Washington Revels

With its unique combination of traditional performing arts and community participation, Washington Revels brings together professionals and non-professionals, children and adults, to explore traditional music, dance, and drama. Revels invites us to understand our shared experience – at a time when such understanding is much needed – and to celebrate that experience together. Annual programs include The Christmas Revels (a big, festive, fully-staged celebration of the Winter Solstice seen by over 10,000 people), May Revels, monthly Community Sings and Contra Dances, after-school workshops for grades K-6, parade performances, and annual Pub Sings. Five year-round performing ensembles feature a cappella, African-American traditional music, songs of American heritage, sea chanteys, 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. Let the celebration begin!

COVID-19 Update: Community Sings, Family Fun Night Out, workshops for school children, and May Revels all take place online. Daily Antidote of Song, has engaged approximately 40,000 people via Zoom and Facebook Live (to date). Jubilee Voices’ month-long series of virtual 10th anniversary events and social media features highlighted members of the ensemble and their decade of celebrating African American traditions. A four-month fall program intersects with diverse cultural holidays and traditions in Season of Reveling, a series of interactive virtual events, performance videos, and social media features that transform Christmas Revels into a celebration fit for the times.