V05
35 members of V05 celebrated Halloween this year at Wonder's Pub. Who will turn up for Festivus?
It was ten years ago this month that Festivus was introduced to the world through Seinfeld. When the episode "The Strike" originally aired one week before Christmas, little did viewers know that one of the show's writers would turn a personal family tradition into a holiday for the rest of us.
Officially falling on December 23 but celebrated throughout the holiday season, Festivus features a number of established rites, including the display of a Festivus Pole, a meal with plenty of booze, an Airing of Grievances, and subsequent Feats of Strength.
Lampooning the familial strife endemic to the holidays, the concept has caught on over the last decade among fans of the show and other pop culture devotees looking blow off some early winter steam.
There was some concern last year that the joy of Festivus was lessened following the racist outburst by Michael Richards during his stand-up routine at The Laugh Factory in L.A. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, once declared "Governor Festivus" for his well-known appreciation of the fake holiday, dropped his public support of the revelry shortly thereafter.
"The Governor doesn't celebrate Festivus anymore," says one of Doyle's spokespersons.
There's the Brady Street Festivus celebration on the east side of Milwaukee this weekend, though, hosted by the manufacturer of Festivus poles. These decorations sold swiftly last year, meanwhile, and fans point to Jerry Stiller as the actor who is most associated with the holiday.
"The cult has taken on a life of its own," declared one Madison blogger disagreeing with Doyle on the holiday. "And we cultists do nurse our grievances (in order to air them once a year). So, go ahead, boycott Kramer. But leave Festivus alone."
There will be a big Festivus party in Madison on Friday, December 7. The local disco supergroup rare footage from this performance:
Through most of 2006, group co-founders Catherine Capellaro (vocals) and Andrew Rohn (vocals and piano) were busy in New York preparing the Off Broadway production of their musical Walmartopia. The show opened back on Labor Day, though, which gave the pair some time to return to town and play a couple of shows with the dance nonet.
V05 guitarist John Feith and Capellaro answered a few questions from The Daily Page about the celebration and their plans for airing grievances this holiday season.
The Daily Page: Why is V05 celebrating Festivus?
Feith: V05 respects traditional holidays but we also are interested in being in the forefront of up-and-coming traditions. We believe Festivus has a chance of becoming an established holiday, especially if is associated to celebratory funky dancing.
Capellaro: We are doing our part in the "War Against Christmas." We also support the teaching of evolution in the schools and The Golden Compass.
Why is the party on Pearl Harbor Day? Isn't Festivus officially on December 23?
Feith: According to Wikipedia, my current Bible, the tradition "did not have a set date, but would take place in response to family tension, any time from December to May." The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be tense for many people, so December 7 is good midpoint day.
Capellaro: We believe that the airing of grievances and demonstrations of feats of strength are useful all year long, not just on the 23rd of December. We're getting an early start.
V05 wigged out for a Christmas party in 2006. Will there be wigs in evidence for Festivus?
Feith: Yeah, V05 did a Christmas show last year at the King Club where people saved $2 on the cover charge if they wore a wig to the show. This time, the show is free so we can't motivate wig-wearing with financial incentives. We can only state the fact that wearing a wig always increases your chance of having a good time.
Capellaro: Wigs are mandatory for V05 members, recommended for audience members. Everything's better with a wig.
What is the appropriate Festivus attire?
Feith: For this Festivus, we are recommending festive disco duds and wigs.
Capellaro: Nudity, Mexican wrestling outfits, wigs of all kinds. Our theme will be blue and silver.
