Séan McCann The Shantyman Will Take To The Stage At Market Hall For A Night Of Irish Celebration

Séan McCann, dubbed The Shantyman, will take to the stage at Market Hall on March 20 for a celebration of Irish song.

“I love Peterborough,” said McCann. “I’ve always had a great time at Market Hall. I really look forward to coming back, it’s a great little room.”

McCann, who co-founded the band Great Big Sea with Alan Doyle, recalls playing at Market Hall both with the group and as a solo act.

McCann released his album ‘Shantyman’ on Sept. 6, 2021, labor day.

“Sea shanties are historically songs designed to help people do difficult things, by working hard and by working together,” he said. “I’ve been The Shantyman my whole life, I’m very fluent in these songs and I felt like they really had a place today. There’s no way we’ll get through the pandemic, hopefully we’re almost there, but the only way to get it done and to get through it is to do it together. And that’s what sea shanties were meant for.”

On March 20 McCann will be celebrating St. Patrick’s day at Market Hall with both Great Big Sea hits and his own shanties.

“Expect a high energy performance,” he said. “"St Patrick’s day is really St Patrick’s month where I’m from in Newfoundland. The bands are born during St Patrick’s celebrations.”

McCann, who is 10 years sober, notes the heavy presence of alcohol that surrounds both ‘Newfie’ culture and Irish culture, especially during St. Patrick’s day.

“We loose sight of how great Irish music can be. For many years I stayed away from this date, but I feel strong enough now. Just because I’m sober doesn’t mean I can’t sing these great songs. The songs are beautiful, and I’m coming armed with some great Irish songs and some Great Big Sea hits and my own. It’s going to be a great night.”

‘The Shantyman Sings for the Saint: A Celebration of Irish Song with Séan McCann’ is a solo two set acoustic performance featuring traditional Irish singalongs and stories.

Tickets are available online at tickets.markethall.org.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Stuff to Do in Peterborough This Weekend

Friday

The Art of the Turtle, Peterborough Public Library, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tickets $20 for members/$30 for non-members.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels presented by The Peterborough Theatre Guild, Showplace Performance Centre, 8 p.m. Tickets $25/Adults, $22/Senior, $15 Student 

Saturday

Walk to Cure Huntington's Disease, Registration 9 a.m. at City Hall

Giant Indoor Yard Sale, Peterborough Armoury, (220 Murray Street) 9 a.m. -1 p.m. 

Red Pashmina Walk, starting from the Silver Bean Cafe, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Dancing with the Docs - Disco Fever, The Venue, 6:30 p.m. 

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels presented by The Peterborough Theatre Guild, Showplace Performance Centre, 8 p.m. Tickets $25/Adults, $22/Senior, $15 Student 

Sunday

2011 Walk of Hope, Beavermead Park, Registration 9:30 a.m. 

Humanwave, Showplace Performance Centre, 1 p.m. 

Sean McCann with Jeremy Fisher, Gordon Best Theatre, 7 p.m. Tickets $26 at Moondance

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.