Spotlight - Manx Radio

This week we’re out and about at the new ArtReach Studios in Peel, we hear what’s going on at Yn Chruinnaght this week, and we find out more about the Secret Stitch Society

This week, we’re finding out more about a children’s book raising money for charity, Robert Cowley's rainbow series of books has been a real hit with young people and his most recent book 'Pink the fairy' has already raised over £1,000 for Breast Cancer Now. Find your copy at the Lexicon in Douglas or contact Rob at manxman57@live.com Also, would you like the opportunity to lead a new choir? If so...

Tonight, we're talking to scientist and animator Max Tate who is bringing the periodic table to the masses with his fun and quirky videos - get your element on here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYRFpw_N4_cMeFrcYqYCew

This week on Spotlight we’re joined by Manx Radio’s classical music maestro Maurice Powell, who’ll be discussing the stars of the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Concerts; from Mozart to Mendelssohn, Maurice, who is the orchestra’s conductor has tales of wonder and woe to wow us all Get your tickets at the Lexicon Bookshop, Bridge Bookshops, or by emailing paulawadsworth@manx.net More info...

This week, we're talking to students of UCM's Arts Foundation and Music, Performance & Production courses about the work on show in their end of year exhibition, and we hear more about the Isle of Man Choral Society's Big Sing happening this weekend!

This week, Wendy Shimmin of the One World Centre is here to speak to us about the charity’s exciting new art competition open to everyone, and artist and former teacher Ian Coulson shares insights into the inner world of his good friend, artist Kevin Atherton whose retrospective exhibition is currently on display at the Manx Museum - https://manxnationalheritage.im/whats-on/detail/kevin-atherton-t...

On Spotlight this week, we’re at the launch of ‘Boundaries’ with our roving reporter Dollin Mercer. He speaks to Kirsty Neate of MNH, Carola Rush of the Creative Network, and two of the show’s curators Ian Coulson and Helen Fox, plus artists Beth Louella, Janet Lees, and Janet Corrin, at the exhibition now on display at the House of Manannan until October.

H is Hendo for the last week and is delighted to hear about a new jazz club on the island, Sarah speaks to the cast and director of an exciting theatrical project on the Island and all roads lead to Laxey for the Great Laxey Brass Band Festival 

Howie's in again, looking at sold-out short films about everything from micro-cars to murder, another short, recognised by two cinematographic titans, which was inspired by . . . . . soup spoons and a classic novel, taking to the Gaiety stage. 

Howie stands in for Hendo  . . Christy chats to a great bunch of skankers, we hear about the IOM Arts Council Student Awards and look over the rainbow for a brilliant version of The Wizard of Oz!

This week, we’re joined by the creators of a charming animation based on the Isle of Man, ‘Gladys and Luna’. I also have news for any poets among us who’d like to enter the 2021 Triple Poetry Trail! Visit your local library or email bethany@manxcat.org.uk to get your entry form

On the programme this week, we’ll be finding out about a new music competition for young people on the island - the Manx Virtual Music Competition (find out mroe at facebook.com/mvmciom or email mvmciom2021@gmail.com), Christy and Howard speak to some of the cast of Shrek the Musical (tickets available at villagaiety.com), and we look ahead to the next AcousticMann concert – this time in Peel! Fin...

Today, we speak to theatre director Caroline Devlin about her adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V for Zoom! The Guildford Shakespeare Company have adapted to these strange times in such an exciting way and are asking you to get involved by creating artworks, props, pieces music or creative writing to be featured in this live online performance. The deadline is Friday March 26th though, so don't mi...

This will be our last Spotlight for the next few weeks, we’re going to have to take a break over lockdown but Spotlight isn’t disappearing, I’ll still be publishing the programme as a podcast every Wednesday so go to our website and hit subscribe so you don’t miss out, and get in touch with any creative happenings you'd like to talk to us about - spotlight@manxradio.com Just a couple of weeks ago,...

Illustrator, author and academic Jo Davies is our guest on this week’s programme, I met Jo at the Manx Museum where the exhibition ‘Story from Stone’ is running until the 14th of next month. 'Story from Stone' is a project based around Ballure Church in Ramsey, where once upon a time, people who were considered strangers to the island were buried. The church is now a private residence but the grav...

This week we find out more about Roz Kelly whose gift to young musicians just keeps on giving - to apply for this year's bursary, get your application in before next Monday 22nd February here: https://musicservice.sch.im/pages/index/view/id/19/The%20Roz%20Kelly%20Music%20Bursary%20 We also speak to the man behind those bright and beautiful birds adorning our letters at the moment, photographer Luk...

This week, we speak to the Isle of Man Arts Council's Graduate Intern, Olivia Savage. Having only graduated last summer, Olivia has had a very interesting lockdown experience so far but is getting stuck in to some really exciting projects which will span her year with the Arts Council. Listen & subscribe to 'Island Artcast' at the following link: www.iomarts.com/Island%20Artcast

Well, these are strange old times indeed, but for many creatives, lockdown looks an awful lot like business as usual. Who better to speak to then, than our creative islanders who so often work in solitude? Over the coming weeks, I'll be speaking to artists, writers, photographers and performers to find out how they maintain their balance while spending so much time alone, in the hope that we can t...

From organists to poets, to composers, we look back on a year when creativity helped us through some very difficult times

It's the last Spotlight of the year! We're joined by conductor Ian Clague and Chairman Phillip Shimmin of the Manx Youth Band who have lots to tell us about the new film celebrating the Band's 50th anniversary! We'll have music from the new Lesh Shee as Graih Charity EP, and if you're thinking of entering Young Actor of Man or the One Act Play Festival, deadlines are drawing near!

This week, we hear a local recording made in 1951 and digitised by the ‘Unlocking Our Sound Heritage’ project, and we meet the Reveillettes who are performing at this Friday’s Winterfest!

This week, we visit the Villa Arcade Christmas market to meet some of the artisans, including ceramicist Kathryn Cain, printmaker Graihagh Betteridge, artist Eve Adams and milliner Sue McNally, and we speak to local author Chris Thompson about his new novel centred around an elephant whisperer in Africa

This week's programme is full of exciting opportunities - I’ll be speaking to Carola Rush and Myra Gilbert of the Creative Network about an upcoming curated exhibition, and Grainney Sheard of the Isle of Man Arts Council has news of a festive project beginning next week which you could be part of too

This week, we’re joined by Italian gigalo Enzo Garibaldi (!) and DI George Pratt – also known as Matthew Warren and George Roberts of Rushen Players, and I head west to see some fascinating new work by Ian Coulson

This week, we’re joined by three very talented young musicians – singer Evie Skillicorn and pianists Amy Bloch and Luca Ongiert, and their tutor, international concert pianist Olga Stone. To play us out, we have Amy Bloch performing ‘The Man I Love’ by George Gershwin