Spotlight - Manx Radio

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 Daisy Fancourt joined us in in the spring to discuss the value of creativity.

Richard Cole visited the Island in the summer to play the mighty Wurlizter in the Villa Marina Arcade and he gave us a full tour of this incredible instrument.

Young Frank Joughin won a special award for his composition in the autumn, when the Isle of Man Freethinker’s Society invited local musicians to compose a piece to be played at their Remembrance Service.

We finish with a lovely poem by our current Manx Bard, Zoe Cannell.

If you want to be part of the programme, email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to celebrate your creative endeavours. For now, Blein vie Noa, Happy New Year to you all!

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!