An American vibe will hit West Kilbride this autumn during Vertex, the annual festival which runs from 7th September to 2nd November.

The festival starts with a concert by 3hattrio on Saturday 7th September.

3hattrio are America’s finest exponent of ‘desert music’, with a blend that responds to the natural world of their sacred homeland near Zion National Park, and acknowledges the cultural traditions of generations of people who have worked and lived on the deserts of the great southwest.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

Drew Kirkland one of the festival’s organisers, said: "It is great to have 3hattrio opening our festival. The band became the talk of the town when they flew in for their own headline show at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival in 2017.

They ended 2018 on a high being named a “Best Band of The Year” at AmericanaUK and respected UK music writer Marc Higgins made their Lord of The Desert his favourite album of the year too.

Others have described them as “fascinating,” “original and addictive,” “uncommon,” “enchanting,”…and, yes, “unique.” And we are delighted to have them perform for us."

The festival continues on 14-15 September with a programme of workshops delivered by some of the Craft Town’s amazing artists. These include oil painting, sculpture, life drawing, 52 stitched stories, photography, graffiti art, drumming, DJ’ing, creative writing, and learning the ukulele. Full details are available at our website.

Other highlights from the 2019 programme are the concert by the Letitia VanSant Duo on Saturday 21 September. Letitia does country-flavoured Americana with a voice that melts all hearts.

Hailing from Baltimore she first came to prominence in 2017 when she won the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Song-writing competition. Since releasing her debut album in Europe, the powerfully impressive singer-song-writer has won a legion of new fans…and many glowing reviews. Her show will complement that by 3hattrio in showcasing two of America’s finest exports.

Looking ahead to October the festival is delighted to be able to welcome Scotland’s poet laureate and Makar, Jackie Kay, who will be with us for the day and is scheduled to read from her work in a ‘Meet the Makar’ event on Tuesday 29th October in the village hall.

The festival also offers a wide range of other activities including stand-up comedy, film, concerts by other local performers, and our annual Vertex Visions exhibition in the Barony.

For further information about the whole programme, how to book tickets for the concerts and the workshops then visit vertexfestival.co.uk and facebook.com/vertexfest. Tickets will also be available from the village hall and other outlets in the village as well as online.

Drew also said: "Vertex is about and for the people of West Kilbride and North Ayrshire and we hope that many new folk will get involved this year, as audience and participants."