Meet the group singing sea shanties across the Twin Cities
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Two of the passionate shanty singers at the Dubliner. Photo: Audrey Kennedy/Axios
On a sweltering summer day in mid-July, over 120 strangers crammed into an Irish pub with pints of Guinness in hand to sing an unusual tune for a landlocked state: a sea shanty.
The big picture: For over 15 years, a group of Minnesotans have been convening at Twin Cities pubs, parks and patios for Shanty Sings — dedicated spaces to sing traditional folk songs about oceans, lakes, fishing and other water-related topics.
- This group has no official name, little online presence and, outside of the people who create the Facebook events, no leaders — its existence is spread by word of mouth and by those who happen upon the Sings in search of a pint.
How it works: Anyone is welcome to show up and lead the group in song, though their tune must be about water in some way and have a repeating line that's easy for newcomers to learn on the fly.
- Instruments are not allowed and song leaders are discouraged to use lyric books. In the spirit of the art form, songs are often passed down to newcomers by those in the know.
Fun fact: Participants have included shape note singers, Morris dancers, Renaissance Festival-goers, barbershop quartet members and younger folks who became interested after sea shanties trended on TikTok, longtime participants Chuck Lentz and Doug McNair told Audrey. Everyone interviewed had a different story on how the group began.
What they're saying: A Shanty Sing may share some similarities with a church choir, but many members said the camaraderie and passion has been unlike any other vocal group they've been in.
- "Singing shanties [by memory] at the top of your lungs … It's the best therapy I've ever had," McNair said.
If you go: Find the Shanty Sing at the Dubliner on the second Monday of each month, Merlin's Rest on the third Monday and Wabun Picnic Area in Minnehaha Regional Park on the fourth Monday.
- "Do you want to be able to walk into a place, have a drink with your friends and feel so much better at the end of the night than you did at the beginning? If so, try the Sing," McNair said.
Audrey's thought bubble: I started my Monday with no knowledge of this event and ended it arm-in-arm with strangers belting "Bully in the Alley." A welcoming group and a very fun time.
Pro tip: Prepare yourself for the experience via this YouTube channel, which has some of the Sing's live performances.
- Or, check out the July sing at the Dubliner via our Instagram.