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About

Bytown Sea Shanty Collective is a quartet from Ottawa, Canada, born out of a love of the East Coast. With the call of the high seas in their bones, BSSC has been offering free, accessible monthly Sea Shanty singalongs in Ottawa for over two years. What started with a first evening bringing in 30-40 people, now regularly sees 200+ attending, with lineups out the door. 

 

A key focus of BSSC has been giving people without musical training an opportunity to sing in a group - there are so many benefits that come from group singing, but opportunities are few! BSSC has worked to remove all barriers at their singalongs: there is no cover, no need to read sheet music, no need for perfection. All are welcome and encouraged!

 

Bytown Sea Shanty Collective is currently working on original material, planning recording sessions, and booking concerts. This summer they participated in the Fundy Sea Shanty Festival in St. Martins, New Brunswick.

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​Upcoming Events

​Past Events

  • Spring Tide Shantyfest, St. John, NB
    Spring Tide Shantyfest, St. John, NB
    Thu, Mar 20
    Saint John
    Mar 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – Mar 22, 2025, 9:00 p.m.
    Saint John, Saint John, NB, Canada
    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.
  • Sing a Sea Shanty at BTP - St. Paddy's Edition
    Sing a Sea Shanty at BTP - St. Paddy's Edition
    Sat, Mar 15
    Ottawa
    Mar 15, 2025, 8:00 p.m. – Mar 16, 2025, 11:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    ARR SHIPMATES! THE CREW SAILS AGAIN ON SATURDAY MARCH 15!! Join your favorite band of brigands, the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, as we celebrate St Paddy’s Day, and another unforgettable sea shanty singalong at BTP!
  • Heart & Crown - St. Patrick's Day Weekend
    Heart & Crown - St. Patrick's Day Weekend
    Fri, Mar 14
    Ottawa
    Mar 14, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 67 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P5, Canada
    YARR SHIPMATES! COME SING A SEA SHANTY AT THE HEART AND CROWN ON FRIDAY MARCH 14! Join your favorite band of brigands, the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, for a special evening of sea shanties at the Heart and Crown (Market)!
  • Sing a Sea Shanty @ Beyond the Pale - Feb 2025
    Sing a Sea Shanty @ Beyond the Pale - Feb 2025
    Fri, Feb 07
    Ottawa
    Feb 07, 2025, 8:00 p.m. – Feb 08, 2025, 12:00 a.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    YARR SHIPMATES! THE CREW SAILS AGAIN ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7!! Join your favorite band of brigands, the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, for another unforgettable sea shanty singalong at BTP!
  • Sea Shanty Night @ S&L Brewery
    Sea Shanty Night @ S&L Brewery
    Tue, Jan 28
    Ottawa
    Jan 28, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 411 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1K 2Z6, Canada
    Sea Shanty Night is back Tuesday Jan 28th! Starts at 7:30pm. Come raise a glass and enjoy some east coast vibes.
  • Sing a Sea Shanty @ Beyond the Pale - Jan 2025
    Sing a Sea Shanty @ Beyond the Pale - Jan 2025
    Sat, Jan 18
    Ottawa
    Jan 18, 2025, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    YARR SHIPMATES! THE CREW SAILS AGAIN ON SATURDAY JANUARY 18!! Join your favorite band of brigands, the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, for another unforgettable sea shanty singalong at BTP!
  • Sea Shanties, Carols, and Empty Beer Barrels v3: Fundraiser for Dalhousie Food Cupboard
    Sea Shanties, Carols, and Empty Beer Barrels v3: Fundraiser for Dalhousie Food Cupboard
    Fri, Dec 20
    Ottawa
    Dec 20, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, Cumberland St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5K4, Canada
    SHIPMATES!! Help us Set Sail for a Great Cause! Join us on Friday, December 20th for a festive night of sea shanties, community spirit, and holiday cheer — all in support of the Dalhousie Food Cupboard. Tickets required!!
  • Sing a Sea Shanty @ Beyond the Pale
    Sing a Sea Shanty @ Beyond the Pale
    Sat, Nov 30
    Ottawa
