On Stage: Slambovian Circus of Dreams returns for year’s end tradition

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Music acts in all genres have special holiday shows and tours.

If you’re dealing with the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, there doesn’t seem to be any holiday they can’t celebrate with a show (or series of shows).

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, which has been making music since 1998, features a trio of founding members Joziah Longo (singer, songwriter, guitarist, leader of the band), his wife Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, flute, ukulele, theremin, keyboards) and Sharkey McEwen (guitar, mandolin, backing vocals).

The current line-up also features RJ McCarty (keys, sax, banjo, backing vocals), Bob Torsello (bass), and Matthew Abourezk (drums).

Traditional shows for the band include the “Slambovian Circus of Dreams Halloween Show,” the “Fairport’s Copredy Convention,” “Kingston Earth Fair,” and two December Slambovian Circus of Dreams traditions — Christmas and New Years concerts.

The band just finished a five-state December run of “A Very Slambovian Christmas” shows which finished with a show last week in Newtown (Bucks County).

“We just played the Newtown Theatre on Monday night,” said Lloyd, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from upstate New York where she and Longo reside.

“This is the second year we’ve done the show there. It’s a nice venue and was very close to being sold out Monday night.”

On December 30, the Slambovians play perhaps their most important show each year – the “Slambovian Circus of Dreams New Year’s Eve Eve” show at the World Café Live World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400,www.worldcafelive.com).

Longo is a Philly native who went to St. John Neumann High which back then was called Bishop Neumann High. Both the school and Longo’s childhood home are located in South Philadelphia – a hotbed for Mummers’ activity.

The Mummers Parade is a great Philadelphia tradition.

It dates back more than a century, has its roots in South Philadelphia and is always held on January 1.

The Slambovians holiday show dates back a decade-and-a-half.

“I’m pretty sure our first was in 2009 – after we released our second album,” said Lloyd. “We played the XPonential Music Festival in 2009 and then followed up with the World Café Live show.

“We definitely booked it for New Year’s Eve given Joziah’s history with Philadelphia. We really wanted to play the World Café Live because of the history with Philadelphia.”

Generations of Longo’s family (including him) have danced or played with string bands in the Mummers Parade.

“We didn’t want a New Year’s Eve show,” said Lloyd. “We wanted a New Year’s Eve Eve to do a little warmup for everybody. The New Year’s Eve Eve is a gathering of tribes.

“The show at the World Café live has become an annual reunion for Joziah’s family and friends. They’re part of Mummers groups so they spend New Year’s Eve getting ready for the Mummers Parade the next day. Our New Year’s Eve Eve show extends the holiday.

“Joziah is the son of Italian and Swedish immigrants. His grandfather sold fruit on the streets. His parents met at Gloria Dei Old Swede’s Church in South Philly on New Year’s Day when his father was wearing clown make-up for the parade.

“Joziah always had costumes from back then. He’s a real ‘Two Streeter.’”

Because of the large number of Mummers clubhouses there, South 2nd Street (Two Street) often serves as a party location after the parade, with the center of activity being South 2nd Street and Mifflin Street.

Local residents and others in the area for the parade crowd the local bars, clubhouses and sidewalks, sometimes joining in the unofficial parade.

With the parade they spent months preparing for finished, the Mummers let loose and celebrate. This multi-block party continues well into the night or early morning — with some Mummers not sleeping for twenty-four hours straight.

“Our New Year’s Eve Eve show is always a big tradition for Joziah,” said Lloyd. “His childhood babysitter comes to the show. His family comes to the show. His friends from kindergarten come to the show. They all come to the show to connect with everybody.”

Just as the Mummers Parade features dancers with decorated umbrellas and parasols, so does the Slambovian Circus of Dreams annual show on the year’s penultimate night. The concert features a Mummers medley with banjos and unique renditions of songs such as “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers.”

“The parasols combine the Mummers tradition with that of New Orleans and its Second Line,” said Lloyd. “The umbrellas celebrate rebirth.

“We play the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival every summer. Our audiences there use umbrellas with lights — ‘Immortal Jellyfish.’ They live in the Hudson Valley and many of them come down to Philly for the New Year’s Eve Eve show.

“Our fans want to be part of the show. They want to show their respect and their love for the band.”

The band always approaches its New Year’s Eve Eve show in Philly as something special.

According to Longo, “I’m a South Philly boy and all my South Philly people bring umbrellas and dance like jellyfish. Coming back to Philly means a lot to me because it’s the place where I was born. It’s a great way to end the year. We’re all trying to find our best self.

