SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH**
SIDESHOWS BY THE SEASHORE, 1PM - 8PM (Last Ticket sold at 7pm), CONTINUOUS ADMISSION $10
Super Freak Weekend at Sideshows by the Seashore! All live, all born different. This 10-in-1 sideshow is a once in a lifetime experience, featuring performances by Koko the Killer Clown (rehabilitated children's entertainer and balloon animal sculptor), Lil' Miss Firefly (world's smallest fire eater, balloon swallower and escape artist), Nati the Patchwork Girl (fire, pain proof) , and Jennifer Miller ( Lady with a Beard, Machete juggler and inside talker).
Colonnade of Curiosities in the Freak Bar, 1PM - 8PM, FREE. This year's Congress will feature, for the first time, a bevy of odd and attractive objects to entice your wallet! We've scoured the earth for strange and unusual vendors and purveyors of goods that you, our audience, would like to buy!
