A free music festival packed with live performances, family entertainment and local traders is set to take place in Aintree this Saturday, with organisers hoping to raise vital funds for a community music centre that has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people.

AIPA’s Aintree Festival will take place from 11 am on Saturday, 4th July, at Aintree Initiatives for Performing Arts (AIPA), based at the Old Presbytery on Aintree Lane, Old Roan, L10 2JJ. 

The free event will feature top local artists, an artisan market, delicious food vendors, a children’s fairground and a range of free activities for youngsters, making it a perfect day out for families.

The free event will showcase some of the region’s finest musical talent across both a main stage and an acoustic stage, with performances from Sophie Mac, John Roche, Mono LPs, JP Cumberlidge, Cloudwalkers and many more throughout the day. 

The festival will offer incredible live music spanning a range of genres, including country, acoustic, rap and rock.

While entry is completely free, the festival has an important purpose. It has been organised by Aintree Initiatives for Performing Arts to raise money for essential improvements to its community centre, including new windows, disabled access, roof repairs, an upstairs toilet and other vital building works.

AIPA is a Community Interest Company dedicated to giving children and young people access to music, performing arts and meaningful social connections. 

The organisation provides one-to-one music tuition, group lessons, a choir, musical theatre and a range of creative opportunities for young people, including many who have struggled to find their place in mainstream education.

The organisation was founded by Colin Reid, who has more than 20 years’ experience teaching neurodiverse children and young people and runs the centre with his partner Silvia, daughter Lucia and volunteers. 

Following the death of his father, a musician who experienced mental health struggles, Colin chose to invest his inheritance into creating the centre, ensuring his father’s legacy would live on.

Whether you’re there to discover your new favourite band, browse the artisan stalls, enjoy great food or keep the children entertained, AIPA’s Aintree Festival promises something for everyone while helping secure the future of an organisation that continues to change lives through the power of music.

The event runs from 11 am until 4 pm at the Old Presbytery on Aintree Lane. Free admission tickets can be secured here ahead of the weekend, and direct donations to support the ongoing development of the community hub can be made via the official AIPA website here.

Supporting Neurodiverse Youth Through Musical Purpose

Colin Reid said: 

“Since opening its doors, AIPA has supported hundreds of children and young people who have fallen through the gaps in education, giving them a renewed sense of purpose, confidence and belonging through music and the performing arts. 

“The whole project has been funded by my father’s inheritance and has remained pretty much entirely self funded.

“We’re so proud to have changed many young people’s lives through music and social connection. 

“Our centre has given children who have slipped through the education system, those with learning difficulties and those who are neurodiverse a new sense of purpose through music. 

“The project also gives local musicians employment through tutoring. But now we need support with fundraising.”

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