The Trustees of Equals IW are delighted with the amazing contributions by the 2019 Mardi Gras Team.
They would like to encourage the team members to enter the Mardi Gras theme in the 2019 island Illuminated Carnivals.
The aim is to further promote Equals IW and support other community events whilst developing friendships of group members and encouraging others to join Equals IW.
The dates for the IW illuminated carnivals are
- 10/08/2019 Shanklin
- 17/08/2019 Ventnor
- 22/08/2019 Newport
- 24/08/2019 Cowes
- 28/08/2019 Sandown
- 31/08/2019 Ryde
If you are interested please download this short form and
All lead designers and any other team members who want to help at this stage are to meet at
- New Carnival Company Centre
13 Union Road
Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2ER - Time 18:15 to 20.15
The session is to present the costume and hand held feature for final approval.
We will also agree the required adjustments to the Komodo Dragon.
Materials already purchased need to be taken as the team will start to make elements of the costume and hand held feature.
The Equals IW Mardi Gras team is currently numbers 20 this year with female, male and children taking part. If you want to join the team please
Base Costume
All team members are now required to purchase the following and wear it on the day.
- Footwear: White trainers, or any type of white flat footwear
- Lower Body: White long shorts or white slim line trousers or white tracksuit bottoms or white jogging bottoms or white leggings
- Upper Body: White short or long sleeved T-shirt
Costume Design
Each team member in the parade will be holding something in their hand to wave in the air to attract the eyes of the crowd. We will be re-using the Komodo Dragon from last year as he has survived the rain but needs some tender care.
We are now looking for Lead Designers to work with Sandra
- Four people to lead on the main costume design
- Two people to lead on the design of a hand held item
- Two people to lead the Komodo Dragon re-design
One design from the last meeting has a style and colours representing woodlands, ponds and wildlife to match our Bouldnor Forest theme. The lead costume team designers may include a backpack in the costume.
This year the Mardi Gras theme is Biosphere Island! Each organisation entering has been teamed up with another Island organisation to learn about our Biosphere Island. Equals IW will be joining with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The section of the parade Equals IW will be part off is to be called "Forestry and Woodland" and the entry will reflect Bouldnor Forest.
Equals IW is recruiting now for the Mardi Gras Equals IW entry and as a start the Equals IW team met at Bouldnor Forest on the 2nd and 9th April 2019.
Bouldnor Forest is an Idyllic nature reserve on the IW Heritage Coast, Hamstead. It is one of the Island’s most important pond sites and the tam learnt about its variety of habitats
- Pine forest
- Heathland
- Cliffs
- Sea grass beds
all supporting the diverse wildlife.
Team Events
- Mardis Gras Inspiration with Gina at Riverside Centre Wednesday 8th May 5.30-6.30.
Next event to be announced
Equals IW needs team members to help shape the entry theme and/or to be part of the parade team. Team members can be of any age. To be part of the Team please email either
More information about the Mardi Gras event to take place on 29 June 2019 is available online from the The New Carnival Company
The Annual General Meeting and Committee Meeting will take place on
- Saturday 23rd March 2019
- 10am to 1pm with tea and coffee at 11.30am
- Riverside Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight
If anybody would like to make and bring refreshments to eat please do let Mark know what you are bringing so he can organise some plates and so on.
The next Equals IW Committee meeting below was cancelled:
- Saturday 26th January 2019
- 10.00am to 12.00 Noon
- Riverside Centre, The Quay Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2QR
- Room To Be Confirmed
To gain access to The Riverside Centre free parking
- Turn Left at the Fairlee Petrol Station Traffic Lights if travelling out of Newport towards Ryde or Right if travelling into Newport.
- Drive down past the Skate Park, Car Park and Council Planning Office on your right driving as far as you can go reaching the Travel Lodge.
- Then turn left to drive right along the Quay heading towards Newport to the Riverside Centre Car Park.
The next committee meeting will be on Thursday 29th November 2018. 6pm to 8.30pm.
The venue is the Riverside Centre, Newport in the Medina Room.
If travelling out of Newport towards Ryde turn Left at the Fairlee Petrol Station Traffic Lights Turn Right if travelling into Newport. Drive down past the Skate Park, Car Park and Council Planning Office as far as the Travel Lodge. Then turn left along the Quay towards Newport to the Riverside Centre Car Park where parking is free.
An earthquake followed by a tsunami caused devastation for Palu in Indonesia leaving hundreds and thousands of people in urgent need of clean water, food and shelter.
You can make a donation by visiting the Disasters Emergency Committee website.
The Totland Bay Mosaic Arts Company and Heart in my Mouth are working with Equals IW to Support Asian Day 2018.
The Isle of Wight Asian Day 2018 is a free event for everyone.
We would love you to come along and visit our stand where you can have ago at Indian Printing, Asian Arts, Glass Painting to create your own Asian Style Tea Light.
You can also have ago at Glass Painting to create your own Asian Style Tea Light.
Whilst visiting us why not take a look at lovely handmade craft items made by Helen and Lesley, include some special craft items with an Asian theme on sale just for this special day.
Treat yourself or buy as a gift for someone special to you.
Come and see the best in Asian Culture in a fun family day out on Sunday 29th July at Arreton Barns. Entry is free and there will be plenty to see and things to do with Asian food, dancing, costumes and entertainment.
Programme for the Asian Day Sunday 29 July 2018
- 10:00 - DJ Ann Abi Dance Vibez introduces the Hosts Cristy Arago and Theo Fernandez who will welcome Sponsors, Guests and Participants
- 10:30 - Costume Parade
- 11:00 - Uk National Anthem
- 11:10 - Opening Remarks by Asian Day organiser Aireen Gauntlett
- 11:15 - Speech by Gerry Panga for Philippine Tourism
- 11:25 - Speech by Mayor Rajesh Patel
- 11:40 - Entertainment with a song by Susan Lovejoy of Voice Uk
- 12:20 - Dance Vibez
- 12:50 - Speech by Isle of Wight Councillor Ian Ward
- 13:00 - Special number by Shanelle Gauntlett
- 13:25 - Igorot Dance
- 13:45 - Filipiniana Dance
- 14:00 - Mrs Asian Beauty Pageant
Voice over by Kaycey Colleen Lim and Theo Fernandez
Welcome to the beauty pageant guest Judges
National Costume
Casual Wear
Talent 3 minutes per candidate
Evening Gown
Interview
Serenade Song by Andy Gio
Award Ceremony - 16:00 - Song by Ela Hidalgo
- 16:30 - Harry Smith
- 17:00 - Live Band Introders from London
- 17:30 - Thai Dance with Nit Cook
- 18:00 - Young Singer 3 Sisters Miss Sumang
19:00 - Bollywood DJ Dr Gos Jilani - 19:30 - Harmonix Team Group
- 20:00 - The End