The following photograph-packed article is about Giant
Snake sideshows
as seen at midways of state fairs in the United States.
This manuscript was produced by Dr. Eriko N. Bond, noted
art critic and New York City author, as told by Takeshi
Yamada. Efforts were made to feature giant snakes and
giant snake sideshows in a proper perspective in the
cultural anthropology and visual anthropology. Takeshi
Yamada is one of the most influential and active educators
in New York City with several dozens of awards,
recognitions and nominations including two “Key to the
City” from Mayors, “Who’s Who in America”, “One Thousand
Great Americans”, “International
Educator of the Year”. He has also taught classes
and given public lectures at over 40 educational
institutions internationally. Yamada is also a prolific
author of article publications including 11 published
books, and an artist with over 500 fine art exhibitions
with his paintings and sculptures exhibited
internationally in Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Japan
and the United States.
In addition, rogue
taxidermy artworks, sideshow gaffs, large sideshow banners
and showfronts created by Yamada in the last 40 years have
been exhibited at dozens of state fairs and festivals
annually even today around the nation.
TAKESHI YAMADA
ON
GIANT SNAKE SHOWS
Coney Island Sideshow and Beyond
Article by Dr. Eriko N. Bond as told by Takeshi Yamada
Chapter 27
Takeshi Yamada and Samson (giant albino python).
Shown in the background are the Ubangi Woman and the
Giraff-neck Woman
at John Strong 10-in-1 circus sideshow at Dreamland
Amusement Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York,
“Homage to Aesculapius”, public fine art performance
(May 25, 2009. Photo copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
Traditionally in American circus sideshows, snakes are
featured and entertain people in two ways at midways in
fairgrounds around the nation. One is snakes as main
attractions (a vital attraction for the cash flow) and
another is snakes as props (a non-vital attraction). This
chapter features snakes showcased as main attractions of
sideshows.
This chapter features REAL AND ALIVE SNAKES as props of sideshows in
the United States.
Snakes (Reptiles) as Props of
Sideshows (Part 5)
Many sideshow stage performers also sport big snakes for
publicity such as promotional posters, postcards, and
internet websites.
Example #6: Thrill Kill Jill of Lucky
Daredevil Thrillshow
(Poster, Holiday Card, Show
Announcement Card)
Lucky Daredevil Thrillshow is made up of Tyler Fyer and
his wife Thrill Kill JiIl (and often with his fellow
sideshow performers) for their stage sideshows and
performance events.
Tyler Fyer performs spectacular “Human Volcano”.
That was the most amazing live performance, which Takeshi
Yamada experienced in Coney Island in 2001.
http://www.tylerfyre.com/
Thrill Kill Jill is one such active and significantly
talented sideshow stage professional who performs with
giant snakes. Her limited edition color poster as shown
below is also available for purchase.
(left) Thrill Kill Jill on the stage outside of a sideshow
in Coney Island.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=708369&albumID=26425&imageID=9345804#a=26425&i=9345804
(right) Sidedshow performer, Thrill Kill Jill in her
promotional poster as seen in myspace.com.
Takeshi Yamada saw Jill dance with two giant snakes like
those shown above, at a local notorious non-profit
sideshow company in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York on
May 22, 2009. It was an adult-only sideshow.
Holiday card of Lucky Daredevil Thrillshow, featuring
their giant snakes. (2007)
Collection of Museum of world Wonders
Show announcement card of Lucky Daredevil Thrillshow,
featuring their giant snake.
(Show will be held on December 19, 2009)
Collection of Museum of world Wonders
(From left to right) The Penguin Boy (World's smallest
Human Seal), Tyler Fyre (sideshow multi-talented super
performer) and his wife Thrill Kill Jill (sideshow
performing goddess), and Takeshi Yamada with the 8-legged
spider dog, Cindora in progress (in progress of real
taxidermy beagle dog) at the Museum of World Wonders in
Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York.
(April 26, 2008. Photo copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
Cindora, the 8-legged Spider Dog at Coney Island Beach,
Brooklyn, New York
Rogue Taxidermy by Takeshi Yamada, 6 foot, 2009
Collection of
Lucky Daredevil Thrillshow
(Photo
copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
Example #7: Bambi the Mermaid:
Outside of the Sideshow Stage
(Promotional Photos, Playing Card)
“Bambi the Mermaid” as shown below is a very active
independent entertainer, who also performs at sideshow
companies and private shows (including adult-rated
parties) in the New York tri-state area for years. Bambi
has been the favorite mermaid performer sideshow burlesque
dancer of Takeshi Yamada since 2001, when he met her for
the first time.
A burlesque dancer and sideshow performer, Bambi the
Mermaid with a white snake as a prop.
http://www.cornstar.com
Many street performances of Bambi like the one shown above
can be seen in her website (there are some nudities). In
addition, Bambi the Mermaid Deck (playing cards) featuring
those sexy photographs are also available for purchase.
In this photograph, she was about to swallow a gold fish
as her Geek act.
http://www.cornstar.com
Takeshi Yamada in his original Horseshoe Crab Warrior
costume and Bambi the Mermaid in her mermaid/burlesque
costume
Photographed by the Cyclone Rollercoaster at the Amusement
Park District in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York
(June 21, 2003.
Photo copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
Party animals: Takeshi Yamada, Seara (sea rabbit), Bambi
the Mermaid (right) and her lovely friends
at the opening reception of the Lola Staar’s Dreamland
Roller Skate Rink in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York.
(March 22, 2008)
Continue to Chapter 28
Copyright by Takeshi
Yamada, Museum of World Wonders in Coney Island. Yamada
Art Center. Brooklyn, New York, 2007. Revised in December
2009, All Rights Reserved.
E-mail: yamada108@verizon.net
Special thanks to Dr. Eriko N. Bond, Lauren
D. Travis, Seara (sea rabbit), Maremi Kakushina and Dr.
Abraham Morris.
Also special thanks to Jack Frost (senior
proofreader)
http://www.sideshowworld.com/SSA-15.html
http://www.roguetaxidermy.com/members_detail.php?id=528
http://www.horseshoecrab.org/poem/feature/takeshi.html
http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/exhibitions/other/worldwonders.jsp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NlcIZTFIj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpVCqEjFXk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BttREu63Ksg
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