Mummers Ready To Strut!

by Maria Merlino
As the Clevemore Fancy Brigade practiced in the school yard at 9th & Oregon Avenue on a recent Sunday, the sun was shining and the temperature was 54 degrees. Not really the cold conditions of past Decembers; still, everyone was decked out in the red, white and black colors of the club. They’ve been getting the choreography down with twice-weekly rehearsals since September.
Wearing his Clevemore jacket, the oldest marching member, Rich Martino, 69, was surrounded by the board members as they congratulated him on entering the Veterans’ Hall of Fame for Fancy Brigades.

VETERANS’ HALL OF FAMER for Fancy Brigade, Rich Martino embraces his family and fellow Clevemore dancers, daughter Diana Rossi, son-in-law, Mike Rossi and grandson, Anthony Rossi, 8. Photo by Maria Merlino

“It was the shock of my life,” said Martino.
He credits his daughter Diana’s dancing skills that got him started in Mummery.
“We were at the Mummers Museum. It was 20 years ago. At the time, Pat Jackson was an officer of Clevemore. He saw my daughter dance the strut at the demo, then walked up to us. He wanted Diana to join the club. I also joined. The first two years I was a Marshal, the next 18 years I was in a suit dancing. I’ve never been with any other club but Clevemore. My son-in-law Michael is a member and my grandson Anthony has been marching since he was two.”
Clevemore Fancy Brigade started in 1936 at a hangout grocery store situated on the corner of Cleveland & Moore streets by Ralph Tursi, “the Godfather of Mummery”. They walked their first parade in 1937, but due to WWII, the club disbanded until the late ’50s and early ’60s, when they reorganized and began parading again, with Ralph Tursi still a strong part of the brigade.
Club President Don Cola has been in office for eight years but with Clevemore for 40 years. He is also a Hall of Famer.
“We’re very family-oriented. Clevemore has always inspired the family feeling that was originally built around Tursi, as his son (Dan, Sr.) served as the brigade’s Captain for many years, through the ’70s & ’80s, until his retirement in 1989. His son Dan, Jr. became Captain in 1990 and led the brigade until his Brother Ralph (the brigade founder’s namesake) took over in 1994 and became Captain,” he said.

CLEVEMORE FANCY BRIGADE will perform at Convention Center 2016. At rehearsal: Sergeant at Arms Joe Rita, Co-Captain Steve Masino, President Don Cola, Capt. Ralph Tursi, Secretary Jacqueline Tursi, VP Sherri Ouimette, Rocco Tursi. Sherri’s mother, Annette Granato, was first woman to be inducted into the Veterans’ Hall of Fame for Fancy Brigade. Photo by Maria Merlino

“We have a diverse membership,” Cola added. “All races, Christians, Jews, Muslims, women, LGBT, our own melting pot. Traditionally, this love of Mummery was passed from father to son, but today, it’s more father to daughter.”

This is proven by many of the club members today, including the Captain himself, as his daughter Jacqueline has been suiting up with the brigade since 1998.
This year’s theme is from the Far East. Look for the exciting opening act either at the Convention Center on Jan. 1 or on tape the evening on television.
Also look for added security on 2nd Street New Year’s Day evening, including Homeland Security, clear backpacks, can clean-up and crackdowns on underage drinking. Since the 2nd Street celebration has become more than a neighborhood event, more precautions will be in place (although at the 2015 serenade on 11th Street, Homeland Security was already visible).
For more info go to www.clevemore.com.

   Send article as PDF