Last January the grounds of Werribee Park Mansion were transformed into a private estate in Provence with the finest French food, wine and music flowing all day. In fact the only local content was the beautiful summer weather and the 4000 people who loved every minute.
In January 2013 So Frenchy So chic In the Park is set to return with another handcrafted festival of joie de vivre. Bring a picnic rug, pick up a gourmet hamper, stretch out under the shade of the trees and enjoy a glass of something sparkling.
When the four musical acts put you in the mood, there are acres of rolling lawn for some barefoot dancing. After years of successful compilation albums and tours, cartell Music has a track record of picking French musicians that Australian audiences love. Let’s meet next year’s festival guests.
Always a crowd favourite, Melanie Pain is the bewitching former singer of nouvelle Vague who has toured Australia eight times before, twice as a solo artist. her first album of sweet, irresistible folk-pop, My name, earned her a loyal following here in 2008 and her brilliantly crafted follow-up, Bye Bye Manchester, with its programmed beats and distorted vintage synths, is just as much fun. It’s due to be released by cartell in September.
next on the bill is the bouncy indie-pop and 60s inspired harmonies of Revolver, recently nominated best newcomers at the French Grammys. the group’s amazing voices and lush, exuberant sound have made them festival favourites across europe with exuberant live shows that get audiences up on their feet.
keeping things jumping is carmen Maria Vega – think Piaf goes punk. cMV is the name of both the band and its dynamo lead singer, who serve up a knockout cocktail of classic chanson, gypsy jazz and sheer charisma. cMV is currently enjoying a huge following in France with a gold album and a string of sold-out appearances in front of over 150,000 fans.
As dusk falls, the French-Aussie Paris-based Nadéah is set to tear up the stage with her unique style of eclectic pop, infused with the wildcat spirit of Brigitte Bardot. this year Nadéah wowed the Adelaide cabaret Festival and sold out unforgettable shows in Melbourne and Perth, showing the only thing more audacious than her songwriting skill is her powerful, unpredictable stage presence.
Because So Frenchy is about so much more than the music, once again the boutique caterers egg Unlimited will be providing sumptuous hampers and picnic boxes packed with authentic French fare such as Brittany baguettes, house baked meringues and lemon posset.
There will also be French beer, Laurent Perrier champagne and halle aux Vins wine from the Loire Valley and Provence kept chilled and flowing all day from two bars. Plus more food stalls than in 2012 will keep everyone satisfied with macaroons, cheese platters, gourmet sausage, cassoulet and other tasty treats.
So Frenchy is also so family friendly. Les enfants under 12 are welcome for free. they’ll be kept entertained with face painting, drumming classes, a giant chess board, petanques and croquet.
Australian summers are blessed with music festivals of every shape and size, but so Frenchy So chic In the Park might be the only ‘artisan festival’ of the bunch. It has been carefully put together by people with a passion for music, for food and wine and for the gardens of the stunning Werribee Park Mansion.
As audiences discovered in 2012 and will again in 2013, everything combines to make the ultimate garden party with a soundtrack to match. Join us again, mes amis…
So Frenchy So Chic In The Park
Sunday 20 January 2013 from noon
Werribee Park Mansion, K Road, Werribee
TicKeTs
$77 + bf / Free for children under 12
www.ticketmaster.com.au
cartellmusic.com.au
Set times: (gates open at midday)
Revolver: 1:30pm – 2:45pm
Melanie Pain : 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Carmen Maria Vega : 5:00pm – 6:15pm
Nadeah : 6:45pm – 8:00pm
Children under 12 again have free entry and this year sees so many new things to keep them and the young at heart entertained:
GAMES GALORE: Get Frenchy with some croquet or pétanque on the lawn! There will also be a life-sized chess board, ring-toss, hopscotch and hula hoops.
PHOTO BOOTH – Take home as many snaps from the day as you like. There will be costumes for dressing up and someone on hand to help out with the booth.
FACE PAINTING – A hit at last year’s event, our four talented face painters will be back and ready to paint little faces in the shade.
PUPPET SHOW – Pinocchio puppet show by Gonzalo Varela.
DRUMMING – Kids can make their own music with simple hand drumming classes.
There will be two bars serving French wine, beer and Laurent Perrier champagne.
There will also be more delicious food available with gourmet picnic hampers, baguettes, cheese platters, gourmet sausages, cassoulet, tarte lyonnaise, crepes and macarons.
The music, the food, the wine and the fun of a day in the French countryside without leaving Melbourne…
SO FRENCHY SO CHIC IN THE PARK: It’s the ultimate garden party with soundtrack to match.