Coney Island Sideshow School

Learn Ancient Skills from the Very Best in the Business!
Have you ever dreamed of running away with the circus? Did anyone ever call you a freak? Well, now's your chance to become one! At Coney Island USA's Sideshow School, you can learn how to hammer a 20-penny nail right into your skull, how to shake and shimmy like a professional, and then paint a banner trumpeting your new career!

Sideshow Skills and Banner Painting sideshow skills are held in spring, summer and fall, while the Burlesque Master Class will be held in our new summer session. school10

Sideshow Skills - you'll work with Professa Adam Rinn and some of the greatest talents in the business to learn the ins and outs of the working acts of the sideshow- Fire Eating, Snake Charming, The Human Blockhead, Sword Swallowing, Magic and More!!

Burlesque Master Class -Jo Weldon, New York's "Best Burlesque Teacher" according to the New York Burlesque Festival, will help you create a costume, persona, and full burlesque act.

Banner Painting - you'll work with our artist-in-residence Marie Roberts, Coney Island Legacy and the only traditonal banner painter working in Coney Island today, and discuss in the history and theory of Sideshow banners, while designing and executing your own.

Summer Photography Seminar & Workshop - During this workshop conducted by Photographer Kevin C. Downs, students will be documenting the changing conditions of this historic and magical place. Students will be shooting during the day and night, the icons of Coney Island: the Cyclone, Deno's Wonder Wheel, the Mermaid Parade, and the personalities that inhabit the Boardwalk and the surrounding areas, from the water to Mermaid Avenue, developing their powers of observaton and their techniques.

All students must sign a "hold harmless" agreement to be distributed at the start of the first session. Please see each course description for details.

Sideshow Skills Testimonials:
"I have been so void and sick without your class, and ever since I left, my Tuesday life has no purpose. The sideshow by far and forward will be the most interesting thing I will do with my life! So somewhere you can find it in your heart to know, you’re responsible for giving me such the cool outlook, and what a time we had. I’m also thinking of taking the class again. I’ve been doing the human blockhead amazingly; it’s the most progressive act I’ve gotten into. For a brief period in my life, you've shown me the best, most interesting way I could be a hell of a lot powerful by being all-knowing of a craft. And people, people like me, do not forget that!!" Ariel K.

"Big thanks to you, Adam for being an amazing teacher! My only complaint about the class is that it has to end." Holly N.

"The class was so awesome. I had a great time; I pushed my limits, stretched my boundaries and really was inspired. You are a really terrific teacher. If I were your boss I would give you a raise. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to us all." Maxinne L.




			SIDESHOW SKILLS WORKSHOP Sideshow Skills 102 Tuition: $800. Click here to register. 2012 Dates: Sunday, March 18, 10:30 am - 5 pm Mon., Tue., Wed., March 19 - 21, 4 pm - 8 pm This is the only place in the world where students can learn traditional sideshow acts from practicing masters of the arts in a safe and controlled atmosphere. Students will learn the following feats: Fire Eating and Breathing, Human Blockhead, The fundamentals of Sword Swallowing, Bed of Nails Stunts with various Traps, Glass Walking, Strait Jacket Escape, Blade Box, Electric Chair, Snake Charming, as well as brief history of Coney Island and sideshows in general. For more details, please contact Professa Adam Rinn directly at Professa.adam@gmail.com




			BANNER PAINTING WORKSHOP Banner Painting 102 Tuition: $700. Click here to register. 2012 Dates: Sunday, March 11, 10:30 am - 5 pm Mon., Tue., Wed., March 12 - 14, 4 pm - 8 pm A basic, hands on workshop demonstrating how to paint a sideshow banner, from initial concept to finished art. Each student will be furnished with one 5 x 4 inch blank, and the use of materials to execute it. Traditional banners will be discussed, sideshow banners from the collection will be on view for reference, instructor will be present at all sessions. Emphasis will be to help the student achieve his/her own large format composition, using the instructor's years of painting experience. Professor Roberts will paint along with students to demonstrate method. Limited to six students. For more details, please contact Professor Roberts directly.




