Hundreds of brightly coloured neon-clad party-goers turned out to re-live their disco days for the first-ever Jack Up Christmas held at Lower Hyde, Shanklin last weekend.
Organisers have described the 2-night event as a triumphant success having been overwhelmed by the turnout and positive feedback received on social media.
Friday night saw 90’s favourites Urban Cookie Collective, best remembered for their 1993 hit single ‘The Key, The Secret’ get up close and personal singing amongst the audience on the dancefloor, followed by a special 2- hour extended set by dance DJ legend Dario G who delighted fans by performing his 1997 chart smash “Sunchyme.”
Sell-out crowds packed the ballroom on Saturday to see Cheryl, Mike and Jay from The Fizz (formerly Bucks Fizz) perform all of their greatest hits including a number of festive favourites, returning to the stage to rapturous applause for an encore of their 1981 Eurovision winning smash ‘Making Your Mind Up.’
The weekend festivities were so well received that Organiser’s have confirmed Jack up Christmas will become an annual event and have advised partygoers to keep their eyes peeled for news of a further retro-themed party night to be held at the same location early in the New Year.
Event Manager Sarah Moss said:
“It was great to go back to where it all started. Having held numerous gigs at Lower Hyde in the past we’ve always had a fondness for this superb venue and the atmosphere on both Friday and Saturday night was truly phenomenal.
Article continues below this advertisement “In the 80s and 90s there were so many fantastic night clubs on the Island – Zanies, Colonel Bogeys, Patsy’s and Islanders who spent their weekends partying the night away are now thrilled to have something with an original disco vibe. Working with our friends at Visit IW, we also wanted to put something on that would attract visitors to the Island out of season to help benefit local hoteliers, restaurateurs and retailers during what is traditionally a far quieter time of year.
“Standby for the original hitmakers from the 70s, 80s and 90s and the original Isle of Wight nightclub DJ’s appearing at soon to be announced Jack Up party nights, including one in February 2020.”
Audiences fully embraced the retro theme and came clad in bright neon, colourful dress on both nights, with glow sticks given out at the door. The Christmas-themed event coincided with the news that Heather Small will be headlining at Jack Up The Summer, which takes place 7-9 August 2020.
Mainstream Early Bird tickets for the festival weekend go on sale on Monday 9th December online at www.jackupthesummer.co.uk.
