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Glasgow based rock band Sixth Avenue Traffic are headlining a big gig on Christmas Eve at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in the city.

Chris Thompson (Vocals), Chris Gould (Guitars and Vocals), Kirsten Stevenson (Bass) and Jordon Lang (Drums) are finishing off a huge year for the band, from playing Hard Rock Rising Battle of the Bands in Edinburgh back in March to releasing their debut EP Whisper, Smile and Wave to a packed house at the Classic Grand. Playing a major gig at King Tut’s 2012 rounds off a busy and successful year for this great band.

Here Barry Dickson interviewed them about the past year, Christmas Eve and what 2013 will bring for the band and their ever growing fan base.

Sixth Avenue Traffic Interview by Basher1969 on Mixcloud

To find out more about the band go to:

www.sixthavenuetraffic.com

www.facebook.com/sixthavenuetraffic

The Avenue Vintage Boutique

The Avenue Shoppping Centre in Newton Mearns this weekend hosts its first vintage event in partnership with Oxfam Boutique. The event will run from Friday 30th November until Sunday 2nd December.

As well as showcasing vintage clothing, accessories, jewellery and homewares, the event will also feature homemade jewellery and headbands from local fashion student Iona Sinclair. The Avenue will become centre of all things fashion!

Michelle McCabe, Centre Manager at The Avenue, said: “If you’re desperately seeking the perfect Christmas gift for your nearest and dearest – but you’re still at a loss about what to get – then come along to our vintage event for a range of special gift ideas, from jewellery to homewares.”

Oxfam Boutique will host a special launch night for the vintage event in the Avenue on Thursday 29th November from 7pm till 10pm. It is an inredibly exciting opportunity for all those interested in vintage or one-of-a-kind fashion pieces.

The Avenue, which is open until 7pm every Thursday, is home to 44 different retailers. Stock includes books, clothing/fashion, mobile phone, perfume and health/pharmacy items.

The Avenue Shopping Centre offers shoppers an alternative to sprawling trolley-dash shopping culture with a comprehensive range of outlets offering a warm and welcoming shopping experience conveniently located on the outskirts of Glasgow city centre.

For further information about The Avenue log onto www.avenueshopping.co.uk.

Huntington’s Disease Awareness Fundraiser

An event to increase the awareness of Huntington’s Disease (HD) will take place this month at Firhill Stadium, the home of Partick Thistle F.C, in the Alan Rough Suite.

Huntington’s Disease is a condition described as “a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and psychiatric problems. It typically becomes noticeable in mid-adult life.”

The event will take place on Friday 30th November 8pm – midnight, organised by Annie MacKenzie.

It is billed as “Rock Around The Christmas Tree For HD Awareness” and will feature some of the best up and coming musical artists from Scotland, including Sixth Avenue Traffic, The Cosmanauts, Honeybadger and Ded Rabbit. There is also a buffet and an auction to raise funds.

Annie MacKenzie explains prejudice against those with Huntington’s Disease due to misunderstandings can be very hurtful to sufferers.

She said: ”Most sufferers stop going out due to being accused of being drunk which is very hurtful for them, our event’s are now giving them a space to feel part of their communities again, they all know we find a safe environment, friendly people and we are all together for HD awareness, that empowers people who suffer from HD to change their own attitude towards their ways of coping, helps their families feel less stressed and we all know music is a good healer for anyone who suffers from high levels of stress.”

Annie has previously organised many other fundraisers to support sufferers and families of sufferers of HD.

Commending those who help to create the event, she continued: “We always thank all the bands who play at our event over and over again for their kind free contribution not only has band members, but they guide us through the process of planning a live music event and of course our wonderful team of volunteers with who we all share one thing in common: we are all from HD families, we all know the impact HD has had on our lives and we all push to make huge changes so the next generation do not have the same amount of upset and stress as most of us have to cope with on a daily basis.

“There is also a CD called Carry On which is a compilation of 20 tracks that have all been donated (play-list to be released just before the 30/11/12) by 20 of the bands who have played at our past HD awareness live music event. The track Carry On was written by a Glasgow based band called The Coffins (who are also appearing at the fundraiser). The lead singer attended our last gig which we held at the Woodstock music club in Dunfermline, he asked me why the need to be HD aware and by the time I finished telling him it had such a huge impact on him that he went home and wrote the song.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased for £8.00 in advance  by calling or texting 07706080367  or at the venue on the night for £10.00.

