Coney Island performer Pirate Queen will attempt to lift 17 pounds with her cheek piercings

"Step right up, New York-because Coney Island is about to get even weirder (in the best possible way). This Sunday, sideshow star Arrie Fae Bronson-Davidson-better known as the Pirate Queen or by her stage name Faux Pas le Fae -will attempt to smash a Guinness World Record by lifting a 17-pound weight. With her face. Yes, really. Specifically, with hooks pierced into her cheeks."

"What makes this record attempt special isn't just the circus trickery; it's the symbolism. For Bronson-Davidson, who has long performed with the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, the stage has always been a safe space. As a transgender performer, she says the sideshow is one of the few places she's been handed a mic without a filter. "You're coming to our world," she told . "I don't have to explain it, I don't have to pretend to make you comfortable.""

"Between the Mermaid Parade, Nathan's Hot Dog Contest and now a pierced-face lifting showdown, it's clear there's still room for the beautifully bizarre on Surf Avenue. Want to witness history (and possibly wince a little)? The record attempt kicks off at 6:30pm on Sunday, August 31, immediately following the 5:45pm show at Sideshows by the Seashore Theater at 1208 Surf Avenue. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for kids, with combo options that include the"

Arrie Fae Bronson-Davidson, known as Faux Pas le Fae and the Pirate Queen, will attempt a Guinness World Record by lifting a 17-pound weight suspended from hooks pierced into her cheeks. The current record is a 15-pound sledgehammer lifted by Sweet Pepper Klopek in 2015. Bronson-Davidson will use a kettlebell fitted with custom hooks and draws on experience with human blockhead, fire-eating, and power-drill stunts. She performs with the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and views the sideshow as a safe space for transgender and misfit performers. The attempt is scheduled for Sunday, August 31 at Sideshows by the Seashore Theater at 1208 Surf Avenue, with tickets priced at $15 for adults and $12 for children.

Read at Time Out New York