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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 13:20:14 GMT -5
Post by wildwood4life on Jan 26, 2006 13:20:14 GMT -5
When reading the Daily News last Friday, a friend of mine called me immediately. Both my friend and I are Mummers. We were both founding members of the Irish American String Band based out of Northeast Philadelphia in Mayfair. Due to several issues we came to reach probably the hardest decisions in our 22 years of life and realized it was time to move on. She is now in Uptown String Band, and I am a member of South Philly based Woodland String Band. Needless to say that we both love what we do and that is why we continued to Mum even after we left our roots. An editorial appeared that reads as follows:
Worthless mummery! I Keep reading letters to the Daily News regarding the poor television coverage of the Mummers parade. These people should be so happy that any station would even waste so much time and man power to cover such a crappy event! Now put your big shoes up on the table, put on your wench wig, grab a beer, crank up the banjo and shut up! Steve McGrath Philadelphia
I just want an honest opinion of how many people feel this way. I was annoyed because I am in the String Band division and know how strict the rules are and that we will be disqualified for bringing ANY alcohol with us on the street....too much rests upon our behavior for us to chance it. So please give me honest opinions. Thanks, Rick
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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 15:37:09 GMT -5
Post by FlyinGN on Jan 26, 2006 15:37:09 GMT -5
Rick, my Dad was in Polish American in the 50's so It runs in my family.. BUT.. you are not gonna like this...
I think....
Its the biggest embarrasment to our city. A buncha (sometimes obviously) drunk people acting like that and carrying on peeing in the streets, open beer etc etc.. The mummers time has come and is way past over....I would none to happy to never have one ever again.. please no offence to you Rick.. Its just my opinion..
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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 15:41:03 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Jan 26, 2006 15:41:03 GMT -5
Rick -
I honestly love the Mummers. I am a Philly girl at heart and always either go to the parade or watch it on tv. This year, I was in CT for the holiday and asked if they got the Mummers Parade up there. (they didnt) Each year, I root for the Polish String Band. The Mummers Parade is one of the best things about living in the Philly area. It is a fun traditional and I know how hard everyone involved works. The writer speaks for himself and shame on him - he should be banned from Philly for bad mouthing the Mummers.
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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 16:57:32 GMT -5
Post by wildwood4life on Jan 26, 2006 16:57:32 GMT -5
No offence taken. I do agree to an extent. There are a group of guys who's main objective is to get drunk, cause ruckus, and pee in the streets. Most of them are the comics. I can't say all of them because there is maybe one or two comic groups that do care. My concern with this editorial is that I feel he groups all us Mums into the category with the comics and the simple fact is it is not the truth. In today's parade, string bands are spending upwards of $100,000-$150,000 per year just to suit up and put on a modest show. Not too many of us would want to risk all that for a can of Coors or a swig of Blackberry.
Cindy, thanks for your nice words. Frank, I do agree with you to an extent, but no effence taken.
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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 17:24:06 GMT -5
Post by homer on Jan 26, 2006 17:24:06 GMT -5
I'm not a life-long mummer...or even a life-long fan, for that matter. But I have come to know and love the Mummers tradition and history in the past few years. (We lived just off "Two Street" in South Philly for a time...my wedding reception was in the Mummers' Museum.) I think it's an important institution for the neighborhoods. As a citizen of a largely transient town, I can appreciate how hard it is to maintain a local "identity." The different "powers-that-be" in the last decade have tried to legitimize the parade, with some success...the string bands and fancy brigades are happier, I think, with the more family friendly venue...but the die hard comics like to pregnant dog about not being able to see Uncle Chuck expose himself and/or puke on TV. Those are likely the ones griping about this year's TV coverage.
As for the guy who thinks the parade isn't worth televising, screw him...he's even less refined than the clowns he says participate in a crappy event. He totally misses the point.
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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 17:34:17 GMT -5
Post by wildre on Jan 26, 2006 17:34:17 GMT -5
I've never been to a New Year's Day parade so I can only respond to what I've seen. The Mummers are always a great weekend when they come for Fancy Brigade and String Band Weekends. Maybe another case of a few giving an entire group a bad rap? Kinda like how some feel about The Wildwoods.
re
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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 18:28:19 GMT -5
Post by foulal on Jan 26, 2006 18:28:19 GMT -5
There's a great plaque on the wall by the back bar at Second Street Annie's. It has the best explanation of "What Is A Mummer" I've ever read. I stop by and read it each time I'm in there...Gives me goosebumps.
