The Murthas and The Milners- Songs of Sail

Thursday, July 29th at 6:30
Register July 1st 

The Murthas and The Milners will present a maritime music program from the Great Age of Sail:  the mid-19thcentury to the turn of the 20th century.  They will share sea chanteys, sailors' works songs from the British and American tall ships to the fishing vessels in the Caribbean, immigration songs, love and humorous songs, and ballads.  They will share the historical background of each song and invite the audience to sing along on the many choruses and refrains.  Please help us carry on this tradition!​

About the Performers: 
 
Sean and Deirdre Murtha, of Norwalk, CT met in the vibrant Irish music scene of NYC in the 1990’s.  They enjoy connecting Irish traditional to Old-time Appalachian and Maritime music, tracing common folk through song who have traveled for work, pleasure, or simply to find a better life. From ballads to songs of immigration to lively dance tunes, the Murthas sing in harmony and play a variety of instruments, including fiddle, banjo, bouzouki, guitar, bodhran, mandolin, dulcimer, tin whistle, harmonica, ukelele, and piano.  Deirdre has been singing maritime music with The New York Packet and The Johnson Girls for over 20 years.  She and Sean host a monthly Chantey Sing in Rowayton, CT and continue to attend Irish traditional music sessions in the tri-state area.
 
Dan and Bonnie Milner sing traditional Irish, Irish-American and maritime songs, solo and in unaccompanied harmony. Dan, a geography professor and world traveler, grew up in a singing Irish family in Birmingham England, Ballybunion, Ireland and Brooklyn, New York. His Smithsonian Folkways CD, Irish Pirates Ballads, received 2 Indie Award nominations in 2011. Bonnie’s interest in sea songs was sparked by hearing shanties sung at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, and carried further by her friendship with the last working shantyman, Stan Hugill. She is a member of the renowned, all-woman quartet, The Johnson Girls. Dan and Bonnie have toured extensively in Europe and North America.

The program is held on the Library front lawn. Please bring your own chair or blanket. You may also bring your own refreshments. Bathrooms will be available for program attendees.  Masks and socially distancing required. Limited to 75 attendees. if you have any questions, please call the library at 860.489.6684.  ​

---