By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Slambovian Circus of Dreams
There is an area holiday musical tradition that started in 2009 but will not continue in 2025.
Every year on December 30, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams performed one of their most important shows of the year at the World Café Live — the “Slambovian Circus of Dreams New Year’s Eve Eve” show at the World Café Live.
That run is over. This year, the venue is not hosting the much-anticipated show.
There is also a Slambovians holiday New Year’s Eve Eve tradition that started in 2009 that will continue in 2025.
On December 30, the City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia,
https://citywinery.com/pages/locations/philadelphia) will host the 2025 edition of the “Slambovian Circus of Dreams New Year’s Eve Eve” show.
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 December run of “A Very Slambovian Christmas” shows which finished with a show last week in Newtown (Bucks County).
“This is the third year we’ve done the show there,” said Lloyd, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from upstate New York where she and Longo reside. “It’s a nice venue.”
World Café Live is also a nice venue but not for the Slambovians right now.
“When we were trying to re-book the World Café show, City Winery jumped across and said – why don’t you do the show here?” said Lloyd.
“We like to try different venues – and City Winery made a very generous offer. Plus, World Café Live has been going through a lot of changes with management.
“Also, we want to build a relationship with City Winery. We’ve played the New York City Winery. And we’ve played the City Winery in Boston. But we’ve never played Philly’s City Winery.
“We liked playing the other City Winery venues. They take care of their artists. And, like I said, they made a really great offer.”
There was another factor in the Slambovian Circus of Dreams’ decision.
“Joziah is from Philly,” said Lloyd. “And Chinatown is one of Joziah’s favourite parts of Philly.”
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 in Philly 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.”
Longo has been extremely busy at his home along the Hudson working on several different albums and projects.
“The albums are written and arranged,” said Longo. “Matthew and I have been laying down tracks for one of them. The new album is started.
“But it’s hard to get the band in the studio because everybody is so far away. Matthew lives in Connecticut. Bob lives wherever Legoland is (Goshen, New York) and RJ lives in Massachusetts.
“Sharkey lives in the same town as us – Cold Spring (NY). It’s a town where Don McLean lived. He wrote ‘American Pie’ right up the street. Also, we’re just a half mile from Pete Seeger’s home. Cold Spring is a vortex of creativity.”
The Slambovians have been described as, “Exploring the depths of Americana one trippy tune at a time, influences and elements of Dylan, Bowie, The Band, Incredible String Band, Syd Barrett and The Waterboys flavor the musical mix.”
The Slambovian Circus has released more than a dozen studio albums. Right in the middle was “The Circus Does Dylan”, an album released in June 2010 featuring 12 Dylan tracks recorded live between 2005 and 2009.
Seeger and Dylan – especially in his early days—were known for singing political songs.
Wisely, the Slambovian Circus is not railing against the current political situation in America.
“Don’t pick a side – pick a future together,” said Longo.
Lloyd said, “We’re hiding out from politics completely.”
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is closing in on the number 20 for albums released. The band’s latest album, “A Very Unusual Head,” was released three years ago on the band’s own label.
“I’m a pretty stormy unpredictable person,” said Longo. “So, we called our label Storm King.
“We were D.I.Y. for the first four of five albums. Then, we partnered with Sony. But that didn’t work out and then COVID happened.
“We started our label with the ‘A Very Unusual Head’ album as the first release. Since then, everything in our catalog has been re-released.”
“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.
“We’re now working on our next album,” said Lloyd. “Everything is written and we recorded some of the basic tracks before Halloween.
“With the new album, we’ll be playing some of the songs in our show at City Winery. We’ll be playing a little bit of this and a little bit of that – and a little bit of surprise.”
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.”
Video link for the Slambovian Circus of Dreams – https://youtu.be/9UTTwqUOJPE
The show on December 30 at City Winery will start at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $36.
The Slambovians have been making music together for 27 years. That’s a long time – but it pales in comparison to Wayne Newton.
