Spotlight - Manx Radio

This evening we bring you two guests, Cat Jenkins an organiser and John Ashton a participant in The Other Island. You may remember that this time last year we spoke to Cat Jenkins and her colleague Veronique while they were in the planning stages of this project which they were hoping would shine a light on what life can be like when coping with (often invisible) difficulties – poverty, isolation, addiction, mental or physical health issues, homelessness or discrimination, and to help those people (often unheard) to find their voices. There is so much more artwork to be enjoyed on the project’s website which is simply theotherisland.im

First tonight, we’re joined on the line by Rhys and Dan who are the founders of Guernsey theatre company Freaky Geese who are staging a show in August which if you’re visiting Guernsey, you may be able to see! Theatre has really suffered through lockdown and unlike here and in Guernsey, performers still aren’t able to get back into their beloved theatres in the UK and like Rhys and Dan from Freaky Geese who are usually based in London, Jonathan Eio’s workload has been affected by the pandemic but he and his friend and colleague Richard were inspired to use any spare time to collaborate on an exciting new project.

Do you know anyone who’s still shielding or perhaps just needs a bit of a pick-me-up? I bumped into Ciara Kilgallon in Ramsey over the weekend, who says Post Millish may be just the thing you need to spread a little joy Over lockdown you may have really missed being able to go and enjoy the displays at the Manx Museum and the Island’s art galleries, but the iMuseum has fantastic online archives which you can enjoy any time any place - recently they’re added to the website a collection of sketches from the sketchbooks of visitors to the Island through the ages - we’re joined by Hannah Murphy from the iMuseum. If you were tuned to Manx Radio last Thursday lunchtime, you’ll have heard Andy Wint take the Mannin Line on the road to the Gaiety Theatre, where the great and the good were celebrating the building’s 120th anniversary. There were some really inspiring and moving conversations which I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

We're back at last and are delighted to be joined by local artist David Paul Cowley who is auctioning off a very special portrait he did through lockdown in aid of Mannin Sepsis, poet Jackie Morrey-Grace who tomorrow morning makes her international debut, and we he 'Be Your Best' from Biskee Brisht's new album 'Stand in the Sea' which launches this Friday evening at Compton Vaults.

Aaron Ibanez looks after this week's Spotlight.

Can you imagine how organ music sounds when paired with beatboxing? English Organist Tom Bell tells us more, he’s on the Island to play a programme of Victorian organ music this Friday, and we speak to the conductor and pianist for Carmina Burana and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia On March the 29th, a The Isle of Man Choral Society, Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra and the Manx Youth Choir bring us a spectacular concert at the Villa Marina Royal Hall - Orff’s Carmina Burana and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia. We’re joined by Piano Soloist Judith Christian and the concert’s Conductor Julian Power. We'll hear more from Judith and Julian next week. ‘Organ recital’ and ‘beatboxing’ aren’t words you often hear in the same sentence but UK Organist Tom Bell has been pushing boundaries with his instrument. He’s visiting the Island to play the first concert as part of his new and rather different project - an immersive Victorian concert experience complete with readings and costume. This is not your average organ recital!

Dr Chloe Woolley, Manx Music Development Officer for Culture Vannin, and Arts Engagement Officer for the IOM Arts Council Grainney Sheard tell us What’s On Your Doorstep (a fabulous event happening in March, that's what!) And we speak to Jon Marleau, one half of Canadian/British band Uphill and Still, who are gigging at the Peel Centenary Centre on Friday 28th February. Jon was kind enough to chat to me from outside his hotel in London where he was waiting to pick someone up from the Airport!

Chief Minister Howard Quayle enjoys the work on display at the opening of Mannin Quilters' biannual exhibition, Director David Dawson and the young performers involved in this production of 'Dungeness' let me behind the scenes and we speak to the play's writer Chris Thompson.

The Manx Youth Bard for 2020 was inaugurated at a ceremony last Friday evening. The lovely Judith Ley is our roving reporter this evening and at the ceremony she spoke to Manx Bard Zoe Cannell, the first Manx Youth Bard Holly McRae, poet Janet Lees, one of the two runners up Esther Walker, and this year’s champion, Manx Youth Bard for 2020, Xander Shirtliff. Steve Nash joined Christy De Haven in the Saturday Night Live Lounge and we hear what he has to say on the process of writing music in dealing with life's troubles. He plays a live acoustic version of his new single 'Battles'.

