Philadelphia Mummers New Years Day Parade • Fancy Division

Fancy Brigades clockwise: South Philly Vikings, Saturnalian, and the Downtowners.

The Fancy Brigades are very different than the String Bands. While I remember the days of watching them march down Broad Street with the rest of the Mummers, they now perform indoors at the Philadelphia Convention Center, keeping their feathers and sequins fresh out of the weather. They don't play instruments, but instead perform to tracks mixed especially for their performances, showing style and finesse with lots of sparkle. Below are clips of the Top 3 Fancy Brigades of 2013.

In third place, the Saturnalian Fancy Brigade.



In second place, the Downtowners Fancy Brigade.



Celebrating their second consecutive first place finish, the South Philly Vikings Fancy Brigade.



Happy new year! To find out more about the Philadelphia Mummers Fancy Brigade Association, visit their official website. For a live stream of the FAncey Brigade performances online, visit PHL17.

Avi Wisnia • New Year

I couldn't have a New Year's Day go by without featuring a wonderful song by Philadelphia-native Avi Wisnia. That would be "New Year", a song perfectly suited for the holiday, off his album 'Something New'. The song celebrates new starts, and new chances. That is exactly what we all look for every January 1st, an opportunity for a new beginning. This is Avi Wisnia singing "New Year".

To learn more about Avi Wisnia, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' Avi on Twitter and 'like' him on Facebook. The song "New Year" can be found on the album 'Something New', which can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon.

Philadelphia Mummers New Years Day Parade 2013

If it is New Year's Day in this neck of the woods, it is time for the the Philadelphia Mummers New Years Day Parade! After all, where else could you get the light, the flash, the colors and the music, all combined into one of the best holiday celebrations anyone could find! For those of you who have never seen the Mummers in action, I thought I would share with you just a small part of the parade, the Top 3 award winners from the 2013 String Band competition. The first look will be the Woodland String Band, who finished the day in 3rd place. They had a great theme of medieval warriors from a castle, wearing, of course, plenty of feathers, satin, and sequins!

When the marks of the judges were tallied, Quaker City String Band finished in 2nd place. They adopted the theme of celebrating Native Americans, with the glamorous addition of feathers, sequins, satin, and banjos! With a scene awash with orange, yellow, and green, the Quaker City String were a sight to see.

Finally, the winner of the String Band competition last year was the very talented Fralinger String Band. Using metalic coffins, vampires, skeletons, and Frankenstein monsters, the colors were black and white, and everything in between to create a beautifully woven tapestry that enticed and intoxicated.

Happy New Year, Philadelphia style! To learn more about the Philadelphia Mummers Near Years Day Parade, visit their official website. For a live stream of the parade online, visit PHL17.

Daniel J. Cartier • Auld Lang Syne

In an earlier post, I mentioned the history of the song, which started out as a poem written by Scot Robert Burns in 1788, and then set to a traditional Folk tune. Through the years, it has maintained a popularity, especially when it comes to celebrating New Year's Eve. I remember hearing the song played by Guy Lombardo and his band at midnight, my parents watching him every year. This is a different version, a haunting and beautiful version by sing/songwriter Daniel J. Cartier, a truly talented man whose music I love. And for me, the New Year wouldn't be the same without listing to Daniel sing "Auld Lang Syne".

Happy New Year, everyone! For more about Daniel, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on FaceBook, where you will find some of his music, and a free download can often be found. "Auld Lang Syne" can be found on Daniel's album 'This Christmas', available on iTunes and Amazon.

Adam Shenk • Auld Lang Syne

As this is New Year's Eve, it seems only right to mark the occasion with the traditional song, "Auld Lang Syne". The song, written as a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, and set to a traditional Folk song. It offers up a toast to where we've been, where we are, and where we have yet to go. I remember by parents watching Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, and this song playing while one year became the next. This is a brand new version I found, sung by out and proud singer/songwriter. This is Adam Shenk singing "Auld Lang Syne".

To learn more about Adam Shenk, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. While this song does not appear on his debut album, three is plenty of great music to be heard. You can find 'Suitcases' on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

Clay Aiken • What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

I remember when this was a question on the minds of everyone. Of course, I was much younger then, and more likely to be going out to celebrate the new year. That is no longer the case, as I am definitely more of the stay-at-home type, listening to some great music. This would include more than one recording of the 1947 song written by Frank Loesser, and recorded by The Orioles, a group that took "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" to #9 on the Billboard R&B chart. It quickly became a favorite of several artists, from Ella Fitzgerald to Patti LaBelle. It was also included on the 2004 album by Clay Aiken, 'Merry Christmas With Love'. I hope you enjoy Clay Aiken singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?".

The album remains a favorite of mine to this very day. Aiken has a lovely voice, and also has such a great charm inherent in his work. To learn more about Clay Aiken, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. You can purchase 'Merry Christmas With Love' from iTunes and Amazon.

Johnny Mathis • Sending You A Little Christmas

Earlier this fall, Johnny Mathis released a new Christmas album, and somehow, I managed to miss the news. Thankfully, my buddy JD Doyle of Queer Music Heritage did not, and sent me a note to check it out. It is a 'no brainer' that I would, since his first holiday album, 'Merry Christmas', is a favorite of mine. The album was a part of my own holiday soundtrack, for I have been hearing Johnny sing Christmas music all my life. In fact, I remember hearing his Pop songs and his Christmas music on the radio, and in the house. That first holiday album was released 55 years ago, yet I still play it every year. On the new album, Mathis works with such amazing artists as Billy Joel, Natalie Cole, Jim Brickman, Gloria Estefan, Susan Boyle, Vince Gill and Amazy Grant, and delivers another album I think I might be playing every year! This is the list of songs.

01. The Christmas Song (with Billy Joel)

02. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (with Natalie Cole)

03. This Christmas

04. Sending You a Little Christmas (with Jim Brickman)

05. Mary's Boy Child (with Gloria Estefan)

06. This Is a Time For Love

07. Do You Hear What I Hear (with Susan Boyle)

08. Home for the Holidays (featuring The Jordanaires)

09. Merry Christmas Darling

10. Decorate the Night

11. I'll Be Home for Christmas/White Christmas (with Vince Gill & Amy Grant)

12. Count Your Blessings

Now, I thought it would be fun this Christmas morning to let you hear the whole album, and let it be the soundtrack to your Christmas morning. It is a great holiday treat, and I am sure you will love it. So grab your cup of coffee or tea, and start opening your presents. Have a great Christmas day, and enjoy 'Sending You a Little Christmas'.

I must admit, Johnny Mathis has also been a hero of sorts for me. The man was courageous enough to come out of the closet in 1982 in 'Us' Magazine, long before it was the popular or safe thing to do. Handsome, talented, and gay, who could ask for anything more? You can purchase 'Sending You a Little Christmas' from iTunes and Amazon. You can still purchase 'Merry Christmas' from iTunes and Amazon as well. For more about Johnny Mathis, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook.