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.

Moffat PATHS and photographs provide a feast this weekend.

Three minutes from the M74 in Moffat, you’ll find a spectacular exhibition and cultural gathering which launches this weekend – Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May.

Professor Richard Demarco CBE formally opens PATHS, a suite of 12 photographs taken by Jennifer Gough-Cooper at Little Sparta, the garden created by Scottish poet, Ian Hamilton Finlay. The black and white photographs will be on show till 12 July at the Moffat Gallery.

 

When Jennifer first set eyes on Little Sparta in Dunsyre in the late 1950s, it had a solitary tree and Ian’s wife Sue had started to shape a small garden near the house. Ian had created a lochan by damming streams from the moor and had a tiny boat which he used to sail across the water with his children.

After she had taken early morning pictures and was looking at them with Ian, Jennifer said she’d been struck by the variety of paths in the garden. Immediately, Ian invited her to collaborate in an exhibition with him at Kloster Schoenthal in Switzerland. Out of that came a book PATHS published by Wild Hawthorn Press.

Another part of the Moffat Book Events – entitled ‘Beyond the Garden  Gate,’  will be a symposium on Saturday 26 May at 2pm in the Town Hall at Moffat, asking: ‘What are gardens for?’  Anna Pavord, author of the book  ‘The Tulip’; Richard Wheeler, National Trust garden history specialist; Janet Wheatcroft of Craigieburn Garden and photographer and author Jennifer will all be fielding questions from the audience.

On Sunday 27 May at 11am in Craigieburn Garden, Moffat, Jennifer and Richard will be discussing KIRSTENBOSCH – Jennifer’s black and white photographs of Kirstenbosch, South Africa’s National Botanical Gardens. Those images formed the inaugural art exhibition at the National Botanic Garden of Wales and will be shown in Moffat in Craigieburn Café and Gallery launching on Saturday 26 May through till Wednesday 27 June but note the premises are closed on Mondays.

Jennifer’s latest book, has a multitude of colour photographs and is entitled ‘Origins – song of Nooitgedacht, a remote valley in the Karoo’.  Recently published in Cape Town to great acclaim, this work of art depicting the beauty of South Africa, will be available in Moffat. For a visual feast,  fine conversation and beautiful books, Moffat is the place to be this weekend.

www.jennifer-gough-cooper.com

www.craigieburngarden.com

www.moffatbookevents.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protesters target Maryhill Burgh Halls opening

In true Maryhill style, the official opening of the £9.6 million revamped Maryhill Burgh Halls, attracted protesters.

A crowd of local schoolboys, complete with bikes and skateboards, marched into the invitation only evening on Thursday 26 April. And the VIPs arriving had to walk past an array of banners held by determined grannies demanding justice for Kinship Carers.

They, and the official guests, were serenaded in proper Scottish style, by professional piper Chris Waite at the door. He was one of the Jim Jam Ceilidh Band musicians who entertained, later, inside.

The boys told this website reporter earnestly:’We should be allowed in,’ said Rhys McNally (14). ‘It’s discrimination that we are not.’ His pal Mitchell McGowan Ross (13) added: ‘We’re normal people. We deserve the right to go in. The place should be open to the whole public.’ They were politely, but firmly, shown the door by courteous door stewards and trundled back outside.

Choosing to remain outside with their placards and banners were the Kinship Carers. All local women who look after children – usually their own grandchildren – when the parents cannot; they had lobbied earlier in the day outside Glasgow City Chambers. ‘If we fostered a stranger’s child we’d get £300 a week to look after them. Because the children are family, we get £50 a week and none of the important psychological help,’ explained Liz Lynch. In a campaign co-ordinated across Scotland, Kinship Carers met candidates of all parties to demand they sign up for the Kinship Carers’ national manifesto.

It asks for pledges from incoming councillors to:- end the postcode lottery across Scotland for Kinship Care support to ensure that every child had a fair and equal chance.

To:- create a one-stop shop approach to the necessary financial, health, psychological, educational and social work support. ‘Getting any one of these can be a huge struggle for Kinship Carers,’ said supporter Miriam Rose of the Poverty Truth Commission.

To:- recognise the hard job Kinship Carers do and how well they do it and to support them with respite and legal advice among other issues.

Would be councillors were also called on to work with the Kinship Carers when making policy so that funds are used wisely to benefit the children.

On arrival, Lord Provost Bob Winter stood and chatted with them while he put on his chain of office and was happy to pose with them. ‘I saw them earlier today at the City Chambers and support them,’ he said.

The date of 26 April was chosen for the re-opening of the Maryhill Burgh Halls because it was on that date 134 years ago they were originally opened. Already major events have been held in the beautifully re-furbished suites of rooms which include a business centre, a nursery, a cafe a recording studio and exhibition and halls space. Performing the opening this time, was Culture Secretary MSP Fiona Hyslop.

Pride of place in the Halls are original stained glass windows which – uniquely – depict workers in Maryhill in those far off days. They show men working with wood and metal and women working with dyes. Descendants of glass artists Joseph Miller and of the Provost of Maryhill in 1878, were also present at the 2012 opening.

The beauties of the windows and the well-thought-out interior will be available for the public to enjoy on Saturday 28 April from 10am till 4pm. There will be free tours of the buildings, talks, entertainment and samples of what activities will be available, regularly, in the Maryhill Burgh Halls. The boys will be back! And the Kinship Carers might even bring their children too.

 

 

 

 

 

Jane’s hope lives on

The story of a forgotten Scottish heroine who was murdered in Auschwitz was told in powerful performances by Tram Direct at Theatre at Queens on Glasgow’s Southside this week.

The harrowing details of Jane Haining’s final days as matron of a Church of Scotland orphanage for Jewish girls in Budapest, were dramatically retold by professional and community actors in ‘To Serve is to Resist.’

Because she refused to leave ‘her girls’ she was arrested and died with them in the gas chambers of the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp.

The performances were even more poignant because Jane had worshipped in the very building where Tram Direct now has its headquarters and theatre space. The congregation of what is now called Queen’s Park Church of Scotland, installed two stained glass windows to remember Jane’s sacrifice and some of the current congregation took part in scenes in the play.

One of the cast was from Budapest and had known of Jane’s bravery.  Aniko Szilagyi  is currently working for her PhD at the University of Glasgow. She first visited Glasgow in 1999 as a winner of an English speaking competition run in Budapest as a living memorial to Jane Haining. Said Aniko: ‘It is strange taking part in this play. It is part of my history.’

The play was commissioned by Isobel Barret founder of Tram Direct who runs it and Theatre Ecole from their base within Queen’s. ‘When I heard the story of Jane Haining I commissioned Ian Morland to write this play. It was a story that just had to be told and it was right here on our doorstep.’

The first act tells of Jane’s determination to work abroad as a Christian missionary and how she achieves her dream on being appointed matron of the Budapest girls’ home.

The second act illustrates vividly how, despite her suffering throughout interrogations and in the death camp, she never lost her faith in God. Skilful use of original film footage of Hitler speaking, set the context of the time. Nine songs interspersed throughout the play added to the emotional response of the acting.

Those who watched the play were left with a profound sense of awe at Jane’s courage. ‘This deserves to be wider known and seen,’ said one member of the audience.

 

Martyr play reveals hidden history

Before the gallows was packed away, the performance of The Martyrdom of Saint John Ogilvie was being considered for revival in 2015. That will be 400 years after the man was hanged at Glasgow Cross.

The story of the Scottish Catholic priest who was tortured, tried and convicted for treason in the climate of major change in the run up to the Reformation was told and re-told 11 times during Lentfest in churches in and beyond Glasgow.

At the final night in St Aloysius’ Church, Garnethill, the dramatic events unfolded before an audience of around 200. Principal actor, script writer, director and van driver Stephen Callaghan, showed clearly how this man died to defend religious freedom for everyone. The cast presented a moving story that made sense of history.

Stephen – who is also Director of Lentfest, an arts and music festival promoted by the Archdiocese of Glasgow – said: ‘This has been so worthwhile. We have a wonderful cast and crew from all over Glasgow and beyond and of different backgrounds and faiths. Each has brought something unique to the play. I hope the play will inspire people to find out more about St John Ogilvie.’

As the final bows were taken, one of the youngest cast members stepped forward spontaneously and thanked Stephen for how she had been welcomed into AGAP Community Theatre. ‘I knew no-one when I arrived,’ said the 16-year-old. ‘Now I have many friends.’

Many of the audience knew little of the martyr Saint John Ogilvie before they arrived, but they left with a new perspective on the freedom to follow any faith today in Scotland and how this has been won by martyrs like St John Ogilvie.

The performance was one of the last major music and drama events held for Lentfest. But during Holy Week there will be ‘Women at the Cross’ in St Alphonsus’ Church on Monday 2 April at 7.30pm.

At University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel there will be the free art exhibition depicting many different artists’ interpretation of events around Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. The exhibition is open 9am till 5pm. Among some of the University’s own artefacts will be Roman nails of the type used in the time of Christ for crucifixion.

On Sunday 15 April at 3pm there will be Ecumenical Stations: Via Lucis: Stations of the Resurrection with prayers and meditations led by the University of Glasgow Chaplaincy Team, Rev Stuart MacQuarrie, Fr John Keenan and Strathclyde University Catholic Chaplain, Fr Brendan Slevin OP, held in Glasgow University’s Memorial Chapel.

