“SHALL WE SHANTY”
Music Event Celebrates RI’s Nautical Past
CRANSTON, R.I. – As the Ocean State, Rhode Island’s shores have heard the songs of sailors for decades. Sung to pass the time during a hard day’s work and often fueled by some variety of alcohol, these maritime performances are uniquely a part of our state’s identity.
To celebrate this tradition, the Rhode Island Historical Society is hosting “‘Shall We Shanty?’ An Evening of Revelry and Song” at Revival Brewing Company. The event, scheduled for Thursday, February 27, from 6pm to 9pm, will feature guitarist John Birt performing traditional shanties.
John Birt’s diversity of style is one of his most distinguishing professional features. As a folk musician, John has studied and performed Celtic music for over a decade, performing on guitar, voice, mandolin, and banjo. In 2010 he founded a seven-piece Irish ensemble called Craic Was Mighty (“craic” being the Irish word for fun, gossip, merrymaking, etc.). The group recorded two full-length albums and continues to make appearances in the USA and Canada. In 2016 John became one of the founding members of the French 75 Dixieland Jazz Band, an early jazz quintet in which he performs on tenor banjo and vocals. As a classical guitarist, recent solo programs have explored 16th century lute music, the solo cello and violin music of J.S. Bach, and have included world premieres by American composers David Macbride and Thomas Schuttenhelm. Originally from Rhode Island, he holds a Master’s from The Hartt School in Connecticut currently lives in Richmond, VA.
“As the Historical Society’s programming theme for 2020 is performing arts, this event will be a great performative kick-off,” said Jennifer Wilson, Assistant Director of the RIHS’s Goff Center for Education and Public Programs. “John Birt is a dynamic musician with a unique range of styles and interests. Having grown up in Rhode Island, he has a special connection to the area and its past. We’re very excited to have him perform at this event.”
Tickets for the event are $5 for RIHS members and $10 general admission. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be generously donated by Revival Brewing Company to the Rhode Island Historical Society. Advanced registration is suggested. Tickets can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/shanty2020.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
Founded in 1822, the RIHS, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is the fourth-oldest historical society in the United States and is Rhode Island’s largest and oldest historical organization. In Providence, the RIHS owns and operates the John Brown House Museum, a designated National Historic Landmark, built in 1788; the Aldrich House, built in 1822 and used for administration and public programs; and the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, where archival, book and image collections are housed. In Woonsocket, the RIHS manages the Museum of Work and Culture, a community museum examining the industrial history of northern Rhode Island and of the workers and settlers, especially French-Canadians, who made it one of the state’s most distinctive areas.
About the Revival Brewing Company
At Revival we provide a distinctive craft beer experience that appeals to everyone – from seasoned beer geeks to those just getting into craft beer. Whether it’s our Extra Thirsty Triple IPA, our award-winning Pinky Swear kettle sour, or our smooth and easy-to-drink Starchild Pilsner, we have the beer for you.