On today’s programme we’re joined by poetry writer and performer Jackie Morrey-Grace who has gone international with her work, writer and critic Olivia Laing shares a book, a painting and a song for when you’re feeling lonely. Jackie Morrey-Grace has been sharing her poetry with passers-by in London recently and she joins us in the studio. We hear the recording of Ta-ta-taboo fresh from Gyp Buggane’s Ballagroove Studios! Not long ago, I heard a lovely piece on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row where author of ‘The Lonely City’, Olivia Laing was discussing loneliness. Winter can be a really isolating time of year and I thought it might be nice to share what she had to say on the subject with you all. And on February the 1st at Peel Centenary Centre, piano and saxophone duo, Alan Barnes & Dave Newton will be performing with support from Blue Vannin, tickets are available via all the usual outlets.

On This week's programme, we're joined by Bethany De Legh-Runciman and Hazel Teare of the Manx Poetry Society who have just released a new anthology, Young Reflections of Mann, Manx Bard and Guild organiser Zoe Cannel give us a run-down of some of this year’s new classes (including mime!), and should nude life drawing lessons be taught in schools? UK art group Spirited Bodies thinks so!

On this first Spotlight of 2020, we speak to do-gooders teaming up with The Secret Stitch Society to make reusable animal bandages and pouches for injured animals in Australia. We also hear about Isle of Man ABC The Musical – On Tour, coming soon to a stage near you!

Fastyr Mie and welcome to the 2018 Spotlight review of the year! And what a year it’s been on our creative little Island - you’ve given me plenty to talk about and this selection of best bits doesn’t nearly cover all the great conversations we’ve had through 2019. We begin with writer and storyteller Michael Rosen, who told us that parents are feeling the pressure to be entertaining and getting a sort of ‘stage fright’ when reading books aloud to their children. Later in January, Maurice Powell introduced us to composer and conductor, Gavin Sutherland, who through his career has taken a particular interest in the work of Haydn Wood. In February, Russian Pianist, Yulia Chaplina visited the Island to share a very special programme of music with Ramsey Music Society. It was a bumper programme with the one and only Monty Don who told us what he finds so inspiring about Japanese gardens. We also heard from Sara Hogg and Sue Quilliam of Glen Mooar Cottage Retreat in Sulby at the Isle of Man Art Festival. Dr D

Aaron Ibanez sits in for Sarah for the final spotlight of the year looking at the work of Dark Avenue Films and a Manx Student receives an International accolade.

This week, we talk to Bethany and Patrick of Dark Avenue Film about their latest film project, and I’ll be digging out me knitting needles and popping along to a B*tchcraft gathering.

This week, a call to young people to take part in Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’ with new theatre company ‘Yn Draamey’, we play Ian Thompson’s new record ‘Even Now’, we take a peek at Mannanan’s Winterfest which takes place tomorrow evening, and on your way, the Villa Marina Arcade is the ideal spot to pop in for some lovely local Christmas shopping. Yn Draamey is the new theatre company on the manx Amateur Drama scene. I spoke to Founder Susannah Maybury. Ian Thompson’s new song ‘Even Now’ was released last Friday, and is available on all digital platforms. Mannan’s Winterfest returns for its second year at the Gaiety Theatre tomorrow evening. Organiser David Kilgallon spoke to Simon Clark and Phil Gawne on Moghrey Jedoonee. And on your way to Manannan’s Winterfest, get into the Christmas spirit at the Villa Marina Arcade which will be transformed into a festive marketplace, Arts Engagement Officer, Grainney Sheard tells us more

We talk to newly-appointed member of the Isle of Man Arts Council, artist Jade Boylan, and Paul Allen, head of the Centre for Alternative Technology's Zero Carbon Project talks about the power of creativity.

Maurice Powell, conductor of the IOM Symphony Orchestra tells us about their upcoming annual gala concert and we have a snippet of a lovely interview from William King who spoke the only member of Rushen Silver Band who has been there since day one, Jim Crebbin.

Winner of the Manx Music Festival Drama Scholarship will be telling us about the summer school she attended in London, and we’ll be looking ahead to Ramsey Town Band’s Annual Gala Concert this Sunday.

We speak to a 10-year-old composer from Peel, and two stars of Blackadder are in the studio!