For more information go to: http://www.liveforlifescotland.webs.com/

 

Adventurous Artist Exhibition in Glasgow

Intrepid artist Phillip Gray is holding an exhibition later the month to raise funds the The Hope Foundation in conjunction with Breeze Art Galleries.

Phillip Gray, whose artwork is coveted by many celebrities, including Dolly Parton and George Bush, will display many of his works in the two-hour exhibition, including a brand new exclusive painting of the Scottish Highlands landscape as requested by Breeze Art Gallery. This piece will encapsulate the country’s wild nature and will be for sale during the exhibition.

Phillip Gray, a self-proclaimed extreme artist, creates landscape pieces which will be on display at the exhibition. His inspiration comes from the most extreme and harshest climates known to man, including 20,000ft up Mt Everest or the North Atlantic seabed. When asked about his art, he claims it is a form of expression designed to push his thoughts to extremes.

He says: “My extreme journeys into the unknown bring new challenges that push the boundaries of my mind body and soul. Voyages of discovery, sometimes dangerous, are a stimulus to drive me forward creatively and explore new worlds of emotional expression.”

Phillip Gray will also be giving a live demonstration of how he works to guests of the event. He builds on a feeling of his surroundings to create his amazing pieces. One of his most recent pieces include a landscape of the volcanic eruption in Iceland back in 2010. This stunted travel plans for many Europeans, but Phillip only saw the excitement and potential in thsi situation.

Philip added: “The contrast between fire and ice inspired me to paint with a wider palette and freed my imagination to create paintings that are both science, yet somewhat surreal too.”

Breeze Galleries are very excited to work with Phillip in order to raise funds for such a great cause. Proceeds will go towards The Hope Foundation, a charity close to the artists heart supporting children in India and the Philippines. The Hope Foundation, based in Kolkata, provides education, healthcare and general support for children without parents.

Bob Corsie, founder of Breeze Galleries, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Philip Gray back to Glasgow, especially as he will once again be providing us with a live demonstration. Philip’s work is stunning and visitors to the exhibition will no doubt be captivated by the massive, colour filled canvases, which seem to pull those looking at them right into the heart of the landscape he is depicting.”

The exhibition will be on November 18th, between 2-4pm in the Breeze Art Gallery in Frasers, Glasgow. For an invitation to the event call Breeze Galleries on 0800 1300 345 or go to the Breeze Gallery website here.

More information on The Hope Foundation and what the charity does to help orphaned children can be found on their website here.

Christmas Shopping Festival comes to town

The Christmas Shopping Festival, sponsored by Hamley’s Glasgow, will open in Glasgow on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November as the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

The event will feature over 60 exhibitors, including a unique shopping area, food and drink village and a Hamley’s Winter Wonderland and Santa’s Grotto for children’s entertainment.

Some of the exhibitors will include Candy Creations, Forbidden Planet, Johnston Art, Louise Scott and Therapy Hair & Spa.

Some exhibitors will be running masterclasses and workshops to show customers to the best they have to offer.

The event promised to provide “a unique shopping experience and family day out where you can do all your Christmas shopping under one roof!” It will be the first of it’s kind to come to Glasgow.

The Christmas Shopping Festival will also come to Edinburgh on the 8th and 9th December, which will include festive cooking demonstrations on top of the numerous exhibitions. Chefs include Mark Greenaway, Jason Wright and Paul Hart.

The Festival will run from 11:30-16:30 in the Royal Concert Halls, Sauchiehall Street, this Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available on the door, or through the website. Tickets cost £5.00.

30,000 people attend last weekend’s Southside Festival

Around 30,000 people enjoyed the weather and entertainment at last weekend’s Southside Festival held in the Queen’s Park Recreation Grounds.

The weekend’s festivities kicked off with a procession at 11am, led out by the St Francis Pipe Band.  The parade, which included members of the local community and a series of vintage buses, started from Newlandsfield Road, then proceeded down Kilmarnock and Pollokshaws Road, Allison Street, Victoria Road and Queen’s Drive before ending at the Queen’s Park Recreation Grounds where a series of bands entertained crowds into the evening.  A Picnic in the Park was held in the Recreation Grounds on Sunday 27 May.

Andrew Montgomery, a member of the Southside Festival steering group, was thrilled with the turnout.  He said:-  “At the recreation grounds on Saturday we attracted 25,000 people, which is the largest festival we’ve had by a long shot.  Our previous best was 15,000 back in 2010.   This year, the police estimate was in excess of 25,000 on Saturday and on Sunday was in the region of 4 – 5000.”

