Presents the
2nd Annual

Spring Tide Shantyfest

A Farewell to Winter

March 26-28

Uptown
Saint John

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Tickets Coming Soon

Ahoy Mateys!

Mark your calendars as the folks from the award-winning Fundy Sea Shanty Festival transform Uptown Saint John into a maritime music haven. Join us as we celebrate Saint John’s rich seafaring and shipbuilding heritage, bringing the enduring spirit of sea shanties to life.

Spread across multiple venues, the multi-day festival features performances from seven musical groups, interactive workshops, and culinary events - all highlighting the city’s vibrant culture and history.

Immerse yourself in a series of lively musical performances and events, including knot-tying and sea glass workshops, historical presentations, and themed dining experiences like "Seafood Chowder & Shanties" at Steamers. Whether you're singing along at our host hotel Delta Brunswick or enjoying the cozy atmosphere of the Shanty Pub at O’Leary’s Pub, the Spring Tide Shantyfest promises music, community, and joy as we wave goodbye to winter.

Let's showcase the timeless charm of maritime music and breathe new life into the city after winter’s doldrums. Get your ticket to celebrate the rhythms of the sea and the heart of Saint John’s historic Uptown – where music and maritime heritage converge!

*Enjoy Special Rates at the Delta*

Schedule of Events (Coming Soon)

Featured Performers

Click on each image to read more about our artists!

Pressgang Mutiny

Pressgang Mutiny are Toronto's Shantymen, dedicated to traveling the globe to discover shanties, works songs and the people who sing them. A quartet of dynamic musicians and tall ship sailors, they have performed extensively in Canada, the US and Europe and have showcased at the Folk Music Ontario and Folk Alliance International conferences.

With their dedication to showcasing and sharing the full breadth of shanties, Pressgang Mutiny have collaborated with and learned from sea shanty singers from around the globe – most notably through their podcast The Shanty Show. Their third album Departure will release in summer 2025 and is an ambitious re-imagining of everything shanties can be, featuring historical samples, guest musicians, and of course Pressgang Mutiny’s signature four-part harmonies.

Whether performing a rollicking set of shanties from around the world, leading educational workshops for new and experienced shanty audiences, or interviewing other artists on The Shanty Show, the lads of Pressgang Mutiny are guaranteed to entertain, educate, and delight.

Pressgang Mutiny are Richard Kott, James McKie, Tim Pyron, and Stefan Read.

Dram and a Draw

Andy Chatham and Kris Morey aren't from Newfoundland and Labrador, but they are often mistaken for it. Both their fathers were born there and ended up on the mainland married to New Brunswick girls. Their lifelong interest in the time-honoured tunes of the East Coast, along with their love of the Maritime JamBand scene led to Dram & A Draw, where the button accordion and the acoustic guitar are brought together in a traditional, yet modern way.

Upbeat, infectious melodies combine with interwoven vocal harmonies overtop a deep bass and a powerful stomp to create a rich, full, and exciting sound. Classic Celtic tunes are reimagined for today and original songs are crafted in the old style. Dram & A Draw is a modern East Coast Kitchen Party that'll get you up on your feet and dancing with the crowd!

Sara & James Nelson

Sara and James Nelson are siblings from Lower Coverdale NB that are bringing the traditional toe-tapping Maritime Fiddle music to audiences around the Maritimes, and beyond. Finding a love for fiddle music early on, these first generation musical siblings have been finding people to entertain for as long as they can remember. Starting out at church functions, local jam nights, or wandering from room to room at the hospital and nursing homes, these two have always enjoyed playing a tune for someone.
They are a part of the Sussex Avenue Fiddlers under the direction of Ivan and Vivian Hicks who perform at fundraisers and community events around the Maritimes. Also they have been part of the Plucky Pizzacatos, a student group under the direction of Samantha Robichaud. In 2021, they both joined the cast of the Lumber Jills under the direction of Stacey Read, and have performed at festivals in PEI and NB, including the Festival of Small Halls, Cavendish Beach Music Festival and Levee on the Lake. In the fall of 2023 & 2024 they were invited to perform for a week at Dollywood in Tennessee and in the summer of 2024 they travelled to Scotland to play the HebCelt Festival with the Lumber Jills.

Frantically Atlantic

Frantically Atlantic (Don Rigley and Michelle Daigle) is a musical duo based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Our instruments include fiddle (violin), vocals, hammered dulcimer, Irish bouzouki, banjo, ukulele, bodhran (Irish drum), tin whistles, guitar, concertina and spoons.

In our combined history we have served up our bill of fare in the Maritimes, Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, New England and Ireland.

Our digital album “FRANTICALLY ATLANTIC” was on the “Top 60 Albums of Atlantic Canada List” of 2017 through East Coast Rising, CIOE 97.5 FM. Our self-titled album “Frantically Atlantic” was nominated for the 2018 Music NB Awards in the category of traditional/roots artist of the year ||| artiste traditionnel/roots de l’année. Our CD features six original and six traditional tunes. You can find our album at: https://franticallyatlantic.bandcamp.com/releases

Two of original songs are highlighted on a CD compilation entitled “Songs of the Fundy Trail”.

Come All Ye . . . and dance

This dance creation is a fusion of sea shanties and contemporary dance. August 2026 will see the world premiere of this new creation in St. Martins, NB, and you can grab a sneak peak of the first half of the production 5 months early.

Through the power of dance Come All Ye... and dance honours the work done by sailors and explores their lives at sea. Choreographed by New Brunswick born-and-raised artist Liam Caines, and featuring an all-Maritime cast of performers, this production will inspire and thrill audiences, while preserving the rich tradition of shanties

A preview of Come All Ye. . . and dance
will be featured at the Spring Shantyfest!

Shantyfest Partners

Let's take a moment to recognize and thank our generous sponsors and supporters of our spring festival!

Want to join the partner crew? Email us at ahoy@fundyseashantyfest.com or call Gary at 506-832-3529

Funding Partners

Presenting Sponsor

High Tide Sponsors

Ebb Tide Sponsors

The Venues

From cozy accommodations at the Delta Hotel and the vibe at O'Leary's to delicious meals at Steamers, we've got you covered. Join us for an unforgettable event in Uptown Saint John!