Washington Revels present "Andalusian Treasures: Jewish, Arabic, and Spanish music, dance and drama" -- the 2011 "Christmas Revels"

I do not celebrate Christmas, but I am particularly excited about Washington Revels' 2011 "Christmas Revels" production, "Andalusian Treasures."

Why am I excited about a production with "Christmas" in the title, when I don't celebrate the holiday?  Well, because this year's show is definitely NOT a Christmas show! 

This year's December Revels is a new production, and is unique in its deliberate focus on the notable periods of coexistence among Jewish, Muslim, and Christian peoples in Adalusian Spain.

Well then, why call it "The Christmas Revels?" Because: Washington Revels is an affiliate of Revels, Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The title "The Christmas Revels" is trademarked and applies to the December show in all Revels cities across the country. None of the Revels cities are allowed to change that.


As a celebration of the winter Solstice, the most obvious traditions tend to be Christmas traditions, and the first "Christmas Revels" included many Christmas carols and Yuletide traditions, mostly from England. Since the first Revels, in 1971, the production has expanded to include many other traditions, and is based in different countries and different ages each year. They are SECULAR theater productions, not Christmas pageants, although I will grant that some years are more inclusive than others. I am Jewish, I have been attending and enjoying "Christmas Revels" performances since 1997.

Washington Revels present "Andalusian Treasures: Jewish, Arabic, and Spanish music, dance and drama." 

Two adventures... three ancient cultures... four hundred years of treasures! 

This December travel back in time more than 1000 years to al-Andalus to experience the music, dance and drama of three great cultures – Sephardic, Arabic and Iberian – in one great country as Washington Revels celebrates the art and music of this unique time. 

Joined by Flory Jagoda (one of the top Sephardic singers anywhere), special guest ensembles Trio Sefardi and Layali El Andalus, we’ll celebrate with poignant Sephardic and Arab-Andalusian music, lively Spanish folk dances and songs, a Hanukkah celebration, a North African “Saidi” or Tahtib cane dance reminiscent of Morris dancing, as well as traditional Revels favorites. 

Eight performances over two weekends, 12/3-4 and 12/9-11 at Lisner Auditorium. 

Learn more and ORDER TICKETS at http://revelsdc.org/revels2011/.

Capital City Symphony ONLINE HOLIDAY AUCTION!

If you haven't checked out the Capital City Symphony Online Holiday Auction recently, it's worth another look. Here's why...

New Items Added!

CCS is adding new items to their auction as quickly as they receive them. Great new items are up for bid. New items are being added almost daily, so check back often!

Please Share This With Your Friends. Refer your friends so they have time to start bidding before the online auction closes on December 11, 2011.

Donations are still being accepted.

Promote your business and support the Capital City Symphony. You can donate online or by email to capitalcitysymphony@biddingforgood.org.

View All Auction Items

Learn more at capitalcitysymphony.org.

CCS Annual Family Concert & Instrument Petting Zoo 11/20/11

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT, MAESTRA?
Characters in Story and Cartoon
Family Concert, with Guest Artist Oran Sandel

Sunday, November 20, 2011

TWO Performances: 2:30pm and 4:30pm

Including the popular Instrument Petting Zoo!
(for ticket holders, at 2pm and 4pm)

Beethoven - Coriolan Overture
Dukas - Sorcerer's Apprentice
Handel - Entrance of the Queen of Sheba (Junior Guest Conductor*)
Peck - Playing with Style

Children 16 & under are FREE (ticket required)Adults $16-$25, Senior/Student discounts

Available at http://CapitalCitySymphony.org/ or through the Atlas Box Office at 202-399-7993

*Every year, as part of a major fundraiser, CCS auctions off a "Junior Guest Conductor" spot for a child age 4-16. The lucky winner gets to "conduct" one of the pieces on the Annual Family Concert program.

ORAN SANDEL
While you may recognize Oran Sandel from many years on the Washington Revels stage, Oran has also been a teaching artist in the Washington area for 34 years, including 23 years with Arena Stage’s Living Stage, and 6 years as a lead trainer with the Shakespeare Theatre’s Classics in the Classroom teacher training program. He is a regular visiting play specialist at Amazing Life Games Preschool, a consultant with the Early Childhood division at Centronia, and a teaching artist with Adventure Theater.

Capital City Symphony ONLINE HOLIDAY AUCTION!

Promote your business, do your holiday shopping, AND support the Capital City Symphony!

Beginning on November 7, 2011, the Capital City Symphony will be holding an online Holiday Auction as a year-end fundraiser.

We need your support!  How You Can Help:

Donate.
We need Auction items to add to our auction. If you have valuable merchandise, rare collectibles, business or personal services or access to unique events, we need your contribution today. Click here to Donate.

Be a Sponsor.
Contact us at capitalcitysymphony@biddingforgood.org or 202-399-7993 x120 to take advantage of promotional opportunities for your business or to pledge your individual support.

Tell Your Friends.
Do you know someone who would be interested in supporting our cause? Please share the news of the online auction with your friends so they can be part of the excitement. Refer a Friend to our auction so they can get involved.

Thank you in advance for your continued support! We look forward to your item donation and online bids!

