Reveling with the Revels

If you live in the greater DC area, you may very well have already heard of the REVELS. Just in case you haven't, I wanted to be sure you knew about this wonderful singing, dancing, reveling group.

They do several performances and community sings every year. They are both professionals and talented community members--they hold auditions every year for both adults and children. Their performances draw upon the folk music of many cultures: Celtic, Tudor and Victorian English, French, Russian, Scandinavian, American Appalachian, Italian Renaissance, African-American, Gypsy—and different time periods.

The Christmas show is pricey (eye, there's the rub), but worth it. There are other shows and informal events through the year that cost less or are even free, so check them out.

Notice the morris bells just below this guy's knees? If you were in my summer camp, do you remember being morris dancers, making and shaking our own bells?

I think the Revels are cultural anthropologists, keeping traditional music alive so that we can pass it on to another generation.