The Southside Festival

On Saturday the first ever southside festival took place, in Queens Park. The festival kicked of with the parade which left from Shawlands academy at 12 o clock, the parade continued along Pollokshaws road, Allison street and then up Victoria road and into the park. Linda Fabiani, the minister for culture, opened the festival.
There were several music tents as well as dance and comedy - so when it rained you could keep dry. There was also stages out in the open so when the sun did shine you could sit in the sun and listen to the music. There were huge queues for the kids rides.
The camp at the top of the park was quite amazing with three battle reinactments during the day.

The Glass house held the 'Southside Flavours' event which celebrated the cultural diversity of the southside. Lots of food stalls selling food from different ethnic groups as well as local deli's like 1901.

If you want to comment on the festival, what you liked and perhaps what could be improved click here to go to the my space site.

Festival my space

The Southside Festival have launched their own my space page. There is pictures of some of the events, that have already taken place in the Southside. You can leave comments about what you think of the festival and also more importantly you can make it your friend.

Festival Fiesta - official after show party

On Saturday night, as part of the Southside Festival, there is an after festival party at the Glasshouse's in Queens park 7pm-1pm. The glasshouse should make an amazing venue for a party. There are a couple of well known southside bands playing.

If you want to support the festival and go along, tickets are only £5 and can be ordered by calling the festival line on 0141 423 6037.

If we want the Southside festival to continue year after year, everyone needs to get behind the event and support it.

Bungo in the Lanes - Saturday 21st June

Just a reminder that Bungo in the lanes is on tomorrow [21st June] from 12pm till 4pm. We're all going along, it's a really interesting local event. Last year we took our friends Aitch and Nicole, and this year we have our friend Adam visiting from the states. If you would like to read about last years adventures click here **** Pictures of this years event

Taste of the Festival - Shawlands Arcade

There is a small festival taking place in Shawlands Arcade, this Saturday from 12 o clock till 2 o clock, with line dancers from the Grand Ole Opre, acoustic music, dancers, stuff for the kids and lots more.

If your down that way go in and have a look, it's great that the new owners of the Arcade are holding an event for the festival. The Arcade has been looking pretty depressing lately, but hopefully the new owners have more ambitious plans.

Tickets for the festival fiesta, being held in the Glasshouse in Queens Park on the 28th of June, will be on sale. The night is being run by the festival and Tir connial and will have live music from several different bands. Click here to buy tickets on line

Eid on the Drives - 19th September 2009

Eid on the Drive is a unique event that brings the multi cultural community of Pollokshields together to celebrate the end of Ramadhan. The event normally runs from around 11am until late and in previous years part of Alburt drive has been closed for the celebrations to take place. There is a whole range of activities for children and music and performance for adults.

For more info click Eid on the Drive

Queens Park - reopened

Queens Park is now reopened so the festival will be going ahead and the tennis, golf and bowling are also open again.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7451297.stm

'more please'

As part of the Southside Festival the GYCT presents "Olivia" the musical. Seemingly it's the female version of the classic 'Oliver'.

The show is on at 7.30pm Thursday 12th, Friday, 13th and Saturday 14th of June at Queen's Park Parish Church, 170 Queen's Drive

Tickets available from admin@gyct.co.uk or 0141 423 6037

Ha Ha Comedy at the Ivory

The Ivory Hotel presents the HA HA Comedy night on Saturday night. It's part of the Southside Festival, starts at 8.30pm and is free.

Magic at Tusk

Every Friday night of the Festival, Tusk are holding Magic nights. Each Friday, you can enjoy the table magic of Billy Reid while being Wined and Dined. Three courses including a bottle of wine (per couple) is £29. This could be great fun .....or it could be terrible.

As normal Tusk is open ‘til 3am. Free entry ‘til 11pm

If you don't fancy the magical charms of Billy Reid, then Jam, The Ivory and Waverly tea rooms are all hosting special events this weekend for the Southside Festival

Click here for more info

Govan Fair Parade

With all the talk of the Southside Festival, we almost forgot about Govan fair.
This years Govan Fair Procession will start at 7:45pm this Friday.

It will start from Copland Road proceed along Summertown Road, Broomload Road, Govan Road through Govan Town Centre, Drive road, finishing on Langlands Road at Arklet Road.Over 35 entries are expected this year including Pipe Bands, Dancers and Floats. Elder Park also has a Fun Fair.

It's the oldest Fair/festival in the city. For more information on the fair click here

Nice to be nice

I was having a pretty rubbish day on Tuesday, started by sleeping in for work and therefore not getting a shower. I then had a very busy day at work in a roasting hot office while I felt like a bag of sweaty rubbish sitting in the sun.

Finally home time and I go down the road, get the train back to the Southside and run along to my flat. Just about to get in the shower and my mobile phone rings from a number I don't recognise. I answer and a voice says,

"Hello is that Allistair?"
"Yes"
"Do you own a pen dirve?"
"Yes"
"Is it silver?"
"Yes"
"Is it made by LG?"
"Yes"
"I found it in the street, hope you don't mind but I looked at the files to see if I could identify the owner and found a thing about the southside festival with your name and number."

I was of course delighted, I must have dropped the pen drive out my pocket as I ran across the road. The man invited me to nip round and get the drive so I put back on my shoes and walked round, stopping off at the off license to purchase a nice bottle of wine as a reward. The do-gooder tried to refuse the wine but I insisted pointing out that I had been having a pretty rubbish day and he had restored my faith in the world. Ended up having a nice chat about the Southside Festival and him and his friend will be looking to orginise some kind of outdoor music event in the near future which I have agreed to post about in return for his help. (The flyer above is for one of their previous events.)

Anyway in a week that has seen such nasty things occuring in the Queens Park area, its nice to know that there are still honest people out there doing good deeds.

Well done that man.

Glasgow bridge is not falling down, falling down

Just read on the BBC that the squinty bride will be reopening on the 29th of June. Thats good news as I got very used to using it as a short cut and also because we recently had guests to stay who wanted to see the new bridge and it was a bit embarrassing when we had to show them it covered in rope and scaffolding.

Southside Festival Starts

After years of waiting the Southside Festival has arrived. There are tonnes of events schedule to take place, throughout the Southside of the city, during the month of June. We'll be keeping you posted on what's going on. If you can get your hands on one of the diary of events, pick one up. You should be able to pick them up in pubs, cafes, museums, libraries through out the city. [or you could just download it from us] They highlight the events taking part in the festival.

This is the first ever Southside festival, and it plans to celebrate the cultural diversity and heritage of the Southside....but it's also about having a great time, so go along to as many events as you can.