I like your site, it definitely makes Ventnor look like the most interesting place on the Island to live! - Leigh Jackman, Creative Director, Evolve Multimedia
As you will have heard on the podcast with Janet Harrison that we ran yesterday, the new Studio Cafe will be officially launching next Wednesday evening.
Everyone is welcome along to the launch which kicks off at 7.30pm.
It should be a great affair, with an opportunity to sample some of the culinary delights on offer from the cafe, whilst local folk musician Seb, will be providing musical entertainment.
A new team has taken over the Cafe on the ground floor of The Studio in Newport and they’re bringing with them wholesome, home-made food all at a fair price.
Located next to the bus station, near the library, it’s a long, bright white room with the counter at the far end, providing lots of places to sit and plenty of wall space.
Local Artists
They’re planning making the most all of that wall space by giving it over to local artists, allowing them to hanging art works, free of charge, for three weeks, before it changes to the next artist.
They strive — and succeed — to provide a warm welcome to all visitors, matching that with soothing music that - unlike many other places, doesn’t rattle your brain out of your ears.
Lots going on tonight and this weekend on the Wight.
Friday Roundup
The Bonchurch Village Singers will be warming up their vocals chords this afternoon for their performance tonight at St John’s Church in Wroxall. Free entrance, with refreshments, but there will be a retiring collection at the end.
Over in Newport, Tommaso Starace will have the audience jazzing out with his spectacular sax appeal. Still some tickets left if you fancy it.
If you fancy something a little more alternative, then head up to Oakfield Football Club for The Electro Magnetic Workshop. Live performance by the band, DJ spinning the vinyl and Lady Phaedie hosting a game show with a difference. (more…)
At the end of the event, we caught up with Chief Executive of IWEP, Graham Biss to talk about what the Touchdown Lounge has to offer.
Graham told us that he hopes this space will contribute to extending the package to the Island business community, making business on the Wight as easy as possible.
Using new technology and innovation, the IWEP are working with partners to allow businesses to prosper.
When you’re driving in to Newport from the south of the Island along the Blackwater Road, you will have seen the new cricket club taking form over the last year, or so.
If you’re not in the know, it’s called Newclose.
It’s clearly a big job creating the Isle of Wight county cricket ground from scratch, but that’s what Brian Gardener, the man behind it and President of Ventnor CC, has taken on. A noble gesture indeed.
We were very sorry to read that the Busker’s Banquet, due to be on in Ryde tonight and tomorrow night has been cancelled (see the post for details of why), but if you fancy some live music, you could always head down to The Studio.
The Playlist features music from two mainland bands, who will be dishing up a mix of ska, funk, punk and reggae will be Junction27 and Shoot The Moon.
If you haven’t been along to Quay Arts recently, you won’t have seen the wonderful exhibition of works by Island based artist, Eric Geddes.
We were fortunate enough to meet Eric last month at the opening of his exhibitions (three in total) at Quay Arts and caught up with him after the showing of David George’s film short about his life and work.
The Isle of Wight Film Network has launched its first short film competition and festival.
The Isle of Wight Short Film Festival is set to give a voice - and prizes - to the Island’s best filmmakers.
There are quarterly heats at the Quay Arts Centre, ending with a final festival in July 2009 where a Jury Award and an Audience Award will be presented for the best films.
Don’t forget that whether you’re in Newport or Ryde tonight you can enjoy great live music from Island bands.
Taking place in Church Litten in Newport is Band Nite. Brought to you with the help of the Churches of Newport, The IW Council and the Hampshire Constabulary a night of free entertainment for all the family - although the intention is for entertain the young people who normally hang out at the bus station. (more…)
We received an email earlier in the week from a guy called Ryan who wanted to share this unusual story of something that he experienced at the IW Festival last month. He was hard pushed to find someone else who saw the same, but if you did, get in touch and let us know.
I was at the Isle of Wight Festival and it was 11.30 on Sunday the 15th of June. (more…)
Yesterday afternoon saw the official opening of the Touchdown Lounge at the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership’s Innovation Centre.
If you’re not familiar with the idea of a Touchdown Lounge — and with a new idea like this, why would you be? — it’s a place for business people to go along to between appointments, do work; catch up on emails; have meetings and carry out business calls.
This month Quay Arts welcomes three star stand-ups to its Comedy Club on Friday 25th July. Come and hear the warm and witty (and deaf!) Steve Day, the mischievous Maff Brown and the engaging Aussie, Aaron Counter.
Steve Day
Steve Day is a truly unique comedian - warm, witty and engaging whilst dealing with the dilemmas of being a deaf man in a hearing world.
Described by The Guardian as ‘revelatory and very funny’ his stories of multiple children, wearing a suit and the problems caused by not knowing how words are pronounced will have audiences in raptures, and his uplifting tales of overcoming the obstacles in his path will leave crowds feeling inspired.
Steve is a favourite at many venues across the UK and abroad, and is quickly establishing himself as one of the most popular and respected acts on the circuit. (more…)
Slipdisc DJ Funkzati (aka Jules Dent) will be teaming up Power FM DJ, Ben Glover next week, as they head to Chicago Rock in Newport.
Jule is one half (along with Sam Woodford from Goodbye Stereo) of the fresh electro/punk sound of Council Estate Supermodels, winners of Pete Tong’s Bedroom Bedlam on his Fasttrax Show for their electro anthem track “Travolta Fever” which managed to gather 48% of the votes.
Action kicks off at 8pm and you’ll be kicked out at 2am. It’ll only cost you £4 to get in, whatever time you arrive.
You might remember last year reading about plans for a new Guide to the Isle of Wight, the focus being on what’s on offer for Kids.
Well, after many months of information gathering, the new guide, published by Brill Books, the publishing arm of registered charity Island 2000 Trust, is about to launch.
The content of the guide, for children and their families who visit the Island, has been written and illustrated by Island children and it’s launch takes place at Quay Arts on Saturday 12 July.
So what can you expect to find in this new guide? (more…)
The Studio might be up for sale, but there are still gigs running at the event.
Chorus Management and Promotion present The Playlist.
Featuring music from two mainland bands, who will be dishing up a mix of ska, funk, punk and reggae will be Junction27 and Shoot The Moon. The second slot on their UK tour sees both bands on the Wight, after entertaining the good people of Newquay the night before. (more…)
The free music for da yoof Band Nite returns to Church Litten next month.
The last one was a great success, featuring live music from Siniez, Emily Jane, Proximity Effect and Zero.
This month’s offering has Hugo Frusslinky headlining with support from Beneath the Living and Breathing, Carousel Era and Claydon Connor, and we hear there’s more to come.
Once again, the Solace team will be there serving up cake, hot chocolate and fruit punch (non alcoholic of course).
This is a totally free event, organised by the Churches in Newport with the kind permission of the Isle of Wight Council and the Hampshire Police.
Don’t miss an amazing chance to experience the sacred world of Tibet with its Buddhist chanting and mantras, ringing of bells, blowing of trumpets and beating of drums at Quay Arts, this July.
Eight monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery will be in residence, creating a sand mandala with a programme of dances and music involving colourful traditional costumes and ceremonial masks to illustrate the diversity of their astonishing culture.
His Holiness, the Dalai Lama says of the Monastery:
‘Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in Central Tibet besides being the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.
If you’ve had such a great weekend that you don’t want it to stop, why not pop along to Quay Arts tonight for Acoustic Originals.
This is the penultimate session of the season and tonight features new young talent, including 15 year old Max Edermaniger (pictured), as well as Glenn Copany amongst others.
As usual, it’s completely free and if you want to take part, just get in touch with the Centre Director, Mick Smith, a songwriter himself.
If you would like to perform please contact Mick asap at the Quay on 822490 or email at m.smith(at)quayarts.org
Whilst we were roaming around the recent Isle of Wight Festival we were drawn to a tent bearing the name ‘Give Bees a Chance’.
We’d heard that a couple of Bees were asking for a second chance that weekend, so we made our way into the tent to chat with the lovely Sam from Gift to Nature to find out more. (more…)
As part of the Eric Geddes’ residency at Quay Arts this summer, tomorrow sees a drinks reception open to all.
As far as we know, the man himself will be on hand to answer questions and discuss his works, as well as film-maker David George who will be presenting his short film (at 3.30pm) in the Anthony Minghella Theatre.
The Solace team, who provided free tea and cakes at the Isle of Wight Festival would like to say a big, big thank you to all those that baked cakes, came along and made the tent such a success at the festival last weekend. (more…)
Everyone is welcome along to the launch which kicks off at 7.30pm. 
A new team has taken over the Cafe on the ground floor of The Studio in Newport and they’re bringing with them wholesome, home-made food all at a fair price.
Friday Roundup
Forget your troubles and dance your little socks off tonight courtesy of 
Last week we went along to the launch of the 
When you’re driving in to Newport from the south of the Island along the Blackwater Road, you will have seen the new cricket club taking form over the last year, or so.
Last week we popped down to the Innovation Centre in Newport to see the launch of the new 
We were very sorry to read that the Busker’s Banquet, due to be on in Ryde tonight and tomorrow night has been cancelled (see the 
If you haven’t been along to Quay Arts recently, you won’t have seen the wonderful exhibition of works by Island based artist, 
The Isle of Wight Short Film Festival is set to give a voice - and prizes - to the Island’s best filmmakers. 
Don’t forget that whether you’re in Newport or Ryde tonight you can enjoy great live music from Island bands.
We received an email earlier in the week from a guy called Ryan who wanted to share this unusual story of something that he experienced at the IW Festival last month. He was hard pushed to find someone else who saw the same, but if you did, 
Yesterday afternoon saw the official opening of the Touchdown Lounge at the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership’s Innovation Centre.
Steve Day
Jule is one half (along with 
Well, after many months of information gathering, the new guide, published by Brill Books, the publishing arm of registered charity Island 2000 Trust, is about to launch.
Chorus Management and Promotion present The Playlist.
Eight monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery will be in residence, creating a sand mandala with a programme of dances and music involving colourful traditional costumes and ceremonial masks to illustrate the diversity of their astonishing culture.
If you’ve had such a great weekend that you don’t want it to stop, why not pop along to Quay Arts tonight for 
Whilst we were roaming around the recent 
As far as we know, the man himself will be on hand to answer questions and discuss his works, as well as film-maker David George who will be presenting his short film (at 3.30pm) in the Anthony Minghella Theatre.
It’s that time again and 
The Solace team, who provided