Coney Island Mermaids

Here are just a few pics from the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island this last weekend...



Do you think she's ordering calamari??


My personal fave...






You can see more photos here.

And a farewell to Ruby's...I really don't know if I'll be back this summer before they (and all the other Coney Island boardwalk businesses) are put out to sea.  This is how I'd like to remember it.



YouTube link.

Reminder: Mars art show this Sunday

Come on out for the end of days...one last hurrah...



This Sunday also happens to be Father's Day, so why not treat Dad to an afternoon he'll never forget?  Art, entertainment, booze and lounging around...what could be better?



It will also be your last chance to patronize Joe's Locksmith, so go ahead and make all those key copies you've been putting off for so long.



Previously:
From Mars, with love
Easter at Mars
While we're on the subject of Mars
Is there life after Mars?
Roy

American beauties

I was out for a walk in Soho the other day when I stumbled upon a stretch of Mercer Street that seemed to have time-traveled back a few decades.  It was lined with a fine collection of American classic cars, no doubt being used in the filming of Men In Black III.  I've never been a big automobile fan, but I have to admit, these beauties made my day.

Chevy Impala


Cadillac


Checker cabs


Chevy Malibu


Ford Galaxy 500


Chevy Corvair


View of the street:


Bonus:  rusted clunkers in front of Gourmet Garage, which I found funny.


See more photos of the MIB cars at my Fickr page.

And, a day of cars wouldn't be complete without a soundtrack:



Direct YouTube link.

Art around the park

I'm a bit late posting these, but here are some photos from Art Around the Park, part of this last weekend's Howl Festival in Tompkins Square.









Mars Bar bathroom revisited:


Sir Shadow:


Ballet With a Twist:




See more photos on my Flickr.

From Mars, with love...

Previously:
Easter at Mars
While we're on the subject of Mars
Is there life after Mars?
Roy

Spotted: the Flash

Racing downtown for a date with Wonder Woman...?

The Chillmaster

A big Thank You to Marty After Dark for introducing me to the Chillmaster.  Just when I think the neighborhood is slipping into an abyss of anonymity and blandness, I am reminded that there are still a lot of people out there who make up the body and soul of this city, and who shall go down in history as being awesome individuals.

This all started in the comments section of a post over at EV Grieve.  Seeing how so many other people were familiar with this guy and his famous window, I became intrigued and wanted to know how I, too, could lead the life of a Chillmaster.  So, when the opportunity came to pay him a visit, I jumped at the chance.

Getting started...



The party starts with Marty pouring the Hennessey and the Chillmaster blasting Papa Was a Rollin' Stone on the stereo.

Next, a lot of chillin'...



The best part of being in the Chillmaster's place is seeing all the people who come to the window.  I lost track of how many times people passed and shouted, "Hey, it's the Chillmaster!"  No one leaves the window without laughing and smiling.



More pics on my Flickr page.


To fully appreciate the chillin' atmosphere, you have to hear the music.



Thank you, Chillmaster, for sharing your home, music and time with us.  It was a blast!



See more photos of the Chillmaster from One More Folded Sunset, Neither More Nor Less and Single Linds Reflex.

Reminder

Possibly the last Mars Bar art show is scheduled for Sunday, May 22.

The Mars way...dive in

And now, the end is near,
And so I face the final curtain.
My friends, I'll say it clear;
I'll state my case of which I'm certain.

I've lived a life that's full -
I've travelled each and every highway.
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets? I've had a few,
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course -
Each careful step along the byway,
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew,
When I bit off more than I could chew,
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried,
I've had my fill - my share of losing.
But now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that,
And may I say, not in a shy way -
Oh no. Oh no, not me.
I did it my way.

For what is a man? What has he got?
If not himself - Then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way.

Yes, it was my way.

-- Frank Sinatra



A new Mars art show will go up this Sunday, May 22 (for those of us left behind after the Rapture), so come on out for what may very well be the LAST art show at Mars.

Until then, here's Sid to bid us farewell (you can also hear this one on the Mars jukebox):



Direct YouTube link.

Taking a ride...

It's that time of year when a road trip beckons.  If any of the owners of the following cars are out there and want some company, please drop me a line...











The back end of this one is also worth noting...