Maritime history is awash with renowned mutinies — both real and fictional. There's the HMS Bounty, of course. Explorer Ferdinand Magellan quelled an uprising on three of his five vessels when some of his crew feared his quest to find the Northwest Passage had become the stuff of obsession. Jack London's Captain Wolf Larsen was similarly driven in "The Sea Wolf" and, of course, Moby-Dick, the White Whale, accomplished what the crew of the tyrannical Ahab's Pequod could not when the beast literally broke up that voyage.

To be clear, it's not fair to say a mutiny took place when the Mystic Seaport Museum last summer cancelled their long running Sea Music Festival. Peter Armstong, president of Mystic Seaport explained the decision to halt the event, telling The Day in July, "We simply don't have the resources to put on an event like the Sea Music Festival that draws a limited audience." In October, the Seaport presented a three-day Mystic Riverfest that sandwiched sea music acts among more contemporary fare.

The Seaport's decision and subsequent programming caused an uproar among sea music faithful and, in the fevered spirit of determined survival, a group of the event's veteran performers, annual volunteers, organizers and fans resolutely forged an entirely new gathering.

Today through Sunday in Essex, on the banks of the extremely navigable Connecticut River, it'll be "Thar she blows!" and "All hands on deck" when the 1st Annual CT Sea Music Festival occurs. On Monday, for those hearty celebrants, a post-fest "Survivor's Night" takes place in the Griswold Inn, site of a half-century tradition of sea music performances.

Throughout the festival weekend, live music, workshops, demonstrations and a symposium will unfold across Essex on stages and the town green; onboard vessels and in a gazebo; in Town Hall and the Connecticut River Museum; and in the Essex Library.

Performers will include local, regional and touring acts like Celeste Bernardo, Marc Bernier, Judy Cook, John Roberts, Vienna Carrol, Jerry Bryant, Americana featuring Don Sineti; Bonnie Milner; and A.J. Wright.

Also: Deidre and Sean Murtha, the Jovial Crew, Kate McCann, Geoff Kaufman, the Rum-Soaked Crooks, David Littlefield, the Royal Boys, Judy Cook, Dick and Carol Holdstock, the nonprofit living history group The Dirty Blues Shirts and many more.

(New) home sweet home

"Well, first, if not for the town of Essex, I'm not sure we'd have gotten very far," says Faye Ringel, a founding organizer who handles the Sea Music Symposium that kicks off the event Friday. "The community was so supportive of the idea, and the chantey nights at the Griswold Inn have been famous throughout New England for years. People come from all over to sing or watch.

"It emphasizes that the sea music community, like folk music in general, is like a big family and by nature very participatory." She laughs. "I'll say this: It's fun to start your own music festival, but it is NOT easy."

The CT Music Festival formally organized in October. At that time, Joseph Morneault, a longtime chantey musician and president of Maritime Music and Tradition Society, the nonprofit group formed to create the festival, described the reaction from fans, historians and performers. "We went into a panic," he said, "and we were running around with our hair on fire. Finally, I decided, 'Let's just get it done.'"

Along with Kaufman, Littlefield, Wright, Ringel and others, the Maritime Music and Tradition Society formally organized and got to work.

"We had no idea how to do it," Ringel says. "But we had wonderful artists and experts on sea history on our board. We just figured it out as we went along." For her part, Ringel had worked on a sea music symposium and was able to put that aspect of the festival together. She also wrote a grant, and Connecticut Humanities, she says, "graciously provided funding." She cites the Town of Essex, the Griswold Inn, the Connecticut River Museum and numerous generous corporate and individual contributors.

Kaufman was a natural to help with booking the performers. If he hasn't played with most of them, he's certainly appeared with them. And Morneault credits town resident Geoffrey Paul, head of the charitable Paul Foundation and co-owner of the Griswold Inn, was vital in suggesting Essex as the ideal location for the festival. Indeed, with easy access from the Connecticut River and a convenient town layout, no event will be more than half a mile from any other.

Ringel also acknowledges The Dirty Blue Shirts — former Mystic Seaport employees who organized their own for profit contracting collective — will provide a variety of historical programs and family events that will be offered over the course of the weekend.

TikTok did what?!

It's indeed probable that the festival — or any sea music artist or event — got a quantifiable boost in December 2020 when a phenomenon known known as Chantey Tok spontaneously detonated in pop culture. It was then that a 26-year-old Scottish postman named Nathan Evans posted his a capella version of a chantey called "Soon May the Wellerman Come" to TikTok. Millions and millions of views later — and countless subsequent postings of indviduals and groups singing chanteys — Chantey Tok brought a substantial new awareness and popularity to "work songs of the sea," as chanteys are officially known.

"Shanty Tok came out of nowhere," Ringel says, a tone of marvel in her voice. "Has that translated into a bigger and wider demographic? I have to believe so — and certainly so, anecdotally, based on the people showing up Monday evenings at the Griswold Inn."

The broader range of new fans and those curious about the "craze" provides the CT Sea Music Festival with wonderful opportunities to reflect society in previously untapped fashion. During Friday's symposium, for example, presentations will be in person as well as featuring contributing international efforts via Zoom and other streaming platforms.

"So many people and groups have reached out and want to be part of this," Ringel says. "And we want to take the best elements of a sea music festival and move the idea forward. We wanted diversity in our performers and programming — with more women and people of color; young people AND old-timers. In addition to the music and workshops, people will learn about the songs and the history and the context of sea and work music. There's so much more than just the enjoyment of the music."

She pauses. "I had no idea the hardest part of putting it together was going to be when we had to tell someone they couldn't be part of it because the response was overwhelming — that we just don't have room for everyone this year."

The enthusiasm to be part of CT Sea Music Festival betokens a bright future for a group of fans and artists who, not quite a year ago, worried they might not have a local event at which to celebrate their passion.

"We want people to be here and have fun," Ringel says. "I can't believe it's finally happening. We had to learn everything from how to book bands and arrange housing to providing Portapotties and coffee for an entire festival. And that's fine — whatever it takes to make a wonderful time for our guests, this year and going forward."

If you go

What: 1st Annual CT Sea Music Festival

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 8 p.m. Mon.

Where: Various locations throughout Essex

How much: Daytime activities are free, donations welcome; evening concerts $25-$65 available at gate.

Worth noting: Parking will be tight; there will be shuttle buses and directions.

For schedule and more information: www.ctseamusicfest.org