Eathquakes and sinking ships – scholarly studies

TITANIC to the Great East Japan Earthquake Documentation of Disasters Public Event Thursday 22nd March Kelvin Gallery University of Glasgow 10am – 3pm The White Star liner Titanic sank after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic in April 1912 and the Great Eastern Japanese Earthquake took place almost a century later in March 2011. Both disasters sent shock waves round the world and were extensively covered in the world press that in both cases had to rely heavily on eye-witness accounts. The sinking of the Titanic still attracts huge public interest and the centenary will be commemorated in many events this year. Will the Great Eastern Japanese Earthquake be similarly commemorated in 2111? The memory of the sinking of the Titanic was transmitted through images, film and records from before the events, the evidence of survivors and the reports of public enquiries on both sides of the Atlantic. The event was memorialized in public monuments such as that in Washington and subsequently in books and films. The memory of the Great Eastern Japanese Earthquake will be transmitted through the same media, but with the important addition of digital images and the recorded testimony made by eye-witnesses at the time, using mobile phones and other personal devices and uploaded on social networking sites. This joint symposium between Humanities Advanced Technology and Information Institute (HATII), University of Glasgow, and Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies (IIIS), University of Tokyo, in Glasgow, will bring together Japanese and Scottish scholars and is free to members of the public.  10.00 Coffee & welcome 10.30 Titanic: Professor Michael Moss 11.30 The 3/11 Memorial & Archive: Professor Shunya Yoshimi 13.30 Documenting 3/11 and Community Recovery: Professor Katsushi Ikeuchi 14.15 Fragile Communities: Dr. James Currall 15.00 Coffee There is no charge for attendance and all are welcome. For more information or to register for attendance , please contact Kirsti-Ann Mullen, Kirsti-Ann.Mullen@glasgow.ac.uk

Mela monsoon didn’t stop the music

Despite frequent monsoon-like downpours over the weekend, the Mela delivered a good show and big sounds. Said one Indian living and working Glasgow: ‘It was a  really good Mela. It made me homesick!’

For the first time running over two days in Kelvingrove Park, the Mela drew in the crowds.

On Saturday 18 June, winner of the Best Urban Act Award at the UK AMAS and the Best British Asian Urban Act at the 2010 BritAsia awards, Mumzy Stranger, set the World Stage alight with his unique style of urban music.  Keeping up the tempo were Bass2base, the first-ever Bollywood band to perform at the O₂ Glasgow Mela.  They wowed everyone with their polished blend of new and old Bollywood styles with Bhangra, Hindi, pop, funk and urban sounds. 

On Sunday 19 June,  Manak-E, who has dominated the Bollywood and Punjabi music scene with hits songs including Paisa Paisa and Dhoor, delighted fans. On of the world’s top Bhangra bands, DCS, made a sensational return to the Mela five years after first performing at the event.  Frontman Shin said: “Glasgow is an awesome audience, I love being back.  Music is my life and I love sharing it with anyone who’ll listen.  That’s why I love the Mela, it is a great way to introduce new people to Bhangra music and music is a great way to introduce people to new cultures.”

International dance acts added colour and energy to the proceedings.  Dressed in elaborate masks representing gods, monsters and animals, the acrobatic Chhau Dancers from Eastern Indian thrilled the crowds with an awesome routine involving swords and shields to illustrate popular tales.   Tinku from Chhau Dancers said: “I have been looking forward to dancing in Glasgow.  I hope our dancing inspires people to learn more about Indian culture. That’s what the Mela is about after all – sharing the best parts of different cultures.”

They were joined by local acts showcasing the cultural diversity on offer in Glasgow, with performances from Scotland’s hottest Bollywood talent, Desi Bravehearts and ​Eletricat Brazilian Dance.

 New for 2011 was a collaboration with schools across Glasgow.  This gave hundreds of youngsters the opportunity to work with Priyanka Purohit, assistant to the legendary Bollywood choreographer Pratap Shetty, to learn Bollywood, freestyle and Bhangra dance, which they performed on stage during the weekend. 

 A second new element this year was Dance Dhamaka.  The aim of Dhamaka, meaning ‘explosion’, was to get Scotland dancing towards the Cultural Olympiads in 2012.  To underline the multi-cultural nature of the Mela some of the most exciting dance groups in the country entertained festival-goers with a mix of styles including Flamenco, Chinese, Brazilian and Scottish.

