Sma Shot Day will go digital for a second year as a series of online celebrations are planned to mark the landmark event this weekend.
The online event will take place on Saturday – the time when the weavers and their families would traditionally take their holidays.
To be held virtually as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, a diverse programme of performances and features have been planned to commemorate the historic victory of local weavers.
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In 1856, following a long dispute manufacturers agreed to pay weavers for the Sma’ Shot, the invisible stitch which bound the Paisley shawls, with a new table of prices published on July 1, 1856.
And the Burning of the Cork – the centrepiece of Sma’ Shot Day celebrations is back for 2021.
People can tune in to watch the spectacle of the burning effigy and enjoy an exciting an expressive telling of the ‘cork’ and ‘weavers’ story.
It features captivating performances led by aerial performance company, All or Nothing, in partnership with PACE, Right2Dance and Jennifer Scott Dancers.
Other programme highlights include The Charleston Drum: Past and Present explores, which explores the story of Paisley’s Charleston Drum – it’s historical significance and its meaning to locals today as a symbol of the town.
Loud n Proud will also be showcasing a short film version of their production, ‘Sma’ Shot, the Musical’ in the evening on the Bungalow Facebook page.
This mini musical compilation will give people a flavour of the full feature musical movie to be released later in the year telling the story of the Paisley weavers fight against the power of the establishment.
Renfrewshire’s Provost, Lorraine Cameron, said she was looking forward to the celebrations.
She said: “Sma’ Shot Day is such a popular date in the town’s calendar and it’s excellent that we can celebrate it this year through a fantastic programme of online activities.
“The return of the signature Burning of the Cork will surely prove to be the true spectacle of the festival and I can’t wait to tune in and see the film in all its glory.
“The digital programme will offer people plenty of opportunities to have fun and learn more about this important part in the town’s history.”
The Makers Market is also back and online for 2021.
Delivered in partnership with Incube, people will be able to browse and buy a range of quality handmade items by local makers including Josef McFadden, Art with Heart and The Canny Squirrel.
For those who want to participate in the day they can follow a demonstration from local maker Rosie Little of Knitting on Cloud Nine on how to create a Woolly Weave Wall Hanging.
Suitable for complete beginners, the weaving tutorial guides participants step-by-step through some basic weaving techniques.
Also launching on the day is the Paisley Radicals: Catalysts for Change walking tour app which highlights Paisley’s role in the Scottish Radical War.
Part audio play, part mindfulness app and part walking tour, the app addresses the events leading up to and including the Radical War of 1820.
The project is a joint production between Renfrewshire Council, with support from the 1820 Society and Paisley and District University of the Third Age and the museums team.
For all the latest information on Sma Shot Day visit: www.paisley.is/featured_event/sma-shot-day/.
