AFTER much uncertainty, Glasgow’s West End Festival will go ahead this year as organisers announce an exciting programme to mark its 25th anniversary.
Director Michael Dale, who is stepping down from the helm of the popular event, said: “We would have liked to have been able to announce a full programme but the pandemic has put paid to that, of course.
“As there is no possibility of our regular participants mounting indoor concerts and shows, we will have a number of outdoor events at our core venues such as Vinicombe Street and the piazza in front of the Kelvingrove Art Galleries.
“And we are also mounting two days of music at the Kelvingrove Bandstand – and all of these events are free.”
The festival was cancelled last year because of Covid and has been delayed this year.
Its regular grant from Glasgow City Council ended earlier in 2021 so Michael and his colleagues secured special one-off funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the Council’s Area Partnerships and another slice of Creative Scotland money from the Cultural Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund.
“As a result, we are able to mount a decent programme with something for all, and we are grateful to these funders for their support in this special year for WEF,” said Michael.
Events will now be staged over weekends next month, from September 11 to 26.
Michael has announced this will be his last festival. He started the event in 1996 with his own cash, and it quickly became the most popular community event in the city.
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The landmark Belle and Sebastian free concert in 2004 drew 15,000 people to the Botanic Gardens.
The festival was the launching pad for important events such as Bard in the Botanics, the Gibson Street Gala, the Cottier Chamber Project and the Mansfield Park farmers’ markets.
This year, the highlight will be an afternoon of traditional music curated by renowned fiddler Chris Stout at the Kelvingrove Bandstand and a Sunday afternoon concert by The Cooperation brass band. There will be two family gala days at Vinicombe Street, the annual Scottish Folk Music Outdoor Ceilidh at the Art Galleries and SambaYaBamba and Friends, a percussion extravaganza at the Art Galleries. Think Circus will unveil its unique Autumn Solstice fire and dance show on the evening of Sunday, September 19.
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