BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Christmas party isn't quite over — at least in the Celtic sense.
The Chivalrous Crickets, a folk band, will hold its second annual Twelfth Night: an Old World Celtic Christmas Revel at the Ice House, 56 River St., on Saturday, Jan. 6.
The show combines traditional music from the Celtic nations (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany) with Appalachian-country tunes — mixed in with some "old time" debauchery.
Who will be crowned?
The Twelfth Night, otherwise known as the Eve of Epiphany, commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus.
In the Celtic nations, the night often is celebrated with a bit of mischief and humor.
Throughout the lively performance, the five-member band (consisting of sisters Genevieve and Fiona Gillespie, Paul Morton, Ben Matus and Bradley King) will recreate those traditions while demonstrating some customs such as wassling and mumming.
In true fashion, the group also will don colorful costumes and masks (wear your best, audience participation is encouraged) and crown a Lord of Misrule to oversee all of the Crickets' silliness onstage.
Wassail, mumming
In the morning before the show, members of the band will prepare a few gallons of wassail (a type of apple cider) to share with the crowd.
There also will be a spread of sweet breads and cheeses to snack on beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Starting at 7 p.m., the Crickets will lead the mumming — complete with dancing, joke-telling, and plenty of singing (again, crowd participation is welcomed).
The 90-minute performance will include an intermission with a trivia game and the chance to win prizes.
The show ends at 9 p.m. with a 20-minute Celtic dance session/encore.
Tickets cost $25 or $10 (ages 21 and under).
For information, click here.
