There are theatres in Shanklin, Ryde and Cowes and two in Newport offering a range of life performances and shows. The Isle of Wight has a thriving festival programme. The Isle of Wight international jazz festival is held in Ventnor in April. Festivals elsewhere in the Island include the Isle of Wight Festival, Cowes week, Osborne House Classical Concert and the Isle of Wight Folk and Blues Festival and White Air Extreme Sports Festival. Within Ventnor, there is music most nights at the Spyglass Inn during summer weeks.

The Island breaks website www.islandbreaks.co.uk provides details of all possible activities across the island. There are opportunities for a wide range of pursuits including walking, cycling, windsurfing, sailing, birdwatching, climbing, flying and paragliding. Pleasure flights are offered from the Island Airports.

What's happening on the Isle of Wight

100 Years of Girlguiding
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 07/10/2009 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 14/03/2010] Exhibition of 100 years of Girlguiding

IW Hospice Art Exhibition
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 01/03/2010 - Event Ends: 12:30 pm 15/03/2010] An exhibition by day care patients of Earl Mountbatten Hospice

Di Harding Memorial Lecture
[Event Starts: 7:00 pm 12/03/2010 - Event Ends: 9:00 pm 12/03/2010] The Di Harding Memorial Lecture promoted by the IW Industrial Archaeology Society. Speaker is Maldwin Drummond, RYS Honorary Historian and Librarian. All meetings start at 7.30 p.m. and finish at approximately 9.00 p.m. Doors open at 7.05 p.m.

MEET A ROCKETMAN (1)
[Event Starts: 12:00 pm 13/03/2010 - Event Ends: 2:00 pm 13/03/2010] Come along and meet one of the men involved with the secret rocket testing programme. Find out what it was like to work there and what the rockets were used for. Part of National Science Week.

Pamper Yourself This Mothers Day
[Event Starts: 1:00 pm 13/03/2010 - Event Ends: 4:00 pm 13/03/2010] FREE half day Health and Lifestyle Event. Come along and spoil yourself and find out about all the many different ways you could improve your lifestyle. From hair and beauty, complementary therapies, healthy snacks and much more... with a few extra special treats just for Mothers Day!

Mutt Strut
[Event Starts: 11:00 am 14/03/2010 - Event Ends: N/A 14/03/2010] Sponsored dog walk in aid of the RSPCA, Godshill, Isle of Wight

Yoga day
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 14/03/2010 - Event Ends: 4:30 pm 14/03/2010] A blissfull day of yoga and meditation...open to all, beginners or more experienced

MEET A ROCKETMAN (2)
[Event Starts: 12:00 pm 14/03/2010 - Event Ends: 2:00 pm 14/03/2010] Come along and meet one of the men involved with the secret rocket testing programme. Find out what it was like to work there and what the rockets were used for. Part of National Science Week.

Charity Ten pin bowling challenge
[Event Starts: 7:00 pm 14/03/2010 - Event Ends: 10:00 pm 14/03/2010] Charity Bowling Challenge Price includes: 2 games plus a meal in a basket. All proceeds will be donated to the Boom Box Appeal (Talking Newspaper)

Music at the Minster
[Event Starts: 7:00 pm 19/03/2010 - Event Ends: 10:00 pm 19/03/2010] An eclectic evening of music brought to you by local musicians - from bagpipes to digeridoos and from choirs to african drumming - there is something for everyone!

Music at the Minster
[Event Starts: 7:00 pm 19/03/2010 - Event Ends: 9:45 pm 19/03/2010] An opportunity for musicians to showcase their talent, in aid of the Renewal Campaign (restoration)

Music at the Minster
[Event Starts: 7:00 pm 19/03/2010 - Event Ends: 10:00 pm 19/03/2010] Music at the Minster: an opportunity for budding musicians to showcase their talents. Audience tickets £5

An Evening With Richard Digance
[Event Starts: 7:30 pm 19/03/2010 - Event Ends: 11:00 pm 19/03/2010] In Marquee on the top lawn.

An Evening With Richard Digance
[Event Starts: 7:30 pm 19/03/2010 - Event Ends: 11:00 pm 19/03/2010] An evening with Richard Digance plus aftershow party with the IW Folk Allstars.

