SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04

Subject: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 May 04 - 10:54 AM

There are rumors that a "shanty raid" is being planned on Portland's annual Old Port Festival, Sunday, June 6th, with various malcontents assembling in front of the China Sea Marine Trading Co. at 1 pm sharp (Fore Street between the Custom's House and Rosie's Restaurant). Capt. Bunker and Sharon may want to load up their cannon with grape shot, sharpen their fine collection of pikes and cutlasses so as to better repel boarders, or alternatively just surrender to the spirit of the moment.

Members of Roll & Go are said to be in the vanguard, but others are encouraged to attend. Other forays are being planned to invade neighboring restaurants and shops in the Old Port area, to regale those within with nautical songs.

Arrgghhh!
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 26 May 04 - 10:55 AM

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 26 May 04 - 11:45 AM

Wouldn't a press-gang be more fun ?

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 May 04 - 12:06 PM

Swing on over the pond, Dave. You're more than welcome to join with the jovial crew.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 May 04 - 12:15 AM

Oh boy! A shanty raid is almost as much fun as a panty raid. The only thing better is a combination of those two. Sing their panties off R&G!

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 May 04 - 08:07 PM

Well, the Press Gang (those of us from The Press Room, Portsmouth, NH) may very well be there!!! Raiders from across the border. Transporting singers across state lines for . . . immortal porpoises?!?

Ah well.

Linn

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Jeri
Date: 27 May 04 - 08:18 PM

I'm sorry, but you'll have to reschedule this. I'll be in Toronto. (Take pictures, please.)

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 May 04 - 09:10 AM

Sorry, Jeri, I'm sure that any pictures we take would be over exposed.

Maybe we'll bring an oar along, and a staff with Blue Peter to display on our forays.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: curmudgeon
Date: 28 May 04 - 09:38 AM

Shall I bring the "Splice the Main Brace" signal flags as well?

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 May 04 - 11:49 AM

Charley -- WHO is going to be over exposed?!? I'm planning on actually wearing clothes, if that's allowed, of course. (And I intend to insist that Curmudgeon also appear fully dressed -- he's lost 60-70 lbs. you know.)

Then again, it's Kendall who sings, "I Don't Look Good Naked Anymore."

Will this be an opportunity for those afflicted to compare scars?

Oy.

Linn

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Naemanson
Date: 29 May 04 - 02:26 AM

Always remember we are all naked under our clothes...

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 May 04 - 08:32 PM

Shall I bring along the cat o'ninetails?

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 May 04 - 09:41 PM

Still hearing from the porn shops as a result of your good intentions?

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 May 04 - 09:42 PM

By the way, mine is hanging from the doorknob to the mechanical room. I suppose I should move it before Wakana sees it.

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 31 May 04 - 12:14 AM

Ahoy!; What gives here, Mateys!!??

Sounds like a jolly fine ol' rumpus, it do!

Arrrrrrggh Indeed!

Aboot what time be the crew comin' on board, eh?

Actually found a nearby place to park last week and dropped in for a bit of a visit; during the festival it might be a bit of a challenge to find a legal place to tie up the buckboard within 5 miles o' the place!

Will they be runnin' a shuttle bus in & out of Portland, perchance?

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 May 04 - 06:21 PM

For Uncle Jacque and others who do not believe in reading the initial posting of any informational thread:

"There are rumors that a "shanty raid" is being planned on Portland's annual Old Port Festival, Sunday, June 6th, with various malcontents assembling in front of the China Sea Marine Trading Co. at 1 pm sharp (Fore Street between the Custom's House and Rosie's Restaurant). Capt. Bunker and Sharon may want to load up their cannon with grape shot, sharpen their fine collection of pikes and cutlasses so as to better repel boarders, or alternatively just surrender to the spirit of the moment."

Be there with yards squared!

Usually there's a free shuttle bus that runs from the parking lot at Marginal Way, between Preble St. and Franklin.

Bring whatever accessories you feel comfortable in. Let's hope for decent weather.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: GUEST,foolestroupe
Date: 31 May 04 - 07:00 PM

QUOTE

Naemanson Date: 27 May 04

Oh boy! A shanty raid is almost as much fun as a panty raid. The only thing better is a combination of those two. Sing their panties off R&G!
UNQUOTE

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Naemanson
Date: 31 May 04 - 07:12 PM

LOL! Sorry I left it open for such a Foolestroupe action.

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 08:51 AM

Whoops! The Old Port Festival in Portland is actually SATURDAY, June 5th.

So, we'll be assembling then at China Sea Marine Trading Co. at 1 pm.

Hope that works for everyone.

Cheerily,
Charley Ignoble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 01:00 PM

ARGGHHH!

The ignoble Portland Press Herald had the wrong date this morning and I was right. So, me hardies, we're back to Sunday, June 6th.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 03:58 PM

thought it ran two days - Saturday and Sunday? heh heh

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 08:26 PM

I got a chance to work with a Micronesian chanty this weekend when we dragged the canoe down to the water to launch it and later when we dragged him out of the water. Now I have to get a minidisc recorder so I can record some of those chants and songs.

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 09:10 AM

Be warned, this "shanty raid" is in no way condoned by the official sponsor of the Old Port Festival, Portland's Downtown Business District. You participate at your own risk.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 02:04 PM

Be warned, the weather's looking vile but we'll be there!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: kendall
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 03:52 PM

So, we meet at the Trading post; then what?

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 04:34 PM

Kendall-

Not the "Trading Post" but China Sea Marine Trading Co!

