Calendar of Events

May 18, 2013MARITIME VOICES AT GREAT FALLS TAVERN

Ride along the historic C&O Canal and enjoy traditional songs before and after your trip!

The Washington Revels Maritime Voices will regale visitors at Great Falls Tavern on the C&O Canal, where the U.S. Park Service offers narrated trips on the canal on a replica of the old canal boats, pulled by a mule team. Stop by the Visitor Center to discover the history of the canal and its workers, and of the Tavern that started life as a hotel in 1831. Or simply enjoy the singing, the tavern, and the beautiful surroundings.

Maritime Voices will give a series of performances from the late morning to early afternoon, featuring songs about life on the canals and waterways of 19th-Century America as well as other songs from its repertoire. This promises to be a colorful introduction to one of the vibrant parts of our local historic heritage.

Cost: The performances and admission to the Tavern/Visitor Center are free; boat rides cost $5-8.
Date & Time: Event to be rescheduled due to weather – Check back soon for new date
Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center: http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/greatfallstavernvisitorcenter.htm
Location: Great Falls Tavern, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854

June 29, 2013“THE CIVIL WAR COMES TO ROCKVILLE”

Day-long Commemoration of the Events of June 29, 1863

As part of Heritage Montgomery’s commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the premier event on the 16th annual Heritage Days Weekend will be a 150th anniversary commemoration of the day that General James Ewell Brown (“Jeb”) Stuart raided Rockville – an event that, historians argue, may have affected the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg and the course of the remainder of the War.

The commemoration’s activities in downtown Rockville will include reenactor camps, historical lectures, Civil War-era music by Washington Revels and the Federal City Brass Band, portrayals of historic personages, walking tours of Civil War-related sites, crafts, kids activities, a reenactment of Stuart’s ride into town center and capture of local citizens, and an evening community dance. Washington Revels’ Civil War ensembles – Heritage Voices, Jubilee Voices, Voices of History, and the old-time Roustabout String Band – will provide most of the day’s music as well as portrayals of Abraham Lincoln and Anna Maria Weems, and the day will culminate in an outdoor old-time community dance in Rockville Town Square featuring the Roustabout Band and dance caller Janine Smith. Come one, come all!

Cost: Free and open to the public!
Date/Time: Saturday, June 29, 2013, from 10am to 5pm (dance from 6:30 to 8:30pm)
Program Details/Locations: http://heritagemontgomery.org/montgomery-county/civil-war-comes-rockville

June 30, 2013WASHINGTON REVELS at BETHESDA "BIG TRAIN"

Take me out to the ball game...

Once again, Washington Revels has been invited to entertain the fans before and during a Bethesda Big Train baseball game at the wonderful Shirley Povich ballpark, near Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The game that evening is against Big Train's arch-rival Youse Orioles. Come out and sing along with members of the Washington Revels Maritime Voices, and enjoy great baseball in a great setting!

Tickets: ADULT $9.00; STUDENT & SENIOR (65+) $7.00; CHILD (12 & under) $5.00
Date/Time: Sunday, June 30, 2013 (Gates open at 6:00pm; Game time is 7:30 pm)
Web site: http://www.bigtrain.org

November 3, 201330th ANNIVERSARY GALA

Save the Date!

On Sunday, November 3rd, 2013, Washington Revels will celebrate its rich history and look to the future at our 30th Anniversary Gala, to be held at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. 

Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for further updates.  If you would like to receive an invitation to this festive event, please send your email address to Claudia Dulmage - todesq@aol.com or call the Washington Revels office at 301-587-3835.

December 7-8 and 13-15, 2013THE CHRISTMAS REVELS

This year's theme and guest performers announced!

Seen by over 10,000 people each December, Washington Revels’ flagship production, The Christmas Revels, is a colorful pageant that celebrates the Winter Solstice and the return of sun and light after the “shortest day.” It draws on traditions and rituals from many lands and peoples—medieval, Renaissance and Victorian English, French, Russian, Roma (Gypsy), African-American, Scandinavian, American Appalachian, Native American, Renaissance Italian, Québécois, medieval Andalusian (Sephardic and Arabic as well as Spanish) and more—and from different eras.

With Orpheus, the bringer of music, as our guide, this year's Christmas Revels (Dec 7-8, 13-15 at Lisner Auditorium in downtown DC) visits the cultures and countries of ancient Thrace, Orpheus' original home. Join us for spirited dances of the Balkan mountains, the dulcet notes of the Grecian shores, thrilling melodies of Bulgaria and Turkey, and the distant echoes of Thrace that reached into neighboring regions.

This year’s guest artists include traditional Bulgarian folk band, Lyuti Chushki (Tzvety Weiner, Valeri Georgiev, Varol Saatcioglu, Larry Weiner, and Len Newman) along with Tzvety's husband—dancer, singer and percussionist, Bryndyn Weiner; Greek musician, Spyros Koliavasilis, and his Karpouzi Trio (with Margaret Loomis and Len Newman); and the Bulgarian folk-dance ensemble, Zharava, (Desi Jordanoff, artistic director).  But that's not all... joining us from Bulgaria are Tzvety's parents, acclaimed Thracian singer, Tanya Dosseva and master kaval player, Lyuben Dossev.  This high-energy Christmas Revels is not to be missed!

This December’s eight performances of our 31st annual Christmas Revels will be on the following dates and times: Saturday, December 7 at 2pm and 7:30; Sunday, December 8 at 2pm; Friday, Decemer 13 at 7:30pm; Saturday, December 14 at 2pm and 7:30; and Sunday, December 15 at 1pm and 5pm.

Cost: Adults $18-$45, Youth (18-and-under) $12-$27
          * group discounts for 10 or more tickets, kids 25% discount on Family Friday
Location: Lisner Auditorium of the George Washington University, 21st and H Streets, Washington, DC.

PAST EVENTS

May 17-18, 2013ADULT AUDITIONS for THE CHRISTMAS REVELS

Be part a spectacular holiday tradition!

Seen by over 10,000 people each December, Washington Revels’ flagship production, The Christmas Revels, is a colorful pageant that celebrates the Winter Solstice and the return of sun and light after the “shortest day.” It draws on traditions and rituals from many lands and peoples—medieval, Renaissance and Victorian English, French, Russian, Roma (Gypsy), African-American, Scandinavian, American Appalachian, Native American, Renaissance Italian, Québécois, medieval Andalusian (Sephardic and Arabic as well as Spanish) and more—and from different eras.

With Orpheus, the bringer of music, as our guide, this year's Christmas Revels (Dec 7-8, 13-15 at Lisner Auditorium in downtown DC) visits the cultures and countries of ancient Thrace, Orpheus' original home. Join us for spirited dances of the Balkan mountains, the dulcet notes of the Grecian shores, thrilling melodies of Bulgaria and Turkey, and the distant echoes of Thrace that reached into neighboring regions.

This year’s guest artists include traditional Bulgarian folk band, Lyuti Chushki (Tzvety Weiner, Valeri Georgiev, Varol Saatcioglu, Larry Weiner, and Len Newman) along with Tzvety's husband—dancer, singer and percussionist, Bryndyn Weiner; Greek musician, Spyros Koliavasilis, and his Karpouzi Trio (with Margaret Loomis and Len Newman); and the Bulgarian folk-dance ensemble, Zharava, (Desi Jordanoff, artistic director).  But that's not all... joining us from Bulgaria are Tzvety's parents, acclaimed Thracian singer, Tanya Dosseva and master kaval player, Lyuben Dossev.  This high-energy Christmas Revels is not to be missed!

While Revels uses a number of professional performers in its productions, its volunteer choruses - adults, teens and children - are at its core. We value the presence of new faces in our choruses every year. We also look for a variety of ages, ancestries, sizes and personalities to create a realistic "village" on stage. People of diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to audition. The ability to read music is helpful but not required.

» Learn More about auditions and how to make an appointment

May 4, 2013MAY REVELS at the WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

Celebrate Spring with Washington Revels at the 2013 Flower Mart, sponsored by the National Cathedral All Hallows Guild!

We will once again “bring in the May” as part of the annual All Hallows Guild Flower Mart – a popular two-day festival since 1939. Washington’s favorite spring outdoor family event features plants, herbs, food, puppet shows, carousel rides, boutiques and entertainment for the whole family. Washington Revels will present a one-hour American-themed show celebrating Spring with a colorful procession, traditional songs and dances, the crowning of a May Queen, children’s singing games, and a short play with Johnny Appleseed and other folk heroes. And of course, there will be lots of opportunities for audience participation, even in the May Pole dance!

Cost: Free and open to the public!
Date/Time: Saturday, May 4 at 2:00pm (Fair hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm)
Location: Wisconsin & Massachusetts Aves., NW Washington, DC 20016-5098 <view directions>
Event Web Site: 2013 All Hallows Guild Flower Mart

April 27, 2013MADRIGALS, MORRIS, and MAYPOLE

Celebrate Spring at the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) Garden Fair and Plant Sale.

The Washington Revels Gallery Voices will entertain with madrigals and some traditional Revels songs, for a day of merriment. We will dance the Maypole several times and invite fairgoers to join us in more Maypole dancing. The Arlington Northwest Morris will be on hard throughout the day to "dance in the Spring" with style.While you are there, pick up some wonderful green stuff for your garden. View photos from previous year's Garden Fairs!

Cost: Free and open to the public
Date/Time: Saturday, April 27, 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002 <view directions>
Event Web Site: FONA Annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale (for Garden Fair hours, etc.)

April 25, 2013WASHINGTON REVELS RECORDINGS CONCERT

LABEL LAUNCH & CD RELEASE featuring Heritage and Jubilee Voices, Washington Revels Brass, Children's Chorus and Teen Dancers, Riki Schneyer, Steven Winick—and special guests, Bruce Molsky and Jacqueline Schwab.

Washington Revels proudly announces our new CD label—Washington Revels Recordings—and officially release the five CDs that have produced over the years! Join us for our Celebration Concert, Label Launch and CD Release on April 25 at 7:30pm. The event includes a dessert reception and full-length concert featuring the Wammie-award-winning Washington Revels choruses, Washington Revels Brass, and guest artists from our CDs, with special appearances by Jacqueline Schwab (award-winning pianist featured in Ken Burns' documentaries) and Bruce Molsky (Grammy-nominated fiddler). In addition to music highlights from each of our five CDs, you will also get a sneak preview of music from our forthcoming releases.

Date/Time: Thursday, April 25, 7:30-10pm
Tickets (in advance): Adults $20; Teens (ages 13-18) $15;
Children (12 & under) $10; Order Tickets Online from TIX.COM
Tickets (at the door): +$3 per ticket
Where: Cultural Arts Center, Montgomery College – Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Directions/Parking: View Map and Get Directions to the Theater

April 13, 2013MARITIME VOICES AT NAVY MEMORIAL

Enjoy the 22d annual “Blessing of the Fleets ” and a full show by Maritime Voices!

The U.S. Navy Memorial hosts its annual “Blessing of the Fleets” each spring at the majestic Memorial Plaza. Passed down through generations of sailors, fishermen, merchant mariners and navies around the world, this ceremony is intended to safeguard crews and ships from the danger of the seas through a traditional blessing given at the water's edge. In this version of the ceremony, waters brought in from the world’s seven seas and Great Lakes are poured into and mingled with the waters of the fountains on the Plaza. The U.S. Navy Band will provide ceremonial music, and Washington Revels Maritime Voices will perform the Navy Hymn and the Seamen’s Hymn at the close of the ceremony.

Attendees will then be invited into the adjacent Navy Memorial Center for some navy bean soup – what else! -- followed at 2:30 by a full performance by Washington Revels Maritime Voices of its new program, “A Historical Voyage on the Chesapeake” (see March 13 entry below).

Come and make a day of it! The annual Cherry Blossom Parade starts one block away at 10am. The Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team and the Navy Band will perform on the Plaza shortly after noon. Stay on for the “Blessing of the Fleets” and Maritime Voices in “A Historical Voyage on the Chesapeake.”

Cost: Free and open to the public!
Date/Time: Saturday, April 13, ceremony at 1:00pm (outdoors)   Martime Voices performance at 2:30pm (indoors)
Location: United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC [view map]

March 13, 2013MARITIME VOICES AT FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS VILLAGE

Washington Revels Maritime Voices presents "A Historical Voyage on the Chesapeake"

For their third annual performance at the Friendship Heights Village Center, Maritime Voices presents a new program offering a musical voyage through the maritime history of the Chesapeake region (including inland waterways as well as the open sea) during the first two-thirds of the 19th Century, from the lead-up to the War of 1812 through the Civil War.

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 13, 7:30-8:30pm
Tickets: None needed – FREE to all!
Location: Huntley Hall at the Friendship Heights Village Center

February 16, 2013JUBILEE VOICES AT FREDERICK DOUGLASS HOUSE

Join Washington Revels Jubilee Voices as they participate in the annual celebration of Douglass's birthday.

Celebrate Frederick Douglass's 195th birthday in this celebration of the life of this great orator, abolitionist, and statesman. Hear music from the Civil War era from the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices, see demonstrations of a Civil War soldier's life and weaponry, enjoy fun activities for kids, and learn more about the role of African American soldiers in the Civil War.

Date & Time: Saturday, February 16 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm (Jubilee Voices will perform at 10 am during the Opening Ceremonies).
Place: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W Street SE, Washington, D.C.

February 12, 2013MARCUS-COLLINSON BENEFIT CONCERT

An evening of rockin’ 21st Century British Roots Music, with all proceeds to Washington Revels!

Come join the celebrated British folk duo, Andrew Marcus and Glyn Collinson, for an energetic evening of folk music with attitude. Lively songs! Stompin’ tunes! You may know Andrew from his many appearances on the Christmas Revels stage in the “Lord of the Dance,” at May Revels, and with the Foggy Bottom Morris Men. Glyn hails from Britain and brings with him a rich tradition of songs and tunes stretching back to his great-great-great grandfather, Joseph Taylor; some of Taylor’s songs will appear again in this concert, in new arrangements.

