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.
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).
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.
