Minister for Scotland offers his “whole-hearted support” for Paisley 2021
August 23, 2017Exploring Paisley’s nightlife offerings
August 23, 2017A choir of African children are set to return to Paisley for a night of spectacular entertainment as part of their tour around Scotland and Yorkshire.
The Singing Children of Africa Choir, which is made up of youngsters aged nine to 16-years-old from the Jolaurabi School in Mombasa, Kenya, will bring The Angels Tour 2017 to Paisley Town Hall next month.
The group were set up by Scottish charity Educate the Kids, who raise funds towards the youngsters’ education and development by bringing the choir over for concerts around the country.
Since forming in 1998, the charity has built two schools and an orphanage which have provided primary and secondary education for thousands of children.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Renfrewshire Council supporting the event and forms part of the exciting and expanding calendar of cultural events taking place in the area as part of Paisley’s bid to be named UK City of Culture in 2021.
Last month, the town was named as the only Scottish place on the shortlist for the prestigious title.
The Singing Children of Africa Choir last visited Renfrewshire in August 2016 and performed in a number of locations, including Craigielea Care Home, Renfrew, Renfrew High School, Intu Braehead and Glasgow Airport before a main show at the Central Methodist Halls in Gauze Street.
Back by popular demand, the choir’s concert takes place at Paisley Town Hall on Sunday 17 September and will feature a number of guests, including the Renfrewshire Community Gospel Choir.
As well as playing the historic Paisley Town Hall, the choir will also perform shows in Alloa, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Livingston and Yorkshire.
Volunteers Mike and Lynn Baldwin from Renfrew first got involved with the Educate the Kids charity over 10 years ago.
The couple were keen to support the charity after being touched by a story on its work and the Singing Children of Africa Choir in a national newspaper.
Mike Baldwin said: “Lynn was brought to tears after reading a story about the charity’s work and that made us decide that we were going to sponsor a child. We were also asked if we’d be keen to get the choir over for some shows and it’s continued to grow since then.
“After one visit to Renfrewshire, one child called Daniel asked us to come and stay with him in Kenya and a few years later we were finally able to go over. We’ve been to Kenya six times now and did work at the school, as well as providing food, clothing and helping to build a school.
“The children will be staying at the Bible Centre in Inchinnan and will visit a number of places in the area during their stay. The people of Paisley and Renfrewshire are so generous and the charity always loves bringing the children here. We’d love for as many people as possible to come along and see the Singing Children of Africa Choir at Paisley Town Hall.”
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said: “I am delighted to welcome the wonderful Singing Children of Africa Choir back to Paisley for another fabulous show. The children entertained many people across Renfrewshire on their last visit and it will be a truly special sight to see them perform in Paisley’s famous Town Hall.
“The work of Educate the Kids gives the children a chance to grow up with the education they deserve, which would have been impossible to access without the charity’s help.
“This is another example of the diverse range of cultural activities taking place across Renfrewshire and this is central to our Paisley 2021 programme. Culture improves people’s lives and the Singing Children of Africa Choir project illustrates that while also showcasing some of the superb musical talent we have here in Renfrewshire.”
The choir will perform The Angels Tour in Paisley Town Hall on Sunday 17 September from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets are £8/£5 (conc) + booking fee and are available from the Renfrewshire Leisure box office at https://boxoffice.
Find out how you can sponsor a child at https://www.educatethekids.
