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This year Revels held two Spring Festivals in conjunction with the Midtown 'Art in the Park' celebration and the downtown International Festival. The performance began with a parade lead by fiddlers Greg McQueen (2002 Celtic Revels)' Petra Alexander and Clara Goodwin Ferris (2007 Nordic Revels children's chorus). They were followed by actors, chorus members and some of the traditional English spring festival characters including the Padstow Horse and the Hobby Horse who, together with 'Loup Garou' our French Canadian wolf, had a great time interacting with the crowd. On arriving at the staged area mummers play. including the appearance of a knight and an awesome Dragon was followed by a Celtic musical interlude, singing and dancing much tot the delight of the audience who were encouraged to join in the singing and dancing This was the beginning of an annual tradition, the intention being to bring the essence of Revels, interactive community celebrations of cultural traditions, to new and more diverse communities, living out the dream of Revels founder, Jack Langstaff, all coming together as one in communal celebration.
Performers from the Celtic (the 2002) and Scottish (the 2004) Christmas Revels took the stage for at the Bayou City Arts Festival on Saturday March 19th, 2005. The Hibernia Irish Step Dancers and Scottish Dancer, Pilar McKay were joined by EJ Jones on bagpipes and some of the Revels Ensemble.
The Second Annual Revels Wake took place on Saturday February 21st 2004 from 7:30 - 10:30pm at St Arnold's Brewery. The Wake had a Celtic / Italian theme, following on from last two productions. Our MC was Adrian Walter of Tartanic (he also appeared in the 2002 Celtic Revels) and included singing from the Revels Chorus, music from E.J Jones, and Al Coffrin of Istanpitta, (amongst others), and Irish Step Dancing from the Hibernia Irish Dancers (the dancers from our 2002 Celtic show) There was also a Silent Auction with items to interest everyone. All who came joined the performers to dance and sing and "Drive the Cold Winter Away" while enjoying food, drink and the company of friends.
*Wake - a watch held over the body of a dead person and accompanied by great festivity. A joyful celebration of their existence.
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