SANTA BARBARA REVELS CELEBRATES MAY DAY!

Our 16^th annual event at Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center

            Santa Barbara Revels invites the entire community to enjoy its 16^th annual May Day Celebration beginning at noon on Sunday, April 28^th, at De la Guerra Place in Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center. Last year, many enthusiastic participants joined us for the festivities and thoroughly enjoyed this popular event. This seasonal tradition to welcome in the Spring-time is FREE for everyone, and all ages are encouraged to attend.

For our May Day celebration this year, Mica Basilici, Revels Song Leader, will teach special Spring songs and get everyone to sing along with familiar favorites of the season. Revels Dance Leader, Helen Pasley, will teach “Sellinger’s Round” a May Day circle dance dating from 1670. The Revels Dancers also will perform “The Physical Snob” and “Prince William,” traditional English Country dances. We have special guest instrumentalists joining us, and all of this takes place starting at 12:00 noon in De la Guerra Place, the open area close to State Street, near Paseo Nuevo Cinemas.

Everyone coming to the May Day festivities can join in singing the seasonal songs and learning the traditional English Country dance, or just relaxing and delighting in the activities. There are flowers provided to make nosegays and posies. The day culminates in the traditional may pole ritual:  two circles of participants walk in opposite directions around the may pole, holding colorful ribbon streamers and weaving intricate patterns as they move to the inside and then to the outside of each other.  The result is magical!  Then, of course, what has been woven must be unwoven, and put away for next year. Come celebrate the season and the Spring in this entertaining family event!

Santa Barbara Revels’ goal is “Bringing Tradition to Life” by involving our diverse community in interactive celebrations of seasonal change. Beginning in 2008 in Santa Barbara, Revels brings a unique mix of seasonal music, dance, story telling, and ritual to every activity.  Founder and Artistic Director, Susan Keller, urges everyone to “Join us and be joyous!”  For more information about May Day and future programs, please visit www.santabarbararevels.org.