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Paisley set for Fireworks spectacular

Paisley Fireworks 2019

The skies above Paisley Abbey are set to be lit up with a dazzling fireworks display on Saturday 2 November.

Thousands are expected to don hats, scarves and gloves and head into Paisley town centre to watch the beautiful array of catherine wheels, rockets and sparklers on display backed by a soundtrack of popular 90s classic hits.

Paisley Fireworks 2019

Gus from Pulse FM will welcome crowds with music and banter from 6.30pm before the fireworks get underway at 7pm lasting approximately 20 minutes.

Paisley’s winter events programme will continue with the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On on Saturday 16 November. There will be plenty of Christmas family fun including Christmas Choir concerts, Santa’s Grotto and the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer. Visitors will also be able to enjoy exciting street artists, fantastic performances on the live stage and even head along to the festive roller disco.

The festive fun will also extend across Renfrewshire with Christmas Lights Switch-Ons in Renfrew on Saturday 23 November and Johnstone on Saturday 30 November. The town centre also sees the return of the WinterFest event from 23 November until 30 December, run by Paisley First, featuring an outdoor ice rink, LEGO Paisley Penguin Parade Trail and plenty of festive fun.

For more information about Paisley Fireworks Spectacular, visit: https://paisley.is/featured_event/paisley-fireworks-spectacular/

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Dirty Feet fly high for Paisley Halloween Festival

DIRTY FEET DANCE CO

Laura Forbes had never fully been out of her wheelchair before participating in aerial workshops as part of this year’s Paisley Halloween Festival, but next week she will perform 100ft in the air in front of Paisley’s iconic Abbey alongside her Dirty Feet Dance Company family.

The Paisley-based Dirty Feet Dance Company aims to create opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people and carers to enjoy, express and fulfil their potential through dance. They have been working with professional performers from Scotland’s leading aerial dance company All or Nothing, on the ‘Into the Dark’ show which is taking place as part of this year’s Paisley Halloween Festival on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October.

DIRTY FEET DANCE CO

During the workshops the group have been given the opportunity to take to the sky in special aerial harnesses to allow them to express themselves in the air.

Laura Forbes (40), joined Dirty Feet Dance Company in 2013 and this is the first time she has tried anything like this. She said: “I’ve never been fully out of the wheelchair before, when I get lifted in the harness it’s an amazing feeling, it’s freedom.

“Before I first went up in the air I was scared but after the first time in the harness I just loved it. It gives me a total sense of freedom out of my wheelchair. If there’s something I’ve learned from this experience it’s that I won’t let being scared stop me from trying something new.”

“I can’t wait for us all to perform at next week’s festival. When we all come together we can do anything and achieve anything – we’re all like family.”

DIRTY FEET DANCE CO

Clare Easdon (37) has been a member of the group since 2006. She said: “It feels amazing when you’re up in the air. I know I’m a wheelchair user but I don’t feel disabled when I’m up there. Being part of Dirty Feet Dance Company lets me try new experiences – this is the first time I’ve ever done aerial and I love it. I think it’s amazing what we’re able to do as wheelchair users.”

During the workshops the performers are able to use either a full body or sitting harness attached to a pully rope system to give them the opportunity to see how their bodies react in the air.

Ruth Foster, Co-director of Dirty Feet Dance Company, said: “It gives the performers a real sense of weightlessness and allows them the chance to explore their range of motion in a new platform and artform which has been a great experience for everyone.

“It’s within their power how high to go. They can stay a few feet off the ground or can ascend all the way up to the ceiling. They are in complete control of their movements in the air.”

Marie Williamson, aerial instructor and performer at All or Nothing, said: “The system we use gives them the opportunity to stretch out and discover their movement for themselves.

“From my point of view it’s an incredible thing to be part of – what I can see them get from it is fantastic. They all have such great characters and a real ‘do it’ attitude. They are very determined to show what they can do. I think people will be surprised by what they’ll see.”

