Violinist Mike Patterson, percussionist Will Eager and guest bassist Sam Vincent will star in the first of a series of dinner concerts at Mavis’s Kitchen at Mt Warning commencing on Friday 23 March.
Classically trained musicians Mike and Will both graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, while Sam comes from a jazz, big band, folk and rock background, having performed with the likes of Don Burrows and James Morrison.
The trio usually play together with the renowned Doch Gypsy Orchestra – a 27-piece group of Russian, Serbian, Bulgarian and Hungarian performers – and for their intimate Mavis’s Kitchen concert, they will draw on that tradition to present a lively showcase of Romanian folk music.
‘This performance is a rare treat for Tweed music lovers,’ said concert organiser Alexsandra Wilkinson.
‘Their virtuosity and creativity comes to the fore as they bring to life the authentic horas, doinas, batutas, breazas and original compositions of the colourful gypsy tradition.’
The 2012 Dinner Concert Series is a joint initiative of the Tyalgum Festival Committee and the dedicated foodies at Mavis’s Kitchen and will include a further three evening performances over the coming months: Natalie Low (violin) and Tim Byrne (cello) on Friday 27 April; Eve Newsome (oboe) and Patrick Nolan (flute) on Friday 25 May; and Katherine Philp (cello), Behnam Tonekaboni (guitar) and Shirin Majd (vocalist) finishing the series on Friday 22 June.
‘Tyalgum Festival has been bringing world-class classical music to the Tweed Valley over 20 years,’ said Ms Wilkinson.
‘With this series of dinner concerts, we are extending that beyond the three days of our annual September festival so audiences can enjoy a variety of international classical music styles throughout the year.
‘Mavis’s Kitchen provides the perfect venue for these intimate dinner shows; set in an historic Queenslander, right at the base of Mt Warning.’
Dinner concert packages are priced at $70 per person, including a glass of champagne on arrival followed by a beautiful two-course dinner. Places are strictly limited and likely to book out very quickly. Phone 02 6679 2244 for reservations or book online at www.tyalgumfestival.com.au.
