Voluntary Arts Festival 2017 Paisley & Renfrewshire: What’s On // 5–14 May 2017 cover
Mapping Everyday Creativity in Paisley
Voluntary Arts Scotland has joined forces with local partners to spotlight the wealth of creative activity in Paisley and Renfrewshire. The map of central Paisley enclosed here shows a variety of groups and organisations who meet locally. So whatever you’re looking for – whether it’s to talk about your favourite novels at a book club, join a choir, learn to salsa dance or share embroidery with other crafters – there’s a local group for you. And if you’re looking for more groups in Paisley and in Renfrewshire, check out the amazing digital map created by Alison McCandlish as part of the campaign bid for Paisley 2021: paisley2021.co.uk/news/welcome-tothe-renfrewshire-cultural-map/
This guide is available in accessible formats – please get in touch if you would like to request a large text or plain copy version.
Key to Accessibility Symbols Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Accessible Toilets Hearing / induction loop Level Access
Photo credits p.3: Stuart Chalmers Design/illustration fogbank.co.uk
Voluntary Arts Festival 2017 Creativity comes in many forms, from visual art, craft, music and singing to digital art, drama, cooking and gardening. Voluntary Arts works across the UK and Republic of Ireland to promote and increase participation in creative cultural activities – knowing the benefits they bring to people’s lives. Held in May each year, the Voluntary Arts Festival – led by Voluntary Arts – sees creative groups and organisations of every shape and size run special events and open their doors to new members through ‘come and try’ sessions. For the 2017 Festival, Voluntary Arts Scotland is helping to organise and promote events in Paisley and Renfrewshire. From photography exhibitions to ceilidhs, workshops and open rehearsals, with craft, music, dance, painting and digital arts – there’s so much to discover on your doorstep, so join in the fun! The 2017 Festival takes place across the UK and Republic of Ireland from 5–14 May. Find out more: voluntaryarts.org/festival VoluntaryArtsFestival volartsfestival
What’s On
and Engage Renfrewshire have to offer, discuss ways to make your activities more accessible with the Renfrewshire Access Panel, and take away free resources to help your group grow! Includes a free lunch. To book your free place, visit voluntaryarts.org/trainingeventpaisley or call 0131 561 7333
Paisley Photographic Society and Voluntary Arts Festival special exhibition Paisley Central Library 68 High Street, Paisley PA1 2BB 6–13 May, 10am–5pm (closed Sundays) See how much fun and enjoyment people in local creative groups in Paisley and Renfrewshire are having, at this photography exhibition capturing rehearsals and meetings. Call Paisley Central Library for more information and accessibility requirements: 0300 300 1188. paisley-photographic-society.co.uk
Creative conversations: How to be more accessible and grow your group Tannahill Centre, 76 Blackstoun Road 6 May, 10am–1.30pm (followed by lunch and networking: 1.30–2.30pm) Get together with other creative groups from Renfrewshire at this special networking event, where you can learn about the support Voluntary Arts Scotland
Create and Play the Digital Way Paisley YMCA 39 High Street, Paisley PA1 2AF 5 May, 1–5pm An open workshop where you can build a car with a micro-controller, learn code, take part in a demonstration of Quiver augmented reality, and experience the world with Google Expeditions. Come along and join in – it’s fun, educational and easy to learn! paisleyymca.org / 0141 889 2876
Paisley People Photography Exhibition Twist & Hit Cheerleaders Free Taster Session The Bield Scout Hall Woodside Crematorium, Broomlands Street, Paisley PA1 2NP 7 May, 1.15–6.30pm Visit the Twist & Hit training facility and witness this awesome sport in action! Learn how to tumble, stunt, jump and dance in a safe environment. With free food, drink and entertainment, you’ll get the chance to socialise, play games and interact in a fast-paced fun sport. twistandhit.com / 07912 228 276
Public Rehearsal of Renfrew Burgh Band The McMaster Centre Donaldson Drive, Renfrew PA4 8LX 11 May, 8–9.30pm Come and join us for an open rehearsal of the Renfrew Burgh Band. You’ll hear this award-winning band (Scottish Section Champions 2015) rehearse its current repertoire and find out from the Conductor how the band works and what the music requires. Stay for informal refreshments afterwards when you can meet and chat with the players. renfrewburghband.co.uk / 07518 977 830
Renfrewshire Disability Arts Forum 15 Bridge Street, Linwood, Paisley PA3 3DB 12 May – 11 June See the results of Renfrewshire Disability Arts Forum’s pop-up photography studio, run in Paisley town centre during Doors Open Day 2016. Featuring members of the public and the Disability Resource Centre, the exhibition was produced after a series of workshops facilitated by Street Level Photoworks. rdaf.org.uk / 0141 848 1123
Family Ceilidh Fèis Phàislig 6 School Wynd, Paisley PA1 2DB 12 May, 7–11.30pm Fèis Phàislig (Paisley Festival in Gaelic) is an arts organisation that provides traditional music experiences for young people across Renfrewshire. Their fundraising ceilidh will be a fantastic night of music and dance for all ages, with proceeds going towards further opportunities for young people across Renfrewshire. Come and join in the fun! feisphaislig.com / 07595175099
The Gleniffer Singers Annual Concert 2017 Holy Trinity & St Barnabas Church Back Sneddon Street, Paisley PA3 12 May, 7.30–9pm Join the Gleniffer Singers for an evening of music and song, with a programme that has something for everyone, ranging from West End hits to modern classical pieces. This year’s concert is raising funds for the Beatson Cancer Charity. Tickets cost £8 (including light refreshments) and can be reserved by email at gleniffer.singers@gmail.com or via facebook.com/GlenifferSingers
West End Snakes & Ladders Mural West Paisley Community Services Order, 5 Underwood Lane, Paisley PA1 2SL 3–17 May, 9.30am–3.30pm Help create a ground mural of an oversized Snakes and Ladders game, and contribute to this great project making a park in Paisley’s west end safe, beautiful and fun again! If you want to join in, contact Ria FitzGerald at riafitzgeraldinteriorstyling@ hotmail.com / 0141 8401 001.