This is one of a series of workshops taking place as part of the Paisley Halloween Festival pairing professional performance companies with local community groups to give them the opportunity to learn new skills and be involved in the town’s major events programme.

The award-winning Paisley Halloween Festival is widely regarded as one of the best events of its kind in the UK. This year’s event takes on a Dark Circus theme and promises to be the biggest yet with internationally acclaimed outdoor theatre specialists, Cirque Bijou, helping to deliver an extended programme of performances to thrill, chill and enthral.

In addition to the daring aerial performances visitors will be captivated by the mass costumed parade through Scotland’s largest town featuring giant animated puppets, frightening floats and a cast of spooky circus characters. There will also be bizarre street theatrics, a ticketed silent disco and a fantastic array of family-friendly activities taking place in locations throughout the town centre over the two-day event.

The Paisley Halloween Festival, which was supported in 2018 through the Year of Young People event fund, was awarded £16,950 of National Programme funding from EventScotland for this year’s event.

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Chatty Chairs at intu Braehead aims to beat loneliness

INTU Brehead,

PEOPLE experiencing isolation and loneliness are being encouraged to use a new seating area at the intu Braehead shopping centre where they can sit in specially-created seats called Chatty Chairs.

It’s the first time a Scots shopping mall has installed a seating area that actively encourages people to talk to each other.

INTU Brehead,

And today/yesterday Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay launched intu Braehead’s Chatty Chairs initiative with signage that says: “Take a seat if you don’t mind having a chat.”

The intu Braehead Chatty Chairs are in the upper mall and are configured to make it easy for shoppers to start a conversation with someone sitting next to them.

The move comes after the Age Scotland charity revealed that 282,000 older Scots feel lonely some or most of the time.

The latest Scottish Household Survey also found that one in four people over the age of 60 said they do not meet a friend, neighbour or relative at least once a week.

INTU Brehead,

Derek Mackay, whose constituency takes in the shopping centre, said: “This innovative idea from intu Braehead to provide a seated area where people can start a conversation with someone will help tackle the very real problem of loneliness in our community.

“This is exactly the type of initiative the Scottish Government would encourage as part of our strategy to deal with social isolation and loneliness.

“Feelings of being alone in the world can have a significant adverse impact on someone’s physical and mental well-being.

“I’d like to congratulate the team at intu Braehead for creating the Chatty Chairs seating area, as it’s up to all of us to reach out in a compassionate way to make everyone feel welcome and valued in our communities.

“I hope the Chatty Chairs will be well used and that people will stop for even a few minutes to speak to each other.”

The move by the shopping mall to encourage visitors who would like a chat to use the seats has been praised by Age Scotland.

INTU Brehead,

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s chief executive said: “This is a wonderful initiative which will hopefully give people of all ages the chance to have a chat with someone new and perhaps even forge new friendships.

“Often a smile and a friendly chat can make all the difference to someone who is experiencing loneliness.

“It would be great if the Chatty Chairs helped to stimulate more conversation and social interaction between the generations and younger people were encouraged to spend more time with older people they know.”

Lydia Brown, intu Braehead’s community development manager said: “The simple act of stopping to say hello to someone sitting on one of our Chatty Chairs could make a huge difference if they are feeling lonely.

“A few minutes chat started by a simple ‘hello’, or ‘how you doing, today?’ could make someone’s life a whole lot better and make them feel less isolated.

“We recognise loneliness is a problem for many people – of all ages – and we hope our Chatty Chairs initiative can play a small part in combating feelings of loneliness and isolation.”

Older people in Scotland can contact Age Scotland’s free Community Connecting service on 0800 12 44 222 to find local groups and activities which are of interest to them to help get them more engaged with others.

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Paisley’s Spree Festival gets under way with tribute to hometown music legend Gerry Rafferty

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

Paisley’s annual festival of music, comedy and more gets under way tonight – with a special tribute to one of the town’s most famous musical sons, Gerry Rafferty.

