Attention all fashion boff’s and vintage toffs. Today is the day of the “Vintage, Retro and craft fair” kindly put together the fabulous Events co. & The Travelling Tea Rooms… We spoke to Khia Janzen – Owner and Director of the company about what to expect over the next few days.
– Most importantly, tell us when and where can we find the vintage fair ?
“We’re based at Ventnor Winter gardens – (right at the top of the esplanade) and will be open from 10am – 4pm today and Saturday.
-What kind of things can we expect to find at the Vintage Fair today ?
“Honestly, there’s so much going on, stall’s and traders selling retro trinkets and collectables, cream teas (or boozy coffees!) and of course the “Oh So Vintage” fashion show.”
-What time will the fashion show be kicking off ?
“Our models will be hitting the catwalk at 1pm sharp on both days. We’re incredibly lucky to have the fantastic “Oh So Vintage” lending out their garments to us, it’s going to be a real treat!”.
-Has Vintage culture always been a great love of yours?
“Yes definitely, when my business partner and I started the company I would say I was the main driving force for the vintage aspect. The Travelling Tea Rooms are all kitted out with over 170 different kinds of 60’s – 80’s china wear. Anything made after then just doesn’t stay in one piece. Vintage is quality!”
So Fringers, 10am – 4pm tomorrow. Fashion show kicking off at 1pm, be there or be square!
Well tomorrow it may turn up at The Plaza. Dear Great Aunt Sofia is popping in to see her nephew once removed (we think, she maybe on the run) and with her she comes in the world’s last surviving mobile sorting office, which has retro-chic charm. Within the office is an archive of undelivered letters for you to rummage through and check that Aunt Marg was right the letter was undelivered.
Or why not go old school (just like this printed paper) and pick up and quill or fire up your fingers on the typewriter and compose a letter to a pen pal for ‘Friends for Pens’. The Last post will be at the plaza to fulfill all your faux pas postal needs today and tomorrow from 11-1pm/2-4pm.
Capitan Hook; our thoughts turn to the typical villain of a children’s story, like many others he is just the ‘big baddie’ who steps in the way of good ’cause he can. There’s no more to it. Is there?
Think again. In his show ‘I Hooky’, Olly Fry presents a whole new insight in to the mind of Hook, adding depth and seriousness (but not without humour!) to a character that is not so childish after all. And,not forgetting, his toy bear Smee!
Olly gives us the perfect one-man performance, captivating his audience entirely. He also gets the audience involved, adding spice to the soliloquy.
This is a truly great show; funny, dramatic and emotional – what more can you ask for?
Wednesday at the Fringe brings all the fun of the carnival! Caroline is our girl on the town, she’s been to meet some of the people walking in the procession as well as free fringe performer Tilly Twist, Yoga with Maitri and Karen Tweed from the Sailors and Shipwrecks fancy dress ceilidh.
In a magical setting overlooking the bay of Ventnor, artist Isabel Rock treated an intimate audience to her fantastic stories. Sparkling wit went hand-in-hand with laughter and unexpected moral twists.
Listeners found themselves entangled in a world with outrageous characters and creatures. The laugh-o-meter rocketed skywards and left the audience with some wet pants.
If you have the chance, I can highly recommend that you catch the reading Friday evening at 6pm on the rock of Belgrave Rd and find out more about a mer-monkey on his mating adventure.
The Fringe Forum was joined by Bruce Webb, Ray and Caroline Foulk and hosted by our supreme lord and master, Jack Whitewood.
There were some interesting notions from Ray Foulk towards the idea of expanding the Ventnor Fringe; similar to Edinburgh Fringe. Though it seems that there is little desire or ambition to take anything away from our small town.
“I don’t see Ventnor Fringe leaving Ventnor” says Jack.
There was then a mention that Ventnor is a very different place to the rest of the Island, which to its credit, it is. The discussion moves onto how Ventnor has had a quick succession of events and venues spring up in a short time and this marvellous seaside settlement is regarded as a cultural hub of the Island. Bruce explains that he lives in Sandown and despite having lots of creative friends there, Sandown is not regarded as high on the list of places to stay. Thus bringing the idea of expanding the Fringe back around. The natural succession of conversation then turns to the substantial lack of accommodation here in Ventnor. It is noted that places like Sandown and Shanklin have it in abundance; thus a way to extend the tourism benefits of the Fringe.
The problem with accommodation is also largely down to the time of year. The height of summer is a notoriously difficult time to book accommodation. It is especially difficult to find rooms for 400 performers in this town of 6,000. They dismissed the idea of moving the Festival to another month to remove this problem; as such this will be an on-going problem.
Concerns were raised that with growing popularity and demand, people are worried that VFringe would lose its friendly boutique-esk atmosphere. These concerns were met with an uncertainty on how they plan to deal with demand but Jack explains that they have no interest in expanding to a commercial level. There were laughs toward the idea that Fosters would ever sponsor the event; they never will. Jack feels that the accessibility of the Fringe is something they wish to maintain and develop.
