Museum hosts Art Fund judges

 

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the only Scottish contender for the title ‘Museum of the Year 2013′ and a £100,000 Art Fund Prize that goes with it.

Last week, judges made the popular Glasgow Gallery their first visit on a tour of the ten UK Museums competing for the coveted award. The winner will be announced on Tuesday 4 June, live on Radio 4.

On the shortlist twice before, the KG as it is known locally, is hoping to make it third time lucky. Said Bridget McConnell, Glasgow Life Chief Executive: ‘It was a real honour to host the Art Fund judges and tell them why we and the citizens of Glasgow love the KG so much.’

Each year the Art Fund rewards and highlights the innovation and creativity of leading museums in bringing objects and collections to life.

Following presentations from the Museums team, the judges walked around the place on one of the busiest days of the year – the last Friday of the schools’ Easter holidays.

Said Stephen Deuchar, Chair of the Judges and Director of the Art Fund: ‘The Kelvingrove is not only rooted in its collections but also attracts new audiences.’  He instanced three recent big shows – the rock super group AC/DC; the Pharaoh of Egypt and the Italian Collection. ‘They all brought in new people who wouldn’t have visited otherwise. That’s the real legacy.’

Another judge, Sarah Crompton, Chief Arts Editor of the Telegraph, said: ‘This is a really invigorating place to visit. It is full of people clearly enjoying the excellent historic collections which are presented in accessible ways. And it invests in its visitors with an interestingly diverse exhibition programme.’

The third visiting judge, Bob and Roberta Smith who is a contemporary artist and activist, agreed and added: ‘This is an amazing experience. Everything the museum does is about investing in the people of Glasgow.’

Since reopening in 2013 after a £35 million refurbishment, the KG has had more than 10 million visitors. Commented Councillor Archie Graham, Chair of Glasgow Life: ‘The staggering success of Kelvingrove has not been achieved by accident. We work incredibly hard to put on a programme of temporary exhibitions, events and activities to inspire citizens and visitors alike.’ He added: ‘We’re over the moon to have been nominated for the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year and hope it will be third time lucky for an attraction that is much loved and admired by the people of Glasgow and Scotland.’

PHOTOGRAPH by Ian Watson.

Picture the welcome to Glasgow

Thursday 7 March 2013

Winning photographs of Glasgow were unveiled at Glasgow Airport this week.

The twenty amateur photographers took up a challenge from Glasgow Doors Open Day last year to produce images of the city’s landmark buildings. The competition winners were: 1^st – Surjit Paul for his ‘Geometric Impression’ of the Riverside Museum. 2^Nd – Bobby Borland’s ‘Take a Seat’ at Glasgow University. 3^Rd – Chris Bonnington for an interior shot of Glasgow City Chambers. 4^Th – Bill Crookston for an ‘Unusual view of the front of the Sir Norman Foster & Partners’ Clyde Auditorium.’  Some of them are pictured at the unveiling (above) at Glasgow Airport.

Run in conjunction with the Creative Mackintosh Festival, the competition attracted 150 entries from members of the public. The final 20 photographs will now highlight Glasgow for visitors arriving at the airport.

Said Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau: ‘These wonderful images capture the breadth and wonder of our city’s architecture. They offer a fitting welcome to Scotland’s most stylish city and greatly complement the friendly welcome, for which we are world-renowned. When visitors step off the plane and witness this photography display, they will instantly know they have arrived somewhere special.’

Steven Marshall, Marketing Manager at Glasgow Airport said: ‘We are very pleased to have such high quality images showcasing the city’s leading attractions to welcome international visitors and those returning home.’

Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, which runs Doors Open Day and Glasgow Mackintosh Group which promotes the work of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh will continue to collaborate to promote the city. Glasgow’s Doors Open Day will take place on 21 and 22 September this year.

All the photographs can be seen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.294938167278305.56740.238112722960850&type=3

 

Mini Moves go for selection on Sunday 3 February

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A delighted Kim Carr wants readers to www.localnewsglasgow.co.uk to support MINI MOVES in the tv hit show GOT TO DANCE on Sunday 3 February.

She said: ‘My daughter, Jay’s dance group Fear of the Unknown did well last year. Now their new group MINI MOVES will be seen on Got to Dance on Sky1 hosted by Davina McColl.

Mini Moves audition receive 3 gold stars from the celebrity judges in the audition show and they were given a standing ovation.’

On Sunday the 3rd of February, it will be revealed which acts have been chosen by judges for the live shows in London on Sky1. If Mini Moves are chosen, they will be in the running to win £250,000 which will be used to improve their dance school Dancepoint in Glasgow to the benefit of many young people.

Since it is the public who vote live on the show for their favourite act, Kim is asking everyone to support the local team when the voting time comes after they’ve been selected. ‘Sunday 3 February  it NOT voting time yet,’ emphasised Kim.  ’That’s just when we find out if MINI MOVES are through to the section where the public can vote when that show goes out live.’

The girls are trained by Robert Hamilton of Dancepoint Musical Theatre School, Oxford Street, Glasgow. He also produced The Box and The Fear of the Unknown dance groups from previous Got to Dance series and The Fusion from Britain’s Got Talent.

The young people at Dancepoint regularly perform all over the UK at charity gigs and have helped raise over £250,000 for a variety of charities.

MINI MOVES is made up of: Jay, 11 from Renfrew; Cara,11 from Old Kilpatrick; Skye, 11 from Glasgow; Jo, 11 from Stepps; Holly, 10 from Clydebank.

Jay was part of The Box from Got to Dance series 1 and The Fear of the Unknown series 3. Holly was part of The Box series 1.

facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Minimoves/402799869800569?ref=stream

twitter – @minimoves2

website – meet the girls – www.dancepointglasgow.co.uk

you tube link to first audition – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zil7CR9N8Dw

Said Kim: ‘A Scottish act has never won the show before. As you can image the girls are really excited, so fingers crossed for them.’

 

Dance your heart out!

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Maryhill Integration Network (MIN) and partners Barrowland Ballet and AlbScott, will be performing at Go Dance 13 on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 January at 7.30pm

Said Rose Filippi, Development Worker at MIN: ‘Go Dance is the ultimate dance festival in Scotland. We hope people can support us at this fantastic dance event in the Theatre Royal, Glasgow.

‘Go Dance 13 has the best of community dance from across the county. Fast becoming a highlight of the dance year, this highly successful week-long celebration will wow audiences with its energetic and inspiring programme of new work.’

On Tuesday 29 January groups appearing include: Albscott – Albanian Scottish Association; Centrestage Music Theatre;Denny High School, Dance Academy; Elen Brandao Dance School; Inspire – West Dunbartonshire Council; The Jam Dance and Cheer; Mandy McHarg School of Dance (Dance NRG); Pan’s Pensioners; The Valerie Brown School of Dance and Drama.

On Wednesday 30 January it will be the turn of: Anniesland College HNC; Indepen-dance;Young 1’z and Ensemble; Langbank Primary; Linda Lowry School of Ballet; Maryhill Integration Network and Barrowland Ballet; Reid Kerr College; Scottish Ballet Youth Collective; Stewart Kennedy Dance; Urbaniks Street Skool- U Crew.

For more information and to purchase tickets please go to: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/go-dance-13/theatre-royal-glasgow/

 

Glasgow City invited to ‘Meet the Champions’ Tournament

Glasgow City Women’s Football Team have been invited to compete in an international ‘Meet the Champions’ Indoor Tournament by German Champions FFC Turbine Potsdam in February 2013.

The tournament will mark Potsdam’s 40th Anniversary. City are one of seven Champions hand-picked by Potsdam to play in what is the first tournament of its kind to be hosted by the German giants.

The exclusive, invitation only, event will be made up of Europe’s top sides. The impressive guest team list contains three European Women’s Champions League Winners, including the current holders – French Champions Olympic Lyon.

The German Club has invited:

Glasgow City (Scotland)

Olympique Lyonnais (France)

Arsenal Ladies (England)

ROA Oslo (Norway)

Brondy IF (Denmark)

AC Sparta Praha (Czech Republic)

SV Neulengbach (Austria)

The tournament will take place on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 February in the brand new, indoor MBS-Arena in Potsdam in front of a crowd of 2000.

Commenting on the tournament, City Club Manager, Laura Montgomery said: “To be invited to such an exclusive and high standard tournament is fantastic and very flattering for our club. Looking at the participating Clubs is incredibly exciting with 3 Champions League winners, alone.

