What is Kazoo Day in Philly?
The annual Soup Day, or Hat Day, or Kazoo Day, among other names, has been highly successful along Two Street. Members of Mummers Clubs rehearsed in the morning or worked in the clubs or warehouses.
Why are Mummers called Mummers?
The Mummers derive their name from the Mummers’ plays performed in Philadelphia in the 18th century as part of a wide variety of working class street celebrations around Christmas.
Why do Mummers wear dresses?
It started in the late 17th century as an old tradition of visiting friends in the days after Christmas, extending all the way to New Year’s, and celebrating by dressing up as though it were a masquerade party.
What is the purpose of the Mummers?
“It’s any man, woman or child involved in the fantasy of song, dance and costume splendor on each January 1st in the annual Philadelphia New Year’s Day parade,” said Martz. The mummers devote an entire year to crafting their costumes, writing their skits, rehearsing their performances.
Where did the Mummers tradition come from?
History. An old Christmas custom from England and Ireland, mummering in a version of its modern form can be traced back in Newfoundland into the 19th century. Although it is unclear precisely when this tradition was brought to Newfoundland by the English and Irish, the earliest record dates back to 1819.
Do the mummers get paid?
“You have to love being a Mummer. You don’t get paid and you have to work for the joy of going on Broad Street on New Year’s Day,” he said. The cutback in prize money from the city will hurt, but really, even the top prize, usually in the range of $10,000, would only be a fraction of the cost of running a string band.
Are there female Mummers?
“We’re 85 percent women,” said Crowe, who owns and runs the band. “If I didn’t take women, I wouldn’t be in existence.” Half the bands marching Broad Street this weekend are now co-ed, according to Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association President Tom Loomis.
Do Mummers win money?
Vanishing, however, has been a phenomenon for some time as the yearslong drumbeat of an underwhelming economy has pummeled the Mummers. City Hall has eliminated prize money, productions have become more elaborate, and fewer people have taken on the challenge to join the self-funded folk parade.
What does a Mummer say?
“Oh! Dem Golden Slippers” is the traditional anthem of the Mummers. Written by James Bland, an African American, which was introduced into the parade in 1905 by minstrel Charles Dumont. You can expect to hear it by multiple times throughout the parade, as almost every String Band will bust it at at some point.
Who were the ribbon fools?
The ribbon fools were a variety of mummers, who wore white costumes festooned with multi-coloured ribbons. Unlike other mummers, they kept their faces bare, so everyone knew who they were, and only travelled around the community during the holidays, until Twelfth Night on January 6.