Mummers and Strutters march on
This year, the Mummers Parade route was shortened to save costs. Participation in the parade itself dropped from 12,000 to 8,000. Interestingly enough, the Mummers parade route was only a third of the length of previous years for two reasons, to quicken up the procession and to cut the cost of overtime paid to police along the route.
But money seems to be the issue in both cases; make that that lack of it. In Philadelphia, the oldest troupe in the parade, the Original Trilby String Band, sat out this year because of lack of money. Some of the marching groups in the Mummer's parade are becoming non-profits in order to apply for grant money.
This year's Strut seemed more lively to me, there seemed to be many more spectators than in previous years and even though the marching groups were less than previous years, that may have helped with the liveliness and speed of the parade, which didn't have as much lagging time as in previous years. I'm always amazed at how they raise the money each year to put on the Strut, without much, if any help, from the city.
I guess the Mummers Parade and the Strut are live things and will always be changing.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:00 AM
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16 Comments:
i hate to say it but as an older resident of the grove.i honestly think the king mango strut is worse every year.what started as something funny is just stupid and old now.its no wonder most people i know dont care for it and want new ideas.the coconut grove art show is another example of just plane boring also.time for something new.and im an 50 year old person speaking from my heart
The Strut used to be tongue in cheek irreverent and funny beyond words. It has lost that special sparkle and surprise. It's kinda like adults have forgotten how to shed that blah blah skin and try to tell jokes old uncle X might have thought are funny,but they are just more blah blah. The snake needs a new skin or head or ?? Who took the snake away from the grove and gave it to cable tv politicos.
As soon as Sarnoff and Co. took over the parade and censored it is when it really lost its punch. If you were a politician in Miami, parade day was a good day for you to leave town. I don't know about this year because I no longer attend, but the irony of the Mayor and Sarnoff kicking off the parade last year as honored guests really tells the story of what is wrong with this parade. Its like Fox News took over the Jon Stewart Show and installed their own brand of humor. Imagine if Jon Stewart could no longer make fun of our politicians. Thats what's wrong with the Strut.
Strut was just commercialized. Much like the Bed race, and other "events". Everything losing its soul, thanks to the almighty $$$. It's all about promoting and selling stuff these days and it stinks.
I agree totally with comment 1. Strut and Art Show are "lame." Poor quality overall.
I think it's less about "commercialization" and political coopting and more about the fact that "making fun" of news events just isn't a big deal. Thirty years ago there was Saturday Night Live, maybe the Carson show and later Letterman, and that was it. Having someone dress up as Gary Hart and someone else as Donna Rice was probably a real hoot.
Now with cable you have John Stewart, Colbert, Maher, et. al., so it's all pretty tame.
i just hope the art show is difrent this year cause the last few years have been horrible.i think it would be such a cool event if it were spread out thru the grove.
How could the art show have been "horrible"? Maybe you had an under cooked corn dog or was the salsa music too loud for you at Peacock?
But "horrible" art?
7:09 -
The "50 year old person" that "speaks from the heart" who posted that is critical of all grove events. Every. Single. One. I'm not sure why they still live here.
Since when is 50 an older person? Im a lot older and don't consider myself an "older" person. Age is a matter of attitude. I participate in many of the fun events the Grove has to offer. No where else in this City has such unique activities. As for the King Mango Strut Parade, we welcome young people to join us with fresh ideas. As far as I know, neither Sarnoff or anyone else has tried to censor us in any way. Maybe I am missing something. That "older" person should be living in Aventura. As for me, I have been here most of my life and don't plan on leaving any time soon.
Yes, most of the "Art" at these shows is beyond horrible, often just mass-produced despicable crap.
Doesn't take an educated Arts aficionado to see that, and even smell it past the rancid corn dogs sales.
The reason the art show is horrible is because the lay out is terrible.and way to crowded.its like a rats maze.spread it out thru the center of the grove.let some of the local bizz in on it.and bring better art work in and better entertainment.for what they charge it should be way better.
@9:33
And yet you go every year because you can't resist bitching about it!
Bring back the remaining original Mangoheads, Glenn Terry and company and you will breath new life into the Strut.
Liz, I love the vibe you bring to the Grove, but certainly you know that the parade is censored. If you have lived here long enough, you will remember The Great Banana Republic with the Joe Corrolo look-alike and Rosario Kennedy stripping on top of a Woody. Al Crespo tried to do something about Sarnoff and got into a big fight with parade people and told he was not welcome. This came immediately after the permit was given to Glenn Terry and then taken back by Sarnoff and given to Baldwin. That was the day that Sarnoff started dictating to the parade. These people need their permit and don't want to piss him off!
And, if you have to worry about offending our local officials, it is no longer the Strut!
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