Washington Revels

With its unique combination of traditional performing arts and community participation, Washington Revels blends professionals and non-professionals, children and adults, to create something entirely new. Exploring community traditions in events both staged and informal, large and small, Revels invites us to understand our shared experience – at a time when such understanding is much needed – and to come together in enjoyment, participation, and celebration. Annual programs include The Christmas Revels (a big, festive, fully-staged celebration of the Winter Solstice in music, dance, and drama seen by over 10,000 people), May Revels, monthly Community Sings, after-school workshops for grades K-6, parade performances, and annual Pub Sings. Five year-round performing ensembles feature a cappella singing across a millennium, African-American traditional music, songs of American heritage, sea chanteys and other songs of sea and shore, and dramatic portrayals of local historical figures. These groups perform over 35 times a year, presenting music and spoken word at a range of venues throughout the region. Washington Revels invites your participation: let the celebration begin!