Live AT THE KNOT CLUB!
Shipwrecked Shanty
A RIP-ROARING SING-ALONG ‘SHANTYAOKE!’
Saturday, February 21, 2026
5pm Doors & Bar | 6pm Music
Sliding-Scale General Addmission - $10-$30
Music in the KNOT CLUB (indoors)
Food Available On Site By Sailing Goat (Until 7pm)
Local Beer, Wine, and Beverages
No outside food or alcohol please
Shipwrecked Shanty brings the timeless tradition of folk music to life with a soulful mix of sea shanties, ballads, and original songs inspired by the call of the ocean and the thrill of adventure. Priding themselves on being an ‘Audience-centric,’ community-based “Shantyaoke,’ their performances evoke the spirit of camaraderie found aboard a ship or in a cozy tavern by the shore.
A San Francisco bay Area experientially-based Sea Shanty performance that gets the crowd involved in a rip-roaring participatory experience. Members of the group have been involved in community sea shanties for over 40 years.
So come aboard! The Knot Club bar will be open and you can grab food at Sailing Goat Restaurant until 7pm.
SLIDING SCALE TICKETS - Please consider supporting the band at a level that ensures they won't succumb to scurvy on this voyage!
Early Bird Stowaway - $10 (Yer obviously a pirate! Only 20 Stowaways fit on this voyage)
Sliding Scale Scallywag - $15 (You'll need to swab the deck at this price!)
A True Deckhand - Sliding Scale $20 (Yer helpin' to get these musicians a decent wage!)
Captain Of The Seas! - Sliding Scale - $30 (WOW, yer a musician's hero! A true financier of this voyage!)
SHIPWRECKED SHANTY
At the helm is James Dean Nelson, the group’s frontman and banjo player, whose velvety voice is as smooth as butter and as captivating as the sea itself. A seasoned member of the Black Irish Band and a multi-talented artist, Jame delights in playing whatever tickles his fancy. When performing in wooden halls, his melodies can woo the hearts of mermaids and inspire even the saltiest sailors to set their sights on the tall seas.
Micha Sweeney, a steadfast soul on deck, has spent years immersed in Irish and Celtic folk music, learning instruments like the Irish whistle, Celtic harp, bodhrán, and even the whimsical wooden frog. His journey is driven by a deep passion for preserving these timeless traditions and sharing them with new generations. Inspired by tales of his long-lost sailor grandfather—a man so bold he met his end in a barfight over who tied the best sailor knots—Micha carries the spirit of the sea in every note. Starting as an audience member, then rising through the ranks from humble cabin boy, Micha has learned that the heart of this music lies in community and hard work.
John Palme is a seasoned singer-songwriter with a rich musical history, from church choirs and talent shows to small clubs and bands like City Limit and Sherie Utter & Blue Lipps. A decade with Skip Henderson and Starboard Watch immersed him in sea shanties, now featured in Shipwrecked Shanty’s repertoire. He's also known for the folk hit 'Winnebagos on the Rampage,' recorded by Jane Voss and Hoyle Osborne.
Rounding out the sound is Steven Strauss. He has been laying down the groove on upright bass since 1980, starting with jazz saxophonist Richard Hadlock in Berkeley. He’s spent a decade with Penelope Houston’s acoustic band, three years in Charles Brown’s trio, and countless sessions as a bassist and string arranger for songwriters and folk singers. When not performing or producing, he teaches string bass and ukulele, sharing his passion with the next generation of musicians.