Festival organisers in plea to help the show go on
MANNIFEST
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05 August 2009
By FERGUS MCEWAN
A DESPERATE plea has been made by the organiser of Mannifest 2009 to help keep the dream alive.
Hal Kennard is trying to spark a last-minute surge in ticket sales for the two-day party next weekend (August 14 and 15) to prevent its corporate sponsor from pulling out.
In a message to the 1,100 members of a Facebook group set up to promote the event, he said: 'I am crying with emotion because I really do not want to let this dream go!'
On Wednesday, just 10 days before the festival is due to begin at The Nunnery in Douglas, organisers had sold just 130 tickets, a far cry from the 500 they expected to shift.
Demand appears so low that the principal sponsor, Bedouin Group, has threatened to pull funding of £70,000 which is vital to put on the festival.
But Mr Kennard is convinced support for Mannifest is out there and he is urging music-lovers in the Isle of Man to show their faith in the idea by coughing up immediately.
In his message, he explained the fate of the not-for-profit festival – intended to generate funds for two local charities – was in the balance.
He also confirmed that, if Mannifest does not go ahead, all tickets are fully refundable.
He said: 'This is a very hard message to write. I hope you appreciate my honesty. So here are my cards on the table – Mannifest cannot happen without your buy-in.
'We have put a lot of work into Mannifest and now we need your help to ensure that it goes ahead.
'Mannifest is not about money, it is about you helping yourselves to realise your dreams.
'It does, however, need money to enable it to happen – money for toilets, health and safety, technical equipment, bands and performers.
'We are even prepared to run the event at a loss if needs be.
'This is because we have a long-term vision of a wonderful annual event for you all to get involved in and grow with each year.
'However, what will make that a lot easier right now is if there is actually a demand for it. So please, if you're planning on coming, buy a ticket.
He added: 'Post this message on any forums that have Mannifest blogs, call your friends, and rustle up the troops. Beg, borrow or just ask nicely for the cash.
'There are more than 1,000 people in this Facebook group. If you really want Mannifest to happen, please dip into your pocket and buy a ticket today. It really is that urgent.
Mannifest is a not-for-profit organisation supporting two great charities. There is no personal gain here – I have devoted my time organising it for free.
'There you have it, Mannifest is now in your hands. You get to say whether it happens or not. Now it's up to you – are you with me?'
About 500 performers from the Isle of Man and further afield are booked to play at Mannifest 2009.
They include Kosheen Live, Easy Star All Stars, The Head Gardener, The Lotus Project, Ryan Inglis, Laura Goucher, Lost Soldiers, Planes Over Paris, Uber Room, and Vex Mama.
Tickets, priced at £50, for both days (including camping) are available at
www.ticketline.co.uk or by calling 08448 889991. For more information go to
www.mannifestlive.comFor Sale: Parachute. Only used once, never opened, small stain.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a flat tire.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted then used against you.
Come on guys... You know you want to buy some! 
Poss go on the friday!
? i might just go for a drive and see what i can get... se how much... etc.. i dont know... better than sitting on my a$$ doing FA...