Sea chantey show to be held at Norway Memorial Library July 28

NORWAY — Norway Memorial Library will host a musical program of traditional sailor chanteys, featuring Jerry Bryant, at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28.
Sea chanteys are rhythmic work songs sung by men who worked on square-riggers to coordinate their muscle power as they raised sails, moved cargo, and heaved up the anchor. The songs have found a resurgence of popularity on social media and recent movies. They are loved for their compelling rhythms, singable choruses, and the salty flavor they deliver, conjuring images of wooden ships bowling along under a cloud of canvas.
Bryant is a singer and independent folk scholar who has studied traditional sailor songs, including chanteys. He accompanies his singing with concertina and banjo, but delights in belting out a capstan chantey unaccompanied, the way it was done on the deck of a barque or brigantine 200 years ago. He also adds historical insights to his performances.
The concert is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call the library at 743-5309 or visit norlib@norwaymemoriallibrary.org.