In the 1980’s I discovered Coney Island. It was a magical time when pieces of old New York were still visible. Coney Island was decrepit and lawless. Magical. I began staging performances at Dick Zigun’s Coney Island USA– a nonprofit arts center on the boardwalk. By the early 90’s my stage persona The Great Fredini was born- Sword Swallower, Human Blockhead and World’s Worst Magician. I became a full time cast member of the Coney Island Circus Sideshow until 1995, at which point I founded Burlesque at the Beach, a cornerstone of the burlesque revival sweeping the world today.
Enjoy some images from my archives here, and here:
Frederick G. Kahl 