Fringe Review

From the belly of Texas comes this all American singer song-writer.

Beautifully harrowing and witty American tales sang along to the all too pleasing soft tones of an acoustic guitar.

The modern tales of American life as it is known today. Kiya Heartwood has found fame among her many followers and has led a very interesting life.

It was during her time at college when she was playing with a band called Radio Café that Kiya got her first break. Herself and drummer, Kopana Terry, were sought out and signed by Castle Records; this is where we find the inception of Stealin’ Horses.  

With the band, Stealin’ Horses, Kiya found rock music fame. Their time with Castle records was short until the band found themselves stuck in the no-man’s land of a bidding war between 17 different record labels. This battle was finally won by Arista.

To give you some idea of Kiya’s career, back in 1987 she and her band played at South by Southwest Festival, for those that aren’t aware SXSW Festival is kind of a big deal in America (and the rest of the world).

A year later Stealin’ Horses was featured on an album with names such as Russ Kunkel, Toto and Neil Young! The band then went on tour across the US and Canada with various different bands, some of which were Level 42, The Stray Cats and James Brown.   

Stealin’ Horses disbanded in 1993 which was the year that Kiya brought out her first solo album, True Frontier. And so we have it, since 1993 she has been blazing the various trails of the world with her solo career and this week has hung her hat in Ventnor.   

This will awaken the country singer within. I have often (more than I should admit) imagined myself on the back of an American Quarter Horse playing my cord acoustic. Though the reality of this feat would without a doubt have me skidding the floor on my backside with one foot in the stirrup and guitar nowhere to be seen. I just REALLY want to be an American country singer, alas my Angelo-Saxon blood will not have it.   

“An award-winning American singer-songwriter who writes smart, funny and poignant songs about the famous and not-so-famous legends of America” – Edinburgh Fringe 2014

Kiya Heartwood is playing this evening and tomorrow at 8.15pm in Ventnor Arts Club. 

A trip down memory lane…

Some may recall that last year the Fringe Team finally got the keys to their new pad, the Ventnor Exchange. This was all very exciting last year, but last year Ventnor Exchange was a mere shell of what it is now.

It’s surprising what a bit of re-wiring, gutting, shuffling, a lick of paint and twelve months can do for a venue. They’ve even painted the front of the shop for you lovely ladies and gentlemen (by no way anything to do with the masses of people pleading them to do so).

What about the interior?

Well you’ll have to come and judge that for yourself but I assure you there will be neither fallen plaster nor a magnolia wall in sight (exclude the hallway: come on, they’re trying). You will however find the largest collection of new release vinyl available to purchase on the Island along with the widest selection of craft beers to darken Ventnor’s shores.

My personal recommendation would be their espresso martini, delicious and made with an Island roast no less. If you’re not a fan of alcoholic euphoria I would still suggest the coffee, an award winning level of hot drink from the Isle of Wight…

‘This isn’t just coffee this is Isle of Wight coffee.’  

An interview with VFringe veteran, all round legend and founder of Vaguely Sunny, Vic King…

Q. For those who don’t know, what is ‘Vaguely Sunny’? 

A. It’s an organisation. Well I say that, that makes it sound a bit grand. It’s a partnership of a small amount of people. We’ve been around for just short of 20 years.

We started by writing a book about the history of rock music on the Island. It came out in 1995 but was only done as limited edition which sold old out quite quickly so since the year after that we basically became music promoters. We mainly put on small-ish acoustic style gigs although we can branch out into other areas. We’ve put on plays, operas various other things, lectures, but the acoustic gig is the main theme that we do. Two examples of which we’re doing at the fringe, those are two typical Vaguely Sunny gigs.

Q. Why did you choose to call the organisation Vaguely Sunny?

A. I think if we sat around all day we’d never of chosen it! Luckily, and it’s a Ventnor story. When we did the book it was published under the business name ‘Isle of Wight Rock Archives’. If you’re putting up a poster, which we started to do, it’s not a great name for a promoter – people thought we were geologists or something!

So we were looking for a more snappy name, and while at Salisbury Gardens (then a council office), where I worked with a lovely lady called Lynn Clark. One day she was on the phone to someone asking about the weather, and after looking out the window she replied “well, vaguely sunny” and I thought Ah, that’s the name! It suits the weather, people’s personalities… We like the name! Lynn’s the originator of it, which we still remind her of.

Q. What inspired you to start Vaguely Sunny?

A. It’s all coming back to me now; doing this book gave us some money to work with. Now looking back at the end of 1995 there was little live music, nothing like the fringe back then, no hope of the Isle of Wight Festival coming back, no national bands coming around.

But the council published a document that set out what they want to do with planning etc. There was a clause tucked in somewhere saying there should be a permanent festival site- that was unusual as there were attempts in the mid 90’s to get the festival back but it was all very negative.

The applications were turned down largely because of, surprisingly, effects on tourism. Every time something big like that was proposed, people got scared and worried about drugs and sent letters of objection. So we thought let’s try to get people to send letters of support so we put this gig on at Newport FC in 1996 to flag up the issue. It was with Island bands and it when quite well and we’ve been doing it ever since.

