Solstice Among Trees: a Story and Music Journey Through the Arnold Arboretum

This unique storytelling and harp performance takes us on an evocative journey through the verdant groves of the Arnold Arboretum.

Oracle-award winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb and Celtic harper Margot Chamberlain guide the audience through Boston’s favorite tree sanctuary, the Arnold Arboretum, with an enchanting evening of ancient myths and folk songs from around the world.

This traveling performance celebrates the unique place that trees hold in our hearts and lives, drawing from the mythic perspective of cultures around the world. Created especially for Arnold Arboretum and its groves of Cherry, Birch and Evergreens this performance has been an annual Solstice event in the landscape for over twenty years.

This immersive event takes the audience on a two-hour journey along tree-lined paths with story and music performances at some of the Arboretum’s loveliest spots. Evocative stories from Japan, Australia, Russia, Britain and Native America celebrate cherry, evergreen and ash groves. The evening culminates with the haunting Czech legend “The Wild Woman of the Birch Grove” told among the birches at sunset.

This annual event is designed for adults who can navigate an approximately two-mile journey on and off trails. The terrain is sometimes uneven and/or hilly so participants should be prepared for that. Please note that there are no pets allowed and, because of the length of the walk and the depth of the tales, the performance is not appropriate for children under 11. If you wish, bring a sit-upon or easy to use portable folding chair for the performance stops. In case of rain, the audience will be notified by email of cancellation two hours before performance time and ticket price will be refunded.

Pay What You Can: suggested donation per ticket is $25

A DONATION DRIVEN event. Limited to 30 participants: Register Today!

About the performers:

Diane and Margot have been featured on NPR and at storytelling festivals, coffeehouses and theaters for over thirty years. Diane is known for her unique style of storytelling, where she embodies the various characters and scenes in a tale, bringing each moment alive. For this she has won both the national and the Northeast regional Oracle award for Storytelling Excellence as well as five Storytelling World Awards. Margot Chamberlain has performed with numerous early music groups including the Revels. Her versatile approach to harp and song brings an underlying poetic weave to support each tale.