50 Folks came out to warm their vocals at our Junuary Song Circle

Though a rather cold and blustery night, what a great turn out and wonderful evening of singing shanties with Wayne Palsson leading our "Junuary" Song Circle! Among the 50 folks who attended our June gathering, a group from the Port Townsend Yacht Club joined us. We hope they will be regulars at our monthly gatherings!  

Jim Amis and Bob Evans of the Shifty Sailors are regulars at our monthly sing-alongs. Bob explains the phrase  "shin bone al" in the shanty Bully in the Alley.

Wayne Palsson led the Song Circle, encouraging folks to lead, request or pass to the next shanty enthusiast... until everyone had an opportunity to participate, including the gentle man with the banjo below who led us in song with a chorus about Harry Truman who lived and died on Mount St. Helens.

Join Us on May 3 to *Snap the Line Tight!* with Helen Gilbert

Snapshots from our April gathering with the Shifty Sailors.

Good time had by all... sixty men, women and children gathered at our April Song Circle led by the Shifty Sailors of Whidbey Island. Mike James, Helen Gilbert and Tugboat Bromberg sang some of their favorite shanties too.

Join us for our April 5 Song Circle led by the Shift Sailors!

Sailor's Prayer

Matthew Moeller leads Sailor's Prayer while Tugboat Bromberg accompanies on the guitar, at our 3rd monthly Shanty Song Circle at the Northwest Maritime Center Cafe in Port Townsend, Washington State. Video courtesy of Helen Gilbert.

Another fun night!

Thanks to the 60 or so folks who came out last night to join the sing-along at the NW Maritime Center Cafe. 

Emily (Cafe Manager) and all the Maritime staff are awesome! Service with a smile!

A big thank you to Tug Bromberg for leading the Song Circle! Thank you to our shanty-friends Matthew Moeller and the Shifty Sailors for making the trek from places afar off to join us for another great time of camaraderie, sharing and singing songs of the sea! 

Our gatherings would not be possible without the faithful inspiration and support of Mike and Val James, Helen Gilbert and the growing number of shanty enthusiasts who come to our monthly gatherings and are volunteering to help in anyway they can. Keep singin' shanties!

Photos and videos forthcoming, courtesy of Helen Gilbert. Hopefully, she'll have some good ones of Tug, as I was staring at the back of his head all evening.

Judy Courtwright playin' us a tune on her Penny Whistle

Tugboat Bromberg writes:

I had a great time hosting the chantey sing last night. What Fun! I hope that you call on me again to host the sing.
Thanks again
keep your throat wet and powder dry,
Tug

Thank you to our sponsors: the Northwest Maritime Center and Crossroads Music 

Folks havin' fun at our February song circle and sing-along!

Good time had by all!

The following video-clips from our January 5 song circle and sing-along are courtesy of Luane Hanson, student at Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Thanks, Lu!

Sea Shanty Song Circle and Sing-Along -- #1 -- 01.05.12. from Luane Hanson on Vimeo.

Sea Shanty Song Circle and Sing-Along -- #3 -- 01.05.12. from Luane Hanson on Vimeo.

Sea Shanty Song Circle and Sing-Along -- #7 -- 01.05.12. from Luane Hanson on Vimeo.

Sea Shanty Song Circle and Sing-Along -- #10 -- 01.05.12. from Luane Hanson on Vimeo.

Islanders we'll always be...

Sea Shanty Sing Along at NWMC Cafe by Lois, boatshop volunteer. This video clip is from our January 5 inaugural sea shanty sing-along, featuring the Shifty Sailors from Whidbey Island singing their final song of the evening. 

Round and Round, what a great night of singin'!

Photos of our January 5th Sea Shanty Song Circle and Sing-Along courtesy of John Earl, photographer.

Matthew Moeller, Tugboat Bromberg, and the Shifty Sailors

Matthew Moeller , Judith-Kate Friedman, Tugboat Bromberg and the Shifty Sailors

The Northwest Maritime Center Cafe and Chandlery was packed, with nearly 90 members of the local community as well as shantymen and women from around the Pacific Northwest during out for our inaugural shanty sing on the first Thursday in January. "Spectacular evening," commented local musician and our January 5 song circle leader Mike James.