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Mummers bring back those minstrel days
Image from greatwhatsit.com
Mummers bring back those minstrel days
Image from greatwhatsit.com
If there's one thing you can say about the Mummers in recent years, it's that they seem to have perfected a balance of doing what would be, almost anywhere else, politically incorrect, and getting away with it in style. It's something about being good natured, and a little drunk, and loaded up with sequins that makes it seem, somehow, sort of OK to dress as a generically "Oriental" emperor, or tribally nonspecific "Indian."
So, maybe that explains why no one has raised on eyebrow at Aqua String Band's theme "Bummin' & Mummin' on Broadway," featuring, according to the Daily News, "ingenious and lovable bums." Or, why it has so far passed without comment that Ferko String Band's theme for this New Year's Day parade is "Bringin' Back Those Minstrel Days," with tributes to Bojangles, Joplin, Jolson and more. Of course, unlike Al Jolson, who famously donned blackface in the movie The Jazz Singer, Ferko won't be doing any such thing. Blackface has long been banned for string bands, though attempts to ban it for the entire parade led to legal brawls and protests in the 1960s. A mummerdom-wide ban was finally put in place in the late 1960s. (Given the image above, it appears that applying brown makeup for a Mexican/mariachi ensemble isn't considered to be similarly problematic.)
Anthony Selenza, captain of Ferko, says the theme was inspired by the song selection. After all, songs like "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers," that are well known in the Mummer repertoire, come out of the minstrel tradition. "It's more paying tribute," Selenza says, a throwback to a popular Ferko theme from a few years ago centered on the Palace Theater, which hosted famous vaudeville and minstrel acts. As to any concerns about potentially offending viewers, "It didn't even cross our minds. We wouldn't even be going in that direction."
Ms. Melamed,
I am not entirely sure of the point you are trying to make in your article. Specifically with reference to the Aqua String Band. Why would one "raise an eyebrow" on a Broadway related theme (which is what the entire concept was based on). We originally were going to dress as traditional American "hobos". The definition of such a group who are associated with train yards, transience, etc. Since our performance was based in one location (42nd Street) the concept would not have fit into the artistic vision. Contrary to your comments, Mummer organizations spend countless ours researching concepts, historical costuming, and musical contributions from myriad cultures. Mummers take inspiration from global experiences and incorporate them in to their well thought out productions. As Mr. Celenza stated, String Bands pay homage to the unique contributions to American culture (of which the Mummers are also a part). There are many more fascinating stories about our own folk art and customs than what is presented here in your article. I invite you to contact us, or visit the Mummers Museum with me as a personal guide to explore the contributions of this truly unique world art/folk culture.
Thank You,
Ron Iannacone
Aqua String Band
www.AquaStringBand.com— AquaStringBand1920
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