Zippers Annual Christmas Caravan Keeps The Holiday Magic Alive And Jumpin’

Dec 24, 2024 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

By Kelly Clausen

If you’re going to see a show in the cold month of December, you see a Christmas holiday show. And if you’re in the mood for a little fun, the Squirrel Nut Zippers Christmas Caravan is just the show to see and will warm the soul.

Each year Jimbo Mathus and the gang visit Chicago for a 1930s jazz/swing holiday show and it is a not to miss event.

Put on your holiday best and clap, dance and sing along to holiday favorites played in a new way – along with the classic songs you’d expect the Zippers to bring – like “Put a Lid on it”, “The Suits are Picking up the Bill” and “Good Enough For Grandad” to name a few.

The two hour show (with a brief break in between) celebrates the popularity of original songs from the Zippers plus some holiday favorites like the Vince Guaraldi Trio – Charlie Brown classic, “Christmas Time Is Here”, “Alone at Christmas” and “Carolina Christmas”.

The band doesn’t leave other faiths out of this performance. As multi-instrumentalist, Dr. Sick reminds us, just who wrote all the classic Christmas songs, “The Jews” he exclaims, as he breaks out those songs accompanied by his fiddle and gets the house going bridging both Hanukkah and Christmas together for a holiday mashup.

Nowhere else can you hear about a festive holiday trip to Cracker Barrel as well as the tune “Santa Claus Is Smoking Reefer” all being played on olde tyme classic instruments accompanied by slide whistles, washboards and spoons. But washboards and spoons aren’t the only instruments brought to the stage, the expected fiddle for “Ghost of Steven Foster” and horns for “Hell” solidify this is a Squirrel Nut Zippers show.

Cella Blue is the sole female presence in the band this time around. She brings another depth to the songs and show the boys can’t achieve. Her falsetto voice, animate character faces and holiday dress make her a stand out. She’s full of life and just a treat to follow.

Between songs, the band – ne’ performance troupe – you hear about some classic products brought to you in radio fashion. With sales pitches about iconic Zipper swag like, Squirrel Brand Peanuts and Squirrel brand salt water taffy. They keep the show lighthearted, fun and swingin’. They even invite the fans to get out of their seats and dance with them. And several did as they filled up the aisles.

The Zippers Christmas Caravan Holiday Spectacular is a show for the holidays with songs, props and skits. If it’s good enough for granddad then it’ll be good enough for you.