Maritime Music Festival 2012

Maritime Music Festival is a Sea Shanty Music event held at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port over Easter from Friday 6th until Sunday 8th April 2012 with around 30 acts performing.

Line-up

Artists confirmed so far are:
From Holland: Nelson's Blood, Enkhuizen 4+1.

From Belgium: Males de Mer.

From UK: Andy McKay and Carole Etherton, Andy Kenna, Anna Shannon, Dogwatch, Dave and Julie Evardson, Derek Gifford, Hughie Jones, Jon Heslop, John Thrall, Kerry & Mandy, Les Sullivan, Liam Robinson, Monkeys Fist, Mick McGarry, Nine Tenths Below, Paul Sirman, Red Duster, Run Out The Guns, Roy Clinging, Scold's Bridle, Shanty Crew, Shanty Jack, Sharp as Razors, Short Drag Roger, Steerage Class, and Trim Rig and a Doxy.

Tickets

A one time payment of £6 gives access to the museum for all three days. Please remember to gift aid your admission. This ticket covers you for entry for a full year so one ticket covers the cost of the full three days. The evening concerts are an additional cost of £10 per day and are available from the museum during the festival.

More info

Shanties were the working songs used on the tall ships of the Merchant Navy, and they were used to keep the rhythm for the many onerous tasks that were needed to keep the sailing ships going. On the sailors' off-duty time they would gather on the fore part of the ship, (the fore hatch) or by the bitts (the posts to which the anchor ropes were made fast), and sing songs of their homes, their girls or going ashore and spending their money on beer and women. These songs became known as forebitters. Such songs are part of maritime history and all the performers heard over the weekend have a passion for keeping them alive.

Workshops and demonstrations

Workshops and demonstrations include woodcarving, knot tying and playing 'the bones'. There will be shows about pirates and navy songs from the age of steam or the maritime poems of C. Fox Smith and their adaptation from song.

On site

There will also be a face painter, story teller and activities for the young (and young at heart), and if shopping is your thing there will be stalls to browse offering such delights as delicious home baking, clothing, jewellery, crafts, and traditional Cornish smocks.

Running times

The festival will run from Friday morning until Sunday evening with singing taking place in several areas around the museum. There will be evening concerts on Friday and Saturday nights. The Sunday will be the last formal day of the gathering, but the museum will welcome survivors and informal activities on the Monday.

Accommodation

This event does not have camping but there are a number of hotels, hostels and guest houses in the area.

More information will be here when available.

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