Mannifest Live – Music and Film Garden Party

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you probably don’t know about Mannifest, the music and film garden party that’s taking place at The Nunnery on the 14th and 15th August. With talent like Kosheen, Easy Stars All-Stars and local talent like Planes Over Paris, the festival is designed to be a celebration of art and energy, right here in the Isle of Man.

So, “What will there be to do?” you may ask. Well, without any further ado, here’s the line-up:

Friday Main Stage

• 17:00 Maldune
• 17:50 Chris Beauman
• 18:05 Zara Sophia
• 18:30 Jeceris
• 19:20 Paul Freeland
• 19:40 Good times with henry wood
• 20:25 Laura Goucher
• 20:40 Planes Over Paris
• 21:30 Orca
• 10:30 Kosheen (live)

Saturday Main Stage

• 12:00 The Lotus Project
• 12:30 Helen Morrison
• 12:50 Camden sporting arts and social club
• 13:30 Curious Turtles
• 13:50 Dub Heart
• 14:35 Strengyn
• 14:50 Nigel Williams
• 15:30 Ryan Inglis and friends
• 16:00 Anthony Battersby
• 16:15 Vex Mama
• 17:15 Grambo
• 17:45 Tommy Cole
• 18:05 The Behavers
• 18:55 Dave from The Zutons with Tony Davis
• 19:25 Uber Room
• 20:15 Paul Wright
• 21:05 Lost Soldiers
• 22:00 Easy Star All-Stars

Friday Dance Tent

• 17:00 Day of Hugs DJ’s
• 19:00 Remedy DJ’s (Jungle)
• 20:00 Kosheen DJ’s
• 21:30 Jay Bessant Vs 7Quidstudio
• 10:30 Kosheen (played through rig)

Saturday Dance Tent

• 12:00 Magnus the Massuer
• 12:40 NA NA Matt Shepard
• 13:00 Sonic Jihad
• 14:00 DJ Cav
• 15:00 Nick Lowe
• 16:00 Christian Claige
• 17:00 Barry Fearon
• 18:00 Bill Norman
• 19:30 The Head Gardener
• 21:00 Stiff Kittens (Sonia)
• 10:30 Easy Star All-Stars (through rig)

An Adult 2-day ticket starts at £50 if you book it online (subject to a booking fee), but if you’re not sure you can make it, you can take a chance and try and get them at the door. They’re more expensive here and you may not get a ticket if the event sells out. Have a great time!

The Comedy Club – Thursday 28th May

Whoop, cheer and put your hands together for another hilarious night of comedy with The Comedy Club at Villa Marina & Gaiety Theatre on Thursday 28th May. So sit back and enjoy 3 top comedians as seen on TV and get stuck in with the unique Comedy Club Joke Competition on the night. With FREE membership at www.hahaheehee.com, there has never been a better time to enjoy the comedy club: receive club discounts, win free tickets and get all the comedy gossip free each month.

MC – Danny Buckler
A truly “magic” comedian, Danny Buckler is fast establishing himself as one of the most popular performers on the circuit, be it as a stand-up, improvisational actor, magician or all-round performer. Having worked both nationally and in an acclaimed sell-out show in the West End with Victoria Wood and Imelda Staunton, on television, he has appeared alongside the Dead Ringers, on Dinner Ladies and as a frontline presenter of The Secret of Magic.

In 2003 Danny made his Edinburgh Festival debut at the prestigious Edinburgh Assembly Rooms in an extremely successful double-hander with fellow magician, Mandy Muden. 2004 and 2005 have seen Danny fronting the BBC 1 prime-time Saturday night specials, ‘Secrets of Magic’, alongside John Lenehan, and Etienne Pradier.

Act 1 – Victor Daniels
Victor started his stand-up career in 1999 and hasn’t looked back since, becoming a regular in the circuit’s top venues such as The Comedy Store, Jongleurs, Comedy Café, Comedy Club,Up The Creek and the Hackney Empire.