“For our players to be able to test themselves against this level of competition in pre-season,  is simply fantastic. I am sure they will enjoy every minute of it.

“We will be playing indoor football, which will be a brand new challenge for us. This type of indoor football is very popular in Europe, particularly in Germany. It will be 8-aside on a pitch with rules we have never faced before.  But this will be a key stage in our fitness preparations for the new season in March.

“To be able to take the girls to Germany for four days for this level of competition at this time in pre-season,  is an opportunity we could never turn down.”

PHOTOGRAPH  by Andy Buist

Christmas is GO! In Glasgow

The countdown to Christmas has officially started in Glasgow as Olympic Bronze medallist, gymnast, Beth Tweddle, joined the Lord Provost to switch on the city’s Christmas lights.

Lucky Clyde 1 competition winners Liam (4) and Beth (8) Lindsay helped flick the switch that turned George Square into a sparkling, twinkling wonderland in front of 15,000 delighted spectators. The grand finale was a spectacular 10-minute firework display from the roof of the City Chambers beautifully captured in Ian Watson’s photographs.

The crowd was entertained by Clyde 1’s George Bowie and Suzie McGuire, an acrobatic display by some of the country’s up and coming gymnastic stars from the Glasgow School of Sport, Michelle McManus, Stephen Purdon, Dean Park and others from the cast of the Pavilion’s ‘The Wizard Of  Never Woz’, together with the RSNO Choir. Glasgow 2014 mascot, Clyde, also kept the crowd moving with a special appearance supported by some funky dancers from Destination Dance.

The Lord Provost, Councillor Sadie Docherty, said: “What a wonderful night!. The crowd loved it and so did I. This was my first year switching on the lights and it was magical. This really was the perfect way to start the festive season.”

The switching on of the city’s Christmas Lights is part of the ‘Glasgow Loves Christmas’ campaign. It incorporates Glasgow’s unrivalled shopping and celebrated Style Mile as well as a programme of festive events throughout the city. Full details of the ‘Glasgow Loves Christmas’ programme are available from www.glasgowloveschristmas.com. And more wonderful photographs can be seen there too.

 

Mascot Clyde is airborne

Thanks to sporty schoolgirl – 12-year-old Beth Gilmour from Cumbernauld – the Commonwealth Games 2014 now has an official mascot! Her design for a thistle figure with purple hair, green body, golden running shorts, and a saltire flag running vest won a UK wide competition which attracted 4000 entries.

Named ‘Clyde’ after the River Clyde, the mascot was unveiled with great excitement today (Thursday 20 September 2012) at the BBC Scotland HQ in Pacific Quay, Glasgow.

Beth met Michael Jamieson, Olympic silver medal swimmer and Rebecca Adlington, Olympic bronze medal swimmer. ‘It hasn’t sunk in yet,’ said the schoolgirl badminton player who also swims. Earlier she’d commented: ‘It’s amazing to see Clyde come to life. I hope everyone loves him as much as I do.’

Hosted by Sam and Mark, children’s tv personalities; the event saw  Mascot Clyde  swing into the arena  from the upper reaches of the BBC’s vast interior, much to the delight of the crowd.

WIN WIN WIN!!! a Sony PlayStation 3

Don’t be frightened! But you’ll find some interesting monsters in Buchanan Galleries on Saturday 15 September. They’ll be having Halloween fun and games to promote the family animated 3D film, ‘HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA,‘ releasing at cinemas UK wide on Friday 12 October.

The costumed characters will have lots of giveaways to….give away!

Before then, readers of this website have a chance to win a fang-tastic Sony PlayStation 3 as part of the celebrations around the film’s launch.

Hotel Transylvania is Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort where monsters and their families can live it up, free from the meddling human world. It’s not generally known, but Dracula has an adventurous teenage daughter, Mavis. And the resort is his way of keeping her within talon’s reach and beyond the influence of nasty humans. So Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves and others are on hand to gourge out eyes when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.

For your chance to win the Sony PlayStation 3 just give us the answer to the question: ‘In Hotel Translyvania, what is the name of Dracula’s teenage daughter?’

