Sunday Brunch @ Trinity

Trinity

Tunbridge Wells

The Bridge Trust, a local charity supporting the homeless, has teamed up with Trinity's foyer cafe and local music promoter Paul Dunton to host two special brunch events.

Featuring live music, good food and laid-back atmosphere, there are only 60 tickets for each of the Sunday Brunch @ Trinity events and they are sure to sell fast.

The Bridge Trust is a homelessness charity that gives help and support to single homeless adults throughout the west Kent region. They can accommodate 20 homeless people at one time; a total of between 30 and 40 people each year, and provide free advice to those who are homeless or may become homeless.

Opening the first brunch on October 4 will be local singer/songwriter Steve McCormack. Boasting a smooth vocal style and a relaxing acoustic guitar, Steve has been a part of several popular bands in the Tunbridge Wells area and has a reputation as top musician.

Headlining the event will Paul Dunton himself, along with his Crew. Well-known locally for championing local acoustic music and as the host of the popular Paul Dunton And Guests nights at The Grey Lady, Paul's sound is best described as pop-based piano with a classical twist. The live sound offers an atmospheric fusion of Paul's distinct vocals, engaging piano and beautifully crafted string and flute arrangements.

Opening the second event on October 11 are local songstress Reo Rae and a Tonbridge-based singer/songwriter known as The Kitchen Poet.

Reo, an acoustic singer songwriter from East Sussex, has impressed local audiences with her more intimate solo performances on the acoustic circuit. Having studied classical music as a child, she decided to turn her hand to more contemporary styles and picked up the guitar in her early teens, playing songs by the likes of The Cranberries, Jeff Buckley and Massive Attack.

The enigmatically named Kitchen Poet is gaining many new fans with his distinctive atmospheric style, crafted melodies, thought-provoking lyrics and engaging versatile tones. He recently finished as one of the top finalists in the O2 Undiscovered music talent search competition. His influences include John Martyn, Nick Drake and The Rolling Stones.

Headlining this brunch will be popular local band Son Of Kirk. Kristina from the band, who like to categorise their music as 'blackgrass', said: "Our alternative acoustic sound combines interweaving guitars, violin, double bass, vocal harmonies and expressive wordplay – just perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch".

Go! caught up with Paul Dunton to ask about his involvement.

"I was approached by Kay Ruby at the Bridge Trust," says Paul. "She takes a keen interest in the Grey Lady shows and she helped out at Local & Live. She asked me what I thought of the idea and I suggested some bands.

"I asked her what time of day it would be and she said around midday. I thought 'Ok, that's quite early for me to be singing!'."

But despite initial concerns that the performers will find singing so early in the day a challenge, Paul thinks that everyone will be in fine voice.

"I've got a lot of time for the charity. A friend of mine was homeless so I was really interested from the start. I think it's a really good cause and all the bands involved agree.

"The idea is for the soloists to be like a support act to kick things off. We were really lucky to get Reo Rae and The Kitchen Poet, and Steve McCormack is great.

"I think it's quite a quirky idea and it's a brilliant cause."

After brunch, the audience is invited to visit Joelle Laws and Pat Pope's free to enter exhibition in the Trinity Gallery, adjacent to Morello @ Trinity. Hidden Voices is a collection of photographs, interviews and compelling facts, artistically brought together with the aim of raising awareness to the homeless of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

Further information can be found on www.trinitytheatre.net and www.thebridgetrust.org.uk

October 4 and 11 (doors open 10.30am, last brunch served 11.30am, event finishes at approximately 1pm) Tickets £9.50 to include brunch. Available by e-mailing Kay Ruby at kruby@thebridgetrust. org.uk or phone 01732 368363. Tickets are also available from The Bridge Trust charity shop, 104 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells and direct from Morello Cafe @ Trinity