Wednesday 30 December 2015
Tuesday 29 December 2015
UPCOMING PERFORMANCE
Come and see the crew perform at the Brasserie du Quercorb on 12 March 2016. As well as great beer and singing there will be England versus Wales in the 6 Nations rugby tournament being shown live.
Friday 23 October 2015
Fanmail!
A Couple of Photos of the AudeShantyMen
Thanks to our fan Geoff for the first : and to our long-time friend and guru Ray for the innovative second! Love them both!
Monday 19 October 2015
BREWING UP A GREAT SUCCESS
The Brasserie du Quercorb in Puivert hosted the most recent recital of favourite sea shanties by the AudeShantyMen.
The tap room there provided an atmospheric and acoustically excellent setting for an enthusiastic performance that was book-ended by two Rugby World Cup quarter final matches. Not that it needed the appearance of Ireland in the first match for the sales of the brewery's own superior stout "Tres Ficela" on draught to be sampled and appreciated by many. Black as jade, a true Irish stout! Rich in malt with hints of coffee & bitter chocolate to finish. YUM
With two IPA draught beers also available and a collection of classic bottled beers the afternoon proceeded well despite the disappointing results in the rugby for the northern hemisphere. Some carry outs were required to help "celebrate" the results.
The song list chosen proved very popular with many well known rousing choruses bringing the performance to a crescendo.
Many thanks to Paul and Jayne for their support and hospitality - we hope to see you again very soon and good luck with your ventures.
Thursday 8 October 2015
Monday 28 September 2015
AudeShantyMen on song at grape harvest Fête
Château Guilhem the ideal setting in which to entertain
On a perfect autumn day in the Languedoc the AudeShantyMen, their families and friends assembled by invitation of owner Bertrand Gourdou at one of the most historical and picturesque of the winemaking châteaux in south west France to help celebrate the annual harvesting of the grapes.
Following the arrival of the grapes picked that morning by volunteers (later to be auctioned for the benefit of the children's charity "Marie-Louise") the large crowd packed into the chai were treated to a performance by the AudeShantyMen, who concentrated on songs about raising glasses and being merry. Exactly reflecting the mood of the day!
Then it was into the park where a banquet awaited courtesy of their hosts. The delicious fare was washed down by a selection of excellent wines from the range of Château Guilhem which takes great pride in cultivating using organic methods.
It was a privilege to share this special day in the lives of the winemaking fraternity. A huge vote of thanks to Bertrand, his family and staff for their generous hospitality. In the annals of the AudeShantyMen this day will be long remembered!
Friday 11 September 2015
One for the landlubbers!
AudeShantyMen to add sparkle to harvest home!
It is with the greatest of pleasure that the AudeShantyMen announce that they have accepted an invitation to entertain the guests at La Fête des Vendanges Solidaires at Château Guilhem in Malviès towards the end of this month. This prestigious event takes place annually to mark the end of the grape harvest and to raise money for the Chateau's chosen children's charity, this year "L'Association Marie-Louise".
Thursday 3 September 2015
AudeShantyMen help celebrate milestone birthday
The AudeShantyMen raised their voices and several glasses in celebration of a special lady's birthday yesterday. Many Happy Returns, Marjorie. You are an inspiration to us all! Thanks for a wonderful afternoon in the Languedoc sunshine. Love from Greybeard, Magellan, Powder Monkey, Columbus, Mutineer, Janner, Black Bart and Kipper X
Monday 17 August 2015
AudeShantyMen afloat on the Med!
AudeShantyMen sparkle in concert with Ar-Vag
Meeting up with old friends from Ar-Vag inspired the Crew to give one of their most accomplished performances at Gruissan last evening. In front of the lifeboat station the two groups performed separately then together to amuse and entertain the crowds of locals and tourists.
Under the baton of the irrepressible Pierre Cloarec, Ar-Vag ran through two sets of shanties, many from their beloved Bretagne.
The two groups later combined to sing the old favourite "Santiano" before getting down to the serious business of eating, drinking and being merry together on the quayside. A picnic that was truly "formidable".
It is far too long since the AudeShantyMen enjoyed the company of these special people and we trust that we shall have an opportunity to sing together and enjoy fellowship again in the very near future.
