Swim To Bestival / New Arenas
Travelling to Bestival is all part of the experience, feeling the excitement build as the Isle of Wight draws ever closer, gliding across the Solent on the ferry, it’s the beginning of an adventure. For Hularama, a group of Bestival thrill seekers, the excitement on the ferry wasn’t quite enough, so last year they decided to swim 3-½ miles across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, brimming with sea-creatures and heavens know what else, all to get to the festival. And they enjoyed it so much they’re going to do it again this year.
Of course, mere thrills aren’t the only reason for swimming the Solent, the twelve intrepid swimmers raised an enormous amount of cash for Imibala: a small but worthy charity created to assist underprivileged children to access an education in South Africa and Marie Curie Cancer Care. They raised so much cash, in fact, that this year they will be donating to three charities; Gosport’s branch of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line, local water based charity Island Youth Water Activities Centre (IOW) Ltd a voluntary organisation run for the benefit of all young people on the Isle of Wight and Imibala, once again. Please head over to www.swim2bestival.co.uk to donate generously to these causes.
Leaving from Stokes Bay, Gosport, the twelve swimmers, who include St Catherine’s Charity director Suzanne Hudson, BBC Radio 1 producer Clare Chadburn, Karauke's Lorraine Hardman, who only learned how to swim this January, Breakbeat legend Paul ‘Trouble' Arnold who is currently in remission after being diagnosed with Leukaemia last November and Brothers Alex & Tom Parkinson, will all be encouraged and coaxed along the way by Bestival compere, world renowned bon vivant and Cuban Brother, Miguel Mantovani from the safety of his speed boat. With Navy lifeguards on hand just in case, they will be in the water for between 2 and 5 hours before emerging Andress-like from the salty Solent at Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight ready for three unbelievable days of partying.
And what a party they’ll have, with headliners My Bloody Valentine, Amy Winehouse and Underworld leading an eclectic nirvana of sound that includes new additions The Presets, I Am Kloot, Nathan ‘Flutebox' Lee, XX Teens, Magistrates and Soko, there will also be an array of incredible arenas to lose yourself in, including the Red Bull 54 Speakeasy, a celebration of the thrills of 1970s New York, featuring hip hop, breaks, dubstep and full on party action, the Red Bull 54 Speakeasy will be the party destination for all those seeking a spot of glamour for their weekend. There will also be Skid Row, a brand new area running along one side of the 24 Hour Field, that takes in Club Dada, the Insect Circus / Alfresco Ballroom and the Polka Tent, as well as The Dukes Box, Bramble FM, Victorian Disco and Area 51, amongst other sumptuous treats. The Rizla Arena will also return with its collective of party hosts, The Rizla Invisible Players, featuring Greg Wilson, Annie Nightingale, Justin Robertson and Kid Acne.
The Xbox Social, down in the 24 hour field, will be easing into the day with laid back tunes, a mix of live music and comedy, and classic pub games all topped off with your very own 5 minutes of karaoke heaven on Lips. Not only that, they'll be dropping in some cheeky little evening DJ sets with some very special guests!
The Black Dahlia Cocktail Lounge replaces last year's hugely successful Pink Flamingo Cocktail Bar, serving up a top notch selection of cocktails, plus you’ll be able to experience a piece of Modern Cuba at the Havana Club Mojito Bar in the 24 Hour Field.
Kickers will be embracing the fun at Bestival this year by offering you the chance to show off your Fancy Footwork, so you could see your dancing legs in a music video being created for American-based funk masters Chromeo. Once you’ve taken part and had your dance moves recorded, your individual dance will be uploaded to youtube for the world to see and participants with the fanciest footwork will be selected to appear in the new Chromeo Fancy Footwork video plus everyone who takes part gets a goody bag!
All the acts and their performance times, from the headliners right through to the openers, will be detailed in our lavishly produced programme (created with love by FACT magazine) and a handy round the neck laminate, available together on site for just £6.
Last thing... don’t forget that Jokers' Masquerade at www.joke.co.uk/bestival is offering a 10% discount on fancy dress costumes exclusively for Bestival goers. Promo code BEST08. Jokers' Masquerade offer over 10,000 costumes to choose from securely online, including many outfits to inspire you for this year's '30,000 Freaks Under The Sea' theme.
[NB: PROMO CODE MUST BE WRITTEN IN CAPITALS. Offer valid until 2nd September 2008]
x Bestival