Southside Film Nights

I've heard it so often recently - I wish there was a small cinema or regular film nights in the Southside. With the G1 groups plans to renovate the old white elephant building stalling, where are we Southsiders suppose to go to watch a good film?

I personally really enjoyed the Tramway's involvement in the film festival, being able to watch a film in the Southside was great and the Pollokshaws Burgh Halls silent films, to organ music, are also rather unique events.

So I am really pleased to see that the Tramway are showing another couple of films next week. On Wednesday 7 April, Peter Brook introduces his 1979 film Meetings with Remarkable Men. which explores the early life of G.I. Gurdjieff who discovered new levels of understanding in his travels though Central Asia.

Thursday night brings Peter Brook’s faithful adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel Lord of the Flies follows the fate of a group of schoolboys stranded on an island after a plane crash. Brook creates an intense realism through which we witness the battle between civility and savagery, ultimately leading to a bitter and bloody climax. Both films start at 7.30 pm £4/£3 

There is also a community film night being established in Govanhill,  the second film, Urban Roots film & Farm for the Future, is being held  tomorrow night at St Brides Primary [7-9pm]. This event is being organised by local residents. If you would like to organise, or otherwise help with a film night, then go along and share your ideas.

Design Competition Launched: Queens Park Performance Space

The Queen's Park Performance Group, alongside the Glasgow Institute of Architect's, have today launched a competition to design a performance space on the site of the old band stand, in Queen's Park.

The competition is open to all design professionals or students of architecture, engineering and landscape architecture, it's £25 to enter or £10 if you're a student.

Evelyn Silber, Chair of the Steering Group, commented, 'a member of the public came up with the competition idea . We are delighted to be working with GIA to make it happen and enable local people to get involved with the design process.’

The main competition launch and workshop session will take place on Saturday 24 April at Queen's Park Parish Church and will be open to the public from 2 till 4pm. There will be an exhibition of the entries during May - where the public can comment on the shortlisted designs.

For more information and the brief click here

Sherbrooke Castle @ 11 Sherbrooke Avenue

After the excitement of our trip to Pollokhouse we decided to go somewhere really nice for our Mothers Day dinner. We decided to stay within the original Stirling-Maxwell familiy's domain though and headed to Pollokshields.

Sherbrooke Castle was built in 1896 as a baronial villa for John Morrison, a respected and obviously well off contractor. The building was designed by the architect Robert Sandylands and John Thomson, the eldest son of Alexander "Greek" Thomson and must have been a pretty impressive house at the time, as its still a pretty impressive hotel today, with a grand vista over the surrounding area.

It was a bright but bitterly cold day and as we walked into the dining room, we were pleased to see a roaring coal fire on one wall pouring out heat. We were initially a bit jealous of the couple who were seated right beside these flames, but as their faces grew redder and redder I think we decided viewing the flickering fire from a distance was actually the best bet. The whole interior feels very solid, with thick dark wood and original prints, paintings and books lining the walls. Its been given a recent make over as well though and the furniture and new decor are modern but entirely fitting for the space. I could easily imagine it as an old gentlemans' club in an other era.

The menus were really tasty looking, with an evening restaurant menu  or the lounge bar menu to choose from, between which all bases were covered. I opted for the haggis filo parcel to start, which was light and very yummy and then went for the rib-eye steak for my main. I have to admit it was one of the best steaks I've had in a very long time, rich juicy and melted in the mouth. The rest of the group all really enjoyed their meals too and we agreed it was a place we'd all happily go back. 

We were in the main restaurant which was very much fine dinning. The lounge bar however is far more relaxed and when we were leaving I noticed lots of families in having dinner so it looks like its popular with the locals. In short, a great place to take families for special occasions, a pretty ideal Mother's Day venue. Would love to get a proper look round the rest of the building. I bet the bedrooms at the top, which have turrets, have amazing views. Anyone ever stay there and can tell us what its like?

[Images from Sherbrooke Castle Hotel Website]

Sherbrooke Castle Hotel

11 Sherbrooke Avenue, Pollokshields, Glasgow, G41 4PG
0141 427 4227

Vote for your favourite tea and cakes

Next month its our birthday and so over the next few weeks, we are going to ask for suggestions of your favourite "things" in the Southside. Each week we will have a different topic and at the end of that week we will put your suggestions to a vote. Hopefully, by the end of the April/ May, we'll end up with big set of all your top places and if we've not already been to these places, we will try and get along and write some posts.

