FREE AND FUN FOR ALL! For our May Day celebration this year, Mica Basilici, Revels Song Leader, will teach special Spring songs and get everyone to sing along with familiar favorites of the season. Revels Dance Leader, Helen Pasley, will teach “Sellinger’s Round,” a May Day circle dance dating from 1670. The Revels Dancers also will perform “The Physical Snob” and “Prince William,” traditional English Country dances. We have special guest instrumentalists joining us, and all of this takes place starting at 12:00 noon in De la Guerra Place, the open area close to State Street, near Paseo Nuevo Cinemas.
Everyone coming to the May Day festivities can join in singing the seasonal songs and learning the traditional English Country dance, or just relaxing and delighting in the activities. There are flowers provided to make nosegays and posies. The day culminates in the traditional may pole ritual: two circles of participants walk in opposite directions around the may pole, holding colorful ribbon streamers and weaving intricate patterns as they move to the inside and then to the outside of each other. The result is magical! Then, of course, what has been woven must be unwoven, and put away for next year. Come celebrate the season and the Spring in this entertaining family event!
JOIN US AND BE JOYOUS!
MAY DAY CELEBRATION:
Sunday, April 28th, 12:00 noon to 2:00pm, Paseo Nuevo Mall, De la Guerra Place (between State Street and Paseo Nuevo Cinemas)
REVELS CHORUS AUDITIONS: August 26th and 27th
THE REVELS: A Winter Solstice Celebration, The Ghosts of Haddon Hall, December 21st & 22nd
December 1924: On Christmas Eve at the port of entry to the New World, immigrants are stranded. Families from Ireland, Russia and Germany must spend the night together along with the Mexican medical staff. They all find ways to respect and acknowledge their differences while celebration their shared rites of passage with traditional songs, dances, and stories.
See the 2023 Gallery page for photos and the program booklet.
See video excerpts of Tales from Ellis Island.
Santa Barbara Revels celebrates a diverse range of cultural traditions by blending music, dance and storytelling in our staged celebrations of the Winter Solstice and other seasons.
We present a number of public events throughout the year. From concerts like Equinox to more informal community pub-sings, there is always an upcoming Revels happening.
The highlight of our season is The Revels, a joyful theatrical celebration of the winter solstice that travels the world each year showcasing cultural traditions including music, dance, and folktales.
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