Solstice Singers present "Seaside Solstice"

The Solstice Singers and guest artists will present “A Seaside Solstice,” a nautical pageant of songs and carols, instrumental music, poetry, drama and dance in the style of Medieval to Renaissance eras with occasional more modern pieces. The performances will take place on in the Woods Hole Community Hall on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 4:00 PM and Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 4:00 PM.

This year’s show features traditional holiday music along with uniquely seafaring pieces such as “Christmas at Sea”, in which verses of the R.L. Stevenson poem are interlaced with phrases of a Gaelic work song. Some songs are performed without accompaniment while others are accompanied by Ensemble Passacaglia. The children’s chorus, Les Enfants du Soleil, will present several pieces and join the adult chorus in others, including the “Boar’s Head Carol”, a traditional favorite that will have a special nautical twist this year. Audiences will hear other familiar songs and carols in celebration of the season.

The Vineyard Swordfish team, a group dedicated to performing traditional, modern and invented sword dances, always hoisting a “lock” of swords at the end, will present a ceremonial longsword dance, accompanied by hurdy gurdy and other instruments. The longsword tradition dates back many centuries; once performed across Europe, it took root in the north of England and later came to America.

The Solstice Singers are also pleased to debut a Mummers play which features a Cape Cod pirate, both hero and villain, who must eventually yield to the power of the sea.  Written and directed by Wendell Bishop, one of the singers, the play incorporates some very local characters and stories