£1m culture dreams come true for Paisley
Book fest, theatre project and top shows are all thanks to investment
Culture vultures will soon be swooping on Paisley thanks to a pledge to invest massively in events and projects.
A commitment has been made to spend more than £1million to support initiatives and bolster Paisley’s reputation as one of Scotland’s top destinations.
There is a jam-packed programme planned for this year that includes a range of exciting projects, events and collaborations.
These are being supported by Future Paisley – a programme of economic, social and physical regeneration building on the work already done to use Paisley’s internationally-significant culture and heritage story to change the town’s future.
Following the town’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid, Future Paisley, funded by Renfrewshire Council, earmarked more than £1million to invest in supporting cultural events in the town as part of a three-year funding package until 2022.
Next week the town will host the first- ever Paisley Book Festival, backed by Future Paisley and delivered by Renfrewshire Leisure.
The ten-day event, taking place from February 20 to 29 at various town centre venues, will focus on the theme of Radical Voices and Rebel Stories – drawing on the Paisley Radicals of 1820 as inspiration.
The programme will feature the likes of Jackie Kaye, John Byrne, Janice Galloway, Kirsty Wark, Alan Bissett and even a performance from the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers.
One of Paisley’s favourite sons, John Byrne, will also bring his new musical play, Underwood Lane, to Paisley Arts Centre from June 25-28 for its world premiere, in partnership with Renfrewshire Leisure and Tron Theatre.
The play tells the tale of a young skiffle band trying to make it and is written in memory of John’s Paisley buddy, Gerry Rafferty, who was born and brought up on the street.
Underwood Lane is the last event to be held at Paisley Arts Centre before it closes for refurbishment.
The Paisley People’s Theatre Project, a large-scale participatory arts programme, will launch this summer as part of a collaboration between National Theat re of Scotland, Slung Low and Renfrewshire Leisure.
It will engage with the local community offering classes and courses through Slung Low’s mobile Cultural Community College.
After months of in- depth workshops and rehearsals with professional actors and creatives, it will lead to a performance in 2021.
Leonie Bell, Future Paisley boss for Renfrewshire Council, said: “The quality of events and collaborations taking place in Paisley this year demonstrates how culture is thriving in the town.
“Through Future Paisley we are nurturing and supporting creativity in communities, the cultural potential of Paisley and opening-up opportunities for everyone to benefit from the transformative power of culture.
“By working with partners, communities, artists and creative and cultural organisations, locally and nationally, we are making changes that will benefit everyone in Renfrewshire by supporting brilliant art and culture through a programme of events, festivals and collaborations.”
Councillor Lisa- Marie Hughes, chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, says these are exciting times for culture in Paisley.
She said: “This year offers so many opportunities for people to enjoy, and engage with, a fantastic and diverse range of cultural and creative events.
“The first- ever Paisley Book Festival will bring some of the most prestigious names in the Scottish literary scene to the town for what is sure to be a fantastic event.
“We’re all very excited to be hosting the first ever performance of celebrated Paisley Buddie, John Byrne’s, Underwood Lane production for what I’m sure will be a sell-out show.
“The impressive and extensive range of activity taking place supports the aims of Renfrewshire Leisure to help build cultural capacity and public participation in the creative arts in the town.”
To find out more, visit www.paisley. is or www.renfrewshireleisure.com/ whats-on/