Monday 10 August 2015
AudeShantyMen off to the seaside!
AudeShantyMen and Ar-Vag to share stage in Gruissan
Join the Crew and their old friends from Bretons-in-exile group Ar-Vag at a special event to raise awareness of the valuable work done by the SNSM - the French equivalent of the RNLI. Be at the Station SNSM at 18h00 on Sunday 16th August!
It is far too long since the AudeShantyMen performed on the shores of the Mediterranean (see above) and the line-up has changed since then. However four veterans remain from that scorching afternoon : Magellan (in pink) and to his right Columbus (making his début with the band that day) Powder Monkey and Greybeard.
Ar-Vag not only sing sea shanties from their beloved Brittany but also perform local dances in Breton costume. The result is an enchanting form of entertainment with language no bar to enjoyment.
We are so looking forward to re-uniting with Ar-Vag under their musical director Pierre Cloarec, seen above in one of his typically expansive moments!
Bring it on!
Friday 31 July 2015
AudeShantyMen add fizz to apéros in Mirepoix
AudeShantyMen whip up fan frenzy!
They just couldn't get close enough to our brave boys! One brave lady even stormed the quarter deck with her recording gear, taking Magellan and the Mutineer rather by surprise but, as you can see, nothing daunted the Crew. The large crowd of regular fans, followers and tourists outside the cafés round the square - L'Atmosphère and Les Castignolles - was thoroughly entertained.
For the "New Hands" in the Crew it proved to be an encouraging performance. Dave (centre) and Bob got a taste of life as a shantyman. Even more so when the AudeShantyMen and their ladies retired to sample the culinary delights of the summer menu at Le Petit Bouchon - where the singing continued well into the night! A great night all round!
Wednesday 1 July 2015
AudeShantyMen to haul for better weather!
AudeShantyMen all up for returning to Mirepoix!
Storm force winds and a torrential downpour failed to dampen the enthusiasm of our gallant lads when they performed in this gem of a medieval town back in May. Now they are set to return to Mirepoix - this time hoping for a balmy, sunlit evening on which to entertain their fans, tourists and locals.
This rare opportunity to hear the Crew in the Ariège will take place under the famous oak "couverts" in front of the Cafés Atmosphère and Castignolles - where troubadours and other musicians have performed over a period of a thousand years. The AudeShantyMen will be singing from 18h30 on Wednesday 29th July.
Do spread the word and "venez nombreux!". What better than to relax with a pastis or two and listen to shanties and other songs of the sea - delivered in the inimitable harmonic style of the AudeShantymen.
Magellan
Saturday 23 May 2015
Brave boys conquer downpour in Mirepoix!
A hardy crowd came to hear the AudeShantyMen under the ancient oak "couverts" in Mirepoix on the evening of 20 May. Not even the rain - torrential at one point - could dampen spirits. The Crew gave one of their most accomplished performances before being driven indoors to eat, drink, be merry and keep on shantying!
Monday 18 May 2015
AUDESHANTYMEN STOP THE TRAFFIC
With a number of impromptu performances, The AudeShantyMen were received with rapturous delight and applause from an enthusiastic crowd at the Maritime Festival du Golfe du Morbihan in the town of Vannes on Saturday 16th May 2015
Sunday 10 May 2015
Excitement Mounts as AudesShantyMen prepare for Brittany!
Crew rising to challenges ahead
These past few weeks have seen the AudeShantyMen spending enjoyable hours in rehearsal and planning for the weekend in Pontivy and Vannes and their long anticipated meeting up with Brittany's Chantimor. At last the two shanty bands will be spending time singing, eating and drinking together after an internet friendship which has lasted two years and more. The prospect of participating in one of the major sea festivals in France has fired everyone's imagination. Vannes will be buzzing with seafarers and tall ships from as far away as Croatia attending this week long event. Our hosts have pulled out all the stops, for which we are enormously grateful. We are so looking forward to the adventure!
Tuesday 5 May 2015
FREE CONCERT
Come and see the The AudeShantyMen in the main square at Mirepoix on Wednesday 20 May at 19h00 for this free public performance.
La Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan
15 & 16 MAY 2015 - - Celebration of the Sea in Brittany - The AudeShantyMen will be joining their northern cousins CHANTIMOR for a visit to this prestigious event.
