California Revels: Summer Solstice Celebration

California Revels salutes the longest day of the year on Saturday, June 21st from 1-4 pm at beautiful Live Oak Park in Berkeley. No tickets, no reservations needed for this free event for families of all ages! Bring your dancing feet, your singing voices, and a picnic and blanket for this special Revels event. 

Saturday, June 21, 2025, 1-4 p.m.

Live Oak Park Picnic Area #2 

(next to Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St.)*

We’ll dance lively, easy-to-learn English folk dances, led by Guest Artist Alex Cumming, Artistic Director of Revels North. Alex will also lead us in songs of the season from his native England, plus some Revels favorites to celebrate this longest day of the year. California Revels Artistic Director Jeri Reed will teach a bonfire dance, the Solstice Ensemble and Morris dance teams will perform, and there will be informal instrumental jamming and singing. 

Welcome Revels North Artistic Director, Alex Cumming

Alex Cumming is a traditional singer, accordionist, pianist, and dance caller originally from Somerset, England, now based in Brattleboro, Vermont. With over a decade and a half of experience, Alex has performed extensively across the UK and the US, bringing traditional songs and tunes to life with his engaging stage presence and deep knowledge of folk traditions. Alex is also known for his work with award winning UK based a Capella band The Teacups, celtic trio Bellwether (ft. Eric McDonald & Louise Bichan) and contra dance bands Crossover and Red Case Band. alexcummingmusic.com, revelsnorth.org.

California Revels is a nonprofit arts organization that produces the Midwinter Revels, an immersive theatrical pageant celebrating the power of traditional song, dance, storytelling and ritual. Revels also takes the opportunity to spread joy throughout the year, with multi-generational community events including singalongs and family dances. californiarevels.or

*Directions to LIve Oak Park, Picnic Area #2. We’ll be in a grove next to the Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Berkeley. Park on Walnut St. closest to the site, or park on Oxford and enter the park via a staircase on the west side of the street (near 1260 Oxford). 

Bring a picnic and blanket to sit on, if you wish, plus water bottle, comfortable shoes, and any folk instruments you might wish to play!