Fans and journalists make a big deal about the age of some of the singers and musicians who are still performing live – acts such as Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Roger Daltrey, Ray Davies, Rod Stewart and Stephen Stills who are octogenarians.
Wayne Newton
However, when it comes to longevity, few can match up with Wayne Newton.
Newton, who will bring his “Wayne Newton, Mr. Las Vegas: Memories and Melodies” to City Winery on December 26 and 27, turned 83 in April and has been performing professionally since his early teen years.
The versatile singer, who is known as “Mr. Las Vegas” and “Mr. Entertainment,” has become synonymous with Las Vegas. Newton celebrated his 60th year on stage with a show entitled “Mr. Las Vegas” at Caesars Palace that ran from January through May in 2019.
“I play 42 weeks a year in Las Vegas,” said Newton, during a phone interview from his home-away-from-Vegas near Kalispell, Montana.
“I’ve performed at least 30,000 shows in Las Vegas. I started here when I was 15 at the Fremont Hotel – six shows a night for six nights a week for five years.”
With that many shows a week, Newton had to find creative ways to keep the workload from taking its toll on his voice.
“I kept learning to play new instruments simply to give me some vocal relief,” said Newton.
He developed into a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays 13 instruments, many of which are worked into his shows.
Newton was invited to national TV when Jackie Gleason, for whom he performed at a Phoenix luncheon, took him to New York for an appearance on his network television show. He then performed on Gleason’s show 12 times during the next two years.
“Jackie Gleason gave me my national break on TV,” said Newton. “And he got me a job at the Copacabana. That’s where Bobby Darin saw me.”
Some of Newton’s signature songs are “Danke Schoen,” “Red Roses For A Blue Lady,” “Years” and “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast,” a gold record in 1972.
Bobby Darin produced and engineered his first recorded hits – “Heart,” “Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife,”
“Danke Schoen,” “Red Roses For A Blue Lady,” “Summer Wind” and “Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife.”
Newton’s mega-hit “Danke Schoen” was originally written for Darin to sing. However, Darin was intent on Newton having a hit song of his own and gave it to him. Newton’s version of the song was a huge success and reached No. 13 on the Hot 100.
“The guy who really got my recording career was Bobby Darin, who was an incredible talent, Bobby Darin,” said Newton. “He had ‘Mack The Knife’ and so many other great songs. I found out about a year after I had recorded ‘Danke Schoen’ that the song had been written for Bobby Darin to record, but he was so intent on making sure it got me a hit record that he gave me the song.”
It didn’t take long for Newton to establish a stellar career as recording artist – and as a performer.
“After years at the Fremont, I was the first headliner at the Flamingo,” said Newton. “Kirk Kerkorian built it when I was there. Then I signed with the Frontier Hotel which got bought by Howard Hughes. I spent many years with him headlining at his hotel.
“I bought the Aladdin Hotel in 1980 and performed there for five or six years. I was not happy with owning a hotel. I didn’t want to deal with the problems. So, I sold the hotel and then went over to Caesars Palace.”
Newton, who has played almost every major room in Las Vegas, occasionally plays shows away from “Sin City.”
“When you play Las Vegas, you never know where the people are from,” said Newton. “They’re from all over the world. Everybody in that room is from a different place, so they don’t have the camaraderie.
“Las Vegas audiences are so different. When you play a show in the Philadelphia area, most of the audience is from that part of Pennsylvania.”
Whether he’s playing a show on the Las Vegas strip or a concert at a downtown Philly club, Newton is a master of reading the audience.
“The set list is an improvisation,” said Newton. “To judge the audience, I start the show with three different types of songs – a ballad, an up-tempo song and a standard. The reaction of the crowd to those three songs shows me what it is they want to hear.”
Video link for Wayne Newton – https://youtu.be/U5EESSLuzqA.
The “Wayne Newton, Mr. Las Vegas: Memories and Melodies” shows at City Winery will start at 7 p.m.
Ticket prices start at $90.
Newton puts on a great show with entertaining videos, a great band and engaging narratives by Newton.
