The valentines’ weekend there will see many of the Island’s restaurants and hostelries offering candle lit dinners in the traditional surroundings of hearts and flowers; all in the interests of romance. Ventnor Arts Club will be candle lit and cosy ,as always, but will also be catering for couples and singles who are interested in the less traditional, even the darker side of love.
On Thursday 13th at 19:30 the club screens 500 Days of Summer, a story of boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn’t. It’s thorny yet exhilarating, funny and sad, a twisted journey of highs and lows and all to a wonderful soundtrack.
On the 14th February, the evening starts at 19:00 with a very special talk by archaeologist & historian Anne O Nomis on ‘The History & Arts of the Dominatrix’. From ancient Goddess rites in Mesopotamia, to parables of the Greek philosopher Aristotle ridden like a horse by Phyllis, the paramour of Alexander the Great. From the female flagellants of the 17th to 19th Century whose names are recorded in ‘forbidden books’, to the bizarre ladies of the 20th Century underground in New York, London, The Hague and The Herbertstrasse.
Lastly, Nomis will discuss the ‘seven realm arts’ used by the Dominatrix to emphasize the subservient place of the man, to keep him devoted and disciplined, to serve and worship the woman. Anne O Nomis (a word-play on ‘anonymous’) was born in the Antipodes. She received her MA degree in Comparative Art and Archaeology from University College London (UCL), and works as an historian, consultant and curator on ancient and contemporary art. Nomis undertook clandestine training in one of Australia’s leading dungeons under tutelage of some 15 Dominatrices, and pursued independent research in the British Museum, British Library and underground ‘scene’ over a four year period. Nomis lives between London and Melbourne.
The talk will be followed by a ‘Valentines in Vinyl’, Billy May will be playing tracks from his collection of old and new vinyl while people relax, eat and drink in the luxury of the club until late.. Billy invites you to bring a track or two on (unscratched) vinyl to share with others. Billy is one of the people behind Ventnor Exchange which, when it opens this spring, will be selling vinyl records and act as a launch pad for new music on LPs, EPS and singles.
On Saturday 15th, the dark theme continues with live performances by the fantastic gypsy jazz band Cat Skellington. Inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt and very much at home in the noir culture of jazz clubs and cellar bars, Cat Skellington’s music is guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your hearts fluttering. They fit the atmosphere of the club perfectly and their appearances always popular.
The events are free to Ventnor Arts Club members. Non-members can purchase a 7 day membership for £10 to cover all of the weekend’s events – available to book on-line on the ‘ticket’s page at www.ventnorartsclub.com.
