holiday

What's in a Name? Squirrel Nut Zippers Edition

Laura Mertens — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 17:07:32 +0000

What's in a Name? Squirrel Nut Zippers Edition Laura Mertens Wed, 12/04/2024 - 12:07

In This Story

Get tickets for Squirrel Nut Zippers "Christmas Caravan" on Dec. 7

Learn more about the band

The joyous, platinum-selling Squirrel Nut Zippers “make audiences so happy,” the New York Times notes, having “latched onto a style with a party built in: jazz and novelties of the 1920s and 30s, driven by the swinging, rolling two-beat rhythm.” The North Carolina band’s introduction on NPR’s World Café gave fair warning to listeners: “If you hate fun, now would be the time move on to another session.”

So how did this raucous and exuberant group—which has performed at the 1996 summer Olympics in Atlanta, at President Bill Clinton’s second inaugural ball, and toured with Neil Young in 1997—arrive at its zany name?

Band founder Jimbo Mathus explained to the Homer News in Alaska, that the moniker manifested thanks to a caramel and peanut confection dating back to 1926. When brainstorming names with fellow band members, someone suggested they name the band after a candy. Mathus, who used to run a backhoe at an airport in North Carolina and would grab lunch at a little store that happened to sell Squirrel Nut Zippers brand of candy, said, “Oh my God. I have one in my pocket. What about Squirrel Nut Zippers? It seemed perfect for us.”

The candy, in turn, got its name from “Nut Zipper,” a southern nickname for illegal Prohibition-era bootlegged moonshine, and an eventual newspaper headline about an intoxicated man who climbed a tree and refused to come down, even after police arrived. The headline for the story read: “Squirrel Nut Zipper.”

Mathus noted the name “just seemed to be perfect. It was an arcane thing.” Deftly dubbed, the band’s sobriquet encapsulates its campy sense of humor and the sound NPR Music described as “a tongue-in-cheek salute to '20s and '30s jazz.” Mathus told the Miami New Times in 2023, "I think earnestness and satire can work hand in hand," he says. "All the old blues and jazz had this aspect of laughing to keep from crying. They used double entendres and coded words so they could slip things under the censors. We completely embrace that black humor, but our music is 100 percent heartfelt."

Catch the Squirrel Nut Zippers's Christmas Caravan concert this Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m., followed by a swinging afterparty in the Center for the Arts lobby with local dance group Gottaswing. The festive event will kick off with a beginner swing lesson and demonstration—all ages and all levels of experience welcome, no partner needed—followed by open dancing. Since 1994, Gottaswing has offered swing dance classes including 15 locations throughout the greater D.C.-metropolitan area, teaching over 4,000 students each year. A pre-performance discussion with Dewberry School of Music Professor Graham Breedlove will also take place 45 minutes before the concert begins.

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Center for the Arts

holiday

Friends of the Center for the Arts reflect on holiday performances at the venue

Laura Mertens — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 18:49:34 +0000

Friends of the Center for the Arts reflect on holiday performances at the venue Laura Mertens Mon, 12/02/2024 - 13:49

View holiday performances at the Center for the Arts.

Friends of the Center for the Arts reflect on holiday performances at the venue that have been special to them and evoked cherished memories.

Listening to The American Festival Pops Orchestra perform “Sleigh Ride” draws a picture that carries me into the crisp snowy night where sleigh bells are ringing, horses are clip clopping, chestnuts are popping, and friends are calling and singing carols. Then, with the crack of a whip and the jingle of bells, I ride down the road with my sweetheart to savor and share happy feelings and traditions! During “Sleigh Ride,” I can’t help but feel merry and bright, observing the smiles and energy of the musicians and wallowing in my memories of the special people, sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas seasons past.

—Janice Sutera Wolfe

The GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer has performed its Christmas concert at the Center for the Arts several times over the years and it always is an audience favorite. The first time I heard this amazing choir perform I was delighted with their beautiful harmonies and their incredibly extensive repertoire ranging from Gregorian Chant to Silent Night to A Charlie Brown Christmas. They stood on the Concert Hall stage attired in a rainbow of comfy sweaters which made me feel almost like I was with them in someone’s living room. It was not until several songs into the concert that they explained that they usually performed in tuxedos but that the airline had lost their luggage and that the sweaters were a last-minute replacement. I have seen Chanticleer at the Center other holiday seasons, but the first time with the sweaters will always be my favorite.

—Paulette Miller

One holiday season several years ago, one of the orchestras visiting the Center for the Arts played Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Medley,” which is one of my two favorite carols (the other one is “Carol of the Bells.”) For years now, whenever we start to decorate the house for Christmas, “A Christmas Medley” is the tune I play to kick things off. It’s great hearing it on a music system, but it is OUTSTANDING to hear it performed live!

