2025 Festival Events

Friday 3rd October 2025 – 1.30-2.30pm

DRUM ‘N’ THE PARK
Music, Community: Join us for a drum circle in the beautiful surroundings of Eglinton Country Park, whether you’re a regular or trying it for the first time. These relaxed, open gatherings offer
a chance to connect through rhythm, allowing everyone to jam, share, and learn from each other. Instruments are provided but feel free to bring your own.

Venue: Eglinton Country Park, Visitor Centre, Irvine KA12 8TA
Cost: FREE (Donations welcome)
U16s must be accompanied by an adult
Contact: Michelle@gruvibeatz.co.uk

Thu 6-Sat 11 Oct, 2-4pm

ART IN THE GARDEN

Visual Arts, Photography: An exhibition by Dalry Community Development Hub’s new beginners’ photography club, documenting an outdoor art project which took place over the summer.
See how participants came together to create a living garden sculpture, planning, planting and shaping a vibrant outdoor centrepiece.

Venue: Dalry Community Garden, Smith Street Car Park, Dalry, KA24 5BZ
Cost: FREE
Contact: dalrycommunitydevhub@gmail.com

20 Oct-9 Nov, Various Dates, Pop Up

POETRY FOR PEOPLE
Writing, Poetry: Poems to inspire, to comfort and lift the spirits, written by students of North Ayrshire Wellbeing. Performance poet Jenny Lindsay has delivered poetry workshops to develop a plethora of poems to share with the
unsuspecting public in unexpected places.
Venue: Various Venues in North Ayrshire
Cost: FREE
Contact: Jeanette.Allan@ramh.org

21 Oct-9 Nov, Wed-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

CREATING SPACE
Visual Arts: Spanning twenty years of
artworks, this exhibition of artworks by Lucas Barr explores drawing, painting, lino cut and digital media. Inspired by nature, spirituality and mythology, the work gradually shifts
into abstract forms, echoing mandala and fractal patterns. Guided by intuition, the artist uses simplified imagery and colour to better understand the world around them.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street, Irvine, KA12 8PZ
Cost: FREE
Contact: harbourarts@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 01294 274 059

Tue 21 Oct, 10am-12.30pm

HAPPY & HEALTHY
Writing, Workshop: An interactive workshop exploring creative, personal strategies to support mental wellbeing. Participants will discover new ways to boost mood, build resilience and find joy in daily life.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street, Irvine, KA12 8PZ
Cost: FREE
Contact: karen.lee@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Tue 21 Oct-Thu 9 Nov, Wed-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

UNSEEN, UNHEARD, UNBROKEN
Visual Arts: A moving exhibition created by adult and young unpaid carers from across North Ayrshire. Developed over workshops led by artists Michelle Winslow and Tragic O’Hara, the exhibition explores the emotional and mental health impacts of caring through natural
materials and bold street art techniques.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street, Irvine, KA12 8PZ
Cost: FREE
Contact: stephen.miller@unity-enterprise.com

Wed 22 Oct, 9.30am-4.30pm

VILLAGE MUSIC CIRCLES
Music, Workshop: Drum 4UR Life hosts
Ayrshire’s first Village Music Circles, a one-day introduction to drum circle facilitation. Join us for a full day of rhythm, learning and connection
with internationally renowned trainers Dr Jane Bentley and Ray Watters. An inspiring, hands-on session in a fun and welcoming environment.

Venue: South Beach Baptist Church, 66A
Ardrossan Road, Saltcoats, KA21 5BW
Cost: £40 (Includes lunch and resources)
Book: http://www.drum4urlife.co.uk
Contact: http://www.drum4urlife.co.uk

22 Oct-1 Nov, Wed-Sat, 9.30am-4.30pm

PROJECT PROGRESS
Visual Arts, Photography: An exhibition of
work created by young change-makers in
Ayrshire. Be inspired, be challenged, and be resolved to fight for change through engaging with this powerful display of creativity.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street,
Irvine, KA12 8PZ
Cost: FREE
Contact: harbourarts@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 01294 274 059

Wed 22 Oct, 7-8pm (Doors 6.45pm)

BIG DRUM CIRCLE
Music, Workshop: Join us for our annual Big Drum Circle! This vibrant, family-friendly event brings people of all ages together to connect through rhythm, joy and community. Featuring an internationally-renowned line up of facilitators from across the UK and Ayrshire’s own Drum 4UR Life team.

Venue: South Beach Baptist Church, 66A
Ardrossan Rd, Saltcoats, KA21 5BW
Cost: FREE (Donations welcome)
Book: drum4urlife.co.uk

Thu 23 Oct, 7-9pm

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO WALRUS CHASING
Storytelling, Comedy, Performance: In
2019, Tragic O’Hara quit his job to become a Professional Walrus Chaser. In 2024, he was diagnosed with ADHD and realised Walrus Chasing was a coping strategy for surviving in the real world. This is the Guide to the Walrus.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street, Irvine, KA12 8PZ
Cost: FREE

Book:
ticketsource.co.uk/harbour-arts-centre
Contact: harbourarts@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 01294 274 059

Fri 24 Oct, 10am-12pm

ROOTS & REFLECTIONS
Multi-Arts: Holistic therapies meet creative arts in this immersive two-hour workshop led by Kirsteen McIntyre and
local artist Tragic O’Hara. Combining intention setting, meditation, sound healing and creative journaling, you will be supported to express your inner journey.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street, Irvine, KA12 8PZ
Cost: FREE
Book: tragic@tragicohara.com

Fri 24 Oct 10am-2pm, Sun 2 Nov 6.30-9pm, Sat 8 Nov 10am-2pm

REFLECT CREATE TRANSFORM. ART
IN THE COMMUNITY
Multi-Arts, Community: Join members of the Three Towns Men’s Shed and She Shed as they welcome visitors into their creative spaces across Ardrossan, Stevenston and Saltcoats across three open days. Take in a new striking
two-part modular mural that reflects the
community’s skills and emotional experiences. Supported by the SMHAF Regional Participatory Arts Fund.

