My ISSAD at Ripley's Believe It Or Not in Times Square.

Yesterday (2-28-09) was the second annual International Sword Swallower Awareness Day (ISSAD). Last year, the day was largely ignored by most of the sword swallowers from around the world, mainly because of the lack of knowledge and organization. 

This year was a little different.

Sword Swallowers, this year, were encouraged to head for their closest Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium, and many did. Sources say that there were about 15 sword swallowers around the world swallowing at precisely 2:28 pm (In their local time zone).

I happened to be in New York City at the Ripley's in Times Square, along with 9 others.

I got to the museum at 1:00pm and was led through a maze of exhibits and corridors by an employee and ended up in the break room there I met with Albert Cadabra (He's the main talker at the Odditorium) and Donny Vomit. We chatted for a while and caught up. 

Soon after I was wrangled by the marketing director of Ripley's and made to take photos with both a Ripley's Corporate photographer as well as the in-house photographer. That went well, minus the fact that I had to stand on a really high and narrow counter top and swallow swords.

Other blade glommers started showing up at this point. Lady Aye was one of the first to get there, then Fred Kahl and Keith Nelson.

I was then mic'd up for a film crew to interview me for a new sideshow documentary. For the interview we decided that the best lit area was sitting beside a wax Ubangi woman on a red pair of lips shaped love seat, I let her hold my swords.  The interview went nicely. 

I headed back out to the lobby where I met up with Heather Holiday, Todd Robbins joined by his baby boy, Phineas and Harley Newman. Then, all of a sudden Natasha Verushka showed up, she had just flown into the city from an exotic locale on a helicopter (It would have been a nice image, seeing her hair whipping about in the breeze). There was one other female sword swallower, Alison Cheevers, she's new to the game and I wonder what she'll do with her freshly acquired talent.

Then, I was pulled to the side by a Chinese news crew... Yes, thats right! They proceeded to interview me and a few others. 

The lobby of Ripley's was swarming with photographers and videocameras.

2:28 was coming up quickly, so we were all lined up outside in front of the place, roped off and we were surrounded by the pandimonious  press. Albert stood on his box and introduced each one of us, and gave pseudo breaking news announcements about the goings on of all the other participating Ripley's locations.

The countdown began.

10...9... 

Our swords were ice cold and everyone was trying to warm them up before the plunge.

8...7...6...5...

Cameras were flashing away.

4...3...

We began licking our swords, lubing them up to ensure a smooth decent. 

2...

1...

SWALLOW! 

The cameras were going crazy, the crowd that was so large, it blocked 42nd street, was screaming and applauding, the street cops were clapping and we were suppressing our gag reflexes.

We removed our swords, took deep breaths and smiled and waved. Happily accepting our accolades.

All of us moved back into the lobby, posed for group shots, and did one last drop. We all then mingled with everyone as they got in line to see the inside of the museum, took photos with them and answered their questions.

All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon, spent with wonderful people. 

Now, I'm curious to see what the next International Sword Swallowers Awareness Day will hold.

*The photo above comes from the NY Daily News

(From left to right)

Harley Newman, Brett Loudermilk, Fred Kahl, [directly behind Fred] Todd Robbins, Heather Holiday, [directly behind Heather] Donny Vomit, Natasha Verushka, Lady Aye, [Not pictured] Keith Nelson and Alison Cheevers.

International Sword Swallower Day

The Death Of Legendary Showman John Bradshaw

I was a friend of John’s, we met in 2007 on the way to the Sideshow Gathering in Pennsylvania. I got a ride there with him and Bob Blackmar, and on that ride he told me story after story of life on the road. As a young sideshow performer myself, it was a very inspirational car ride. I ended up rooming with him at the hotel and there he showed me his old scrap books from the days when he ran his own show, told me stories about Otis Jordan and even gave me one of his old pitch cards and some magic wonder mice on top of that! When he spoke about the old shows and   Coney Island, I felt like I was there. I felt like a little kid again, seeing a sideshow for the first time. During the course of the next few days we talked and joked, gossiped about what was going on in the world of sideshow, we talked about Jam Auctions and pitching and his dream of moving to the Philippines and pitching there. He gave me his “seal of approval” that weekend and it has really meant a lot to me.

John had such a colorful history, he was friends with most of the sideshow greats, he knew so much and had so many stories to share. Sadly the stories he didn’t get to tell, won’t be heard. The ones he did tell though, will be forever remembered by his friends and passed down to other generations.

