Glasgow’s West End Festival has launched its programme, outlining some of the new events and activities planned for next month.
Running from Friday June 12 to Sunday June 28, over 200,000 revellers are expected to take part in the festivities over the course of the two-week event.
The festival kick offs with Festival Sunday on Sunday 14th June. Relocating from Byres Road, Kelvin Way will play host to “Scotland’s Mardi Gras” - with over 1000 costumed performers and parading bands.
Kelvingrove Park will be transformed into a leafy playground of colour, music, entertainment, food and drink to open the fourteenth West End Festival.
As well as festival fixtures including Bard in the Botanics, the Glasgow Mela and the Gibson Street Gala, a brand new event will launch this year with La Fete de la Musique. The free music celebration will be held in the bars and venues along Ashton Lane on Sunday June 21.
There will also be meditation in the Botanics, a Gaelic singing workshop, recycling art classes as well as Cuban and Brazilian dance workshops for the more energetic.
Liz Scobie, chairman for the West End Festival Board said: “The West End Festival has been a huge success since it started and we are delighted with the line-up for this year.
“It’s an eclectic mix with something for everyone. The festival will bring the best in cultural entertainment and community spirit to residents of and visitors to Glasgow promising a great day out for all the family.”
Festival highlights include:
Festival Sunday - Sunday June 14 12noon - 7pm.
• Kelvingrove Park will be transformed into a leafy playground of colour, music, entertainment, food and drink to open the fourteenth West End Festival.
• Kelvin Way will be closed from 8am to 8pm. The Opening Parade, featuring samba bands, costume groups and musicians will form up in Kelvin Way (North End) and will proceed towards the Art Galleries, passing back through the park. Time: 3pm to 4pm.
Fete De La Musique - Sunday June 21 1pm-late
• Celebrating the largest cultural event in the French calendar, La Fete de la Musique is a tradition whereby musicians of all genres / calibres play for free. The event is generally open to any musician (amateur or professional) who wants to perform.
• Launched in 1992 and currently held in more than a hundred countries worldwide, the event takes place every year on June 21, the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.
• The Ashton Lane bars and restaurants, Concrete Campfire and Alliance Francaise de Glasgow have united to produce a programme including a classical string quartet, jazz, a French choir, and local musicians from the folk and indie scenes, all playing for free in the venues and busking outside.
Mini Movers - Saturday June 27 11am
• With Jayne Middleton. Exploring movement, rhythm, rhyme, song and storytelling, the children gain an educational experience whilst having fun and allowing their spirit to shine through. This enables children to take their imaginations and bodies on an adventure, transforming their surroundings into a magical space for them to explore.
Brazilian Samba Masterclass with Mariana Pinho - Saturday June 13 1pm to 4pm
• Mariana Pinho will be shaking off the Brazilian sand and hot-footing it to Glasgow in time for the West End Festival. She will be bringing the true flavour of Brazilian dance, from the traditional to the current, straight from this year’s Rio Carnival. Mariana teaches and choreographs in Brazil and around the UK and Europe.
West End Women’s Heritage Walk - Sunday June 28 6pm
• Linking with the launch of a new map version of this popular walk, tour guides from Glasgow Women’s Library welcome you on a free walk where you will discover the histories of pipe-smoking forewomen, revolting housewives, guerrilla suffragettes and other unsung woman who have helped to create Glasgow’s west end. (See also Sun 21 June)
Glasgow Art - West End Indoor Art Market - Friday June 26 From 12 noon to 6pm
• The West End Indoor Art Market sees 35 selected artists from across the city selling art at a price that’s of value to the artist and the buyer. There’s also free rickshaw rides from the Botanic Gardens to the art market.
For the full festival programme and details of these events, visit www.westendfestival.co.uk