 Councillor George Redmond, Chair of Glasgow Life said: “In its 21 year history the festival has gone from strength to strength and continues to be a wonderful family event that highlights Glasgow as a multicultural and multi racial city. Moving to two days was definitely the right decision.  Despite the rain, thousands of people have enjoyed a fabulous weekend of free entertainment at the biggest O₂ Glasgow Mela yet.”

Scottish Asian Wedding Show voted a great success.

More than 2000 people attended the hugely sociable, 3rd Occasions Scottish Asian Wedding Show on Sunday 4 April in the Radisson Blu hotel in Glasgow.
Chocolate bouquets, personalised cupcakes, UK award winning ice cream, halal wedding cakes and exquisite chocolate fountains were just some of the delectable delights among the festival of food and catering stalls. Other stands showed how a wedding venue could look, what the bride and groom – and all the family – could wear, video, photograph and film records of the day, examples of finely crafted wedding jewellery and the thousand and one other essentials to making The Wedding a truly memorable occasion.
Amid the wedding bands of the day was Bollywood singer, Nafis, who performed tracks from his debut album and Bollyfeat dance troupe and Nadmin Bollywood Dance.

Yet it was truly the three fashion shows that stole the show. Showcasing beautiful occasion and bridal wear from boutiques and wedding specialists around the UK, the gowns were stunning and the models (male and female!) equally gorgeous. The stunningly intricate designs and fabrics provided elegant, modern modes to inspire any future bride or groom.

ZaynaB to star in Scottish Asian Wedding event

World renowned make-up artist, ZaynaB, will attend the Occasions Scottish Asian Wedding Show on Sunday 4 April in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow. This international professional is known as the make-up Guru to Bollywood stars. She has provided the magic touch for people such as Keira Knightley, Rachel Weisz, Emilia Fox, two Miss Worlds and many Bollywood leading ladies.
Accompanied by her team of award-winning make-up artists, she will give tips to visitors and makeovers for brides-to-be at the glittering Wedding Show. Each visitor will receive a gift voucher for ZaynaB’s Provoke cosmetic range and one lucky person will win a VIP Bridal Make-Over with ZaynaB worth £2000 for their big day. This will include a bridal cosmetics hamper. Five runners-up will also win cosmetics hampers.
Said Tara of Provoke Cosmetics which are sought out by high profile celebrities: ‘Provoke cosmetics is pleased and excited to be taking part in the Occasions Scottish Asian Wedding Show. We are especially excited that our founder, ZaynaB, will be at the show. Visitors can enjoy personalised bridal consultations and tips and advice from her.’
Ladies attending the exciting and glamourous event, which is the third one to be organised by Oceanic, will discover how to get the perfect base for their make-up, how to achieve the current ‘must-have’ look and how to sign-up for make-up master classes with Zaynab.
The show opens at 12 noon and two fashion shows are scheduled. A full complement of wedding day services and companies specialising in organising such important events will be on hand to be consulted. For an outlay of only £5 per person, this glamorous day will be a boon and a blessing to anyone planning a wedding – Asian or Scottish.

Win tickets for the Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show

A one-stop shop providing a look at the latest in caravans, motor homes, camping, holiday homes, marine, industry clubs and associations, the show has become a major fixture on the Glasgow calendar and tickets are in big demand.

The hugely popular Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show 2010 is on at the SECC in Glasgow from 4 to 7 February.

 

 

Thanks the exhibitions, you’ll be able to plan a caravan or outdoor holiday from start to finish. You can meet exhibitors who’ll put you on the right road to insurance, on the best tourist trails to the best in campsites or keep you moving with vehicle rental.

The show also offers free 20-minute towing and manoeuvring workshops for budding – and experienced – caravanners under the watchful eyes of Caravan Club tutors. The club reminds all students to bring their driving licence when booking.

Prices have been held at 2009 levels … making it the ideal crunch-beating day out. Advance tickets are £7 or £6 for seniors and on-the-door tickets are £9 each or £8 for seniors. Kids go free. All tickets include a free brochure with a RRP £4.50. The show is open from 10am to 6pm daily. For more information visit www.caravanshowscotland.com or call the ticket hotline 0844 3954000

 In all, the Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show 2010 is a very hot ticket indeed, and LOCAL NEWS GLASGOW has 10 pairs to give away for the event.

 To win a pair of tickets, all you have to do is tell us which organisation is offering free workshops in towing and manoeuvring caravans.

 Send us your answers by email to competitions@localnewsglasgow.co.uk. Please write ‘Caravan & Leisure Show’ in the header field. Alternatively, you can enter by snail mail. Please write to Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show 2010 competition, Local News Glasgow, YAM Publications, 73 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8QD.

Please remember to include your full contact details –  that’s home address and a daytime telephone number.

This competition closes at 9am on 29 January – good luck.

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