I will always remember John as a passionate, caring person that had a hunger for the strange side of life. He affected so many people in his lifetime, including myself. He was an inspiration to me and everyone in the business. John Bradshaw, will be remembered as the man that started the Coney Island Sideshow, a show that is now world famous. Without John’s contributions to sideshow, who knows what shape the business would be in today, he helped peak the publics interest, therefore giving guys like me a job. The sideshow community thanks him for that.

John will live on in the hearts of showmen, sword swallowers, blockheads, glass eaters and fire breathers, historians and fans of the strange. His legacy will continue.

-----

The Bradshaw family needs our help. They have been in a financial crisis for months now, and with John's passing and christmas only a few days away, they need help more than ever.

Please, reach into your pockets and give a 5 a 10 or even a 20 dollar bill, if you can send 'em 100. Give what you can, give them the help they need.

Don't send flowers it wasn't John's style (not to mention to carny folk, a waste of money!)

Here is the address that donations can be sent to;

Elisa Bradshaw

2025 Denton Dr.

Richmond, VA 23235

Thanks.

The End Of An Era, 46 Years Of Astroland Over.

A few days ago I received news that the famed Coney Island amusement park Astroland would be closed forever on September 7th 2008. This time it was true.

Carol Albert the co-owner of the park released a statement saying;

"I am making this statement today to set the record straight. I have not “given up on Coney Island” as Thor Equities has stated. I have given up on trying to get Thor to negotiate which I have attempted to do every month since June, and numerous times in August.
Each time their response was, “We have no answer.” The safety of our customers and our commitment to employees means our time has run out. Ride parts must be ordered a minimum of eight to 10 months in advance. My employees cannot live in a state of limbo any longer. It takes six months to pack up a three-acre amusement park that has been in operation for 46 years, so a January 31st deadline means start packing yesterday. We are out of time.
Today I notified Astroland’s employees that the amusement park will cease operations permanently at the end of the day on Sunday, September 7th.
Many in the community had hoped along with us that Astroland could remain open to keep the lights on in Coney Island until the rezoning issue had been resolved, because carnival rides, as the “Summer of Hope” sadly proved, are no substitute for a permanent amusement park. However, when even our good friend, Councilman Domenic Recchia could do nothing to persuade Thor to negotiate, it became clear we had no choice but to close the business permanently on Sunday night, September 7th.
Coney Island's future as a tourism and amusement destination is clearly in peril. Thor equities, which now owns most of Coney Island, came onto the development scene showing beautiful renderings of this great 21st century amusement park they were promising to build. All indications however, are that their real priority is retail and high end housing. There is a real question as to whether Coney Island will ever have amusements, other than the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel in its future. Instead it appears to be that a series of shopping malls and condos will replace amusement parks as the centerpiece of the Coney Island that has been here for over 100 years. This is a tragic loss for the City of New York and visitors around the world. "

When I read this, I cried.
I knew that this time it was for real and that no amount of letter writing, protesting, city meetings and phone calls to pubic officials could stop what was happening.

I've only been involved with Coney Island since February 17th 2007, it seems ridiculous that I could be so emotionally invested in a place that I've been going to for less than two years, but I am. Coney feels like home to me and the people at Sideshows By The Seashore feel like my family. Naturally I'd become attached to Astroland and it's history and how it continued to make Coney Island The People's Playground.

Yesterday I went to attend the funeral of New York City's largest amusement park. I arrived at Coney Island USA a little after 4pm, the place was packed mostly with people coming to pay their respects to the 46 year old institution that was about to breathe it's last breath.
Everyone working at the Sideshow was swamped, so I quietly sat in the newly expanded bar and observed the people. I did run into a few familiar faces, Adam Rinn, Joe Coleman, Bambi The Mermaid and Bunny Love.
I watched and listened to people tell stories about when they were children and would go to Astroland, spend all day and still not have enough of it. A few of them became teary eyed talking about the past.
All afternoon I heard people cursing Thor's name, enraged about how a real estate giant could crush a family owned amusement park and build high rises in it's place.
I've got to admit though, the closing of the park was good for business at CI USA, they didn't have a single show that wasn't standing room only.

After people watching, I decided to walk through Astroland, to see if there was anything I could take as a souvenir but everything that I had my eye on was very securely bolted down, although I did manage to get some light bulbs from a few rides.
I don't know how many times I walked through the park, but every time I did I saw more and more smiling faces, families having a good time, children laughing and the occasional face with a strange sad sort of smile. I realized that I had that very same sad smile on my face, it came from knowing what was about to happen and seeing these people have such great fun for the last time.

