Madrigal Tea and Dinner Performances
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Henry Tudor, King of England, requests your presence at this annual performance and banquet. Join us for a celebration of fine food, good cheer and hearty merriment surrounded by the music and lavish costumes of the 16th century.
To celebrate this season of good tidings and peace, our most gracious lord King Henry announces the coming of his 6th annual Madrigal Dinner. The King extends to all his loyal gentry - landed or not - an invitation to join him for a yuletide banquet of fine food, good cheer and hearty merriment at the St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Palo Alto. Whilst their spirits thus are gently moved, the guests shall dine upon sumptuous cuisine prepared by King Henry's own chefs and be entertained by the King's very own jester.
Surrounded by the glorious sounds, lavish costumes and spritely dances of the 16th century, His Majesty's guests become part of the pageantry, history and celebration of the court of Henry Tudor, King of England.
This year the King has decided to extend his largesse and has added a Friday afternoon Tea on top of his usual dinner celebrations.
Friday, Dec 11, Madrigal Tea
3:15 p.m. seating, Performance starts 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec 12, Madrigal Dinner
5:45 p.m. seating, Performance starts 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec 13, Madrigal Dinner
5:45 p.m. seating, Performance starts 6:30 p.m.
The venue for dining and royal pageantry is Parish Hall at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto (map).
The Castle and Shoppes
The Castle gates and shoppes open three quarters of an hour before the festivities begin. Guests are advised to arrive in good time and encouraged to tarry a bit and peruse the artisan shoppes. Then be seated when His Majesty's processional begins. Members of the audience will be greeted by His Royal Highness during the festivities therefore the King requests appropriate royal attire (to include renaissance flavor if desired). In addition to the festivities, be sure to wander through the Winter Garden Shoppes and choose from among the lovely holiday gift items and delicacies to benefit our Paly Choir Program.
Times and Tickets
Tea on Friday, December 11th
(Sold Out)
Gates open at 3:15 pm
Performance starts at 4:00 pm
King's table $30.00
Nobility $20.00
Students and Seniors $15.00
Dinners on Saturday & Sunday, December 12th & 13th (Sold Out)
Gates open at 5:45 pm
Performance starts at 6:30 pm
King's tables $75.00
Nobility $40.00
Tickets are available for purchase online via secure charge card transaction.
To purchase tickets by mail, please see the instructions online.
Winter Garden Shoppes
HARK! By King's Command! There is something new at the castle! Announcing the Winter Garden Shoppes at this year's Madrigal Dinners and Tea.
Come early and browse through our fine assortment of handcrafts, tabletop gardens and tasty treats. Shoppes open at 3:15 p.m. before the Friday Tea and at 5:45 p.m. before the Saturday and Sunday Dinners.
Tarry awhile with friends and peruse or buy if thou desirest. Then, make your way to the feast and performance. Relax, refresh and make merry. Afterwards, stop by the shoppe and pick up your new treasures. You will be soothed and satisfied (and your holiday shopping will be done!) knowing that you have contributed to a worthy cause!
All proceeds from the shoppe go towards funding the Palo Alto High School Choirs numerous activities including competition entries and transportation, sheet music and binders, costumes and clothing and scholarship aid.
It takes a lot of effort and money to support our dynamic, award winning choir programs. We rely on your help.
Thank you! from the Friends of the Palo Alto Choirs.