Bruce highlights the IOW Film Festival outlook; That even if they wanted big films, they don’t have the facilities in Ventnor and because of this, they’d rarely succumb to any kind of sponsorship. This means that the threat of the Fringe accepting any unethical financial backing (becoming inaccessible; particularly to non-theatre goers) is made redundant.
There was an interesting correlation between Ray and Jack’s very different festivals. Despite Ray’s original IOW Pop Festival being on a very grand scale, he still maintains a distinct passion to share music with the world. It seems his interest in the Fringe stems from the organisers’ similar thirst for all forms of art and culture. Both trying to stay away from the world of big conglomerates, though I think our Fringe has a little way to go before Dominoe’s come a-knockin’.
Fancy a bit of harp? Silly question, of course you do. We are very proud to be able to welcome the wonderful 2 Blondes and A Harp.
Fronted by the beautiful Glenda Clwyd and Lowri-Ann Richards, a duo that have been featured in composer Mason William’s (Classical Gas) top 10 performers poll for BBC Radio 6 International. If you’re looking for an eclectic combination of masterful arrangements, beautifully sung songs and a slice of pizazz, you’ve found the right act.
Their choice of music is not something one could put a finger on, featuring covers from Coldplay to Bessie Smith, Led Zeppelin to Judy Garland, Welsh folk to Lady Gaga!
The cabaret act drags the harp kicking and screaming into the 21st century! Be sure to catch them tomorrow and Saturday evening from 8.30pm at The Ventnor Arts Club.
Have you heard the legendary tale that shrouds the Fringe and of the antediluvian gods of Ventnor? No, I thought not.
Well legend has it that thousands of years ago there was a small community that lived where Ventnor now stands, ‘Ventnoria’ it was called. The hills we see now were much taller back then, with one main peak known as Mt. Ventnoria.
At the height of summer, the ancient villagers would throw a festival of arts and music at the fringe of the mountain to appease the gods that lived at the top of Mt. Ventnoria.
In return, the gods would see them through the winter and ensure good hauls of fish. A Roman traveller believed he saw the Goddess Hygeia on Mt. Ventnoria during this ancient fringe.
What happened I hear you ask? No one knows; perhaps they got washed away in a great storm or perhaps they forgot to fringe!
But this is a mere folk tale, a myth. There’s no truth to it…
Howdy, Fringe folks! As another day of the Fringe dawns, another batch of fantastic entertainment awaits you in Ventnor!
It’s first worth starting with the Ventnor Exchange itself, where revellers will be treated to a special musical performance at 7pm tonight. This performance comes in the form of Leeds folk/pop outfit Winter Springs after two successful performances on Tuesday.
The Woodland Bar is also open for another day of fantastic events. There continues to be yoga and bushcraft workshops in the morning and early afternoon, but they will be followed by family friendly poems by David A. Ballard and a hula-hoops workshop with Tilly Twist. The live music in the Woodland Bar kicks off at 4pm with sets from Wagga Wagga and Island rock band, BullyBones. They will be followed by acoustic sets from Rob Henry, Laura Clare Reid and Cherry Taylor. Closing the evening will be yet another set by the fantastic Winter Springs to ease you into the weekend.
The Observatory is following suit as another venue offering fantastic entertainment for all. Kicking off events at 1pm is North & South, followed by an acoustic set by Cherry Taylor (before her set in the Woodland Bar) and Harriet Back with Company B, performing classic swing hits from the 1940’s. The evening events comprise of JC & The Catfish, Will & Si and a closing set from the Electro Love DJs.
And if that’s not enough for you, there will be buskers located all around town and be sure to look out for the odd pop-up gig as well!
Looking for an adventure? Join us for a unique experience at the ventnor fringe in a very special secret venue to the sounds of special guests including boogie belgique.
Ventnor has a notorious history of once being a hive of activity for smugglers, rogues and retrobates. Keeping their activities secret, they hid their loot from the customs officers in safe houses, caves and secret passageways along the island’s south coast.
Unbeknown to most is the story of one of the most prolific of these characters, who hosted a secret society in Ventnor that began over 300 years ago. So few knew of their activities that when their meeting place was abandoned at the outbreak of the first World War it was left as it was – untouched and undiscovered – until now.
Among the old ledgers and manuals left behind in the old Post Office (now the Ventnor Exchange) was an undisclosed document, left forgotten at the back of the old vault. What at first seemed like a postal phrase, then perhaps a war time code, soon transpired with a little more research, to be something much more exciting; the founding document of the Blind Mole Society.
Once a year this group of tricksters and merry makers would convene in a secret location, revealed in the document, for the Blind Mole’s Ball, an annual gathering to celebrate their spoils. Now 101 years since their last meeting you are invited to revive this legendary tradition for one last time.
