Charles’ 
Slide of the Week: October 19th, 2008
Siamese Shriners, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1957
Dirty titty-pink carpet and spindly split-leaf philodendrons are upstaged by misplaced white plastic geraniums and twin Nobles joined at the tuxedo. I always enjoy seeing people dressed alike in slides and, of course anything to do with Shiners, but these two guys are, in no uncertain terms, taking it to a whole new level. And gents if you’ve never had a tasseled fez on your head what are you waiting for? I’m here to tell you when you do your imagination will be inspired and your man-spirit will soar!
Shriners have fascinated me as long as I can remember. And not for any reason more than the fact they wear those amazing tasseled fezzes. They also parade in Arabian inspired bright colored satin costumes while wearing their oh-so fashionable fezzes. But that’s not all they do.
The fez sporting gents date back to 1871 in New York City when the first formal Shriner meeting was held. The goal of the group was fun, fellowship and philanthropy. It was, however, required that members were first a Freemason and held degrees from either the York Rite or Scottish Rite. Not just any Manny, Moe or Jack was eligible to join. By the turn of the twentieth century there were dozens of Shrine Temple in the US.
About 1920 the Mayor of Philadelphia, also a Shriner, came up with the idea that the fez fraternity should “undertake something for the friendless, orphaned and crippled children.”
That became and today remains the group’s central focus. There are currently nineteen Shrine Hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Thank you Shiners for your tradition of generosity and for wearing those fantastic fezzes!
Here’s to Shriners, their fezzes and YOU!
Charles Phoenix
Los Angeles
October 2008
12 Comments on “Siamese Shriners, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1957”
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October 19th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Is “titty-pink carpet” really appropriate in a newsletter or show that can be great fun for children and their parents and grandparents? So little entertainment is available that spans the generation gap. We have enjoyed your shows and believe they are great fun for all ages, and youngsters are interested in how their parents and grandparents lived in the “dark ages.”
Hope to attend another slide show soon,
Dan and Lucy
October 19th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
…and let’s not forget the miniature Model T’s that putt putt down all the parade routes. HONK HONK!!
October 20th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Charles, Charles… CHARLES!
Ditto on the “pink ta-ta” comment from the Guido’s (”You REALLY want to get on the wrong-side of …?”
Oops. There I GO with the “50’s Incorrect” comments now).
But really. What would Martha Stewart say about the words you chose to describe that Pepto-Bismol colored carpet (especially the spoonfull THAT JUST WOULD NOT STAY DOWN!)?
Read the bio on you in this month’s AAA “VIA” magazine (did you meet Paula Downey? I fell in love with the SUPERMARIONATION CHARACTER that she looks surprising like! Ah. Puppy (puppet?) Love: http://www.tvparty.com/headers/supermar.jpg ).
Your Disneyland LA tours definitly sound a lot more attractive than the “Underground LA/Urban Exploration Tours” I used to run before 9/11 made crawling through utility tunnels (& “that long closed, mysterious, 1920’s PENNY ARCADE TUNNEL! in north LA)… AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HOMELAND SECURITY BOYS TO TAKE SOME TARGET PRACTICE.
We don’t see those guys on the Ghetto Tours I’m leading through the LA River now. Man. Talk about the “TWILIGHT ZONE TOWER OF TERROR” comparisons on THAT ONE!
October 21st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I think there are a lot more issues to worry about these days than using the term “titty pink”…….hardly detrimental to the kiddies & grandparents. I think they’ll be OK.
October 24th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Hello,
We saw your show last night in Portland. It was fantastic. I was impressed with what you were able to do without a script in front of you. Well done. Do you also do or have non-all-ages shows or slides?
Thanks,
James
October 26th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Thank you so much for bringing such entertaining pictures and imaginative topics to me, all the way in New Jersey.
October 26th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
When I lived in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a kid, my family and I would attend the Shriner’s Circus every Spring. Lots of fun. Keep crankin’ out the slides!
October 27th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Hi Charles,
Thanks for the great show in Kirkland. My wife got the tickets as a birthday gift from a friend and fan of yours in LA. You made her day! We had such a blast from the past!
Thanks!
October 29th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Saw you last Sunday, Oct. 26 in Kirkland, WA. Fantastic show and a lot of laughs! My brother and I are presently going through my parents’ slides (1955 - ?), so your show was quite timely for us.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for sending out the Shiner email w/a bit o’history about the fezzed fellahs … my grandfather was a very involved member of the Washington DC area chapter — including starting the Little Car club here for parades — and he was always so proud of their philanthropic work - and conversely was always so hurt when people would accuse them of being a satantic cult. While they mastered mid-century partying it’s also important people know how they help.
Anyhow — thanks, you —- as many other times —- have made my day.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:48 am
My grandfather was a trumpeter with the big Shriner band for many years and wore those funny elf shoes, with the curled-up toes and bells on the tips. Good stuff.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:50 am
Charles,
Thanks for the kind words for the Shriners. My dad was a Shriner and loved the fellowship and the good they did for children. My grandfather and uncle were also members and we have many good memories of their events. Too many people put down the Masons and the Shriners without really knowing the facts and it is so nice to see that you took the time to do a little research and spread the good word. We have seen several of your shows in Brea and look forward to one day going on your tour of LA with you.