Ventnor Blog

Well done to Magic Octagon who wowed the judges sufficiently last night to gain themselves a place on the Bandstand at the Isle of Wight Festival next month (yes, it’s only six weeks away).

Commiserations to the other finalists, The Kurves, The Shanklin Freak Show, Siniez and Kids Will Be Skeletons who we hear put in fantastic performances, making it all the harder for the judges to come to a decision. (more…)

If a classical recital or bumping hip hop were not your thing, but you’re feeling lucky and fancy a damn good dance this Friday night, listen up, because Hold on Tight Promotions are giving away two tickets for what’s set to be a bonkers night (a few tickets still available).

They’ll be hosting a Koolwaters gig at Chicago Rock and have none other than Marc Vedo (checkout his tunes) gracing our shores with his tight set and live percussionists in tow.

Once again the Isle of Wight has been chosen by promoters to be included in a European tour. Other dates on his current tour include Seoul, South Korea; Heart Club, Russia; Italy with Boy George; Jakarta, Indonesia; Eden, Ibiza, Spain, the list, as they say, goes one.

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It’s that time of year, when there are competitions galore to play at the Isle of Wight Festival and this weekend it’s the turn for the Wightnoize Auditions.

Although we don’t have a full programme of who is playing, we do know that you can expect to see The Emily Jane Band, Skyline Heroes and Goodbye Stereo amongst others.

With industry experts on the judging panel, offering constructive feedback to the bands, this is a great opportunity for talented Island musicians, with the potential prize of playing at the festival being an added bonus.
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This Friday, Ryde Theatre will be welcoming the rather incredible DJ Format to the stage for a bonkers four decks, two mixer show with Mr Thing.

Yet another coup for Ryde Theatre in managing to attract such a big name in the world of Hip Hop and with local support in the guise of Wills O’Steel and DJ Mewtant, this should be a night to remember for all hip hop lovers.

Those lovely people at Happyfeet Productions have kindly donated two tickets for the gig on Friday night which you could win if you enter our simple competition.
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It’s nail biting stuff, last week Battle of the Bands winners, Kosmik Debris were announced, tomorrow night sees the finals of the Live Wired competition and this coming weekend sees the Wight Noize finals.

Up on stage tomorrow night will be Siniez, Magic Octagon, The Shanklin Freakshow, and in change to the line due to Goodbye Stereo being signed by IOW Music (nice one Rodders), Kids Will Be Skeletons and The Kurves will be taking their place.

Kicks off at 8pm and will cost thee only three quid to get in. Tidy.

(oh yeah, it’s at The Studio, behind the bus station, Newport)

Many thanks to everyone who entered the competition to win a pair of tickets to The Ventnor Recital taking place this Saturday night.

The answer to the question …

“Where did composer Edward Elgar stay when he visited Ventnor in 1889 for his honeymoon?”
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This is the time of the year that arty type people in the town and around, finish of their works of art and craft and get ready for the MacNaughton Howe Arts and Craft Festival in the Winter Gardens.

This year it is on 15th May 1-6pm and 16th May 10-5pm.

Schedules are available in many shops in the town such as Rainbows, Seasons etc

Entries are still being accepted - ring 853843. With so many classes to compete in, there is still time to rustle up a quick gem!

[We can't wait to see what the Dolls House people have created this year! Ed]

As you may have read earlier, Island musical celebrity and world class violinist, Richard Studt (don’t worry that’s not him on the left) will be gracing our town once again next week and bringing two musical chums with him.

Richard Studt, horn player Michael Thompson and pianist Tim Carey will be playing a recital at St Catherine’s Church on Saturday night.

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Many thanks to Sandy from the IOW FIlm Network for reminding us about this great new competition and film festival. It was launched a couple of months ago, but reminders are going out again as the deadline for entries draws closer.

The Isle of Wight Short Film Festival will be taking place in July 2009 with quarterly heats at Quay Arts kicking off this summer.

The Festival will be an opportunity for the Island’s best filmmakers to have a voice and a chance to grab not only a Jury Award but also an Audience Award, which will be presented for the best films.
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Congratulations to Sarah Medway from Ryde who has just bagged herself a pair of tickets to see Air Traffic play at Ryde Theatre tomorrow night.

She correctly guessed that Air Traffic will be playing the Rheinkultur Festival in Germany in July.
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The final of the battle of the bands took place at Medina last night and Ventnorian teenagers, Kosmik Debris wowed the judges sufficiently to take first place.

