Thanks to Gilly from Isle of Arts Festival HQ for this latest news about the upcoming festival in Ventnor. Ed
Good food and brilliant music come together in two delicious brunch-time sessions in the Festival Marquee over the Isle of Arts weekend. Over the past two years our Sunday Jazz Brunch has grown into a sell-out.
This year we have added a Saturday Blues Brunch, which we expect to be just as successful.
Blues Brunch
On Saturday 20 April April JC and The Dance Preachers will be serving a glorious selection of blues accompanied by some classic dishes from the Dixie South (so called because the word “Dixie” refers to ten-dollar notes issued by the French-speaking Louisiana banks).
The menu will be devised by Mark Randerson of Ventnor’s Phileas Fogg’s restaurant.
Lead by JC and Angelina Grimshaw and featuring Paul Armfield on bass, JC and the Dance Preachers has a reputation for delivering excellent Texas/Mississippi blues, folk, roots, Cajun, country, hula, and jazz. You name it they play with more rhythm than you can shake a stick at!
Mark Randerson at Phileas Fogg’s is carving out a name for himself with his local seasonal cooking inspired by dishes from around the world. Mark’s festival menu will be supported by local suppliers Island Foods butchers and 5 a Day fruit and veg.
Jazz Brunch
Michelin-starred chef Robert Thompson of The Hambrough will be masterminding the food for our Sunday Jazz Brunch on 21 April. Heading the musical menu will be jazz singer and clarinettist Jacqui Hicks, described by Digby Fairweather as “the best we have”.
Famed for her work with Shakatak and Julian Marc Stringle’s Dream Band. Jacqui will be accompanied by Island musicians Jim Thorn on piano, Ken Black on drums and John Thorne on double bass.
Inspired to cook by his brother Patrick at 10 years of age, Robert Thompson, has won nearly every cooking accolade going. He is responsible for the superb food served at both The Hamborough in Ventnor and the Pond Café in Bonchurch. He is rightly famous for his use of the best produce the Island has to offer, and is a Food Ambassador for the Island.
Tickets for the Blues Brunch are priced at £15 each. Jazz Brunch tickets are priced at £20 and include a complementary glass of bubbly.
They can be purchased at www.artsisle.org or via our ticket hotline 01983 475255.
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