Isle of Wight News on Ventnor Blog

The last day of the festival tomorrow brings several interesting walks.

Check out the list and link below for full details.

Sunday 24th May 2009
Dinosaur Walk
Time: 00:00 – Location: Brighstone or Brook

Yar River Relay
Time: 09:00 – Location: Front of White Lion

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If you’re planning what to do tomorrow, check out these walks. A great way to end the week.

Check out the list and link below for full details.

Friday 22nd May 2009
Family Treasure Hunt – Shanklin
Time: 09:00 – Location: Shanklin Library

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Crikey, this Island is rocking at the moment. There’s so much going on, anyone would think the festival season has started already.

We’re not sure who it is that they remind us of, but this four piece from the Isle of Wight (with one Canadian thrown in) will be playing live tomorrow night in Ryde, so you can decide yourselves.

Whoever it is, we reckon they sound pretty good and loved their track on Transitions Vol 2.

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The Isle of Wight has got to be one of the best places to see live music (there’s always so much on) and this Friday dishes up another three bands perform live for your pleasure in Ryde.

The Wight Rock Bar, dubbed the best micro venue on the Island by VB, will play host to previous Bestival Band Competition winners, Hugo Frusslinky.

Rob Da Bank says of the band, “I heartily recommend this rambunctious rock’n'roll with soul!”

The four piece have also been described by NME as the best band out of the Isle of Wight since The Bees and this Friday sees the return of Rob Light on bass.

Following the release of their new EP and warming up for a London gig, Hugo Frusslinky are sure to rock your pants off on Friday night.

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This is one that had passed us by, but something readers may be interested in.

We read on fellow blogger, Lindon Heaven’s site that there are still a few days left to make a trip to Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park for the Gardens in Bloom.

The two week event ends this Friday (22nd) so if you want to enjoy the woodland gardens in glorious full bloom, take in the dazzling rhododendrons and behold the beautiful spring colour of the park, make sure you pop along this week.

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We all know how successful the campaign to rid Ventnor of plastic carrier bags has been. How often do you see people using them these days?

Even if you’re already using your own reusable bags, why not help continue this campaign by taking part in weekly workshops to help make more Morsbags?

You don’t have to possess intricate dressmaking skills, you simply need to be able to machine in a straight line and Sheila (the Morsbag queen) will be on hand to help you out.

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Those who enjoyed the Adriano Adewale concert last year will be delighted to learn that Adriano’s bassist, Nathan Riki Thompson and an international line up of multi-instrumentalists (including Adriano) will be playing material from his stunning debut album “Under Ubi’s Tree”.

Nathan’s music reflects the sounds and traditions absorbed during his travels through Africa, Australasia, Finland and the UK.

This Australian double-bass player, composer and teacher now based in London lived in Africa (mostly Tanzania) for five years where he learnt to play the ilimba (thumb piano) and filimbi (flute) under the tutelage of Hukwe Zawose.

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A new exhibition by Jeanne-Mills-Holland comes to the Quay Arts next month.

‘Reclaiming the Spirits of the Water’ involves the development of fast digital photo shots from the surface areas of water and then transformed into decorative prints and oil paintings.

Drawing parallels with David Hockney’s 1960’s and 70’s Pool series, Jeanne is encouraged by one of Hockney’s quotes;

‘I am so interested in theories which propose that there is more order in what looks like disorder. For instance, we are discovering what looks like a disorderly flow of water actually has its own order’.

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Those busy lads from X-Directory will be returning to the The Solent Inn in Ryde next month for the “The EHO Ball”.

After another enthusiastic turnout for their last outing they’ve been re-booked to fire up once again.

They tell us … In the words of Bauhaus “We Love our audience”.

If you do go along and show your support.

Milly Steven’s exhibits her most recent body of work including paintings, collages and assemblages all created intensively during the past year.

The artist is engaged in a dialogue with the ‘languages’ of materials through a process of layering, scratching, scraping, adding and subtracting.

These processes produce parallel responses to the naturally occurring patina and weathered surfaces that constitute the pivotal inspiration for the work.

Bits and Bobs:
The Rope Store Gallery, Quay Arts
Sat 18 Apr – Sat 23 May
Drinks Reception: Thu 23 Apr 6 – 8pm Free Entry All Welcome

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival returns this year with some great walks planned and some exciting red hot events.

Last year 24,500 people took part in the festival during the 16 day period and organisers hope to top that this year where there will be walks for everyone, from toddlers to seasoned hikers.

The launch day of the festival is Saturday 9 May and it’s certainly starting with a bang.

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