I walked back to the Sideshow to meet up with Marie Robberts (the resident banner painter) who has a wonderful back story of growing up with carny parents in Coney Island. I ended up sitting with her, Dick Zigun, David Gratt and Frank Goldblatt, I listened to them talk about what the future would hold.

David got the call that the funeral was about to begin, so we walked over to the park. Once we got in, we ended up standing around for about half an hour before security brutishly kicked out the patrons, Carol wrangled us up in a corner with about 60 other folks that were allowed to stay in the park. While security and the NYPD were escorting people out a fight broke out, but was quickly stopped, all the rides and lights were shut off at this point.
All the employees, the group that I was with and press were then taken to the back of the park in Kiddieland just by the board walk (the lights were turned back on for all of this). Everyone was assembled on the steps and photos were taken, the ride jocks then started chanting "Hell No! We Won't Go!!", I looked over at Carol and she had one of those sad smiles on her face. The chant then changed to "Down With Thor!", I looked back at Carol and her sad smile turned into an uncomfortable frown, after all she did accept a reported 33million dollars from Thor.
The procession began.
A parade of people formed behind Carol and a few other ranking people at Astroland. We all began walking to the front gates and as Carol walked past each ride, it turned off. I was in the very back with the Coney Island USA people so it looked very surreal, being in total darkness in an amusement park but every time you get close to the light it just goes away.
Once we were all in the front all the lights were out, every ride was dark, all but one, the oldest and tallest in the park.

The Astroland Tower was the only ride that was lit up.

Slowly the viewing box began to descend the tower, The lights went through all it's different patterns and as the box fell the employees were shouting "Happy New Year!" and counting back from 10 to 1 when clearly the box was far from the bottom, they were making jokes and having fun. But as the box got lower the jokes began to cease. Finally the viewing box hit its mark, stopped moving, the lights changed a few more times and then it went black. The time was two minutes after twelve.

There was no noise in the crowd.

We all just stood there staring at it. The silence lasted for about 10 seconds and the reality of what happened sank in. All the ride jocks knew that their jobs were gone, that Astroland was no more and in a day or so, deconstruction would begin, along with a new chapter in Coney's colorful history. A history that is slowly becoming gray.

Everyone began to go home, there were many people with tears in their eyes, including myself. Marie and I walked together with Norman Blake (CI USA's in house photographer), we had lost the rest of our group.

On the way to the train station on Stillwell Ave. we passed the Sideshow, and inside was Dick, sitting there in the dark, by himself, staring off into space, a light in the bar was reflecting off the tear streams on his cheeks.





As of just a few moments into September 8th 2008, Astroland Park is gone.


This was the last time I'll see Coney Island this year. I can only hope a miracle occurs in the next few months or the Isle of Rabbits may be lost forever.

A New Chapter In My Life... The Venice Beach Freakshow

Today marks the first day of a new chapter in my life.

After I have lunch with a close friend and mentor, I'll be flying to LA, where I will join up with the Venice Beach Freakshow (An amazing oddities museum on the boardwalk).

I've got a lot of work ahead of me including cataloguing the entire collection, performing, talking the front of the show, helping plan events and assisting in making the Freakshow the best attraction money can buy.

Today Venice. Next week, The World.

I'll be living in LA, so if you are in the area and wanna hang, contact me through MySpace.

This is a huge step for me, not only career wise but also in life, I've never been this far away from my family for an extended period of time, I have no relatives where I'm going. However, I do have friends there.


Watch out...


Brett.




GTFM

Another Gathering Gone.

I've been trying to get to the annual Sideshow Gathering for the past three years. Because of the date I haven't been able to go, this year it was changed from Labor Day weekend to November 2-4.



I had arranged a ride with Bob "Odd Bob" Blackmar, and his son Tom and Tom's wife. On their way to pick me up they also picked up John Bradshaw in Virginia. Needless to say, I learned a lot on the ride to Wilkes-Barre, PA. I had known that John had started the actual sideshow at Coney Island USA, and I had known he was a master showman and pitchman, I even knew he does Jam Auctions. What I didn't know was the he was the one to teach Natasha Verushka how to swallow swords, or that he made magic mice and I never knew how genuine this guy was, I've met very few that were nicer than him.





November 1, 2007;


I had a show the previous night, and got home at 3am, I had to leave at 5am.


I hastily packed up my stuff, making sure I had enough underwear and socks. I then decided to pack some props just in case.


I didn't get any sleep.


I depart at 5am with my grandfather so that we can meet Bob and his crew at 10am somewhere in the middle of nowhere VA, when my left ear wasn't being talked off I caught a few Zs and before I knew it we were at the Waffle Inn, and about 15 minutes later there came the carny caravan. They stopped to stretch and my grandfather talked to Bob and John while Tom and I loaded the van with my shit, carefully avoiding the items to be auctioned off on Saturday.


The trip lasted six or seven hours, but only felt like one or two. Hearing Bob and John reminisce of years past was just wonderful. I was just like listening to Ward and Chris talk about days gone by.

We arrived at the Holiday Inn at around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, I still didn't have a room. So since John Bradshaw wasn't staying with anyone I slept in his room for the night (the rest of the weekend I had arranged to stay with a friend that was coming).

That evening John showed me some old photo albums he had brought along, full of pictures he and others had taken at Coney Island and the other sideshows he had owned or worked with. For the first time ever, I saw a colour photo of Bill Durks (the three eyed man, the same man whose face was so badly disfigured Ward Hall in one of his books, described it as if "...he was struck in the face with an ax." He didn't really have three eyes, and in truth he only had one that worked.) , and it has really stuck with me, I can only imagine what the marks thought what they saw him.
John gave me an old Odis Jordan pitchcard one with a story on the back, that was hastily written and printed up by John after Odis had run out of his other pitchcards.

After I had gotten settled in the room, I went down to the commons area where a group of performers had gathered, this is where I met the Cheeky Monkey Sideshow, Kathleen Kotcher, James Mundie and a bunch of others.
I had a great time bullshitting with everyone for a few hours, but I was very tired and had to get some sleep if I was to wake up in time to meet up with Mike Vitka (Who was the outside talker at World of Wonders this past season).

Mike took a bus to Wilkes-Barre from Salem. He specifically came for the auction, and walked out with some really great stuff.



November 2, 2007;

John woke me up that morning since I slept through the wake up call. It was about 11am. Most everyone was already at the showroom setting up for the weekend, so while I was waiting for Mike to get to the hotel from the bus station, John and I talked some more, he showed me his mouse pitch, which is just stellar, and then gave me a few of the magic mice (I plan to start pitching them after my performances).

After Mike arrived we all (John, Mike and I) got a ride with Bob over to the hotel where the festivities were being held.

It was around 1pm and all the tattoo artists were still scrambling to get set up in time for the doors to open at 3pm.

I wandered around a while and chatted with James Taylor and Walt Hudson (Who is just delightful), and I also got a chance to admire the Midget display that was set up, it was a collaboration of Rob Huston and Bob Blackmar, it was packed with wonderful ephemera pieces, clothing and props ranging from Tom Thumb to Billy Barty. For a meager 25¢ you could view a slide show with sound about the little people in the display.

Another feature was Col. Hunsly's two headed turtles and cyclops dog, he had a beautiful collection on display.

Toni-Lee Sangastiano had a beautiful display of her banners, along with postcards, jewelery and other fun things.

James Taylor, had a stand with great books, and his newest Shocked & Amazed!, he had some really rare, great books.

Three O'clock came and went, and people began to pour in to the convention.

From this point on the convention was a non-stop performance extravaganza!

The stage was empty until a little after 5pm when Aye Jaye, master MC graced the stage, and officially opened the Sideshow Gathering 2007. He was snazzed up in a red and white striped blazer, laden with buttons that said thing like "Trust Me", and he had a sprig of mistletoe pinned above his ass.

After the amazing introduction from Aye Jaye, the Disgracedland Family Sideshow took the stage. Their performance was something. It was probably the closest thing to a geek act that I will ever see. The main feature that I remember was facial pincushion with 40 needles, loads of blood and a gruesome bug eating act.

Bizzaro, a very original and creative guy then came to the stage with his strait jacket escape and magic act. He is quite the performer, really the only way I can describe it is, as being unique. I mean, the guy gets attacked by a bag of Doritos on stage! He performed twice over the weekend.

The Crispy Family Carnival was next, Crispy and Boobzilla head up this troupe, with comedy and quick wit, it was a fun show. They presented classic sideshow acts, along with a glass routine titled the "Masochism Tango".

Natasha Verushka performed after them, and I've got to say, it was a remarkable sight. Sword swallowing combined with belly dancing! Her finale was a neon swallow.
After her act she brought John Bradshaw up on stage to thank him publicly for teaching how to swallow swords.

After that spectacle, Tim Cridland aka Zamora The Torture King, Wowed the audience with his amazing skill. I've seen him work before and it really is incredible how he can do that act, day in and day out without having to just stop and take a break! He also had a booth set up with his books and DVDs and was being helped by Jackie the Human Tripod, who sadly didn't perform.