So, on the back of your suggestions to last months giveaway question, which of the readers nominations is the tip top number one place for tea and cake?

THE RESULTS OF THE PUBLIC VOTE

So the top three places for tea and cake as voted by you are Biscuit, Tapa and Grianach.

(We'd love to know your thoughts, please put them in the comments below.)

Butterfly Kisses @ 8 Skirving Street

I can't believe that we've managed to not write a proper post about Butterfly Kisses before now. Checking back through the blog, the last post we wrote about them was way back in January 2009 when the shop was just opening. Since then, we have been in a lot.

It's usually my first port of call when it comes to birthday present buying, as it pretty much covers all bases. The front of the shop has great toys, books and baby wear for little ones. (My cousins new wee boys can testify to the super cool baby grows they stock.)  The shop's middle has a range of ladies clothes and accessories (which Ann tells me are lovely) and the rear is full of household gifts, greetings cards and wrapping paper. I really like the range of cards they stock, I think nearly everyone I know, has been bought a butterfly kisses birthday card in the last eight months.

The shop is owned and run by two sisters and they make you feel very welcome and totally at ease when you go in for a wander. I must admit there are not many weekends that a walk to the shops doesn't involve a visit. Its one of those shops that when you are passing, you always think you'll just pop in and have a quick nosy round.

As we've said before, Skirving Street is the place to be. Its places like this that can help to draw people into the area. Shops which are as much about the experience of going to the shop, as they are about the need to buy things.

I just can't believe we've taken over a year to actually post some proper pictures and say how much we love the shop. Maybe subconsciously,  we were keeping trying to keep it a secret so that no one would know where all the great birthday gifts were coming from. Ah well the secret's out now . . just in time for my own birthday. (There's some pretty cool painted glasses if anyone is looking for suggestions!!)

Butterfly Kisses

8 Skirving Street,
Shawlands
GlasgowG41 3AA

0141 649 3552
butterflykisskiss@yahoo.co.uk

Boho Kitchen

Boho Kitchen is the exciting new idea of fellow Southsider Heidi and Sunday's event was hosted by Cookie, on Nithsdale Road

I don’t want to compare it to the obvious – come dine with me – because the quality of food, presentation and company was so far above that.

The concept behind Boho kitchen is simple: 3 non professional cooks take over a restaurant for one night. Each one is responsible for one course. Each course is marked by the diners.

Each of the Boho cooks worked with the professional chefs at Cookie. Buying and cooking only what was available at the markets and then serving it up to approximately thirty five diners. So along with showing off your culinary skills, there is a real opportunity for the cooks to learn tips and tricks from the professional chefs.

First up was Dom, who served up delicious home baked bruschetta topped with fennel, caramelised onion and olive, with slow roast tomatoes.

Pete took on the main course serving twice cooked crispy pork belly, Jerusalem artichoke, celeriac and apple puree, served with glazed carrots and spring broccoli. [for the vegetarians there was sun dried tomato and goats cheese risotto]

Last but certainly not least was Ali’s winning perfect pears poached in saffron syrup with homemade vanilla ice cream.

The whole event was really well thought-out. The course’s were organised, prepped, and served in a relaxed but timely fashion and I have to say all the food was excellent.There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the night, with lots of clapping and cheering for the brave cooks. It was £17.50 per person, which included three course’s and a couple of Pincer Vodka cocktails. The standard of food was so good that it really was a bargain and a great fun night out.

Well done to the first Boho cooks your bravery is admirable and your cooking skills are enviable.

If anyone reading is interested in taking on the role as a Boho Kitchen cook or would like to go along to the next event, take a look at Boho's facebook page

And the winner is . . . March 2010

This months Great Southside Giveaway, winner,  is Jen Allan who has won twelve personalised cupcakes from the fabulous Little Cake Parlour and free yoga classes for her and a friend at the newly opened Salutation Station in Polloksheilds . The winner was selected by using the internet radomizer. Jen, please send us an email to claim your prize.

