Happy Valentine's Day

Added on Monday 14 Feb 2011

A few snowdrops nodding their heads for Valentine's Day but other than that not much sign of Springtime as yet. Nonetheless I've been braving some stormy weather to meet up with friends and family and also getting along to some interesting events.

Photo: marianne and issi. Some of my outings have taken me a bit further afield than usual and Jim and I met up with Issi Wilson at Queen Street Station to catch a train for Aberdeen. Our destination was an exhibition of photography and multimedia by third year students at Gray's School of Art, 'Nothing to See Hear', where Issi's daughter, Marianne's work was being shown.

We had great fun wandering around the exhibition and then enjoyed some lunch at Project Slogan, the quirky little gallery/cafe, where more of Marianne's work can be seen. Jim found a bookshop and Issi and I had a wander and browse in some of the shops then we all met up for some burgers then caught the train back to Glasgow.

Jim and I also drove up, one very foggy night, to Milton of Buchanan Hall, near Drymen, to a gig with Dave Arcari, Duncan McCrone (love that 'Just a Glasgow Boy'), and Lee Patterson, in a special triple bill showcase. Three very different styles of music with Dave's alt. blues, Duncan's folk music and Lee's experiemental music. It worked and was thoroughly enjoyable. We didn't hang about for a gab as we were anxious about the weather but we were lucky as it was nice and clear on the return journey. Good news for Dave and Margaret, as they were driving down to London, where Dave was playing live on the Cerys Matthews show next morning.

Celtic Connections 2011

Photo: declan o'rourke. Back in Glasgow I was kept busy with Celtic Connections, As per usual, I didn't make it along to all the concerts that I had my eye on and I was very disappointed that Imelda May cancelled. However, we had a brilliant night when we went along to see Declan O'Rourke play at OranMor. He is an out and out charmer and a very talented performer with a great voice and some superb songs. He had the audience in the palm of his hands.

It was good to meet up with Paul Tasker and John Alexander at the gig, and we saw Paul again a few nights later when he supported Raul Malo at 02 ABC. The Doghouse Roses, Paul and Iona Macdonald, with full band did a great job warming the audience up for the headline act. Also very nice to see Jen from The Dirt on stage as backing vocalist - good choice.

The gig was fantastic and Mr Malo and his amazing voice had Glasgow in Mardi Gras mode from the minute he hit the stage. I totally agree with the opinion of Chris Jones: " His pure, yearning vocals carry the least contrived of songs beyond the danger zone marked 'cheese'. Like all great country music it turns the cliche of heartbreak into gold." Brilliant night!

Photo: brawth. We also caught Brawth playing at Danny Kyle Open Stage, and they sounded excellent, love those harmonies. Shame that their bass player was delayed and high in the sky in an aeroplane instead of on the stage.

Lots of Celtic Connections reviews on the site and some fantastic photographs from Pauline Keightley.

Some Sad News

Many people in the West End were very shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Allan Mawn, restaurateur, who owned the fabulous trio of restaurants, Pinxto, Velvet Elvis and Criterion. I've spent a lot of enjoyable times in Allan's company, often along with Roy Beers who wrote a very moving tribute,'Allan Mwn - Sketches of Spain'. He will be very much missed and good luck to Lindsey and Allan's staff, who are are determined to continue to 'Keep Partick Weird' on his behalf.

There's plenty happening down at Criterion which has a new menu and programme of entertainment. We'll definitely be there on 24th February when Jim is playing an acoustic set with Elaine Finlay and Graham Mackintosh.

G I Bride in Partick

Further along the road there has been a new arrival in Partick in the form of Bud Neill's G I Bride. This marvellous statue created by Ranald MacColl and commissioned by Colin Beattie adds a touch of pzzazz and humour to Partick Station.

I took a walk down to see the new bride one very stormy day after having coffee with Colin at OranMor. When my umbrella blew outside in outside a shop so I popped in for shelter and ended up have a lovely browse in Sarah McGartland's 'Eternal Light', 367 Dumbarton Road. Lots of attractive cards, candles, and gifts, including Sarah's own handmade jewellery. I left with some very nice purchases.

Sarah appears to have joined the increasing number of bright young female entrepreneurs who have brought lovely gift shops to the West End, including, Gayle Murrison's 'Rosebud' and Heather Docherty's La Coco Gift Boutique

I also called into Handbags and Gladrags and enjoyed a blether with Maxine and Michael and picked up a lovely second hand Valentino handbag. A real bargain.

