A Christmas Weekend Picnic

 Everyone is a kid at Christmastime, and I love when new holiday music comes out for the season that makes me have a little fun. Teens in the ‘80’s demanded our favorite bands put a modern spin on Holiday Classics. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed covers and originals from AC/DC, Twisted Sister, Type O Negative and Korn just to name a few. I’m excited since Covid, so many bands are really letting their creativity flow and Holiday tunes are included.

Being from Michigan, I love to promote my Mid-Western peeps and would like to spotlight a band from Minneapolis, MN. Friends who have caught them on the bar scene in the cities tell me they put on a hellava show and say the band is going places. Weekend Picnic released A Christmas Weekend Picnic EP, a must listen!

The EP opens with traditional Deck the Halls with jingle bells, a pause then BAM! Welcome to a heavier version of the classic holiday tune and more. Kinda like the Kool-Aid guy busting through a wall. Yeah, baby!

Weekend Picnic’s own tune, Wish List, is something of an ode to those who were kids in the 90’s and were creating their wish lists. If you were making your list then, you’ll recognize a lot of the lyrics. Listening to the tune will make you nostalgic for being a kid. Who says during the season, you can’t be a kid? Come on head bangers, admit there is always a kid inside of you and often comes out at concerts.

Thank God, they did a better version of “All I Want for Christmas”. I want to hijack every retail store and slip this one and Frosty into their Holiday Playlist. I’ll spend more time in shops. The darker sound in the reimagined Frosty the Snowman is F’ing awesome. I love the light-hearted tempo and vocals with sprinkling of the growls with a hint of dark guitar. Fun stuff!

Wrapping up with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” shows a softer side of the band. Don’t let the word “soft” fool anyone. While classical music is played the focus is on the rich vocals of Ehren Thomas. While the musicians are the soft glow of a fire, Thomas’ voice will wrap around you like a blanket on a cold winter’s night. This tune is a perfect romantic moment!

Personally, I think this release is not only fun but also shows the diversity of the band. So grab your honey, a few holiday beverages and decorate the tree tonight. Feel like a kid again and end the evening with romance.

The EP is an example of the band's talent and humor. The videos that accompany some of the tunes are a hoot.  Watch on YouTube

A Christmas Weekend Picnic

Listen here : https://distrokid.com/.../week.../a-christmas-weekend-picnic

 

Now through Dec. 8, the band is giving back by donating portions of proceeds to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation for kids in need now through December 8th!

For more information visit: https://weekendpicnicband.com/holiday-giving-2023

For more information regarding Weekend Picnic visit: https://weekendpicnicband.com/

#ThoughtsToPonder - The 12 Days of Christmas

People often think of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as the days preceding the festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year that lasts for the twelve days beginning December 25 and lasting until January 6 - the Day of Epiphany, when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world and recalls the journey of the magi. 

Four Magi? Sure, why not.
Middle son and friends before a Christmas Pageant. c2006

Concerning the popular song 'the Twelve Days of Christmas,' 

I learned this legend behind the text from an article in a church newsletter. 

 From 1558 until 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During that era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without the risk of persecution. 

The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church. Each element in the carol is a code word for a reality of our faith. 

 The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. The pear tree is a reminder of the cross. 

 The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments. Two great gifts which each Christian receives. 

Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love. 

 The four calling birds are the four Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John, which speak of Jesus. 

 The five gold rings recall the first five books of the Old Testament or the Torah. These books were treated by the Jews with great reverence and considered worth more than gold (Psalm 19:10). 

 The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation. Eggs are an almost universal symbol of new life. The laying geese God spoke the word and brought forth life. 

 Seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8): prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy. 

The eight maids a-milking are The eight Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10) nourish us as milk does. Nine ladies dancing? 

The nine ladies dancing could be the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

 The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. Lords were men who had authority in people's lives. (Exodus 20:3-17). 

 Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples. 

 Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed."

This legend has been around for a long time. It has been said the author of the song refuted any hidden meaning behind the song. 

One theory of the song is simply "it's a fun party song". A sort of "memory or forfeit" type game. It was popular with children as well. Folks would often sing the song much like we often sing "Row, Row, Row the Boat" in three parts.

No one may ever know if there truly is hidden meaning but the song is still fun to sing.