Q. When did you first hear about the fringe?

A. We’re Fringe veterans, we heard about it a year before it started! Mhairi used to put on gigs as part of the Country Club. She helped us put on a gig for a Brading duo we were working with called the Adventurers. They wanted to tour the Island on bikes with a little trailer behind towing their instruments but it didn’t work out as there was far too much cycling!

I remember she said there was this chap called Jack Whitewood and he’s going to start something called the Ventnor Fringe, so I thought that sounded really interesting, and so it has been!

Q. How did you sell the idea of the Fringe to this year’s artists, Boo Herwerdine and the folk duo Josienne Clark & Ben Walker?

A. Boo has been here before so he knew who we were and what he was dealing with. With Josienne Clark & Ben Walker, that was interesting as for the first time I was involved in programming Rhythmtree Festival- which I thought would suit them well. Just after I thought why not book them for the Fringe? Artists like the idea of coming here, they’re well looked after, it’s a slightly different Festival and the idea of coming (to the island) is always appealing.

Q. What are you looking forward to at this year’s fringe?

A. Tuesday is our day, looking forward to The Millennium Plays, and a couple musicians we know, Mark Hickman & Karen Tweed, afterwards. And I can’t not mention Undecided! I think they’re a crazy bunch but really original work; really looking forward to Undecided.

Q. What’s next in the pipeline for Vaguely Sunny?

A. Ah, it’s quite an ambitious thing that we got asked to help with last year and went really well. It’s the Harp Festival in Ryde, 7th-11th October; just music of the harp any connection with the harp, jazz, Scottish music. Got people from America, someone from Senegal and lectures- takes a lot of work but good fun.

Q. Any thoughts as to bring out a second album of Island Music?

A. Wouldn’t think so, how Island music has organised itself since then (the first album released in 2000); everybody’s got much more scope to put stuff out now. It’s not priority at the moment.

Q. What are you currently listening to?

A. Changes all the time! Just come back from Conway, Ireland, where there’s a big arts festival and some bands gave me CDs, [including] a quirky band called My Fellow Sponges, so listening to that… Digging out some Boo Herwerdine; my taste can change, I’m a bit fickle!

Q. If you were stranded on a desert island, what would be the one thing you would have?
 

A. Record player! Some means of playing music, it would help the frustration.

Q. Any advice for young people looking at the music industry?
 

A. Keep all the music yourself, keep control of all the stuff yourself, do the music at your own speed. Keep control of it don’t give it a way to some nasty shark whose going to make a million and you won’t.

By Evan Wragg

Hullo my darlings! How’s every little thing? Can you believe it has been only one year since I last saw you, I know I can’t, doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun (or lack thereof)! We’ve got a mighty fine line up for you to get your teeth into this year and can’t wait for you to take a good old wholesome bite.

It was Friday night when it finally dawned on me that the Fringe was a mere few days away, a sort of fleeting realisation and pulse of fear having not begun to contemplate what exactly I plan on writing (as you can most probably tell). So this is it, take it or leave it. You have my 95ish% undivided attention for one whole week (here’s the best part) FREE OF CHARGE. Yep that’s right, you heard it here first folks.

If you were with us last year you’ll know exactly how much bloody fun we had. There were laughs, tears, thrills and spills, you name it and we most probably had it. HOLD UP. Check this, this year’s fringe promises to be better and braver than ever before. We’re talking next gen entertainment all up in yo grill.

And maybe, just maybe, if we come together as one, we can make this the greatest celebration of culture the world has ever seen. You’re going to need to trust me on this one.

Mankind — that word should have new meaning for all of us tomorrow. We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on! We’re going to survive! Tomorrow, we celebrate our Independence Day!

Hang on a minute… 

Happy Monday V-Fringers! We are now less than 24 hours away from kick starting a week of creative madness that is Ventnor Fringe.

My name’s Poppy Janella, local singer-songwriter and fringe fashionista. I’ll be spending my week performing over the four fabulous stages, as well as scouting out the best dressed fringers’ for our daily paper and website. So there really are no excuses – it’s time to grab your glad rags, throw on your summer hat or even rock your nanna’s jumper – you never know,  you may make the front page!

If this sounds like your cuppa’ tea, then take note of my MUST SEE event of the week – “The Vintage, Retro and Craft Fair.” Whether you’re into the rockabilly 50’s, high waists of the 60’s or a big old 70’s platforms, then the craft fair’s old school fashion show is an event not to be missed. Sporting garments from Ventnor’s very own “Oh so vintage…” if you fall in love with something on the catwalk, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get your hands on it afterwards. 

Just to top it off, the Vintage, Retro and Craft Fair is also a FREE FRINGE event, so whilst on your morning stroll, pop down to the Winter Gardens from 10am – 4pm (fashion show at 11am.) – Fri 14th / Sat 15th and soak up those vintage vibes.

