FOOD and wine will be flowing at Werribee Park next month as part of an annual celebration of all things French.
The So Frenchy So Chic in the Park festival will return on January 20 for a second year.
The mix of French music, food and wine is put together by Jean-Francois Ponthieux to celebrate his country’s culture.
Mr Ponthieux says the festival is about relaxing and enjoying performances by French musicians. He says French music is “a good alternative to Anglo-American pop” and takes its influence from different types of music from around the world.
The second event will feature folk-pop singer Melanie Pain, gypsy jazz band Carmen Maria Vega, Paris-based Australian singer Nadeah and 60s-inspired indie-pop band Revolver.
Each of the performers are hand-picked by Mr Ponthieux who travels to a festival in France in April every year to choose the musicians for his French celebration.
“It is important to me to hear the band live and feel the atmosphere,” he says.
“The musicians will provide a soundtrack to the afternoon. They complement each other and are different so people can hear the different types of French music.”
So Frenchy So Chic began as a compilation album of French music which sold 160,000 copies across eight volumes.
In 2007, Mr Ponthieux launched live shows around Australia to introduce more people to his country’s music.
In 2010, he visited Werribee Park in search of a Victorian location and “fell in love with the enchanted garden and beautiful place”.
“It was the perfect location to create a great experience of French culture, food and wine,” Mr Ponthieux says.
So Frenchy So Chic in the Park is at Werribee Park Mansion, K Road, Werribee on January 20. Tickets: ticketmaster.com.au