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams also puts on a great show with entertaining videos, a great band and engaging narratives by Longo and Lloyd.
Philadelphia’s City Winery is definitely ending 2025 on a high note.
Other upcoming shows at City Winery are “R&B Afterdark 4 Year Anniversary” on December 28, Adam Ezra Group on December 29, Purple Madness on December 29 and Kindred The Family Soul on December 31.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will present “The Laugh Lounge: New Year’s Eve Edition!” on December 31.
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is hosting Davide Pannozzo with Will Lee, Shawn Pelton, and Etienne Stadwijk on December 27 and The Influence 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.
Jamey’s will host Super Sabbath and Chable on December 26 and Swing That Cat on December 27.
On December 28, Jamey will present “SUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM” featuring the Philly Blues Kings with Clarence Spady.
This was posted on the venue’s website –
“Ho boy! The last Sunday Blues Brunch & Jam of the year at Jamey’s is going to be one for the books!
First off, our house photographer Tom DeLorenzo will be on hand to document the day in pics and will take studio quality 8×10 prints of you to take home for posterity. Gratis! Tom will also preside over the gallery quality print signing of his iconic image of legendary bluesman, Bennie Turner on stage with Clarence Spady.
Bennie is the 85 years young brother of Freddie King, and will no doubt join Clarence and the Philly Blues Kings on stage for a bit! We’re also looking forward to our dear friend Sallie Bengston, president of NOLA Blue Records, home to many of the finest players in the blues and celebrating the recent signings of Mud Morganfield and Maria Muldaur.
Jamey’s brunch is crazy popular and welcomes one and all to come for indescribably delicious breakfast washed down with elixirs from our Conshohocken Brewery bar. Best part? Totally FREE to walk right in and enjoy 3 hours of live blues. Noon to 3pm. Join the pro jam at 1pm if you play.
Come on out to the home of the Philadelphia Blues Society and catch the vibe!”
The Colonial Theater (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com/events) will host Start Making Sense Talking Heads Tribute on December 27 and New Year’s Eve at the Moulin Rouge! On December 31.
This year, People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, peopleslight.org) is presenting a production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” now through January 4 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage.
With inventive staging by People’s Light Producing Director Molly Rosa Houlahan, the company’s Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman brings Dickens’ beloved classic to life through the eyes of a child.
In this surprising and whimsical adaptation, audiences follow Ebenezer Scrooge and a gathering of benevolent ghosts on a journey through time showing the redemptive power of kindness, hope, and love.
This imaginative retelling features traditional English carols woven with a Barrymore-nominated original score by Berkman.
People’s Light remains committed to making theatre accessible and welcoming for all.
Open Captioning will be available during all performances from December 30-January 4, displaying dialogue on an LED screen to support patrons with hearing impairments and English language learners.
“A Christmas Carol” will run now through January 4 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage at People’s Light.
Ticket prices start at $35.
Video link for People’s Light — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zICXuBNoPuY.
“A Christmas Carol” will run now through January 4 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage at People’s Light.
Ticket prices start at $35.
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 30 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.
Balanchine’s choreography plays a major role in the Philadelphia Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.” The company has been doing both acts by Balanchine for the last 30 years.
Balanchine, who was named Giorgi Balanchivadze when he was born in Russia in 1904, was one of the last century’s most celebrated choreographers.
He was a primary developer of ballet in the United States in his position as co-founder and ballet master of New York City Ballet. Balanchine created his version of “The Nutcracker” for the New York City Ballet in 1955.
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.
Video link for Philadelphia Ballet’s “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” – https://youtu.be/ypfQQ2duYS0.
Ticket prices start at $29.
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 2025 show “Deck the Halls” 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.
The show features incredible singers, astonishing dancers, wondrous costumes, breathtaking sets, and all the endearment of a perfect fireside family moment. Patrons can bask in the beauty of the season and cherish the stories of spirit and love.
The show will have both matinee and evening performances each week with the addition of 10:30 a.m. performances on Saturdays throughout December. Tickets are $59 for adults, $57 for seniors and $30 for children.
