According to nautical charts from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Connecticut has approximately 96 miles of shoreline.

Now. According to the Shoreline Acoustic Music Society, southeastern Connecticut has approximately 300,007 loosely amalgamated pickers who love to show up and, ah, pick at their free-range gatherings. Which means most of them will perform Friday and Sunday as SAMS puts on their sixth annual Acoustic Music Festival in New London.

The music kicks off with several acts on Friday in the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation. On Sunday, the action shifts to the Hygienic Art Park for the final day of music - and both sessions are at least thematically tied into the ongoing entertainment of OpSail and Sailfest.

- RICK KOSTER

Acoustic Music Festival, 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 19 Jay St., New London, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Hygienic Art Park, 79-83 Bank St., New London; Shoreline Acoustic Music Society; free, but donations accepted to offset costs; shorelineacousticmusic.org.