The Baker St singer’s legacy will be honoured with a sold-out Gerry Rafferty Songbook night fronted by Roddy Hart, Emma Pollock and Gerry’s long-time friend and former Stealers Wheel collaborator Rab Noakes.

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

The show kicks off nine days of Spree action – the bulk of which will take place in a specially-erected Spiegeltent next to Paisley Gilmour Street station in the town’s County Square.

The Spree festival is now in its eighth year and has helped Paisley become established as one of Scotland’s go-to destinations for major events.

The festival is organised by Renfrewshire Council, programmed by Regular Music, and sponsored by Tennent’s Lager.

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

Many of the shows are already sold out but there’s still time to get your hands on the last remaining tickets for others at www.thespree.co.uk, in person at the box office at InCube shop at 9b Gilmour St, or on the door at The Spiegeltent.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s show, musician, broadcaster and long-time Rafferty fan Roddy Hart said: “We are super-excited and looking forward to kicking off the Spree festival with a collection of Gerry Rafferty’s best-loved songs.

“The Spree is an amazing festival – it’s great to have these events outside of Glasgow and Edinburgh as it brings music and talent to whole array of people who might not have access to it otherwise. There’s a fantastic selection of singers and artists and it’s a very exciting thing to be part of.”

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

The Spree opening night also includes late-night comedy including Fred MacAulay and Mark Nelson in The Spiegeltent, with tickets still available at the door.

Saturday will see the town centre invaded by the Mods as the annual ModStuff event run by local promoters LNP Promotions returns with a free afternoon show – including the ever-popular scooter rideout – followed by a sold-out evening gig.

Rising stars of Scottish indie-rock The Snuts play The Spiegeltent on Sunday evening – with all tickets for the 450-capacity venue being snapped up in just two hours earlier this summer.

Highlights during the week include Hue and Cry (Mon 14th), Glasvegas only UK full-band show of the year (Tues 15th), former Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys (Wed 16th) and soul legend PP Arnold, performing alongside Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Cradock (Thur 17th).

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

Next weekend sees Karine Polwart’s Scottish Songbook, and more late-night comedy featuring Scott Gibson and Gary Little (Fri 18th) before a lively last night with comedian Jerry Sadowitz followed by a closing party with the inventors of rockgrass Hayseed Dixie (Sat 19th).

Paisley Arts Centre will also host a diverse programme including Lost Map’s Lost Weekend (Sun 13th) with the Pictish Trail, a Paisley in Song night fronted by Michael Cassidy (Thurs 17th), and a show by ex-Arab Strap mainman Malcolm Middleton (Sat 19th).

The week will also see The Wee Spree – a special programme designed for kids to run over the October school week, featuring Lego, circus skills, comedy, and dance-along Disney films.

Sold-out shows include the Stramash ceilidh with local Gaelic music group Fèis Phaislig – promoting the town’s contribution to Gaelic language culture ahead of hosting the Royal National Mòd in exactly three years time.

And the Spree for All fringe festival will take the show on the road to towns and villages across Renfrewshire, with gigs taking place in local venues in Johnstone, Renfrew, Lochwinnoch and Kilbarchan, as well as a packed programme in Paisley’s Bungalow Bar and Old Swan Inn.

The Spree for All also takes in the Paisley Art Institute’s 131st annual exhibition – this year taking place in a formerly-empty unit in the Piazza shopping centre (right next to The Spiegeltent) while Paisley Museum is undergoing a £42m transformation.

Louisa Mahon, Renfrewshire Council’s head of communications, marketing and events, said: “The Spree has grown year on year with Paisley now firmly established as a key destination on Scotland’s festival map.

“Ticket sales this year have been by far our best yet – we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to Paisley over the next nine days, which will be great news for local traders.

“Paisley town centre is home to many great places to eat, drink and shop and we and would encourage festival-goers to Spend Local and sample everything the town has to offer.”

