Raw Samba is the Isle of Wight's own community samba band, based in Ryde, and they've been performing across the island since 2001. On Sunday 31 May, they take over the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in Havenstreet with their full ensemble of more than 60 musicians, supported by Samba Solent dancers. Live Brazilian percussion on a heritage station platform is a combination that tends to work on children and adults equally well.
The railway has built a full half-term family programme around the performance: a treasure hunt, arts and crafts sessions, the station play park, and family station activities throughout the day. Entry to the event itself is free, though if you want to put the children on a steam train, tickets are purchased at the booking office. The Train Story Discovery Centre is worth building into the visit, and the Barn Café is on site for a break.
Havenstreet is in the middle of the east Wight, roughly between Ryde and Newport. If you're making a longer day of it, Quarr Abbey is close enough to add as a quieter second stop. Check train fares and timetables before you go, particularly if you're travelling with school-age children during the half-term weekend. Raw Samba has played at Ryde Carnival and UKSA in Cowes, and has been a fixture at island events for over two decades. If you haven't seen them, this is a good Sunday to change that.
