Ventnor Blog

Don’t forget that this Thursday and Friday sees the return of the MacNaughton Howe Arts and Crafts exhibition.

Festival entries are open to anyone living within a five mile radius of the Winter Gardens and there are tons of classes, so expect to see a wide variety of work at this year’s festival.

It will be open to the public between 1pm-6pm on Thursday and 10am-5pm on Friday, with the award ceremony taking place at around 4pm on Friday.

If you fancy checking out the local talent, get yourselves down to the Winter Gardens.

It appears that the You and Yours programme which aired on BBC R4 on Friday has been picked up by BBC News.

Today they are running a piece about how Fairport Convention still remain to be paid £5,000 for their sell out gig at the Isle of Wight Folk and Blues Festival last year.
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There are any more walkings planned for today as part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

Why not take advantage of the wonderful weather, but don;t forget sun cream and water. It’s hot out there already!

Ryde Library opening times: Family Treasure Hunt
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It was Geri who represented the Jazzers on Radio 4 today.

You and Yours presenter, John Waite, did a telephone interview after some of the people who haven’t been paid put their feelings across, including Ian Shaw from this years Jazz Festival (although he’s been promised that the cheque is in the post).

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Today we got a phone call telling us that the Ventnor Jazz Festival and the Folk and Blues Festival will be the subject for discussion on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme tomorrow at midday.

Given it’s the stations consumer affairs programme, it will be investigating the problems of the previous years, where some of those involved have spoken of non-payment, you know what we’re talking about.

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Another great day of walks lined up as part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival. If you attend any of the walks and would like to share your experience with our readers, do get in touch.
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The Isle of Wight Walking Festival continues today with a great choice of walks around the Wight.

Follow the links before for more details on each of the walks taking place today.
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Tomorrow sees the launch of the very first RiverFest.

It takes place in Newport by the quayside and surrounding river area.

There are tons of activities taking place over the day including a six mile river walk, street theatre, stilt walkers and fire show (with the amazing Matt Splatt) and even a mini beast safari. (more…)

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival kicks off this weekend - details of the launch to follow tomorrow. In the meantime, here is a list of all walks taking place on Saturday.

There are loads to do, if you fancy stretching your legs this weekend, including one around the town in Ventnor and Ryde.
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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…)

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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There’s less than a week to go until the Isle of Wight’s newly appointed High Sheriff Alan Titchmarsh kicks off the largest festival of its kind. (more…)

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]

Dear Bestival gets another mention as a fave of the stars (did you know that Will Young had been to Bestival for the last three years without anyone knowing?).

Dan Hipgrave, former guitarist with British indie rock band Toploader, picks the best of this summer’s music festivals world wide in The Telegraph - one of them being Bestival.

He’s spot on with his comments

What really sets Bestival aside from the rest, however, is the free-spirited crowd that flocks to this weekend funfair.

Read

When we saw the “Moon Walk has been banned” press release from the Council, our minds jumped to an obvious conclusion as to who had insisted that they change it.

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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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All of you Bestival ticket holders have got this to look forward to … those who have been slow, regret at leisure, as all of the tickets for this year have just sold out.

We had a ball at Bestival last year, as did our camera-man, Spanish-born DJ, conga player and film-maker, Lucho Limpo.

If after reading the 150 articles that we’ve written about Bestival over the years, you’re still not convinced that it is the best festival going, why not sit back, turn up the volume on your computer and take a walk with Lucho through the crowds of Bestival 2007?

He’s managed to capture is that blissful, confused experience you have wending your way through the wide array of fancy dressed revellers in the wonderful surroundings of Robin Hill Country Park with the sun kissing the back of your neck.

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Beg, borrow (but don’t steal).

If you haven’t got your Bestival 2008 tickets yet, better get a move on.

We hear from Bestival HQ that there are about 150 left and the only remaining outlet with tickets is WightLink.

You don’t need us to tell you how we feel about Bestival, find out yourself this September.

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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Don’t forget the grand finale of the Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival is Pete Long’s big swing band featuring Ian Shaw and Liane Carrol.

The jazz duo will be taking part in this specially commissioned performance with an 18 piece Big Swing Orchestra of major names led by Pete Long, director of Ronnie Scotts Big Band.
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Aneesa Chaudhry is back on the fringe today following her excellent performance yesterday evening at the Mill Bay Inn.

We caught her last night and thought she was a fantastic performer.

Her eclectic take on jazz managed to clear the front row at one point, but don’t let that put you off - the rest of the room thought she was fabulous.

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Here’s one gig you should definitely make to effort to go today.

Anyone who saw Derek Nash play with Sax Appeal at the Rookley Jazz Club back in January, will be interested to hear that he’s back on the Wight this weekend and heading up a gig at the Ventnor Winter Gardens later today.

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We had a great time last night at the Maceo Parker Gig, what amazing talent! It was brilliant to see the Winter Gardens so busy and vibrant.

This morning, the sun is shining, the skies are blue and we’re looking forward to wandering around the festival venues and checking out what’s on offer.

If you’re planning a trip down to Ventnor, don’t forget that under 12s go free into all gigs. There are tons of gigs on today and tomorrow, check the Jazz Festival website for full programme (note: some venues have changed but all within walking distance).

So get yourselves down to Ventnor today and enjoy some great jazz by the sea.

Originally hailing from over the water (the big bit between us and US), but now popping down from London, Tony Smith promises a great jazz gig for anyone into guitars.

He has a unique sound and voice and has been touring with the legendary Roy Ayers all over the world for nearly six years.

He started his own band in 2003 and has played with another jazzer taking part in the Festival, Ian Shaw.

Gig takes place at the Winter Gardens and although it is difficult to work out what gigs are strollers or fringe from the festival website, we think this one is a stroller number.

Due to changes of venues, this gig will now take place at the Mill Bay Inn.

The Baddest Blues Band Ever describe themselves on their MySpace page as “An earthy, modern blues band in which the funkiest musicians from the parallel worlds of blues, jazz and rock return to their roots.”
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