Arghh! Sea Shanties are not just for pirates! Join us for a rollicking good time as we immerse ourselves into the songs of the sea, the often colorful stories behind them, and the salty sailors who sang them. Come experience this seafaring tradition through interactive workshops, fascinating historical lectures and plenty of lively toe tapping music!

Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee, the folk duo Castlebay from Maine, will lead the conference. They have loved, sung and researched traditional music for most of their lives, performing on the Celtic Harp, fiddle, flute and 12 string guitar. They have recently published “Bygone Ballads of Maine, Vol 1- Songs of Ships & Sailors,” a compilation of 165 seafaring songs gathered from various sources in Maine. Exploring social history through music, they will tell the stories not only of the songs, but also of the intrepid collectors who preserved them and the singers who carried on the tradition.

There is no formal ISHRA programming on the evening of Sunday, Sept 10 or on Monday, Sept 11, and attendees may choose to leave on Sunday. For those who stay, this is relaxing, unstructured time on the beautiful island.

You can register here.