Coney Island USA

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Coney Island USA
Coney Island USA east sunny jeh.jpg
Landmark building, once a Childs Restaurants branch
Coney Island USA
Established1980
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Coordinates 40°34′31″N73°58′47″W / 40.5753°N 73.9798°W / 40.5753; -73.9798
Type Art, cultural
FounderCosta Mantis, Jane Savitt-Tennen, Dick D. Zigun
Executive directorPatrick Wall
DirectorAdam Rinn, (artistic)
Website Official website

Coney Island USA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization founded in 1980 that is dedicated to the cultural and economic revitalization of the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. [1] [2]

Contents

Coney Island USA's headquarters building in the heart of Coney Island's amusement district houses a theater in which the organization presents "Sideshows by the Seashore", a showcase for performers with unusual talents that runs continuously during the warmer months, as well as the Coney Island Museum.

The Coney Island Museum features artifacts and memorabilia about the amusement park, beach and neighborhood's history and culture, as well as changing exhibits of art and culture. The museum is open seasonally. [3]

History

Coney Island USA was founded in 1980 by Costa Mantis, Jane Savitt-Tennen and Dick D. Zigun. Over the years, Coney Island USA has been funded, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York Council for the Humanities, the Brooklyn Borough President, and New York City Council member Mark Treyger and others. [4]

In 2025, Coney Island USA joined the Coney Island History Project and other Coney Island community organizations in opposing the casino proposed by Thor Equities for Coney Island. [5] [6] [7] The Brooklyn Paper quoted Coney Island USA Executive Director Patrick Wall on the issue: "We're asking for a giant fort to come and plop down on top of our entire amusement district across three blocks. That's crazy! It's going to keep people locked in, they've got food, they've got accommodations, they've got entertainment. They're never going to come outside, they're never going to give us money." [8]

Film festival

The Coney Island Film Festival is an annual independent film festival held in Coney Island. It was founded in 2001 and is presented by Coney Island USA. [9]

Parade

Coney Island USA is notable as the organizer of the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade, the first of which took place in 1983. [3] [10] [2]

References

  1. ↑ Thornton, Claire. "'Coney Island stew': Mermaid Parade kicks off summer by embracing the weird". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Camille, Jada (May 14, 2024). "Make way for the mermaids! Coney Island USA gears up for 42nd annual Mermaid Parade • Brooklyn Paper". www.brooklynpaper.com. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "About Coney Island USA". Coney Island USA. Archived from the original on September 7, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  4. ↑ "About Coney Island USA | Coney Island USA". August 18, 2021. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  5. ↑ Delaney, Jillian (January 26, 2025). "Coney Island casino hits major roadblock in development". silive. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  6. ↑ Hallum, Mark (May 16, 2024). "Thor and Partners Release Scale of Coney Casino Proposal". Commercial Observer. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  7. ↑ Staff, Brooklyn Eagle (January 22, 2025). "Coney Island History group fights against plans for casino". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  8. ↑ Brendlen, Kirstyn (January 24, 2025). "Coney Island community board votes against land use change for proposed casino • Brooklyn Paper". www.brooklynpaper.com. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Brooklyn's Beachfront Romance With Cinema Continues at the Coney Island Film Festival". The Brooklyn Rail. August 19, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Declaration of Restrictive Covenant". New York City Department of Finance, Office of the City Register.
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