“I can’t quite believe this is our sixth serving of scallops and shanties for the Rye Bay Scallop Festival” said Rebekah Gilbert, one of the Rye Bay Crew who are performing again at this year’s Scallop festival. “We have gone from one, to two and now four nights of entertainment throughout the festival as it has proved so popular with local folk and visitors alike.”
Not just your normal shanty singers, Rye Bay Crew have a repertoire of music spanning over 400 years to do with the sea and maritime themes, including classical, folk, traditional shanties, popular and contemporary pieces.
They perform three sets each evening. Baritone Jonathan Breeds only has a fleeting appearance in the first section as he is on scallop duty in the kitchen to serve his delectable sea food dishes to waiting diners. After more singing, a main course will be delivered by the singing waiters, and the evening is finished off with some of the more bawdy songs, that diners are welcome to sing along to if they wish!
Rye Bay Crew formed for the 2014 scallop festival when old (Thomas Peacocke) school friends Jonathan, who studied performing arts at Middlesex University and Rebekah, who graduated from the Royal Academy of Music met up again. They are joined by master mariner Andi Rivett and the highly experienced folk guitarist Chris Fisher.
Tickets for scallops and shanties are available from Rebekah on info@vivawellbeing.com at £27 each, including all food and entertainment. Performances at 7pm for 7:15pm in the Queen’s Head private function room are on:
Friday, February 22
Saturday, February 23 (sold out)
Friday, March 1
Saturday, March 2
Source: Rye Bay Crew
Image Credits: Rye Bay Crew .