If you're not Jen don't worry, Southside Happenings readers can still get 10% off in the Little Cake Parlour until the end of March! (click here)

It's our third birthday in April and to help you celebrate it we'll be launching a very exciting Birthday giveaway, more informaion on that soon!!

PS - thanks for all your great comments and suggestions during last months Giveaway, we'll go visit some of the ones we've not been to. Please keep leaving messages and sending us emails. Its much more fun running the site with your interaction.

PPS - Special mention to Lorraine who wrote her suggestion in verse. Top marks. Might make one of the future giveaways a wholly poetry competition. I know we southsiders are a creative lot.

This Weekend 20-21 March

The Framers Market is on in Queens Park from 10am till 2pm, their's also the Craft Fair in Langside Halls.

Tonight there is some fantastic performances on at the Tramway. Void Story is the new show by Forced Entertainment. We went to see there performance about the history of the world a few years ago and it was sheer brilliance. Tickets are £9 and it starts at 7.30pm. The national Review of live art is on from 10am till 6.30 at the arches and then moves to the tramway at 7pm, with performances by French Mottershead and DJ miss Electric Gypsyland finishes the day - tickets are £15 for the Day

There's also Bumper Value Comedy at the Shed, tonight from 8pm, part of the Magners Comedy Festival £8 for a ticket.

On Sunday..after Saturday how about a relaxing day cook up your farmers market goodies and then head down to Pollok House, when it's still free entry. Make sure you behave, and say hello to Alburt's friend.

Remember you can use your 10% off Southside Happenings Voucher at the little cake parlour, if you fancy some tea and cupcake!

Any other suggestions for this weekend? let us know

Fruit and Vegetables wanted @ Cookie

We don't have an allotment unfortunately , but we do grow some veggies on our roof and in our stairwell [glazed cupola means it's a bit like a greenhouse]. I use we quite loosely, as last year I grew some rocket, other salad leaves and some herbs. Alburt on the other hand grew tomatos, strawberries, green beans, potatos, peppers, courgettes, onions etc. It's a great feeling to sit down and eat something you have grown yourself.

So I was interested in learning that Cookie on Nithsdale Road, are looking for gardeners and allotment growers to grow veggies and fruit for them or alternatively you can share your excess with them, through a bartering system.

Some of the vegetables will be used in the restaurant and others will be sold outside on their veggie stand. I like the idea of having food grown just around the corner in Queens Park allotments or from a garden along the street.

If your interested in finding out more click here

Mother's Day @ Pollok House

[Image by Finlay McWalter]

For Mothers Day I thought it would be nice to take my family on a little trip to Pollok House as we hadn't been for years.

Both my parents are members of the National Trust for Scotland, I used to be but cancelled it after a couple of years as I never really used it, which I thought was fair enough. The little lady at the front entrance however didn't agree and quite abruptly told me so and started trying to badger me into re-signing up. I initially thought her sharp way of talking was a bit of a fun act but when my polite declining wasn't doing the trick and she kept going on, we all started getting a bit uncomfortable. It was only after I pointed out that as it was now quarter to four we really needed to press on and see the house that she let us by but she gave us a very disapproving look.

Our next hurdle to entering the house was the man taking tickets.  He let my folks through with their membership cards but. . .
then he too started hasslling us for not being a members. When my mum tried to talk to him, he jokingly, but rather inappropriately  told her to stop causing trouble, that she'd been dealt with and he was now dealing with us. We again pointed out that it was getting near to 4 o'clock and we really just wanted to get round the house before it shut at 5pm. To this he said,  "Ok, we'll do a deal then, buy one of my guide books for £3.50 and I'll let you all in for free."

"Ah," we all thought, "It was all just a jokey act after all, and due to the late time of the day, he's letting us in for a cheaper price, how kind." Despite the fact I already had the guide book from a previous visit, we paid up and finally were allowed to enter the house.

We enjoyed the visit, its quite odd inside, it doesn't ever really feel like someone really lived there. My favourite things were the paintings by William Blake in the small smoking room and the Grandfather clock in the hall. We also discovered on our wander around the house, that the entrance fee was actually FREE from Novemer until 31 March anyway, so we hadn't had to buy the guide book afterall?

After a look round the house we wandered down to the servants quarters where there are a few great little gift/ book shops and a new food shop opening soon. There is also a really nice cafe located in the original kitchen and it would definetly be a great place to stop off at on a nice long sunny walk in the park.

