Twelfth Night with the Chivalrous Crickets

56 River Street,Bethlehem PA 18018

07 January, 2023

Description

What do the Chivalrous Crickets and King Henry VIII have in common?? They both want to bring back historic English Twelfth Night! In the 1500s, King Henry VIII of England became passionate about incorporating the atmosphere of the notorious Roman Saturnalia - a midwinter carnival-type celebration of the winter solstice - into England's Christmas. And in Tudor England, Christmas began on December 24 after an advent season of fasting, and culminated in a sumptuous and rowdy feast on January 6, also observed as Epiphany - the day the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem. The Chivalrous Crickets launch their inaugural Twelfth Night: part concert, part theatricals - sweets and cider, folk dancing, caroling, decorations, history - and a game with the Lord of Misrule! A traditional centerpiece of the Medieval Twelfth Night was the observance of "topsy-turvy" - when the lords and servants switched roles, and from among the people, someone was chosen by lot to act as the Lord of Misrule, leading all in revelry and mischief. Those attendees keen on a chance to be our Lord of Misrule will have the opportunity on entrance to enter a drawing. A lord will be chosen partway through the evening - what comes next is the mystery! The Crickets perform music spanning six centuries and many nations, exploring the myriad traditions over the eras of this fascinating holiday.