• “Vintage, Retro & Craft Fair” @ The Winter Garndens – Fri 14th / Sat 15th – 10am – 4pm – FREE FRINGE
• “Lounge Around Town” @ Holy Trinity & The Woodland Bar – Sun 16th – Doors 12pm, Music 1pm – Tickets £12 
• “Pride” Film screening @ St Wilfreds Church – Thurs 13th – 9pm – Tickets £5
• “Seska and The Magic Beard” Kids Comedy Magic show @ The Scout Hut – Fri 14th / sat 15th – 2pm / 4pm – £5
• “Fringe Forum” Creative Debate @ The Woodland Bar – Thurs 13th – 2.30pm – FREE FRINGE 

The most auspicious of all events is the Blind Mole’s Ball.  It seems that this wildly unexpected event has drawn so much attention that it is nearly sold out. While you read this the last ticket may be handed over the counter to its final unknowing contestant.

To say the least I am beside myself with frustration that I am most likely to be confined to the office on this most propitious of events. Those who choose to tread water and indulge themselves in this evening of historic cult following will define this as an experience that should not have been missed.

The evening will commence with a Poirot style investigation and proceed to become a mixture of American sorority phasing and English theatre.

If this ominous description weren’t enough to tempt the wondering mind… the heavens have transmitted the message of this historic meet and are said to shower the skies with a blanket of shooting asteroids on this night. 

I really can’t say more than that.

My possible tip would be to stay calm and wear flat shoes and if you see a mole, approach with caution. 

Some may be aware that we have a new employee manning the box office desk this year. If you’ve been keeping well-informed you’ll have seen him on our Instagram and Facebook. Oh yes, it’s Dave the Pelican.

Dave the Pelican came to us from… we assume North America due to his species origin, although his accent is open to interpretation. Dave could be from anywhere, after all the eight surviving Pelican species have a sporadic global distribution, generally latitudinal from the tropics to temperate zones.

He is said to have come to us to pursue his passion for marine wildlife, but has somehow found himself working as our office clerk. His qualifications in water wildlife are up for speculation as whatever aquatic creatures he has chosen to research have subsequently disappeared after his examination. ‘Marine biologist’ may be off the cards for this light feathered water bird.

Caution: Dave has been known to refuse the pound sterling and request fish. Please don’t start bringing fish into Ventnor Exchange. Dave is on a diet. 

I awoke from a dream to find Fringe a translucent reality.

The clock has been ticking and all has been relatively smooth in the run up this year’s Fringe. In the setup of previous years I’ve seen confusion that rivals that of Noel Fielding Luxury Comedy. But unlike the inner workings of a mad man, there is no confusion this year: the bars are going up and the sky is clear and we’ll have everything ready for you my dears.

However, these cool runnings do invariably mean that the skies are going to fall and the Kraken will awake from its slumber to engulf the entire seafront. Actually, the Kraken is already awake but much more interested in the Observatory bar: we should be fine as long as they don’t run out of rum.   

Colours spread wide among faces unknown and talents I’d only ever pictured in the most outlandishly amusing hallucinations.

It’s the time of year when the giant dream catchers, cacophony of patterns and Shakespeare outfits spread wide across the streets of Ventnor. Every empty building, street corner and bus shelter alive with acoustic resonances and every forgotten corner of the town becomes a hive of activity.

Uncover a woodland scarcely treaded, a landmark turned into bar and this year a prolific society opening its doors to the public for the first time in 150 years. It seems to fit the bill of an exciting week. There is a lot happening this year with almost 400 performers in over 20 different venues.

How could anyone keep track?

Don’t fret my pet, we’ve got it covered. We will be here every day to tell you where the fire is burning and who’s set it alight (hopefully not literally), where to eat the most flavoursome food, buy Ventnor’s beauteous bespoke clothes and who’s currently wearing them.

Additionally if you have any questions for the Fringe Review drop us a message via twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email media@vfringe.co.uk.

We will endeavour to answer your queries with as much sobriety as is humanly possible from the media team.  

We’ve all seen the old classics like the renowned “Carry On” films a hundred times and still buckle over at the same scenes. Guest House Paridiso adopts that similar, slapstick comedy and had me chuckling away throughout.

This typically British comedy is similar to that of an inappropriate Wallace and Gromit without a care for political correctness –which is right up my alley. Our imbecilic protagonists Richie and Eddie attempt to run a, well, run down guest house with sarcasm and violence. If anything, it’s the kind of hotel you’d expect to crop up in Ventnor.

Alongside those characters is Bill Nighy, which makes any film golden.

Simply picture a hell of a lot of f-ing and blinding, unnecessary violence, sexual humour and Simon Pegg playing every character he ever plays, you’ve got yourself a spitting image of this film.

It’s not about showing off the movie’s budget or any Hollywood CGI, the film sticks to the basics of 90s humour. I felt like I didn’t have to worry about strategic product placement or paying copious amounts of attention to the plot, I could just relax and be terribly entertained.

I love an old film that doesn’t take into consideration who it’ll offend and I genuinely enjoyed Guest House Paradiso. Best enjoyed hung over, on a lazy Sunday when you’ve stuffed yourself stupid from a roast, or under the stars as you shall all be doing.

You catch the screening of this film at The Outdoor Cinema on Tuesday from 9pm for just £5. 

By Hollie Hayes