Champagne, Stars and Stokey begins at Ventnor Arts Club on Friday 2 October. Set aside 2 hours; the published start is 19:00 and the finish 21:00.
Celestial navigation teacher and round-the-world sailor Stokey Woodall gives an illustrated talk before leading a guided starlight walk. A welcome glass of sparkling wine and an informal question-and-answer session are included; unsuitable weather moves the sky exploration indoors. The illustrated talk supplies the navigational ideas before the group looks up and tests them against the sky. Stokey’s round-the-world sailing experience keeps the subject tied to use, not abstract astronomy. Ventnor Arts Club’s High Street room keeps films, talks and music at close range. The town-centre scale suits an audience that wants a focused evening and the chance to share reactions in the same room.
The £16.58 ticket includes a welcome glass of sparkling wine and the informal question session; advance booking is required. The event runs from 19:00 to 21:00. Unsuitable weather moves the sky exploration indoors, so the evening still has a workable programme if clouds cover the stars. Find more arts and creative events around Ventnor and the Island. Bring questions and outdoor layers for the starlight section, but expect the organiser to decide whether conditions support going outside.