AND now, the end is near. The west end, that is, as the charming area of Glasgow gets set for its annual festival.
There’s no Byres Road Parade this year, and no Gibson Street Gala either, for financial reasons beyond my ken, ken? But there are plenty other events, indeed around 400 in 70-odd venues.
As the sort of person who prefers the outdoors (easier to escape if a mob forms), I’d always be tempted by the guided walks on offer, such as one headed The Quirky West End, which highlights the charm of particular locations and buildings.
I’d also fancy Sixty Steps and Greek Thomson, he being Alexander of that ilk, while Historic Govan leads amblers back to the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde then forward in time to the present regeneration. Staying oot, private gardens in Partickhill East are having an open day on Sunday, including one attached to an A-listed Victorian villa.
On Saturday, Vinicombe Street is having a Community Day to mark its new pedestrian piazza, while out in the Children’s Wood and North Kelvin Meadow, a day of Woodland Fun is promised.
Indoors, it wouldn’t be a festival without music, and there’s a muckle barrage of yon. Terry Neason is at the Cottier Theatre later this week, giving it large with country, folk and blues, while the New Scottish Hymns Band explore holy singing in Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church.
As a fan of free stuff, Lunchtime Jazz at the University of Glasgow Concert Hall sounds like a blast, with the Georgia Cecile Trio going early on Thursday at 1pm, while next day at the same time sees saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski and pianist Euan Stevenson’s New Focus Duo performing original compositions and reimagined jazz standards.
Meanwhile, at the Mackintosh Church, Queen’s Cross, master craftsman Bruce Hamilton is exhibiting chairs in the style of Charles Rennie M of that ilk. And, after that exhausting round-up of a small fraction of the festival’s events, I think I will go and sit down now.
West End Festival, Glasgow, June 2-25. Visit www.westendfestival.co.uk
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