Mark your calendars for 2009

There are many ways to participate this summer in Revels community events. Come join us in putting together a Revels in a day at Summer Solstice Festival Day; hear songs of the sea in Alexandria; march in an Indepndence Day parade in Takoma Park, MD; join a community sing at Brookside gardens! There are many ways to get involved... so read on.

July 4, 2009INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE in TAKOMA PARK

Come join Washington Revels as we march (and sing, for those who wish) in the Takoma Park Independence Day Parade on July 4!

Our hardy band of Revelers -- adults, teens, and children -- will dress in white bedecked with multi-colored sashes, arm ribbons and flower garlands (supplied by Revels). We will be accompanied by the Green Man, Hobby Horse, bright banners and ribbon sticks, and more! If you would like to march and sing with us – we also need adults to pass out flyers and children to help pass out candy – please send an email to parade@revelsdc.org with your name and the name(s) of anyone coming with you (plus the ages of anyone 18 and under), and we will email you the details.

Cost: Nothing!
Location: Takoma Park, MD -- view parade route map
Date/Time: Saturday, July 4th, 9am-11:45am (parade starts at 10am)
Event Web Site: http://www.takomapark4th.org/ (select "Parade" for details; from there, select "When & Where to watch the Parade” to see a photo of Revels in last year's parade!)

July 10, 2009WASHINGTON REVELS at the BETHESDA BIG TRAIN

Washington Revels will be entertaing the fans before and during a Bethesda Big Train baseball game at the wonderful Shirley Povich ballpark, near Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Come out and sing along with Revels, and enjoy great baseball in a great setting!

The Big Train, named for Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson, is a summer, collegiate, wooden-bat team playing in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. Their home games are played at Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John Park (near Montgomery Mall). Povich Field is a wonderful ball park that makes fans feel they are back in small-town America. The Washington Post has called it "the ultimate small town fantasy." The baseball is high-quality, with numerous "graduates" from the team now in professional baseball, including the Major Leagues. The park seats 850 and for most games the stands are full. The July 10th game is with arch-rival Baltimore Orioles (not the Baltimore Orioles, but close...). Starting at about 7pm, while the teams are warming up, a group of Revels singers will serenade the fans as they enter the field. Prior to the first pitch at 7:30, the singers will go out to the pitcher's mound and lead the fans in singing the National Anthem. After the second or third inning, they will sing another song or two as the teams are changing the field. Then, at the 7th inning stretch, Revels will lead the crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and urge everyone to "Root, root, root, for the Big Train!"

July 19, 2009COMMUNITY SING at BROOKSIDE GARDENS

Washington Revels has been invited to hold our annual Community Sing at Brookside Gardens as part of the Gardens’ 40th Anniversary celebration.

Bring your picnic lunch and join us for singing in the group tradition (with songbooks and leaders) and a dance or two! Fun for the whole family - younger children will have their own activities, including some songs and a special craft activity. In addition to the Community Sing, you can be part of the 40th Birthday Bash with birthday cake, other family-friendly activities, a dedication ceremony for the 40th Anniversary Grove, and an early evening concert in the Gude Garden. The Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly Exhibit will be FREE this day in recognition of the Anniversary.

Brookside Gardens is Montgomery County's extraordinary, award-winning 50-acre public display garden. The gardens include several distinct areas: azalea garden, rose garden, children's garden, formal garden, fragrance garden, Japanese style garden and trial garden. There are two conservatories on the property, and a horticultural reference library is located in the airy Visitors Center.

Cost: Nothing!
Location: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton MD, 20902
Event Web Site: http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/brookside/bg_40anniversary.shtm
Date/Time: July 19, 1:00-4:00pm

More Great Events Ahead in 2009!

Save the Dates...

September 7 - Kensington Labor Day Parade

September 11-13 - Children and Teen Auditions for the 2009 Christmas Revels

October 3-4 - House warming at 531 Dale Drive (our new home!)

November 1 - Annual Harvest Barn Dance (traditional Italian village dancing) and Dinner

December 5-6 and 11-13 - 2009 Christmas Revels (Eight Performances)

Sept. 11-13, 2009TEEN & CHILDREN'S AUDITIONS for CHRISTMAS REVELS

The Washington Revels community reflects our larger community, therefore we are seeking to create a diverse chorus consisting of good singers of all ancestries, sizes and ages.

Children's Audition Information: Seeking enthusiastic singers entering entering grades 3-5 in Fall 2009. Auditions take place on Friday, September 11 (afternoon) and Saturday, September 12 (morning). Callbacks are Sunday, September 13 (afternoon).

Teen Audition Information: Seeking strong singers and dancers entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2009. Auditions take place on Sunday, September 13 in the evening.

You must call the Revels office after August 17 at 301-587-3835 to sign up for an audition slot!

November 1, 2009ANNUAL HARVEST BARN DANCE & DINNER

Come kick up your heels at Washington Revels' 4th Annual Harvest Barn Dance & Dinner Party!

Our 4th Annual Harvest Barn Dance and Dinner will feature traditional Italian village dancing. Details coming soon...

Tickets: TBD
Location: TBA
Date: November 1, 2009 (times TBA)

PAST EVENTS:

June 20, 2009SEA CHANTEYS at the ALEXANDRIA WATERFRONT

Join Washington Revels at the 28th Annual Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival on June 20!

The Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross sponsors the Alexandria Waterfront Festival each June at Oronoco Bay State Park along the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. This year’s event includes tours of two historic tall ships, live entertainment, arts & crafts exhibits and a children’s sea hunt adventure.

Fresh off a wonderful set of nine shows over Memorial Day weekend at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum, Washington Revels has been invited to perform “Songs of the Sea and Shore.”. We will sing sea chanteys and ballads -- some lusty and some sentimental -- about the lives of sailors and their loved ones on shore. Look for us on the Community Stage at the foot of Oronoco Street near the tall ship pier (adjacent to Oronoco Bay Park) and enjoy the spirit of the sea! While there is an admission fee in the adjacent festival area, there is no fee for activities at and around the Community Stage, including the tall ships and arts and crafts area.

Location: Oronoco Bay State Park -- Community Stage (Area B on map)
Event Web Site: http://www.waterfrontfestival.org/
Cost: Free (at and around the Community Stage)
Date/Time: June 20, 2009, performances at 10:15 and 11:30am

June 14, 2009SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL DAY

Come and spend the day singing, dancing and picnicking with Washington Revels! Come by yourself or bring the whole family -- all ages welcome! No auditions or experience necessary!

On June 14, we gather, rehearse, and perform a "mini-Revels" -- all in one day! Participants choose (in advance) one of four Revels activities: 1) sing in the chorus; 2) cavort in a mummers' play; 3) dance the Morris; or, 4) create festive props for the procession. Children learn and perform their own set. "Off-stage" helpers are needed as well. All musicians welcome -- especially on accordion or loud brass instruments!

Overview of the Day: Beginning at noon, we will picnic in the park. Official activities begin at 1:00pm with a circle and the singing of several large group songs. After the circle, we break into the activity groups (as outlined above). Later, after a short snack break, we review everything and put it all together. At 5:30pm we perform our Festival Day "mini-Revels" for the Nordic communties' Midsommar-Juhannus Picnic (also held at Fort Hunt Park) sponsored by the American Scandinavian Association, Swedish Drott Lodge, and the Finlandia Foundation.

» REGISTER NOW using our online form

Location: Fort Hunt Park, 8996 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA (view map)
Date/Time: June 14, 2009, rehearsal starts at 1:00pm, performance at 5:30pm