Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week Regatta Village relaunch

by Fiona Brown on 1 Aug 2011 Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, being held from 6th to 13th August, is one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events.

If you are heading down to see the regatta this year make sure you check out the all-new Cowes Yacht Haven Regatta Village. This year the Regatta Village is undergoing a complete transformation and with its chilled vibe, exclusive hospitality and retail outlets and brilliant retro entertainment line-up on the Gill Stage each evening it’s definitely the place to be.

The Regatta Village will start to come to life a few days before Cowes Week when it plays host to two spectacular 'Rockin’ The Dock' concerts featuring the unstoppable Status Quo on Wednesday 3 August and 60’s legends The Manfreds on Thursday 4 August.

For the first time in 20 years, rock legends Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt and their band Status Quo will be performing on stage on the Isle of Wight in a very special one-night-only concert. The band will perform a full set featuring a selection of their most famous hits as well as new material from their latest album.

Original Manfred Mann members Paul Jones, Mike Hugg and Tom McGuinness , and former member Mike d’Abo, are joined by Rob Townsend, Marcus Cliffe and Simon Currie as the exciting new line-up of The Manfreds, featuring BOTH lead singers from the 1960’s band.

Since The Manfreds re-formed in 1991, they have been in constant demand throughout the World… understandable considering the number of top ten hits they had, not only with The Manfreds, but also individually. For their Rockin’ The Dock set they will be performing many of their greatest hits such as Do Wah Diddy, Oh No Not My Baby, 5 4 3 2 1 (Ready Steady Go Theme), Ha Ha Said The Clown, Sticks and Stones, the Mighty Quinn and many, many more. Both bands will be supported by top local acts and further information and tickets are available online.

Cowes Yacht Haven Regatta Village will be in full swing from Friday 5 August when retail stands including Hugo Boss, Gill, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Runaway Coast, Daily Telegraph, Elite Spa, Yakult, British Virgin Island Tourist Board, Marine Eyewear and the Pimms Bus plus a host of delicious food outlets and the beer tent will throw open their doors ready to welcome competitors and visitors alike.

The hospitality pavilions of OnDeck and Cowes Week title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management will also be located in the village. The historic Dragon 'Bluebottle', owned by HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be on display at the Aberdeen Asset Management stand and will be open for viewing by members of the public. 'Bluebottle' was presented to Prince Philip and HRH The Queen as a wedding present by members of the Island Sailing Club in 1948 and she will form the centerpiece of a week of celebrations being held by the British and Solent Dragon Associations, supported by Aberdeen Asset Management, to mark the 90th birthday of Prince Philip, one of their longest standing owners.

This year the Regatta Village will also be home to the Mahiki Bar, one of the world’s most famous bars and clubs as well as an institution for those looking to have a really good time. Mahiki prides itself on its friendly, fun atmosphere and the attention to detail and creativity that goes into every drink, dance and dish so make sure you swing by at least once during the week.

The line up for the Gill Stage, which will feature live entertainment from 2pm each day, includes some of the UKs best loved acts and tribute bands including Alvin Stardust, Dodgy, Linda Lewis, Blues Brothers International, Abba Rival, Bootleg Blondie and The All Stars, back by popular demand after their storming set in 2009. Entrance to the Regatta Village is free at all times throughout the week with the exception of the final Friday night Firework party on Friday 12 August when we’ll be 'At The Car Wash' with Rose Royce featuring original singer Gwen Dickey, for which tickets will cost £4 (£3 for competitors), available from the Marina Office, Cowes Yacht Haven – Tel 01983 Cowes Week website