Tag Archives: Revels North

‘Revels North’: NO Winter Revels (Alas) In 2024.

Leave a reply

by Anura Guruge
on April 11, 2024

Follow Anura Guruge on WordPress.com

Click to ENLARGE. To read full story at ‘Revels North‘.

I got the above, a few days ago, in an e-mail. It was sad & distressing. After a 7- or 8-year break, I did go to the ‘Christmas Revels‘ by ‘Revels North’ in 2023. I, as I had done for a few years in the past, went to BOTH ‘Revels North’ & ‘Revels Cambridge‘.

Revels North, way back, c. 1998, was how I got into Revels — now a cherished, much longed for annual ritual. They used to do GRAND show.

This is a shame.

Revels Cambridge is THRIVING. They are just selling $300 tickets for a PUB event! As you might know I, a few weeks ago, attended their Spring Equinox event. That was good.

I feel bad for Revels North. They are in bad shape.

I hope they can get out of the ‘hole’ they are in. The Christmas Revels is the SHOWCASE for any Revels outfit. IF you don’t stage that, you will have trouble attracting attention.

But, I wish Revels North all the very best. I might even contact ‘Alex’ (who I know) & have a chat.

Follow Anura Guruge on WordPress.com

‘Lord Of The Dance’ With An Indian Twist — From ‘Christmas Revels 1997’ (Cambridge, MA) — YouTube Video.

Leave a reply

by Anura Guruge
on January 30, 2024

Click image to access the YouTube video or use EMBED below.

YouTube put up this video as a RECOMMENDATION for me, this morning — given that I invariably watch ALL the ‘Revels‘ videos that they recommend. I am a sucker for Revels and YouTube panders to this affliction.

The SARI look was UNMISTAKABLE. Indian. I had never seen or heard of an Indian-themed Christmas Revels. But it is BRILLIANT. They should do another.

This was from 1997. That was the YEAR BEFORE I went to my first Revels — with ‘Revels North‘ in ‘Dartmouth‘. It would be another 17-years before I started going to Cambridge. So, this was before my time with Revels.

Great to see the GREAT ‘David Coffin‘ as a dashing young man. I got to meet him, in person, in December. This was great. Made my day. Check it out.

Follow Anura Guruge on WordPress.com

‘Revels North’, ‘Midwinter Revels’ — Dec. 16, 2023, ‘Canaan’, N.H.

Leave a reply

by Anura Guruge
on December 17, 2023

Follow Anura Guruge on WordPress.com

Click images to ENLARGE.

A photo-montage YouTube VIDEO of my 100 photos to come … SOON.

All ‘Revels’, per my definition, are ALWAYS GOOD!

That is kind of obvious. Revels are a celebration of joy, goodwill & hope.

So, yesterday’s midwinter Revels, in Canaan, by ‘Revels North‘, was GOOD.

I am glad I went. I went to my first ‘Revels North’ midwinter Revels, at ‘The Hop’, in Dartmouth, in 1998 or 1999. I then went yearly, without fail till 2015. By then I had also started going to Revels in Cambridge. YES, TWO REVELS EACH YEAR. That will also be the case this year. I already have MY front-row balcony seat in Cambridge. {SMILE}

But, I wanted to see the ‘new’, Revels North — having gone to one of their events in the Summer. I particularly wanted to see their Artistic Director (fellow Brit) ‘Alex Cummings‘ strut his stuff. I was not disappointed. Instead, I was rewarded. He & ‘Laura Swift’, the Dance Director & violin maestro, made the show special.

Alex Cummings is {nearly} as good as legendary, 40-year Cambridge Revels veteran ‘David Coffin‘! I had to add that “{nearly}” because I am sure that if I didn’t, ‘Thor’, the Protector of Revels, will strike me down with his hammer. Last year I thought that ‘Ricardo Holguin‘ would be a good replacement for David — if & when he ever retires. Now … we have Alex!

This was a Highlights Reel with all the sure-fire Revels essentials showcased. It worked. It was fun. Glad I went.

Photos I Took At The ‘Revels North’ Fundraiser (On Sunday) Appear In Their June Newsletter.

Leave a reply

by Anura Guruge
on June 15, 2023

Follow Anura Guruge on WordPress.com

Click to ENLARGE.

Check these two posts (post 1 & post 2) — which have SOME of the pictures I took Sunday.

I did NOT volunteer to take photographs. They had some very professional looking folks with REAL cameras. I just snapped away like I always do. Didn’t even tell them that take pictures. But, I sent them all the 50 or so photos I had taken on Tuesday & told them that they can use them.

Then this today. WOW. They did tell me yesterday that my photos will be in the Newsletter. They used quite a few! I am delighted.

‘Revels North’, June 11, 2023, ‘Oh, Give Us A Home’ Fundraiser — I Am Volunteering.

Leave a reply

by Anura Guruge
on June 6, 2023

Follow Anura Guruge on WordPress.com

Click to ENLARGE & read here. Link to ‘Revelsnorth.org‘.

My first introduction to ‘Revels‘ was with ‘Revels North‘ at the ‘Dartmouth‘ (at the ‘Hop’) c. 1998. I was a regular, loyal & gung ho attendee & fan for many years — quite a few years. Then … I had by then discovered the Revels ‘Mothership’, i.e., Revels in Cambridge. A couple of years we went to BOTH each Christmas. Yes, one show in Dartmouth & the other in Cambridge. Then for about the last 7 or 8 years (bar COVID) I just went to Cambridge.

Revels North has been under ‘new management’ for quite a few years. I still get all their e-mails. When I was at ‘White River Junction‘, Vermont, last month (going to a concert at Dartmouth) I saw their ‘office’. I want to reconnect with them. This looked like a good opportunity. So, I volunteered.

It is in ‘Fairlee’, Vermont. I have been there once before 18 years ago — to a wedding. I liked what I saw. So, this gives me another chance. Check the event out as well as Revels North.