Puget Sound RevelsBuilding community through the arts using traditional music, dance, and drama drawn from many cultures. Revels offers theater productions, seasonal celebrations, and educational opportunities for all ages.
Connect with RevelsMany of our activities and events are only publicized through our email list. Sign up and always know what's happening with Puget Sound Revels.
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2019 Christmas Revels, Balkan
2018 Christmas Revels, mid-17th c. English 2017 Christmas Revels, Galician - The Camino 2016 Christmas Revels, Welsh 2015 Christmas Revels, Nordic Celebration 2013 Christmas Revels, 1930s Appalachia 2012 Christmas Revels, England - Ghosts of Haddon Hall 2011 Christmas Revels, Old Bavaria 2010 Christmas Revels, Victorian England 2009 Christmas Revels, Celestial Fools 2008 Christmas Revels, 18th c. Scotland 2007 Christmas Revels, Eastern Europe 2006 Christmas Revels, French Canadian 2005 Christmas Revels, Elizabethan |
2004 Christmas Revels, English Medieval
2003 Christmas Revels, Breton 2002 Christmas Revels, Irish 2001 Christmas Revels, Italian Renaissance 2000 Christmas Revels, Celestial Fools 1999 Christmas Revels, English Victorian - 1899 1998 Christmas Revels, English Medieval 1997 Christmas Revels, Nordic 1996 Christmas Revels, Early American 1995 Christmas Revels, Celtic 1994 Christmas Revels, English Medieval 1994 Spring Revels, Sea Revels 1993 Spring Revels, English Traditional |
Arts Month Events
Bridge Sing (Fall equinox) Bromliad (Labor Day) Celebrations Children's Workshops Community Events |
Concerts
Dances Dance Workshops House Concerts Maritime Events |
Many of our activities and events are only publicized through our email list. Sign up and always know what's happening with Puget Sound Revels.
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Throughout the year we offer pub sings, house concerts, salons, outdoor celebrations, workshops and more. In December at Tacoma's Rialto Theater,
we present The Christmas Revels, a fully-staged theatrical production for all ages that intentionally blends professionals and amateurs, children and adults, audience and players, high art and folk idiom. It is full of singing, dancing, and storytelling - beauty, mystery, and hilarity. The production draws large audiences from all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond. |
Some elements in the productions remain constant from year to year, whatever the setting, becoming the Revels rituals: the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance; the Shortest Day poem by Susan Cooper; the Lord of the Dance to end the first act; a hilarious mummers play (or other folk play depending on the culture and time, perhaps commedia or an English panto - always funny, often dragons are involved); and the Sussex Mummers Carol with brass and timpani and glorious descant to end the performance.
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Revels’ success is that, while it refers to ancient tradition, it has become a living tradition for our community as evidenced by the quotes below. "Revels has become a much cherished part of our winter holiday traditions.” "Once again I have come away from your offering feeling filled with joy, peace and a sense of fulfillment.” “Thank you for sharing this delightful event! As the light turns I join you in saying Welcome Yule!” “Many thanks for all the pleasure your productions give to so many.” |
Revels Across the Continent
We license the Revels name and logo from Revels, Inc. in Watertown, MA (founded in 1971). Including Puget Sound Revels, there are nine active Revels companies throughout the country. Each Revels group has its own non-profit status, and is contractually and artistically affiliated with Revels, Inc. Since the first production of The Christmas Revels, nearly two million people have enjoyed a live Revels performance. |
2020 Events |
May Day CelebrationWe are turning our May Day Celebration into a digital event. So sorry not to gather in the park as we have done for years, but we're all adjusting to "Events in the time of Coronavirus"! We'll post info as we have it.
Singing, dancing and flower-crown-making to welcome lovely May. |
SEPTEMBER 24: Tacoma Sings Chihuly Bridge of Glass 6:30 – 7:45pm Singing on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass to sing-out summer and sing-in autumn. Music to listen to as you arrive (on the Glass Museum side), then we’ll distribute song sheets and encourage everyone to join in. We’ll sing fun songs various places on the bridge and wrap up with a few lovely rounds in the amphitheater beside the History Museum. Bring a lantern if you want. We’ll light them as the sun sets. Beautiful. |
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