Venue: Three Towns Community Shed, 12c Castle Works, Hill Street, Ardrossan
KA22 8HE
Cost: FREE
Contact: mvcurator@outlook.com
Please email for wheelchair access

Sun 26 Oct, 2-3.30pm

ART IMITATING LIFE
Theatre: Grief. Panic. Agoraphobia. PTSD. Depression. This is not fiction — it’s the world we often ignore. Drawn from lived experience, Art Imitating Life is a journey through loss and the fragile climb toward hope. Woven from real voices living with PTSD, agoraphobia, panic/anxiety disorders, depression, and grief. Theatre to comfort the unheard and disturb the dangerously comfortable.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street, Irvine, KA12 8PZ

Book: ticketsource.co.uk/harbour-arts-centre
Contact: harbourarts@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
01294 274 059
Cost: FREE
15+: Strong language and themes of
mental illness

Tue 28 Oct, 6.30-8.30pm

RAW VOICES
Music: An evening of original poems and songs by students of North Ayrshire Wellbeing & Recovery College. Students have worked with various artists to help them express their feelings, process trauma, and find their voice.

Venue: South Beach Baptist Church
66A Ardrossan Road, Saltcoats, KA21 5BW

Cost: FREE

Book: rawvoices.eventbrite.co.uk
14+
Contact: Jeanette.Allan@ramh.org

Wed 29 Oct, 10am-12pm

COMFORT BOX
Crafts, Workshop: Join artist Laura Stevenson and North Ayrshire Wellbeing & Recovery College to create and decorate a Comfort Box for when you are experiencing anxiety or overwhelm. Bring along things that bring you comfort or items that represent things that bring you comfort to put in your box.

Venue: Ayrshire College, Kilwinning Campus, Lachlan Way, Kilwinning , North Ayrshire, KA13 6DE
Cost: FREE
Book: creatingcomfort.eventbrite.co.uk
16+
Contact: Lainey.McKinlay@ramh.org

Wed 29 Oct, 7.30-9.30pm

*EVENT CANCELLED*

INVISIBLE: THE MUSICAL
Theatre: The Sunshine Club – a social club for people with an Acquired Brain Injury – is threatened with closure. So, the members decide to fight back the only way they can – they write a musical! With songs, laughter and tears, this is a great night out.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street, Irvine, KA12 8PZ
Cost: FREE (Donations welcome)

Book:
ticketsource.co.uk/harbour-arts-centre
Contact: harbourarts@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 01294 274 059

Sat 1 Nov, 11m-1pm

THE ART OF FEELING SAFE

Visual Arts: An exhibition of paintings created in therapeutic art classes led by the Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, encouraging participants to explore and express their emotions through art. Whether joyful, hidden, or difficult, participants projected their feelings
onto the canvas, offering a creative outlet and supporting mental wellbeing.

Venue: The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, Barony St John Centre, Princes Street, Ardrossan, KA22 8DQ
Cost: FREE
Contact: alan@scotcps.org.uk

Thu 6 Nov, 6-8pm

NORTH AYRSHIRE: CLOSING
CELEBRATION

Multi-Arts: Join us for this year’s closing
celebration at the Harbour Arts Centre!
This vibrant event gives you the chance
to come and enjoy a range of acts and
events from across the local festival, as
well as connecting with mental health and wellbeing organisations in North Ayrshire.

Venue: Harbour Arts Centre, 116 Harbour Street, Irvine, KA12 8PZ
Cost: FREE

Book:
ticketsource.co.uk/harbour-arts-centre
Contact: harbourarts@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 01294 274 059

Mon 20 Oct-Sun 9 Nov, 9am-5pm

STORY TREES
Visual Art: Students of North Ayrshire
Wellbeing & Recovery College have made
wire tree sculptures, decorating the trees
with items to represent life memories
they want to treasure. In processing the
memories students have found they have been able to let go of challenging memories and able to progress in their recovery.

Online: http://www.ramh.org
Cost: FREE
Contact: lainey.mckinlay@ramh.org

Mon 3-Fri 7 Nov, 4pm-4.15pm

SO IN FLOW WITH MICROPOETRY
Poetry, Workshop: A five-day online
workshop blending mindfulness and
micropoetry in short daily sessions. The
mini-workshops will be held over Zoom
and fit easily into a coffee break, helping
mindfulness become a daily practice.

Online via Zoom
Cost: FREE |

Book: flowmagic.org/micropoetry

Thu 6 Nov, 7pm-8pm

CREATIVE CIRCLE
Spoken Word, Writing, Workshop: The
Creative Circle is a safe space to share your creativity. Receive inspiration and express your voice & share your truth in a safe space.

Online via Zoom
Cost: FREE

Book: flowmagic.org/creativecircle