“New Year’s is an analysis of what we want to be – where are we going to go this year. Let’s unravel everything we know and get back to feeling for each other. Let’s get in a room and escape what other people call reality – even though it’s not real reality. Real reality is love, unity and friendship.

“Philly is our hometown. It’s like we come back and bring it to the elders. Being in Philly at this time of year just feels right.”

The band has another feature that dates back more than a decade-and-a-half.

“We’ve been doing summer shows in the U.K. since 2008,” said Lloyd. “We’ve gone over every year except 2020 and 2021 because of COVID.”

In 2023, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams played the Fairport Convention’s Copredy Convention in Banbury and was named the “fans’ favorites.” They also played the Wickham Festival in Wickham with the Waterboys headlining.

“Our first time to play in the U.K. was the Rhythm Festival,” said Lloyd. “It was a classic rock festival with acts like the Animals and the Zombies. Jim Driver, who is involved with the Glastonbury Music Festival, asked us to play at the festival.”

The Rhythm Festival, which was last held in 2011, was an outdoor music festival held in Bedfordshire. From 2006 until 2010 it was held at Twinwood Arena, near the village of Clapham. In 2008, it was held from August 29-31.

Performers included Jefferson Starship, Saw Doctors, Richie Havens, Michelle Shocked, Big Star, Steve Cropper, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Zombies, Chas and Dave, Jah Wobble, The Pretty Things, Nine Below Zero, The Foxes, Neville Staple and Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams.

“They had us as the opening act for the festival,” said Lloyd. “And they also had us play as the closing act. People just freaked out over us. It was pretty crazy.”

This year, the Slambovian Circus headed back across the pond for a series of shows, including a pair of festivals — Devizes Arts Festival in Devizes and First Light Festival in Lowestoft. They also played shows in Pocklington, Saltaire, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Chelmsford and London.

The big news for 2024 has been the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the band’s debut album, “A Good Thief Tips His Hat.”

The album was initially released in 1999 and then re-released in 2021 after the band got control of its catalogue.

“The album was never released in the U.K. and is now being released by a British label,” said Longo. “We’ve been playing songs from that album. Learning to play songs from a 25-year-old album was like learning new stuff.”

Longo has been extremely busy at his home along the Hudson.

“I’m working on three musicals and four new albums,” said Longo. “I’ve been writing a lot.

“The musicals are moving along – starting to happen. The whole skeleton is coming together. I’ve been reading books about scriptwriting. It’s really about articulation.

“The albums are written and arranged. Matthew and I have been laying down tracks for one of them.”

“A Very Unusual Head,” which is the band’s sixth studio album, was released January 21, 2022, on their new label, Storm King Records.

“A Very Unusual Head” was recorded over four years in five studios and two countries. The album is a step away from the guitar-based Americana vibe heard on their previous albums.

“A Very Unusual Head” is a real Slambovian tribal project with contributions from many friends and a few “special guests” such as Dar Williams, Anthony Thistlethwaite (The Waterboys), Kolson Pickard (Tall Heights, Pico Romanesque), drummer Felipe Torres (protege of Carmine Appice and sideman for Davey Jones), drummer Matt Abourezk (Thin White Rope) and Tristan Tadin (keyboards).

Canadian engineer Dio Tadin (Tristan’s father) recorded the bulk of the album on a former reindeer farm near Peterborough, Ontario and at Big Blue in Cornwall, New York. Tadin’s resume includes work at Daniel Lanois’ studio in Hamilton, Ontario.

“We recorded two-thirds of the album in 2018,” said Lloyd. “We got half of it mixed and then COVID hit. We released ‘Beez’ as a single and made an EP that was only sold at our U.K. tour.

“Then, we pulled together all the tracks recorded over the last five years. We did a lot of work with Dio Tadin in Peterborough, Ontario. Then, the Tadins moved their studio (Big Blue) to Cornwall, New York – which is near us. We finished making the album there.”

Inspired by the Surrealists and early British Psychedelia and the paths they pioneered, the songs on the album deal with topics ranging from the pseudo-scientific to the pseudo-religious realms and other forms of hob-nobbery for fun and profit.

As always, the Slambovians’ songs feature great instrumentals accompanied by lyrics that are intelligent, socially aware, witty and mindful. Longo is a modern-day troubadour bringing a message to the people of 2025.

The new album displays many of the band’s influences — Beatles, Bowie, Incredible String Band, Syd Barrett, Brahms and The Waterboys…along with a good measure of Woodstock-era psychedelia.

