SING SEA SHANTIES WITH THE LONGEST JOHNS AT THE KATE

Are you ready to abandon your sturdy land legs and venture out to sea? Do you enjoy the thrill of a fresh ocean breeze and the exhilaration and rush of bouncing off the waves? Have you ever run off to the ocean for pure pleasure and grand adventures? Without getting your feet wet or having to pull any heavy ropes, you can fancy yourself on the high seas thanks to a visit to the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center for a sparkling evening with The Longest Johns on Saturday, February 26 at 8 p.m. Sea shanties are the singular speciality of The Longest Johns, who have just released their highly anticipated fourth album “Smoke and Oakum” on Decca Records. With an irresistible sound, The Longest Johns will carry you out of sea and bring you home again safely to shore, after an exciting time on the water. Whether they are providing a powerful a cappella delivery or accompanied by banjo, harmonium and whistle, this group of four hailing from Bristol, England have come a long way since they sang in a kitchen for their own entertainment. Now they rock their way to international folk festivals, television appearances and tours, racking up a huge following of fans in the process. The group ignited a fiery revival of sea shanties in 2021 with their hit tune Wellerman, a catchy ballad about a whale and a ship, the Billy of Tea, in competition for supremacy, for forty days or more. The ship is locked in a battle with the whale, a battle that may never end, while waiting for the “Wellerman” to arrive with luxuries like sugar and tea and rum. The tune hails from New Zealand and is almost 200 years old. It was written to honor the crews of whaling boats working for the largest whaling and export company, the Wellers. The whaling boats would be out at sea for weeks and even months and the company or “Wellerman” would send out supplies of food and drink to keep them going. For tickets ($36), call The Kate, 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook at 860-510-0453 or online at https://katharinehepburntheater.org. Bring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test and your mask. Come indulge your love of folk tunes and maritime songs, from this group who began at a barbecue for a laugh by singing a sea shanty in 2012. Come see how they’ve weathered the proverbial musical storm.