His comedy has seen him perform in New York and reach the finals of some of the UK’s best known comedy competitions. He has also featured as a writer on the BBC’s Gina Yashere Show and the Angie Le Mars sketch show ‘Big Sister’.

He is the creator, writer and director of the highly successful Hackney Empire The United Colours of Comedy, which is now being developed by the BBC New Comedy Unit.

He is also a regular at the live ‘BBC Comedy Presents’ shows in the Soho Revue Bar.

Headline – Mark Maier
Mark Maier has been in the comedy game so long and is so good at it he’s even been running courses in the art since 1994. Having taught improvisational comedy in London and founded the group MadLib, he is a regular of the world renowned Comedy Store Players, alongside the likes of Josie Lawrence, Jim Sweeney and Paul Merton. A multi-talented, mercurial comedian, he retains an edge that still makes him one of the most must-see acts on the circuit. A familiar face on TV and radio, he has written and appeared for such diverse shows as Dating The Enemy, Edinburgh Nights, Rory Bremner, Quando Quando Quando and The Sunday Service.

Manx Athlete in Mr Britain Competition

It’s always great to see the Isle of Man being represented on an international stage and this year we will have an entry in a prestigious body building competition. Nuno Figueira, a local gym instructor will be taking part in the Mr Britain competition later this year, a challenge which could also give him a shot at participating at the prestigious Mr Universe contest.

Nuno has been living in the Isle of Man for the last 5 years during which time he started training and became a qualified gym instructor. He is originally from Madeira, a Portuguese island slightly larger than the Isle of Man but much more densely populated. He currently works at Body Shack, a fitness centre in Kingswood Grove, Douglas, and you can also find him minding the door at Bordello over the weekend.

The initial event is scheduled for the 17th May which consists of the NABBA (National Amateur Bodybuilder’s Association) qualifier in Southport. If Nuno is successful in this competition he could proceed to the Mr. Britain competition two weeks later on the 30th May and could also potentially qualify for the WFF Mr. Universe.

Nuno can be seen here flanked by Richard and Steven from Body Shack who will be helping Nuno in his efforts by sponsoring his health supplements and personal training.

ManxVoice would like to add our best wishes to that of Nuno’s fans and supporters and wish him the best of luck in his forthcoming competition. We’ll keep you posted with any news we get.

Festival of Trees 2008

The Festival of Trees has become an annual display at Ronaldsway airport. Having started in 2001 in aid of Save the Children, it has become one of their biggest fund generators and promoters.

The first time I came across the Festival of Trees, it took my breath away. I felt like Alice in Wonderland. It was a surreal experience full of magic and inspiration. You would think that after the first year, it would have become repetitive and dull. However, not only is it not dull and boring, it actually manages to retain the magic and uniqueness every year that I experienced the first time I saw the festival. Each tree is a work of art and riot with imagination. The trees are themed, decorated and created by small Manx businesses. Anyone passing through can actually vote for their favourite tree. I can only imagine the pride of winning the best tree award, because each tree is obviously put together with pride, care and great attention.

I took my toddler son to the festival and he was in his own magical winter wonderland. He loved the rocket (though not quite so tree themed in my opinion) by Thomson Travel, but his favourite was the one with silver stars sprinkled at the bottom – Wish Upon a Star by One World Centre! I am sure that is because he did not notice the one with chocolate coins and monopoly money by Eden Park Garden Centre. I personally loved the tree made of Balloons by Balloons To Go, though the tree made out of little children’s hand prints definitely caught my attention. This is not to say that the others were not just as fascinating. You see, Santa was there having his beard curled for Christmas, there also was The Teddy Bear Tree (selling Teddies in aid of Save the Children), the table of Trees, The Opticians Letter Tree that wished a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, The Red Christmas Tree and so many more. There were more than 20 entries this year.

My biggest problem? Deciding who to give my vote for, as they were all so good. So, if you have time to pass by the airport, do go take a peek. It can make a good outing out that won’t even cost a penny bar perhaps a donation to Save the Children.