Erin Arts Centre

Kirk Michael Chamber Orchestra with piano soloist Graham Kirkland
2023-10-15 14:30 (Europe/Isle_of_Man)
£10 adults / £2 under 18s

The Kirk Michael Chamber Orchestra was formed in 2015 and has given concerts regularly since then, although this is the first time they have performed at the Erin Arts Centre.

The concert features music by Stamitz, Mozart, Elgar and Tchaikovsky, together with Beethoven’s 2nd Piano Concerto, with soloist Graham Kirkland. Graham was a junior exhibitioner at the Northern School of Music, Manchester and, as a full-time student, won the Special Graduate Prize and the Chadwick Cup for his performances of music by Beethoven. He has performed extensively as a soloist and accompanist, including playing Mozart, Grieg and Beethoven piano concertos with Manx Sinfonia (now the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra.)

Graham is also a violinist with the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Michael Chamber Orchestra and Manx Camerata string quartet. He conducted the Isle of Man Choral Society in their performance of Carmina Burana in 2021 and made his debut as conductor of the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra in their most recent concert in July.

Half Term Film: "Hotel Transylvania" 2pm
2023-10-25 14:00
Under 18s £2 / Adults £6

When monsters want to get away from it all, they go to Count Dracula’s Hotel Transylvania.

As Dracula’s daughter Mavis turns 118, he finally allows her to leave the castle and see the human world, but not without an elaborate plan to make sure she sees the worst of them. His fiendish plot is foiled when a human guest stumbles into the hotel, falls in love with Mavis, and threatens Drac’s monsters-only retreat!

This delightful animated film is perfect for Hop Tu Naa with friendly monsters, musical numbers, and an adorable pack of baby werewolves. It’s all about accepting ourselves and others as they are, and growing up without growing apart.

Prizes for good ​Hop Tu naa ​costumes!

Age Rated PG

"Educating Rita" (2 nights)
2023-10-27 19:30
Thursday 26th / Friday 27th October

Tickets £10

Rita is searching for something more than her life as a working class wife and hairdresser. She enrolls in an Open University course to better herself, where she meets the disillusioned and alcoholic Professor Frank, who is to be her tutor. This funny, poignant and entertaining play whisks us along on their journey.

Written by Willy Russell and first performed by The Royal Shakespeare Company in 1980, Educating Rita was made into an iconic film in 1983 with Oscar nominations following for Michael Cain and Julie Walters in their leading roles. In 2000 Russell updated the stage play to remove any dated references while keeping the emotional heart of the story intact.

This two-hander set entirely in the Professor Frank’s office is produced by Lindsay Quayle and stars Jack Verity as Frank and Kim Quine as Rita.

All proceeds will be donated to local charities Isle Listen and Knockaloe Visitor Centre.

Hop Tu Naa Horror: "The Exorcist" (Director's Cut)
2023-10-31 19:30
Adults £6

To celebrate 50 years since it’s release and to acknowledge the death of it’s mercurial director William Friedkin, we are Hop Tu Naa screening the Directors Cut of The Exorcist.

We all know the story- 12-year-old girl (Linda Blair), daughter of a neurotic movie star (Ellen Burstyn), starts to behave diabollically and Father Merrin is summoned to help. One of the touchstones of modern horror, this evergreen masterpiece still possesses a malevolent and unsettling power.

Empire Magazine says of the Directors Cut:‘What really makes this version worth catching on the big screen is the enhanced print. Digital cleaning has given shape and (horrific) form to the subliminal images peppered throughout. Even better, the sound, which has always obsessed Friedkin, now comes at you from all angles. From dog fights to rustling leaves, every nuance of noise contains the power to disturb.’

Come celebrate the spooky season with this stark, controlled exercise in terror. You know you want to.

UK Rating: 18

The Weekend View: "Otherworld" exhibition (12-4pm)
2023-11-04 12:00 - 16:00
The Weekend View – drop into the gallery 12-4pm on Saturday 4th November to see the current exhibition, including 80 pieces from 70 artists.

