the writing and photography of Neil Kramer

The Tenth Annual Blogger Christmahanukwanzaakah Online Holiday Concert

holidays

Welcome to the The 2015 Blogger Christmahanukwanzaakah Online Holiday Concert! It is my honor to be with you here for the TENTH year of this concert.

Ten years!  Can you believe it?  Who knew that so many bloggers were also such talented singers and musicians?  And some even brave enough to sing so poorly?  I’m proud that we kept this concert running for ten years, and embraced the concept of diversity long before it was a social media trend.

munich

Munich’s Traditional Gay Christmas Market photographed by Marty of Deutschland uber Elvis

It’s been a fun run.   I’ve met some cool people during these concerts.  One year we  attracted an audience large enough to fill Radio City Music Hall!  I even turned down two offers of concert monetization; it just seemed wrong.   Commerce and Commercialization have absolutely nothing to do with the Holiday Season, right?  I know it sounds corny  because it is such a cliche,  but the concert was always about the community.

Jeez, that did sound corny.

Eh, what the hell.  It’s the holidays.  Embrace the corny.   So, to paraphrase Tiny Tim in the politically-correct version of “A Christmas Carol” – “A Merry Christmahanukwanzaakah to us all; God bless us, every one!”

Here are a few of the performers from the last decade who brought a little bit of joy each year:

Thanks again, and may we all be happy, healthy, and creatively productive in 2016!

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poster 1

First Concert Poster, 2006, of Jamelah

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Holiday “Hamilton” performed  by Jenny of Oh Jenny Mae

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Second Concert Poster, 2007

poster 2

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Silver Bells performed by Elizabeth Robinson  (Kizz) of  117 Hudson and Sara Stopek

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Third Concert Poster, 2008

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Cool Yule performed by Elly Lonon of BugginWorld

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concert 5

Fourth Concert Poster, 2009

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Holiday Imagining by Angela of Fluid Pudding

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Poster 5

Fifth Concert Poster, 2010

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Little Toy Trains performed  by Marty Long of Marty Suttle Long

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Concert 6

Sixth Concert Poster, 2011

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Wouldn’t it Be Loverly? performed by Danny Miller of Jew Eat Yet and his son, Charlie Miller

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Poster 7

Seventh Concert Poster, 2012

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Away in a Manger performed by Kristen Howerton of Rage Against the Minivan with Beer and Hymns members Chad Markley and Lauren Francis

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Concert 8

Eighth Concert Poster, 2013

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I Love New York at Christmas Time performed by Neil of Citizen of the Month and Jana of Jana’s Thinking Place

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Con cert 9

Ninth Concert Poster, 2014

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It’s The Time of Year performed by Noel Katz of There’s Gotta Be a Song, with help with his family.

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Concert 10

Tenth Concert Poster, 2015

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Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabel by Sister Becky Swanson and Delaney

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menorah

photo by Tabatha at So Tabulous

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Ner Li performed by Tamar of Mining Nuggets

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pissing

pissing boy ornament photo by Veronica

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Can I Interest You in Hanukkah by Bonnie of Theoryblog at Crib Chronicles with Oscar and Posey

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photo by Alejna from Collecting Tokens

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Ava Maria performed by Cindy Louise Allen

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joy

photo by Annette Kiesow

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Jingle Bell Rock performed by Ellen Bloom, from the first concert in 2006

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Thank you for another year of online friendship, debate, drama, following, unfollowing, Tinder dating stories, laughter, and comfort during times of sadness.

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Here are the past blockbuster concerts —

2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014

14 Comments

  1. Veronica

    A toast to Neil! L’chaim!

  2. Melisa

    So awesome, Neil!

  3. Paula Kiger (Big Green Pen)

    Thanks for putting so much effort into this; I loved participating last year!

  4. jana

    In spite of my inability to follow direction from you, this was the most fun to do! I love love LOVE all of these!

  5. Elly Lou

    Hooray for ukuleles!!!

  6. Kizz

    I cannot bring myself to believe that this is the final one. I plan to deny it as long as possible. I love this concert and all the ones that came before it! Thank you thank you thank you!

  7. Ellen Bloom

    Thanks for making this such a special time of year, Neilochka!! California misses you. Happy holidays from the Best Coast!

    • Elly Lou

      Your uke is breathtaking!

  8. Cindy Allen

    Fabulous! Happy Merry Christmahanukwanzaakah!

  9. Martha

    I really enjoyed this, as always! I’ve been looking forward to this every year since I stumbled across it in its second or third year. I’ve even contemplated starting a blog so I could participate! (didn’t happen) Thanks for the joy.

  10. Lin

    XO! 🙂

    Also, Happy 10th Anniversary!

  11. magpie

    So adorable. I loved your duet.

  12. Nadya

    Oh!
    Excellent video, they raise the mood. Congrats to the Decade!
    Happy holidays 🙂

  13. Wordle Solver

    Happy Anniversary!!! We really miss you in California omg! Happy New Year and don’t forget to play Wordle 🙂

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