6by4 – Call for Entries

To celebrate their 30th Anniversary Art Space Portsmouth is hosting ’6by4′ a secret postcard exhibition in GASP (Gallery Art Space Portsmouth). All proceeds will help support future Art Space projects and initiatives.

CALL FOR ENTRIES:
This is a great opportunity for young and emerging talent to be shown alongside mid-career and established artists. Additionally, it is a great chance for art lovers and collectors to purchase a hidden gem!

The brief is simple. All entries (up to a maximum of 3 per person) must be on card, 6 by 4 inches (15 x 10cm) and can use any medium including drawing, painting, photography and collage. There is no theme and challenging submissions are welcome. Sign and print your name on the reverse (otherwise it will not be a secret!), date it and add a title. Please include your contact details and e-mail address on a separate piece of paper, and post to:

’6by4′, Art Space Portsmouth Limited, 27 Brougham Road, Southsea, Hampshire PO5 4PA

THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS MONDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2010.

All details here.

Tags: art, Art Space, Artspace, exhibition, Portsmouth, postcard

Portsmouth Heritage Open Days

Join Portsmouth as it showcases and celebrates its exciting range of architecture and culture during Heritage Open Days. This annual, national event co-ordinated by English Heritage, allows visitors free access to a range of properties, specially designed tours, walks, events and activities, that are not usually open or available to the public, or that would normally charge a fee. Come and explore these curious and interesting places around the city that are sometimes hidden or unknown to even the local residents.

This is your opportunity to discover the wealth of cultural treasures that Portsmouth has to offer, during one of the biggest FREE events of the year. For more information and contact details please visit www.visitportsmouth.co.uk and be sure to look at the Factsheet HERE.

Tags: Portsmouth Heritage Open Days

Pompey Beer Festival

Do you really need know to anything more than the date and where it is? I don’t think so. There’s a pretty huge crowd involved this year. Gonna be a good one for sure. Featuring over 120 Real Ales, Ciders and Continental Beers. Music from The Trevor John Band, Band of Two, Shep Woolley Band, Big A Brass, Victory Morris, Doghouse and Georgia Ramblers. Tickets £10 per session, check our website for more details at www.pompeybeerfestival.co.uk

Tags: Pompey Beer Festival

Pompey Beer Festival

Do you really need know to anything more than the date and where it is? I don’t think so. There’s a pretty huge crowd involved this year. Gonna be a good one for sure. Featuring over 120 Real Ales, Ciders and Continental Beers. Music from The Trevor John Band, Band of Two, Shep Woolley Band, Big A Brass, Victory Morris, Doghouse and Georgia Ramblers. Tickets £10 per session, check our website for more details at www.pompeybeerfestival.co.uk

Tags: Pompey Beer Festival

Strand Motors Cricket Cup Final

The sound of leather on willow on a summer’s day, such an idyllic traditional English afternoon.  Sunday 29th August sees the Apsley House cricket team play in their 3rd consecutive cup final, this time against fellow Southsea drinking establishment the Leopold.

St Helens cricket ground is the venue (next door to the Tenth Hole tea rooms in case you were wondering) with everyone gearing up for a great cricketing event.   Spectators are encouraged to come and cheer on both teams as well as bring your own picnic and drinks.  Hopefully you’ll be needing suncream too!

I’m not too sure who my money is on.  I have been known to frequent the Apsley however I am an Albert Road boy by nature.  Whoever claims victory it promises to be a great sporting occasion.

Match starts at 2pm

Tags: Apsley House, Cricket, Cup Final, Leopold

Ye Olde Bike Shoppe – Tour de Trett

Yesterday was a delightfully sunny day for a bike ride and that’s exactly what a few of us did.  Stuart who has just set up Ye Olde Bike Shoppe has now moved to a new workshop in Southsea after very quickly out growing his last one.

