This past summer was something of a renaissance for my most beloved of Brooklyn 'hoods, Coney Island. The new Astroland is no Six Flags, but it's a great little family amusement park, shiny, clean and idiosyncratic. There was plenty of fun to be had at the freak show and on the Boardwalk, including yours quizzly hosting a super-fun T-shirt contest. Everything was the way Coney should be: grungy and great. And of course, the Cyclone: my favorite roller coaster, badder and better than ever.
Next summer promises to be even better, and you can get a jump on the fun. At Monday's NYC Clash of the Trivia Champions, we've got two Coney-affiliated sponsors…
The Coney Island History Project, "a not-for-profit organization that aims to increase awareness of Coney Island's legendary and colorful past and to encourage appreciation of the Coney Island neighborhood of today." An excellent cause. And for the prize haul, they're kicking in a nice little prize package: a copy of the book Coney Island Lost and Found…
…a couple DVDs of the Coney-set documentary Up on a Roof, and some T-shirts. And: the Cyclone!
A bunch of free rides (and T-shirts) on the greatest roller coaster in the galaxy. The season's over, but put the passes in a safe place and whip 'em out when the '11 season begins in April (put them where you kept your Pavement tix). Monday night!
And here it is, from the front car:
September 23, 2010
Sponsor spotlight: CONEY ISLAND!
July 26, 2010
The New York City Clash of the Trivia Champions UPDATE
So registration for the New York City Clash of the Trivia Champions is live, and we already have a handful of the BQT's most competitive teams signed on. Teams of four, $100 per team to play—Monday, September 27 at the Highline Ballroom. But I've also had a couple of specific questions that I figure I'll cover here:
— Is there a deadline to register? Not officially. There's a 60-team limit, so as soon as we've reached that number, registration will be closed. We're nowhere near there yet, and if we are approaching the magic number, I'll warn you through the usual channels. But still, don't freak me out and wait till the last minute.
— $1,000 for first place? What else? As advertised, the winning team will also receive a really sweet trophy. And yes, they will keep that trophy, even if we do a championship again next year. How's that for magical? Second place will get $400, third place is getting a super-secret but very valuable prize, and we're planning for a lot more: We're canvasing for sponsors, so we hope to have plenty of worthwhile goodies. (Not official yet, but after last Friday, I got a good lead on a season pass for the Coney Island Cyclone.) If you rep someone who might have something worth giving away in exchange for promotion, e-mail info@bigquizthing.com.
— Is it just going to be BQT regulars? Of course not. We're hard at work spreading the word throughout the city, and we're seriously hoping to get the top teams from the city's bottomless well of bar trivia nights. Want to help spread the word? E-mail info@bigquizthing.com and earn free admission to a non-Championship BQT.
— Another question that Quizmaster Noah can't anticipate here. Visit here or e-mail info blah blah blah, and I'll fill your brain. Deal?
July 23, 2010
TONIGHT: T-Shirt Contest & Fashion Show is ON!
A reminder/update about tonight's Coney Island Cyclone T-Shirt Design Contest and Fashion Show. It is indeed on, despite the rain, although the location is being shifted slightly: It'll now be at the near-legendary Ruby's Old Tyme Bar & Grill, 1213 Boardwalk on the Coney, a short jaunt from the Stillwell Avenue subway stop. It has tons of great, greasy food, and is conveniently located just steps from the Shoot the Freak concession. Most of the details here still apply: It's still 6 to 8pm, I'm still hosting and doing a little local trivia, we'll determine what the new official T-shirt design for the Cyclone will be, and burlesque dancers will be baring all (or most).
The one time I rode the Cyclone in the rain, it felt like I was taking a shower in a beehive. But fuck it, I'm doing it tonight no matter what. In case you aren't…
