From left, Nyx Leibiger, Charlie Swerdlow, Fairen Stark and Zoe Pancic play sea shanties and folk music in their band the Shank Painters. Sophie Burchell / The Forecaster Walking past Congress Square Park last Thursday evening, some Portland residents did a double take at the merry band of pirates gathered there. Not only was the crowd in the square clapping and wearing eye patches and felt pirate hats, but four performers in full pirate clothing were playing instruments and singing a series of sea shanties.
“It’s fun adding a little bit of the unexpected to people’s day,” said member of the pirate band Nyx Leibiger, who was playing the accordion. Maine’s premiere pirate band, the Shank Painters, partnered with the nonprofit Friends of Congress Square Park to perform for the Sept. 19 Talk Like a Pirate Day.
While this is the band’s third year celebrating the niche holiday in the square, it is far from the only day of the year they perform. The Portland-based Shank Painters play at pubs, Renaissance fairs, and educational events and parties across the state. During their busiest season of the fall, they perform about 10 times a month.
The group consists of Charlie Swerdlow (aka “Trouble” von Bellows), Fairen Stark (aka Faire B. Rapscallion), Zoe Pancic (aka Zetara of the Northern Isles) and Nyx Leibiger (aka Captain Nobeard). Dressed in bandanas, gold hoops and leathers, they play the guitar, banjo, fiddle and accordion and sing tunes including “Leave Her Joh.
