WTF: It's War!

The War of 1812 was a difficult test for the United States, still wobbly on the world stage nearly two decades after formal independence. That Americans received a passing grade was due in no small part to the exceptional performance of the U.S. Navy which humiliated the legendary British Navy time and time again.

 

That is... until June 1813, off Cape Ann, north of Massachusetts Bay, when a brief but bloody encounter occured between His Britannic Majesty's frigate SHANNON, commanded by Captain Philip Broke, the best captain in the British North American Squadron, and handsome Captain James Lawrence in command of the United States frigate CHESAPEAKE.

 

2012 marked the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 yet the war's legacy for Nova Scotia began in 1813 with the capture of the USS Chesapeake by the HMS Shannon and culminating in the jaw dropping triumphant arrival of the Shannon in Halifax Harbour with the prized Chesapeake in tow.

 

Next Friday, June 14th... throughout the evening... guest hosts Jon Stone and Jay Perry will share stories and songs, both poignant and humourous, from their research into this pivitol event.

 

The overall theme for the evening will be WAR so bring your own relevant songs and stories to share. I have it on good authority that the Americans within our midst... GASP!... yes... some indeed have managed to evade the clutches of the Canada Border Services Agency... your tax dollars not at work yet again... and they plan to remount the War of 1812 next Friday and rewrite history with their own versions of the  the battle between the Shannon and the Chesapeake. We'll see about that! Yankee Doodle Dandy indeed :)

 

Xo Margo

 

WTF! is an artistic outreach program of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. We meet every second and fourth Friday of the month at CHEBUCTO COFFEE, 6430 Chebucto Road, corner of Chebucto & Kline in Halifax where Mike's extraordinary culinary fare is approaching legendary status. Come early for a bite and stay for the entertainment which starts around 6:30 and goes until 9:00ish. As always... admission is by free-will donation towards the Society's work.