Spring Blues 2010 with Big Joe Louis
[Event Starts: 8:00 pm 20/03/2010 - Event Ends: 11:45 pm 20/03/2010] Award winning UK bluesman, Big Joe Louis and his blues kings will be headlining the sixth annual Spring Blues concert at Ventnor Winter Gardens. The Blues Kings were formed 18 years ago and have taken their special kind of real down-home Blues to venues the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland and with great success in virtually every country in Western Europe and Scandinavia. Plus support from the Island's Amen Boogie Blues Band and Damien Paul.

Lion Aid Black tie gala in aid of the African Lion
[Event Starts: 7:00 pm 22/03/2010 - Event Ends: 1:00 am 23/03/2010] Help us raise awareness of the plight of the African Lion! Join us in a lavish Black Tie Dinner and Dance. In this elegant country retreat, we will enjoy a three course meal, followed by a wonderful talk on the African Lion from one who has lived and worked amongst them for more than fifteen years. Then enjoy the crowning glory as we hold a live and a silent auction before we finish a memorable evening dancing the night away with a wonderful live band.

Cowes Esplanade Lions Shrouding
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 23/03/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 23/03/2010] What is happening on the Esplanade? The Lions bear witness. The Four Lion Statues on Egypt Esplanade will be shrouded for the day in support of their wild brethren in Africa, With the kind permission of the Cowes Town Council, LION AID™ will highlight the fact that the African Lion is facing extinction in the wild and now we have to do something about it - before it is too late. Come and join us on the Esplanade and show your support and solidarity with this magnificent species!

'At the End of a Rainbow'
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 27/03/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 28/03/2010] Annual historical Isle of Wight pottery exhibition with examples of the vast diversity of work produced in the Isle of Wight throughout the 20th century. Pottery displays, photographs, information and slideshow, which includes pieces from private collections, will be available to view. Some contemporary Isle of Wight ceramic makers' work also on show. The main aim of this exhibition is to inform the public of our Island's pottery heritage.

'Turning Point' Andrew Dowden Ceramic Designs
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 27/03/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 28/03/2010] Solo exhibition of individually-designed, handmade and hand-carved ceramics. New work on show including standing forms, wall plaques and tile panels. Hand-carved and textured surfaces are the main feature of Andrew's work. He was inspired to take up ceramics during research of the Isle of Wight Pottery book, 'A Century of Ceramics'. All day parking 50 pence. Refreshments available.

IMPRESSIONS OF NEWTOWN
[Event Starts: 2:00 pm 28/03/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 28/04/2010] Photographic exhibition by Walter Harberl. Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays plus Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

Memorial Ploughing Match
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 28/03/2010 - Event Ends: 4:00 pm 28/03/2010] Plough Match in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice

Easter Mystery Wildlife Quiz Trail
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 02/04/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 05/04/2010] The Easter Wildlife Quiz Trail held annually at this multi-award winning wildlife Park takes place over the Easter weekend from April 2nd - April 5th (inclusive). Visitors hunt for all the fun, educational wildlife answers hidden around the Park whilst still following the popular 'hands-on' programme of events. Each child receives a delicious creamy easter egg if they have found all the answers and the star prize is a giant easter basket full of easter goodies!

EASTER EGG TRAIL: MOTTISTONE MANOR GARDEN
[Event Starts: 11:00 am 04/04/2010 - Event Ends: 4:00 pm 04/04/2010] Crack the clues around the garden to claim you chocolate egg. Supported by Cadburys.

EASTER EGG TRAIL: NEEDLES OLD BATTERY
[Event Starts: 10:30 am 05/04/2010 - Event Ends: 4:00 pm 05/04/2010] Crack the clues around the Battery to claim you chocolate egg. Supported by Cadburys.

NATIONAL TRUST WILDZONE: EASTER LAMBS & EGGS
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 07/04/2010 - Event Ends: N/A 07/04/2010] Let's have fun meeting the sheep and seeing if the gulls have laid eggs at Newtown. Make an Easter lamb with real wool from a National Trust sheep to take home. Also suitable for younger children. 1/2km on level ground. Wildzone is a programme of activities for children aged 5 -13 introducing them to different aspects of wildlife and nature. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Sorry no dogs. Booking essential: 01983 741020

DRAWING ON THE PAST: AN ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN
[Event Starts: 2:00 pm 07/04/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 07/04/2010] Help create an illustrated timeline of Newtown's history by drawing and colouring pictures which can be displayed around the walls during August. All materials supplied for this children's activity.