My wig didn’t fit in the cab.
That’s the beginning of how my time at the 2015 Mermaid Parade began as I rushed towards Surf Avenue and West 21st street in Coney Island for what would be my fifth parade, and my first experience on the judges’ stand, thanks to some encouragement from friends who insisted it was the best way to experience it. I think they might have been talking about the “unsolicited” bribes from the marchers, as my haul included several beers, more than a few swigs at some high-end whiskey, and lots of creative home-made trinkets from the marchers. And of course, the chance to see the wildly creative nautically themed ensembles, floats, and antique cars from the best seat in the house. Finally getting to see the parade in its entirety from the beginning, one of my favorite memories from this year was our esteemed Chief Justice telling one of the antique cars, a convertible, “This is a topless parade, take your top down!” To which the car happily obliged.
But the Mermaid Parade is so much more than a topless parade, although it certainly is that, as New York law allows persons of either gender to be topless in public unless towns enact local ordinances to the contrary—which, happily for the burlesque community, New York City has not.
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According to the parade’s website, the history of the parade is this: founded in 1983 with 3 goals: to bring mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune (as anyone who has spent time in Coney Island will tell you, these are real street names—Coney Island USA, which produces the famous “Burlesque at the Beach” series every summer, is on Surf Avenue) ; create self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded as “entertainment”; and let artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public. Most importantly, as I am often asked by those unfamiliar with the parade, is that “Mermaid Day”, the day of the parade, is an entirely made-up holiday—no ethnic, religious, or commercial aims, a day invented by artists for artists.
Unlike other parades with Grand Marshals or politicians (although NYC Mayor Bill DiBlasio made an appearance dressed as a pirate with his children in 2014, and former NYC Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz once articulately told the media “If you’re offended by it—stay home!”) this parade boasts a King and Queen, this year for the 33rd edition of the parade, our own burlesque royalty Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz were chosen to lead the contingent of artists marching down Surf Avenue and the boardwalk. The King and Queen end the parade by getting a key from “The Unofficial Mayor of Coney Island” Dick Zigun for their official duty—to open the beach for summer.
“It’s the biggest art parade in the world and I’ve marched in it 22 straight years. It’s my high holy day, the best day of my entire year. This year I’m organizing a ‘royal feast’ to accompany our 2015 King and Queen Mat and Julie. It’s going to be all edible seafood creatures and food theme mermaids surrounding the royals in a tableau,” said Bambi the Mermaid.
Dick Zigun added, “Thrilled to have Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz as King and Queen…as both homegrown talent and major celebs from burlesque community.” Dick also added that the history of neo-burlesque owes a special debt to Coney Island USA, which has been presenting its “Burlesque at the Beach” shows since 1987.
As BurlyCon’s resident mermaid, having been honored to teach my synchronized swimming class there in 2014, I am always more than happy to share my space with anyone thinking of venturing to the Wild Wild East Coast for the parade. Just flip your tail in the air, wave a flipper, or email me at heatherwhatevernyc@gmail.com. See you at the beach!