			SIDESHOW MAGIC COURSE WINTER 2012 WITH GARY DREIFUS Winter 2012 Tuition: $700 Click here to register. 5 Sessions: Tuesday Evenings, 7pm - 11pm, January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7 Learn the Art of Magic at the place where Sideshow Magic began! Gary Dreifus and his staff of Professional Magicians will teach a program of Magic Skills from beginning concepts to professional routines. Students will be taught Vanishes and Appearances, Magic with and without Apparatus, Magic with coins, cards and ropes, Mentalism, Mind Reading and Psychic skills as well as Close-up, Stage and Illusion effects. This comprehensive workshop will enable the participant to: Entertain audiences of ALL ages. Supplement your Sideshow Skills... Develop complete Magic Routines... Engage clients... Impress your friends... Read peoples minds... Coursework will conclude with a performance on the Coney Island Circus Sideshow stage! For more details, and a complete syllabus, please contact Gary Dreifus directly at GaryMage@aol.com




			SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY DOCUMENTARY WORKSHOP WITH KEVIN C. DOWNS Coney Island: Different Perspectives www.kevincdownsphoto.com Tuition: $300 DATES TBA Throughout its history, Coney Island has drawn many famous photographers: from Walker Evans to Weegee; Lou Stettner to Bruce Gilden. All have come to document this part of Brooklyn that is full of energy and creativity. During this workshop, students will be documenting the changing conditions of this historic and magical place. Students will be shooting during the day and night, the icons of Coney Island: the Cyclone, Deno’s Wonder Wheel, the Mermaid Parade, and the personalities that inhabit the boardwalk and surrounding areas, from the water to Mermaid Avenue, developing their powers of observation and their techniques. Students will be asked to think of a specific documentary essay that is a combination of art and journalism to focus on for the entire 10 sessions. The class will work on a narrative essay that will focus on telling a story through a sequence of events or actions. They may follow an individual or activity over a period of time and present this story in chronological order. A thematic photo essay focuses on a central theme (e.g. homelessness, the environment, Amusements, The Economics of Coney Island, etc.) and presents photos relevant to that theme. The theme you choose will need to be approved by the instructor. Students will present their work every week, (only in class participation will be allowed) where the instructor and students will review it for guidance and feedback. Students will gain insights into staying focused on the theme and how to improve upon the body of work. Although some technical support will be offered, this is neither a technical nor darkroom course. Students should have a working knowledge of their equipment and a willingness to engage in discussion, the book for the class is Photojournalism, Sixth Edition: The Professionals' Approach by Kenneth Kobre. All Sessions except June 18 (Mermaid Parade; we will meet at 10AM) begin with a review at noon in the Coney Island Museum (1208 Surf Avenue). Come and document what is left of the real New York! The Real Brooklyn! Registration will be ongoing. Click here to see a photo pool of pictures from prior classes. For more information please contact Kevin directly via email or by phone at 917-607-3935.




			BURLESQUE MASTER CLASS WITH PROFESSOR JO BOOBS Tuition: $295 DATES TBA Get into Burlesque with the Coney Island Master Class Series! You’ll start with a bang and have the opportunity to beginworkshopping your act from day one. This series will feature New York's most acclaimed performers, including several past and current Miss Coney Island titleists. The series culminates in a performance August 3 on the famous Coney Island USA stage! Coney Island USA and the New York School of Burlesque brings you a master class worthy of the name! Get in on the feathery, fringey, glittery fun! Learn how to put together a dazzling and entertaining burlesque act from some of the most recognized performers in the world in a series produced by Jo Weldon, author of The Burlesque Handbook! Coney Island has been historically relevant to the history of American burlesque, and more recently has been an crucial element in the past ten years of Neo-Burlesque in New York, helping to establish not only a style but a name for that theatrical movement. This establishment has contributed to the ease with which burlesque performers are now able to go to venues and start their own shows, referring to articles about and photos of what's blossomed here in order to prove that burlesque is back and has an audience. Viva burlesque! The Coney Island Sideshow School Burlesque Master Class features additional instruction and input from working professionals and other performers who have made a career about of being fabulous, glamorous and funny. Past instructors have included NYU Professor Dr. Lukki, Bambi the Mermaid, Bunny Love, Amber Ray, World Famous BOB, Dirty Martini, Tigger, Julie Atlas Muz, Kate Valentine, Angie Pontani, and Matt Mohr to name only a few. In addition to hands-on training, students will discuss the history of burlesque and watch clips of burlesque performances. Readings will be provided. This year's Master Class will get to perform their student showcase as part of the legendary Burlesque at the Beach series in Coney Island! Students are required to bring a copy of The Burlesque Handbook, available in the Coney Island USA gift shop (1208 Surf Ave.) and on the Coney Island USA online gift shop, to the class. For updates about which teachers are participating, visit the School of Burlesque Master Class page; for more on the School of Burlesque, see the website.

Registration
Register online with a credit card. To pay by check or money order please contact Dick Zigun in advance at 718-372-5159.
Please Note: You will be required to sign a Hold Harmless Agreement.

Accommodations
For students coming in from out of town, Coney Island USA does not recommend specific accommodations. For a list of local lodging establishments, see our Tourism Page