Shanties & Sails: Johnson Girls at Connecticut River Museum

Shanties & Sails returns to the Connecticut River Museum in Essex on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 5:30 pm, with a free one-hour performance by internationally acclaimed maritime group The Johnson Girls.

Known as the leading all-woman, a cappella maritime group, The Johnson Girls have been captivating audiences for nearly three decades with their powerful harmonies and dynamic interpretations of sea shanties and maritime folk songs. The quartet—Joy Bennett, Alison Kelley, Bonnie Milner, and Deirdre Murtha—has performed at folk festivals and venues across North America and Europe, dedicated to preserving the legacy of sea songs and uplifting the voices of women in maritime music.

In addition to the concert, guests have the option to book a cruise on the Onrust, a full-scale replica of a 17th-century Dutch trading vessel. The Onrust offers a unique glimpse into early colonial maritime history and is available for public sails and private charters.

The performance is free and open to the public. Cruises aboard the Onrust are ticketed and can be booked through the Connecticut River Museum. The museum is located at 67 Main Street, Essex, CT. For more details or to reserve your cruise, visit ctrivermuseum.org.