Robin Dudley Leads April 8th Shanty Sing!

"Here it is nearly April already.  Robin Dudley writes the community arts column for the PT Leader.  When she interviewed us a few weeks ago I asked her if she would be interested in leading a sing.  She jumped at the chance.  She has sailed numerous tall ships from as many ports around the world.  We’re looking forward to her leading and are hoping that some of the Adventurous crew will join her." ~ Mike James

Port Townsend Victorian Days - Shanty Sing and Pub Crawl

March 20th, some of our regulars will be singing shanties at the PT Victorian days, accompanying Dano Quinn at the Hastings Building 7pm-8pm.

Shanty Sing & Pub Crawl

The Victorian Festival rears up Friday night, March 20th, with our Victorian Pub Crawl - featuring sea shanties, saloons, "shanghai tunnels," and fine vintage cocktails throughout a staggering selection of Port Townsends (in)famous watering holes. Join us in the corner room of the historic Hastings Building at the Hastings Building (Corner of Taylor and Water Streets)) at 7pm.
No charge, just good times with great folk
7 pm - Shanty sing! We start the night off roaring out the old sea shanties led by a handful of Port Townsend's saltiest shantymen.

8-? pm After all that singing, a fellow's throat could get a little dry so it's off to a fine selection of the city's finest watering holes. Join up with the entourage or sortie out on your own!

Join Shantyman Chris Gilbert for the March 11th Shanty Sing at the NWMC

Chris hails from London, England and has participated in various folk traditions in “the old country” since his college days. He spent many a happy hour singing in folk clubs and pub song circles. He also became very active in the quintessential English frivolity known as Morris dancing. Rumor has it that he is thinking of bringing the Morris dance tradition to Port Townsend soon. Let’s face it, PT is just the place!

In '92, he emigrated to the US where he lived first in California, then Vermont and finally settled in Washington State. During this time he became steeped in the US folk scene, and is keen to highlight the parallels between the US and the UK folk song revivals of the 20th century. Both of these revivals were stoked by the traditions of Celtic music, and the sea-faring ways that led to Shanty songs.

Join Shantyman Jim Scarantino for our February 11th Shanty Sing!

WHERE?...The Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA

WHEN?…2nd Wednesday, February 11th, 6:00 to 8-ish

WHY?… Free, Phun, and Family friendly. The February sing will be led by Jim Scarantino, the man with the voice and energy of a “bully first mate.” Aaaaargh! Whether you sing or “knot,” come rant and roar for a fun evening that’s filled with songs, stories, and nautical tales that once echoed across Port Townsend’s waterfront…and still do!

Got a concertina or fiddle? Bring it!...and don’t forget your in-laws! 

Thanks to: The Courtyard Café, Judy Courtwright Studio, Northwest Maritime Center, and Pippa’s Real Tea.

October 8th, Save the Date. Join us for Another Rousing Song Circle with Mark Olson!

Join Mark Olson and shanty sing crew for another rousing Sea Shanties Song Circle at the Northwest Maritime Center on October 8th at 6:00p.m. Always a free, and family-friendly community gathering.

Wooden Boat Festival 2014 Photo Credit:
Kim Carver, Editor of Jack Tar Magazine

Ahoy, Mateys! The 38th Annual Wooden Boat Festival

The 2014 Wooden Boat Festival is coming up September 5-7 in Port Townsend. Check out the Festival Schedule including the Shanty Sings on Friday and Saturday nights.

Good Times with Matt, Dan and Chris - Center Stage

First Shanty Sing of the Summer at the Northwest Maritime Center

Singin' Shanties down below at The Cellar Door June 11th!

Hey-Oh, below, below

Stowin' sugar in the hold belo-o-w

Sing it to me now, Huh!

Hey-Oh, below, below

Stowin' sugar in the hold belo-o-w....

Join Mike James and other shanty enthusiasts singin' shanties down below at The Cellar Door for the first time. Located at 940 Water Street in Port Townsend, an intimate venue, down the stairs, below street level, with a great selection of food and beverages.

June 11th Shantey Sing Venue... the Cellar Door!

