Culomba PolyphonyFest: Oct 15-18 2026, Bombyx, Florence MA
2 Concerts, 2 days of Singing Workshops, open to all
This weekend-long celebration of Culomba's 10th anniversary will kick off with a Thursday night concert and continue with intensive singing workshops Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, we will all perform the songs we've learned, on a concert with sepcial guests. We are excited to share some amazing repertoire from Corsican, Balkan, Georgian, Cuban, US and South African singing traditions. Part of Culomba’s mission is to broaden listeners’ cultural horizons, and our workshops consistently engage and inspire listeners with songs from around the world. Join us for this powerful communal singing experience.
Thursday October 15, 7pm, Festival Opening Concert
Culomba will kick off the 4-day celebratory PolyphonyFest with a opening concert featuring all 6 members of Culomba! You will here an exciting variety of a cappella harmony singing from American, East European, and Mediterranean traditions, as well as original compositions by members of the ensemble.
General admission-advance: $30
Student/Card to culture: $15
Full Weekend BUNDLE: $110-220
Weekend Singing Workshop
Friday October 16: 6:30-9:30 pm
AND
Saturday October 17: 10 am-5 pm, with a potluck meal
On Friday and Saturday, we will lead a workshop exploring these singing styles, open to singers of all ages and levels, in a supportive environment with experienced teachers. We will provide sheet music for certain pieces but also teach everything by ear, so singers are welcome whether they can read music or not. Each voice part will be led by a Culomba singer, which will accelerate the learning process and let participants experience rich harmony singing quickly.
General admission-advance: $200
Student/Card to culture: $100
Full Weekend BUNDLE: $110-220
Festival Closing Concert
Sunday October 18: 3 pm with a 12pm call for workshop singers, who will sing in the concert - Tickets here
The weekend will conclude with a Concert Sunday afternoon featuring the festival participants, and special guests.
General admission-advance: $25
Student/Card to culture: $12.50
Full Weekend BUNDLE: $110-220
The PolyphonyFest is made possible thanks to the support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Past performances:
Aeronaut Brewery (Somerville, MA)
All Saints' Episcopal Church (South Hadley, MA)
Anchor House of Artists (Northampton, MA)
A.P.E Gallery (Northampton, MA)
Arts at the Armory (Somerville, MA)
Barbès (Brooklyn, NY)
Bates College (Lewiston, ME)
Belfast Maskers Theatre (Belfast, ME)
Bennington College (Bennington, VT)
The Burren (Somerville, MA)
Caffè Lena (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Capital City Concerts (Montpelier, VT)
Cates Hill Chapel (Bowen Island, Canada)
Club Passim (Cambridge, MA)
Community Church of Boston (Boston, MA)
Cultural Center of Cape Cod (Yarmouth, MA)
Edwards Church (Northampton, MA)
Ethel the Barn (Southampton, MA)
First Baptist Church (Belfast, ME)
Good Shepherd Center Chapel Theatre (Seattle, WA)
Jalopy Theatre and School of Music (Brooklyn, NY)
JP Concerts (Boston, MA)
Mayo Street Arts (Portland, ME)
Mettabee Farm and Arts (Hillsdale, NY)
Morton Memorial Library (Rhinecliff, NY)
Music at the Substation (Roslindale, MA)
Music on Norway Pond
(Hancock NH)
New Surry Theatre (Blue Hill, ME)
The Old Meeting House (Montpelier, VT)
One Longfellow Square (Portland, ME)
Quai des Brumes (Montreal, QC)
Reed College (Portland, OR)
SongRoots Polyphony Festival (Vancouver, BC)
Threes Brewing (Brooklyn, NY)
The Troubadour Acoustic Music Series (Morristown, NJ)
Tinder Hearth (Brooksville, ME)
Watermelon Wednesdays (Whately, MA)