#RevelsConnects Presents: Musical Connections
We’re excited to kick off a second season of #RevelsConnects events and programs with our new Musical Connections series! This new series will explore musical traditions from around the world with intimate virtual experiences, including 45-minute salon-style performances with a variety of musical tradition bearers. Each performance will be followed by a companion podcast produced in collaboration with the Mass Cultural Council and hosted by the MCC’s Folk Arts & Heritage Program Manager, Maggie Holtzberg.
Spirituals and Stories with Johnny Nichols, Jr.
Presented Sunday, October 18
Click here to view this video on the Revels YouTube page
Dating as far back as the early 1600's, spirituals are said to be one of America's original folk songs. Though now, Spirituals have a legitimate place under the umbrella of classical music, this style of music is celebrated from instrumental and vocal ensembles to solo and piano - no matter the ethnic or racial background. Johnny Nichols, Jr., accompanied by former Revels music director Megan Henderson on piano, takes us on a journey of spirituals, arranged by H.T Burleigh and Moses Hogan, that are unique and special to his cultural heritage as well as his personal upbringing. Join us for this first #RevelsConnects presentation as Johnny passionately sings and shares short stories that connect these songs to his family and experiences growing up in rural Louisiana.
Podcast
About the COMPANION PODCAST!
Join us for the premiere of our #RevelsConnects: Musical Connections podcast series produced in collaboration with the Mass Cultural Council.
Click here for Episode 1 - Spirituals and Stories with Johnny Nichols, Jr.
Click here for the Episode 1 transcript
Featuring Johnny in a reflective, in-depth conversation with MCC Folk Arts & Heritage Program Manager and podcast host, Maggie Holtzberg. Link coming Wednesday, October 21.
Revels is grateful to the Ithaka Foundation for its generous
support of our #RevelsConnects: Musical Connections series.
Upcoming 2021 Salons & Podcasts
Dates TBA
Karim Nagi
Egyptian musician, dancer and educator. Performs and teaches Arab Music & Dance to schools, universities, communities and festivals, and speaks about diversity and how the arts can fight xenophobia.
Beth Bahia Cohen
Beth Bahia Cohen is of Syrian Jewish and Russian Jewish heritage. Inspired early by the sounds she heard at family gatherings, she later studied with master musicians from Hungary, Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. She plays the violin, various Greek lyras, the Turkish bowed tanbur and more.
Josée Vachon
Born in Québec and raised in Maine, Josée Vachon has been sharing her Franco-American upbringing for over 25 years through traditional and contemporary folksongs from Québec and Acadia and through her own compositions.
Tom Pixton
An International, Balkan, and Scottish folk dance musician. He has worked with many of today's most accomplished dance teachers and musicians as accordionist, pianist, band leader, music arranger, and CD producer.
Hailing from Mali, Balla is a Balla Balafon player and Djeli and the recipient of a 2019 NEA National Heritage Fellow in recognition of his music, and for keeping Western African traditions alive.
Did you miss a concert?
From the #RevelsConnects Spring 2020 Performance Series
Revels Virtual Spring Sing with David Coffin
Revels Virtual Pub Sing with David Coffin
Sunniva Brynnel at Patrik Wingård
In Stile Moderno with Special Guest Fabio Pirozzolo
A Maritime Voyage in Song with David Coffin
Revels is grateful to Wingate Wealth Advisors for its sponsorship of our Spring 2020 #RevelsConnects Sundays Performance Series.
Revels has always been about community - gathering, singing together, celebrating together. While we can't be together in person right now, thanks to technology (and the many people who have helped Revels harness this technology), we can be together online through #RevelsConnects - an online, virtual community.
Stay safe and keep singing!