HARWICH’S International Shanty Festival will be returning to the maritime town bigger and better than ever before next month.
Artists from around the UK and Europe will take to the streets and venues of Harwich for the 16th annual shanty event, which will take place from Friday, October 7, to Sunday, October 9.
The main acts this year include shanty band The Longest Johns, who have gained huge popularity online after performing at international folk festivals and on television, as well as Brasy from Poland, singing close harmonies, and Nordet from Lorient in Brittany, who will sing shanties and sea songs in French, Breton and English.
Festival spokesman Debbie Jones said: “We have a huge range of entertainment on offer at this musical celebration of Harwich’s rich maritime heritage.
”This year’s festival features 43 acts with artists travelling to Harwich to perform from the Netherlands, France, Germany and Poland and all over the UK.
“Entertainment takes place in local pubs and clubs, St Nicholas Church, the newly renovated Electric Palace, Harwich Museum, on the Ha’penny Pier and on the Thames barges Victor and Excelsior and there are many events at the Redoubt Napoleonic Fort.
“There will be concerts, singaround sessions, workshops, illustrated talks, guided walks, maritime crafts, street theatre and enactments and of the 202 events taking place this year 159 are free.”
The shanty festival has also been chosen for the installation ceremony of Harwich town’s new Time and Tide Bell by the Low Lighthouse’s Maritime Museum.
There will be a special Magic Lantern Show with a seafaring theme by Pepper’s Ghost at the Electric Palace and a special maritime set from poet Les Barker.
There will also be a Shanty Train with entertainment on board and activity packs for children, running backwards and forwards between Harwich Town and Manningtree Station.
The official opening of the festival will be on Ha’Penny Pier, Harwich Quay, by Jenny Tolhurst, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, on the Friday at 11.45am, with shanty singing starting at 12noon.
Full details of all events, acts and advance tickets are available online at harwichshantyfestival.co.uk.
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