Photo: silver boxes rosebud. West End Shops and Dining

I met up for a belated Christmas lunch with my friend Frances and to celebrate Burns Day we had some haggis at OranMor. Afterwards we strolled along to Hyndland up through Dowanhill and had our coffee and sweet in Epicure, the newish restaurant on Hyndland Road. Seems to be the daytime domain for all the young mums in the neighbourhood and we got the opportunity to admire some very lovely babies.

I went back along to Epicure for a meal with Lynn and Stephanie and had some delicious salmon and soda bread. Then we had cup cakes, coffee and a rare blether just round the corner at Stephanie's. This split course dining could catch on!

Frances and I also had a browse in some of the shops in Hyndland, in particular, we checked out the sale at Daniel's shoe shop and Jasmine, clothes and accessories shop. Some fabulous new arrivals for Springtime.

We also had a look around Ann Turnbull's, perfumerie, 'Elegance and Beaute', one of Glasgow's few independent shops of this type. Perfect if you want some quality products or a present and can't make it into one of the large department stores in town.

There's an amazing sale on at Strawberry Fields Children's Boutique and I picked up some lovely wee hairbands, socks and tights, for my great-nieces, Sarah, Eve and Freya. I also got Ryan a lovely red snake belt.

Back on Byres Road I checked out the new bridal shop 'Melle Cloche', which looks really lovely with lots of very elegant French stock. While down in that neck of the woods I called into Pattison and Sim for a chat about moving house. Picked up some useful information from Bridget and now just need to get ourselves organised and on the market.

Catching up with Friends

I also had a very nice rendez-vous with Maggie Graham when we caught up over lunch in The Den, which Roy Beers has been recommending to me forever. The absolutely remarkable Indian deli/restaurant at Kelvingrove. I had a delicious tiger prawn and spinach dish and the best Peshwari Nan ever and Maggie loved her chickpea and stuffed mushrooms.

Maggie will perform at the Scottish Writers' Centre, CCA on 17th February, when she will read from her novel and recite some of her poetry.

I also had a little jaunt along to the Allotment with my brother John, his carer, Margaret, and Ryan. Despite our new shelter it was just far too cold to hang about for long but I turned over a wee patch of ground and the earth is lovely and soft. Some planting soon with a bit of luck.

Photo: alistair mackenzie. Festivals in Glasgow

I hope to catch up with her again at Aye Write Glasgow's wonderful book festival back again in March so will be heading back down to The Mitchell for some culture.

Also about to kick off is Glasgow Film Festival 2011. I had a good time at the launch, which was very well attended, and enjoyed a brief chat with Alastair Mackenzie, who spoke about the film by Sigma Films 'You Instead'. which he is in and which his brother David directs. I'm looking forward to the Gala this week on 17th February and then lots of great films to look forward too.

There are also many festivals within the festival including a fantastic music and film festival with many events taking place at The Arches, Argyle Street

Say No To Plastic

I was back along in OranMor with Ann Anderson at another Say No To Plastic, vintage and retro sale. We both picked up some colourful bargains and I also had a chat with Heather Suttie, who organises this event, and has a new blog on the site as The Green Godess offering allsorts of great advice on recycling and saving the environment.

Ann and I also had a wander around the Botanics and worked up an appetite for some staggeringly huge plates of French Toast and Bacon in North Star on Queen Margaret Drive. It was getting near to closing when we got there so only time for the briefest of chats with Aidan McEoin, but need to catch up as I hear he has a couple of events coming off soon.

Fortieth Anniversary of The Ubiquitous Chip

Lots of celebrations at The Chip this year as this popular West End celebrates its fortieth anniversary. I went along to The Chip to meet Ciaran Gourlay to hear all about their plans but he was caught up in a meeting so fortuitously I bumped into an old friend, Marie Graham, from Clydebank College days and we had a great chinwag over some complimentary coffee and great homemade ginger snaps.

Eventually I caught up with Ciaran and Frances Rickus, also turned up, so we had quite a wee party. Ciaran is going to keep me abreast of all the 40th Anniversary Celebrations at The Chip throughout the year.

The Arlington

I'm still aiming to go along to the Arlington for a swim and a bit of relaxation. We're running a super competition for the baths club at the moment. Not too late to submit your entry.

Lots of new stuff up on the site including:
Jim's latest photodiary
Heather Suttie - The Green Godess
Christina's Film Crits
John Cage 'Every Day is a Good Day' - The Hunterian
Horoscopes from Jason Caddy
Campograndre Bed and Breakfast Diary
Learn to swim at the Arlington

Also see What's New, What's On in Glasgow and Glasgow Gig Guide

Don't forget the festivals

Pat Byrne