We were overwhelmed by the amount and quality of work that came in for our Otherworld exhibition, and we’re so proud that the BBC have noticed too! This is a great little piece about our current show: https://tinyurl.com/yvysz37a

Drop into the Erin Arts Centre 10-4.30pm Tuesday to Friday or 12-4pm on Saturdays until Friday 17th November (free entry).

Rushen Heritage Trust: "Diving The Wreck of The Mona's Queen", Dr Michelle Haywood
2023-11-06 19:30
Tickets £6 / Friends of RHT £5

Diving the Wreck of Mona’s Queen

with Dr Michelle Haywood

In April 2023, a team of divers from the Isle of Man set off to Dunkirk to dive the wreck of Mona’s Queen III, one of three IOM Steam Packet Company ships lost within 24 hours during the evacuation in May 1940.

In this illustrated talk, Dr Haywood explains how one of the Steam Packet’s finest vessels was lost and the challenges faced by the divers trying to pay their respects to the crew.

Midweek Movie: "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" (2pm + 7.30pm screenings)
2023-11-08 19:30
Adults £6 / under 18s £2

Based on Rachel Joyce’s quirky novel, Hettie Macdonald directs this poignant tale of faith, hope and human connection.

Retired pensioner Harold Fry (Jim Broadbent) lives in Kingsbridge with his wife Maureen (Penelope Wilton), whose marriage to him has become despondent and quiet. One day, Harold receives a letter from his old friend, Queenie Hennessy, who is dying from cancer and is living in a hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Harold decides to send her a letter, goes to post it… and just keeps walking.

UK Rating: 12

The Weekend View: "Otherworld" exhibition (12-4pm)
2023-11-11 12:00 - 16:00
The Weekend View – drop into the gallery 12-4pm on Saturday 11th November to see the current exhibition, including 80 pieces from 70 artists.

We were overwhelmed by the amount and quality of work that came in for our Otherworld exhibition, and we’re so proud that the BBC have noticed too! This is a great little piece about our current show: https://tinyurl.com/yvysz37a

Drop into the Erin Arts Centre 10-4.30pm Tuesday to Friday or 12-4pm on Saturdays until Friday 17th November (free entry).

Rushen Players: "Comic Potential" by Alan Ayckbourn (3 nights)
2023-11-18 19:30
Thursday 16th / Friday 17th / Saturday 18th November – 7.30pm start

Adults £10 / Under 18s £2

A hilarious satire of television and a touching romantic comedy.

It begins in a television studio where a hospital soap opera is being taped. One actor starts speaking gibberish; he is an actoid, a robotand his programming is off-kilter.

Exhibition: "The Manx Nature Show" (opening 21st November)
2023-11-21 10:00
This new exhibition is open from Tuesday 21st November and through the festive season until Friday 5th January, with free entry into the gallery.

We are open Tuesday-Friday 10am to 4.30pm, plus during events and select Saturdays.

Friday Film Club: "Enys Men" (7.30pm screening)
2023-11-24 19:30
Adults £6/ Under 18 £2

We’ve got a big soft spot for the handcrafted, cinematic magic of Mark Jenkins here at EAC – his grainy masterpiece Bait opened our Friday Film Club back in 2021.

His second film Enys Men (Cornish for “stone island”) is a strange and disquieting study of isolation, time and landscape on a small island haunted by the history of Cornwall. Set in 1973 and shot by Jenkin on grainy 16mm colour film stock, with his trademark post-synched sound, the form feels both innovative and authentic to the period.

A wildlife volunteer’s (Mary Woodvine) daily observations of a rare flower take a dark turn into strange, metaphysical realms, forcing her (and ourselves) to question what is real and what is nightmare.

If big narratives and tight plotlines are your thing, this film may not be for you…. but if you’re prepared to sit back and be swept away by Jenkin’s vivid, visual poetry, then this ode to Cornwall’s rich folklore and natural beauty is a dark, deep and rewarding dive!

Inner Wheel Club: Coffee Morning / Christmas Fair (10am-1pm)
2023-11-25 10:00 - 13:00
This event is orgniased by the Inner Wheel Club of Rushen & Western Mann.

£3 entry fee includes tea/coffee and a mince pie.

The Weekend View: The Manx Nature Show (12-4pm)
2023-11-26 12:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-10 12:00 - 16:00
Our gallery will be open on Sunday 26th November 12-4pm.

Port Purlers Crafternoons (Tuesdays 2-4pm)
2023-11-28 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-05 14:00 - 16:00
Join us on Tuesdays 2-4pm for tea, friendly chat, and any craft you can bring along. By donation.

Rushen Silver Band: Christmas Show (3pm + 7.30pm shows)
2023-12-02 19:30
Adults £11 / Under 18s £3 (+booking fee)

Join Rushen Silver Band for their annual Christmas concert. Full of popular festive tunes and singalong carols, the event will be entertaining for all the family. The concert signals the start of the band’s Christmas period and to get us in the festive spirit we will be decking the halls, jingling the bells and inviting special guest Debbie Gooding to sing at the party.

This year, due to previous sell-outs, the concert will be held twice! We’ll host both a matinee and evening performance, with an identical programme. This will allow families and people who would prefer not to be out at night to see the show. Bring your Christmas jumper and hat!

RHT: "The History of Manx Tourism" with Charles Guard SOLD OUT
2023-12-04 19:30
Tickets £6 / Friends of RHT £5

Tourism was once the mainstay of the Manx economy and in this illustrated talk historian Charles Guard explains how it all started (long before most people imagine) and how the Island adapted to the annual influx of hundreds of thousands of people. He will highlight some of the more challenging aspects of running a boarding house and there will be lots of photographs, amusing anecdotes… and a few naughty postcards!

Tickets: £6 (£5 Friends of RHT) available from the EAC – www.ticketsource.co.uk/erinartscentre – or Rushen Heritage Centre & Bridge Bookshop in Port Erin.

For further info — rushenht@gmail.com or call 464634.

EAC Book Circle: "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman
2023-12-06 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for coffee & book chat. By donation.

Midweek Movie: "Oppenheimer" (2pm + 7.30pm screenings)
2023-12-06 19:30
Adults £6 / under 18s £2

Christopher Nolan’s formidable and ambitious portrait of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer is coming to EAC!

Cillian Murphy stars as the brilliant mind, tasked with working on the top-secret Manhattan Project during WW2. His work comes to an ominous fruition on July 16th 1945 with the world’s first nuclear explosion, changing the course of history forever. Oppenheimer is a modern age Frankenstein movie, in which a man captivated by the the possibilities of science, realises too late that his creation has the capacity for annihilation.

Murphy is excellent as the increasingly haunted scientist, with Emily Blunt quietly terrific as his wife Kitty. The film also stars Matt Damon as head of the Manhattan Project Leslie Groves, Robert Downey Jr. as U.S. Atomic Energy Commission member Lewis Strauss, and Florence Pugh as Oppenheimer’s communist lover Jean Tatlock. The ensemble supporting cast includes Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh.

Oppenheimer is a towering achievement, with a stellar cast, playing out in a tangle of timelines and using sound to great effect. Do not miss!

UK Rating: 15

EAC Christmas Market (11am-4.30pm)
2023-12-09 11:00
Twinkling lights, pine needles, carols and mulled wine – that magical time of year is almost upon us!

To help you into the festive mood and provide a solution to those pesky present problems, the Erin Arts Centre will be hosting our EAC Christmas Market (11am-4.30pm) on Saturday 9th December.

With over 20 varied craft stalls, a tombola, raffle and hot food & drink served all day, we can guarantee a fine festive atmosphere and fabulous gifts. The whole village will be buzzing, with events at the Railway station and St Catherine’s too. Come and join in the seasonal fun and tell all your friends!

"2121: A Film" by Kitterland
2023-12-17 19:30
The 21st of May falls on the 21st week of the year. In the course of that week the sun sets at 21 minutes past the 21st hour.

