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

Rowlandson's Tours of the Isle of Wight
[Event Starts: 10:30 am 22/03/2010 - Event Ends: 3:00 pm 27/02/2011] Current exhibition - Rowlandson's Tours of the Isle of Wight. The Rowlandson collection of watercolours depict the Isle of Wight during the 1790s.

The Band of the Corps of Royal Signals
[Event Starts: 6:45 pm 25/03/2010 - Event Ends: 8:30 pm 25/10/2010] The Band of the Corps of Royal Signals are spending the day rehearsing with students from Sandown, Ryde & Medina High Schools & Ryde School which will culminate in a concert by the students alongside the servicemen. The performance will start at 1845. This is a rare opportunity to see a military band on the Island and entrance is FREE. Complimentary tickets are available from Medina Box Office (on 527020) & there will be a retiring collection in aid of Help for Heroes and The Poppy Appeal.

Learn To Sail
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 24/04/2010 - Event Ends: 12:30 pm 01/10/2010] Yaverland Sailing and Boating Club runs sailing training for anyone wishing to learn to sail. Training is done using a dedicated fleet of 6 Laser Picos and a catamaran. We have wetsuits and buoyancy aids so you don't need to buy any equipment to start. Training starts at 10 am on Saturday morning. When the beginners are sailing there is always at least one safety boat close by to help. For more details visit our website on www.ysbc.co.uk or ring Tim on 856177.

Salsa Dancing Thursdays in Ryde
[Event Starts: 7:30 pm 15/07/2010 - Event Ends: 11:00 pm 09/12/2010] Learn to dance salsa, beginner classes 8.15pm til - 9.00pm, Intermediate class 7.30pm to 8.15 pm Club Dancing 9.00 to 11.00pm come on your own or with a group of friends, great fun evening.

BEMBRIDGE FORT GUIDED TOURS
[Event Starts: 2:00 pm 03/08/2010 - Event Ends: N/A 19/10/2010] Guided tours available of Bembridge Fort (on Bembridge Down) which is undergoing restoration, Tuesdays in August and then on the 1 & 3 Tuesdays of September and October. Tours last approx 1 1/2 hours and are not suitable for children under the age of 10. There are lots of steps and uneven surfaces. Places MUST be booked in advance on (01983) 741020 or email isleofwight@nationaltrust.org.uk

Mother Courage and Her Children
[Event Starts: 8:00 pm 31/08/2010 - Event Ends: 10:30 pm 16/09/2010] 31st August and 7th, 15th and 16th September 8pm (Bar open 7pm) Mother Courage, one of the most astonishing stage creations of the twentieth century, drags her cart across the battlefields, profiteering from a war that destroys her children, one by one. Helen Reading leads this epic play with a cast that also includes Henry Vince, Sam Robertson, Georgie Fenwick, Rod Jones and Phil Burland. Directed by Joe Plumb. Tickets £7 (Students £5) Box Office: (01983) 822490

Swim Round The Isle of White
[Event Starts: 6:00 am 04/09/2010 - Event Ends: 12:00 pm 04/09/2010] A team of amateur swimmers will be taking the challenge of swimming around the IOW to raise money for charities. The 55 mile nautical distance will start from Ryde. The team of 6 plan for each team member will swim at least 2 miles at a time. This challenge has been completed a small number of times due to its difficulty of managing the length of swim and strength of tides around the Island.

Wolverton Manor Garden Fair
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 04/09/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 05/09/2010] Popular Country Fair in the grounds of an historic manor house with Plant Nurseries, Crafts, Farmers Market, Rural Entertainments, Food outlets all in aid of Age Concern (IW)

Cross Solent Swim
[Event Starts: 9:30 am 04/09/2010 - Event Ends: 10:00 am 04/09/2010] 24 swimmers will swim from Ryde to Stokes Bay to raise money for Help 4 Heros, Wave 105 Charity Cash for Kids and Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service.