The Spree is the first of a bumper run of major events in the area this winter, with huge crowds expected for Paisley Halloween Festival – one of the largest of its kind – on 25-26 October.

Paisley’s annual fireworks display is on Saturday 2 November, followed by Christmas Lights Switch-ons in Paisley (Sat 16th), Renfrew (Sat 23rd) and Johnstone (Sat 30th), while local business improvement district Paisley First’s annual Winterfest event will take over Paisley town centre for five weeks from 24 November.

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GROW

GROW_Independance4_7600_hi

Indepen-dance 4 is back out on tour with GROW this Autumn and is heading to Peebles, Johnstone, Edinburgh, East Kilbride, Lockerbie, Musselburgh and Banchory.

GROW_Independance4_7600_hi

It’s the first day of spring and tiny tendrils of new life are peeping out of the ground, stretching their way into the sunshine and producing a riot of glorious colour. GROW is a curious, hypnotic and playful adventure for 3-5 year olds!

GROW is brought to you by Indepen-dance 4, Scotland’s inclusive professional dance company. It is directed by Anna Newell, who has been described by the Guardian as ‘a hero of children’s theatre.’ Award-winning composer, David Goodall’s entrancing musical score reflects Sunday Herald Culture Award winner, Hayley Earlam’s mesmerising choreography. GROW is set in an array of springtime colours by theatre designer Brian Hartley.

Johnstone Town Hall

Fri 11 Oct
11.30am
£4
0300 300 1210 | renfrewshireleisure.com/whats-on

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Renfrewshire gets ready for a Spree for All

Bands Spree for All

Festival fans across Renfrewshire will enjoy a bumper month of music, film, art and more this October with the announcement of this year’s Spree for All programme.

Established in recent years as a ‘fringe festival’ to the annual The Spree festival in Paisley, the Spree for All has grown to take in events in towns and villages throughout Renfrewshire.

Bands Spree for All

Much of this year’s programme has been organised by Tommy McGrory of local music charity Loud ‘n’ Proud and Alan McEwan, owner of Brick Lane Studios.

The Village Live Nights team will bring live music from talented youngsters to Lochwinnoch (11 and 18 October), Kilbarchan (18 October), Paisley (11 – 19 October), Renfrew (18 October) and Johnstone (12 and 19 October).

Bands Spree for All

Paisley’s The Old Swan Inn will host a Spree Festival Club (11-19 October) and the iconic Bungalow Bar – under the ownership of a new community interest company – has a packed programme of live music for the duration of the festival.

Spree organisers have tied-up with the popular Lochwinnoch Arts Festival to bring two events to the village. Acclaimed folk musicians Hamish Napier and Adam Sutherland will bring their Nae Plans show to McKillop Hall (20 October) and the spectacular Sea Hames from Feral Arts, supported by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance, will take place in Lochwinnoch and Paisley (19 October).

It promises to be a busy time with the new HB Film Festival (19-20 October) celebrating the best of independent filmmaking and Paisley Art Institute’s 131st Annual Exhibition occupying the former Co-op store in the Piazza Shopping Centre until 20 October.

Tommy McGrory said: “The Spree for All is about making sure as many people as possible across Renfrewshire can enjoy all of the great cultural activities taking place – from listening to a young band, to admiring some new artwork of a locally-made film.

“This is the biggest and most varied programme yet with contributions from many different people – it’s testament to just how much is going on across Renfrewshire.”

Louisa Mahon, head of marketing, communications and events for Renfrewshire Council, said: “Cultural activity in Renfrewshire is thriving and the Spree for All is another opportunity for people to experience the breadth of local talent in fantastic local venues. Taken together with the main Spree festival and a packed schedule of kids’ activities in the Wee Spree, it all adds up to a programme of events with something for everyone.

Details of the full Spree for All programme are available online at www.thespree.co.uk/spree-for-all.