After a wee cup of tea and cake, we decided to leave. It was nearly 5pm and we knew the house would be getting ready to close. We retraced our steps back to the entrance lobby, following the EXIT signs, only to find that the lobby was now empty and the front door was locked. We were about to head back to the cafe when he heard a disconnected voice shouting angrily at us. We all looked around confused trying to work out where the voice was coming from and then through a little door came the same wee lady that had badgered us upon arrival and she was not happy with us now at all. We had been very bad people, sneaking off around the house afterhours, going where we should not. We all looked shocked at each other, were we really being told off as naughty children? We were asked why we had not gone out the correct exit and were explained too that fire doors are not for opening, they are for keeping out fires. I tried to point out that the door in question was not actually a fire door and my sister tried to point out that the corridor and the door we'd opened all had arrows on them which said EXIT this way but to no avail, we were in the wrong. Admonished we followed teacher back into the servants quarters where another group of visitors were cowering. We were shown down the corridor to a set of locked doors. Here we waited while our host went off to find the keys to kick us out.

Once outside the other visitors advised they too had had the same friendly experiences as us and admitted they'd been going out the same exit we had, but heard us being shouted at and had scarpered. It was quite pleasant chatting about it all and nice to know it wasn't just us that had created any ire.

All in all it was quite a mixed day. I'd recommend a visit to the house, especially over the next week while its still free. Some of the paintings are great, though the whole thing is proably a bit dry for small kids. The shops and the cafe are great and while our experience with the lady at the front door was a little uncomfortable, it did make our day memorable. My only worry is that not everyone will find it as amusing as we did and people might get put off going back which would be a shame as there are some really interesting things to see. Anyone else had any fun experiences with friendly staff?

Link to our previous post about a visit to the house.
ps - a range of events are happening at the house over next few months. Check the calendar for details.

Supermarket @ Larkfield Bus Depot

Just got sent the below message from a resident in Govanhill and thought you would all find it interesting.
[To see the display boards from the presentation the look to the bottom of this post. Thanks to Tom/ James who emailed us the photos.]

"First Bus are going to be moving from their Larkield depot on Victoria Rd/Butterbiggins Rd and there's a proposal for the site to be developed into a supermarket. The plan includes "superstore, retail units, petrol station and car wash and related access, parking and servicing".

Under new Planning rules the local community must be consulted prior to a Planning Application of this nature being submitted. There's going to be a public exhibition of the plans in Daisy Street Neighbourhood Centre tomorrow (Tuesday 16th March) all day from 10am to 8pm. Comment forms will be available at the exhibition. I should also point out that any comments made on the proposals will be to allow the developers to adapt their plans before they submit the Planning Application. If anyone still wants to officially object to the Application they must do so once it is submitted to Glasgow City Council's Planning Department."

What do you all think about this proposal? The store shown in the proposals, is a biggy. Think more in terms of the super Tesco's or the nearby giant Asda's at Toryglen and Govan. At 100k sqft its the kind of store that could house a dry cleaners and an optitions etc and will likely stock everything from food, to clothes, DIY, stationary, beauty goods and household products.
Do you think its a good development?, will it really bring much needed jobs and consumer choice as the Developers claim or do you think its just another nail in the coffin of the independant shops on Victoria Road, Cathcart road and Kilmarnock Road. Do we need yet another retail park?

Originally the proposal for the Larkfield site was for housing which seemed a good idea and would have helped smooth over the massive division that the M74 has been causing since it was first proposed back in the 60's. The problem with this section of the city is the lack of density. Its the reason the southside feels cut off, you have to pass through a barren land of industrial estates and waste ground. Is this new proposal the best way to reconnect the City in the wake of the new motorway?

What do you all think?

Go along to the Daisy Street Neighbourood Centre Today 16 March between 10 and 8pm to see what the plans are and to have your initial say. You can also now see copies of the presentation below and can send your comments (for or against) to larkfield@muirsmithevens.co.uk.

(Please note that these comments won't be officially recorded and are not presented to the Planning Authority, they are merely to assist the developers in shaping their proposal. Once the Planning Application has actually been submitted, [probably in May], you then still have to go through the official feedback process at that point to have your opinion heard.)

