Partnership with Arts Montco provides larger platform for local musicians
BLUE BELL, PA (April 17, 2018) – Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center will host its 13th Annual Craft & ‘Que Series this summer. May through August, these four outdoor festivals will celebrate a sense of nostalgia, taking guests back in time to remember how some of the greatest moments in music over the last century have overlapped with the beer, wine, and spirits trends of the time. The one constant throughout these periods of artistic innovation was great food. The BBQ menu for the series will include an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of items ranging from grilled aloha chicken with spicy mango glaze, smokehouse favorites like Whole Foods beef brisket, fresh catches of the day and seafood bars, a robust selection of soups, salads, and sides such as watermelon and mandarin orange salad, apple cider summer slaw, and she crab bisque. The Farm’s award-winning dessert display will include a wide selection of treats ranging from assorted mini pastries, to a cheesecake station, to assorted chocolate truffles, a s’mores bar, and more.
Music fans may attend one, or all, of these all-you-can-eat-and-drink events, scheduled to go backwards in time. The series begins with the So 2018 musical tribute by internationally acclaimed female DJ, DeeJay Shelly, at the Grand Re-Opening Party of “the farmer's daughter” Restaurant Terrace. Lindsay McKay Band & Soul Sauce then transport fans to the grooviest era of music with Groove & Graze, a 1969-themed Woodstock tribute and beer tasting. The time warp is then steered by local jazz legend, Tony Williams, as he and his quartet play tribute to the most creative year in jazz, 1959, paired with some of the region’s finest wines at Jazz on The Vine. GATSBY-Q will be summer’s roaring grand finale and will feature a spirits tasting paired with the sounds of the Danny Jonokuchi Big Band.
“Each year we challenge ourselves to elevate the concept of the luxury outdoor barbecue experience,” said Gary Murray, Chief Marketing Officer of Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center. “Normandy Farm turns 288 years old this year, and our 13th Annual Craft & ‘Que festival series will prove that we are just getting started.”
“Music is one of the oldest and most widely enjoyed art forms, and like Normandy Farm, music continues to evolve and reinvent itself with each generation to the surprise and delight of audiences across the globe,” said Jessica Willingham, Director of Arts & Culture at the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, creators of the Arts Montco brand. “We could not be more delighted to leverage the 2018 Craft & ‘Que series to bring wider awareness to the talent we have in the local arts community in Montgomery County. This summer festival series is certain to bring a little education, and a whole lot of fun to the region.”
Normandy Farm Craft & ‘Que Series 2018 Event Schedule
Terrace Re-Opening Party {So 2018} | DeeJay Shelly ~ International Female DJ
Thursday, May 17 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
An eclectic celebration of modern hits, modern farm cooking, and a newly renovated venue… Our Terrace Grand Re-Opening Celebration is so 2018! Join us for this exclusive cocktail party and menu preview featuring a live performance by internationally acclaimed DeeJay Shelley. Attendees will enjoy unlimited house wine and beer throughout the evening.
Groove & Graze {1969 Rock & Beer Tasting} | Lindsay McKay & Soul Sauce
Thursday, June 14 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The year is 1969. The Beatles are breaking up, a fundamental shift in music is happening, and the grooviest event in history takes place on a dairy farm. It is the first year that canned beer outsells bottled beer in the US. Fast forward to 2018 and it’s the 49th anniversary of Woodstock. Relive the exhilarating feeling of freedom as Lindsey McKay & Soul Sauce add classic rock with our modern farm cooking. Get back in the groove with Willow & Thistle’s create-your-own flower crown station. A variety of craft breweries will also be offering craft tastings. All Groove & Graze attendees will enjoy unlimited house wine and beer throughout the festival.
Jazz on the Vine {1959 Jazz & Wine Tasting} | Tony Williams Jazz Quartet
Thursday, July 19 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
1959 is widely considered the most creative year in jazz, with artists including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra all making significant contributions to the music scene. It was also the first year that wine consumption in America exceeded 155 million gallons. Celebrate creativity with live renditions of the classics, blended with the modern jazz of the artists that these legends have influenced. The melodic, smooth sounds by Tony Williams will pair perfectly with a variety of wine tastings. All Jazz on the Vine attendees may also partake in unlimited house wine and beer throughout the festival.
GATSB-Q {1920 Roaring Grand Finale & Spirits Tasting} | Danny Jonokuchi Big Band
Friday, August 24 | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
We are ending your summer in decadent fashion with a journey to the Gatsby era. The roaring 20’s were known as “the greatest, gaudiest spree in history” as America experienced life under the influence of Prohibition. Don’t let the fancy attire fool you. Wealthy east coasters are notorious for having created one of the rowdiest periods in American history. We expect you all to live up the reputation at this year’s Craft & ‘Que Grand Finale with live music by The Recessionals Jazz Band. Themed attire is encouraged, but not required. A distillery tasting experience is also included for all Gatsby-Q attendees.
Full menus, more information, and tickets to the series are available at NormandyFarm.com/craftandque.
ABOUT HANSEN PROPERTIES
Hansen Properties is a private, family-owned company with two landmark destinations, connected by “One Historic Experience.” Normandy Farm Hotel and Blue Bell Country Club together comprise one of largest hospitality centers in the region. Located immediately adjacent to each other and with common ownership, these facilities are on over 210 acres, with more than 220,000 square feet of indoor space, and significant outdoor amenities including an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course and a Philadelphia Business Journal Top 10 Largest Meeting Site. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of experiences, including fine dining, elegant ballrooms, state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities, an historic hotel, championship golf, swimming, and fitness.
ABOUT ARTS MONTCO
Valley Forge & Montgomery County is home to more than 200 arts attractions, featuring live music venues, award-winning playhouses, historic movie theatres, amazing architecture, museums and art galleries, and some of the finest gardens and arboretums in the country. Arts Montco is designed to inspire visitors to explore the arts in the county and establish Montco as an arts destination while building community awareness and pride around the arts. Learn more at www.artsmontco.com.
