Get ready for a weekend of wonder when Coney Island USA brings together sideshow artists, historians and curious minds to the Brooklyn seaside from April 25 to 27.
The annual Congress of Curious Peoples, held in conjunction with the Sideshow Hootenanny, will transform the historic Sideshows by the Seashore theater and Coney Island Museum into a stage for the strange, spectacular, and truly one-of-a-kind, according to a press release.
The weekend kicks off Friday, April 25, with the Sideshow Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and performance showcase at 7:00pm, honoring legends in categories such as “Born Different” and “Self-Inflicted,” and featuring performers like Nati the Patchwork Girl and The Loud Mime.
“Coney Island has been a haven for the eccentric and extraordinary since the 1860s,” said Adam Rinn, the artistic director. “This event continues that rich tradition of artistry, curiosity and community.”
On Saturday, April 26, the free Hoot's Bizarre Bazaar returns, offering an art and oddities market from noon to 8:00pm at the indoors Shooting Gallery. Meanwhile, workshops and lectures dive deep into the history and science of sideshow performance. Highlights include:
- The History, Art and Science of Sword Swallowing at 1:00pm with Guinness World Record holder Dan Meyer and sideshow historian Marc Hartzman.
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A beginner fire eating workshop with circus artist Joseph Kerr from 2:00pm – 4:00pm.
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A panel discussion "Strange Girls" at 3:00pm, exploring the legacy and future of women in sideshow arts, led by The Lady Aye and other performers.
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A Sideshow Hootenanny Showcase at 8:00pm promises jaw-dropping acts including fire eating, sword swallowing and a record attempt led by Meyer and Hartzman.
Sunday, April 27, continues the revelry with more workshops, including Kerr’s advanced fire eating session and Block's Balloon: Advanced Mental Flossing, a deep dive into the Guinness World Record-holding balloon dog trick.
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