Coney Island USA Spring Gala to Celebrate Mermaid Parade Anniversary, 3/24

CONEY ISLAND USA TO CELEBRATE THE 30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MERMAID PARADE AT ITS ANNUAL SPRING FUNDRAISING GALA ON SATURDAY, MARCH 24^TH FROM 7 – 11PM AT MANHATTAN'S WEBSTER HALL.

The Host Committee for the Coney Island USA Spring Gala is being co-chaired by film director Darren Aronofsky (BLACK SWAN, The Wrestler, The Fountain and Requiem For A Dream) and Senior Vice President of George Arzt Communications, Jane Crotty.

Featuring performances from the cast of the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Aerialists, Fire Dancing, Burlesque, Go-Go Dancers, Magic, Juggling, a Laser Show, Live Body Painting and Hosted by Adam The First Real Man and *World Famous Bob*, the Spring Gala is the one time a year Coney Island brings all of its entertainment into Manhattan. This year the Gala will be full of Mermaids and Mermen as many guests arrive to the Gala in costume. 

Each year the Mermaid Parade has a King and Queen to lead the procession. Past Royalty have included Harvey Keitel, Queen Latifah, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Moby, Karen Duffy, Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa and David Johansen. Already confirmed for this year's Gala celebration are former Mermaid Parade Kings and Queens Joe Franklin, Phoebe Legere, Alison Gordy, Fred Kahl, *World Famous Bob* and more to be announced. The parade consistently draws over half-a-million people to Coney Island and is the one event of the year where glitter counts as clothing.

All proceeds of the Spring Gala go directly towards funding Coney Island USA's arts programming such as Sideshows by the Seashore, The Coney Island Museum, Burlesque at the Beach, the Coney Island Film Festival and the Mermaid Parade. Tickets are $250 for VIP, $100 for supporter and $60 for general admission and may be purchased at www.coneyisland.com.

Who: Coney Island USA

What: Annual Spring Fundraising Gala

Where: Webster Hall (125 E 11^th Street, NY, NY)

When: Saturday, March 24, 2012, 7pm – 11pm

Why: Raise funds for and celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of the Mermaid Parade