Glasgow: Always an Eventful Experience
As one of Europe’s Cultural Capitals, you’ll always find Glasgow an eventful experience whether you’re a clubber, concert-goer, opera aficionado, theatre lover or dance fan!
No matter when you arrive in the city you’ll find live performances, festivals, exhibitions and entertainment fifty-two weeks of the year! Here we raise the curtain on a few leading events for 2006 in Glasgow: Scotland with style.
- Glasgow Mackintosh Festival 2006
Throughout 2006, with a special focus of events in September, Glasgow celebrates the world renowned architect, designer and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh with the spectacular Glasgow Mackintosh Festival. The festival offers a chance to enjoy the unique riches of Glasgow’s Mackintosh heritage with an ambitious and wide-ranging series of events and exhibitions at venues across Glasgow. www.glasgowmackintosh2006.com
- Alice Through the Looking Glass (from 9 February)
Mystify, excite and educate, with the wonders of perception over reality. Visitors to Glasgow Science Centre can explore the fascinating tricks that their brains can play when they discover the mysteries of the world through hands and bodies on exhibits. This major temporary exhibition takes over an entire floor of the Science Mall and will be an unmissable interactive experience for all the family. For more information log onto: www.glasgowsciencecentre.org
- Marcel Breuer, Design and Architecture (16 June - 27 August)
Marking the 25th anniversary of the death of one of the most influential designer-architects of the 20th Century, The Lighthouse, Scotland's first, dedicated, national centre for architecture and design, is to present the only UK showing of "Marcel Breuer, Design and Architecture". The exhibition features many examples of furniture designed by Breuer at the Bauhaus and detailed 3-D models of 12 of his keynote buildings. www.thelighthouse.co.uk
- Bard in the Botanics (21 June – 23 July)
Glasgow Repertory Company’s annual outdoor Shakespeare festival, Bard in the Botanics, staged within the spectacular and historic Glasgow Botanic Gardens, has proven a hit with audiences and critics alike. Information on the 2006 programme will be available on the website soon. www.glasgowrep.org
- Glasgow River Festival (15 & 16 July)
July sees the return of the festival celebrating the River Clyde, following the enormous success of the previous two festivals. Special events will take place throughout the weekend at venues along the waterfront and on the river itself, including Glasgow Science Centre, The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour and the SECC. www.glasgowriverfestival.co.uk
- Piping Live! – Glasgow International Piping Festival (7 – 13 August)
A global celebration of the diversity of piping music will take place in Glasgow as more of the world's best and emerging pipers descend upon the city for the third year of Piping Live!, the Glasgow International Piping Festival. For one week across various different venues and outdoor spaces, Piping Live! will showcase the best that international piping has to offer with over two dozen different nationalities and piping traditions being represented. www.pipingfestival.co.uk
- World Pipe Band Championships (12 August)
The World Pipe Band Championships have been associated with Glasgow since 1948 and are a celebration of the very best of Scottish music, culture and dance. The event will see over 8,000 pipers and drummers from across the globe competing at Glasgow Green for the coveted title of World Champions 2006.
- Doves & Dreams: The Art of Frances Macdonald and Herbert J McNair (12 Aug- 18 Nov)
This exciting exhibition is the first to be devoted to the artist-couple, Frances Macdonald and J. Herbert McNair. With Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald, they formed the famous 'Glasgow Four' of the 1890s. The exhibition will include some 100 works from public and private collections, including watercolours, graphics, furniture, metalwork, textiles and decorative art. A highlight will be the reconstruction of the beautiful Writing Room exhibited by the artists in 1902. www.glasgowmackintosh2006.com
- Gourmet Glasgow Food & Drink Festival (Throughout August)
Now in its third year, Glasgow’s annual food festival is back, with restaurant deals, cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. The highlight of the month will be the Food & Drink Festival in the Old Fruitmarket from 18-20 August, featuring celebrity chefs Jean Christophe Novelli and Aldo Zilli. www.gourmetglasgow.com
- Tour of Britain – Start (29 August)
Glasgow will again play host to the start of the UK’s premier road race, the Tour of Britain. The tour will thunder through the city’s streets from the official start at Glasgow Green on its way to the finish in London. www.tourofbritain.co.uk
- Indian Summer (2 & 3 September)
Enjoy a long chilled weekend of contemporary sounds with a laid back vibe in Glasgow's leafy West End as Victoria Park plays host to Indian Summer: Scotland's newest, most cultivated music event. Acts confirmed include the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Antony and the Johnsons, Hot Chip and Optimo with many more still to be announced.www.indiansummerglasgow.co.uk
- Whisky Live (8 & 9 September)
Scotland's premier whisky tasting show, Whisky Live, returns to Glasgow’s George Square. Samplings, tutored tastings, meeting the producers, entering into the whisky experience areas and the opportunity to buy your favourite dram are all part of this celebration of Scotland's best export. www.whiskylive.com
- BBC Proms in the Park (9 September)
Now in its fourth year, BBC Proms in the Park returns to Glasgow Green for an evening of the finest classical music. The year, the award winning BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will be joined on stage by outstanding musicians from across the world, including homegrown Scottish musical talent. www.bbc.co.uk/proms/pitp
- Doors Open Days (16 & 17 September)
Doors Open Weekend offers people the chance to explore some of Glasgow’s most fascinating buildings - many not normally open to the public. In 2006, 100 buildings will welcome visitors, many including music, theatre, exhibitions and guided tours. www.gbpt.org
- Merchant City Festival (20 - 24 September)
One of Scotland's leading cultural events, The Merchant City Festival is an annual international showcase set in Glasgow's vibrant cultural quarter. This year, the festival will showcase over 300 hundred events in 70 venues including performances by Scottish Opera and the BBCSSO, participation by leading festivals including the National Review of Live Art, the Jazz Festival the International Comedy Festival and Glasgay, a major fashion event, international street theatre and a comedy programme headlined by Adam Hills and Jason Byrne.
- Fifteen Years, Two Fingers (21 September – 29 October)
Legendary Glasgow arts venue and club the Arches celebrates fifteen years of underground resistance in typically anarchic style, with five weeks’ worth of experimental theatre, avant-garde music, unusual art exhibitions and big name DJs planning club nights. www.thearches.co.uk
- Glasgay (16 October - 12 November)
A fabulous month long festival with over 200 events at many venues throughout the city, celebrating all that is great and wonderful in queer culture. www.glasgay.com
- Glasgow on Ice (Late November – 24 December)
In 2006 George Square will once again place host to the sensational Glasgow on Ice. With the magnificent City Chambers as a backdrop, skate or spectate on one of the largest open-air ice rinks in Europe. www.glasgow-on-ice.co.uk
For information on other events taking place in Glasgow: Scotland with style check out the Glasgow Diary which can be downloaded from www.seeglasgow.com
ENDS JULY 2006
Issued by and further information from:
Caroline Gray – Public Relations Executive
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: +44 (0)141 566 0832
Email: caroline.gray@seeglasgow.com