Tickets are on sale now for The Spree festival with acts such as Glasvegas, Gruff Rhys, PP Arnold, Karine Polwart and Hayseed Dixie playing the Spiegeltent in Paisley’s County Square. Details of The Spree programme and the Wee Spree programme of activities for kids are available online at www.thespree.co.uk.

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The Spree festival set to bring biggest line-up yet to Paisley

HueandCry

Paisley’s The Spree festival returns next week (11-19 October) with its biggest line-up yet.

Glasvegas, Hue and Cry, The Snuts, Gruff Rhys, Karine Polwart, Jerry Sadowitz, PP Arnold and Hayseed Dixie are just some of the top acts coming to town for the fast-growing festival, which is now into its eighth year.

The bulk of the action at The Spree 2019 will take place in the specially-erected Salon Perdu Spiegeltent in Paisley’s County Square – with a bigger tent than in previous years allowing for more people to enjoy the performances.

ModStuff

The opening night (Friday 11 October) sees a tribute to one of Paisley’s favourite musical sons – A Gerry Rafferty Songbook, featuring Roddy Hart, Emma Pollock and Rab Noakes.

On Sunday 13 October, hotly-tipped Scots rockers The Snuts will play to a sold out Spiegeltent before Hue and Cry entertain a sell-out crowd on Monday 14 October.

HueandCry

Platinum-selling indie-rockers Glasvegas come to Paisley for their only full-band Scottish date of the year on Tuesday 15 October and Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys brings his solo show to the Spiegeltent on Wednesday 16 October.

London’s First Lady of Soul, PP Arnold, will perform songs from her six-decade career, including the classics ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’ and ‘Angel of the Morning’ alongside Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Cradock on Thursday 17 October.

Singer-songwriter Karine Polwart is celebrating her first UK Top 40 album and will bring her Scottish Songbook of fantastic covers – including songs by Frightened Rabbit, Biffy Clyro, Chvrches, Gerry Rafferty, Deacon Blue and more to the Spiegeltent on Friday 18 October.

The festival closes on Saturday 19 October with two fantastic shows. First, a sold-out performance from comedy headliner Jerry Sadowitz in the Spiegeltent, then a second late-night closing party of classic rock hits from US ‘rockgrass’ outfit Hayseed Dixie.

Comedy lovers can enjoy two late-night stand-up shows featuring Fred MacAulay, Susan Riddell, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and Mark Nelson (Friday 11 October) and Scott Gibson, Rosco McCelleland, Jay Lafferty and Gary Little (Friday 18 October).

The Spiegeltent will also host an all-day festival within-a-festival on Saturday 12 October, with LNP Promotions ever-popular ModStuff celebration of all things Mod, including the spectacle of the annual scooter rideout.

The popular Paisley Arts Centre will host a series of gigs, including Lost Map’s Lost Weekend Sunday Social featuring the Pictish Trail, Fell, Molly Linen and Callum Easter (Sunday 13 October), Paisley in Song featuring Michael Cassidy and Andy Monahan (Frightened Rabbit) on Thursday 17 October, and an appearance from ex-Arab Strap musician Malcolm Middleton plus support from Megan Airlie (Saturday 19 October).

The Arts Centre will also show a number of film screenings, including Loki’s History of Scottish Hip-Hop and Stretch & Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives (Tuesday 15 October) and Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records, which includes an after party where you can dance away to the label’s hits of 60’s and 70’s (Friday 18 October).

The Wee Spree popular programme of kids activities will take place as part of the main Spree festival with thousands set to be entertained during the school holiday period.

Highlights include the Bricks 4 Kidz Camps on Tuesday 15 October, Dance Along Moana and Mary Poppins film screenings on Thursday 17 October, Comedy 4 Kids Show on Friday 18 October and a bumper afternoon with Scotland’s top traditional musicians and young up-and-coming talent at Fèis Phàislig’s Stramash in the Spiegeltent on Friday 19 October.

This year will also see the return of the popular Spree for All fringe festival with gigs and events taking place in towns and villages across Renfrewshire.

The Spree festival is one of the centrepieces of Renfrewshire Council’s major events programme which has made Paisley one of Scotland’s key cultural destinations in recent years.

This year’s festival is programmed by Regular Music and sponsored by Tennent’s Lager.

Some shows have already sold out, so move quickly to secure your tickets by visiting the full listings page at www.thespree.co.uk.

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Cirque du Soleil take to the ice for first time in spectacular show at intu Braehead

Cirque du Soleil

THE world-famous Cirque du Soleil is coming to intu Braehead with their coolest show ever.

For the first time, the amazing Cirque du Soleil entertainers will take to the ice for a skating and acrobatic extravaganza in a production of their new show, Crystal.

Cirque du Soleil

Tickets are on sale from tomorrow/today, Friday October 4 for the spectacular shows – blending circus arts and exciting ice skating skills – being staged at The Arena at intu Braehead, between March 11 and 15 2020.

The international cast of 43 acrobats and skaters come from 24 different countries and their jaw-dropping performances will capture the imaginations of audiences who witness the spectacle.

Cirque du Soleil

Crystal, which is a Live Nation presentation, tells the story of a young woman who feels misunderstood and to escape her reality, ventures out on to a frozen pond and falls through the ice to an upside-down world.

The magical show then takes audiences into a suspended reality and they glide into a world that springs into a colourful life with astonishing visual projections and an original score that blends popular music with the signature sounds of Cirque du Soleil.

Marketing manager for intu Braehead, David Lyon said: “This new show by Cirque du Soleil pushes the boundaries of performance with a combination of stunning skating skills and acrobatics that defy the imagination and challenge the laws of gravity.

“I’ve no doubt this will be a very popular show and already many people have been asking about booking their tickets and tell us they are really looking forward to a spectacular and unbelievable night of awe and entertainment.”

Log on to www.braehead-arena.co.uk to book your tickets to a magical night.

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PaisleyIs to sponsor ModStuff scooter rideout at this year’s Spree

Modfest at the paisley Spree 20.10.18-0597

The ever-popular ModStuff Scooter Rideout at this year’s Spree festival is being sponsored by the area’s destination brand Paisley.is…and local businesses are being invited to the party.

As part of the deal for Paisley.is to become headline ModStuff sponsors, event organisers LNP Promotions were invited to pick some local traders to be named as sponsors of the individual awards.

Modfest at the paisley Spree 20.10.18-0597

This year’s ModStuff takes place in The Spiegeltent on Saturday 12 October with a free afternoon show featuring the now-legendary scooter rideout, followed by a sold-out evening show. Paisley Vespa Scooter Club are organising and hosting the Scooter Rideout and Competition in aid of Renfrewshire Carers Centre.

LNP chose the following on the basis of their contribution to the town: Burger and Keg, Castelvecchi, Jewelfare, the Bungalow, the Old Swan, and Café Malatso.

Each one of the businesses will present an award on the day and receive tickets for the sold-out ModStuff evening show or another Spree show for a prize draw for their customers. Pop into each shop or follow them on social media for details of how to enter the prize draws.

The spectacle of up to 100 scooters gathering outside the iconic Spiegeltent before riding off round the town is one of many great reasons to visit Paisley in the weeks ahead as the area’s busy winter events programme kicks in.

Paisley.is was launched last year by Renfrewshire Council to promote everything that makes Paisley and Renfrewshire a great place to visit, live and invest – and www.paisley.is is the go-to place for what’s on in the area.

Gary Kerr of LNP Promotions said: “We are delighted to team up with Paisley.is as headline sponsors of this year’s ModStuff – which has allowed us to give something back to a small selection of the many businesses who add value to the town. LNP wanted to recognise their contribution of those businesses to Paisley and highlight the value they place on community and customer service.”

