2010 Isle of Wight Jazz Festival Cancelled

This year’s Isle of Wight Jazz Festival will not be going ahead, VentnorBlog has learnt.

Isle of Wight Jazz Festival CancelledWe hear from one of the directors that the decision was made after what they cite as, “a number of difficulties and delays in response to the request to hire the Salisbury Gardens so that it is now too late to complete plans.”

When the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival was cancelled last year, punters who had already bought tickets were encouraged to keep hold of them to use at this year’s festival.

Website unavailable
For some time now, the official Jazz Festival Website (http://www.iowjazzfestival.co.uk/) has been unavailable and they haven’t updated their Facebook page since April 2009.

Back in February we received reports of agitated Jazz Festival ticket holders calling Island Tourist Information offices and accommodation provider wanting to know what was happening with this year’s festival.

Refunds
We’re seeking clarification on ticket refunds and will update once we have that info.

As the Website is down anyone seeking further information from organisers can call 01983 856200 or 01983 856206.

If you’ve had success, or otherwise, getting a refund, let us know.

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Jon
11, March 2010 5:09 pm

something like this shouldnt be lost to the island. I recall there were some problems with people not being paid last time it was on, but sounds like its an issue with the IoW council from reading the other article. having said that, it does seem permission was refused in august, so maybe a change of organiser is in order, or even a move out of ventnor… Read more »

Zoiner
Reply to  Jon
11, March 2010 8:02 pm

It wasn’t anything to do with the Council. AS far as I understand it the Jazz Festival in 2007 did not pay its way, nor did the Blues festival of the same year. I attended that and watched a great act in St Catherine’s church. So far as I know the artist never got paid. The outfit concerned screwed up in 2008 and, quite rightly, the Town… Read more »

Jon
Reply to  Zoiner
11, March 2010 9:55 pm

well the link in the story: the request to hire the Salisbury Gardens links to a story about the council refusing permission. Thats what Im referring to.

Shobba
11, March 2010 6:37 pm

A real shame – this festival had its fans. The island desperately needs well organised events to attract visitors and keep those already here entertained, however I suppose without major investment and any council assistance, all of these things struggle to get established or survive. The endless red tape can’t help either.

Steephill Jack
Reply to  Shobba
11, March 2010 8:23 pm

There are jazz festivals that are thriving in other places and it can be done. I enjoyed Ventnor Jazz Festivals before I moved here, but now we have to go over to Swanage which has always been a good one and this year it looks to be excellent. It’s sad that Ventnor has lost its Jazz Fest and its brewery, but there are reasons why this happens.

surfer pete
Reply to  Steephill Jack
11, March 2010 8:40 pm

We have lost the festival and gained the stigma, which leaves us with a real uphill battle to even regain old ground

The Auditor
11, March 2010 7:12 pm

Sad news for Ventnor and the Isle of Wight, but given the current economic pressures, and the pitiful track record of the organisers, hardly surprising. Let us hope that those who have purchased advance tickets for 2010 will be refunded speedily, together with the 2009 ticket purchasers who bought last year and presumably still live in hope………. Slightly off topic; Is there any truth in the rumour… Read more »

sheila
Reply to  The Auditor
12, March 2010 7:58 am

Yes I know of at least one person still waiting after asking for a refund. been told they are waiting to hear from lawyers.
Seems odd that it was not a simple sorry concert not going ahead have your refund.
which happens in most cases like this

Shobba
11, March 2010 7:56 pm

A timely reminder to always book tickets to events like this on your credit card. At least then the card provider will refund your money. NB Credit card not debit!

Brett White
11, March 2010 9:52 pm

For anyone interested, the website works fine for me – http://www.iowjazzfestival.com/

Trevor
Reply to  Brett White
11, March 2010 9:56 pm

That’s weird cos I checked the site earlier after reading this and it wasn’t working then.

Jon
Reply to  Trevor
11, March 2010 9:58 pm

works for me too. Whats the bet they read this and thought they best get it working sharpish?

The Auditor
Reply to  Jon
11, March 2010 10:04 pm

Did they forget to pay their ISP fees? Quite likely since they seem to have conveniently overlooked paying lots of other invoices……

Jon
Reply to  The Auditor
11, March 2010 10:07 pm

wouldnt surprise me. Or perhaps they took the entire site down while they added details of the cancillation. Not necessary but i think a lot of sites do it.

Jon
Reply to  The Auditor
11, March 2010 10:23 pm

I think so too, but some websites do it. Ive been on loads of sites and got a message saying the site is down for maintenance, then noticed very little difference when it comes back. And its generally small companies that seem to do it that way.

The Auditor
11, March 2010 10:07 pm

The old link was http://www.iowjazzfestival.co.uk (which has not worked for months) and the new one is http://www.iowjazzfestival.com (which does work) and of course is well out of date

They seem to have as inexhaustible supply of web addresses as they do limited companies and excuses for non-payment of bills……

Jon
Reply to  The Auditor
11, March 2010 10:17 pm

the co.uk address works for me at the moment. They both do, and are both identical as far as i can see from a brief glance

Simon Perry
Admin
Reply to  The Auditor
12, March 2010 8:09 am

The .co.uk did and does auto-forwarded to the .com

Jon
11, March 2010 10:09 pm

Just a random musing… does anyone think a Jazz Club would work on the Island? An old style place where you can have dinner and watch a performance and dance later on?

Jon
Reply to  Sally Perry
11, March 2010 10:20 pm

interesting… didnt know that. But im on about a full size place thats a venue rather than an event. Maybe doing a jazz night, a soul night. Something for the middle aged rather than for teenagers on the pull. Does anyone think that would work?

N0.5
Reply to  Jon
11, March 2010 10:37 pm

yes it would work..the problems start if you want a live band… Many bands these days start at £500 ,so you have to have an entry fee. If you expect 100 people than £5 is break even without even paying for the venue, bouncers and whatever other extras the venue can come up with. On topof that there is ticket printing and advertising. £500 gets you a… Read more »

Jon
Reply to  N0.5
11, March 2010 10:46 pm

the expense is ok if you can get the people through the door i suppose. But would there be enough demand for it on the Island? Would you actually get the people in the door?

TimHo
Reply to  Jon
11, March 2010 11:09 pm

Hi Jon,
We’ve got a blues night coming up at The Winter Gardens next Sat night (20th) headlined by Top London Bluesman Big Joe Louis & His Blues Kings.
Great Bands and plenty of dancing in Ventnor!

Simon Perry
Admin
Reply to  TimHo
12, March 2010 8:13 am

Here’s a link for Winter Gardens gig The Folsom Prison Blues Band – The Music of Johnny Cash.

The following week there’s Spring Blues 2010 with Big Joe Louis and his Blues Kings.

Shobba
11, March 2010 10:40 pm

I doubt they’d allow it – wrong kind of licence. These days it’s all just too complicated and of course, expensive!

N0.5
Reply to  Shobba
11, March 2010 10:57 pm

It can be done…Hipshaker was packed for 5/6 years every month until recently..its about knowing your target audience,not being too exclusive and getting the frequency right