Insectavora

Greetings family and friends!  We  came across today' unique "Memorable Character" while visiting Coney Island a couple of decades ago. I hope that you enjoy this little vignette about our crossing of paths with...INSECTAVORA

Memorable Character

INSECTAVORA - Side Show Performer

It was “off-season” about twenty years ago when we first visited Coney Island, the location of the former great amusement parks, Steeplechase, Dreamland, and Luna, and the weekend destination of millions of New Yorkers in the early 1900’s. Coney Island’s Beach and Boardwalk is still a popular summer destination, however the luster was gone and the three huge iconic parks have been replaced by a rag tag shamble of smaller independent food, ride and souvenir concessions spread along the boardwalk. In the overcast sky the towering skeleton of the once groundbreaking Parachute Jump attraction stood guard while the Wonder Wheel, unimaginative stock kiddie rides and the classic Spook-a-Rama dark ride were attracting a handful of weekday visitors. Weeds were growing in the shuttered and fenced off landmark Tornado rollercoaster and the facade of the Coney Island Circus Side Show that we were seeking was cracked and pealing. We grabbed a hot dog from Nathans before plunking down $5.00 with about a half dozen other curious rubes for the opportunity to experience an authentic ten-in-one side show. The traditional fast talking barker addressing a nearly vacant sidewalk directed us into the tiny dimly lit theater where an act was already in progress on the small stage to the sound of a saxophone player and drummer. A very hairy “Dog Faced Boy”, a woman performer who got a real charge out of playing with static electricity, a creative strong man, a disinterested snake handler going through the motions and a limber contortionist were among several other forgettable five minute performances repeated each hour, all day. It was at the Coney Island Circus Side Show that we crossed paths with Angelica Smith, A.K.A. Insectavora, a memorable tattooed performer who, according to the barkers speel and imaginative side show posters, developed her skill for playing with fire and walking on swords while stranded on the Island of Figi as an orphan and being forced to develop jungle survival skills including eating insects, foraging for food along razor sharp rock outcroppings and and spending lonely nights with only a campfire for companionship. Like most side show performers, Angelica is continually seeking additional gig’s at birthday parties or wedding receptions with a professional resume that includes “fire eating, fire breathing, fire twirling, ladder of swords climb, whip tricks, glass walking, razor blade swallowing”. Our visit to Coney Island didn’t disappoint and Insectavora helped us to imagine the sites, sounds and excitement of the original American amusement park during it’s glory years, and the multitude of performers who have entertained millions for more than a century.       -Bill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLeF9JD_Rc0