JeffersonArts

Old-time music and sequined Mummer costumes will blend at the Jefferson Gazebo on July 16

Old-time music and sequined Mummer costumes will blend at the Jefferson Gazebo on July 16 

      The Jefferson Arts Committee will present its 2010 free summer Gazebo concert series with its third event on Friday, July 16th beginning at 7 pm at the township gazebo located in the Jefferson Township Municipal Complex at 1033 Weldon Road.

      The Denville String Band (DSB) recreates the Philadelphia Mummers phenomenon with authentic musical arrangements written especially for the Philadelphia mummer bands.  Their music recreates the early 20th-century American string ensemble associated with old-time music and jazz.  The DSB will perform in Jefferson Township in brightly colored and sequined costumes during the second half of this concert with the Captain and select band members wearing large feather "back pieces."  Sponsored by the Jefferson Township Public Library, the concert will be moved to the Jefferson Township High School Auditorium (1010 Weldon Road) in the event of inclement weather.

      Bring along a blanket/chair for your comfort. Non-alcoholic beverages, picnic dinners, and snacks permitted unless the concerts are moved indoors due to weather conditions!   In the event of rain or the threat of inclement weather, please call 973-697-3828 for updates.  For directions visit www.jeffersonarts.org  or www.jeffersontownship.net;  and for more information about the Denville String Band, visit their website at www.denvillestringband.com  

      The DSB was organized in 1951 and patterned after the Philadelphia Mummer String Bands that continue to prosper today.  There are 18 similar string bands in the greater Philadelphia area that participate in the Mummers Parade each New Years Day.  The DSB buys its costumes from one of the 18 Philly bands either annually or every two years depending upon how the previous outfit holds up.  Much of the music is from those bands so the DSB can claim to both look and sound like the much larger Philly bands!  Accordingly, the DSB is in demand for concerts and parades in the North Jersey area.  None of the members are paid, and all income goes into the organization’s treasury to pay expenses related to costumes, travel, music, and band house upkeep.  The DSB is incorporated as a non-profit organization in New Jersey and is open to all area musicians who want to participate with weekly rehearsals at the band house on Mondays at 7:30 pm. 

       In the past 12 months,  the DSB has performed approximately ten well-received concerts in senior citizens venues; and since the main source of income for the DSB is parades, it has performed in approximately 20 parades throughout the area.  And now, they come to perform in Jefferson Township in a two-hour gazebo concert!

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