What better way to kick off 2021 than with a symphony of sound for a good cause?
For the second year, Washington, DC’s National Bell Festival is inviting bell towers at churches, cathedrals, national parks, memorials, community organizations and historical structures across the country to ring out together from 2-2:20 p.m., ET. (DC, Maryland and Virginia bells will peal from 12:30-3 p.m. that day.)
As part of the event, BellFest is also presenting a selection of free online programming that celebrates and embraces American history through DC’s often-overlooked bells, which are considered an integral part of the nation’s independence, strife, pain, sense of community and hope for the future.
In addition to sparking an appreciation for bells, the event raises funds to repair, maintain and restore bells and bell towers. Its first project is refurbishing the bell at Georgetown Lutheran Church, which dates back to 1780, and was lost during the Civil War and recovered a few decades later. BellFest wants to commemorate the congregation’s 250th anniversary by restoring the bell so that it can ring out again.
Free events on Jan. 1 include a Kettlebell Workout from 11-11:30 a.m. with fitness trainer Luwamé, a New Year’s Day Brunch Virtual Cooking Demo from noon-12:45 p.m. with chef Anthony Chittum of DC’s Iron Gate and a Yoga and Meditation Class with Paige Lichens from 1-2 p.m. that uses the soothing tones and vibrations of crystal and metal singing bowls to promote clarity, reflection and relaxation.
There is an art class offered on Watercolors with acclaimed illustrator Cris Clapp Logan from 3:30-4:30 p.m., as well as instructions online for several bell-related crafts and activities for kids (and kids of all ages) including Build a Bell Tower, Color a Bell, Create a Bell and Make a Bell Necklace.
The event caps off from 4-5 p.m. with the Concert: First and Foremost, during which Elizabeth Hill will highlight the history of piano in America through the works of four composers: Florence Beatrice Price, Robert Nathaniel Dett, William Grant Still and Tatev Amiryan.
For more information and to register for the events and donate to the organization, head to the event’s website.
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