A night of traditional entertainment with a unique Manx twist returns to the Gaiety theatre this weekend.

The spectacular Manannan’s Winterfest takes place tomorrow night (Friday), from 7.30pm in the grand old theatre.

The evening will feature a line up of music and variety entertainment, including a performance from the Onchan Silver Band, local group Lava, the Musicale choir, pianist Gareth Moore, dance from the Rhythm of Bulgaria dancer Ivelina Georgieva and a debut performance from the Reveillettes, a vocal three-piece who sing in the style of the Andrews Sisters.

There will also be a performance of the Whiteboys play and comedy sketches from compere Dot Tilbury and the Deemsters.

The night will also feature the ’house band’, featuring organiser David Kilgallon and fellow musicians Jamie Smith and Malcolm Stitt and the youngest act on the night will be ’Little Manx’, an all-singing and dancing four-piece of nine-year olds Aalish Kilgallon, Crystl Stitt, Lowrenna Joughin and Dottie Hampton, who sing in Manx Gaelic.

This is the third year the gala variety concert has been held and David said he was delighted to be able to put on a show after such a turbulent year.

’With so much uncertainty this year around how much normality we would have on island, we weren’t sure whether Manannan’s Winterfest would even be a possibility this year or not,’ said David. ’So to have the line up we have for this year is a real treat for us and we feel very lucky to have so many great performers all bringing together the very best of their talents for this one night of entertainment.’

David said that he feels that the Winterfest has grown year-on-year, and that he believes it is becoming one of the annual shows that many performers are keen to take part in.

’Manannan’s Winterfest is an event that artists seek to perform at because it presents opportunity to collaborate and the result creates a magical vibe both on and off stage,’ he said.

’I’ve had a number of artists request to perform and, though we only have room for so many each year, in time I really hope that we can support as many artist as we can.

’It feels like people really come together for the show and come back out feeling as though they’ve been part of a collaborative and unique experience and, in some cases, it has gone on to spark new groups and acts. Although Manannan’s Winterfest presents a variety of acts, our show is not a variety show.

’It is something that gives more than that, in fact I feel that it is beginning to build new relationships and spark new mixes of Manx acts.

’Next year we have high hopes to run the event over two days so watch this space.’

Also new for this year is a range of specially-designed merchandise, designed by Karolina Powlowska, which David feels will increase the festival atmosphere.

There are limited tickets left, priced from £21, available from the Welcome Centre and the Villa Gaiety box office, on 600555, and villagaiety.com

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers