In The West End
July/August 2024
The high point of our events calendar – it’s the sizzling summer session of Top Things. So, dear Westenders, here are the ingredients for a sumptuous summer cocktail of fizzy family fun, with a shot or two of classy culture, and the cherry on top? The bouncing beats of Summer Nights at the Bandstand. Cheers!
Top for Summer Hols Activities
When researching this section – honestly, just sooo much in contention for a mention. Let’s start with Summer of Fun at Glasgow Museums. Throughout the Summer, Kelvingrove, the Riverside and Kelvin Hall will have a range of activities for the little ‘uns. Summer Under the Waves sees kids finding out more about the oceans around us from Kelvingrove Museum’s own marine collection. There’s story telling too – the tales behind the artefacts and a chance to create your own deep sea origami creature. At Kelvin Hall, on Fair Friday the Moving Image and Sound Archive will present ‘Doon the Watter’ a fantastic afternoon of nostalgia and fun for the family – especially the grandparents.
The historic tradition of visiting Weymss Bay, Largs and the Clyde Islands like Cumbrae and Bute has been immortalised by the archive. This WAS your summer holiday – a day out doon the watter. And finally at the Riverside Museum, universally popular – a Fire Engine Rally! A time to live our dreams (yes, I suppose the kids can come too). Get behind the wheel of a vintage fire engine and ring that bell a-la Trumpton – Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew…
Summer Under the Waves,
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2nd July – 8th August 1.30- 4pm
Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
Doon the Watter
Friday 12th July 1 – 4pm
Kelvin Hall
Vintage Fire Engine Rally
20th – 21st July 10am – 4pm
The Riverside Museum
w:glasgowlife.org.uk/whats-on?q=summer+of+fun&channel=All
Top for a Culture Hit
A truly innovative experience lands at the SEC Campus between the 11th July and 4th August. Beyond Van Gogh takes visitors literally into the artist’s work. Van Gogh’s 2-D paintings have been transformed into 3-D installations allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the paintings. The journey takes visitors through Van Gogh’s thoughts, dreams, experiences, documented in both the darkness and light of his art. A totally unique experience.
Turning to theatre over the summer and Bard in the Botanics is back with ‘Her Infinite Variety’.
Having started during WestFest in June, there are still some productions for you to enjoy in July. If you are quick off the mark, you’ll catch Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler which are running until 6th July. But running from the 11th until 27th July, a Lanarkshire take on The Merry Wives of Windsor sees the setting changed to Wishaw. Oh Falstaff, you picked the wrong women and the wrong place to practise seduction! The Merry Wives of Wishaw is a hilarious adaptation of the Shakespeare play, perfect for a night in our beautiful Botanics. ‘Wives may be Merry and yet honest too’… eh maybe not in Wishae…
Also in July, the darkly comic Measure for Measure. A play as relevant today as it was in the 1600, it’s themes of political control and the injustice of a corrupt government could just as well be set in 2024! But it’s not all doom and gloom. Often classed as one of Shakespeare’s ‘problem plays’, it shifts tone from comedy to tragedy, so there are some lighter moments too.
Beyond Van Gogh
11th July – 4th August
SEC Campus
w:sec.co.uk/events/detail/beyond-van-gogh
Bard in the Botanics
Plays showing until 27th July
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
w:bardinthebotanics.co.uk
Top for Outdoor Fun
SWG3 are on fire just now with a list of events for young and old alike. On 21st July Scotland’s Garden Scheme invite you to SWG3’s Garden Open Day. This once derelict plot of land behind the main warehouse has been lovingly transformed into a real little oasis. With trees, shrubs, perennials, beehives and raised beds for the local community to use as mini allotment spaces, go along and help raise some funds to keep this beautiful green space going. The design of the garden by horticulturist Jeremy Needham is stunning; a chance to wander in a tranquil space, with a cuppa included in the ticket price.
In August, it’s an event the Fresh Prince himself would be proud of. SWG3 present Old School Hip Hop Outdoor and Indoor Summer BBQ. I said a hip-hip, the hippie, the hippie, to the hip hip-hop and you don’t stop the rockin’…ahem, sorry. If Rapper’s Delight isn’t on the playlist well my medallion and American footie top will be unceremoniously binned! What a great event this is going to be. Brought to you by Hip Hop club gurus Gin and Juice, the day kicks off at 2pm with classic tracks throughout the day. Hungry? There’s a myriad of BBQ vendors on site to keep your hunger at bay whilst you bust some grooves. I am so down with the kids!
SWG3 Garden Open Day
Sunday 21st July 2pm – 5pm
w:scotlandsgardens.org/swg3-garden/
Gin and Juice Old School Hip Hop Summer BBQ
Sun August 25th 2pm –
SWG3
Eastvale Place
w:swg3.tv/events/2024/may/gin-juice-old-school-hip-hop-summer-bbq/
Top for Summer Nights
It’s THE event of the West End calendar, when the Kelvin Way toilets are no longer available having been subsumed by…SUMMER NIGHTS AT THE BANDSTAND!! Yes, we know that you may not have been lucky enough to get tickets, but such are the acoustics of the West End, I find myself listening from my window thinking ‘Who’s on tonight?’ Well at time of writing there were still some tickets available. The line up as usual, is tremendous and it’s a great venue to listen to music. Gabrielle, Emeli Sande, Ziggy Alberts, Echo and the Bunnymen and… Bananarama! I imagine the West End will be one giant karaoke when the girls are on stage.
It’s just such a lovely time of year. Out with your buddies, listening to the music of your youth. Cheers guys.
Summer Nights at the Bandstand
July 23rd – August 10th
Kelvingrove Bandstand and Amphitheatre
w:ticketmaster.co.uk/ and search for Summer Nights at the Bandstand
Best of The Rest
Glasgow’s Pride 2024
Sat 20th July
w:glasgowspride.org
Victor and Barry’s Kelvinside Compendium
Thursday 8th August
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
w:glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/victor-and-barrys-kelvinside-compendium-alan-cumming-and-forbes-masson
Piping Live
Glasgow International Piping Festival
10th – 18th August
Various venues across the city
w:pipinglive.co.uk
Return to Culture and Arts
