The Isle of Man Wurlitzer in the Villa Marina Arcade is being played more than ever this year.
Since April it has been used not only for concerts but also for a dance, a wedding, and even the opening of a prestigious international shipping conference!
Concert highlights so far this year have included visiting international soloists Len Rawle, Phil Kelsall and Jean Martyn who have stunned and delighted the crowds with their virtuosity.
The Arcade was packed on 28 June for a one-off “Summertime Special” promoted by Friends of Robert Owen House and Junior Achievement Isle of Man. This exciting event show-cased a series of high-achieving young people in various performing arts including the art of the theatre organ, with the Wurlitzer forming a fitting centre-piece to the whole evening.
The uniquely Manx context of our very own Wurlitzer was brought to the fore in an “All-Manx Wurlitzerfest” on the day before Tynwald Day. The Wurlitzer discovered a truly Manx voice, not only playing and accompanying Manx songs more typically heard on the piano, but also combining to great effect with fiddle, flute, accordion and concertina in traditional Manx repertoire.
The expanded “Wurlitzer Wednesdays” series of free-admission lunchtime concerts is being enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. It has raised ?400 so far this year for a range of good causes and continues at 1pm every Wednesday until the end of August. The remaining Wurlitzer Wednesdays are:
25 July 2012: Jimmy Thomson, in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
1 August 2012: Peter Litman, Georgia Maddocks and Sheean Prash in aid of the St German’s Cathedral Foundation for Music and the Arts
8 August 2012: Mike Porter and Paul Costain
15 August 2012: John Elliott and soloists from the Manx Gilbert and Sullivan Society
22 August 2012: Margaret Cubbon in aid of the Manx Stroke Foundation
29 August 2012: Victorian and Edwardian extravaganza with Gareth Moore and Mandy Griffin
Photo caption - Jonathan King and Martin Norbury take a break from a busy day at the office to rehearse their Wurlitzer and euphonium duo.