    Nov 30, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    YARR SHIPMATES! THE CREW SAILS AGAIN ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30!! Join your favorite band of brigands, the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, for another unforgettable sea shanty singalong at BTP!
  • Sing a Sea Shanty | Halloween Edition
    Sing a Sea Shanty | Halloween Edition
    Sat, Oct 26
    Ottawa
    Oct 26, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    YARR SHIPMATES! THE CREW SAILS AGAIN ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 26! The Bytown Sea Shanty Collective is back for another night of sea shanty-shenanigans at Beyond the Pale! And…you read that right…we want you to dress up!
  • Oktoberfest Ladysmith
    Oktoberfest Ladysmith
    Sat, Oct 05
    Ladysmith
    Oct 05, 2024, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    Ladysmith, Ladysmith, QC J0X 2A0, Canada
    Get ready for Oktoberfest Ladysmith, the only Oktoberfest festival in the Outaouais ! This three-day family-friendly festival is a vibrant celebration of German heritage, offering activities and entertainment for all ages.
  • Sing a Sea Shanty @ Beyond the Pale
    Sing a Sea Shanty @ Beyond the Pale
    Sat, Sep 28
    Ottawa
    Sep 28, 2024, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    Hot on the heels of our sea shantying out on the coast of Fundy Bay, come singalong with your favourite band of brigands, the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, as we host another sea shanty singalong at BTP!
  • Carleton Place Dragon Boat Festival
    Carleton Place Dragon Boat Festival
    Sat, Sep 07
    Riverside Park, Carleton Place
    Sep 07, 2024, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Riverside Park, Carleton Place, Lake Ave. E, Carleton Place, ON K7A 4S7, Canada
    Mainstage headliners at the Carleton Place Dragon Boat Festival
  • Fundy Sea Shanty Festival
    Fundy Sea Shanty Festival
    Fri, Aug 09
    Saint Martins
    Aug 09, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – Aug 11, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
    Saint Martins, St. Martins, NB, Canada
    This international festival, the only one of its kind in Atlantic Canada, is anchored in the quaint fishing village of Fundy-St. Martins, New Brunswick, Canada. ​ Join us as we celebrate the stories and songs of the sailors who helped forge nations during the age of sail through an exciting line-u
  • Kaleidoscope Gathering
    Kaleidoscope Gathering
    Fri, Aug 02
    Eganville
    Aug 02, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
    Eganville, 10441 ON-60, Eganville, ON K0J 1T0, Canada
    The Kaleidoscope Gathering is Canada’s biggest meeting of the Witchcraft, Pagan, Heathen, and Occult communities. The theme for 2024 is “Warp & Weft; Sword & Shaft; Craft & Croft : Into the Wild Wood”. This camping event is a participatory festival that is put on by those that attend it. 'Everyone h
  • Sing a Sea Shanty - Two-Year Shantyversary
    Sing a Sea Shanty - Two-Year Shantyversary
    Sat, Jul 27
    Ottawa
    Jul 27, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    Oh Shipmates!! Saturday July 27 it is the TWO-YEAR SHANTYVERSARY of the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, and we want you to join us! It will be a full day of fun at Beyond the Pale Brewing, as we perform two sets of sea shanties, along with many fun surprises!
  • Sing a Sea Shanty - June
    Sing a Sea Shanty - June
    Sat, Jun 29
    Ottawa
    Jun 29, 2024, 8:00 p.m. – Jun 30, 2024, 11:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    YARR SHIPMATES! THE CREW SAILS AGAIN ON SATURDAY JUNE 29!! Come celebrate the coming of spring with your favourite band of brigands, the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, as we host another sea shanty singalong at BTP!
  • Sing a Sea Shanty - Featuring Pressgang Mutiny and Tom Lewis
    Sing a Sea Shanty - Featuring Pressgang Mutiny and Tom Lewis
    Sun, May 26
    Ottawa
    May 26, 2024, 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
    Ottawa, 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
    We are so excited to announce that May’s Sing a Sea Shanty night with Bytown Sea Shanty Collective is going to one to remember, as we bring legendary shantyman Tom Lewis and Toronto’s Pressgang Mutiny to our home port of Beyond the Pale.

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