If you’re planning to take part in this year’s Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival, you better act quickly.
Budding singers, musicians, orators, actors and dancers are being reminded to submit their entries for the 2019 event, otherwise known as the Guild, by Saturday 9th February.
Held in association with award-winning homebuilder Dandara, it will take place over eight days from Saturday 27th April until Saturday 4th May, predominantly at the Villa Marina.
Entries can be submitted online at entries.manxmusicfestival.org or by post to 6 Mountain View, Douglas, IM2 5HU.
Paper forms are available in the syllabus, which is available at outlets around the Island.
This year’s syllabus, also available on the event website, features a range of new classes including adult group dance, adult stand-up comedy and news reading, while dancers again have more opportunities to grace the stage in the ballet, modern and character classes.
Festival Secretary Jacqueline Yates said: ‘Over the last few years we have made various changes and worked hard to introduce new classes, refresh our offering and launch a new website for the Festival, which includes a facility to enter online.
‘In order to appeal to more people, particularly the younger generation, we have expanded the variety of the Guild classes and look forward to both welcoming back participants and seeing new competitors and spectators alike.’
The final weekend of the Festival will feature both the Cleveland Medal Test on Friday 3rd May and the Choir Concert Classes on Saturday 4th May at the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall, events which are sure to draw large crowds.
The Manx Competitive Music, Speech and Dance Festival is presented in association with Dandara.