WebMayJun2019

www.westendermagazine.com | 29
Top Things To Do
in the West End
by Tracy Mukherjee
Late spring/early summer, a truly glorious time
of the year. A time to reflect on how fortunate
we are to be Westenders with our myriad of
festivals, fairs and frolics. Let’s look forward to
long summer nights in our favourite corner of
Glasgow.
Top for THE Festival
It seems almost impossible that 365 days
have passed since the last West End Festival
monopolised every inch of our social life.
But thankfully it’s here again! The largest
cultural event in Glasgow kicks off on Friday
31st May for a month long run of art, music,
theatre and cultural events.
Top picks for street parties include Mansfield
Park Gala Day, Wilton Street Garden Fete,
Willow Bank Bowling Club Summer Fete and
Queen Margaret Drive Gala Day.
For music, The University of Scotland
Symphony Orchestra kicks off the festival with
a programme including Stravinsky and Dvorak.
Songbird sees Ellyn Oliver singing the works of
the great Eva Cassidy, whilst Samba Ya Bamba
and Friends bring Brazil to Kelvingrove Art
Galleries. Also look out for Da Capo Alba Guitar
and Mandolin Orchestra performing a stunning
concert at Cottiers.
Stand out events include Vinicombe Street Silent
Disco. Kelvingrove hosts both the Midsummer
Solstice Fire Show and the family Open-Air
Ceilidh. For more family fun visit The Magic
Circus at the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre.
To ferry you from one event to the next, look out
for the free Vintage Bus Service on 30th June.
Take a ride in a restored vintage bus, navigating
a circular route from the Riverside Museum via
Byres Road and Anniesland. Hop on and hop
off at your favourite stop – Botanic Gardens,
Broomhill – it’s free throughout the day, so enjoy!
The West End Festival, various venues,
Fri 31st May – Sun 30th June
For full programme details visit –
w: westendfestival.co.uk
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust (GVVT)
at the WEF, Sun 30th June, for route
details and information on the GVVT visit:
w: gvvt.org/events
Top for Toe Tapping
With some top notch nights out coming up,
time to brush up on your dance moves and take
to the floor. The Roaring 20s Party, By Order
of The Peaky Blinders flaps onto the dance
floor of SWG3 this June. A night of prohibition
paraphernalia, entertainment and music, tickets
to this event will be hotter than a gangster’s
moll. Of course 1920s dress is a must, especially
for some selfies with themed cocktails.
Entertainment on the night includes a flutter
on the horses plus casino (strictly for laughs
of course), clairvoyant capers with magicians,
palm, tarot readers and beautiful burlesque.
It’s quite a list and that's without mentioning
music, dance and the champagne reception.
Heading up to University Avenue, the Big Band
Dance Night takes us back to the dance halls of
the 1940s for a night of saxxy sophistication.
Whether it’s Lindy Hop, Jive or Foxtrot (or
indeed just dad dancing) the spirit of dance
leaders such as Glen Miller or Duke Ellington
won’t be far away. Featuring the 14 piece big
band Jon Ritchie and That Swing Sensation,
even if you are blessed with two left feet, what it
is to sit back, close your eyes and listen to some
truly spine tingling music from a golden age.
The Roaring 20s Party, By Order of Peaky
Blinders, SWG3 Studio, Sat 1st June
w: swg3.tv/events
Big Band Dance Night, Glasgow
University Union, Sat 23rd June
w/ Jon Ritchie and That Swing Sensation
and search events