Washington Revels Blog

Washington Revels stages celebrations filled with traditional music, dance, stories and drama from around the world, revolving around the cycle of the seasons and the joys of community connections. Revels is for anyone who wants to share common ground through old and new traditions—connecting people across time and cultures. Revels is not something that you just watch—it is an experience.

While much of Revels takes place on a stage through song and dance, here on our blog members of our community attempt to capture the magic of Revels in words. We hope you take joy in reading these posts and that you will join us to make your own Revels memories soon!

Latest Posts

  • Robert Burns
    Robert Burns Day
    January 25, 2023 by
    Scotland’s national “bard” was born on January 25, 1759, and all around the world “Burns suppers” – complete with bagpipes, a special Scottish dish called “haggis,” poetry and song – will be held in his honor. This great poet, collector of folk song in his beloved Scotland,...
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  • Tamara Wililams, Executive Director
    Introducing Tamara C. Williams!
    March 24, 2022 by
    Washington Revels is delighted to announce our new Executive Director, Tamara C. Williams! Tamara comes to Washington Revels with a wealth of executive leadership and musical experience. She was the founder and Executive Director of Music Beyond Measure, an arts organization that, like Revels, relies heavily on...
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  • A Fond Farewell
    A Fond Farewell
    February 9, 2022 by
    A post by Ross Wixon, Administrating Director
    I have been honored that Washington Revels trusted me to help lead our organization over the past year and four months, and to have been closely involved with the important initiatives and exciting developments above. These examples are representative of the many ways in which I've learned from our warm and caring community in my almost five years and many roles here....
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  • News Release & Media Kit - 2021 Christmas Revels
    News Release & Media Kit – 2021 Christmas Revels
    November 16, 2021 by
    Posted by Washington Revels
    From December 10-12 and 17-19, Washington Revels brings The Christmas Revels back to the stage with a story rooted in the history of our region and our nation. There will be two “firsts” for audiences...
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  • 2021 Christmas Revels Location
    2021 Christmas Revels Location
    September 27, 2021 by
    Posted by Washington Revels
    We are excited to announce that this year's production will be staged at the historic Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, MD — next door to the new Revels office!...
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  • Welcoming Fall 2021
    Welcoming Fall 2021
    August 31, 2021 by
    A post by Roberta Gasbarre, Artistic Director
    Hello to all! I’m so glad to be writing to wish you and your loved ones a happy, and I hope healthy, end of Summer. And as the wheel of the year turns to Fall, Washington Revels looks toward traditions that celebrate...
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  • Women of Washington Revels: Joan Burns
    Women of Washington Revels: Joan Burns
    July 23, 2021 by
    By Sarah Brodnax, Washington Revels Intern
    Joan Burns was first introduced to Revels in the 1970s, when she received a vinyl record of an early Cambridge production. That record instantly became a family holiday favorite. So, when she saw an advertisement in 1983 promoting the very first Christmas Revels in DC, she knew she had to go. Since then, Joan has...
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  • A New Home at Glen Echo!
    A New Home at Glen Echo!
    July 23, 2021 by
    Posted by Washington Revels
    We are thrilled to announce that more collaborations with Glen Echo Park are on the horizon. This August, Washington Revels moves into dedicated office space within the Park! With a conference area, kitchenette, and individual offices, our new suite has room for large meetings, group collaboration, and even small rehearsals. We will occupy this space for two years, providing stability as Revels emerges from the pandemic....
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  • Honoring Asian American & Pacific Islander Month
    Honoring Asian American & Pacific Islander Month
    May 20, 2021 by
    From the Board of Directors
    Throughout the year, Washington Revels heralds the rich and varied music, dance, and story of cultures from around the world. Our guiding principle is to bring people together to mark festival times through traditions of revelry — all to celebrate life and to take Joy!...
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  • Jo DAS Barry Galef painting
    Women of Washington Revels: Jo Rasi
    May 14, 2021 by
    By Rowyn Peel, Washington Revels Intern
    Jo Rasi started working for Washington Revels in 2011, but she knew about it for even longer than she initially realized. She took her son, Nico, to see her friend and colleague, Steve Winick, perform in the Quebec Revels in 2008; but even earlier than that, her younger brother had performed in a Revels at the Emma Willard School when Jo was only five years old. In the lobby after the Quebec show, Jo heard Revelers singing the Boar’s Head Carol, which finally helped her realize it was the same Revels her brother had performed in: “I listened to that song here in DC and just felt this sense of everything coming together.”...
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