Kitterland will screen their film 2121 at the Erin Arts Centre on 17th December.

Recorded at the Sound Cafe on May 21st, their film takes in views of the island from dawn until dusk, from sea to river, to forest and field.

"It's A Wonderful Life" sponsored by Bushy's
2023-12-20 19:30
Adults £8 Under 18’s £2

What better way to sign off before the festivities than with a visit to the EAC & Bushy’s Yuletide institution!

We all know the story but it’s still beautiful thing to watch it all unfold surrounded by friends, sharing the spirit of Christmas.

An angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. James Stewart, Donna Reed and Virginia Patton star in Frank Capra’s evergreen, Christmas classic.Martin and Debbie will be serving their special mulled wine and mince pies at the interval.

Sponsored by Bushy’s brewery.

NY Met Opera: "Nabucco" (5.55pm live screening)
2024-01-06 17:55
Adults £15 / Under 18 £2

Ancient Babylon comes to life in a classic Met staging of biblical proportions.

Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille. Mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova and tenor SeokJong Baek, in his company debut, are Fenena and Ismaele, whose love transcends politics, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy repeats his celebrated portrayal of the high priest Zaccaria. Daniele Callegari conducts Verdi’s exhilarating early masterpiece, which features the ultimate showcase for the great Met Chorus, the moving “Va, pensiero.”

This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to cinemas across the globe.

This stunning, modern production features exclusive, live backstage footage and cast interviews shown during the intervals. Buffet served with interval drinks. Feel free to dress for the occasion!

RHT: "William Hoggatt: A Passion For The Manx Landscape" with Yvonne Cresswell SOLD OUT
2024-01-08 19:30
Adults £5 | RHT Friends £4 | Under 18s £2

William Hoggatt is well-known as a painter of Manx landscapes, but he was also an outspoken campaigner and champion for the protection and preservation of the Manx countryside in the late 1930’s.

In the next of our season of talks, Yvonne Cresswell, former curator of Social history for Manx National Heritage, will reveal how there was much more to this elderly artist than his familiar mac and fedora hat.

Tickets are available from the Erin Arts Centre, Rushen Heritage Centre or Bridge Bookshop in Port Erin.

For further information please email rushenht@gmail.com or call 464634.

Exhibition: "Finding Treasure" by Frauke Watson (Jan/Feb 2024)
2024-01-09 10:00 - 16:30
New exhibition Tuesday 8th January to Friday 18th February 2024.

Gallery open 10am-4.30pm Tuesday to Friday, plus during events and selected weekends.

Midweek Movie: "The Great Escaper" (2pm + 7.30pm)
2024-01-10 19:30
Adults £6 / under 18s £2

We open the new Midweek Movie season with a variation on our recent theme of absconding senior citizens taking long journeys!

Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson are on sparkling form in this true-life heartwarmer about the Word War 2 veteran Bernard Jordan, who in 2014, jauntily sneaked out of his seaside care home (where he lived with his wife Irene) to get aboard a cross-channel ferry and attend the 70th anniversary celebrations of the D-day landings in Normandy.

Caine is droll and marvellously grumpy as Jordan, and Glenda Jackson, in her final role, draws a lot of laughs as Irene, attempting to cover up for her errant husband. It’s wonderful to see these two icons of British cinema basking in the limelight one last time and The Great Escaper is a moving, last hurrah for Glenda Jackson.

UK Rating: PG

Piano Series: Nikita Lukinov (11am masterclass)
2024-01-20 11:00
Free Admission- 11am start

This evening’s Piano Series guest, outstanding Russian pianist, Nikita Lukinov , will give a free masterclass, playing excerpts from and discussing his programme for the evening recital, which will include works by Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky. This is an ideal opportunity for aspiring pianists to meet and observe a young professional at the top of his craft. Tell all your keyboard playing friends!