“So in the course of the weekend we’ve attracted 30,000 people and the fantastic thing was every part of the community was represented.  There was a great spectrum of people, no doubt buoyed on by the fantastic weather that we had.  It was absolutely glorious.”

Montgomery highlighted the work of those involved.  He said the weekend was: “incredibly successful and to think that it was produced entirely by 10 volunteers with a budget of £30,000; incredible, absolutely incredible.”

A free bus service made up of vintage buses that were part of the procession ran on the Saturday from George Square to the Queen’s Park Recreation Grounds as well as serving the Southside with the free Southside Circular which ran between Pollokshaws, Pollokshields, Shawlands and the Recreation Grounds.

Members of the steering group will meet with the Council’s Licensing Authority in the next couple of weeks for a formal debriefing before they consider planning for next year’s festival.

Get away from it all with your Valentine

If you’re looking for a special way to spoil your loved one, why not treat them to a Valentine’s break with the Town House Collection.  This year, the luxury hotel group has teamed up with Trees 4 Scotland to create a romantic break with a difference – offering guests the chance to help restore Scotland’s native woodlands.

Each time a couple books a ‘Seeds of Love’ Valentine’s breaks at The Bonham – Edinburgh’s most stylish boutique hotel – or the 5-star Blythswood Square in Glasgow, a tree will be planted in the Teaghlach Wood, near Comrie in the Scottish Highlands.

The ‘Seeds of Love’ break offers the chance for an unforgettable night in a uniquely beautiful setting.  But your love will be reflected in a legacy that lasts much longer, as your small piece of Scotland’s natural heritage grows for years to come.  There’s no better way to demonstrate your everlasting love.

The romantic Seeds of Love break includes

-          Luxury accommodation in an individually designed bedroom

-          Bottle of Champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries in your room on arrival

-          Rose petal in-room breakfast with a glass of Bucks Fizz

-          Use of the Thermal Experience in the Spa (Blythswood Square only)

The Seeds of Love break at Blythswood Square is priced from £243 per room per night, based on two adults sharing a Classic bedroom from the 10^th – 19^th February.

The Seeds of Love break at The Bonham is priced from £188 per room per night, based on two adults sharing a double bedroom from the 10^th – 19^th February
For further information visit

Christmas Lights in George Square

Homes and Interiors Scotland Exhibition at the SECC this weekend

Now in its seventh year, the annual Homes & Interiors Scotland Exhibition is returning to Glasgow’s SECC this weekend, 28 – 30  October 2011, bringing together a wide range of exciting attractions over three days to improve your home and lifestyle. Former Miss Scotland, Katherine Brown, was there today to try out some of the funky furniture on show.

Show highlights include the inspirational Interior Design Showcase, where the country’s leading interior designers show their unique takes on six different rooms sets, a Kids’ Zone filled with fabulous ideas for children and, for the first time, a Christmas Fair featuring luxurious gifts and decadent décor ideas.

Returning to the show for the second year is the Talented Makers section which presents the work of the country’s finest up-and-coming furniture and craft makers including eight makers from the Scottish Furniture Makers’ Association.

This year also sees the return of Editor’s Picks, the show’s most popular attraction, featuring modern and contemporary designs from around the world, plus talks by one of the UK’s leading artists and interior designers, and President-Elect of the British Institute of Interior Design, Sue Timney.

This year’s Homes & Interiors Scotland Exhibition will present a host of high profile chefs, landscapers and gardeners who will be on hand over the weekend sharing their tips, tricks of the trade and trend predictions for 2012.

The exhibition will be split into zones with exhibitors grouped together by sector to make it easier than ever to find exactly what you’re looking for. There will even be a state-of-the-art cinema room kitted out with the latest high tech gadgets from Loud & Clear, and a demonstration area where you can pick up some fantastic tips from the experts.

There will also presentations over the course of the weekend in the show’s Design Theatre in addition to TV personalities, including interior designer John Amabile.

Foodies won’t want to miss Jacqueline O’ Donnell, head chef at The Sisters Restaurant in Glasgow who will be cooking up a storm each day and John Quigley from award-winning restaurant, Red Onion. Meanwhile the hugely popular champagne bar and wine tasting area will give you the chance to take a break from browsing to sample some fine tipples.

