Local artists, musicians, writers and performers are being encouraged to join in with the preparations for a colourful new festival.

Plans are being put in place to create the ’Ellyn’ festival, a new one-day festival of visual and performing arts which will take place on Saturday, July 24, at an as-yet unannounced location.

Taking its name ’Ellyn’ from the Manx Gaelic word meaning ’art’, it is hoped the festival will be a celebration of the creative and colourful world of the artistic scene in the Isle of Man and showcase the scope and variety of creative individuals, groups and organisations.

The organisers are keen to involve as many different types of arts, performance and entertainment as possible and are asking for musicians, groups, dancers, writers, poets and anyone else who would like to take part to get in touch and put themselves or their group forward.

The Ellyn festival has been put together by a team of young graduates and was initially the brainchild of Saoirse Coyle-Carroll, who returned to the island after her own course, studying an acting for stage and screen degree at the Performance Preparation Academy at Guilford finished.

On returning to the Isle of Man during the beginning of the pandemic last year, Saoirse had the idea to hold a festival to help showcase artistic talent on the island.

’The main reason why I wanted to hold a festival like this is that everyone has suffered so much during the last year,’ said Saoirse, aged 21, from Douglas.

’Obviously the arts have suffered so much due to the lockdown, both here and everywhere else, with no concerts, performances or events being held anywhere.

’Even though we are lucky to be in our "Isle of Man bubble", performers, no matter what they do, haven’t been able to work and rehearse as usual.

’Also, the uncertainty of the past few months has put a big strain on all of us in the community.

’I thought it would be a great idea to hold an event which celebrates and showcases a lot of the talent that we have over here on the island and also create something that people can look forward to, and that will be a really positive and enjoyable day.

Saoirse brought together a team of people to help and enlisted the help of three creative graduates Ellie Quayle, Myfanwy Gelder and Kieran Brown to help turn her idea into a reality.

’I want it to be a real celebration of the amazing talent that we have here in the island,’ she said.

’I want as many different genres involved, whether it is reading poetry, playing music, acting, dancing or whatever and any one who wants to perform, whether they have never been on stage before and think it is something they would like to have a go at or are used to being up on stage, is welcome to get in touch and find out more.

’I hope that the day will have a proper family-friendly and all-inclusive vibe and be something that we will be able to build on.’

The festival will also raise money for mental health charities.

More details are available by emailing [email protected]

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers