What’s On

Now – 20.06.2021 THE WORKS: KEVIN ATHERTON

//MANX MUSEUM, DOUGLAS// Manx international artist Kevin Atherton returns to the Isle of Man with a retrospective exhibition at the Manx Museum. Covering a career that stretches into six decades and which has involved pioneering work in film, video, performance art, and public sculpture, the exhibition brings together Atherton’s significant achievements in these cutting edge fields into a building he has been familiar with since childhood.

Free entry: www.manxnationalheritage.im

Now – 31.07.2021 MNH COMMUNITY EVENTS

//ISLAND-WIDE// Community events across Manx National Heritage sites in June and July including The Grove Museum, Ramsey, Laxey Wheel, Castletown, Peel Castle and Cregneash.

www.manxheritage.im

now – 25.08.2021 SUMMER CONCERTS

//SAILORS SHELTER, PEEL// Every Wednesday from 8pm – 10.15pm, local musicians entertain in this most intimate of venues on Peel Quayside.

Free entry. Tea and Coffee available or bring your own bottle (and a cushion for the benches!) Donations for the upkeep of the venue welcome.

www.facebook.com/shoh.slaynt

Now – 03.10.2021 BOUNDARIES

//HOUSE OF MANANNAN, PEEL// This exhibition presents a new opportunity for members of the Creative Network to display their work and represent the Isle of Man.

Through this exhibition, the Creative Network hope to make ‘Boundaries’ a regular feature, aiming to showcase strong, curated bodies of work which could perhaps tour off Island in the future – taking Manx art to a broader audience and raising the profile of the Manx art world.

Free entry: www.manxnationalheritage.im www.facebook.com/creativenetworkiom

05.06.2021 MICROGAMING PLAY IT FORWARD JUNIOR TRIATHLON 2021

//NSC, DOUGLAS// A rescheduled date for this junior event with the pool, perimeter cycle track and running track at one location making it an ideal location and great for youngsters to get involved in a traffic free environment, and experience what it is to be a triathlete.

www.facebook.com/ManxTriClub

10.06.2021 SUPERGRASS

//VILLA MARINA, DOUGLAS// Back in 1995 you’d have got some decent odds on the chances of three naked men in a bath turning out to be one of the few British bands to escape the 20th Century with their dignity intact.

With hindsight it would have been worth a flutter. Gaz Goombes, Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey, along with long-term collaborator Rob Coombes who officially joined the line-up in 2002, went on to score an unbroken run of five Top 10 albums (six, if you include a greatest hits), among them three platinum sellers generating millions of worldwide sales spawning ten Top 20 singles. And now’s your chance to see Supergrass on your home soil.

Tickets: www.villagaiety.com, the Welcome Centre and the Villa Gaiety Box Office - T: 01624 600555

11.06 – 13.06.2021 THE TWITS

//GAIETY THEATRE, DOUGLAS// Following the success of ‘Juan and the Beanstalk,’ Hello Little People is ready to wow the Island again with this innovative production of THE TWITS, one of Roald Dahl’s best loved books, adapted for stage by David Wood.

With original music, terrific tricks and joyous jokes, this epic show will have you laughing out loud and wanting more. Great for the whole family. Best suited to children 5+ but younger children welcome at the parent’s/ guardian’s discretion.

Rearranged dates: Your original tickets from April will still be valid for these performance. www.roalddahl.com | www.davidwood.org.uk www.villagaiety.com

12.06 – 17.07.2021 ELLIE BAKER LANDSCAPES

//HODGSON LOOM GALLERY, LAXEY// Ellie Baker is a landscape artist. Inspired by the Island’s land and seascapes, capturing patchwork fields, dramatic skies, dry stone walls, ragged gorse and rocky beaches. Working in layers and wash or rub-back to reveal contrasting colours and textures. Her work is bold, colourful and atmospheric, and this exhibition is bound to suck you in to her vivid imagination.

www.facebook.com/HodgsonLoomGallery

18.07.2021 MIDDLE DISTANCE TRIATHALON

//MOORAGH PARK, RAMSEY// An all new event organised by the Manx Tri Club, with a 1.9km swim in the lake, 90km bike and 21km run. Entry forms, route maps and more: www.facebook.com/ ManxTriClub

19/20.06.2021 RUSSELL HOWARD: RESPITE

//VILLA MARINA, DOUGLAS// Following the critically acclaimed sold out arena leg of his tour ‘Respite’, Russell Howard returns with his biggest globespanning stand-up tour to date. Riding high on the success of his Sky One show The Russell Howard Hour, and his global smash Netflix special Recalibrate, Russell is back on stage where he belongs, making sense of a world that’s spinning out of control.

Tickets: www.villagaiety.com, the Welcome Centre and the Villa Gaiety Box Office T: 01624 600555

Rearranged – tickets from Sept 2020 dates are still valid.

19.06 – 20.06.2021 MANX TELECOM PARISH WALK

//ISLAND-WIDE// The annual 85 mile walk around the 17 parishes of the Isle of Man, to be completed within 24 hours. Starts at the NSC and finishes on Douglas Prom.

If you’ve not already started training it’s probably too late, but please be aware of walkers and support vehicles around the Island, particularly during darkness.

www.parishwalk.com

27.06 – end 07.2021 UNIT 1 + 101 POTS (A POTTERY LOTTERY)

//ISLE CONTEMPORARY, UNIT 1, THE OLD GASWORKS, PEEL// This exciting new contemporary art space launches with a ‘pottery lottery’ and exhibition of work from the some of the Island’s favourite contemporary artists including Jade Boylan, Colette Gambell, Ellie Baker, Kate Jerry, Robert Jones, Dawn Kennaugh, Jeremy Paul, Karolina Pawlowska and Graham Rider and a collection of work by AOS-SI Ceramics, which is also based in this new venue.

www.islecontemporary.com | www. facebook.com/islecontemporaryonline

29.06.2021 McFLY

//VILLA MARINA, DOUGLAS// With seven UK number-one singles, five top-ten albums, six sell-out tours and ten million records sold worldwide, McFly are without question one of the most significant British pop acts of the twentyfirst century.

The 2021 Tour will be as spectacular an experience as we have come to expect from McFly. They will play their bestloved mega-hits such as All About You, Obviously, Star Girl, One for the Radio and Shine a Light as well as tracks from their new album ‘ Young Dumb Thrills’.

Tickets: www.villagaiety.com, the Welcome Centre and the Villa Gaiety Box Office - T: 01624 600555

02.07 – 03.07.2021 ACADEMY OF DANCE

//GAIETY THEATRE, DOUGLAS// The Island’s Academy of Dance presents a vibrant, energetic and exciting programme of dance, featuring some of the islands talented dancers. The programme includes modern, contemporary and classical ballet selections - a pleasurable and uplifting evening, suitable for the whole family.

www.villagaiety.com

03.07 – 05.07.2021 ISLE OF MAN FLOWER FESTIVAL

//ST JOHN’S MILL, ST JOHN’S// Taking place at the historic St John’s Mill the 2021 Flower Festival features: colourful floral displays from 30 local exhibitors. See the original working water wheel, with refreshments in the Mill Café. Free parking, disabled parking and access/lift.

www.visitisleofman.com

04.07.2021 LIGHTHOUSES CHALLENGE CYCLE SPORTIVE

//ISLAND-WIDE// Back in action after the cancellation of last year’s event due to Coronavirus, this is the 10th edition of the Island’s premier sportive, the Isle of Man Lighthouses Challenge’ powered by Microgaming Play It Forward – a classic coastal ride circumnavigating the Isle of Man.

There are three ride distances (100+ miles, 57 miles and 28 miles) so there will be an option to suit riders of all abilities from the leisure cyclist to seasoned professionals.

E bikes were first allowed to take part in 2018, so if you’ve been inspired to cycle using this ‘new’ technology, this could be the challenge you’ve been waiting for.

www.facebook.com/ LighthousesChallengeIOM

04.07.2021 MANX 3 PEAKS CHALLENGE

//RAMSEY TO LAXEY// The climb begins at sea level in Ramsey and then you will walk/trek and conquer North Barrule, Snaefell and finally, Beinn Y Phott, finishing on Laxey prom. Led by qualified professionals, you will reach the three top peaks of our beautiful Island where, weather permitting, you can enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of the stunning Manx landscape.

Supported by Crowe Isle of Man LLC, and raising funds to create a wellbeing therapy room at The Children’s Centre Farm.

For more information about this event, to register your interest or to reserve your place, contact Jane Howland or Sharon Connor by email fundraising@ thechildrenscentre.org.im

www.thechildrenscentre.org.im

04.07 - 06.07.2021 PORT ST MARY SECRET GARDENS & HIDDEN TREASURES

//PORT ST MARY// Pathways of the secret gardens with antiques, collectables, vintage treasures in the Town Hall and numerous gardens open throughout the village.

£5 entry fee allows access to all gardens and the Town Hall. All proceeds will be donated to Rushen Heritage Trust.

www.rushenheritage.org

08.07 – 10.07.2021 MARIAN, OR THE TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD

//GAIETY THEATRE, DOUGLAS// The Service Players present this brilliant new twist on one of our best-loved legends. “Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood” tells the story of how it really went down in Nottingham all those years ago.

This “gender-bending, patriarchysmashing, hilarious” comedy by Adam Szymkowicz first opened in New York in 2017 and is sure to be a great night out for the grownups.

Not suitable for under 14s.

www.villagaiety.com

22.07.2021 BONEY M

//VILLA MARINA, DOUGLAS// RS Promotions present BONEY M - one of the bestselling artists of all time.

With more than 150 Million records sold worldwide including Brown Girl in the Ring, Daddy Cool, Rasputin, Sunny, Ma Baker, Belfast, Painter Man, Hooray Hooray it’s a Holiday and the iconic Rivers of Babylon/Mary’s Boy Child, everyone knows the name. Everyone knows at least one of their songs. Now meet BONEY M – featuring Maizie Williams, the original singer from the very birth of BONEY M and definitely the ‘M’ in Boney M, now joined by three dynamic singers.

Boney M will be joined on the night by Special Guests Soul Kinda Wonderful, featuring Richie Sampson (formerly with The Drifters and The Foundations) who will be performing a 70’s Disco set list. So get ready to sing and dance along.

There is to be a Charity bucket collection after the show in aid of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group.

Tickets: www.villagaiety.com, the Welcome Centre and the Villa Gaiety Box Office - T: 01624 600555

24.07.2021 THE MEGA MANX CEILI

//VILLA MARINA, DOUGLAS// For one night only, Yn Cruignnaght presents the biggest and best Ceili the Villa has ever seen. Fabulous music from the Mega Manx Ceili Band and the Manx Fiddle Orchestra, with more music, and dance acts you’ve ever seen the like of!

24.07.2021 ELLYN FESTIVAL

//AMPHITHEATRE, DOUGLAS HEAD// A new one-day festival of visual and performing arts, featuring local artists, musicians, writers and performers as a celebration of the creative and colourful world of the Isle of Man.

Raising funds for local mental health charities.

www.facebook.com/theellynfestival

27.07.2021 BELINDA CARLISLE

//VILLA MARINA, DOUGLAS// Former member of California super-babes The Go-Go’s and a highly successful solo performer in her own right, Belinda has sold over 90 million records worldwide throughout her career to date. Belinda is famous for the hits “Mad About You”, “Circle in the Sand”, “Leave a Light On”, and “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”

Tickets: www.villagaiety.com, the Welcome Centre and the Villa Gaiety Box Office - T: 01624 600555

A collection of artwork from Island based artists exploring the impact of boundaries on our lives

22 May - 3 October 2021 House of Manannan, Peel FREE EXHIBITION

A new leaf

will you retain any positives from lockdown? will you retain any positives 1 2 Taking control of your own fitness Making your own food

Assuming that you managed to dodge the virus, you might well emerge this Summer much fitter than when you first kitted out your pandemic bunker in 2020. Much like those people who go into prison resembling a hungover Ricky Gervaise and emerge looking like a WWE wrestler there’s a point during confinement when developing a solo exercise routine can become a way to feel like you have predictable control over some aspect of your existence. Whether this is daily yoga with Adrienne, running around country lanes in a gas mask, or swinging a wipe-clean kettlebell till you give yourself a hernia, for many of us it’s been the only thing stopping us from gorging on mail-order Jaffa Cakes or doing a murder because our partner is snoring. I am personally looking forward to gyms reopening, but I’m not sure whether I’ll do any exercise or just hang out at the back and enjoy the novelty of letting middle-aged men breathe all over me.

Six month outlook:

My kettlebell will be in the cupboard, because I got distracted by there being other humans in my exercise class and horrifically sprained both my bum cheeks In the early days of the pandemic getting hold of processed food was often so much hassle that even chunky families who normally live on chips and TV dinners were prepared to make peace with Jamie Oliver and explore rustic fare sourced from the fields and honesty boxes. I was already a quinoa-munching middle-class ponce so my reaction was to go one step further and cut out processed food entirely, as well as embarking on a messy journey into home baking. At first this was intensely frustrating (flour on my clothes/ ceiling) and then very fattening (none of these goodies can go to waste) but I eventually achieved a zen equilibrium of wonderful crusty bread, virtuous salads and enough jogging to keep the wobble gut at bay. I may spend an hour or so cooking every day, but have saved a surprising amount of money and am now healthy enough that being taken out by a virus will be a delicious irony if it happens before this magazine goes to print.

Six month outlook:

The first taste of McBreakfast triggers a junk food relapse that could feature in another Trainspotting sequel, as I gorge myself on Dairylea slices, pork scratchings and buckets of Haribo. I will contract gout and be fitted with a gastric band in time to sneeze myself into intensive care during the Christmas flu season

Words | Grant Runyon

I don’t want to tempt fate, but as we tiptoe cautiously into Summer it feels like an appropriate time to consider some of the positives of what we’ve all experienced in the last year.

Before people start sanitising their pitchforks and planning to attack my house (in groups of fewer than 10) I would like to stress that this observation is not intended to minimise the economic damage, personal loss or general ambient terror of living through a pandemic. If anything the main thing I’ve taken from the experience is how incredibly lucky I am to have stuck it out here instead of some other places.

It’s reasonable to say my family has learned some positive things about ourselves and our community, not least our ability to adapt and even flourish under adversity. The question is though: how long will these good habits stick around as we return to ‘normal’ life?

will you retain any positives from lockdown? will you retain any positives from lockdown?

3 4 Taking the family on an exotic staycation Working from home

One of the most strictly enforced changes of human habit has seen the planet breathe a temporary sigh of relief as international travel has been restricted for most of the last year to vaccine delivery, essential workers and Kim Kardashian’s 40th birthday party. Families who habitually jet off every few months have been forced to stop complaining and explore different bits of the UK, or in the case of Isle of Man the other side of the Island. This has led either to a rediscovery of the simple joys of playing Travel Scrabble in a damp tent, or the awareness that spending extended time with your family is only bearable against an exotic backdrop. I don’t have the money for a holiday let, so every few weeks I built a blanket fort in the shed and peed in a hole I dug in the flowerbeds. To make it more like attending Glastonbury I paid my neighbour to try and sell me a packet of oregano for £25 and then rob me whilst I slept. I suppose realistically I am not suggesting that people will continue to holiday here, but there is a lot to be said for the idea that some of us might use ferries and trains as an alternative to burning several tonnes of carbon to enjoy a three day city break sunbathing in a place where slavery is still semi-legal. Common sense doesn’t actually exist, but the last year has proven that the majority of people will act sensibly if given a strong enough incentive. As a neurotic germophobe I can’t tell you how much it has warmed my heart to learn that our community is quite capable of observing general hygiene and respecting a stranger’s physical space - just as long as the threat of social ostracisation and perhaps death is hanging over us at all times. This has required a dramatic shift of social norms, so you would think that it won’t be too much effort to maintain some of the other things we’ve got used to in the last twelve months - such as the idea that we shouldn’t need to put on a tie and drive to town in order to sit quietly at a computer all day. That doesn’t always reflect the views of the management class, some of whom have become deeply anxious when it has become apparent that most workers are equally productive even when they aren’t lined up like battery hens overseen by a rooster in goldplated cufflinks. They do however have a challenge from within their own ranks, coming from the people who have worked out that free range workers are cheaper if you don’t have to provide a shed for them to lay eggs in. How will this clash of the boardroom be resolved? Whatever the result is, if you try and lay hands on me in a business context I WILL CUT YOU.

Six month outlook:

Like BA Baracus I will need to be drugged to get on a plane, so I’m planning to buy an Interrail pass and take the kids to explore Europe for three months. Thanks to a combination of Brexit and vaccine passports we expect to spend most of this time queuing at customs

Six month outlook:

I will be working 70 hour weeks in the office, surrounded by a wipe-clean perspex bubble. My body temperature, antibody levels and general productivity are monitored by a thermal imaging camera that management can view from their home offices. At the slightest anomaly, 10,000 volts are passed through my mousemat and my body is ejected into a tank of Spirigel beneath the office