Glasgow’s eventful start to 2007

The start of a new year can be a quiet time for many European cities, but not Glasgow where the streets come alive with laughter and music, as three renowned festivals bring world class entertainment to venues across the city.

17 January – 4 February: CELTIC CONNECTIONS

Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival is an annual celebration of the connections that can be made through traditional music. This event is not only recognised as the premier Celtic music festival in the United Kingdom but also as one of the largest winter music festivals of its kind. It’s a major event in the folk and world music calendar.

Taking place over 19 days in January and February, the festival has grown from a single venue event to a network of impressive performances. This years festival kicks off with an unique opening concert of Celtic Connections 2007, Hands across the Water, based on the best selling Compass Records release of the same name and featuring Solas, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Karen Matheson and the Alison Brown Quartet among others.

Over 240 events, workshops and talks will take place across 12 venues during the festival – highlights include, Phil Cunningham, Clannad, Unusual Suspects with David Munnelly, Jerry Douglas Band, Shooglenifty, Salsa Celtica and the Peatbog Faeries.

Each night the late night festival club is the place to be after the main shows, for impromptu sessions and unbilled appearances – sure to keep you up until the wee small hours.

Visit: celticconnections.com

8 January – 5 February: DINE AROUND

As an added bonus for visitors in town for Celtic Connections, Dine Around Glasgow will be taking place 8 Jan to 5 Feb allowing people to enjoy a fabulous meal and some great music in Glasgow this New Year. Participating restaurants will offer set price menus at £15 and £25 which will represent great value and superb quality. Bookings to take place through bestglasgowrestaurants.com which will be open for bookings at the end of December.

15 – 25 February: GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL

Building on last year’s success, of attracting 10,000 people to more than 80 films over 10 days, the festival returns with more film related features and events celebrating Glasgow’s passion for the pictures and the film industry’s passion for the city.

Now in its third year, GFF 2007 promises to be more exciting and vibrant then ever, featuring some ninety films over 10 days, at venues citywide. Expect gala screenings of some of this year’s most hotly anticipated films - from German award winning hit ‘The Lives of Others’ to Hollywood films like Robert de Niro’s ‘The Good Shepherd’. Also sample some exciting home-grown talent, with a specially developed ‘Great Scots!’ strand of great Scottish films, new and old. Or pay homage to The Duke, as ten of the great John Wayne’s most celebrated films are screened to mark the centenary of his birth.

Visit: glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk

8 – 24 March: GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2007

Launched in 2002 the Magners Glasgow Comedy Festival has established itself over recent years as one of the cities cultural highlights, second only to Edinburgh Fringe Festival attracting some of the best comedians in the world.

Enjoy top national and international stand-ups, hilarious comedy dramas, workshops and industry events, plus a separate programme exclusively for kids. Hot tickets this year include Russell Brand, Jimmy Carr, Paul Merton and Alan Carr, with home grown talent numbering Frankie Boyle, Karen Dunbar, Fred MacAulay, Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove. Original masters of comedy like Cannon & Ball will play alongside rising stars such as Andrew Maxwell, Chris Addison and Lucy Porter. And don’t miss the moving tribute to The Essential Chic Murray

Visit: glasgowcomedyfestival.com

For more information on visiting Glasgow and some fantastic accommodation deals, log onto visitscotland.com/citybreaks.