Paisley Visitor Attractions Archives

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.

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/

18/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

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.

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.”

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.

18/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

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.

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.

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.

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.

16/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Events, Music, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council, renfrewshire events, The Spree

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

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

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

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

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

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 131^st 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 16^th), Renfrew (Sat 23^rd) and Johnstone (Sat 30^th), while local business improvement district Paisley First’s annual Winterfest event will take over Paisley town centre for five weeks from 24 November.

11/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire’s inspiring local heroes are set to be rewarded as nominations for the Provost’s Community Awards open for 2020.

provost awards

Anyone who lives or works in Renfrewshire is invited to nominate in any of the following six categories:

Community Volunteer (sponsored by Glasgow Airport Ltd)
Community Group (sponsored by City Gate Construction)
Sporting Achievement (sponsored by ACRE Industrial)
Employee of the Year (sponsored by UNISON Renfrewshire)
Carers Award (sponsored by former Provost Nancy Allison)
Arts and Culture Award (sponsored by Renfrewshire Council)

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “It’s an honour to host the Community Awards again and take the opportunity to pay tribute to our local unsung heroes.

“I meet many people who really go the extra mile without looking for any reward or recognition in my role as Provost, but these awards come from the community themselves, demonstrating that the hard work these groups and individuals do is not going unnoticed.

“I can’t wait to read the nominations so don’t miss out on the chance to nominate and start sending them in now.”

The deadline for entries to all categories is Friday 6 December.

The Provost will be joined by the award sponsors and other local elected members to choose the winners who will be invited, along with their nominator, to the awards ceremony on Friday 13 March 2020 at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew.

For more information, and to submit your nomination, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/provostawards2020, email provostawards@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0141 618 7102.

11/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Free sanitary products are now available in the toilets at Renfrewshire Leisure run Town Halls and libraries, and in the bathrooms and accessible toilets at its sports and leisure centres.
Nearly one in five women in Scotland have experienced period poverty, with 12% of girls saying they have resorted to using rags and socks during their time of the month.

Funding for the free sanitary products has been provided by the Scottish Government as part of its efforts to tackle period poverty in Scotland.

Councillor Michelle Campbell, Renfrewshire Council’s Young Persons Champion, said: “Period poverty affects people across Renfrewshire, with some having to choose between feeding themselves and their families, and buying sanitary products.

“We believe everyone has the right to a dignified life and we want to do everything we can to help anyone who finds themselves facing period poverty.

“The sanitary products we are putting into our community venues are free and available to anyone who needs them. Take whatever you need, whenever you need it.”

The council started offering free sanitary products in schools last year and supplies are also available in community groups, including STAR Project, Active Communities, Home-Start Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau and Engage Renfrewshire, who can give to anyone who needs them.

The distribution of products to community groups is carried out by FareShare.

Heather Kay, project coordinator at STAR Project, said: “We firmly believe no person should have to experience period poverty and therefore make sanitary products readily available in our toilets. We also give people the opportunity to take boxes of sanitary products from our Community Pantry.

“Being able to receive free sanitary products through the Fareshare scheme is fantastic. Our members have benefited from it, with one person recently commenting she ‘no longer dreads that time of the month where I need to decide between food or pads’.”
The launch of the products in Renfrewshire community facilities coincides with Challenge Poverty Week, which runs until Sunday 13 October.

The week aims to highlight the reality of poverty in Scotland and the work being done to tackle it, showcase the solutions to poverty and increase public support for action to solve it.
Chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “There is an increasing awareness of the impact period poverty has on the lives of many people in society.

“We share a responsibility to ensure everyone has a decent standard of living and at Renfrewshire Leisure we feel it’s important that free sanitary products are easily available to those who need them.
“Our sports and leisure facilities are popular places where many people go and we hope there will be a good uptake of the free products being made available.”

Other activities which have taken place in Renfrewshire during Challenge Poverty Week include the launch of STAR Project’s Community Fridge Recipe Book and a collection of toiletry products by Active Communities to highlight and tackle hygiene poverty.

For more information on where free sanitary products are available in Renfrewshire, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/periodpoverty
If your community group would like to receive free sanitary products from the council they should contact FareShare by emailing linda@moveon.org.uk

10/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Bungalow, Business, Events, Johnstone, Music, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events, The Spree

Renfrewshire gets ready for a 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 131^st 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.

07/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Announcement, Blog, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council, renfrewshire events

Young people invited to spend the October Week with Street Stuff

Hundreds of young people are counting down the days to the start of the school holidays as Street Stuff’s free October Week camp gets set to return.

Football, gaming and more will be available for those aged 8 to 16 at three venues across Renfrewshire throughout the week, with afternoon sessions running from 1.30pm-4.30pm every day.

A free, hot and healthy meal will be provided at every session so the young people are fully energised to take part and all are welcome to attend.

All activities come at no cost and include:

Monday 14 October – Football and Youth Bus at St Mirren FC Stadium.
Tuesday 15 October – Football and Youth Bus at Gleniffer High School and St James Primary School (Renfrew).
Wednesday 16 October – Football and Youth Bus at St Mirren FC Stadium, Gleniffer High School and St James Primary School (Renfrew), with a dance class at St James Primary (Renfrew) from 1.30pm-3.30pm too.
Thursday 17 October – Football and Youth Bus at Gleniffer High School and St James Primary School (Renfrew).
Friday 18 October – Football and Youth Bus at St Mirren FC Stadium.

Consent forms must be completed by all participants and will be available on the first day of arrival or can be filled out online in advance.

The October Week clubs will run alongside Street Stuff’s evening programme which hosts activities six days a week at venues across Renfrewshire.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “Street Stuff continues to go from strength to strength and offers opportunities for young people all-year-round thanks to its fantastic coaches and volunteers.

“Our free October Week camps give our young people the chance to have fun with their friends when they’re not in school and parents and carers can feel safe in the knowledge they are in good hands.

“They can have fun, meet new friends as well having the chance to speak to our coaches and volunteers if they are having any issues.

“Add to that a free healthy meal at every session and I’m sure there are young people who can’t wait for the holidays to arrive!”

Street Stuff is a diversionary project run in partnership between Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Engage Renfrewshire and St Mirren Football Club.

The programme began in 2009 in Renfrewshire contributing to a reduction in youth disorder and anti-social behaviour by 75 per cent over the first five years, with a sustained reduction of 65 per cent.

For more information and to see the October Week programme, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/streetstuff.

07/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Events, Music, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council, renfrewshire events, The Spree

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

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.

03/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

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.

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.

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.

03/10/2019/by Brian McGuire