Tag Archives: Thanksgiving

What to Expect (Musically) in the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

21 Nov

Even the balloons are stretching!

There is just something about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, now in its 86th year, that gets me excited. Even as I grow older, I still like waking up and turning on the parade coverage – switching back and forth between channels – while I settle down for a leisurely breakfast. Perhaps I like the parade because it is associated with a family feast later in the afternoon. A full-day of football follows the three-hour display of floats, balloons, and performances. Heck, even a dog show annually appears on NBC from 12-2 p.m.

Maybe my interest is simply with the parade itself. I am a fan of the widespread display of optimism, the bundled balloon handlers stumbling down sixth avenue, the elaborate floats crowded with celebrities and musicians, the marching bands, the Broadway music/dance acts – the whole kit and kaboodle. There are not many events associated with pure, unadulterated happiness. The parade is one of them. Now, I’ll admit, I do end up only watching around 30-45 minutes of it (unlike when I was a child) before using the off time to catch up on schoolwork or visit the gym in anticipation of the impending shameless familial gluttony, but I cannot help but smile when I turn on the parade in the morning, and kudos to Macy’s annual event for giving me that every year.

Performers

Note: For a full list of performers visit Wikipedia.

The big musical acts of the 2012 parade are Flo Rida, Trace Adkins, Colbie Caillat, Chris Isaak, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Karmin. Broadway is sending Annie, Bring It On, Elf, Cinderella, and Nice Work If You Can Get It.

There are several other acts, though, including two I will choose to feature: Mannheim Steamroller and Don McLean.

Mannheim Steamroller is best known for their modern recording of Christmas music. They made an appearance in the 2011 parade and played “Deck the Halls.” Since Thanksgiving is essentially pre-Christmas, it is fitting that they perform. Here is “Deck the Halls.”

While Arlo Guthrie is not listed as a performer this year, Don McLean will provide viewers with a live version of “American Pie,” which, like “Alice’s Restaurant” is just quintessentially American. McLean will appear on South Dakota’s float because, why not.

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What to Expect During Macy’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (in 9 hours)

25 Nov

There is nothing quite like kicking off a day of joyous gluttony by watching oversized balloons and elaborate floats carefully navigate their way through the streets of New York City. Yes, you clumsily fall out of bed at around 10 a.m. and turn on the television to see that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, practically unchanged since when you were younger, is well into its broadcast. It is still basically the same concept. That is some of the joy of Thanksgiving. While family does change, every year you get together with them to share…well…food. But, we are a culture of eating. It’s natural. The meaning of Thanksgiving is far simpler than the deep message of unity. It is a good excuse to eat a lot of food with people you love and celebrate eating a lot of food with the people you love. Ah, what a great holiday.

Oh, yeah. There is also the pilgrims and natives. But, there is no need to delve into puritanism. Let’s just eat.

Before the feast, families often eat some breakfast while the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade provides a proper background of performances and musical acts. So, what music can you expect tomorrow while you watch the parade (9 a.m.-12 p.m.).

There will be performances by Kanye West, Jessica Simpson. You know what? Forget about the long list of names. Here are some musicians that you will see that are worth turning up the volume to listen to.

Gladys Knight should be fun. Arlo Guthrie will be performing and Thanksgiving would really be empty without 17 minutes of the broadcast devoted to him singing about Alice’s Restaurant. Okay, while that is not going to happen, Alice’s Restaurant is Thanksgiving. Eric Hutchinson will play. His “Rock n’ Roll” and “Okay, It’s Alright With Me” are great. Yeah, that’s about it. There are a lot of other performers, but, out of the stock of musicians these three are my highlights.

Since I am sure you will be bored tomorrow waiting for the feast to commence, here is Arlo Guthrie. Enjoy this masterpiece of story telling and humor. It all started on Thanksgiving.

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