A – Mable

B – Mary

C – Mavis

To enter, just email your answer PLUS your name and contact number to : franklinfeatures@gmail.com by 12 noon on Tuesday 18 September

(see terms and conditions – BELOW)

Terms & Conditions

1. Entries must be received before: XX

2.       The winner will be drawn at random from all correct entries received.

3.       No responsibility will be accepted for entries lost or never received.

4.       The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

5.       Employees and their families, relations and suppliers of Sony Pictures are not eligible.

6.       One entry per household only.

7.       Only open to UK residents.

8.       The Promoter reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value at any time.  There is no cash alternative.

9. The Promoter has the right to select an alternative winner if:

1. a winner is ineligible to enter the competition;
2. the winner is under 18 and his/her parent or guardian do not agree to these terms and conditions or do not wish their child to receive a prize;
3. the Promoter does not receive confirmation of the winner’s address and/or parental consent within 14 days of any request;
4. the Promoter does not receive from the winner all documentation required in connection with the prize within the deadline notified by the Promoter;

10.   If the first winner does not claim their prize within 14 days, the winner’s claim will lapse and automatically become void. If the entry selected is invalid, adjudged void or a prize claim lapses, another entrant may be selected at random from the remaining eligible entries at the Promoter’s sole discretion (but the Promoter shall have no obligation to do so)

11.   Winners will be notified via email or telephone. The sending of an email to the email address registered by the winner will be sufficient notification for this purpose and the Promoter will not be responsible for any failure by a winner to receive that email. Please note it is essential that you provide the correct email address, otherwise we may not be able to contact the winner for this prize draw and therefore the entry will be considered null and void.

12. The prize is a Sony Playstation 3 games console.

13. Please allow 28 days prize fulfilment from the date of claim.

14. For full terms and conditions, please visit www.sublimepromotions.co.uk/hotelt

 

Preparing for tomorrow’s ‘Worlds’ today

Informally dressed they may be, but this is the world leading Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band in public rehearsals in Kelvingrove Park today, preparing for the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green tomorrow (Saturday 11 August 2012). Last year they came first in every major competition they entered including the ‘Worlds’.

Around 8000 pipers, drummers and performers are expected to take part in the ‘Worlds’ which have been associated with Glasgow for 70 years. They’ll bring with them an audience of at least 40,000 and will create a spectacle that is difficult to match.

From County Antrim, the Field Marshal Montgomery pipers were checked individually by Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE (pictured centre) as part of their intense concentration on the quality of their sound. That kind of scrutiny while being watched by a crowd, is all part of the discipline of a pipe band.

Even if you’re not partial to the sound of the great Highland bagpipe, it is worth a visit to Glasgow Green tomorrow to watch the style and the dedication of skilled musicians from all parts of the world. Truly a memorable day out.

 

Chefs cook up a World pipe band champion event

More than 230 bands will compete in the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green on Saturday 11 August. The fierce competition to be world champions for bands and individual bagpipe players and drummers, will attract more than 8000 skilled musicians from around the world.

Tickets for the finals at World level, are already sold out. People who buy tickets for the all – day spectacle show, can listen, free, to the competitors in the early, other levels of the ‘Worlds’ as the event is fondly referred to.

Ian Embelton, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Bands Association said: ‘The entry this year in the ‘Worlds’ is an indication of just how much the bands enjoy coming to Glasgow to compete.’ The competition has been associated with the city for more than 60 years. He added: ‘The pipers and drummers and all the supporters, enjoy a great day out. This year we have more than ever on offer. There is nothing quite like a day out at The World Pipe Band Championships.’

The event is for all the family with Highland Games, Highland Dancing, children’s activities and a serious competition among six of Scotland’s best known chefs. They will vie with each other in cooking demonstrations at the Flavour of Scotland arena, using some of this country’s finest ingredients.

Picture here are two of the chefs – John Quigley of Red Onion and Colin Manson of Malmaison – who were checking out where they’ll be cooking up a storm on Saturday 11 August. They’re wearing Help for Heroes kilts from Cameron Ross, the world’s biggest kilt hire supplier. The company has pledged £4 to Help for Heroes charity for ex-military service personnel, for every kilt hired from them in the Help for Heroes tartan.

For further information about ticket availability, prices and concessions for the World Pipe Band Championships call 0141 353 8000 or go to www.theworlds.co.uk

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