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Gritty Appears at the Mann Music Center

By Colin Newby

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 19: Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty reacts in the stands against the Buffalo Sabres in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on December 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Sabres 6-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 19: Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty reacts in the stands against the Buffalo Sabres in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on December 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Sabres 6-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Flyers might not be playing, but Gritty still won’t leave the public eye.

Everyone’s favorite orange muppet appeared on stage at the Mann Center in Fairmount Park on Saturday night dancing to the tune of “Get Down On It” by Kool and the Gang.

HoagieNation, a celebration of food, music, and culture in the city of Philadelphia, took place last night at the Mann. Daryl Hall and John Oates were the headliners for the event, but even they took a backseat to the beloved Flyers mascot.

Hall and Oates are both former students at Temple University. Their success as a musical duo is considered an iconic representation of the city’s musical culture.

What better way for an iconic group associated with the city of Philadelphia to stir up excitement than with a crowd favorite like Gritty?

Gritty’s appearance with Kool and the Gang stirred up some excitement and drew some laughs, as always, but it was also a tribute to Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, the band’s late singer and co-founder. Thomas passed away at his home in New Jersey on Saturday. He had last performed with the soul-punk band on July 4.

Kool and the Gang received the Marian Anderson Award in 2019 for “critically acclaimed artists who have impacted society in a positive way” in the Philadelphia area. They heralded the city as an integral part of their career. Their music was even featured as part of the Rocky soundtrack.

HoagieNation 2021 donated portions of the profits from yesterday’s shows to Philabundance and the Mann’s Education Program. Aside from all the hilarious shenanigans that Gritty has pulled over the past few years, it’s encouraging to see him get involved in an event with such prominent cultural and charitable impact in the city of Philadelphia.

Expect the iconic mascot to stay in the public eye in one way or another before the Flyers get set to face the Vancouver Canucks on opening night October 15.

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