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Here, in pictures and words, is the life of the Mummers: the bands, the costumes, and the people who dance, perform, and live their lives through their brigades every day of the year. Acclaimed photographer E. A. Kennedy has captured the way Mummery continues its hold on the imagination of Philadelphia, how this tradition has its roots in the city's unique development first as a Swedish, then British city, and the traits Mummery shares with other parade tradtions in the US. Most importantly, Kennedy captures the joy of brigades preparing for the big parade down Broad Street: the practices under the I-95 overpass; the rehearsals and fittings of costumes. Throughout, Kennedy reveals the essence of Mummery and this rich album will make for an indispensable gift for all fans of the Mummers in the city and around the country.
List of contents
Preface
Introduction
Mummers
Clubhouses
Comics
Wenches
Fancies
String Bands
Fancy Brigades
Family
Tradition
Mummers Mass
Prep
Party
Parade
2 Street
Bragging Rights
Enders
About the author
E.A. Kennedy, III, is an accomplished editorial photographer whose work has appeared in Time magazine, the New York Times, Business Week, the Dallas Morning News, and other publications nationwide. His photographs have been recognized with numerous awards and in 2004, he was chosen as one of the ninety most important African American photographers in the U.S. to participate in a historic celebration of Gordon Parks' 90th birthday. Kennedy has been a contributing photographer for seven photography books, including the internationally-acclaimed Songs of My People: An African American Self-Portrait (and the accompanying exhibit which opened at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC) and America 24/7.
Summary
Explaining the life of the Mummers in pictures and words, this book covers the bands, the costumes, and the people who dance, perform, and live their lives through their brigades every day of the year. It captures the joy of brigades preparing for the big parade down Broad Street.
