Ventnor Blog

There is loads going on over the weekend, don’t forget tonight at Ryde Theatre you can catch The Gypsy Ladyland Experience.

If jazz is your thing, at Quay Arts tonight you can enjoy the delights of Philip Clouts Quartet with Carlos Lopez-Real as part of the Quay Arts Jazz Café.
(more…)

The incredible Robert Mitchell in yet another incarnation!

Panacea are a unique band. They present a mix of original song, fierce improvisation, and no limit as being the only limit to musical possibility.

They have performed at North Sea Jazz Fest (Holland) and perform soon at Jazz A Vienne Festival (France). This is jazz at its best.
(more…)

Thanks to everyone who entered our ticket competitions this week.

The winner for the Koolwaters competition is Christian Harrison from Ryde who gave the correct answer that Marc Vedo’s hometown is Bristol.

Terry Watkis from Gunnard gave us the correct answer to the question for the DJ Format comp.
(more…)

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…)

Fancy going out for free on Friday night? Well you can with our two ticket competitions.

We have something for everyone with Hip Hop in the shape of DJ Format and Mr Thing in Ryde and house music with live percussion, vocals and saxophone supporting Marc Vedo (Koolwaters) in Newport.

The questions are pretty simple (hint if you use wikipedia or google) and you could bag yourself two tickets to either event. Follow the links and enter tonight - we’ll be choosing winners at lunchtime tomorrow.

BAFTA Award Winning, Pan’s Labyrinth is a fanciful and chilling story set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain.

The film centres on Ofelia, a lonely and dreamy child living with her mother and adoptive father; a military officer tasked with ridding the area of rebels.

In her loneliness, Ofelia creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies.
(more…)

Elections take place today on the Wight today in two parishes.

As part of the election process, those already elected include Tony Coburn and Geoff Lumley for Pan Ward in Newport Parish.

In Northwood Parish Peter Brooker, Colin Cramp, Paul Fuller, Roger Mazillius, Colin Palmerton, John Pullen and Eileen Turner-Palmerton were all elected uncontested.

In Whippingham Peter Clark, Richard Haynes, Ian Husbands, John Kirwood-Slack and Frederick Richards were all elected uncontested.

In Ryde, several wards held elections today, check out the Council website for more details of which wards elections were held in.

image: Emmaline

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.

(more…)

Critically acclaimed international comedy theatre company Plested and Brown present Minor Spectacular.

A forgotten town is holding out for a superhero. Then Bosch! Terry arrives fixing washing machines and cleansing customer’s souls.

A comedy fantasy from the creators of hit 2005 show Hot Pursuit and directed by Amanda Wilsher.

With manual in hand he gets on his soapbox, rifles through the town’s dirty laundry and exposes mucky habits. No matter how deep the stain, he’s undeterred. But is Terry the angel he seems?
(more…)

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)

Come along and hear the latest in new sounds from around the Island and beyond.

These regular Acoustic Originals nights, hosted by Mick Smith, are proving increasingly popular at Quay Arts as a creative platform for new songwriters and performers.
(more…)

Thanks to Ced from the Solace team for sending in this review of the great action happening in Church Litten last Friday night. We’re really pleased to hear it went so well. We’d recommend you check out their website, lots of great info and a brilliant video well worth watching - it’ll warm the cockles of your hearts. Ed

Thanks to everyone who turned up to the free BAND NITE gig in Church Litten on Friday evening.
(more…)

If you’re a fan of rugby or just want to help young rugby players from the Island, get yourself Newport way on Sunday.

Teams from many part of the UK will be travelling over to play young teams form the Island

There’s an incredible 1,600 children going to be taking part in the matches on Sunday between 10:30 and 3:30.
(more…)

The skies look like they’re threatening rain, but if we all keep our fingers crossed, hopefully the grey clouds will pass in time for tonight’s free gig at Church Litten. If not, this lovely lady is sure to put some sunshine in your hearts.

Tonight in Newport, several Island bands will be performing for all those bored teenagers who normally hang out at the bus station or on street corners. It’s being put on by the IW Council, the Police and Newport Churches. (more…)

If you haven’t got your tickets yet for the forthcoming fundraiser and awareness gig for the St George’s Dragon project, make sure you sort it out before they get snapped up.

After the short presentation about the project, you will be entertained by the brilliant Wild Oats and Lucid, two excellent Island bands who will certainly put on a good show.
(more…)

Last week we felt very lucky to be asked along to the Island premiere of Gum Fu: Enter The Clinic.

The film was created by the Streets Ahead team in association with IOW Chlamydia Screening Programme and after the screening we chatted to those involved.

The film was excellent, it was extremely informative as well as being full of humour and professionally produced. First up in our series of podcasts is Sarah Stringer, chlamydia screening coordinator for IOW. (more…)

A new exhibition kicks off this weekend in the Michael West Gallery at Quay Arts

‘Charm Offensive’ transforms the entire Michael West Galleries with a series of striking wall-to-wall drawings by UK based artist Greig Burgoyne which invite us to question, just what do we value?
(more…)

One of our favourite Island bands at the moment is the Guy Page Trio.

We first saw them play live at The Wight Rock Bar in Ryde back in January and any fans of The Durutti Column will be well advised to check them out.

On the 7th May, they’ll be playing at The Studio in Newport.

There may be other bands playing also that night, if you know get in touch.

Entry will cost you £3.

[Image courtesy of Anna Jones]

More Dragon news today with details of a forthcoming exhibition at Quay Arts.

Dolly Mixtures is an eclectic mish-mash of art dolls created from an equally eclectic range of materials by more than 20 Island-based artists (including Ventnorian Teresa Grimaldi) in the Learning Curve Gallery at Quay Arts in support of the St George’s School DRAGON Project.
(more…)

Fantastic news reaches us this morning that St George’s PMLD School is Newport has just announced that TV presenter Chris Packham, has agreed to become a patron of Dragon.

What better day to make the announcement than on St George’s Day.

Chris said today

“I’m delighted to be asked to support Dragon by being a patron, St George’s is a terrific school full of superb kids.

(more…)

New High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Alan Titchmarsh will be launching the 2008 National Year of Reading.

Old Titters is in town at the the Lord Louis Library on Friday between 3.30-4.30.

The author, gardener, TV personality (and don’t forget - new High Sheriff) will be charming the crowds and parting with wise words on the subject of reading.

If you missed the posting last week about Kool Waters coming to the Wight, listen up.

Hold on Tight Promotions have worked their magic and organised a Kool Waters party for 2nd May at Chicago Rock in Newport. This is not your standard gig - it sounds like it going to be something to behold and all for just £6.

Star of the show will be Marc Vedo, a man well known for his uplifting funky sounds and his peak time trance sets, so if that is your bag, make sure you get your tickets before they sell out. (more…)

Make sure you get this one in your diaries. Coming up in June is an awareness night for the great new Dragon project coming out from St George’s School in Newport.

The aim of the night is to inform and entertain.

You can learn all about the work that has been going on at St George’s PMLD School over the last year or so and discover the incredible plans they have for the future.
(more…)

The Hearing at The Studio in Newport tonight features four Island bands.

Emily Jane is back again and this time joined by The Sessions, whose influences range from The Sex Pistols to The Motion Pictures. They’ve been going since 2006, so you will have probably seen them play out sometime or another (if not at the 2007 IW Festival).
(more…)