“At the show on New Years Eve Eve, we have an original country song that we’ll be playing – ‘Ghost of The Grand Ole Opry — and rare classics,” said Lloyd.

“We’ll be playing some new things and some songs from ‘A Very Unusual Head.’ And we be doing some Christmas stuff.”

With the world getting crazier, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams wants to help things get more chill.

“We want to help with music – like it was in the ’60’s,” said Longo. “It’s time to bring some rebirth – to brings light to the end of the tunnel.”

Fans of the Slambovians are in for another treat in a few weeks.

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams will return to the area on February 22 for a concert at the Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com)

Video link for the Slambovian Circus of Dreams – https://youtu.be/9UTTwqUOJPE

The show on December 30 will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $25 advance and $28 day of show.

Other upcoming shows at the World Café Live are Jimmy & The Parrots on December 27, Paul Bumbry on December 28, and Too Many Zoos on December 31.

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will present Gillian Grassie on December 27 and the Laugh Lounge at Uptown on December 31.

Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) is a place to go if you’re looking for tasty music along with tasty food.

On December 28, Jamey’s will present The Blue Muthas.

The Blues Muthas are blues and blues rock. Steve Shanahan’s first album, “Blue Ranchero,” charted on more than 40 blues programs since its release 11 months ago.

Fans at Jamey’s can expect a holiday helping of Clapton, SRV, Hendrix and more.

Shanahan, a Delco native, is joined by guitarist Gene Hawrylak (Gene and the Hurricanes, Lights Out), a local Delco multi-instrumental musician for over 60 years; bassist Tom Donovan (Slim and the Perkolators bassist); and Judd Nielsen on keyboards.

The Blue Muthas show on December 28 will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20 advance online and $25 at the door.

Every Sunday, Jamey’s presents “SUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM” featuring the Philly Blues Kings.

The event features free admission.

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is hosting Gordon Sterling & The People on December 31.

The Philadelphia Ballet’s annual production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” is one of the most cherished—and longest running—family holiday traditions for families in the region.

For many, a visit to Philadelphia to enjoy the lavish presentation by the world-famous Philadelphia Ballet is an integral part of the holiday season.

This year’s production, which is running now through December 29 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-893-1999, www.philadelphiaballet.org), is in the fifth decade of staging of the classic ballet.

The ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale “The Nutcracker and The Mouse King” and set to a score by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky.

Featuring lively dances, colorful costumes and elaborate sets, “The Nutcracker” is a production that appeals to audiences of all ages. The original version of the timeless classic was first presented in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1892.

The ballet is performed under the guidance of artistic director Angel Corella. The ballet is based on the choreography of George Balanchine.

The Philadelphia Ballet’s production of the ballet features more than 100 performers and has an annual audience attendance of more than 50,000. And it is staged in one of the most beautiful performance halls in the country.

The version of “The Nutcracker” performed by the Philadelphia Ballet features everything audiences associate with the timeless ballet—a cast of 19th-century families celebrating Christmas Eve, a little girl’s dream of her Nutcracker Prince, the Prince’s toy soldiers battling a fleet of mice led by the Mouse King and the crowd-pleasing second act of dances in the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

“Right now, we’re still doing Balanchine’s ‘Nutcracker’ because it works,” said Corella. “Balanchine’s ‘The Nutcracker’ is one of the best in the world.

“The whole process makes it feel like it’s Christmas. There is hot chocolate. It’s snowing outside. The whole family is there and time seems to stop. It goes back to a certain place and time that everyone seems to recognize—being able to re-connect and share.”

Video link for Philadelphia Ballet’s “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” – https://youtu.be/ypfQQ2duYS0.

Ticket prices start at $25.

The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-648-4102, www.AMTshows.com) has its holiday show running now through December 30.

The AMT’s current show, “2024 Christmas Show: Joy to the World,’ is an all-new presentation of favorite sacred and secular holiday songs performed by professional artists from across the country. The show will feature spectacular vocal harmonies, lively musical arrangements, impressive dancing, and the music of the AMT Orchestra.

Also featured will be elaborate scenery, elegant costumes and a theater decked out with holiday decorations.

Audience members will be able to bask in the beauty of the season and cherish the stories of spirit and love. Beautiful snowscapes, child-like joy, cherished stories, the spirit of love, and all your favorite things about the holiday season are cast onstage in this glorious celebration of timeless holiday classics.

Ticket prices start at $ 25.