AUTUMN GARDEN TOUR
[Event Starts: 2:30 pm 09/09/2010 - Event Ends: N/A 09/09/2010] Join Head Gardener Robert Moore for an interesting stroll around this delightful garden. Discover how the garden is managed, the plans for the future and how it is adapting to climate change.

Heritage Open Days
[Event Starts: 9:30 am 11/09/2010 - Event Ends: 4:30 pm 12/09/2010] A free bus service, using vintage vehicles, will operate from The Museum to The Isle of Wight Steam Railway Centre at Havenstreet. Discounted tickets for steam rail travel will be available to passengers arriving on our buses. More details on our website, www.iowbusmuseum.org.uk

GOSPEL CHOIR
[Event Starts: 7:30 pm 11/09/2010 - Event Ends: N/A 11/09/2010] THE GOSPEL CHOIR WITH BAND LEADER DAVE OUSTON, WILL PERFORM AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH, HIGH STREET, BRADING ON SATURDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER. FREE CONCERT. RETIRING COLLECTION. REFRESHMENTS. DISABLED ACCESS. More details from 01983 407723

One Big Community Festival
[Event Starts: 11:00 am 11/09/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 11/09/2010] 1st One Big Community Charity Festival between 11am to 5pm. for a day of fun packed activities and excitement for the whole family to enjoy. This promises to be an amazing festival consisting of live performances, interactive workshops, music, and much more. The One Big community festival is free to everyone, with fantastic local bands. All styles of dancing acts and mouth watering food plus a wide range of family activities. Visit http://nbspcg.org.uk/ for more info

A look at costume in our museum collections
[Event Starts: 10:30 am 11/09/2010 - Event Ends: 3:00 pm 11/09/2010] A talk by Nila Monckton illustrated with powerpoint and selected items of costume. Please ring or e-mail to book your place. Booking is essential as places are limited. The charge includes admission to the castle.

CERAMICS
[Event Starts: 2:00 pm 12/09/2010 - Event Ends: 5:00 pm 03/10/2010] An exhibition of ceramics by Andrew Dowden. Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

Cycling Festival 2010
[Event Starts: 9:00 am 18/09/2010 - Event Ends: 6:00 pm 26/09/2010] Cycling Festival 2010 The Festival hosts in the region of 50 different cycling events with options for all levels of cyclist. Rides vary from pleasant meanders through pretty villages to Cycle the Wight, a 70-mile road route around the Island's spectacular coastline. For mountain bikers there is the gruelling Hills Killer off road endurance challenge which takes riders from one side of the Island to the other over the spectacular downs and forests.

Launch Day Isle of Wight Cycling Festival 2010
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 18/09/2010 - Event Ends: 4:00 pm 18/09/2010] Cycling displays, activites for the whole family. Including the crazy Sink or Swim challenge, bike stunt shows, the magician David Randini and much more!

Hills Killer
[Event Starts: 9:00 am 19/09/2010 - Event Ends: 11:00 am 19/09/2010] Take the challenge of an orienteering event againist the clock as you pit your bike against the 3, 7 or 14 hills.

West Wight Triathlon
[Event Starts: 9:00 am 19/09/2010 - Event Ends: 2:00 pm 19/09/2010] 60 metre swim; 35km cycle; 7.5 km run

Coffee Morning in aid of Combat Stress
[Event Starts: 10:00 am 20/09/2010 - Event Ends: 12:15 pm 20/09/2010] Coffee Morning in aid of "Combat Stress" - everyone welcome

The Pirates of Penzance - AUDITIONS
[Event Starts: 7:30 pm 21/09/2010 - Event Ends: 9:30 pm 21/09/2010] Rehearsals for the Pirates of Penzance start on Tuesday 7th Sept at Solent Middle School at 7.30pm with auditions for parts on the 21st Sept. Show dates: 23rd Feb - 26th Feb 2011. New members warmly welcomed.

