Bill Schustik to perform 'Legends of the Sea'

Think you know your swabs and pirates? Think again. On Oct. 12, Bill Schustik, Sarasota’s celebrated folk singer and storyteller, will set the record straight at his “Legends of the Sea” concert of sea shanties, pirate songs and sailors’ yarns at the Unitarian Universalist Church, in a benefit for All Faiths Food Bank’s BackPack Kids Program.

Schustik makes history come alive in story and song. And, when it comes to the seafaring tradition, Schustik knows what he’s singing and speaking about. Over the last few decades, he’s worked on board The Shenandoah, a 108-foot square topsail schooner that operates on sail power alone. Schustik can tell you exactly what a sea shanty is — and what it’s for.

“It’s a work song,” he says. “You sing a shanty and it helps you keep the rhythm when you’re hauling anchor or hoisting sail. It makes the work seem easier, but you actually work harder.”

OK, seafaring life was tough. What about a pirate’s life?

“‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ doesn’t paint the most accurate picture,” he says. “But there’s a nugget of truth to it. In the early 1700s, the Pirate Realm was the only functioning democratic republic in the world.”

Pirates are always a crowd-pleaser. But Schustik is quick to point out that his concert will also feature songs and tales of early 19th century American whaling.

“It’s true history, warts and all,” Schustik says. “I don’t make it politically correct or substitute nice words.

Good and bad, bloody or saintly, these are our ancestors who made us who we are today. They live for us now in their stories and songs. If I do my job right, all I’m doing is making an introduction.”

Schustik says kids and adults alike respond to sea shanties and pirate songs.

“I encourage everyone to sing along,” he smiles. “In our hearts, most of us want to be pirates. Joining in to a rousing pirate ditty is the next best thing.”

IF YOU GO
“Legends of the Sea”
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

Info: 371-4974 or uusarasota.org