London J - New Year's Day Parade
Dec 29th, 2006, 07:56 AM
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London J - New Year's Day Parade
Just read in the local fish wrap that two area high school bands have been 'honored' to march in London's New Year's Day parade. The article made it sound like such a great honor - that the bands were personally invited by a representative of the Mayor's office after he saw them perform in some competition.
Bull tweed! It seems this parade, a recent creation of Mayor "Red" Ken Livingstone, is imitating the Vienna music school group tradition, where any group that can raise enough dough to go to Vienna will then perform in some historic place that no one will come to - it's a big business in Austria and though groups 'so honored' brag about it, to me it's just a money-grubbing thing - perhaps good for the music groups but should be presented as it is - getting kids to go door to door, do bake sales, etc. to scrape up the money so the group can be so honored. It's a sham.
And it seems the London parade folks may be in cahoots with whoever is running this operation - the parade when i was in London three years ago was a complete flop at that time - one tabloid's headline the next day said that there were more marchers than spectators.
Maybe it's changed - is this New Year's farce a big deal now - do Londoners really enjoy seeing kitschy majorettes, drum majors and off-noted high school bands marching around Big Ben?
Bull tweed! It seems this parade, a recent creation of Mayor "Red" Ken Livingstone, is imitating the Vienna music school group tradition, where any group that can raise enough dough to go to Vienna will then perform in some historic place that no one will come to - it's a big business in Austria and though groups 'so honored' brag about it, to me it's just a money-grubbing thing - perhaps good for the music groups but should be presented as it is - getting kids to go door to door, do bake sales, etc. to scrape up the money so the group can be so honored. It's a sham.
And it seems the London parade folks may be in cahoots with whoever is running this operation - the parade when i was in London three years ago was a complete flop at that time - one tabloid's headline the next day said that there were more marchers than spectators.
Maybe it's changed - is this New Year's farce a big deal now - do Londoners really enjoy seeing kitschy majorettes, drum majors and off-noted high school bands marching around Big Ben?
Dec 29th, 2006, 08:01 AM
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Bob,
It's a complete non-event. I've never been and I don't know anyone who has.
Most of the London populace will still have their duvets over their heads and be nursing a hangover.
Either that or they'll be being dragged down to Ikea by their missus.
It's a complete non-event. I've never been and I don't know anyone who has.
Most of the London populace will still have their duvets over their heads and be nursing a hangover.
Either that or they'll be being dragged down to Ikea by their missus.
Dec 29th, 2006, 08:11 AM
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One of the papers said that the bands were going to London in spite of being forbidden to go.
It seems that London is a city under siege and it was thought that they would be blown up as soon as they stepped off the plane.
Personally, I wouldn't go to the bottom of my stairs to see a teenage band of any nationality, but I'm a grumpy old man,
It seems that London is a city under siege and it was thought that they would be blown up as soon as they stepped off the plane.
Personally, I wouldn't go to the bottom of my stairs to see a teenage band of any nationality, but I'm a grumpy old man,
Dec 29th, 2006, 08:23 AM
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I'm not aware it's a money-grubbing thing: I don't think the bands pay - or are paid - to enter.
I've never met anyone who's been to it either (but then I've never met anyone who reads Hello magazine). There's an annual ritual of some media quoting what sound like huge numbers as alleged attenders. Oddly no-one ever announces how these numbers compare to the numbers you'd get round the West End any normal lunchtime.
Can't say I've ever noticed the area unusually busy on Jan 1, when driving round the edge of the West End always has less traffic than an average Sunday.
But maybe there's a whole secret army of parade watchers who get the tube in from Cockfosters or somewhere.
I've never met anyone who's been to it either (but then I've never met anyone who reads Hello magazine). There's an annual ritual of some media quoting what sound like huge numbers as alleged attenders. Oddly no-one ever announces how these numbers compare to the numbers you'd get round the West End any normal lunchtime.
Can't say I've ever noticed the area unusually busy on Jan 1, when driving round the edge of the West End always has less traffic than an average Sunday.
But maybe there's a whole secret army of parade watchers who get the tube in from Cockfosters or somewhere.
Dec 29th, 2006, 08:28 AM
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If you do a search here you'll see a post I did months ago about the Ft. Myers High School Band, which was invited to go, but was voted down by the Principal and other authorities -- due to terrorism fears. Quite a controversy followed including some major press back and forth with the London officials and threats like "maybe all Londoners should cancel their plans to visit the US where the REAL threat of terrorism exists". Bla-bla-bla.
