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The Wider Revels Community
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Past President, Michael Schmid, Muses on Revels Impact
August 3, 2024
To understand how much impact Revels has, it is important to look at the bigger picture. California Revels is one of nine Revels communities across the United States. Dates of their incorporation or first Revels production are: Cambridge Revels – 1971 Revels North – 1974 Washington DC Revels – 1983 California Revels – 1986 Revels Houston – 1990 Puget Sound Revels – 1993 Portland Revels – 1994 Rocky Mountain Revels – 2000 Santa Barbara Revels – 2007 As you can see, California Revels led the expansion of Revels beyond the Northeast and helped make Revels a national community. Our relationship with the other Revels Companies is one of mutual support and encouragement. While we do not support each other financially, we meet together every year to review our Midwinter Revels productions and plan for the next year. Ideas and scripts for shows, tradition bearers and cultural research, props, costumes, and people (like me!) have been freely exchanged between the companies. Our California Revels has been an active contributor to the enrichment and diversity of the Revels ecosystem. One constant in this development has been the leadership of Paddy Swanson, Artistic Director of Cambridge Revels, whose contributions were celebrated this Midsummer. A fascinating interview with him is posted here, in which he reflects on the meaning of our Revels celebrations. It also contains snippets of Revels productions, including your California Revels and our own recent Artistic Director, Rene Collins. Patrick Swanson – A Revels Life: https://vimeo.com/944685211/f4526ce962 Enjoy! With all the turmoil of the recent times, we ask you to consider California Revels as a force for community and connection. Revels has always been about celebrating what brings us together rather than what separates us. All the stories, legends, songs and dances from all cultures and times “sing the same delight, this shortest day”. Michael Schmid, Advisory Council (Past Board President) California Revels [email protected] Let me hear from you, too! |
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Recent Newsletters
October 2025 - From Supermoon to Samhain:
Autumn Memories, Midwinter Revels Artwork by Simon Winheld, Mid-Autumn Lights Oct 5, Spirit Songs Samhain Singing Circle Nov 2, Tribute to Beloved Revelers More Newsletters
September 2025 - Kicking Off: Auditions, About The Fool, Bromliad, Celebrate Mid-Autumn Oct 5, Volunteer, In the Black
August 2025 - About the Midwinter Show: Never Tease a Dragon, Auditions, Bromliad Labor Day, Join the Board Meeting
July 2025 - Revels Magic: Board President Chris Bryden Relates His Experience with Revels Magic, Meet the Board, Save the Date for Auditions
June 2025 - Summer Solstice, A California Rebirth: Sing and Dance at the Free Solstice Event June 21
May 2025 - Goings-On: Celebrate the Solstice June 21, Share the Love as a Volunteer, Join the Virtual Board Meeting, Assistant Stage Manager
April 2025 - The Big Question: Announcing The Feast of Fools, New Treasurer Joann Wu, Artistic Director Jeri Reed, Production Manager Michele Sullivan, Budget & Fundraising Goals at Board Meeting
March 2025 - Spring is Here: Join us for the Spring Into Motion Equinox Family Folk Dance March 22
February 2025 - Updates: New Revels Board President Chris Bryden, Thank You to Mike & Jennisara Schmid, Wheel of the Year Events, There Will Be a 2025 Show!
January 2025 - A Cure for the Winter Blues: Songs of Light, a Community Singing Circle for Imbolc on February 2
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In honor of our founders, Jack Langstaff and Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer, together we Welcome Yule!
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2501 Harrison Street Suite #U8
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(510) 452-9334
[email protected]
2501 Harrison Street Suite #U8
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 452-9334
[email protected]
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