Renfrewshire Council’s head of communications, marketing and events Louisa Mahon said: “Paisley town centre is home to a great variety of shops, cafés and restaurants that provide a wonderful welcome to visitors and locals alike. We want everyone who visits Paisley, or lives or learns here, to Spend Local and support traders who go the extra mile every day and are huge supporters of events in the town.

“Through Paisley Is, we want to recognise their contribution and are delighted to get behind LNP Promotions at ModStuff 2019 and share sponsorship of the Scooter awards. ModStuff is a highlight of the annual Spree festival and attracts a great audience from all over Scotland. This is a perfect platform to highlight what makes Paisley unique and say thank you to some of the traders who make Paisley great”.

Since its launch in March 2018, Paisley Is has achieved almost 500 million opportunities to hear and see something positive about the town through local, national and international media, and our events programme has gone from strength to strength with over 160,000 people attending events in the town.

Renfrewshire Council recently launched a Spend Local campaign to encourage residents, visitors and staff to support businesses based in the area. For more info see www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/spendlocal

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Paisley Halloween Festival’s new addition set to be a Thriller

Paisley Halloween Festival - Big Grey

For the first time, this year’s Paisley Halloween Festival will feature a spooky silent disco where party-goers can show off their best Monster Mash and Thriller dance moves.

Part of the award-winning annual festival, taking place on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October, the open-air silent disco, delivered by Silent Knights, is a family-friendly activity promising plenty of dancing, DJs, singing and a whole lot of Halloween fun.

Paisley Halloween Festival - Big Grey

Taking place in the heart of the town in Dunn Square, there will be a series of 40-minute sessions for families and festival-goers to head along to over the two-day event. They will be provided with wireless headphones and can select their tunes of choice.

There will also be two relaxed disco slots suitable for those with additional support needs and their families and carers. During these time slots the music will be turned down in the headphones and there will be more room to dance around. These sessions will take place on Friday from 5pm to 5.40pm and Saturday 2pm to 2.40pm. A walk-in Sensory Safe Space will also be available in the POP store in the Piazza Shopping Centre during the festival. This will be a relaxed space specially created for individuals with additional support needs and their carers.

Paisley Halloween Festival - Big Grey

Event DJs will be spinning tracks over three channels from Halloween hits to classic Ibiza dance anthems and pro-dancers will be on hand with classic dance moves that will keep everyone moving all day long.

The festival is being delivered in partnership with acclaimed outdoor theatre specialists, Cirque Bijou. There will be plenty of opportunities for people to join in the fun with a huge range of Halloween-themed activities including the dark circus style Halloween parade, aerial performances, workshops, street theatre and musical performances, scary movie screenings, live stage acts, creepy installations and a Halloween Fun Fair.

Paisley Halloween Festival - Big Grey

Louisa Mahon, Head of Marketing, Communications and Events at Renfrewshire Council, said: “The popular Paisley Halloween Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events in Renfrewshire’s annual calendar. Every year it gets bigger and bolder and this year is no exception.

Paisley Halloween Festival - Big Grey

“The Silent Disco is sure to be another exciting addition to the creative programme, drawing festival-goers right into the heart of Paisley town centre and offering a fantastic, fun, family experience.

“The support of partners like EventScotland has helped us grow our ambitious major events programme and establish the town as one of Scotland’s key cultural destinations in recent years. We look forward to continuing to deliver top class events in Renfrewshire in the future.”

The Paisley Halloween Festival, which was supported in 2018 through the Year of Young People event fund, was awarded £16,950 of National Programme funding from EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate for this year’s event.

The Silent Disco is accessible for all abilities and is recommended for ages 4 and over but all ages are welcome. Under 2s do not require a ticket but cannot be provided with headphones.

Tickets are on sale now and cost £5 for adults and £3 for kids (under 14 years old). A family ticket (two adults and two kids) is available for £14. Prices include booking fees.

To book tickets for the Paisley Halloween Festival Silent Disco please visit: www.paisley.is/discover/silentdisco/.  To find out more about the event please visit www.paisley.is/halloween.

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