All cylinders blazing for the Southside Fringe

A packed crowd welcomed in the arts festival — now in its second year — at the Glad Cafe, marking the start of two weeks of entertainment taking place across the southside.

The Fringe Take Off included tasters from cover band The Grasping Skinflints, Govanhill poet Jim Monaghan and Howlin’ Radio, as well as a riotous performance by sinister cabaret songsters the Creative Martyrs (breathing life back into the ukelele with gems like Spare Part Baby and End of the World).

The fest runs until May 25, and the Fringe team are typing furiously on Facebook throughout — on Friday’s lift off, they said: “What a rocking launch. Massive thanks and love for kicking us off in style — we are indeed blessed!”

Fringe founders Crawford Smith and Corinna Currie are delighted at the turnout for the Fringe’s first week, and Crawford told The Extra: “From our first weekend, the official Fringe venues have reported an increase in takings.

“Shows are selling well and we’ve been blown away by the generosity of the southside — members of the public offering their time, energt and skills, and local companies giving discounts on services has left us feeling truly blessed to be part of such a friendly and positive community.

“A massive thank you also to all the wonderful volunteers who have made the Fringe possible — together we’re putting the southside on the arts map!”

For more info — including pop-up events and the unplugged circuit — visit the Facebook page or the Fringe website.