West End Festival 2006
9 to 25 June 2006
Music
Tales for Tots
Julia Donaldson and Margaret Ryan
Theatre
Find out more
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It’s the tenth anniversary of Glasgow’s biggest festival and there are over 350 performances of different events and activities to mark the occasion.
By far the biggest event is the famous Street Party and Opening Parade, now called Scotland’s Mardi Gras, which takes place on the opening Sunday, 11 June with parading bands from London and Brighton joining Scottish musicians and a cast of 300 costumed performers. |
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The parade joins up with the Glasgow Mela in Kelvingrove Park to provide Glasgow with a feast of multi-cultural activity on the one day!
The programme features classical, jazz, rock and world music, walks, exhibitions, films and drama. Many performers are local professional or amateur musicians and artistes, and West End Festival provides a valuable umbrella for local talent, including up to 20 bands who will play in Byres Road on the stages on the Mardi Gras day in front of thousands of people. We've highlighted some events below, to whet your appetite....
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The festival will open on Friday 9th with a day of world-class music featuring Martin Taylor’s Guitars 3 at Oran Mor. In 2004, Martin Taylor played a memorable sell-out solo show at Oran Mor to close the that year's West End Festival. Guitars 3 also features Neil Stacey and Martin Simpson and is part of the Scottish Arts Council's Tune Up programme. |
New for 2006 is the Glasgow International Organ Festival to celebrate the new organ at the University Chapel. The seven concert series closes with a BBC broadcast with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on 23 June 2006.
Anniesland College presents Tales for Tots with storytelling for pre-school children, performed daily by staff and students of Anniesland College. From traditional fairy tales to modern stories, with animal anecdotes a popular feature, the narrations are exquisitely presented. All are welcome to an hour of enthralling entertainment.
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Award-winning author Julia Donaldson needs little introduction to Glasgow and UK audiences. Creator of 'The Gruffalo' and an increasingly rich array of enthralling picture books and fiction, Gilmorehill G12 brings Julia and her husband Malcolm back by popular demand to introduce her latest picture book 'Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book', and more. For ages three to eight. |
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Also at Gilmorehill G12, best selling writer Margaret Ryan, creator of some much loved characters, will give an exclusive preview of her latest book. Join her to hear the adventures of two very entertaining dogs 'Scratch and Sniff'. There may also be the chance for some dressing up fun! For ages six to eight. |
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In 1995 a crowd of 150 people attending a public meeting at Cottier Theatre heard founder Michael Dale and local councillor Pat Chalmers outline plans for a new festival in Glasgow. The festival began in mid-June 1996 with a week-long event, the main highlight being a Midsummer Carnival and extended to two weeks in 1997. By 2001, the festival had over 200 events and Byres Road in Glasgow was closed to allow the Opening Parade and Street Party to take over! Now the biggest festival in Glasgow, and with plans to establish itself further, the West End Festival is celebrating it's 10th anniversary in style! |
An innovation for 2006 is the outdoor promenade play 'The Life of Jesus Christ', with a cast of over 50 local people.
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Performed with great success at Dundas Castle near Edinburgh for the last four years, the play will transform Kelvingrove Park into the Holy Land of Biblical times for a dramatic production of the Greatest Story Ever Told.
Presented by The Dundas Foundation, this is a play for all faiths and no faiths. |
The audience will follow the play on foot through the park as the story unfolds – beginning with his Teachings and ending with the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension. This is now Scotland’s premier outdoor theatre event and patrons should note that even in Scotland in June it may rain, so please come prepared! There is a special matinee performance on Friday 16 June at 1pm to allow schools and students to attend. Bookings can be made at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in person or phone 0141 353 8000.
Find out more
Please visit West End Festival online for full information on events and activities throughout the festival.
For more online information on the Glasgow Mela vist Scottish Academy of Asian Arts.
West End Festival 2006 is supported by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council. | |