Featuring an eclectic mix of music, dance, floral art, photography and lectures, the Mananan International Festival of the Arts gets underway next week.

Now in its 43rd year, the long running arts festival, which is largely held at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, opens on Monday night and over the next two and half weeks will host 15 different acts, from Indian/classical fusion to original folk composition, and from well-known famous names to the most promising of young talent in the world of classical recital.

The Mananan Festival aims to bring major stars in the performing arts and host them on the intimate and cosy stage at the Erin Arts Centre.

Monday, June 19, sees the opening act of the festival, Australian classical guitarist Craig Ogden.

Tuesday evening will bring something different altogether, with a demonstration by Ann Gater, one of the UK’s leading exponents in floral art creation.

Next up is the celebrated Manx singer and composer in Gaelic-inspired music, Ruth Keggin. The Port Erin born vocalist has released two highly acclaimed albums , and she has appeared many times on BBC television and radio.

One of the finest groups of its kind in the Uk, the Maggini String Quartet, featuring Julian Leaper, Michal Kaznowski, Martin Outram, Ciaran McCabe, will appear on Thursday, June 22.

Friday will see something entirely different again, with a celebrity recital by bass vocalist Matthew Rose, accompanied by Julius Drake on Piano, and the weekend will feature two standout performances, a concert from the incredibly versatile pianist duo The Scott Brothers, who’s entertaining set covers much of the spectrum of piano music, on Saturday night, and a stunning show piece concert of flamenco dance on Sunday evening by dancers and musicians from the Ilusion Flamenca Dance School.

Over the course of the weekend there is also to be a lecture on Shakespeare by Andrew Killen and an organ recital by Jonathan Scott, which will be held at St Matthew’s Church, Douglas.

Actress Claire Worboys brings the stage to life on Monday, June 26, with a one-woman musical play, and on Tuesday and Wednesday evening , pianist Martin Roscoe will entertain, with saxophonist Jess Gillam one night and as a solo performer the next.

One of the most eagerly anticipated concerts will be held on Thursday, June 27, when the Indian Classical crossover artists Dev and Sam perform.

The experimental duo approach classical Indian music from a unique direction, whilst preserving the tradition of ’Ragas and Talas’. It promises that this will be an evening of rare beauty and highly moving performance.

The exhaustive schedule is rounded off on Friday, June 30, by the Big Screen Jazz Trio, who play jazz inspired music from the movies and the young classical family duo, cellist Sheku and pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason on Saturday, July 1.

Ticket prices vary for each event. To book tickets or to find out more information contact the Erin Arts Centre on 835858 or at information@erinartscentre .com

by Mike Wade

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