Ventnor Blog

The Events diary is down at the moment as we’re in the middle of upgrading the software, so here’s a quick reminder that tomorrow (Friday) night you have another chance to catch Hedgehogs and Honeybeads … this time at the Ventnor Winter Gardens.

The film created by Ventnor lovelies, Martha Moopette and Rosalind Noctor, explores the growth of identity through innovative intermedia pathways and is bursting at the seams with colours, ideas and experiment. Blimey!

The installation at Quay Arts in September proved highly successful, so if you missed it then and spent the next day kicking yourselves, then head down to the Winter Gardens on Friday night - starts at 8pm in the downstairs bar.

Ventnor Winter Gardens, Friday 13 October 2006, 8pm £3 entry

Support local artists and support the Winter Gardens (before it becomes the target for ‘luxury’ seafront apartments).

If you missed the first event in September at Quay Arts, fear not, you have another chance to catch this amazing event on Friday 13th October when Hedgehogs and Honeybeads visits the Ventnor Winter Gardens

Everyone begins as an uncarved block…

How have you become who you are? We all have an identity but how is it formed?

Multimedia artists Martha Moopette and Rosalind Noctor explore the growth of identity through innovative intermedia pathways culminating in an installation, using film, dance, animation, photography, sound and costume, to create a multi-sensory exploration of identity bursting at the seams with colours, ideas and experiment.

Supported by Arts Council England, this is an opportunity to witness exciting and adventurous new work from two of the Isle of Wight’s most ambitious young artists.

Ventnor Winter Gardens, Friday 13 October 2006, 7pm £4 entry

The weather forecast for the weekend is hot and sunny, so give the kids (or yourself) a treat and head down on Sunday to the Ventnor Botanic Gardens for The Big Day Out.

This fun event marks the launch of the Isle of Wight’s Children and Young People Trust, which brings together all of the services on the Island that are working to help children and young people.

There’s the chance to watch this year’s FREE entertainment which is themed ‘Around the World’ and includes Island band Kody, a recycled fashion show, a young people’s dance marquee, arts and crafts activities, face painting, giant sumo suits, gladiator games, sports coaching and tournaments, assault courses, circus skills, art workshops, storytelling, gyroscopes, samba bands, food from around the world, magic shows, bouncy castles and much, much more.

Even if you don’t fancy any of that, a walk in Ventnor’s most beautiful garden is enough to make your day.

It’s all happening between 10.30 and 3.30, and although it’s free, you’ll need a ticket which you can pick up from all public libraries and youth centres on the island, as well as Connexion information points in the High Schools and the College. Don’t forget to pick one up for your mates - they’re going fast.

If you’re driving, only disabled parking will be allowed at the Botanic Garden, so shuttle buses are being run between the gardens and the middle school in Upper Ventnor, where you can park.

For details of how to find the Botanic Gardens (if you’re from far afield), visit their Website

The FREE one-day event, which marks the start of Family Learning Week, is open to children, young people and families and is packed full of activities, information and entertainments. Young people are playing a key role in organizing the day and the entertainment.

This year’s event is extra special as it also marks the launch of the Isle of Wight’s Children and Young People Trust which will bring together all of the services on the Island that are working to help children and young people.

The Big Day Out will also give you the chance to find out more about the help, support and activities available for children, young people and families on the Island with information, competition and activities from over 70 local services and organizations.

Plus there’s the chance to watch this year’s FREE entertainment which is themed ‘Around the World’ and includes Island band Kody, a recycled fashion show, a young people’s dance marquee, arts and crafts activities, face painting, giant sumo suits, gladiator games, sports coaching and tournaments, assault courses, circus skills, art workshops, storytelling, gyroscopes, samba bands, food from around the world, magic shows, bouncy castles and much, much more. Plenty of fun things to do for all the family, whatever the weather!

If you are interested in coming along, the event is from 10.30am-3.30 pm and is totally FREE – you will however need a special entry ticket for the event.

Tickets will be available from all public libraries, all youth centres across the island as well as Connexion information points in the High Schools and the College from Friday 22 September. You’ll need one ticket per person and you are advised to collect them early to avoid disappointment.

Free bus and train travel to the event has also been arranged – look out for more details coming soon. Parking will also be available at Ventnor Middle School with a free shuttle bus service to the Botanic Garden.

Look out for more information in the local press and libraries.

It was the Best Of All, what a brilliant weekend. We’ve reviews coming later in the week with tons of photos, so I won’t go into details now.

In the meantime, just a little reminder that tonight Quay Arts will be hosting Hedgehogs and Honeybeads.

It should be a very interesting evening and well worth the effort of the journey.

Don’t forget that local artists need our support. It’s only three quid to get in and finishes early so you can catch the bus home if you’re not driving.

If you just haven’t had enough of the Carnival season, fear not, because tomorrow Ryde will play host for their grand Carnival Day.

It starts with the Children’s Carnival Procession, which sets off from Dover Street 2.45pm. If you want to take part, assemble in Dover Street at 1.30 pm. Judging starts at 2.00 pm.

