Ventnor Blog

Don’t forget music lovers and Bestival fans, that tomorrow night sees the grand final of the Bestival Island Band and DJ Competition.

Rob Da Bank and friends will be making up the usual panel of music experts to decide which of the following acts cut the mustard for the Bestival audience in September.

The range, as always and just the Island itself, is pretty diverse, from the likes of The Guy Page Trio, to The Shanklin Freakshow. Magic Octagon (who recently played IW Festival main stage), The Steam Machine and The Kurves all join the lineup.

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Great to see a community computer project get going on the Wight.

Park Computer at 65 High Park, Ryde is selling computers at low prices to anyone who walks through the door.

This is all the more encouraging to see as it’s a project that we’ve been keeping at the back of our minds for a while, but haven’t found the time to do. Making computers available to all is vital to minimise the digital divide. (more…)

Update: We’re very sorry to hear that this event has been cancelled - see the comment below

As part of the Ryde Arts Festival on 8th and 9th of July there is a great opportunity for Island musicians to get involved and help keep Ryde Theatre open.

Organisers are inviting anyone who has played or who wishes to play Ryde Theatre in the future to help demonstrate the massive diversity of local talent, capable of providing good, regular entertainment all around the Island for Islanders and visitors alike.

Keeping Ryde Theatre open is vital to all musicians regardless of creed, colour or age.

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Congratulations to the five bands and three DJs who have made it through to the Bestival Bands Competition.

After winning the votes of the public, next week playing in front of an esteemed panel of judges will be the Guy Page Trio, The Shanklin Freakshow (finalists in the IW Festival BOTB Comp), Magic Octagon (who recently won the IW Festival BOTB Comp, The Steam Machine and The Kurves.

Spinning the vinyl to win over the judges will be Jordan Peak (pictured), Mistubishop and Duvstar and DJ Steel. (more…)

The Electro Magnetic Workshop who recently played Ventnor Park and Ryde Theatre for the album launch of The Shanklin Freak Show, will be making their way up to Ryde this coming Friday.

They have been give a chance to host their own dark wave happening at Oakfield Football Club, Slade Road Oakfield, Ryde and hopefully with any success will become a regular monthly event involving, music, art and poetry.

The first night will feature The Electro Magnetic Workshop with the launch of our new E.P.

It’ll only cost you £2 to get in. Check their MySpace to hear music and see pics of the band.

Rick Stanbridge is one of the key players in keeping live music alive on the Wight. Along with a handful of others, against the odds, they have worked incredibly hard over the last 2-3 years to try and ensure that Ryde Theatre remains open. Read on to hear his views of the current situation and watch a video created by Stu Ballingall of action at Ryde Theatre. Ed

Since our role in saving the place began, we’re pleased to say that we increased roster activity by 400%.

However, since the appointment of new management, it seems that Making Waves is the only night ticking the place over now.

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Livingstone’s Nightclub was well before our time, but we’ve heard many a story from the old days and even managed to find some video on YouTube (see below).

This Friday night, the Livingstone’s crew return to Ryde Theatre for another of their reunions.

Expect old favourites from Ricky Redhead, Jammy Dodger, Slater, Overtype and Jonny Lee.

In the VIP Room you can delight in the a private bar and all the same music as the main arena, just at a lower volume.
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All Shook Up thinks that a live band should be more than just pleasing to the ear.

That’s why with four men dress in colourful tailored suits. With their shiny “Gretsch” guitars they’ll be looking as if they’ve jumped straight out of a time machine when they head to Ryde Theatre later this month.

Frontman Fritz is not a fan of modern microphones, but he does like to move around.
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McDonalds are applying to the council’s Licensing Committee to open their Ryde restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights … until 3am.

They’re currently licensed to purvey food to the willing until 11pm at night.

Given that they open at 5am every day, Saturday and Sunday mornings are going to be a little frantic, closing at 3am only to open two hours later.

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Don’t forget that from 8pm tonight at Ryde Theatre, if you pass three gold coins over on the door, you’ll be treated to an eclectic combination of music from the one man musical movement, Ergo Phizmiz.

His partner in crime, award winning film-maker, Martha Moopette has created a last minute film as the backdrop for the beautiful tones of Puzzle Muteson. (more…)

Nick Painless will be partying tonight in Ryde as he pulls together Carousel Era, Zombie Groove Machine and Twin Beretta for a top gig night in Ryde.

The Liquid Lounge is the venue for this extravaganza and it’s free entry, so you only need bus fare or refreshment wonga.

This is strictly over 18s and if you’ve got a cute little baby face make sure you bring your ID.

For those who didn’t follow the live coverage of the Planning Committee, what follows are the notes taken down during the meeting by Simon, regarding the application for variation of permission for equestrian purposes at Ashey Common Farm, Deacons Lane, Ashey

Planning officer: Position of buildings (away from main cluster of buildings) is due to the application not owning the land near.
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Oasish, a five piece Oasis tribute group from London, who describe themselves as “The best Oasis tribute band in the World”, are set to take The Venue at Ryde Theatre by storm on 19th July along with joint headliners Stereotonics (another tribute band based in Reading).

Doors are set to open at 9:00pm. The price of tickets hasn’t been released yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out. Cheers to live music lover, Roger Regular for letting us know that prices are being advertised as £7 and £8.
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One man musical movement, Ergo Phizmiz, currently in place at Quay Arts as part of the Faust Cycle will be returning to Ryde Theatre this Thursday.

Always delivering something different expect nothing less from Ergo this Thursday as he is joined by partner, Martha Moopette.

They’ll be making their way to The Venue in Lind Street, Ryde as part of the Making Waves series organised by The Development Suite. (more…)

If you’re a buzzing socialite who gets booked up months in advance, here’s one for you to add for July.

Turtle Head Productions Presents… Goodbye Stereo playing at the Wight Rock Bar in Ryde.

Goodbye Stereo seem to be a roll at the moment, with loads of gigs, possible signings with IOW Music and confirmed for IOW Festival as well as Bestival.

Support will be provided by the excellent Guy Page Trio.

Free entry, action kicks off at 7pm.

Btw, all Goodbye Stereo posters are designed by band member Danny Colson - we’re sure you’d agree that they always look top notch.

• Binstead Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
• Dover Park Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
• Greenmount Primary School 4 – 11 2FE
  relocated to Mayfield Middle site
• Haylands Primary School 4 – 11 2FE
  relocated to Swanmore Middle site
• Oakfield CE Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
  relocated to Bishop Lovett site
• St Mary’s Catholic Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
• Bishop Lovett CE Middle School Closed
• Mayfield CE Middle School Closed
• Swanmore Middle School Closed
• Ryde High School Closed
• New Secondary School 11-19 12 FE
  on Ryde High and Haylands sites

Ventnor lads Kosmik Debris will be playing as part of Making Waves this Thursday at The Venue in Ryde.

Following their successful gig at The Rose, this will be another great warm-up before they play Isle of Wight Festival in a few weeks time.

Making Waves is brought to you by The Development Suite, and the line up for Thursday also includes Dave Kenyon, Max Edermaniger and the lovely Zoe Eady from The Hoops.

All this for just £3 entrance. What better way to start your weekend?

As always the bands will be recorded and interviewed for the Live and Local IW Radio programme which is aired between 7-10pm on Sunday night at 1027fm.

Ryde Regatta is almost upon us and there’s a fantastic line-up of free music again this year.

It all takes place on Ryde seafront over the weekend of 4th/5th & 6th of July. (more…)

This week, there is another great lineup as The Development Suite presents … Making Waves.

On the bill tomorrow night will be a plethora of Island musical talent with Carousel Era, Al and Scott Watson, Nath Williams and Jord Pennant are no strangers to playing The Venue, and return for what looks set to be a great night of local live music.

Indie darlings Goodbye Stereo will be back again and joined by Ex-RacerBoy and Paul McCan

As usual all bands will be recorded and interviewed and you can hear the results on Live and Local Show on Sunday nights on IW Radio 102/7fm.

All this for only £3.

Kicks off at 7.30pm and you’ll need to order your pumpkins for 11pm.

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.
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Don’t forget great live Island talent on stage tonight at Ryde Theatre.

Making Waves sees The Sessions, Drew, Spike Oatley and The Scores all live on stage being recorded for IW Radio Live and Local Show.

The recordings and interviews go out between 7-10pm on 102/7fm on Sunday nights. (more…)

Those of a certain age might remember seeing Jimi Hendrix perform live on the Wight back in 1970, but for those of us a little younger, the closest we can get is by either watching videos or playing albums.

The Gypsy Ladyland Experience, made up of three Island Musicians are not a tribute band as such, but three musicians with a love of Hendrix’s music.

They’ve been performing together for several years (on and off) and Darren Cochrane, Al Gubbins and Rick Stanbridge explore the three stages of Hendrix’s career. They take their hybrid name from ‘The Electric Ladyland Studios’, ‘The Band of Gypsys’ and of course The Jimi Hendrix Experience’.
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Making Waves returns to Ryde Theatre this week with a superb lineup of local Island talent.

Nitonian, Drew will be gracing the stage once again at The Venue. He was one of the first artists to sign to IOW Music, and his second album, Songs From the Devil’s Chimney, has received some great reviews. He’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t seen him play live before, and supporting if you have.
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Knowing that many of our readers are not only creative, but also technically adept, we thought you might be interested in this opportunity to join Ryde based design team Peekaboo. They’ve done some great work in the past with clients such as St Catherine’s School in Ventnor - somewhere close to our hearts. Ed

Peekaboo Design, a Ryde based design agency, is offering the opportunity for an Island Web developer with some commercial experience to work with them on several projects on a freelance or full time basis.
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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.
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