Come join the fun – kids welcome, too – and benefit Revels at the same time!
Order tickets online through TIX.COM (NO FEES for online orders)

Date/Time: Tuesday, February 12, 7:30-9:00pm (doors open at 7:00pm)
Where: Washington Revels Performance Space, 531 Dale Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910. <view map/directions>
Tickets: Minimum donation (more gratefully appreciated!): $15

February 2, 2013MARITIME VOICES "SING-ALONG" at FSGW MINI-FEST

Washington Revels Maritime Voices will present a sing-along version of "Songs of Sea and Shore"  at this year's FSGW Midwinter Festival.

Maritime Voices audiences are always invited to join in singing some of the refrains during a performance. This Saturday, however, they will be featured throughout the entire program of this sing-along version of the Maritime Voices’ ever-evolving program of nautical song, dance, and ritual. As an added bonus, both before and after their hour-long performance, the Maritime Voices will wander through the hallways singing to one and all. The annual FSGW Mini-Fest features Morris dancers dancing through the hallways (hopefully not colliding with our Maritime Voices), banjo pickers, contra dancers and fiddlers, balladeers and blues singers -- two all-day dance tracks, and seven workshop and performance sites, plus unscheduled hallway shenanigans. Even if it's cold outside, Mini-Fest'll be hot!!

Date/Time: Saturday, February 2, Noon-10:30pm (Maritime Voices perform Noon-1pm, in the Jams room, #184)
Cost: Tickets are available for half and full-day pricing (special pricing for families); discounts for FSGW members.
Location: Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Road, Takoma Park, MD <view map>.
Event website: http://fsgw.org/myorgnet/public.php?Org=fsgw&ProgramID=11 (complete ticket information and schedule here).

January 27, 2013PUB SING at McGINTY'S PUBLIC HOUSE

Raise your glass and lift your voice for Washington Revels Pub Sing in Silver Spring, Maryland!

We gather for good food, good drink, good company, and, great singing! If this is your first time at a Revels Pub Sing, we will be the ones laughing and singing in the second-floor bar area, which is wheelchair accessible. Food and drinks may be ordered beginning at 6:00pm. Singing will begin at 7:00pm and formally end at 9:00pm, with a brief intermission. All songs will be SING-ALONGS, with songbooks and song leaders provided. Kids and teens are welcome -– there will be a few songs that celebrate the virtue of drink, but not many.

Additionally, we will have a mini-"Burns Supper," honoring the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns -- a shortened, 15-minute version of the traditional celebration, including a few songs, the entrance of (and "Address" to) the haggis, and bagpiper, ending with a rousing 'Auld Lang Syne' as written by Burns himself! If you would like to lead a song, email pubsing@revelsdc.org.

Admission may be available at the door, but we strongly recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance online (no fees!) because seating is limited. Tickets for Pub Sing regularly sell-out in advance. Ticket proceeds go entirely to Washington Revels; food and beverage may be ordered separately from the McGinty's regular menu at your expense.

Tickets are available online through TIX (no service charges)

Date/Time: Sunday, January 27, 7:00-9:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm)
Where: McGinty's Public House, 911 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Parking available in County Lots.
Tickets: [In advance] Adults: $20;  Youth (ages 13 to 18): $15;  Kids (12 and under): $10
       [At the door] Adults: $23;  Youth (ages 13 to 18): $18;  Kids (12 and under): $13 -- space permitting!

January 18, 2013JUBILEE VOICES at TEMPLE SHALOM MLK SERVICE

In honor of the life of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices will perform as part of the 5th Annual MLK Commemoration Service at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Jubilee Voices will join Cantor Lisa Levine, the Woodrow Wilson High School Chorus, the Kids LEAD, three Temple Shalom choirs and two temple-sponsored bands for this celebration of Dr. King’s life and work. The Jubilee Voices, who appeared as guest artists on Cantor Lisa Levine’s CD, Soulful Shabbat Ruach, will perform songs from the recording and will also sing traditional African American spirituals from their own repertoire. The Jubilee Voices songs, and the music of the other groups will be interspersed throughout the 90-minute service. This free event will be followed by a reception to which everyone is invited. This contemporary-style Shabbat celebration is part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area activities leading up to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 21. The event at Temple Shalom will be streamed live on jwash.net, but it will be even better in person!

Date/Time: Friday, January 18, from 7:30-9:00pm (followed by reception)
Where: Temple Shalom, 8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 <view map>
Tickets: None needed – FREE to all!