Celebrating the Diversity of Arts and Crafts Disability Resource Centre, 74 Love Street, Paisley PA3 2EA 11 May, 10am–3pm Join in the Arts & Crafts Open Day at the Disability Resource Centre, featuring workshops and the opportunity to join the Love St. Singers for a session. Open to everyone! rdaf.org.uk / 0141 848 1123
Come and Try the Accordion / Open Rehearsal Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra Prince of Wales Hall, Queen Street, Renfrew PA4 8TR 7 May, 5.30–8.30pm Try your hand at this fascinating instrument at the Orchestra’s ‘Come and Try’ session. Give it a go yourself, or simply enjoy watching their open rehearsal. All are welcome! jbao.co.uk / 07813712594
Try a Needlecraft Paisley Thread Mill Museum Mezzanine level, Mile End Mill, Abbey Mill Business Centre, 12 Seedhill Road, Paisley PA1 1JS 13 May, 2–6pm Try a new needlecraft or rekindle a former hobby at Paisley Thread Mill Museum, where you’ll find fabric bobbins to stitch, colour and make sparkle. You can also learn to knit a stitch, and get creative with beads and yarns. paisleythreadmm@outlook.com / 0141 847 1111
Couch & Canvas
Choir Open Rehearsal
Create Paisley 2 Gauze Street, Paisley PA1 1EP 8 May, 6–8pm Couch & Canvas is a free, weekly visual arts drop-in for young people aged 12-21. Come along from 6-8pm or just for a wee while. They offer a safe space for you to feel creative and explore your talent, with chill music and arts supplies for you to use. Bring along a project you want to finish or create something new. createpaisley.org.uk / 0300 365 0321
Renfrewshire Community Gospel Choir Methodist Central Hall, 2 Gauze Street, Paisley PA1 1EP 9 May, 6.30–9pm If you enjoy singing, come along and find out more about this community choir. You can enjoy a cup of tea and watch their rehearsal with fabulous musical director, Emilie. Even better, why not join in? dianemitchellmusicschool.com / 07896 689 816
Craft Open Evening Linwood Scout Group Our Lady of Peace Primary School, Erskinefauld Road, Linwood PA3 3PR 11 May, 7–8.30pm Take part in different crafts, from rope making to knitting/sewing and much more. Meet the local Scout group members, have a chat and see what they’re all about. Light refreshments will be available during the evening. gsllinwoodscoutgroup@gmail.com
Sculpting for Beginners Workshop Create Paisley Methodist Central Hall, 2 Gauze Street, Paisley PA1 1EP 10 May, 6–8pm An introduction to sculpture making for young people aged 12–21. During this free workshop, we will explore how to make your own sculptures with materials that are easy to find and use. It will also be an opportunity for some young people to have their work shown. createpaisley.org.uk / 0300 365 0321
voluntaryarts.org/festival VoluntaryArtsFestival volartsfestival
THANK YOU! We would like to thank all the partner organisations who supported this programme of creative activity in Paisley and Renfrewshire: Paisley 2021, Renfrewshire Council, Engage Renfrewshire, Access Renfrewshire, Creative Renfrewshire Network and Paisley Central Library. We would also like to send our warmest thanks to all the Paisley and Renfrewshire groups for their participation in the 2017 Festival: Paisley Photographic Society, Create Paisley, Helping Hands Craft Group (Linwood), Gleniffer Singers, Renfrewshire Disability Arts Forum, Paisley YMCA, West Paisley Community Service Orders, Paisley Cultural Wrestling Club, Fèis Phàislig, Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, Love Street Disability Resource Centre, Paisley Thread Mill Museum, Renfrewshire Community Gospel Choir, Linwood Scout Group, the Renfrew Burgh Band and Twist & Hit Cheerleaders. Voluntary Arts Festival activity in Paisley and Renfrewshire is supported by Renfrewshire Council’s Culture, Events and Heritage Fund. Voluntary Arts Scotland also acknowledges funding from Creative Scotland.v