Event

A Colonial Christmas!

Now in its fifth season, A Colonial Christmas will be presented in two holiday concerts that bring to life the music, dance and stories of Christmastime in the days of the nations first settlers, 250 years ago. The Endris Chamber Ensemble is a Baltimore-based group of professional musicians.

These family-friendly concerts cost $14, with tickets available at brownpapertickets or at the door. Please join us on:

Sunday, December 10, 5 pm, at Grace & St. Peters Church, 707 Park Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Saturday, December 23, 7 pm, at The Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214

The story of Christmastime in early America is quite unlike popular imaginings. For one thing, Christmas celebrations were outright banned initially by the Puritans in New England, who viewed them as sinful and shameful excess. And they werent entirely wrong: One of the more popular ways to celebrate was wassailing, which involved extorting ones wealthy neighbors for food and drink under threat of trickery!

Through constables records, old broadsides, many books and educated guesswork, the Endris Ensemble opens a window on this lively past. The concert is amusing, thought-provoking, historically authentic and all-together delightful, filled with the music, dance and stories of the holidays in early America.

The concert has two halves. The first half presents the sacred church-centered music of the season and the second half, perhaps more profane, is the music and dancing reserved for taverns and wassailing mobs. Join us for a joyful evening in the spirit of the holiday.

The Endris Chamber Ensemble, comprised of local musicians, includes singer Janna Critz, wooden flute player and singer Tyler St. Clare, guitarist and singer Joshua Barnett, hammered dulcimer player Michael Jancarek, cellist Tim Anderson, and step dancer and singer Nora Miller.