UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will open the seven-day Mananan Festival, which gets under way at the Erin Arts Centre today (Monday).
Simon will read a selection of his work, including new poems, before a question and answer session and book signing.
Simon has published more than a dozen poetry collections, two novels and three non-fiction bestsellers. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 2019.
Tuesday evening will see a performance of Isla Callister’s Manx celebration of Manx women, Creeaght.
The piece features music and illustrations inspired by the lives and legacies of women who have shaped the island’s history from the late 1800s to the present day. It was commissioned by Culture Vannin and premiered at Yn Chruinnaght festival last year.
Multi-award-winning chamber ensemble A4 Brass Quartet will perform on Wednesday (June 28).
Formed in 2013 at the Royal Northern College of Music, the ensemble comprises of principal players from some of the UK’s top brass bands.
One of the UK’s leading pianists, Tim Horton, will take to the stage on Thursday (June 29), playing a programme drawing on his recent Chopin Cycle concerts and including works by Ravel and Haydn.
A quartet at the forefront of the Scottish fiddle scene will play on Friday (June 30).
Rant fiddle quartet have three acclaimed albums under their belt and have been performing for 10 years.
Saturday, July 1, will be a day of jazz. EAC jazz club residents Blue Vannin and guests will be at The Riddler Under The Nest from 2.30pm in a free fringe event.
Red-hot swinging jazz ensemble The Harvey O’Higgins Project will play in the evening supported by island band All The President’s Men.
The final event of the festival, taking place at 2pm on Sunday, July 2, will see award-winning war novelist Shirley Mann, talking about and signing copies of her new book, Bridget’s War. It’s free to attend.
Evening concerts start at 7.30pm. Tickets for these events are available to buy online at ticketsource.co.uk/erinartscentre and from the EAC box office on 835858.