Mike Brooks
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Chris Penn, Tim DeLaughter and the Polyphonic Spree hosted their annual pre-Christmas extravaganza and variety show on Saturday. Now in its 19th year, the event is filled with music, Christmas shenanigans, novelty acts and entertainers of all stripes. At around 10 p.m., the little ones are off to bed, the Spree change robes and a rock and roll show closes out the evening. The English word confetti is adopted from the Italian confectionery of the same name, which was a small sweet traditionally thrown during carnivals. Mike Brooks Confetti: Small bits or streamers of brightly colored paper made for throwing (as at weddings). Mike Brooks Christmas, Polyphonic Spree-style. Mike Brooks


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It’s such a large show and such an offbeat presentation that it’s hard to believe next year will be the 20th anniversary. And, yes, tickets are already on sale. As Tim pointed out, kids from those early show are now returning as adults, some with children of their own. It’s an odd metaphor for the cycle of life, but there you go. Kids on stage stare longingly at all the confetti in the seats. Mike Brooks Singing is fun and all, but can we get back to the confetti? Mike Brooks I can’t find the confetti! Mike Brooks


The show may have music, costumes, animals and contortionists, but for children the star of the show continues to be the endless confetti blasts and the laissez-faire, free-range governance of its use by the smaller members of the audience. Confetti is everywhere and gets everywhere. If you attend, you will be finding it for months at the strangest of times and in the most surprising places. Believe me. Growing up with the Polyphonic Spree. Mike Brooks I don’t mean to harp about the confetti. Ha ha, get it? Mike Brooks

Enjoy the photos from this year’s edition.

Tim, explaining the history of confetti.
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Amazing. Not confetti, but amazing.
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Tilda Grace is one of the performers we have seen grow up through the Christmas show. Confetti had to be cleared for this part of the show.
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The Travoltas are always fun.
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Paul Slavens sings about public school.
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Jumping over confetti!
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Poppy Xander of the Polyphonic Spree.
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Nick Earl of the Polyphonic Spree.
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Wait, confetti and balloons?
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Pulling back the curtain on the confetti machine.
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Nick Earl got us into Christmas on Saturday night.
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The Polyphonic Spree angels.
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The white keys are hard to find under all that confetti.
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The Polyphonic Spree got festive as ever.
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Did the original little drummer boy have this many tattoos?
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We killed it. Mark Pirro of the Polyphonic Spree.
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Christmas exploded at The Majestic Theatre.
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Can there be too much confetti?
Mike Brooks