CAPITALCITYSYMPHONY.ORG

Obituary - Ayun Fedorcha, Lighting Designer

AYUN FEDORCHA – Obituary

10/15/1957 – 9/28/2011

Lighting Designer Ayun Fedorcha passed away on September 28, 2011 after an extended illness. Ayun was born Mary Ann Fedorcha in Lakeland, Florida. She grew up in Lakeland, and attended Sante Fe Catholic High School. She went on to Mercer University in Macon, Georgia where she got her BA. After college, Ayun worked as a stage manager and/or lighting designer for Theatre Winter Haven, Lakeland Little Theatre, Lakeland Senior High School, and several dinner theatres. In 1986, she entered the MFA program in lighting design at UVA in Charlottesville, where she stayed for two years. She then took a job with a retail craft company and moved to Westminster, Maryland. She left the company in 1991, and moved to DC to try to freelance in the theatre.

In the Washington, DC area, Ayun's resume reads like an overview of the DC theatre scene. She was a Resident Artist - Lighting Designer at Adventure Theatre (since 1994) and Resident Lighting Designer at Teatro de la Luna (since 1992). She also designed lights for American Century Theatre, the Capital City Symphony, George Mason University – Opera Department, GALA Hispanic Theatre, Georgetown Prep, HEXAGON, Round House Theatre, School of Theatrical Dance, Summer Theatre Experience, The Other Opera Company, VLOC - Victorian Lyric Opera Company, and Washington Shakespeare Company (now WSC Avant Bard). In addition, she was a Guest Lighting Designer for Actor's Theatre of Washington, D.C., Ballet Theatre of Ashburn, Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia, Spooky Action Theatre, The Alden Theatre, and The Catholic University of America.

Ayun said about herself: “I am a very warm and fuzzy lighting designer. My goals include making beautifully lit productions, playing well with my co-designers, and making my directors happy. Paying the rent is also a nice thing.” She consistently received rave reviews for her lighting designs. Ayun was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award in 1997 for her Lighting Design for GALA Hispanic Theatre's La Chunga.

A memorial event is being planned. Details will be posted on the “In Memory of Ayun Fedorcha” Facebook page or email dgrossman@capitalcitysymphony.org for more information.

Mahler and More! CCS Concert 10/16/11

The Capital City Symphony
presents
Mahler and More!

Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 5pm

Pre-concert lecture for ticket-holders at 4:35pm (in the Concert Hall) by Jason McCool.

* Lalo, Symphonie Espagnole, 1st movement ~ with Arec Jamgochian, Violin ~ Levine Cogen Concerto Winner

* Mahler, Two Songs from Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen ~ with Andrew McLaughlin, Baritone; John Devlin, Conductor

* Mahler, Symphony No. 1

More information on the CCS Website.

Tickets $16-$25, discounts for seniors/students. Kids 16 and under FREE!

Available online or at 202-399-7993.

Jason McCool (yes, it's his real last name) is a DC-based actor, musicologist, professor, and social media advocate who is passionate about helping both new and traditional audiences get inside great music. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Maryland, he recently spoke on Mahler at Ignite Baltimore and at the Baltimore Symphony, and will be presenting on Mahler at Ignite DC on October 20. Jason is so pleased to work with both Knowledge Commons DC and the Capital City Symphony on this great symphony, and he hopes to gain company in this dreadfully pleasurable condition of "Mahleria!"

Final Week to Make History! Historic Coon-Sanders Recording Project

Final Week to Make History! Campaign ends at 6pm on 6/27/11.

Sign on as a supporter for Doug Bowles' Historic Coon-Sanders Recording Project!

An amazing singer; a hot, hot band; a fantabulous project . . . and YOU can be a part of it!

Minimum pledge is just $1!

Doug Bowles is planning a series of concerts and a recording with his SingCo Rhythm Orchestra of his extraordinary collection of world class arrangements of the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawks. 

Doug is seeking your assistance in making this music available to a wider audience, through performances and a professional quality recording.

Visit Doug's Kickstarter page to donate now!

He has already amassed the arrangements, which are shockingly exact record transcriptions for the most part.

Doug Bowles and his SingCo Rhythm Orchestra recently gave a live concert of the music for the Potomac River Jazz Club, and were praised for their "hot" and "authentic" presentation of this incredible music. (Check out these videos! The Nighthawk Blues and Got a Great Big Date with a Little Bitty Girl I Love)

Your support will enable this very skilled orchestra to present authentic performances of Coon-Sanders' music. You will never have heard more virtuosic arrangements! This music has likely not been performed in public in this large a setting, and this large a quantity of charts, since the original group disbanded in 1933.

Your investment will be used to support the live concerts and recording fees, including musician fees, venue rental, all associated recording costs, marketing and publicity and potential multi-media presentations to accompany the live concerts.

Visit Doug's Kickstarter page to donate now!

The Coon-Sanders band was really Blazin! They were the top of the tops in the 1920s and 1930s, until the untimely death of one of its leaders in the early '30s. Mel Torme, the famous jazz singer and scat master, made his radio debut with this band at the age of 4, appearing on their radio broadcast for 6 weeks.

Your support will make possible the recording of such hits as
HERE COMES MY BALL AND CHAIN, LOUDER AND FUNNIER, READY FOR THE RIVER, MY BABY KNOWS HOW, AFTER YOU'VE GONE, and many more!