By Tracy Mukherjee
Top for Cinema
The curtain comes up on The Glasgow International Film Festival this February. With well-loved branches of the festival returning, there’s much to look forward to. The retrospective theme this year is ‘Truth to Power’. The retrospective will showcase some of the most iconic films of the past 60 years, such as All the President’s Men, In the Name of the Father and Selma. These films’ common theme of stances against more powerful forces, unite some of the most cinematic moments in movie history.
Country Focus this year? Sweden, with the hilarious bi-line ‘Take a Chance on Me:Swedish Cinema.’ We all love a bit of Scandi-cinema, so Swedish films are bound to be a firm favourite with audiences.
And we’ve just scratched the surface of what will be on offer. With the full line-up being announced on Jan 24th, pecil-out February/March. You’re busy.
The Glasgow International Film Festival
25th Feb – 8th March
w:glasgowfilmfest.org
Top for a Good Cause
The beautiful Landsdowne Church, now home to The Stand Comedy Club and The Kelvin Bar. But at its heart, there remains a historic building with some of the most famous stained-glass windows in Scotland. The windows, by renowned stained-glass artist Alf Webster, have been central to the grandeur of the building since 1913. Two of the most important historic windows call the converted church their home – The Templeton window and the McCowan window. But conserving beautiful windows like this, salvaging works of stained-glass art from churches that are closing down, requires funds. The Alf Webster Museum of Stained Glass are championing the preservation of the craft of staining glass. You can donate to the work of the stained-glass museum through the link below. The museum welcome donations to help to support the establishment of the museum at the Websters site and the associated outreach work they undertake.
For as little as £1.00, you can help to support the development of Scotland’s only museum dedicated to stained glass.
w:alfwebstermuseum.com/donate-now/
Top for Classical Music
The Hebrides Ensemble are a collective of award-winning musicians who perform contemporary classical chamber music. The Ensemble ‘make new music familiar and familiar music new’. Their new tour is February ‘Music for Time’ will tour Scotland. The programme will include Oliver Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.
It’s a beautiful piece, intense, yet still and has been a favourite musical masterpiece for many. It has a special place in the heart of the company, being one of the first movements they played together. The Ensemble will also play a new work by Arthur Keegan, supported by the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Composers Programme. Keegan’s composition ‘takes Messiaen’s ideas of eternity and renewal as a starting point, creating a contemporary reflection on faith, fragility, and the passing of time.’
This really is an unmissable concert, so get the date for Glasgow in your diary now!
The Hebrides Ensemble
Music For Time
Saturday 7 February
Adelaide Place
209 Bath St
w:hebridesensemble.com/events/event/music-for-time-glasgow
