Philly's Uptown String Band To Perform At Falls Township Park

Philadelphia’s Uptown String Band will be strutting its stuff in full regalia at the Falls Township Community Park in Levittown as part of the park’s 2011 Summer Concert Series.

The Uptown String Band is a member of the Philadelphia-based Mummers String Band Association. The Mummers are an organization of various local city string bands dating back to the mid 17^th century. Donning weighty, expensive, and elaborate costumes during their performances, they execute well-choreographed musical numbers that are the result of countless hours of practice.

The term "string band" is a bit of a misnomer as the bands often include saxophones, accordions, drums and even glockenspiels, in addition to banjos and violins. It is also one of the pillars of Philadelphia’s cultural community and its traditions are as much an institution in Philadelphia as the Philly pretzel or the legendary Philly cheesesteak. Typically seen on TV as part of the annual New Year’s Mummers Day Parade, The Uptown String Band has been a parade fixture since 1938. On three occasions it has won the coveted crown for “top honors” in 1957, 1976 and 1977.

The band’s original headquarters were located in uptown North West Philadelphia until it moved to Hulmeville, Pa. in 1990. Despite moving out of the city, the collective’s heart is still beating very loudly in the city of brotherly love. As a non-profit the band performs shows locally, nationally and internationally in order to fund its rather expensive New Year’s Day spectacles. If you’ve ever seen the Mummers play you know what a treat it is. If you haven’t you’re in for one.

The concert will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 24 at the Phase 1 Pavilion in Falls Township Community Park at 9125 Mill Creek Road.