To mark his move he organised one of his ‘Tour de Trett’ cycle rides, this time involving the 14.2 mile round trip of Portsea Island.  This is not to be a one-off either with Stuart planning to host a ride once a month in conjunction with Ye Olde Bike Shoppe, taking up a different route each time.  Keep posted on Stuarts Facebook page for details on future rides.

If you are interested in anything bicycle related be it repairs, restoration or just want to get advice or exchange tips, Stuart can be contacted on 07887 973014 to arrange a meeting.

Tags: Bike Ride, Tour de Trett, Ye Olde Bike Shoppe

Southsea Carnival

By all accounts the return of Southsea Carnival was a big success with a big turnout along the route. If you missed it here is a video that should give you a good idea of the atmosphere and the parade:

I’m sure there are loads of photos of the day too, please add links to yours in the comments. The one below is by Adam Wintle, you can see more of Adam’s photos here.

Tags: Southsea Carnival

FOTOsaurus Competition

So Lunar Park has arrived on Southsea Common. It really is a pretty enormous Ultrasauros and I am sure that the view from the sea is quite amazing.

Aspex are running a FOTOsaurus competition – details below. Get up close and personal.

FOTOsaurus! Visit the dinosaur sculpture and get creative with any type of kit, from camera phone to box brownie! This photography competition is open to all ages and abilities. Submit your snaps to aspex as prints, on disk or via Facebook or Flickr. Closing date 31 August 2010. If you missed the opening ceremony then view the video below.

Heather and Ivan Morison – Luna Park, 1 August 2010 from Aspex Gallery on Vimeo.

Tags: Competition, Luna Park, Portsmouth, Southsea Common, Ultrasauros

Southsea Carnival Returns this weekend

A little reminder in case you missed our last post. After a seven year absence Southsea is to see a return of the once annual carnival taking place from July 24th to 25th and will kick off with a huge parade, and about 20 colourful floats that will meet at the Royal Marines Museum and go along the seafront, finishing at Southsea common.

From 11am until 7pm on both days activities will be taking place on two stages run by Nick Courtney, as well as an arena and stalls on Southsea Common. The event is being run as a joint venture between Portsmouth Lions, Portsmouth’s Caribbean Association and Portsmouth City Council’s seafront management team.

There is also a Facebook page up and running now which has all the current listings and acts as well information on stalls, food, prize, raffles, funfair and much more. You’re also reminded to dress colourful. Red, Blue, Yellow and Green are key…

To get involved call Mr Apps on (023) 9232 1847, or e-mail john.apps@ntlworld.com

Tags: Carnival, Southsea Common

Portsmouth At Night’s BBQ

The photography group Portsmouth At Night and Portsmouth’s Solent Camera Club are holding a night time BBQ this Friday night (16th July) on the common. You don’t need to be a member of either to come along with your camera and get involved in night time photography and BBQ food.

To find out more check here.

(Photos by PAN member Phil Bennett)

Tags: Portsmouth at Night, Solent Camera Club

The Albert Road Ashes

We’re deep into the cricketing season and fast approaching the biggest game in the summer sporting calendar.  This Wednesday 14th July sees the Albert Road Ashes contested for the second year.

Held on the front lawn of Stansted House in Rowlands Castle, Lord Sonics XI take on the Sir Allan Stansted Allstars for the coveted urn which genuinely contain the charred remains of an Albert Road kebab.  Play starts at 6pm and spectators are more than welcome.

Tags: Albert Road Ashes, Cricket, Stansted House

Sunday Bandstand

Stuart Barker has given us a load of photos taken during Sunday’s Bandstand event, be sure to click the “Read More…” below to then be able to see all of the photos.

› Continue reading

Tags: Bandstand, Live at the Bandstand

Hong Kong Gardeners Club Stage at Southsea Fest

More news about the upcoming Southsea Fest, Hong Kong Gardeners Club have announced the line-up for their stage in The Loft (above The Kings – Saturday 18th September 2010):

North Atlantic Oscillation
Islet
Bright Light Bright Light
Lets Buy Happiness
Run Toto Run
Cats in Paris
Hold Fast
The Notes
Aeroplane Attack
Waking Aida
ColOuRmAsKs
Watashi Calcutecs
Waking Charred

Tickets on sale online.