A disciple of the Russian Piano School, Nikita Lukinov began his musical education at the age of six in the class of Svetlana Semenkova in Voronezh, Russia. At the age of ten, he had his debut performance as a soloist with a symphony orchestra, winning a full scholarship to study with Tatiana Sarkissova at the Purcell School. In 2017, Nikita was awarded a full scholarship to study for a Bachelor’s Degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with Petras Geniušas – and he went on to obtain his Master’s Degree at the RCS. In June 2023, Nikita was awarded The Governor’s Recital Prize for the most outstanding final exam at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has just started studying for an Artist Diploma on a full scholarship at the RCS.

During the 2021 season, Nikita won competitions in the UK, Japan and Spain. He also performed at the Southbank Centre, the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh and at the Verbier Festival.

In 2022, he was appointed as a teacher in the RCS’s piano department and is currently the youngest senior staff member in all of the UK’s Music Conservatoires.In the 2022-23 season Nikita has given recitals at Steinway Hall in London, the British Institute in Florence, at the Representation of the City of Hamburg in Berlin, Hastings International Piano Series, Vaduz Rathaussaal in Liechtenstein, a ‘Celebrity Recitals’ concert series in Shrewsbury and also completed a tour of six concerts in Scotland. In January 2023, he won the Walcer Prize Competition at the RCS and gave his solo recital debut at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.

Nikita has recently released his debut CD on the KNS Classical label.The event is free to everyone but please book here to give us an idea of numbers.

Meet the artist: Finding Treasure, exhibition by Frauke Watson
2024-01-20 12:00 - 16:00
Meet the artist – Frauke will be in the gallery to answer questions and chat about her work between 12pm and 4pm on Saturday 20th January (no entry fee).

This exhibition is available from Tuesday 9th January to Friday 16th February 2024.

The gallery will be open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4.30pm, plus during events and specially selected Saturdays.

For as long as she can remember, Frauke has been fascinated by the things other people consider as surplus to requirement. “What do you want with this old piece of trash?” has been the refrain of her life.

She believes that all things have a soul and that even unloved things can be loved again. All you need is a different point of view. The value of an item is very much determined by the fashion of the moment – and the context.

Frauke is a compulsive maker and is constantly exploring different art and craft techniques. Her greatest passion is the creation of new things from old or found objects. Her hope is that this exhibition will encourage you to see the world around you with different eyes.

Piano Series: Nikita Lukinov (7.30pm recital)
2024-01-20 19:30 - 20:00
Adults £15 / Under 18s £2

We continue the Piano Series 2023/24 with a recital by another outstanding young player, Nikita Lukinov.

A disciple of the Russian Piano School, Nikita Lukinov began his musical education at the age of six in the class of Svetlana Semenkova in Voronezh, Russia. At the age of ten, he had his debut performance as a soloist with a symphony orchestra, winning a full scholarship to study with Tatiana Sarkissova at the Purcell School. In 2017, Nikita was awarded a full scholarship to study for a Bachelor’s Degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with Petras Geniušas – and he went on to obtain his Master’s Degree at the RCS. In June 2023, Nikita was awarded The Governor’s Recital Prize for the most outstanding final exam at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has just started studying for an Artist Diploma on a full scholarship at the RCS.

During the 2021 season, Nikita won competitions in the UK, Japan and Spain. He also performed at the Southbank Centre, the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh and at the Verbier Festival.

In 2022, he was appointed as a teacher in the RCS’s piano department and is currently the youngest senior staff member in all of the UK’s Music Conservatoires.In the 2022-23 season Nikita has given recitals at Steinway Hall in London, the British Institute in Florence, at the Representation of the City of Hamburg in Berlin, Hastings International Piano Series, Vaduz Rathaussaal in Liechtenstein, a ‘Celebrity Recitals’ concert series in Shrewsbury and also completed a tour of six concerts in Scotland. In January 2023, he won the Walcer Prize Competition at the RCS and gave his solo recital debut at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.

Nikita has recently released his debut CD on the KNS Classical label.

Nikita comes to us courtesy of the Keyboard Trust and his programme will include works by Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky. He will give a free masterclass at 11am, playing excerpts from and talking about his chosen works. Please book separately for this event.