Anyway, the band was finally permitted to go after a couple votes and tons of fund raising. They are in London now.
But as to the parade -- we were in London last year. My main objection was that there were too many people there. We tried and tried to find a decent observation point but couldn't. So the idea that it is a "non-event" seems a little silly -- obviously it was a big event to the apparent thousands lining the streets to watch it.
So why is it an honor? I'm not sure it is, nor do I know how they go about getting an invitation, but it is sure a wonderful experience to all the kids who get to go. Do you somehow begrudge them of that?
Your very biased final paragraph PalenqueBob makes clear you hate such things, but obviously many others appreciate them. Different strokes for different folks, eh?
Anyway, the band was finally permitted to go after a couple votes and tons of fund raising. They are in London now.
But as to the parade -- we were in London last year. My main objection was that there were too many people there. We tried and tried to find a decent observation point but couldn't. So the idea that it is a "non-event" seems a little silly -- obviously it was a big event to the apparent thousands lining the streets to watch it.
So why is it an honor? I'm not sure it is, nor do I know how they go about getting an invitation, but it is sure a wonderful experience to all the kids who get to go. Do you somehow begrudge them of that?
Your very biased final paragraph PalenqueBob makes clear you hate such things, but obviously many others appreciate them. Different strokes for different folks, eh?
Dec 29th, 2006, 08:33 AM
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and flanneruk, I'm not sure where you're driving around the West end on Jan.1 that you don't notice anything? All of the area from Trafalgar Squre (including the entire square itself), and then to and including Picadilly is completely closed to traffic. The Strand was a total mess as traffic was being diverted to avoid piling into the closed Trafalgar Square.
Dec 29th, 2006, 08:38 AM
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NewPat: No i really enjoy parades, etc. But this one seems like a foreign object being thrust on London. And that's OK - i guess you're an eye witness and there are many folks who enjoy it. Fine.
My problem comes with, to me hoaxey invitations IMO that are presented in such a way that this is a great honor, and that this is used to do all the fund raising, etc. to pay their way to London to march. Seems like Red Ken is usually the occasion to boost tourism to London in a slow season - with the bands come their parents, etc. And this is all swell...i do not begrudge them the experience...just the to me false impression that they are the only band so honored when i suspect any band that can come up with the cash can go.
Oh well, good luck to the parade, bands, etc.
My problem comes with, to me hoaxey invitations IMO that are presented in such a way that this is a great honor, and that this is used to do all the fund raising, etc. to pay their way to London to march. Seems like Red Ken is usually the occasion to boost tourism to London in a slow season - with the bands come their parents, etc. And this is all swell...i do not begrudge them the experience...just the to me false impression that they are the only band so honored when i suspect any band that can come up with the cash can go.
Oh well, good luck to the parade, bands, etc.
Dec 29th, 2006, 09:15 AM
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I was surprised last year when I saw that all the marching bands were American. I never realized that marching bands pretty much don't exist outside of the States.
I have little doubt that you're right -- any American band that asks and says they want to come could probably get an invitation.
By the way, what I did see of the very slow moving parade, was that the bands seemed to be the best part. There were floats that made the amateur home made floats at our local parades look like Tournament of Roses creations! Not much to the parade except the bands it appeared to me.
I have little doubt that you're right -- any American band that asks and says they want to come could probably get an invitation.
By the way, what I did see of the very slow moving parade, was that the bands seemed to be the best part. There were floats that made the amateur home made floats at our local parades look like Tournament of Roses creations! Not much to the parade except the bands it appeared to me.
Dec 30th, 2006, 02:20 AM
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I actually saw one of these bands last night - they were staying at the Novotel in Hammersmith. They were being taken into london on the tube by their teachers/chaperones.
They looked like they were having the time of their lives.
(I could tell they were a band as they all had the same outfits on, and I could tell they were American by their volume)
They looked like they were having the time of their lives.
(I could tell they were a band as they all had the same outfits on, and I could tell they were American by their volume)
Dec 30th, 2006, 05:19 AM
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Last year we also attended a performance of Otherwise Engaged in the West End. Behind us was a high school band group from the US attending the show. In one long scene the leading lady takes off her blouse and does the entire scene totally topless. I'm not sure who didn't do their homework when they selected this show for the kids to see, but who says that a band trip to London isn't educational -- and inspirational?
Jan 2nd, 2007, 09:11 AM
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What time was it on? About 12-ish? Do they have TV at midday?
When the hard core slobs are on their way to the pub for a second go, softcore slobs are still in bed, the keen are walking the slobrador on H Heath and the intellectuals are crowding out the dim sum joints?
But who saw the fireworks on the box at midnight though? After years of damp squibs, weren't they worth watching?
When the hard core slobs are on their way to the pub for a second go, softcore slobs are still in bed, the keen are walking the slobrador on H Heath and the intellectuals are crowding out the dim sum joints?
But who saw the fireworks on the box at midnight though? After years of damp squibs, weren't they worth watching?
Jan 2nd, 2007, 09:22 AM
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I saw part of it on PBS yesterday. One of the things that caught my eye was that one of the bands was from Catholic Central HS. There's a CCHS near where I live, but it wasn't the same one in the parade.
In some senses, not unlike a number of the American Thanksgiving Day parades, but no Santa Claus' arrival at the end!
BC
In some senses, not unlike a number of the American Thanksgiving Day parades, but no Santa Claus' arrival at the end!
BC
Jan 2nd, 2007, 09:28 AM
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i can't comment on the commercial aspects of how the bands' trips are arranged, etc. but i'm certainly not offended by 'foreign things being thrust on me'. i have enjoyed may 'foreign' festivals here in london - thais have a big one, russians, and of course, chinese new year, etc, etc. i doubt that anyone on this forum would dare question these events.
as for the band from florida...that story has received far too much press here in london. the whole school (and by extention, the whole of america) was made out to look hysterical over this one very minute issue. the press was really spinning this story in strange ways.
it's a total non-issue. school officials all over the world make decisions like this every day. and these decisions are rarely made on statistics alone (i.e. your chance of being a victim in london vs your chance at home). they are made on concerns for their own reputations, insurance, what they think people want to hear, what they think will get them elected, lawsuit risks, etc, etc. that's just life...not cause for an international incident. and my city officials and press are the ones responsible for turning a local non-issue from across the sea into an international incident. i'll be happy to see them go (if they haven't already) so that we can stop hearing about this non-issue. making public comments about the safety of florida in retaliation for a minor decision is playing politics with travel warnings...this is appalling and an afront to all travelers (although it is not the first time this has happened but one of the more blatent examples).
as for the band from florida...that story has received far too much press here in london. the whole school (and by extention, the whole of america) was made out to look hysterical over this one very minute issue. the press was really spinning this story in strange ways.
it's a total non-issue. school officials all over the world make decisions like this every day. and these decisions are rarely made on statistics alone (i.e. your chance of being a victim in london vs your chance at home). they are made on concerns for their own reputations, insurance, what they think people want to hear, what they think will get them elected, lawsuit risks, etc, etc. that's just life...not cause for an international incident. and my city officials and press are the ones responsible for turning a local non-issue from across the sea into an international incident. i'll be happy to see them go (if they haven't already) so that we can stop hearing about this non-issue. making public comments about the safety of florida in retaliation for a minor decision is playing politics with travel warnings...this is appalling and an afront to all travelers (although it is not the first time this has happened but one of the more blatent examples).
Jan 2nd, 2007, 01:10 PM
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According to the organisers' website, overseas groups can participate through an organised programme, which seems to consist of an accommodation and travel package with side trips.
I suppose the parade is something for people to take children to, but it's too cold for me to stand around at. We don't do this sort of parade particularly well anyway (look at the Lord Mayor's Show, for heaven's sake).
I suppose the parade is something for people to take children to, but it's too cold for me to stand around at. We don't do this sort of parade particularly well anyway (look at the Lord Mayor's Show, for heaven's sake).
Jan 3rd, 2007, 04:30 AM
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I was in London on New years Day and ' accidently' attended the parade. Many of the streets were blocked off and when I emerged from a river cruise at Westminster Pier I was pretty much unable to get anywhere and forced to watch the latter part of the parade. As indicated elsewhere, it seemed largely to be comprised of American high School marching bands and small floats from various ethnic and quasi-religios groups. But there were sizeable crowds where I was. I saw groups of these students almost everywhere I went over the next two days. I think it would be a great experience for them.
