Isle of Wight Festival 2021 Review
Everyone I spoke to agreed that this year’s IW Festival was the one they had enjoyed the best of all of the IW Festivals since 2002, and why was that? Because it happened at all!!! In a climate of Covid paranoia, and within an atmosphere of fear, John and Caroline Giddings fought tooth and nail to put on this year’s Festival and it was an absolute triumph. From the smallest artist on a makeshift stage, to the huge headliners on the Main and Big Top stages, everyone was on top form, bursting to bring their music back to the masses. And
Grand Russian High Tea Book launch raises over £1,000 for Island charities
Hosted by Lady Cheshire and Lady Grylls, a Grand Russian High Tea at the Royal Hotel was to launch Stephan Roman’s new book ‘Isle and Empires’ and to raise money for Mountbatten and Dementia UK Admiral Nurses IW. Guests were greeted with a Russian Spring Punch cocktail, made with Mermaid Salt Vodka courtesy of the Isle of Wight Distillery, Rachmaninov from Simon Davis on piano, and a real Russian samovar loaned by the Leconfield Hotel. Once seated guests were treated to a cornucopia of Russian-themed scones, cakes and delicacies, designed by Ben Chamberlain and his team, whilst sipping Russian and English
Sky High organisers issue local notice for hot air balloon flights
The countdown to the South Coast’s largest hot air balloon bonanza, Sky High Night Glow, is on! From August 20th - 22nd, Robin Hill will see magnificent hot air balloons fill the skies once more. After a record-breaking first instalment in May, Sky High Night Glow will return daily from 5pm – 10pm; with spectacular Night Glow displays every evening, there’s even more opportunity to see the balloons in action! The park’s Lower Valley will once again be a hive of activity with hot air balloon crews tethering, performing inflation races, and attempting mass launches from site! But that’s not all
Isle of Wight Festival 2021 – An interview with John Giddings
Going Live I loved your quote about cancelling the Isle of Wight Festival over your dead body.. “And I don't intend to die in the near future, fingers crossed.” Is this going to be the first concert you put on this year? “Um yes, because my wife has been doing the Covid testing at the event research programme at Sefton Park and Download, and she's at Latitude at the moment, but they are not run by me. The Isle of Wight festival team are helping the Government produce those events on the basis that we get the knowledge to be able to run the Isle
Katie Melua at the Woodland Sessions at Robin Hill
The valley at Robin Hill, home of the very first Bestival, was the perfect setting for the ‘socially distanced’ Woodland Sessions last weekend, the very weekend that would have been the IW Festival if it hadn’t been for the government’s Covid restrictions. And on the second night, Friday 17th July, Katie Melua chilled everyone out with a stunning selection from her extensive catalogue. Katie in front of the iconic marble arch at Robin Hill Supporting artist, Simon Gough gave a haunting and atmospheric violin interlude to begin, with backdrop of coastal scenes in the twilight – were they of Island scenes? We
Jack Up’s all set to bring back the good times this summer!
With the lifting of all legal restrictions on19th July, the Island’s community retro festival is ready to re-open its gates this August enabling Islander’s to reunite with friends and family in a safe, outdoor environment. Centred around feel-good music from the 80’s and 90’s, there’s guaranteed fun for all the family! Now in its eighth year, Jack Up The Summer will feature live music from the likes of Heaven 17, Heather Small, From The Jam, Black Lace and Aswad, as well as Queen and Abba tribute groups, locally produced food and drink plus the world’s only inflatable circus including a 100ft
Upcoming Isle Of Wight Events You Can’t Miss After Lockdown
The Isle of Wight is known for lots of things, from its 57 miles of breathtaking coastline to its tourist attractions like Osborne House and The Needles, and people visit the Island every year for lots of different reasons. The many events that are hosted here on the Isle of Wight also help to make it a very popular destination and throughout the year, there is something for absolutely everyone event-wise across the Island. As you will know, lots of popular Isle of Wight events had to be cancelled last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic but this summer is going
Up… Up…Up and Away!
I think we're gonna need a bigger basket! It has taken me a few days to write this
Ventnor Fringe unveils spectacular line up!
The multi-award-winning arts festival, which features gigs, comedy and performances in pop up venues throughout Ventnor, will return for an extended 10 day edition from 23rd July - 1st August 2021. In recent years it has become an important testing ground for artists premiering new material, running in the lead up to Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A host of new acts have been announced including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestant Joe Black who will be previewing new show ‘Decopunk’ plus ‘Work In Progress’ performances f rom comedians Lou Sanders (Taskmaster, Travelman, QI) Geoff Norcott (Live at the Apollo, Mash Report, Mock the
Jack Up to bring the swinging sixties to Shanklin this summer
A chance to escape back to the sixties this August! Owing to very popular demand, Jack Up Events are bringing back the good times with a very special ‘Jack Up The 60s’ evening at Shanklin Theatre on Friday, August 13th as they continue to celebrate all things retro. Multi-talented 5-piece band The Zoots will bring the unforgettable sounds of the iconic decade to life, taking audiences on both a visual and musical journey. This is THE 60s show that's been wowing audiences around the world, selling out and headlining venues from the London Palladium to Old Trafford. Having recently won the 2021 Global
