Glaswegian Culture

Beyond its amazing and free museums, Glasgow has vibrant music, film, and theatre scenes. Having been here a scant three weeks, some configuration of our family has gone to concerts, movies, plays and opera. When we first arrived Celtic Connections, a traditional music festival similar to Bangor's own Folk Festival was happening. (By the way, if you've never gone to the folk festival in Bangor you are missing a great and free event packed with excellent musicians and artists.) In Glasgow, the shows aren't free or outdoors but have the same top-quality acts. Our friends, Simon and Marina, bought us some tickets, choosing what they thought were the best ( a big thanks to them!!), and on Sunday, we all saw the Transatlantic Sessions which is like a big jamfest with musicians from the UK, US and Canada. There was so much going on stage with over 15 performers, I didn't know who to watch. It was an amazing show in an amazing space, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Twice, Liam and I tried to go see The Descendants at a movie theatre which is about three blocks away and both times it was sold out. After asking the staff, we realized most people book their tickets ahead of time, on-line since you buy the actual seats -- no free-for-all seating like in the US. So, we finally see it on our third attempt and were able to bring in our drinks from the pub next door. In fact, a special at the movie theatre is a large popcorn and a bottle of wine for ten pounds. The Scottish like to have alcohol available whenever possible -- you can see a huge difference from the Puritanical ethos that still permeates New England.

Yesterday, Liam and I went to a lunch time play at the halo church, which is a church turned into pub, restaurant, and performance space, actually named Oran Mor. We call it the halo church because they've put a neon halo around the spire. They run a theatre program called A Play, a Pie and a Pint, which on Wednesdays is about $12. After a lunch with choices of either meat pie or quiche plus a pint of Guiness or McAdams or a glass of wine (more evidence of the ubiquitous alochol), we saw Born to Run, a one-woman production about a woman who controls her epileptic seizures through running. This will be a definite stop on any visitor's intinerary, so if you're coming to see us, we'll be taking you here.

Then, today I went on my first ever field trip as a parent chaperone. It was very relaxing not to worry about which kids would behave and the logistics of getting places, as I was not the one in charge of this field trip. Except for the bus being an hour late (better than the last field trip when the bus did not come at all as the students kept telling me), Declan and I enjoyed our chance to see some Glasgow culture for kids.

First, we saw some animated shorts. Two by Lotte Reiniger, a German animator, who cut the most intricate and detailed silhouettes. My favorite were Cinderella's stepsisters, one of who cut off part of her foot to fit into the slipper and the drops of blood were quite graphic.

And, two by Ray Harryhausen an American producer who invented a new method of stop-action animation. Declan's favorite was his version of "The Tortoise and the Hare."

Then we saw Hansel and Gretel Unwrapped, which showed some parts of the full opera and some of the behind the scenes stuff, like how they changed sets between acts.

Declan's class was very well-behaved, more so than some kids from other schools who talked and called out during some of the shows. His teacher is very sweet and patient, so I'd say he lucked out with her!

This weekend is the Glasgow Youth Film Festival, so we'll be seeing some more movies then! And on Wednesday, Cormac and I are going to see Zach Braff (remember him from Scrubs) in a play, All New People, that he wrote. See what I mean -- LOTS of culture!!

Sorry no photos in this post -- more will come!