Reviews

Mardi Gras Parade Photographs

The Hidden Lane Cafe - including West End Festival events.

Fundraiser - Firewalk, SAMH

Images by Jenny Soep

The 13th West End Festival will take place from Friday 13 to Sunday 29 June 2008

One of the major festival events in the Scottish Calendar, and Glasgow's largest cultural event, this year's WEF is all set to provide summer entertainment, fun and frivolity with a much expanded programme.

You can take your pick from a variety of events and activities including theatre, comedy, concerts, fairs, walks, and talks. Loads of fun for all the family at the festival, which reflects Glasgow's enthusiasm for all aspects of culture and entertainment and the city's cultural diversity. You will recognise many familiar names and get a chance to see new artists and those from far flung places including Sweden, Germany, the USA, France, Egypt, Iran, India, China, Japan, Australia, Poland and of course the UK and Ireland.

Unmissable Events

The Opening Parade and Street Party - Scotland's Mardi Gras., will kick off from the Botanics on Sunday 15th June. Leaving the Botanics at 3.00 p.m. and arriving Kelvingrove Park 4.30 p.m.
The biggest and most spectacular free event in Glasgow with 500 musicians, costumed paraders, 20 acts on 5 music stages, music and activities in Kelvingrove Park, craft stalls and dozens of street cafes.
Also worth investigating the streets off Byres Road - for example you can relax and enjoy the sounds of Subcity at Lillybank Gardens and tap your feet to some rock n roll in the sun, or dance the day away. Noon - 7 p.m.

The Gibson Street Gala on Sunday 22nd June.
Live music, craft stalls, pavement cafes, barbecues, exhibitions, theatre and a car-free street will guarantee you another excellent West End Festival day out on Gibson Street. Also lots of great restaurants and shops in the area and nearby Park Road. Also watch out for 'catwalk on the sidewal' at Bolshie in Otago Street 3 p.m. free.
gibsonstgala.weebly.com

The Glasgow Mela also on Sunday 22nd in Kelvingrove 12.00 noon - 8 p.m A spectacular multi-cultural event with dance, street performers, children's entertainment, funfairs and arts & craft stalls, market place and tasty Asian food to buy.
www.glasgowmela.com

The Corona/Magners Kelvingrove Indie Street Party. Sunday 29th June – 2pm to 8pm
The Goat and Corona and Magners Cider present the West End Festival closing event. With great music and entertainment in a car free zone at Overnewton Street. Expect Fence Records artists Found plus Wake The President, Endor, Palace Ballet and Brother Louis Collective with other suprise guests, DJs. Outdoor activities cease at 8pm but the fun carries on in the venue till 1am. With thanks to Corona and Magners Irish Cider.
The Goat, 1287 Argyle Street, Glasgow 0141 357 7373.

I am busy preparing for the Allotment Open Day at Kelvinside Allotments on Saturday 14th June. Guided tour and plant sale. View a hundred different plots and meet the enthusiastic gardeners. Weather permitting there will be snacks and refreshments. I'm hoping my sweet peas and lettuce will be ripe for sale.
Free Event Kirkee Road and Mirrlees Drive (just 100 yards apart).

Download full WEF 2008 Programme PDF

Highlights for 2008 will also include:

• Glasgow University Science Festival - back for an exciting second year.
• Refugee Week including the League For All 5-a-side football tournament (Sun 22 June)
• The Coachouse Trust Open Day - Sunday 29th - 2 - 6 p.m. incorporates a celebration of their 10th Anniversary. Music, plays, poetry and activities for children. (84 Belmont Lane)
• Lobey Dosser Day in Woodlands - A celebration of Bud Neill through exhibitions, readings music and performance. Woodlands Road - opposite Halt Bar. Saturday 21st June - 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• The Children's Garden at the Botanics, with a host of activities for families and kids. Including Strawberries and Cream Fundraiser - picnic and informal activities on Sunday 15th June. A relaxing alternative to the Street Party.
• The Drawing Room - Summer Barbecue - Sunday 22nd June - all day from 2 p.m. Music, great food and cool folk.
  1055 Sauchiehall Street, opposite Kelvingrove bottom of Kelvin Way.
• St Simon's celebrates 150 years.

MUSIC

• Brel, Ashton Lane. WEF Listings at Brel
• Scottish Toy Orchestra - with flea market instruments, eccentric objects and children's percussion, this unusual Orchestra present a cacophonous fantasy vision of the future of music.
• Regular Celtic concerts at the newly re-opened College of Piping in Otago Street (new venue).
• Regular lunchtime concerts featuring classical, world and folk music at the Hunterian Art Gallery (new venue!)
• Festival Choral Eucharist with The Egidienchor Of Nuremberg - A choral mass performed by a choir from Glasgow's twin city of Nuremberg.
• Halt Bar Hi-Jack - a free three-day music festival.
• Karen Matheson - One of Scotland's most respected Celtic artists, former member of Capercaillie and an OBE recipient in 2008, Karen performs an un-missable solo concert for WEF.
• Hey Negrita & Tennessee Hotshots - a joyful blend of rock'n'roll and Americana, with Glasgow rockabilly Trio Tennessee Hotshots in support.

LITERARY

• New writing at Gilmorehill g12 - 8 top children's authors at Gilmorehill G12 including Julia Donaldson, Vivian French and Simon Puttock
• The Poetry Cafe, bringing poetry within a unique dining experience!

THEATRE

• Bard in the Botanics presents: The Merchant of Venice - Wed 25 - Sat 28 June. - Information: 0141 334 9016.www.bardinthebotanics.org
• The Winters Tale - The return of Shakespeare's Globe from London with a sparkling adaptation of one of the Bard's most fascinating plays. at the University Quadrangle.
• Student Theatre at Glasgow presents: New writing from Stag.
  Thu 12 to Sat 14 June – 2.30 & 7.30pm
  Gilmorehill. More Info:www.stagstage.co.uk or Helen:07920406202.
• "Who Stole My Sausage" - The world's first play for dogs!
  Dowanhill Park, Havelock Street. Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June. Just like real theatre for folks but this is for hounds. Only last 15 minutes so should even engross animals with short attention spans.
  2p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Antigone In New York - A specially adapted version of the famous Glowaki play re-located to New York by WEF & Theatre Found.

Exhibitions

Will include the fantastic Paintings on Railings - where you can admire and purchase original art. Including work by new comers and well known local artists.
Every week-end throughout the festiva - 14/15, 21/22nd and 28th/29th June.

Minature Book Exhibition at Hillhead Library

13th 0 29th June.
The books are made by students at a local art class, incorporating painting, calligraphy, collage and embellishing, in collaboration with Lynne Scobbie.
I'm busy working on my book at the moment.
Info 0141 276 1617

For full details of all the events included in this years WEF please visit our website - www.westend.co.uk - Download Events Guide PDF.