Yeah, ya' live around Philly ya' get used to the Mummers. For those outwith the area (or the concept) it's all about glitz, feathers, sequins and over-the-topness. Pick a theme, then overdo it. It's public fun for a day, although the clubs work at it all year.

Our international company here is reminded that what you're seeing are theatrical costumes, with many normal items and protocols either ignored or exaggerated --it's not any attempt at reality or authenticity. (But then again I didn't see any white hose in there, either. )

The string bands are kind of the top class, (there are many others) and are judged on their show, their look and theme and their music. As a piece of theater, most of the bands do pretty well. In this case, Fralinger came fifth out of 17 bands, eight points out of first place.

Remember that most of these guys are South Philly blue-collar types--longshoremen, refinery workers, etc (and they're damn proud of that, too.) As a choreographer friend of mine said, "If you think herding cats is tough, try teaching truck drivers to dance." They actually looked decent in the video. Not great, not dancers, but decent to OK to kind'a good.

I don't know the music rules exactly, but only certain instruments are allowed in the string band. Note the lack of "band brass" and bowed strings (the bass may be an exception.) Understand too that a lot of these guys play by ear and don't read music. Getting the musicians to learn the music, and to learn to change key to play with the bagpipe(s) is quite a coup for the music director.

The Mummers are always fun; the parade has changed a lot in the last 30 years or so with many new rules and now cash awards to the top groups. It used to be just a bunch of loosely organized drunks parading on New Year's Day but is now a Totally Official city event. ( = A highly organized bunch of drunks parading...)

It's the kind of event you should see in person at least once. For some, that's quite enough.