Govanhill takes to the streets

From upcycling fashion shows to Hamlet in the middle of the derelict pool (both Southside Fringe offerings), Govanhill Baths is fast becoming a creative hub — and it’s just one of many venues for the return of Streetland this weekend.

The community festival is in its fifth year, and continues to engage the Govanhill and wider southside community in an exploration of the communal spaces all around them — whether that’s the baths, Southside Studios, Westmoreland Street Gardens...and the list goes on.

There’s art, exhibitions galore and workshops, walking tours, music and dance going on throughout Saturday — as well as a timely evening of poetry performances related to the Commonwealth.

Then there’s the temporary sculpture park, opened on Victoria Road in April in the lead-up to the Streetland weekend (including work by Altronix, David Sherry and Chris Coleman-Smith), as well as People Pavilion — an artist-in-residence project featuring the residents of Govanhill themselves.

There’s also a historical guided tour, spanning 100 years and trailing Govanhill’s rich tradition of incomers who have settled and added their own cultural touches to the place.

Speaking to The Extra earlier this year, Streetland’s Joanne Neill said:“We’ve joined on to the Glasgow Housing Association family day, so we’re spreading ourselves even further.

“Events will run right up to Samaritan House and the park, so it’ll be like one big long street party, and we hope people from further afield will come.”

It’s fair to say that Govanhill is the number one southside spot to be in come the weekend — so head to streetland.ning.com and start planning your Saturday now.

Out at Streetland this weekend? Send your best pics to [email protected] and they could be used in next week’s paper.