An Island Christmas without sea chanties and stories of watery bravery and sailor gusto is like living on the mainland. Might as well hang out at the mall and play footsie with the guy at the Orange Julius. Thankfully, here on the Vineyard we have Mark Lovewell, folksinger, storyteller and man of the ocean and waterfront. On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 12 p.m. (or shortly after the parade ends), Mr. Lovewell will take the stage of the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown and present a program called Christmas at Sea. Matthew Stackpole, a maritime historian from West Tisbury and the driving force behind this year’s Charles W. Morgan visit, will be the opening act.

Mr. Lovewell’s repertoire is very 19th century, steeped in the whaling history of Edgartown. There will be poetry and song and Christmas carols, all done with the backbeat of a concertina. Mr. Lovewell is a musician, sailor, the captain of the historic Edgartown catboat, the Edwina B., and for 35 years a reporter and photographer for the Vineyard Gazette. He is also a real life, Santa-sanctioned sea elf.

Tickets for adults are $5 a the door. Children are free when accompanied by an adult. Seniors are free, too.

For more information, visit markalanlovewell.com/folkmusic.