Check out Revels North in a new way this winter. Bring Christmas Revels into your home. Trim the tree, don some pjs, grab some cocoa and make it an afternoon or special evening in. This is going to be perfect for my kiddos who would never be able to sit through a performance at an opera house. They’ve just opened up a whole new audience for their program!
Loved By Locals
Revels North has been around since 1975, entertaining kids, families, and adults all ages with their interactive musical performances. For decades they performed the annual Christmas Revels performance at the HOP and just last year at the Lebanon Opera House to over 3000 people over 5 performances.
Each year they pick a culture or country and bring to life on stage what traditions they use to celebrate this season.
Shared to the World
In the midst of covid, Revels North had to rethink it’s annual tradition and a 17 minute long animated feature was born.
Now the beauty, fun, and entertainment can be shared with the world and not just our corner of happiness. Brian Cook, executive director, said he wanted it to be easy to find and access. Their website elaborates: “We recognize that many families have felt severe financial hardship due to COVID-19, so creating free opportunities to view The Christmas Revels will help bring joy, hope, and light to their holidays.” What a gift and reminds me why the Upper Valley is such a treasure to live in.
The Film
Each year the Christmas Revels focuses on the winter solistic, the shortest day of the year, and the hope that comes from the days being brighter here on out. This is especially poignant this year.
The film is an animated musical with a mummer’s play in the middle. Add to your Christmas holiday film collection with Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown and more. It’s perfect for families with littles too. It’s quick, animated, and has educational value as well.
It is “sweet and hopeful” and “bitesize holiday cheer,” Brian Cook, executive director stated.
Rent or buy the animated film called “The Christmas Revels: All Shall Be Well Again.” See the trailer here. (Rent $2.99, or purchase for $9.99 at Vimeo. Or watch it for free on CATV throughout the year. You can also get the film as a DVD. There are also watch parties on Zoom you can be a part of. Register here.
Partners in Making the Film
The Emmy-award winning film productionc company, SALT Project, based in Keene, NH, and the marionette company No Strings Marionette Company of Randolph, VT helped create this wonderful project.
It was also sponsored by Mascoma Bank, Doctor Sam’s Eye Care, JMH Wealth Management, and Scratch Supply Co. and many others you can see here. Wow! What community support!
Other Ways to Get Involved
Never sang, only in the shower, not since you were a kid, love to sing but don’t know where to start? Don’t read music. No problem. The Revels North is open to all ages and abilities. There’s also a scholarship program if you’d like to participate but finances are a factor. Learn more on their program and events page.
Don’t want to join? Just want to listen. You’ll love it! And there’s plenty of opportunities to do so.
There’s a Spring Singers ages 8+, summer revels and “feature[s] original music, arrangements of traditional songs, and a healthy dose of shape note hymns on the themes of gardens, grace, the moon, and mud. Poignant, powerful, sweet, and silly… Revels does it all,” (Revels North). The group participated in rehearsals Monday evening and they’re hoping to begin the program in Jaunary 2021.
You can also participate in Summer Revels, an outdoor celebration of the summer solstice. This a family-friendly festival in June. There’s crafts, food, activities, a performance, and more. Want to join? The chorus is open to everyone 6+. You don’t need to audition or know how to read music. They rehearse every Monday for 6-8 weeks prior to Summer Revels. Want to see what it’s like? Click here.
Participate in a Pub Sing. They have recently been at Big Fatty’s BBQ in White River. This is an awesome combination of food and singing and fun! Traditional music to lift your spirits. Hear and learn more here.
Band of Fools where you play whatever instrument you have and work together under the guidance of the directors to make music for singing and dancing. You don’t need to know how to read music for this just enjoy the learning adventure! they play at the Listen Community Dinner Hall for the diners.
And of course Christmas Revels as well!
Revels North is a wonderful non-profit that brings so much joy to the community. Consider donating this year especially since they rely on Christmas Revels tickets sales to help with their programming for the whole year and this year they were unable to provide this special performance.
I hope that this is a start of a new tradition for Revels North so that more people can experience the wonders of our local talent.
Thank you for giving us another reason why we love it here.
Proud to be part of the Upper Valley.