We are bowled over for the 15 and 16 year olds from Ventnor who we first saw play a couple of years ago at the Ventnor Youth Centre, when the music suite was officially opened.

They went on to play at the Ventnor Day Festival in 2006 and we hear have gone from strength to strength.
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Bournemouth lads, Air Traffic are kicking off their UK tour on our fair Isle (let’s hope the fog clears by Wednesday) this week and have a couple of great Island bands, Bastila and Goodbye Stereo as support acts (both of whom are confirmed for Besti this year). (more…)

As we’ve mentioned several times on VentnorBlog, next week sees a great lineup at Ryde Theatre with two local bands, Bastila and Goodbye Stereo (both confirmed for Bestival)play alongside Bournemouth based band, Air Traffic.

Air Traffic have chosen the Isle of Wight as the first venue for the start of their UK tour and we hear that they have also been confirmed to play in North America as well as two European festivals this summer. (more…)

Quay Arts are running an open exhibition later in the year and inviting artists from around the Island to submit their work for consideration.

The theme of the exhibition is ‘Location’: Site, place, position, spot, setting, scene. (more…)

It’s certainly a day for the lovely ladies on VentnorBlog.

Well done again to Becky, who picked up two tickets yesterday to see Soul II Soul on Friday at Ryde Theatre (have you got your tickets yet?) in our ‘make us laugh’ competition.

It was unfortunate that the following entry, by one of our fledgling forum members, Miss Pinkie Beige, arrived after the cut off time …. if she hadn’t been tied up and unable to call, she may’ve been in the running for the tix. She was too late for the competition, but we thought we’d publish her words anyway (with her permission natch).
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Congratulations to Siniez and Magic Octagon who battled it out at last night’s heat of the Live Wired County Press/Platform One competition and came out on top.
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Congratulations to ‘Nutty Girl’ Becky from Newport for chancing her luck and making us laugh.

For her efforts, she’ll be rewarded with two tickets to go and see one of the biggest and most important UK bands to play Ryde Theatre this coming Friday.
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Yes folks, don’t forget between noon and 1pm today is your chance to possibly bag yourselves a pair of tickets for the Soul II Soul gig this Friday.

It’s that simple, between midday and 1pm today, just call (01983) 898 777 and leave us a message (the more amusing, the better).
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Yes folks, the votes are in and tonight sees the next round of the Platform One/County Press Live Wired competition take place at The Studio in Newport.

As you might remember, the first heat of the competition for Island bands to win a spot on the bandstand at the Isle of Wight Festival in June took place in January, with Goodbye Stereo and Shanklin Freak Show making the grade as heat winners.

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One of the most influential bands of the late 1980s/early 1990s will be gracing our shores this Friday, as Jazzie B and Soul II Soul take to the stage at Ryde Theatre.

Soul II Soul were massive in the late 1980s and are still going strong, last on the Wight playing at Bestival 2007.

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Just giving you the heads up that later today we’ll be launching a competition for readers to win a pair of Soul II Soul tickets.

Check back later, to make sure you don’t miss the chance to win tickets for this Friday’s gig.

If you need something to help you get in the mood for grooving, check out this video below.
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The weather might be a bit grey, but 2,000 (yes, that’s 2,000) easter eggs have been hidden in the woods at East Dene and are just waiting for the kids to come and find them.

But the fun doesn’t stop there.

Throughout the fun packed day there will be prizes galore.

As usual expect face painting, a raffle, egg decorating, egg & spoon races, Easter bonnet competition (hopefully you haven’t forgotten to prepare your Bonnet in advance) and a Tombola.

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Starting this Sunday St Boniface Arms will be offering (what they claim to be) the only Sunday Carvery in Ventnor.

Have as much or as little of whatever you want from only £6.50 (children and small portions available £4.50). (more…)

The East Dene Easter Fun Day returns this year and from what we hear it’s going to bigger and better than ever before.

This year they will be hiding 2000, yes that’s right, 2000 easter eggs in the woods as part of the Massive Egg Hunt.

Throughout the fun packed day there will be prizes galore. As usual expect face painting, a raffle, egg decorating, egg & spoon races, Easter bonnet competition (don’t forget to prepare your Bonnet’s in advance) and a Tombola. (more…)

Thanks to Muso Activator for forwarding this great opportunity for young musicians who might be interested in playing at one of the largest music festivals going.
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