GLASGOW Green will be transformed into a giant 'livingroom' to help celebrate the Commonwealth Games.

The festival of music, dance, art and theatre which will run alongside the Games has been unveiled.

It will feature more than 1000 performances in more than 100 venues and will run from Saturday July 19 to Sunday August 3 .

Entertainment will be on offer from morning to night at Glasgow Green, Kelvingrove Bandstand and in the Merchant City.

And the Festival 2014 club, in the Old Fruitmarket, will feature some of Scotland's best contemporary and traditional Gaelic artists.

One of the headline acts of the cultural festival will be internationally renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti.

Glasgow Green will be set up as a massive home with different "rooms" each hosting a houseparty.

The main stage 'Livingroom' will feature bands, orchestras, choirs and films while the 'kitchen' will be cooking up the best of Scottish produce with a Commonwealth twist.

The 'Wee House' will have performances and activities for children and visitors will be able to try out sports sessions in the 'Back Garden'.

The 'Playhouse' will be in a special Spiegeltent, and offer arts activities, tea dances and comedy.

The Glasgow Green live zone will feature performers from across Scotland and the Commonwealth, including music stars Lloyd Cole and Edwyn Collins.

There will be an Emancipation Day carnival, a Mela at the Green, Celtic Connections performers and the RSNO performing Hollywood classics.

The Merchant City Festival has been extended to run for the duration of the Games and will feature the return of the Vintage Festival and an exciting mix of street theatre and outdoor performances.

Newly refurbished Kelvingrove Bandstand will host family-friendly performances, comedy, music and films throughout the day.

BBC at the Quay will broadcast live shows, music and drama on the banks of the Clyde.

There will also be performances in city theatres, venues and arts spaces, on and around the River Clyde, in parks and streets and on the routes to Games venues.

Other events include Nelson Mandela Day, Wee Doors Open Day, Club Noir's Commonwealth Carnival and Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, being staged by Glasgay.

Eileen Gallagher, independent director of the Glasgow 2014 board, said: "Festival 2014 will be an amazing celebration of culture which is woven into the fabric of the Commonwealth Games experienced.

"No matter where you are in Glasgow during the Games, you will be able to access performances and events involving some of the best homegrown and Commonwealth talent.

"There is something for everyone to come and see or take part in at Festival 2014 and most of it is free."

Archie Graham, the city council's Commonwealth Games spokesman, said: "With more than 1000 performances across more than 100 locations, this really is Glasgow's time to shine on a global stage, with artists and performers bringing a real buzz to the city during Games time.

"This will be the biggest celebration the city has ever seen."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk