DANCE

Celebrate the winter solstice during extended hours on December 21 from 5-9pm at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and explore human's fascination with the symbolic power of antlers during Winter Solstice Night at the Museum. In collaboration with The Christmas Revels (www.revels.org), The Pinewoods Morris Men will perform the traditional Abbots Bromley Horn Dance in the museums Headgear: The Natural History of Horns and Antlers gallery at 6:00 pm. The horn dance is the oldest known English ritual dance and features six human 'deer' with antlers weaving in and out in a hypnotic pattern to the sound of a haunting melody. Revels Artistic Director Patrick Swanson will introduce the performance and David Coffin, a versatile musician and featured performer in his 32nd year with Revels, will demonstrate horn-based musical instruments such as the gemshorns, the Pibcorn, and his ivory sopranino recorder.

At approximately 6:30 pm everyone will be invited to join a processional to Sanders Theatre, led by the horn dancers. The Headgear exhibition closes on December 31, 2011.

The Harvard Museum of Natural History is located at 26 Oxford Street, a 7-8 minute walk through historic Harvard Yard from the Harvard Square T station. Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, except major holidays. For more information on exhibits and events, explore www.hmnh.harvard.edu or call 617-495-3045.