From 17 November 2021
Carnival of the Animals
31 – Man-eating Squirrels
30 – Disruptive Donkeys
The group is randomly split into two teams.
Team 1 – Man-eating Squirrels
Team 2 – Disruptive Donkeys
Points
The artist
1 point if the artist or band has an animal in their name.
It’s in the words
1 point if the song is about or references an animal.
First time
1 point if the song (original/cover/remix) has never been played on a lockdown or music evening. The song must be on the musicevening.co.za website to qualify as previously played.
Mythical beastie
1 point if the animal referenced is mythical or fictitious.
Circus tricks
1 point if the animal was used in circus acts in days gone by. (Maybe even today.) If you are going with a fictitious animal you will need to prove your point by referencing a movie or book.
A few rules
The points add up. You can score from 0 to 5 points for your team.
After your song is posted, please state the points you are claiming with substantiation for each point if it is not obvious.
Other members may object to the claim within 24 hours. After that, the points are allocated.
The Wheel of Destiny has chosen the teams and decided the Joker.
We play in the order as listed starting with the first person in Man-eating Squirrels then the first in Disruptive Donkeys.
See the schedule below for when your turn comes up.
Good luck!
The Program
Wed 17 – Chrisna – Man-eating Squirrels
Thu 18 – Arno – Disruptive Donkeys
Fri 19 – Wilfred – Man-eating Squirrels
Sun 21 – Errol– Disruptive Donkeys
Mon 22 – Karen – Man-eating Squirrels
Tue 23 – Zosia– Disruptive Donkeys
Wed 24 – Geraldine – Man-eating Squirrels
Thu 25 – Paul– Disruptive Donkeys
Fri 26 – Esther – Man-eating Squirrels
Sat 27 – Sue– Disruptive Donkeys
Sun 28 – Deborah – Man-eating Squirrels
Mon 29 – Richard– Disruptive Donkeys
Tue 30 – Liezel – Man-eating Squirrels
Wed 01 – Lynda– Disruptive Donkeys
Man-eating Squirrels
Chrisna
Cat Stevens “I Love My Dog”
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 0 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Wilfred
DEF LEPPARD – “Animal”
I am shooting for 4 points here. Also, this is a favourite song.
The animal referenced in the song is a wolf. Now the saying goes “A lion may be stronger, but a wolf does not perform in the circus”.
After much research, I found that they do perform, with the small caveat that they are mostly on a leash. (I presume for safety of sorts 🤷🏻)
The first clip is my song, the second is just proof of wolves in a performance. (No need to watch it, the wolves appear around 3:30)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 0 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Karen
Wolf and Raven – Lair of the Dragon ( The Elder Scrolls ) BY AMEN
I am claiming 5 points….
1. The artist – wolf and raven
2. The title and words Dragons Lair… The arent words but my second video shows the dragon in motion which speak a thousand words
3. First time played
4. Mythical beastie….a dragon
5. Circus…The dragon was included in a very old movie…
7 faces of Dr Lao
An old Chinese gentleman rides into the town of Abalone, Arizona and changes it forever, as the citizens see themselves reflected in the mirror of Lao’s mysterious circus of mythical beasts.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 1 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 5 |
Geraldine
Cats (2019) – Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Scene
My song: Cats [2019] – Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats.
The Chorus Cats are a large group of unnamed ensemble cats in the 2019 Cats movie. They are portrayed by many different actors and can be seen throughout the film.
Jellicle cats are a magical, mythical type of feline from T. S. Eliot’s 1939 light poetry book Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. … Many of these characters originated from Eliot’s book, while others are named after characters from other works by Eliot or were invented for the musical.
Eliot’s secretary wrote in a 1959 letter that “Jellicle” is a diminutive of “Jellylorum” (the name of Eliot’s cat), with the Jellicle Cat descriptions given in Eliot’s poem “The Song of the Jellicles” being based on said cat.
What exactly is a Jellicle cat?
The cats in Cats aren’t regular cats — they’re mystical, cool cats with magical powers and can talk, sing and dance.
In my modest way I am calculating 5 points as follow:
1. The Artist: The Chorus Cats in the musical movie Cats.
2. It’s in the words: Clearly all about the mystical, cool magical
Jellicle cats.
3. First Time: Not played before: (I have checked – hope I am right}
4. Mystical – By their own words in the song, mystical cats
5. Circus Tricks: The amazing Acro-Cats trained by Samantha
Martin.
The Amazing Acro-Cats
Samantha Martin: Circus Cats Are Lions of Their Profession, but Domestic at Heart. Click and view this amazing story.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 1 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 5 |
Deborah
Eagle-Eye Cherry – When Mermaids Cry
The artist
1 point if the artist or band has an animal in their name.
The Band – Eagle-eye Cherry
It’s in the words
1 point if the song is about or references an animal.
The Song – When Mermaids Cry
First time
1 point if the song (original/cover/remix) has never been played on a lockdown or music evening. The song must be on the musicevening.co.za website to qualify as previously played.
Never been played before.
Mythical beastie
1 point if the animal referenced is mythical or fictitious.
Mermaids are mythical.
Circus tricks
1 point if the animal was used in circus acts in days gone by. (Maybe even today.) If you are going with a fictitious animal you will need to prove your point by referencing a movie or book.
