Glasgow’s own ‘Glee Clubbers’ are warming up to ensure the Southside Festival is another big success this Saturday.
Pop duo JS, otherwise known as Jemma Stevenson and Samantha Lynch, from award-winning youth initiative SWAYED (South West Area Youth Engagement and Diversion) will perform on the Community Stage in Queen’s Park.
The teenagers won the G-Stars live final at the O2 Academy on May 15 before a judging panel that included Ae Fond Kiss actor Atta Yaqub, actress Kathleen McDermott, who starred in BBC comedy Happy Hollidays, and Nieve Jennings, a former Miss Scotland.
Jemma, 14, and Samantha, 13, are among hundreds of performers taking to the stage during the event.
The third annual Southside Festival aims to bring together the area’s diverse cultures and communities in a celebration of music, dance, sport and art.
Last year more than 10,000 people flocked to the park for the event and organisers hope there will be more this year.
Jemma, from Govan, and Samantha, of Renfrewshire, have also recorded their own song and pop video, as part of their G-Stars live final prize.
Gary Maguire, SWAYED development officer, said: “Working with the Southside Festival on this project has been amazing, linking local talent with local events that celebrate local cultures and community spirit. We look forward to working with them again next year.”
SWAYED also picked up a Glasgow Community Champion Award at the Penilee Community Centre in March, for its youth performance group SWAYED By The Beat.
A procession with colourful costumes and music will kick-start the festival.
It starts at 11am from Moss-Side Road at Shawlands Academy and moves up Pollokshaws Road, along Allison Street, down Victoria Road and then into Queen’s Park.
Blacktzar and Young Aviators are among the Main Stage attractions. Acclaimed Australian blues performer Hat Fitz will appear on the Glasshouse stage with his wife, vocalist Cara Robinson.
Hat Fitz, real name Hatrick Fitzpatrick, 43, and Cara, describteir music as “amped up old time blues with a Queensland twist.”
Meanwhile, dance troupes Zumba and the Shawlands Academy Dance Group will take to the Community Stage for their performances.
This is the third time Shawlands Academy’s agile street dance exponents have been drafted in for the Southside Festival.
Members of the Dance Group will fuse hip hop, Latin and bhangra during their performance, which starts at 1pm.
A children’s marquee will be bursting with family-friendly entertainment, such as story telling – which will be provided by Culture and Sport Glasgow – and puppetry and magic shows.
Festival-goers will also be in for a real treat, as Cookie, the award-winning cafe in Pollokshields, is providing the outside catering for the event.
Chefs from Cookie will also be offering a range of cookery demonstrations at their stall in the Glasshouse venue.
- Vintage buses will be running free services to the event from Glasgow city centre.
You can board and alight from the service at any bus stop on the route, and at George Square and Queen’s Park. Children travelling on the service must be accompanied by an adult.
For a timetable see the website: southsidefestival.org.uk/bus_times.html
