Tote Bags and Music: our 2nd Night In event

On the 29th of July, we held our second Night In event at Beastie Brews in Ayr. The evening combined creativity, conversation and live music to build a warm and welcoming environment where 24 people - previously unknown to each other - could connect through shared experiences.

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Beastie Brews

Beastie Brews, known for its cosy atmosphere, community spirit and brilliant coffee, was the perfect venue for our tote bag decorating event. The space offered a relaxed environment free from the usual distractions of alcohol, encouraging attendees to focus on each other and the creative process. We are incredibly grateful to Beastie Brews for allowing us to utilise their venue, and hope to continue our partnership in the future.

Let's break the ice

To help break down initial barriers, we kicked off the evening with a unique ice breaker activity inspired by musical chairs. Each participant received a prompt card designed to encourage meaningful conversation.

When the music played, everyone moved around the room. When it stopped, they paired up with the person closest to them, read their prompt aloud, and shared their thoughts.

This simple yet effective game helped our attendees to quickly find common ground and start conversations that went beyond small talk. The prompts ranged from favourite foods, to favourite school subjects, pets and family and so much more. Which ultimately set the tone for the evening - a night of focused on connection and openness.

Honouring Cara McKee

Before moving on to our creative segment of the night, our host Ryan took a moment to remember Cara, a previous event attendee who recently lost her battle with mental health. Although our interaction was brief, Cara will be remembered as a bubbly, friendly and kind spirited person who brought great energy to our laucnh event.

Our host Ryan emphasised that although everyone arrived as strangers, we would leave the event as friends.

To honour Cara’s memory, a candle was lit, creating a quiet moment of reflection. This act underscored our event’s deeper purpose of fostering connections that can provide comfort and understanding in difficult times.

Tote Bag Decorating with Live Music

The main activity of the evening was decorating tote bags. Each guest received a blank tote and a variety of art supplies, encouraging creativity and personal expression. As attendees worked on their designs, Cameron McKenzie - a local indie country singer and guitarist - performed a 30-minute set.

Cameron’s music added a soothing backdrop to our attendees creative process. His blend of indie and country styles complemented the relaxed vibe, helping people feel at ease and inspired.

Wrapping Up with Gratitude and Feedback

As the night drew to a close, we thanked everyone for coming along and invited guests to share their thoughts on the event.

Feedback highlighted how much people appreciated the alcohol-free environment and the chance to meet new people in a supportive setting. Many noted that it can be hard to make friends as adults, with our lives being so complicated and busy, the events helped those attending to make new connections and to fill nights that usually feel empty.

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Thank you to everyone who joined us on the 29th of July at Beastie Brews. Your creativity, openness, and kindness made the night truly special.

We look forward to seeing you again soon.