Headford’s inaugural Community Arts weekend, Something In The Water, takes place in venues across the town from Friday to Sunday, October 6 to 8.

It’s being organised by voluntary community development group, Headford and District Association, which wanted to celebrate the role of arts in bringing people together locally.

Next Friday October 6, The Big Sing, with three local choirs, will offer magical musical entertainment, with a chance for the audience to enjoy participating in a pop-up choir – because taking part is what it’s all about.

On Saturday night, Songs From The Water’s Edge, in Ballycurrin House, will showcase local songwriting talent, including Dave Clancy, Tara Stacy, Niamh Langan and Sarah Brookfield. The festival will end on Sunday evening with a family-friendly concert from the Barcelo Brothers, featuring their mix of rootsy grooves infused with modern R&B, soul, funk and reggae.

There’ll be a flax festival in Headford Community Garden on Sunday too, with poetry readings and music and a chance to see flax being processed and spun.

Other events will include art and photographic exhibitions, a pop-up shop selling goods made by local crafters, dance performances in Headford Community Orchard, family juggling workshops, a poetry workshop with Jimi McDonnell, and a piece from Galway Dance Residency.

Award-winning author, Donal Ryan, will visit on Sunday for “a service of sorts in one of Headford’s favourite houses of worship, Campbell’s Tavern”. Donal will read from his work and discuss his writing with the audience and host, Aisling Keogh.

As well as celebrating the area’s rich culture, the organisers also hope this festival will serve as an agent of change.

In 2021 and 2022, a previous community project, Reimagine Headford, looked at the town and how it could be reimagined. This celebration will help continue that work by keeping conversations about the town centre to the fore, and exploring ideas for change.

An architecture and design project, Our Town Square: The Heart of Headford, being run in conjunction with the Architecture At The Edge Festival, and Presentation College Headford, has already begun. It involves students temporarily redesigning the town square and recreating it as a community space. The students are working on the design with Helena McElmeel Architects. Their installation will be in place for the festival and the organisers hope it will attract lots of attention.

■ For more information, check Facebook @Something IntheWater, or Instagram @headfordsomethinginthe water