Friday 10 April 2015
Maritime Merrytime at Ellesmere Port
Magellan represents AudeShantyMen at UK Shanty Festival
The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port was the setting for the 5th Festival of Maritime Music over the Easter weekend.
More than fifty acts - from solo to shanty band - performing in five venues on site meant continuous entertainment from 11am until 5pm. In addition there were two evening concerts featuring the best of our homegrown talent as well as bands from Europe. And then there was the Bar .... !
The Old Gaffers - Devon's finest!
Short Drag Roger
It was good to hear the outstanding contributions made by female vocalists such as the eight strong a capella band She Shanties and the multi-talented songwriting/singing duo of Linda Kelly and Hazel Richings who perform under the name of Hissy Fit.
Hissy Fit
Much praise is due to Julia and Derek (aka Trim Rig and a Doxy) whose brainchild the Festival was and who bear cheerfully and almost single handedly the immense burden of organisation. Can't wait for next year when the AudeShantyMen hope to be performing.
A larger album of photos from this memorable weekend can be found on our FaceBook page. Click on the link at the top of the page.
Thursday 2 April 2015
Arrival of Spring stirs the AudeShantyMen's juices!
Hands to Muster Stations!
It may be a while since we updated our Blog but that does not mean that the AudeShantyMen have been idle in the meantime. Far from it! There is much to report about what has been happening behind the scenes during the past few months.
As the summer whiled away Powder Monkey brought to fruition the dream he shared with the lovely Elise of opening their own restaurant. On both their parts this enormous task required endless hours of toil and devotion to duty, not, alas, to singing. By late summer "La Vue" was open and what a success it has proved! Situated on the former wine estate of "Mestrugue" the cuisine, hospitality and beguiling surroundings have captivated all who have ventured there. If you haven't tried it yet make sure you reserve : the number to call is 06 47 07 76 48. You won't be disappointed!
During this period the Crew, besieged by the usual quota of summer visitors, stood down as usual to entertain them. Disappointingly, this slowing of pace proved tricky to accept for a couple of our newer recruits who felt the need to push on. So we said goodbye and thank you to Juggins and Bosun during the autumn and winter respectively.
The New Year saw the AGM of the AudeShantyMen and this brought with it several planned and important changes. Greybeard felt it was time for him to relinquish the post of President, which he had occupied with distinction since the inception of the band. It was with reluctance that this decision was accepted. After due deliberation the Crew agreed that it would be advantageous to elect a non-singing Honorary President who could guide the ship without the emotional attachment that comes with choral involvement. We were fortunate indeed that Arthur Groves, a fan from way back, agreed to stand. He was a unanimous choice and was elected unopposed. Already Arthur's steady hand on the tiller has proved beneficial. Long may this voyage continue! Another important innovation at the AGM was the adoption of a formal Constitution. Alongside this stands a Code of Ethics which all members have adopted. Membership is renewable annually, membership fees have been raised and all singers have signed a Rights Waiver to ensure that there are no possible obstacles to future performances, recordings and publicity. Future members will required to do likewise.
As far as performances are concerned, last summer the Crew was sad to have to turn down an invitation to sing at the Shrewsbury Festival, one of the biggest events in the GB Folk music calendar. They have decided to defer an appearance at the UK Shanty Festival until 2016. However, Magellan is on a mission to check out this year's event and will shortly be back in the UK to act as an ambassador for the band and to gather new material at this, the biggest shanty gathering in the country.
We can also announce that our first performance of the year will be in mid May in southern Brittany. We shall be joining up with our friends from the shanty group Chantimor to participate in the important maritime event held annually in Vannes, Le Festival du Golfe du Morbihan. Our songs have been chosen and rehearsals are under way. It promises to be a memorable trip. More about it will no doubt be appearing here in due course. Suffice it to say that we are delighted at last to be meeting the members of Chantimor and to be performing with and for each other.
There will be other occasions during the coming months when you will be able to hear us sing a lot closer to home. We are looking to increase the number of singers in the Crew, so, if you are interested, or know of someone who would like to give it a go, please be in touch at audeshantymen@gmail.com
Who said we'd not been doing a great deal? Well there you go! Until the next time this is Magellan signing off.
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