As to what we do once we're gathered, and I fully expect that will not exactly happen at 1 PM sharp, we'll probably settle in at the back of the store and do some singing. Then when we've achieved critical mass we can try a foray to neighboring shops and restaurants and do some ad hoc sea shanties. I expect that the weather will discourage doing much of anything outdoors, which is a pity.

We're expecting to see some old members of Roll & Go in evidence, some of our singing friends from the Portsmouth shanty swaps, and I'm sure some random elements in the general public will attach themselves to us because what we're doing is sooo exciting!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 10:29 AM

Don't say anything but it appears to be bright and sunny this morning. Maybe the mead I poured out last evening at the foot of the old oak tree in the yard appeased the Thunder God.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 10:48 AM

We're forced to cancel, alas! Tom overdid a bit yesterday and needs his rest. And I think we're both feeling a bit overextended. (In particular, I'd LOVE to just curl up in the fetal position and suck my thumb.)Wish we could just tap our heels together and be there, but . . .

Listen closely, though, we'll be singing along with you.

Linn (sucking her thumb, which, if she had any sense at all, she'd dip in Guinness now and then)

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 05:00 PM

Well, Kendall and I were first on the scene. We decided to get something to eat - a tale too long for me to tell. I'll let Captain Morse do it. But when we returned, Roll 'N Go had rolled and gone. Captain and Sharon Bunker along with their parrot Singapore entertained us for well over an hour. We left without singing a note but did get an earful of more wonderful tales from Captain Bunker. He is planning a party at their home in Grey (?) as a fundraiser for his campaign. Should be fun.

Sorry we missed you all.
SINS

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Barbara
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 05:22 PM

So you had to dispants with the Shanty raid? You people will have to work on your navigation skills. Charley, why was it when I saw the name of the thread, I knew it had to be you?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: kendall
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 06:18 PM

We arrived at the China trading shop at 12:30. A bit early so we went next door to Rosie's for lunch. (We would have been there sooner if Sinsull had been paying attention)and we had been able to park in a nearby parking garage. But, no, we ran into a barrier and had to pay $10.00 to park!
Anyway, She ordered a salad which was quite satisfactory. I ordered a big cheesburger with oni0n rings. That took about half an hour, and when it came, I bit into it, and it moaned. RAW in the middle! I sent it back. 20 minutes later, I got another raw hamburger. Sent that back, and after another 15 minutes I finally got a chicken sandwich that tasted like nothing. The noise level was just under painful with a gang of teens all talking at once, saying nothing but desperatly tring to impress each other. Then a small child started screeching and that was about all I could take. We went back to the China shop and hung around a while, but it looked like Roll & Go done rolled and went for good, so we fought our way through that gang of people and impossibly loud "music".
So, the only thing I heard worth hearing was Captain Bunker's stories and the group from Peru.
I havn't figured out the theme for this "festival"...must be How much noise can we make and call it music.

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 06:23 PM

Raw is an understatement. The waitress looked at it and swore it moved. There was some pretty good blues at the festival despite Kendall's observations. So Charley, where were you guys?

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 07:51 PM

Well, sorry we missed some of you. When we got to China Seas shortly after 1 pm, we did meet up with our former member Alison who added her voice to the raiders. We sang a few shanties in the back of the store and then marched down to Commercial St., away from the amplified music. We're loud but not THAT LOUD. We crashed the Drydock restaurant and tavern, astounding the staff and customers, and after the initial shock they clearly enjoyed our singing. We then had lunch at their back deck and sang a few songs there, paid for our food and brew and exited singing. We tried RiRa Irish Pub but their musac was too loud. The Portland Flatbread Restaurant was more receptive and we did a couple of songs there. Then we worked our way through Gilbert's Chowder House, where people also seemed pleased to hear us. Then across the street to a bottle store where Nor led "All for Me Grog." Next to Portland Coffee Roasters where the folks at the table nearest us actually joined in the chorus, and then back to China Seas for more singing.

We met a few more of our friends there at that point. Our new apprentice Jeff got a good workout and already sounds pretty good. It didn't really rain, although it seemed to cool down suddenly in midafternoon. No hassles with the police or Festival lackeys, no one was seriously injured by the oar we were carrying, and someone gave us a dollar.

We really had some fun and the folks at China Seas are always wonderful hosts.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 10:15 PM

Sounds great! How well I remember the days of wandering the streets of the Old Port raising our voices in song. It seems like another life now. Good luck to Jeff. Don't let the rest of the crew scare you.

By the way Charley, where are my shirts?

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 09:33 AM

Brett-

Oh, the shirts? You probably will find this hard to believe but we haven't really done anything with them since we badgered you into buying them. Procrastination strikes again. We'll get right on it, which probably means you'll get them for sure by Xmas.

With regard to the Shanty Raid, we did get one follow-up call on our answering machine from a cofeehouse manager who was NOT pleased with our foray into her shop. The tablefull of people in front of us appeared pleased, which is why we sang them another song. I suppose we should be grateful that she didn't succeed in contacting the police to haul us away. Although some of us would have considered that a great adventure.

Away, hey, haul'em away!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: kendall
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 09:53 AM

That's what you get for making sense in that morass of noise they call music.

Subject: RE: SHANTY RAID, Portland, ME 6/6/04
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 01:08 PM

Well, Kendall, I have to agree that the "shanty raid" on the Old Port Festival shared some qualities of the traditional charge through the breach or "forlorn hope." Sorry we missed you and Sinsull.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble