Kirkgate Arts & Heritage

13/10/2026

We are excited to announce our Artist Support Programme!

Are you a Copeland based artist looking for a space to work on a show?
Well, we want to help you!

What is the Artist Support Programme?
With this programme you will get:
- Access to our auditorium for 2 weeks from February 1st 2027 (excluding weekends and Wednesday afternoons from 13:00 onwards)
- Mentorship from Arts Out West and a local rural touring artist
- An evening showcase of your work at Kirkgate Arts on February 11th
- A chance to be on our Arts Out West menu for future seasons
- A £100 bursary to cover your travel costs

Why have we set up this programme?
We want this programme to support Copeland based artists by giving them the space to develop their work in our theatre, receive mentoring and have the opportunity to tour throughout West Cumbria.

What is Arts Out West?
We are the rural touring scheme for West Cumbria - you can find out more about us by heading to our website.

How to Apply
Please send an email to [email protected] with the following:

- A description of yourself/your company
- The show you are working on/would like to develop
- Why you are interested in this opportunity and what you would like to gain from the mentorship - so we can find a suitable artist to support you.
- Proof of Copeland residence (this can be any recent bill that has your current address on)
- Links to websites/social media

Please note: This application can written or you can send a voice note/video with your answers.

Deadline: November 16th
Outcome: November 30th

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any queries.

We look forward to receiving your application!

12/10/2026

Arts Out West this week! 🤩

It’s Fake!

It's pretty, but is it art?

Magician and storyteller Chris Cook weaves a true tale of deception through the lives of an artist, a forger and a magician

***** (Edinburgh-Reviews)
*****(WorldMagicReview)
***** (The Student)

At Whitehaven Library, Thursday 15th October
7:00pm
Tickets: SOLD OUT

The Hill Village Hall, Friday 16th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

Brigham Village Hall, Saturday 17th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

Head to our website and select the Arts Out West category to book your tickets!

Brigham Memorial Hall
White Haven Area Community Library
The Hill Village Hall
Chris Cook Magic

10/10/2026

08/10/2026

Arts Out West next week! 🤩

It’s Fake!

It's pretty, but is it art?

Magician and storyteller Chris Cook weaves a true tale of deception through the lives of an artist, a forger and a magician

***** (Edinburgh-Reviews)
*****(WorldMagicReview)
***** (The Student)

At Whitehaven Library, Thursday 15th October
7:00pm
SOLD OUT

The Hill Village Hall, Friday 16th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

Brigham Village Hall, Saturday 17th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

Head to our website and select the Arts Out West category to book your tickets!

Brigham Memorial Hall
White Haven Area Community Library
The Hill Village Hall
Chris Cook Magic

08/10/2026

Arts Out West next week!🤩

It’s The Zimmer of Love!

Merv is a firm favourite around the villages of England. His relaxed, easy style means audiences love him. He chats a bit, tells a few jokes, makes some pithy observations with lots of clever comedy songs on guitar. His sometimes wicked but always affectionate sense of humour brings warmth and joy to audiences who are happy to laugh both at his life and their own. Clever, intelligent, funny and clean.
“Celebrating the trivial and attacking the absurd he gives us a seriously funny show”
The Scotsman

At Ullock Village Hall, Friday 9th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

Burgh by Sands Parish Hall, Friday 10th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

And, Muncaster Parish Hall, Ravenglass, Sunday 11th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

Head to our website and select the Arts Out West category to book your tickets!

Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Edinburgh Fringe

08/10/2026

An Evening of James Taylor is coming to the Kirkgate Centre on Saturday, 10th October.

Musician Vernon James will be performing a two-hour show focusing on Taylor's early songwriting career. The setlist includes classic tracks like 'Sweet Baby James', 'Fire and Rain', and 'Something In The Way She Moves', alongside some of his more recent material.

Vernon delivers these timeless acoustic songs true to how they were originally written, bringing a soulful lilt and engaging stage presence to the performance.

Doors open at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
The bar will be open for drinks and refreshments before the show.

Tickets are available to book now on our website.

👉 Link in bio to secure your seats: kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk

08/10/2026

A double headline evening of acoustic contemporary folk music is coming to the Kirkgate Centre on Sunday, 11th October.

Featuring Cumbrian singer-songwriter J P Worsfold alongside rising star Rhona Mcfarlane, sharing an evening of original songs and stories.

J P Worsfold writes contemplative folk music centered around themes of connection, community, and the natural landscape. His performance features rich vocal harmonies and arrangements across keys and guitar. He will be joined by Glasgow-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rhona Mcfarlane, whose reflective music combines traditional folk elements with classical influences.

At Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth.
Doors open at 6:30pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
The bar will be open for drinks and refreshments before the show.

Tickets are available to book now via our website.
👉 Link in bio to secure your seats

08/10/2026

The Sunday Session, Sunday, 11th October.

Whether you are looking for a place to test out your own songs or want to meet up with others for a bit of a jam, these sessions are designed to cater for all musicians and singers. You are welcome to perform solo, or you can join in with a group jam session. If you just want to come down for a listen, everyone is welcome.

We have a digital piano, PA and a couple of mics ready and waiting for you, but if you prefer acoustic our bar has a wonderful natural reverb.

Please make sure to arrive early if you would like to secure a performance slot.

At Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth.
Doors and the bar open at 1:45pm, with music starting at 2:00pm.

👉 Link in bio for more details

07/10/2026

🎥🎬🍿On the Big Screen at Kirkgate! 🎥🎬🍿

The Invite (15)

Show times:
Friday, 9th October, 7pm
Monday, 12th October, 8pm
Wednesday, 14th October, 2pm

Joe and Angela's marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbours for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark or lit the match that burns it all down?

It seems that the chance to watch a genuinely funny and uncommonly intelligent comedy for adults is an invite we have all been waiting for. Benjamin Lee – The Guardian

Starring: Penelope Cruz; Seth Rogen; Edward Norton; Olivia Wilde
Directed by: Olivia Wilde
Length: 107 minutes

🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕 Don't forget! Friday night is Film and
Fermento night! Order your pizza online with Fermento
and our volunteers will deliver your tasty treats for you
to enjoy in the bar before the film. 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕

06/10/2026

Arts Out West next week!🤩

It’s Fake!

It's pretty, but is it art?

Magician and storyteller Chris Cook weaves a true tale of deception through the lives of an artist, a forger and a magician

***** (Edinburgh-Reviews)
*****(WorldMagicReview)
***** (The Student).

At Whitehaven Library, Thursday 15th October
7:00pm
SOLD OUT

The Hill Village Hall, Friday 16th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

Brigham Village Hall, Saturday 17th October
7:30pm
Tickets: £12/£6/£25

Head to our website and select the Arts Out West category Brigham Memorial Hall

White Haven Area Community Library
White Haven Area Community Library
The Hill Village Hall
Chris Cook Magic