FESTIVAL GEARS
Programme is revealed for an exciting line-up in Merchant City
APOPULAR Glasgow festival has launched its programme ahead of its July start date. Taking place between Thursday, July 28 and Sunday, July 31, the event will showcase outdoor arts, circus and dance, with food and drinks stalls on the streets of Merchant City.
The Merchant City Festival revealed its line-up with a special performance by street theatre group Future Follies.
Entertaining passers-by with their interactive show Reinventing the Bicycle, which is a comedic piece about three people from the 1800s, where the bicycle has just been invented.
The ensemble started the countdown until the occasion, which will go ahead for the first time since 2019. They will also perform the full version of their act at the festival.
The Carnival Party will kick the festival off in style on July 28 from 4pm to 8pm, with dancers and musical performances.
Freshly announced, the line-up continues with Glaswegian comedy act Big Angie in her live debut, talking about men, botox, big lips, and the law, inspired by her her youth spent in the city’s East End.
A special focus of the event is family, which is why many of the events revolve around children.
This will include The Happiness Collectors, which is an audio-immersive and interactive live performance ideal for children aged five to 10 and their families.
Each audience member will be provided with their own set of wireless headphones so they can join in on a journey of sounds and silliness.
Walkabout in Merchant City will have amazing acts around Merchant Square and the surrounding streets on Friday as part of the family day, with Kate E Deeming, Glasgow’s resident dancing queen, leading the grooves as the Boogie Unicorn when she brings her fun, interactive, feel-good dance session for all ages to the festival.
The Hip Replacement Club Night is returning to the festival when it takes over the Old Fruitmarket, providing four and a half hours of tunes.
Visitors can dance themselves dizzy and everyone is guaranteed disco fun on a grand scale.
The UNBOSI Marble Awareness Roadshow, a giant marble-run installation, will also be present as they attempt a Guinness World Record on the Sunday, with super-charged marbles.
Joli Vyann will bring their breathtaking acro-dance show Timeless to George Square across the weekend, when four dancers interact with a monumental rotating hourglass to explore the themes of time and climate change.
Leading choreographer Jeanefer Jean Charles will also bring Black Victorians to the festival, a powerful dance piece based on recently discovered photo portraits of people
of colour in the UK from the 19th century.
The square will also be home to BMX Freestyle Flatland demonstrations, where riders will perform a dynamic combination of art, sport and acrobatics to the backdrop of a live DJ and MC, complete with free BMX Freestyle clinics across the weekend.
Councillor Eva Bolander, chair of the Merchant City Festival committee, said: “This year’s programme spotlights emerging and established talent as the streets once again come to life with a vibrant and diverse mix of music, outdoor theatre, cabaret, circus, dance, and carnival.
“It’s a fantastic line-up of events and I would encourage everyone to come along and join the celebrations.”
Councillor Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life, added: “The Merchant City Festival is always a showstopper in Glasgow’s summer events programme. The familiar streets and businesses in the city’s renowned cultural quarter are transformed into a thriving arts space filled with wonderful entertainment for every kind of audience.
“This year’s programme offers the opportunity to enjoy outstanding performances and family events, explore food and crafts or simply soak up the music and joyful atmosphere in one of the many local restaurants and cafes.
“As always, the Merchant City Festival promises to be unmissable for local people and visitors alike.”