—Mark Roddy

Holiday concerts performed at the Center for the Arts by the Natalie MacMaster/Donnell Leahy family have been a favorite of mine whenever they come to Fairfax. Their chatting together on stage, reminiscing about Christmas times in Cape Breton Island have always evoked warm memories of my childhood, when grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins would all get together and tell long stories, sing songs, and imbibe in delicious holiday cuisine.

—Bob Warakomsky

View 2024 holiday concerts at the Center for the Arts.

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CFA

Friends of the Center for the Arts

holiday

Holiday Haul of Festive Concerts at the Center for the Arts

Laura Mertens — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 21:52:51 +0000

Holiday Haul of Festive Concerts at the Center for the Arts Laura Mertens Tue, 11/05/2024 - 16:52

Learn more about Canadian Brass on Nov. 30

Learn more about Take 6 on Dec. 1

Learn more about Squirrel Nut Zippers on Dec. 7

Learn more about American Festival Pops Orchestra on Dec. 14

HOLIDAYS AT THE CENTER

Canadian Brass

Making Spirits Bright
Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.

Canadian Brass kicks off the holiday season with a program of original arrangements and signature takes on beloved classics such as “Christmas Time is Here,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and songs of Hanukkah. These joyous musicians have performed across the globe, recorded more than 130 albums, and created their own musical world by transcribing, arranging, and commissioning more than 600 works.

Tickets: $60, $51, $36; half-price for youth through Grade 12

GET TICKETS

Take 6

Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.*

The most awarded a cappella group in history, Take 6, brings its superlative vocal genius to the Center for a gospel-infused holiday concert. Take 6 has captivated audiences for more than three decades, earning 10 GRAMMY Awards, 10 Dove Awards, 2 NAACP Image Awards, a Soul Train Award, and more.

*This performance will be ASL interpreted.

Tickets: $55, $47, $33; half-price for youth through Grade 12

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Squirrel Nut Zippers

Christmas Caravan
Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.

Swing into the holiday season with platinum-selling jazz-rock band Squirrel Nut Zippers. Serving up a boisterous blend of Delta blues, big band, klezmer jazz, and calypso sound in their holiday program Christmas Caravan, Squirrel Nut Zippers is sure to get audiences dancing along.

Tickets: $55, $47, $33; half-price for youth through Grade 12

GET TICKETS

American Festival Pops Orchestra

Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season
Peter Wilson, conductor
Saturday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m.

The American Festival Pops Orchestra (AFPO) continues its annual tradition of spreading musical goodwill and cheer in this audience favorite! Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season returns under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor Peter Wilson, the former senior enlisted music advisor to The White House who served as a Marine violinist for 30 years.

Tickets: $60, $51, $36; half-price for youth through Grade 12

GET TICKETS

This performance also takes place on Friday, December 13 at 8 p.m. at our sister venue, Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA.

HOLIDAY OFFERING FROM OUR FRIENDS AT FAIRFAX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with The Fairfax Ballet
Dec. 21–22 at 4 p.m.

The Fairfax Symphony joins the Fairfax Ballet in a special collaboration to present the timeless holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, with guest soloists from New York City Ballet. Experience this rare, D.C.-area production featuring LIVE music together with the magical ballet. Perfect for the entire family!

Tickets: $89, $69, $59, $49

GET TICKETS

Topics

Center for the Arts

CFA

holiday

holiday

What's in a Name? Squirrel Nut Zippers Edition

In This Story

Get tickets for Squirrel Nut Zippers "Christmas Caravan" on Dec. 7

Learn more about the band

Topics

Friends of the Center for the Arts reflect on holiday performances at the venue

View holiday performances at the Center for the Arts.

Topics

Holiday Haul of Festive Concerts at the Center for the Arts

Learn more about Canadian Brass on Nov. 30

Learn more about Take 6 on Dec. 1

Learn more about Squirrel Nut Zippers on Dec. 7

Learn more about American Festival Pops Orchestra on Dec. 14

HOLIDAYS AT THE CENTER

Canadian Brass

Making Spirits Bright Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.

Take 6

Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.*

Squirrel Nut Zippers

Christmas Caravan Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.

American Festival Pops Orchestra

Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season Peter Wilson, conductor Saturday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with The Fairfax Ballet Dec. 21–22 at 4 p.m.

Topics

Making Spirits Bright
Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.

Christmas Caravan
Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.

Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season
Peter Wilson, conductor
Saturday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m.

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with The Fairfax Ballet
Dec. 21–22 at 4 p.m.