Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Videos, Photos: Idiotarod Party Culminates In Flaming Catapult
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 27, 2013
Modified Jan 28, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 28
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 27, 2013
Modified Jan 28, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Despite the cold weather, yesterday's Idiotarod in Brooklyn was a successful bounce back from last year's nadir. The event culminated in an after party at the Gowanus Ballroom, with all money going to Hurricane Sandy relief. And it was quite the affair, with a full size catapult hurling flaming shopping carts across the space. Check out video of it below.
In addition to the flame throwers and flaming shopping carts, there was the official awards ceremony, lots of performance art, and a few musical performers. Photographer Tod Seelie gave this report:
The after party was organized as a Hurricane Sandy relief fundraiser by the Gowanus Ballroom with help from long-time Idiotarod racing team Fakework—they're the ones in the queen costumes. First there were the awards ceremony, with cash and trophies of tiny shopping carts for first, second and third place. The Disasterpiece Knight Shift team not only took home gold, but also won "Best Bribe" for making MC Anney Fresh a child-sized suit of chainmail for her unborn baby. Performance artists kept the night lively (and weird), Matthew Silver is the guy screaming in a speedo, followed by a three-person team aerial performance. A bunch of bands had people dancing all night, most notably the Hungry March Band and Morgan O'Kane.
There was also a small photo show featuring photographs of the Fakework team from the previous years (seven in all). The highlight of the night was definitely the Cartapult, built by the Gowanus Ballroom for the party. The flaming shopping cart was a creation of Dan Glass, which was ignited by a homemade flamethrower. Thankfully the whole thing took place in a flame-resistant metal working shop.
Check out a few more videos below and lots of great photos above.
Tagged
after party
brooklyn
fire
Gowanus
idiotarod
idiotarod 2013
tod seelie
original
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .