Every year since 2014, the Brooklyn Cyclones, Coney Island’s beloved minor league baseball team, have celebrated the iconic sitcom Seinfeld with a dedicated Seinfeld night at Maimonides Park. This fan-favorite event is packed with themed contests, prizes, games, and trivia, all paying tribute to the show famously about nothing. But the true highlight, the moment fans eagerly anticipate, is the Elaine Benes dance contest. Here, participants unleash their best rendition of Elaine’s infamous “full body dry heave set to music,” vying for the coveted title of ultimate Elaine dancer. While the Cyclones bring the baseball action, there’s no doubt that the spotlight shines brightest on the Elaine Benes Dancing hopefuls who grace the field each year.
This past Saturday marked the latest iteration of this hilarious tradition, and among the enthusiastic crowd was a Greenpoint local, taking a break from neighborhood happenings. Sporting an Oberlin College hat, reminiscent of Elaine’s Orioles cap and a nod to a previous contest winner, she jokingly anticipated another Oberlin alum victory. Little did she know, she would become part of an even more exciting story – this year’s champion of the Elaine Benes dance contest is a Greenpoint resident! We caught up with Shannon Kintner to delve into the secrets behind her triumphant Elaine Benes dancing performance and what it takes to win the hearts of Seinfeld fans.
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From Sidelines to Center Stage: The Inspiration Behind the Elaine Benes Dance
What sparked your decision to enter the Elaine Benes dancing competition, and what inspired you to showcase your moves?
For several years, attending the Seinfeld night game has been on my radar. Knowing its popularity often leads to sold-out crowds, I started planning with friends back in the spring to ensure we secured tickets. I envisioned a big group outing – is there anything better than enjoying a summer ball game with a bunch of friends? My inspiration to actually enter the Elaine Benes dance off was purely joy and playfulness! The contestants always radiate such fun energy on the field. I’ve long believed in incorporating more lighthearted, joyful play into our adult lives. It’s surprisingly absent from our everyday routines, so you have to seize those opportunities when they arise. I’m talking about low-pressure, high-reward, uninhibited, child-like fun – it’s not about creating content, it’s not a side hustle, it’s not driven by any agenda other than pure, unadulterated joy. The essence of Elaine Benes dancing is capturing that spirit of carefree amusement.
Mastering the “Full Body Dry Heave”: Preparation and Practice
Can you walk us through your planning process for both your costume and your Elaine Benes dance performance? Your rendition of Elaine’s signature herky-jerky movements was spot-on. Did you have to do some serious studying?
(Laughs) Yes, there was definitely some practice involved! I rehearsed a few times, and thankfully, a couple of friends offered some helpful pointers. Once I had the costume together, complete with my hair styled in those voluminous curls, I felt completely in character and ready to channel my inner Elaine and hit the field with my best Elaine Benes dancing.
Electric Energy: Performing for a Crowd of Seinfeld Enthusiasts
What was it like to step out onto the field and perform your Elaine Benes dance in front of a crowd of enthusiastic Seinfeld fans?
Wow! The energy from that crowd was absolutely incredible. I felt ecstatic! I truly love the atmosphere of a minor league crowd – everyone is there with the shared intention of having a genuinely good time, and the stadium organizers do an amazing job of fostering that positive environment. It was pure joy to share the field with the other Elaine Benes dancing contestants and feed off the contagious enthusiasm of the fans. The cheers and laughter were incredibly motivating!
Favorite Seinfeld Moments: From Festivus to Finales
Do you have a particular favorite Seinfeld moment or episode that stands out to you?
It’s so hard to pick just one favorite Seinfeld moment! Growing up, I absolutely loved the Festivus and Chinese Restaurant episodes. I also have a really fond memory of watching the final episode live with my mom and aunt – it was a whole event! Now that I’ve paid homage to Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Elaine Benes dancing in front of 7,000 fans, it might just be the perfect time for a Seinfeld rewatch. Rediscovering those classic episodes will be even more enjoyable now!
Greenpoint Love: Finding Community in Brooklyn
Since Greenpointers is all about the neighborhood, we have to ask about Greenpoint. How long have you called Greenpoint home, and what are some of your favorite aspects of living here?
I’ve been a Greenpoint resident since 2018! I started working in the neighborhood right after the pandemic at a few local restaurants and bars. The genuinely neighborly atmosphere of these establishments and the patrons was such a refreshing change after working in the city for years. I love the feeling of walking or biking down the street and waving to people I know at all the local shops and markets. I enjoy going to the McCarren & McGolrick Farmers’ Market and chatting with the farmers. I love knowing my bartenders’ and baristas’ names and something about their lives. It’s wonderful having my tailor, cobbler, nail salon, hardware store, diner, and library all within a comfortable 15-minute walk. The building I live in is also a real rarity in NYC – the tenants and I have a group chat to see who has extra sugar or lemons, we’ll have a drink together on the stoop, and we even walk each other’s dogs. I’m friendly with many of my block neighbors too, some who have lived here their whole lives and others who are more recent arrivals. It’s a truly special pocket in the city, and I feel incredibly grateful to call Greenpoint home!
Photo courtesy of Shannon Kintner.
The Brooklyn Cyclones’ Seinfeld Night, and particularly the Elaine Benes dance contest, continues to be a beloved tradition, bringing together baseball fans and Seinfeld aficionados for a night of laughter and unforgettable entertainment. And for Shannon Kintner, it was a chance to not only showcase her impressive Elaine Benes dancing skills but also to celebrate the spirit of joy and community that Seinfeld and Greenpoint embody.
