Retro Festival will go on!

Friday 27 September 2019

Despite facing weather set-backs, Guernsey's first 'Retro Festival' will go ahead this weekend, with a few changes made.

The three-day festival, which begins this evening, has been relocated to the former HMV store in the Market Building to avoid forecasted rain and strong winds.

Some other local events, which were due to take place over the weekend, have had to be cancelled but the Retro team have been working hard to come up with last minute plans.

"We saw that EDABL had cancelled their weekend and we saw there were force nine winds for Sunday, which was pretty scary because we were worried about health and safety," explained Festival Director, Emily Masson. "We thought that's not going to work.

Pictured: Guernsey Retro Festival.

"We called an emergency meeting and spoke to Sonia Taylor from the Market Buildings and she very kindly helped us out and said we could use this amazing space which is great because it's such a beautiful building."

Those heading along to this evening's launch party can expect live music and entertainment between 17:00 and 22:00, with food and drink as well as a prize for the best 50s and 60s office attire.

Saturday's events, which were due to take place at the Governor's House, will be held in the Market Building and Square where Guernsey Mind will be serving tea and scones from 12:00 until 16:00. They will be followed by live music from local acts including The Silverados and The Cor Damme Lars.

Pictured: The events will now take place in the Market Building.

Sunday takes a 'Mods 'n' Rockers' theme and will kick off with a screening of Grease in the former HMV store. There will be more live music from the likes of Last of the Light Brigade and Harry Dean Jnr & the New Breed. The event will come to an end at 17:00.

"Because it's 50s and 60s we want to encourage people to get up and dance," added Ms Masson. "Everyone will be dressed up and it will have a really nice vibe.

"People seem buzzing and interested for it! Everyone does like the chance to dress up and revisit the past. Hopefully it will be a good event."

Some changes are still being made to the schedule, which will be updated on guernseyretro.com.