Ruby Turner is a R&B and soul singer who was part of ‘Culture Club’ in the 1980s. She has performed and toured with Jools Holland, and was a guest judge on BBC’s The Choir with Gareth Malone.
Crowds gathered on Saturday night to see her perform, have a meal and bid on some lots at the auction.
The evening was organised by the Dart Music Festival committee in order to raise the much needed funds that provide Dartmouth with it’s annual music festival – one of the highlights of the calendar.
Lucy Hingston, Dartmouth Music Festival, said: “Now in it’s 20th year, it was decided that something special was required to both mark the occasion, and raise some serious money, and the evening did not disappoint.
“We were greeted on arrival by Pam, chairman of the DMF committee, and enjoyed a convivial glass of prosecco while catching up with other friends and supporters of DMF.
“When the master of ceremonies, the marvellous Nick Crossly, announced that dinner was served, we took our seats and were treated to a fine feast of crab and avocado, pork and bacon, and a lemon posset dessert that took your breath away.
“As you can imagine, the wine flowed as freely as the conversation, and by the end of the meal we were ready to ‘party hearty’.”
When Ruby Turner took to the stage, Lucy said that she “cannot convey in mere text the outstanding performance that we were treated to”.
She went on: “The band was tight, the showmanship and performance that Ruby gave was second to none, and the audience was awestruck. We sat almost with mouths agape at the musical virtuoso before us.”
After the first set, Jake Moores took to the microphone to begin the auction of promises. Once again, the town rose to the occasion and provided some outstanding lots for the auction, including a spa afternoon, a pizza master-class, a special day out at Henley Royal Regatta, an original painting, two boat trips, dinner at Lympstone Manor, a week in a cottage in Dittisham, a day at the races, and an ITN studio tour.
Lucy continued: “Jake kept the audience on the edge of their seats as lot after lot went under the hammer, and the money came rolling in.
“Tremendous thanks goes out to all of those magnificent people who donated these gems, and of course to those who bid on them.
“Not to be outdone, the list of raffle prizes was equally impressive - Champagne tea on Elberry, a beauty voucher, Sunday lunch, hanging baskets, and original vinyl records.
“Once again, huge thanks goes out to all of those people who gave prizes, and to all of those who bought raffle tickets. In due course each prize was raffled off to a new home and we all began to eagerly await the next musical offering.
“No sooner had we refilled our glasses and replaced our wallets, than it was time for Ruby to once again enthral us. This time the audience was ready for it, and we filled the dance floor.
“Once more, she took us on a musical journey like no other, energising us with one song, and moving us near to tears with the next – surely there is not a person in the room that night who didn’t get a lump in their throat when they heard her heart-wrenching performance of ‘I Would Rather Go Blind’.
“And as the final notes of the closing song died away, we all knew we had been witnesses to something magical.”
This amazing event raised an impressive £7,000 for this year’s Dart Music Festival, and Ruby telephoned one of the committee members, after the weekend, to say what a fabulous time she had, and that she is coming back in a few weeks with her son for a short holiday. Lucy concluded: “So well done Dartmouth! It appears we know how to show even the most super of stars a great time.”
You can find out more about Dartmouth Music Festival, visit the website: www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk and for more on Ruby Turner visit: www.rubyturner.com
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