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Stewart Lee @ Citizens

Really looking forward to seeing Stewart Lee tonight at the Citizens. We're going to the 5:30pm show which was added after the 8pm one sold out. (Though I see the Citz just tweeted that there have been some hold tickets just released for the 8pm show if you are fast.)

Should be a good show, the advert promises "opinions on, amongst other things: Top Gear, piglets, bees, Iggy Pop, riots, cider adverts and emigration. For this, he will use various techniques such as: some punchy stuff near the top, inexplicable hostility towards relatively innocuous figures, silence, repetition, long routines experimenting with form rather than content, the possibility of failure, a quasi-serious bit at the end, and there might even be a song!"

Good set of comedy on in the Southside as part of the Magners Comedy Festival. At the Citz they are showing Des Clarke, Chris Addison, Jenny Eclair and Shappi Khorsandi.

Citizens Theatre
119 Gorbals Street, Glasgow, G5 9DS
Box Office: 0141 429 0022

Glad Cafe - 19th March 2010

After two previous sucessful events The Glad Cafe return with their third event. Anarkali  along with guests Lonely Oatcake  will create an evening of Celtic sounds for St Patricks night. This time the event will be held in the Scouthall, on Shawmoss Road, in Crossmyloof. Tickets are £5 on the door and runs from 8pm till late.

http://www.thegladcafe.com/

Pollok House Arts Society

I stumbled across the Pollok House Arts Society a couple of weeks ago. I love the fact that after almost three years of writing a blog about the Southside, we are still finding out about new and interesting groups, places and people.

The Pollok House Art’s Society was established in 1959, with the aim of promoting the performance of music with in Pollok House and to promote performing musicians based in Scotland. For the last fifty years they have been bringing world class artists to perform in and around Pollok House.

Approximately once a month the society holds an event in Pollok House, this month Tenor Andrew Dickinson is performing and in April they have the Fejes Quartet.

To join the PHAS there is an annual fee of £30, but if you have not been to the Society before, you can attend as a guest for the one of discounted price of £10.

They evening starts at 6.45 for pre performance drinks and the event itself begins at 7.30pm. There is also the option of supper after the performance; with two course’s and coffee for £15 – it’s worth noting that dinner must be booked 48 hours before the performance. * If you do decide to stay for dinner it is formal dress.

To buy tickets for the events you should e-mail secretary@phas.org.uk

www.phas.org.uk for more details

The 106 Club - 12 March 2010

106 Club is a new club night, held on the second Friday in each month, upstairs at McNeill's Bar, 106 Torrisdale Street, just of Victoria Road.

This Friday, they present Hidden Masters plus DJ's. It's great to see another new music night in the Southside - might go along and see what this is like.

Entry is £5:00 and the doors open at 8:30pm till late.

Click here for more info

South East Glasgow Arts Network - First projects

Last week we attended an interesting meeting of the SE Glasgow's Art's Network, to hear presentations about the first three projects that the network has funded since it was formed in August 2009. The three projects were; The Hidden Garden's Cultural Cookery Book, The Streetland Festival and a project by three performance artists entitled Hidden Spaces (pictured above). The three projects were very different, one an ongoing project engaging women of different cultures and backgrounds in discussions about food, one the first step towards a festival celebrating the Street and the last a "presentation of "Hidden Spaces" and the environments will be coloured with installation and populated by some *characters* ;) We are using this as a spring board to develop a more comprehensive street performance/installation plan for the area."  I must admit I'm still not entirely sure what the Hidden Spaces performances will contain. Anyone who is in these two Pollokshields areas on Wed or Fri between 3pm and 6pm please let us know what you find. On Wed 24th there will also be a projection of images and films "onto the gable end of houses where the park is at Forth/Leslie Sts. (Turtle Park) at six pm."

About the Network
"The network exists to support and highlight the artists and arts organisation working or living in the SE of Glasgow. It aims to encourage new and dynamic partnerships that create work which meets the community planning objectives of a more vibrant city. To get more information about the network contact the SE Arts Development Officer Lorenzo.Mele@csglasgow.org"

Call for Submissions to ‘Art in the Park’ Exhibition

Art in the Park is a temporary exhibition housed within the Victorian Glasshouses in Queens Park. Now in its second year, the show will run over the weekend of the 22/23 May 2010, with an evening opening on the 21 May. The event is part of  the Southside Festival, which attracts thousands of people into the park. Last year’s exhibition attracted in excess of two thousand people.