Mermaids are still used in the Circus Siren Pod today. Please see video for reference.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 1 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 5 |
Liezel
Shakira – She Wolf
I was going to post the song Werewolf by Cat Power and it would only have scored a 5 …, as I didn’t want to let the team down, but I just couldn’t post another “Thursday” song and that was like a slit-your-wrists downer song
So here’s one infinitely more fun, especially for the boys
The artist
1 point if the artist or band has an animal in their name.
Artist: Shakira
It’s in the words
1 point if the song is about or references an animal.
The Song – She Wolf – also known as a female Werewolf
First time
1 point if the song (original/cover/remix) has never been played on a lockdown or music evening. The song must be on the musicevening.co.za website to qualify as previously played.
Never been played before.
Mythical beastie
1 point if the animal referenced is mythical or fictitious.
Werewolves are mythical.
Circus tricks
1 point if the animal was used in circus acts in days gone by. (Maybe even today.) If you are going with a fictitious animal you will need to prove your point by referencing a movie or book.
Werewolves have been used in their unchanged form (as seen here by Shakira) before changing into their She-Wolf shape … they can take many intoxicating sexy humanoid forms, and would be used in the circus because of this power, however I don’t believe any circus has been brave enough to let the wolves out during full moon at midnight.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 0 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 1 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Disruptive Donkeys
Arno
Imagine Dragons – Birds
The Alkonost is, according to Slavic mythos and folklore, a woman-headed bird.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 0 |
| Mythical beastie | 1 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Errol
The Irish Rovers – The Unicorn
My song today is The Unicorn by The Wild Irish Rovers.
I’m shooting for a 5, and here’s my motivation:
1. THE ARTIST
a) In 1729, the upper-class English treated their Irish servants with a great deal of inhumanity. Jonathan Swift wrote the “A Modest Proposal” with the fundamental view that the Irish are animals that serve the British.
b) Especially after football or rugby games, pub patrons have often described the Irish as ‘Animals’.
c) If you don’t like that, Rover is a dog.
2. IT’S IN THE WORDS
Clearly, this song references an animal – the unicorn.
3. FIRST TIME
For sure, this song has never been played before on lockdown or music evenings. I have also verified this with the group archivist.
4. MYTHICAL BEASTIE
According to Wikipedia: “The unicorn is a legendary creature that been described since antiquity a beast with a single large, pointed horn projecting from its forehead (Note: Not specifically a horse).”
5. CIRCUS TRICKS
Here is a circus poster of a unicorn, Lancelot, that for many years, performed at the Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey Circus:
You may say ‘Ha, it’s just a poster!’, but wait – there is more.
Here is a photo of a circus performer with the Unicorn:
You may say ‘Ha, clearly just attached for the show!’, but wait – there is more.
An official investigation stated the following: Dr. Charles Reid, distinguished professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, held the X-ray up for the gathered reporters to see. It was quite clear, he told them, that the horn of the creature in the radiograph was part of the skull. It was not an implant or an artificial addition. Another professor, Dr. William Donawick, declared the Unicorn “content, healthy,” and—in case there was doubt—“living.” Lancelot had just been validated. He was a content, healthy, living unicorn.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 0 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 1 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Zosia
Blackhawk – Wild Horses
The most common mythical horse creatures are the Pegasus, Unicorn, Centaur, Kelpie, and Hippogriff. These mythical horses have played important roles in many different cultures, often being portrayed as powerful and important creatures.22 Apr 2021.
Claiming mythical rights of horses for the 5th point
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 0 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Paul
Mr. Fox – The Gay Goshawk
ARTIST HAS ANIMAL IN THE name
Another point for its in the words
Definitely a 1st timer
Mythical beastie for sure
The Circus Act: The Archaic Use of Animals for Entertainment
Zebras, camels, a fox and a raccoon are among the animals being used in two licensed circuses in England at the moment. In Ireland, elephants and big cats are being used again this year and at present it is legal to use any animal in English circuses as long as the circus is licensed.
By
Stephanie Allen
Press Officer in children’s publishing, former journalist, English graduate. Passionate about books, fitness, animal welfare and equality.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 1 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 5 |
Sue
Steppenwolf band
“Hippo stomp song”
3 ×39 year-old hippos in a Russian Circus according to Reuters.com 11 July 2016 plus video
Barnam and Bailey had a baby hippo in their circus
Not played before
In Greek mythology hippo Hippo means “horse” or may refer to the following personages: 1 hippo one of the 3000 Oceanids, water-nymph daughters of the Titanic Oceanus and his sister-spouse Tethys.
2. Hippo, a Thespian princess as one of the 50 daughters of King Thespius and Megamede or by one of his many wives.
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 0 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
Richard
The Rat Pack – Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
A Martin is any of the several swallows belonging to the family Hirundinidae. A rat is a medium size long tail rodent of the order Rodentia. The two species normally don’t get on with each other. Reindeers have performed in various circuses, mainly in Siberia. The story of Rudolph becomes a myth when you turn five (in my case 12). Approaching Yule tide I thought the song to be appropriate
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 1 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 5 |
Lynda
The Monkees – The Monkees Theme (Hey Hey We’re the Monkees)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The artist | 1 |
| It’s in the words | 1 |
| First time | 1 |
| Mythical beastie | 0 |
| Circus tricks | 1 |
| Total | 4 |