Proud to be a Mummer, Al
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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 20:18:29 GMT -5
Post by Crippled_Visions on Jan 26, 2006 20:18:29 GMT -5
Al, I can't believe it but I actually agree with you on this one. The mummers have always been a bunch of soakers looking for a reason to be drunk and disorderly in public. Not that I have a problem with drinking...but I hardly think it's worth televising. I especially feel this way after the mummers wanted KYW to pay them big money for the rights to televise the parade. KYW said F-U and the mummers ended up having to go to PBS to get the parade televised and got NO money from them. They are lucky to get a .001 rating share when that crap is televised.
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Mummers
Jan 26, 2006 21:18:08 GMT -5
Post by wildwood4life on Jan 26, 2006 21:18:08 GMT -5
Al, great plaque isn't it? I believe my buddys in the South Philly String Band play there a lot over the summer. I've caught them there once or twice last summer. Being a Mummer is a unique thing. Out of every one of my parades, there has been something going on. 2000- I had a cold 2001-I had the flu-BAD 2002-Just damn cold outside 2003-Great, no ailments, except the parade was postponed due to rain 2004-Nervous as all hell (It was the first time my band had a top ten shot and I was 1st year musical director...We got 12th, but FYI it was the highest prize the band ever had and still is) 2005-I had no voice and was sick as a dog 2006-First parade with Woodland String Band and nervous that I finally was playing with one of the Big Boys of Two Street
Even with the years that I was sick, I would have rather been no place else. The Mummers are my extended family, friends and brothers for life. Al, are you by chance a Mummer?
Rick
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Mummers
Jan 27, 2006 13:00:08 GMT -5
Post by FlyinGN on Jan 27, 2006 13:00:08 GMT -5
what your saying is true. The comics are the worst offenders.. Id would say that if I had to cheese, the best part of the mummers is the string bands.. No offence taken. I do agree to an extent. There are a group of guys who's main objective is to get drunk, cause ruckus, and pee in the streets. Most of them are the comics. I can't say all of them because there is maybe one or two comic groups that do care. My concern with this editorial is that I feel he groups all us Mums into the category with the comics and the simple fact is it is not the truth. In today's parade, string bands are spending upwards of $100,000-$150,000 per year just to suit up and put on a modest show. Not too many of us would want to risk all that for a can of Coors or a swig of Blackberry. Cindy, thanks for your nice words. Frank, I do agree with you to an extent, but no effence taken.
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Mummers
Jan 27, 2006 13:03:08 GMT -5
Post by FlyinGN on Jan 27, 2006 13:03:08 GMT -5
Al ? Al, I can't believe it but I actually agree with you on this one. The mummers have always been a bunch of soakers looking for a reason to be drunk and disorderly in public. Not that I have a problem with drinking...but I hardly think it's worth televising. I especially feel this way after the mummers wanted KYW to pay them big money for the rights to televise the parade. KYW said F-U and the mummers ended up having to go to PBS to get the parade televised and got NO money from them. They are lucky to get a .001 rating share when that crap is televised.
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Mummers
Jan 27, 2006 13:51:46 GMT -5
Post by firemansgirl on Jan 27, 2006 13:51:46 GMT -5
I personally love watching the Mummers on TV. It has become a tradition in my family to watch them New Years Day. I don't know what I would do if they weren't on. Keep up the good work Guys....
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Mummers
Jan 28, 2006 17:35:39 GMT -5
Post by wildwanderer on Jan 28, 2006 17:35:39 GMT -5
I grew up in Philly so watching the parade was a must in our house. Beginning to end. My Mom loved the String Bands and fancy brigades. I loved the comic divisions. However, I since have moved about 45 miles west of Philly and am married to a "country" person so I no longer watch the parade. I try sometimes but I feel it's time has past. The love of it has slowly vanished in my life. Maybe because I am around people that never watched it or felt the need to. Whatever the reason(s) I am now detached from it.
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Mummers
Feb 14, 2006 20:22:28 GMT -5
Post by foulal on Feb 14, 2006 20:22:28 GMT -5
Mummers strut back to Boardwalk By WILLIAM H. SOKOLIC Courier-Post Staff ATLANTIC CITY Philadelphia's New Year's tradition will return to the resort on Saturday when the 2006 Mummers String Band Show of Shows takes place at Boardwalk Hall. Sixteen string bands are scheduled to perform two shows. Participating bands are Aqua, Avalon, Broomall, Duffy, Durning, Ferko, Fralinger, Greater Kensington, Greater Overbrook, Hegeman, Polish American, Quaker City, South Philadelphia, Trilby, Uptown and Woodland. Shows are at noon and 5 p.m. Tickets are $25, $21 and $18. They are available at the Boardwalk Hall box office, Mississippi Avenue and the Boardwalk. They also are available at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (800) 736-1420 or by going to www.ticketmaster.com.
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Mummers
Feb 15, 2006 14:30:40 GMT -5
Post by wildwood4life on Feb 15, 2006 14:30:40 GMT -5
GO WOODLAND!
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