"So here’s the scoop. Have you ever had a chance to sing a shantey in a real, below street level, 1800’s environment, complete with bricked over tunnels that led to the waterfront? Well, strap on your singing shoes and grease your tonsils for the second Wednesday, June  11th, shantey sing at 6 p.m. at the Cellar Door in Port Townsend. You can almost see Max Levy hanging out in the shandows while the employees of his “personnel department convince stragglers that they need to become a sailor.” The Cellar Door is a newcomer on the scene with music of all types, usually with no cover. 

If the Cellar Door likes what they see in June, we also have July penciled in. Families are welcome, and kids can be there until 10 p.m. They have a full menu and beverage bar. The Cellar Door entrance is across from The Palace Hotel on Tyler Street, although the address is given as Water Street. On the Cellar Door website click on the Gallery, which will give you a look at the interior. Steve Lewis would be proud! More laterrrrr. Double Aaaaaargh!" - Mike James

Singin' Shanties - Victorian Heritage Festival

I had no idea of what to expect in the way of attendance at the Port Townsend Victorian Days shantey sing. We had set up eight chairs thinking that would be adequate. Within minutes of the first song those chairs were full, and people kept streaming into the Hastings Building on Water Street to join in the music…some leading songs, joining in on choruses, or just enjoying listening. It reminded me of my days in Michigan during the great folk scare. People got together to share in the joy of a community voice, singing, unrehearsed and unfettered by what someone else might think. Wow! What fun!

Mike James, Sing Shanties song leader

The shanty sing was a huge asset to this year's Victorian Festival. Shanties bring together so much of what is Port Townsend - community and the sea, music, earthiness and good humor. It distills why we're here into something we can share. 

Nathan Barnett, Victorian Festival director

April 9th Shanty Sing with Mike James!

Mike James leads the April 9th Shanty Sing at the Port Townsend Pizza Factory at 1102 Water Street, near the ferry terminal. Come early and order a slice. "Singin' is encouraged by knot required.!" Lead a song, request a song or pass.

Ahoy, Mateys! Dan Roberts leads November 7th Song Circle!

Sing Shanties Song Circle &

Sing-Along with Dan Roberts

1^st Thursday in November

6:00-8:30 P.M.   

Uptown Community Center, 

620 Tyler St., Port Townsend

FREE! All Ages Welcome!

Singin’ encouraged, but knot required.

Join us Thursday,

  NOVEMBER 7th 

for our monthly community, family-friendly gathering to learn, sing and enjoy shanties and other maritime music.

Join us on Thursday, November 7th for a rousing song circle and sing-along with shantyman and minstrel Dan Roberts!

 “A voice as masculine as John Henry’s biceps and as rich as a well-oiled wooden boat’s deck.” – “Playing music that can be fun, enriching and participatory… Dan does this about as well as anyone.” - Victory Review 

Dan Roberts… with his big baritone voice and whose musical background ranges from opera to street singing, is an engaging entertainer, known for his powerful voice, various vocal stylings, and encouraging audience participation on choruses and familiar songs. Dan’s performances are always fun and interesting. In addition to the release of his own solo CD “Rowing Minstrel,” he is a featured performer on the albums “Victory Sings at Sea” and “The curse of the Somers,” both by Victory at Sea. Dan also performs with the groups The Whateverly Brothers and Seattle Labor Chorus, and as a soloist at fairs, festivals, aboard several historical ships and many other venues around the Pacific Northwest. Besides singing, Dan has a background in radio and theater. Dan plays the guitar, mandolin, spoons, penny whistle and Appalachian mountain dulcimer. Among all the styles of music he performs, Maritime music is one of Dan’s favorite genres to play and sing.

Go here to LIKE the Whateverly Brothers on Facebook. 

Join us on August 1st for our next Sing Shanties Song Circle, led by Matthew Orr!

Matthew Orr, local boatbuilder and shantyman, leads our August shanty sing. Enjoy the camaraderie and fun as we each take a turn singing a song, requesting a song, or sitting back to enjoy hearing and learning some of the tunes that were, and many which still are, sung by the working crew aboard tall ships here and abroad. Songbooks available.