Gillian Welsh, Editor of Homes & Interiors Scotland, said: “The exhibition has always been about celebrating Scotland’s vibrant interior landscape, supporting local talent, finding dynamic interior designers and craft makers and bringing them together under one roof. We’re delighted to have Jim Hamilton from Graven Images, Nick Priestley from Mood Flowers and Sue Timney in the Design Theatre.

“Editor’s Picks is back showcasing some of the most innovative pieces from international and national designers. We’re also looking forward to our first ever Christmas fair and expect it will be a huge hit with visitors who are thinking to purchase unique gifts for family and friends.

“The exhibition’s popular Interior Design Showcase features room sets created by some of the country’s most talented designers: Lee Sowerbutts and Anna Murray of Rehab Interiors, who specialise in revamping vintage pieces, will make their mark on the garden room and lounge; Henrika Simpson of Designworks will focus on an elegant master bedroom and dressing area, while TV celebrity John Amabile and his partner Carol Yates from Amabile Design will create a head-turning hall and living room.”

There will be a host of retailers exhibiting with something to suit every style and budget including Kitchens International, Busby Interiors, PD Stokes Landscaping, Brodie Lighting, Arran Aromatics, Skye Skyns, Wooden Baths, StudioKap Architects, Energy Saving Scotland, Athena Fireplaces, Angus Ross Furniture, Strathearn Stone & Timber and Purdies Homes Interiors & Gifts.

Homes & Interiors Scotland Exhibition 2011, SECC, Glasgow.

Opening times:  10am until 5pm, Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2011

On-the-door tickets, £10 per person.

How to make a short film in one weekend

Four hundred filmmakers taking part in the Glasgow 48 Hour Film Project left the Trongate 103 Arts Centre on Friday night on a mission to make a short film in just one weekend.  Filmmakers have 48 hours to script, rehearse, film and edit a short film which includes the elements of specific character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre, the details of which were announced at last night’s kick off meeting.  Over 40 teams are taking part in the project as the 48 Hour Film Project’s worldwide tour sets down in Glasgow this weekend, and their films will be screened next week over three consecutive evenings at the Glasgow Film Theatre.

While the 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) has been running in Edinburgh for 4 years this is the first time it has been run in Glasgow.  “After four years, over 100 films, and over 500 participants in Edinburgh, we decided it was time to take our show on the road” says Glasgow and Edinburgh 48HFP Producer Sam Goldblatt.  “Each year Glasgow folk would come through for the Edinburgh competition, so finally we decided to go west, and bring the competition to the good people of Glasgow.  We’ve been amazed at the level of interest.  I dare say that registration filled up faster than in Edinburgh.”

While there are rules to follow and the specific elements to work with, the restrictions can be liberating – instead of talking about making a film, the film is actually made.  And despite the time restrictions, the quality of work is high.  “You would be stunned at the high standard of films,” Goldblatt says.  “We have a real diversity of participants, from first-time filmmakers and under-16s to professional broadcast filmmakers who work in television.  The strict 48-hour time period focuses the mind and often brings out the best from these creative artists.  Judges from major television production companies and film festivals often tell us that our films are just as good, if not better, than other shorts that they have seen at film festivals.”

Up for grabs for this year’s Glasgow winner is a trophy, the chance to have your film screened at the official 48HFP Awards Weekend Filmapalooza 2012 this year in Taos, New Mexico and some screenwriting software.  Not only that, it’s a platform towards greater things.  Goldblatt mentioned Lee Archer, whose team’s film ‘Travel Plans’ won Best Film at Edinburgh in 2008 and was premiered at the international awards in Miami.  “Lee is now a professional commercial television director.”  He added, “We are delighted that the winner of the Glasgow competition will receive free airfare and accommodation to attend Filmapalooza 2012, an amazing opportunity for career development and international experience.”

Accolades aside, it sounds like a great weekend for those filmmakers who take part.  “My favourite films,” said Goldblatt, “are those by first-time filmmakers, where you can tell they had the time of their lives making the movie.  The screenings are also really fun and inspirational.  It’s very special for young filmmakers to get their film shown on the big screen in front of a huge audience.  In Edinburgh, the screenings often sell-out completely, so I can’t wait to share these special nights with Glasgow.”

The Glasgow 48 Hour Film Project started last night for the teams taking part and their films must be completed and dropped off on Sunday night.

Premiere Screenings will take place at the Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow G3 6RB at 6pm on October 11, 12 & 13.

The Wrap Party takes place at The Art School, 468 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3LW between 7 – 11pm on October 17th.   The awards are announced between 8 – 10pm.

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