After the short intermission, Dr. Wilson aka Paul Szauter did his fantastic Memory routine. I've only seen a few but Paul's is by far the best of all, after seeing him perform I would without a doubt buy a case of his miracle working Elixir to avoid that awful Cataleptic Neuroplexy. I'd also like to add that he is a grade "A" story teller, the cut and restored turban was astounding.

Stephon Walker is a funny guy in his own right, but when he transforms himself into Swami Yomami, he's just plain ol' hilarious! He's this nerdy guy that comes on stage and really makes you feel better about yourself, his only nerd rival could possible be Steve Urkel. I really enjoyed his act, I really can't think of any words to describe it other than hilarious. The Bed of nails bit was by far the best way I've ever seen that act presented.

Stephon was followed by his own troupe called The Cheeky Monkey Sideshow, they are tightly choreographed, funny and original. They even had a freak! Sally the Cinch, who has two, count em' TWO belly buttons and a waist that is so incredibly squeezable it shrinks down to a mere foot in circumference.

The Cheekys closed the show that night and every one went back to their rooms at the Holiday Inn, where everyone gathered in the breakfast room to talk about the day. At around 2am we were all shooed out by a bird like woman named Henryetta, who was there to start breakfast.



November 3, 2007;

I started the days performances at around 3pm, after an introduction from Aye Jaye that made me sound so damn good, I just couldn't compete with myself. I swallowed a variety of objects, ate a light bulb and was heckled by John Strong. I'm still not sure what I did to him...

The rest of the acts that day were repeats of the previous days performances, some of them varied and were all exceptionally good.

At 9:30pm, a large group of folks from the gathering (including the Cheeky Monkies, Red Stewart, Knotty Bits and some hardcore sideshow fans) went down the road to a club called Cafe Metropolis, where a group called the Olde City Sideshow was performing. I was invited to perform as a special guest, and they certainly made me feel very welcome.
As good as The Gathering is, it is mostly the same acts over and over, just presented differently. Olde City of course had the staple stuff, but included stunts that didn't make a single appearence at The Gathering. They are great group of talent. Sword Swallowing, CLASSY bug eating, a grinder act, great blockhead variations among other things, and I did a bit of contortion, balancing and I inflated a hotwater bottle by mouth until it exploded.
Olde City Sideshow is truley one of the best groups I saw that weekend.

We all headed back over to The Gathering, to catch Dr. Wilson again and to see The Bindlestiffs.

At 11:20 the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus took the stage and performed is such a manner that I can only describe as beautiful. Keith assumed the roles of Kinko the Klown and Mr. Pennygaff, he made balloon animals and "other" things, made a candy pitch with a very funny kicker ending and did diabolo and swallowed swords. Their musician whose name escapes me (I'm sorry) played the trombone whilst riding a unicycle. Stephanie did a fantastic bullwhip act and performed an inspiring monologue about condoms. Like I said before, it was beautiful.

After their performance was over, the convention floor was cleared as quickly as possible to make way for the auction.

Before the actual auction started, John Bradshaw did a mini- Jam Auction, which was an amazing thing to behold... I've never seen a real one, and neither had a lot of the audience. It was great! He even pitched his mice, and to see the master work was, again, wonderful.

There was so much up for sale and the room was full of excitement. A porcelain fat lady figure went for $105.00!!! A husband a wife bid against each other for it, and it was one of the sweetest this I've ever seen.

I walked away with a Harper's Weekly newspaper from 1865 that has an article about Barnum's museum fire, a freeze dried turtle and some pitchcards.

My friend Mike Vitka won a miniature sideshow, that was built by John Koman in the 1950s, I have it now and I'm in the process of restoring it.

At the end of the auction most people were so tired they went to their rooms to get some sleep.

I tried that.

I found myself in Bizzaro's room, with Keith Nelson, James Taylor, Crispy and some other folks, I hung out there until about 6am!

I finally got back to my own room, with was at this point being occupied by four people besides me. I woke them all up by mistake, and we all stayed up for about an hour as our conversations became less and less lucid.

Sleep, at last!!!



November 4, 2007;

The last day of the Gathering and tattoo convention was started with the Awards Brunch, among those honoured were Bob Blackmar and John Bradshaw.

We all got to the show floor at around 2pm when the Stephon and the rest of the Cheekies graced us with another performance.

And the closing of the Gathering at 3:30 was performed by Aye Jaye.


Bob Blackmar and the rest of the gang loaded everything up in the giant van, said our good byes and hit the road.




After having this weekend, I will never miss another Sideshow Gathering.


I'd like to thank Franco for putting this together and everyone else that made it an enjoyable experience.




See You Down The Road!