Wight Challenge Isle of Wight Cycling Festival
[Event Starts: 9:30 am 25/09/2010 - Event Ends: N/A 25/09/2010] 18 mile, 3 mile open canoe, 8 mile run in team of three raising money for Wessex Heartbeat. Cycle from Porchfield over the downs, Tennyson Train, Freshwater Bay G.C. Back to Jersey Camp.

Cycle the Wight
[Event Starts: 9:00 am 26/09/2010 - Event Ends: N/A 26/09/2010] Cycle the Wight 26th September 2010 This fantastic challenge is a circular bike ride around the Isle of Wight which follows the clockwise round the island cycle route using mostly minor roads and lanes.

Pink Aerobics
[Event Starts: 11:00 am 26/09/2010 - Event Ends: 1:00 pm 26/09/2010] Dance yourself fit by taking part in Pink Aerobics this September as part of Breast Cancer Campaign's Isle of Pink and help raise vital funds for breast cancer research. What's set to be a great climax to the pink month of fundraising, Pink Aerobics will involve two hours of aerobics including sessions of Zumba, and Broadway Boogie led by top island fitness instructors. Included in the price is two hours of aerobics, a Pink Aerobics T-shirt and goody bag on the day. The entry fee covers the cost of the event and all participants are encouraged to aim to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship.

Teechers by John Godber
[Event Starts: 7:30 pm 29/09/2010 - Event Ends: 10:00 pm 02/10/2010] Detentions, soggy semolina, smoking behind the bike sheds and playground punch-ups. John Godber's hilarious comedy takes you back to the classroom for a raw and riotous look at life in a typical British school. Tickets at £5 and £6 available from Theatre Box office open 11am to 2pm from Friday 17th September. Telephone 01983-295229. 3 for the price of 2 on first night.

'Gifts for Girls IOW' Gift and Craft Fair No.4
[Event Starts: 10:30 am 02/10/2010 - Event Ends: 3:00 pm 02/10/2010] 'Gifts for Girls IOW' final Gift and Craft Fair at the Parish Center before Christmas. Lots of stalls selling fabulous Christmas present ideas! Face Painting and events for the Kids. Refreshments Demonstrations

NATIONAL TRUST GUIDED WALK VENTNOR DOWNS
[Event Starts: 10:30 am 03/10/2010 - Event Ends: 3:30 pm 03/10/2010] Prehistory - Cold War: A circular downs history walk looking at Bronze Age enclosures and round barrows, a medieval manor house, a sandstone quarry, a Victorian railway station, RAF Ventnor and other historic sites. Bring a packed lunch. Booking required (01983) 741020 Varying landscape with more challenging slopes. Moderate. 5 stiles and steps. 9km. Sorry no dogs.

The Flying Angel Cycle Ride
[Event Starts: 9:00 am 03/10/2010 - Event Ends: 5:30 pm 03/10/2010] Join TV star Dan Snow cycling round the island's coast and villages, in aid of leading maritime charity, the Mission to Seafarers. Starts by the Island Yacht Club at 9am, Sun 3rd Oct on The Esplanade, W. Cowes. 68 mile route, plus 16 mile family fun route. Lunch and water stops in the entry price. Enjoy a mix-and-mingle supper held at the historic Island Yacht Club on Sat night before the ride. FREE Red Funnel ferry return for entrants + bikes (foot passengers only)

SWIM ROUND THE ISLE OF WIGHT CHALLENGE
[Event Starts: 5:00 am 04/10/2010 - Event Ends: N/A 04/10/2010] On the 4th of September 2010 a team of amateur swimmers will be taking the challenge of swimming around the Isle of Wight anti clockwise to raise money for 4 chosen charities. The 55 mile nautical distance will start from Ryde The team of 6 plan for each team member will swim at least 2 miles at a time. This challenge has only been completed a small number of times before due to its difficulty of managing the length of swim and strength of tides around the Island.