Music Under the Stars

The annual summer experience of String Band music under the stars begins this evening on the Mummers Museum grounds.   The Museum is at 2nd and Washington in South Philadelphia. Quaker City String Band will lead off the season. The evening begins as early 6 o’clock with food and drink and the music usually starts around [...]

Remembering Auggie

I last saw “Auggie” last month on the night Woodland String Band celebrated its first prize finish.  He had had surgery the same day and still showed up.  You knew he wasn’t feeling great and used a wheelchair to get about, but, as usual, he made everybody laugh, everybody smile, everybody feel better.  Frank “Auggie” [...]

25th Ride for Life

The 25th annual Ride for Life benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association was a rumbling, rousing success this weekend in Bethlehem.  As the weekend got underway, endless rows of Harleys filled a lot on Saturday at Steel Stacks, a marvelous venue centered on the behemoth of an old blast furnace.  The big ride was Sunday. All [...]

Elaine’s Laces of Hope

I talked the other day to an impressive young man,15-year-old Nicholas Celenza. Nick and his siblings have sold more than a thousand pairs of pink shoelaces in memory of their mother, Elaine Brown Celenza, who died February 24, 2012, after a long, inspirational struggle with breast cancer. I met Nick, his brother, 18-year-old Anthony, and [...]

Mummer Power

Great turnout last night at SugarHouse Casino for the annual Mummers Against Cancer event in Philadelphia.  Mike and Deb, and daughter Debbie, worked hard to put on the event and carry it off. That’s Deb and Deb to the left. The proceeds are going to the American Cancer Society. SugarHouse also contributed to the success [...]

Champion’s Night to Remember

The members of the Woodland String Band gathered last night at Nicole Renee Occasions in South Philadelphia to celebrate their victory on New Year’s Day.  It was a night of genuine celebration at the Championship gala.  The family that is Woodland was joined by well-wishers from other bands and included Mummers Association President and former Quaker City Captain, the [...]

Shining Brightly

The stars shined like the Mummers Museum spire last night at events in South Philadelphia.  It is so great to see the tower radiating light again.  2nd & Washington is evermore the beacon.   The champion Murray Comic Club, led by President Rich Porco, celebrated another successful year and recognized its stellar members at its [...]

Keep on Mummin!

The members of the Fancy Brigade Association and the members of the Wench Brigade Association each held their respective annual banquets this weekend and a pleasant time was guaranteed for all. Jackie Bam Bam, the Alice Cooper of Mummery, rocked the Waterfall Room in South Philadelphia.  Jackie McCann and Captain Kenny Medeiros accepted the award [...]

Show of Shows 2012

Joyful examples of the Wow factor began at the 2012 Show of Shows with Greater Kensington String Band and remained high through all 16 performances, punctuated by the show of 2012 Champion Woodland String Band.  Wowed were thousands of fans who gathered inside Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City this weekend to hear and see the men and [...]

Appreciating the Mummers

The 1st annual Mummers Appreciation Weekend has been humming and strumming right along at SugarHouse Casino in Fishtown.  Hundreds of Mummers have been stopping by since Friday afternoon.  The Battle of the Bands, a string band competition, has been taking place today. SugarHouse is also giving away a “Mummed-up” Harley Davidson motorcycle Sunday afternoon.  Only Mummers are eligible [...]