The event support’s both established and emerging Glasgow Artists. Patricia Cain, winner of this year’s aspect prize, Joe Hendry, Joe o Brian, Sam Carter and Alexandra Milsom were some of the many artists who took part in Art in the Park 2009.

New for 2010 is Print for a Pony, which will be running alongside the main event, showcasing artist’s prints for under £25.

Both events focus on promoting local artists and designers and to encourage sales, commission is kept to a minimum. Please e-mail me at artinthepark@hotmail.co.uk for more information

If you're a Glasgow artist or designer, and would like your work considered for the show please contact me at artinthepark@hotmail.co.uk  or click here for further submission information Art in the Park or Print for a Pony

Click Here to see list of artists and work from last year

This Weekend 5-7 March 2010

So it's the first weekend of spring and the weather forcast for the weekend is crisp, cold, blue skyes and sunshine.

An exhibition of work by Southside artist Seth Orion Schwaiger, entitled 'Genuine Badger and Other Delights' opens at the Go Slow Cafe on Friday night at 8pm and runs until the 1st of April. Also on Friday night is Ibop at the Ex Service Mens Social Club - get there early as it's a popular night.

On Saturday the farmers market will be selling all sorts of locally grown and hand made goodies, Park Run is on in Pollok Park and the Strathbungo's Spring Fling will be taking place at Queens Park Parish Church 10am till 1pm. La Roche Rumba Carnival is on Saturday night at 8pm at the Ex Service Mens Social Club tickets £5 - remember your costume!

The Battlefield Community Planning Day is taking place on Sunday at battlefield community garden, ledard road/arundel drive. Sammy Dows have a free acoustic night at 8.30pm and there is always the Sunday free Comedy at the Ivory.

The weather's suppose to be nice this weekend, so how about getting up early, breakfast at Langside Cafe, buy a wee bag of sweets and walk around the Langside/Battlefield heritage trail. That way you'll probably get better results in the Southside Quiz!

If you know of other events happening this weekend  or have any suggestions leave a comment below

The Great Southside Giveaway - March 2010

This month we are delighted to have a double prize up for grabs and also an extra special treat at the bottom of this post. 

The prize entails 12 delicious personalised cupcakes from the fantastic and amazingly tasty Little Cake Parlour on Pollokshows Road and three free classes for you and a friend* at the new Yoga School Salutation Station thats just started up in Pollokshields. (We haven't been to the Yoga Centre yet, so one of the conditions of the prize will be to write us up a short review.)

To enter you must be one of the following; our friend on Facebook, our follower on Twitter, signed up to our RSS email or signed up to our Mailing List.
Then just leave your name and a comment below on the subject "Name your favourite Southside place to have tea and cake" and you'll be entered into the draw. Please try to make sure it will be easy to identify you. If possible leave a link to your webpage, blog, Facebook or twitter in the little URL option of the comments box.

The competition will run until the 22nd of March. For all the rules etc then click here.

Extra Special Treat

Lisa, from The Little Cake Parlour, has also kindly agreed to offer all Southside Happenings readers 10% off all purchases at her shop during March. All you have to do is print out the below voucher and take into the shop and you'll get to try all the tasty goodness and keep extra dosh in your pocket.

*Free classes must be claimed by the end of June 2010

Southside Quiz

There is a great quiz by G.Blaikie on a page of his excellant Scotcities site which has tons of interesting facts hidden away in the questions which we'll have to read up on and do posts on in the future - like which southside school did Stan Laurel go to, what street did John Buchan live on and which in the US is Cathcart?

Let us know how you get on. I just did it and I only got 15 out of 30 - doh. Can you beat me?

Link to the quiz

And the winner is . . .

The first winner of the Great Southside Giveaway is Rowan who has won a delicious dinner for two at Cookie. The winner was selected by using the internet radomizer. Rowan, please send us an email to claim your prize.

We'll be launching another extra tasty giveaway on Wednesday.

PS - thanks for all your great comments and suggestions during last months Giveaway, we'll try to include some of those ideas into the site. Please keep leaving messages and sending us emails. Its much more fun running the site with your interaction.