SummersDay Revels

Three Day Festival For Everyone Under the Sun

You can celebrate the first weekend of summer with "SummersDay Revels," a free three-day event presented by Friends of Fort Point Channel celebrating Boston’s cultural diversity and the start of the summer season.

"SummersDay Revels" kicks off Friday, June 20, with the 4th annual Summer Street Solstice Art Celebration at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center with festivities continuing throughout the weekend along the HarborWalk on both sides of Fort Point Channel. Directed by Patrick Swanson with music direction by George Emlen, "SummersDay Revels" is free and open to all.

As you stroll the HarborWalk on Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, you'll encounter aerial artists & street performers, a Sun and Moon Processional, a Family Activity Tent, tempting ethnic foods, free icy treats, and multi-stage performances by cultural groups representing Boston neighborhoods and showcasing traditional music, dance and rituals from England, Ireland, India, Africa and the Caribbean.

Saturday and Sunday, "SummersDay Revels" concludes with a 90-minute inter-cultural Main Stage production at Children’s Wharf Park, next to Boston Children's Museum. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the giant participatory production features exciting Chinese dance, Celtic fiddling and step dancing, festive Caribbean rhythms and rousing Gospel music.

Internationally renowned storyteller Jay O'Callahan, musician David Coffin and vocalist Janice Allen will lead an ensemble cast that includes pianist Donnell Patterson, The Emerald Rae Trio, Irish stepdancers Alexandra Siega and Harper Mills, the Gund Kwok Asian Women Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe, the MuLan Art Troupe, the Boston Chinese Chamber Ensemble, Jesus Andujar and Grupo Sazon, and the 40-member Revels Chorus of adults and children.

Additional "SummersDay Revels" participants include the Boston Pan Vybz steel drum band, Samba Tremeterra from the Brazilian Cultural Center, Neena Gulati & The Triveni Ensemble, Haitian musician and singer Gifrants, the Boston Chinese Chamber Ensemble, local Morris and Sword Teams and the New Orleans-style bands What Cheer? Brigade and the Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band.

Five hundred and fifty colorfully painted Sun and Moon flags, created by school children from all around Greater Boston, will adorn the landscape while local artist Sara Peattie's larger-than-life puppets and ominous (but friendly) 20-foot sea monster, giant butterflies by Gabriel Q, and roaming street performers including stilt walkers, aerial artists and belly dancers provided by Circa di Luna, will add a fanciful atmosphere to the summer celebration.

James E. Rooney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and President of the Board of Friends of Fort Point Channel, commented, “Fort Point Channel is a spectacular place for residents and visitors. This signature event presented by Friends of Fort Point Channel and Revels will give the public a dramatic new opportunity to experience and enjoy this great part of our city’s waterfront.”

For more information on "SummersDay Revels," call 617-972-8300 or visit www.revels.org.