Tags: Hong Kong Gardeners Club, Southsea Fest

Saturday Bandstand

Tomorrow is meant to be sunny and warm, perfect for hitting up the bandstand and seeing the following:

The Charlie Massiah & The MightyZ Allstars – Portsmouth’s longest running reggae band, reformed with a new frontman.
The Monitors – Curly and his band playing some of the best new original reggae around.
The Shutka Champions – Psycadellic rock from some familiar faces making a loud comeback.
The Insatiable Loverats – Staking their claim as one of Portsmouth’s favourite party bands, playing a mix of funk and ska classics.

Tags: Saturday Bandstand, The Charlie Massiah & The MightyZ Allstars, The Insatiable Loverats, The Monitors, The Shutka Champions

War & Wine Festival

Jon Lasenby just sent me this update on a brand new 2 day event being held this July 10/11th at The RMA Tavern in Eastney. A grass roots and true DIY mini festival with Punk, folk, hip hop and all the good stuff. Sounds awesome for sure.

War and Wine Festival takes place on the 10th and 11th of July, at the RMA Tavern on Cromwell Road in Southsea, Portsmouth. Day tickets cost £7 for Saturday, £5 for Sunday, weekend tickets are available for just £10, with profits from this years ticket sales going to charity. Tickets now on sale at www.warandwine.org contact ian@warandwine.org

You can check out the full line up HERE and follow them on Facebook HERE. Really liking the poster design too. Good work all round guys.

“As a young teenager growing up in Auckland, New Zealand I would visit Real Groovy records every Saturday.’ War and Wine’s Jon explains. ‘I’d spend a good 2 to 3 hours searching through the endless racks for my next major discovery. I found treasures like Black Flag, Minor Threat, the Circle Jerks, Bad Brains, DRI, 7 Seconds, MC5, Iggy and the Stooges and many more. They shaped my life and gave me friendships that are still in place to this day.’

‘What inspired me was how so many of these bands didn’t rely on record labels or major financial funding. They just did it themselves. The War and Wine Festival has come from the same philosophy. When I met Ian, a man who shared the same thoughts and beliefs, I knew I’d found a kindred spirit. We didn’t want these hard working musicians to go unheard, we wanted to see them play in Portsmouth. We didn’t want to get ripped off by some faceless promoter, we wanted to organise it ourselves.”

Tags: War & Wine Festival

Alien Invasion Exhibition has landed

Ever wondered how thrilling it would be to come face-to-face with a Martian? Or how about Darth Vader, or even The Predator?

Well, visitors will find out when they attend the remarkable one-off “Alien Invasion” exhibition, which brings together an army of famous – and infamous – aliens, monsters, props and costumes from some of Hollywood’s biggest sci-fi blockbusters.

26th June 2010 until mid-January 2011, at the City Museum and Records Office

Sifer Design have also been involved in creating some great vinyls in Guildhall Square to advertise the event.

Tags: Alien Invasion, City Museum, Local Events, Portsmouth

Taking Pride in the Streets of the city

There was a street party in Gains Road, Southsea on Saturday. So lovely to see the streets not dominated by speeding cars but deckchairs and sofas and bouncy castles. Also spotted some sweet person who has decided to plant some flowers by the side of the road. I don’t think this was done by COLAS.

Tags: flowers, Southsea

Southsea Carnival Returns

After a seven year absence Southsea is to see a return of the once annual carnival.

The carnival will take place from July 24 to 25 and will kick off with a huge parade, and about 20 colourful floats that will meet at the Royal Marines Museum and go along the seafront, finishing at Southsea common.

From 11am until 7pm on both days activities will be taking place on two stages run by Nick Courtney, as well as an arena and stalls on Southsea Common.  The event is being run as a joint venture between Portsmouth Lions, Portsmouth’s Caribbean Association and Portsmouth City Council’s seafront management team.

To get involved call Mr Apps on (023) 9232 1847, or e-mail john.apps@ntlworld.com

Tags: Carnival, Seafront & The Coastline, Southsea Common

Badger Press – Gocco Printing 2 spaces left

Stephan Casper from Badger Press emailed me earlier to say that they are running a Gocco workshop this Sat 26th June at their studio and have 2 spaces left. “Artists Andrew Groves http://imakethings.co.uk and Simon Dovar from http://www.binaryandthebrain.com/ are coming down with their machines. It’s £40 for the day, a great opportunity.

You can print postcards, flyers, invites, tickets, print onto t-shirts or fabric, create patterns….almost everything with these wonderful little japanese machines.” Contact the press to book one of the places via their website.

Tags: Artist, Badger Press, gocco, Printing, screenprinting

‘Dan The Man’ Charity Gig at Southsea Liberal Club

“On Saturday 3rd July, we shall be hosting a very special gig at Southsea Liberal Club, with doors opening at 7.30pm. Southsea Liberal Club is placed on Duncan Road, just off Albert Road by Citrus Cafe. Daniel is 12 years old and suffers with Cerebral Palsy. For him this means that he has a problem with muscle tone which affects his ability to contract or relax muscles as needed. This makes walking & standing virtually impossible & painful. At the moment Daniel’s legs are permanently bent due to shortening of the muscles. In time the condition could lead to hip dislocation & deformity.”

“On mother’s day, Daniels family received news that Daniel has been accepted as a suitable candidate for an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). His family and those close enough to help are trying to raise £40,000 to be able to send Daniel to the St Louis Children’s hospital in the States by July 2011. This could mean that Daniel’s spasticity would be reduced permanently & sitting & standing postures will improve significantly, which will greatly improve his level of comfort. Also, his hips will remain stable preventing deformity. There is also a possibility that through the operation, Daniel will be able to walk with a frame. This kind of work is his family’s only opportunity to give Daniel an independent life & the best future possible and we want to help as much as we possibly can, too.”

Tickets can be bought from the artists or ourselves. They are £5, going to an amazingly good cause, so if you would like one each for you, your family and your dog*, leave a message on the wall or message one of the admins to this event page. You can also email theboyiusedtobe@googlemail.com, if you would like. Each to their own, I say. more information is available over at Facebook.

The Bear Cavalry boys have been slowly making little waves quietly within Portsmouth and beyond. For those who have not seen their trumpet leading ‘Will Smith Solves The Rubik’s Cube’ or the electronic salsa of ‘Dragon Milk Pt II’ have clearly been missing a local trick. I can promise you one thing from them, they will be very special.

Repollo
Another local band who have made a nice little name for themselves is local boys Repollo. Concurring stage after stage with energy and musical fluency beyond their years, they are now a recognisable name and a force to be watched with great expectancy of what they shall be pulling out of the bag next.

The Boy I Used To Be
A regular with local scamp Huw Olesker on ‘The Ransom Family’ show, Edward Perry has played The Wedgewood Rooms in support of Lightspeed Champion, the bandstand in support of Haunted Stereo and The Lock Tavern in Camden of a certain buzz band rising from the ashes of Larrikin Love. Oh, and ask him about Skins. He loves that.

Phil Crawford
Unfortunately Huw Olesker is going to be playing Blissfields Festival, as this very event takes place, with some very special guests (but don’t say I said anything), so to open the night instead, we have Phil Crawford. This shall be Phil’s very first outing to the public with just him and his guitar for company to entertain. His music has strong roots within American rock, punk and pop and catch his melodic side before his band start to cause havoc around Portsmouth.

Tags: Dan The Man