There’ll be all sorts of activities happening throughout the day and if don’t make it along during the day, be sure to catch the evening Illuminated Carnival which sets off from Ryde Esplanade at 8.30 pm.

Judging by the photos from Thursday’s carnival (big thanks to Charrrr for use of her photos) it looks like it’ll be one not to miss.

Check out the official Ryde Carnival Site for more info.

You might’ve noticed an entry in our September diary for Hedgehogs and Honeybeads, an original art work installation being held at Quay Arts in Newport.

You might also be interesed to know that it is locals, Rosalind Noctor (dancer and artist) and Martha Moopette (film maker and artist) who have been working together, to bring us this collaboration of film, dance, photography, sound, animation and costume.

A short abstract film, which tracks the journey of a single character searching for their identity, will be the evening’s main attraction.

It will be complemented with a sound track from Ventnor musician Heather McCallum, a live dance performance consisting of original material from the film and a photo gallery of stills taken during the filming process.

There will also be a chance to take a close look at costumes and the set from the film which will be on display.

Please come along and support your local artists - it’s a one off event and not to be missed. If you’ve got teenagers who are keen to explore their creativity, this should be an inspiring evening for them.

So save a bit of yourself after the Bestival and make the painless journey to Newport for the evening. You’ll be glad you did.

Tuesday 12th Sep, 8pm, Quay Arts, Newport, £3

Of course it wouldn’t be scooter weekend without a large dose of Hipshaker, who present their two rooms of aural and dancing pleasure. Hipshaker DJs, and Dave Edwards play host in the main room and Soul Shoes DJ’s will be spinning northern soul classics in the Soul Shoes Room.

Ryde Castle Hotel, The Esplanade, Ryde. 8pm to 2am.

Latest news from the Jazz Office is that next year’s festival ‘promises to offer the most diverse and eclectic package of performances in the history of the event’?

Geri Ward and Phil Snellen have been working extremely hard, to secure not only the best Jazz musicians for the 2007 festival, but can also now announce official sponsorship from Velocity.

Velo-who you say? Not fitting into their target market of 15-30 year olds, it’s no surprise I’d never heard of them. But, apparently it’s a new range of flavoured Direct Energy Source drinks “that are delicious on their own if you need a boost and even better mixed with your favourite tipple for a cocktail that can’t be beat’? Sounds great and I’m sure I’ll be trying it out next April” probably the cocktail version though ;-).

More news is that the festival is going to double in size next year with five new venues. Yes, five new venues!

Where will they all go you ask? Well one will be The Jazz Dance Marquee which will make up part of the new ‘Jazz Village’ (Jazz Village! Blimey!) set atop the cliffs overlooking beautiful Ventnor bay. Not entirely sure where this will be, but I’m guessing that it’s Salisbury Gardens. A very beautiful spot and well positioned for this year’s Jazz Bazaar Marquee.

According to Geri, “Appearing at the Jazz Dance Marquee will be DJs from the world famous Messin’ Around club night at London’s Jazz Cafe, who’ll also be hosting the Jazz Festival’s very first Club Night at the Winter Gardens on Saturday”? Shame that the original sprung floor which once graced the main hall of the Winter Gardens is no more (anyone know which idiot sanctioned it’s removal?).

The Club Night and the Jazz Dance Marquee will play host to the legendary Jazzcotech Dancers (pictured above). Never heard of them? Well, we’re told they’re a world famous troupe of experts in Street/Jazz/Fusion dance styles. Not only that but they’ve appeared in clubs and at gigs all over the world and supported the man himself James Brown, not to mention Maceo Parker and young Jamiroquai. Be sure to check them out because they look like they’ll be amazing.

It all happens again, this time with lights!

Procession of floats around the town centre.

Another great excuse for the men of Ventnor to dress up as women!

Fun for all the family.

The mayhem and madness is back in town. Floats being judged in Dudley Road about 5ish and procession starts about 6ish.

I’ll stick more details up when they come through.

Being held at the Ventnor Winter Gardens … more details to follow when programmes published.

Incase you didn’t know, after three years at its helm, Stephen Munn has now moved on from Quay Arts to take up a position at Derby Dance.

Steve has been responsible for making significant changes in the programming at Quay Arts and we’re sure will go onto continue his success in Derby.

Two people have been shortlisted for the Directors role, both with theatre backgrounds, so watch this space to find out who the lucky one will be. Whoever it is, we wish them the best of luck in this challenging and exciting position.

Everyone begins as an uncarved block…

How have you become who you are? We all have an identity but how is it formed?

Multimedia artists Martha Moopette and Rosalind Noctor explore the growth of identity through innovative intermedia pathways culminating in an installation, using film, dance, animation, photography, sound and costume, to create a multi-sensory exploration of identity bursting at the seams with colours, ideas and experiment.

Supported by Arts Council England, this is an opportunity to witness exciting and adventurous new work from two of the Isle of Wight’s most ambitious young artists.

Quay Arts, Newport - Tuesday 12 September 2006 - 8pm - £3

Quay Arts