Article Source: Merchant City Festival
Last Updated: 12 July 2021 8:35
Although slightly different to previous years, the iconic Glasgow festival delivered by Glasgow Life – the charity that inspires people to lead richer and more active lives through culture and sport – put on a thriving programme of outdoor arts, circus, dance and more in a safe environment.
Limited tickets were available for a range of free fun-filled outdoor performances at George Square and Barrowland Park, with around 3,000 people in total enjoying the colour and excitement of the festival in the streets and venues in and around Merchant City from Thursday to Sunday.
The Carnival Party kicked the festival off in style on Thursday, with striking artwork installations, stilt walkers and dancers dotted around the streets of Merchant City celebrating Baroque Venetian carnival traditions.
The festival then took over the heart of the city from Friday onwards, bringing excitement to George Square with dynamic dance and circus performances including Swings (All or Nothing Aerial), which saw aerialists take to giant swings before the public were able to have a go and experience the accompanying immersive soundscape.
World-class company Motionhouse showcased their incredible show Wild – a bold tour de force dance-circus performance exploring our relationship with the natural environment. A poetic mix of dance and acrobatics also took place at the civic heart of the city with Catch Me (Upswing).
Meanwhile, Surge Festival took over Barrowland Park on Saturday and Sunday to showcase wacky cabaret performances and put on wonderful interactive activities for the whole family.
Walkabout in Merchant City saw amazing acts The Fizzicals (Mischief La Bas), Kayos and Findhorn performing around Merchant Square and the surrounding streets across the weekend.
Meanwhile, Walking Tour – In the City Still took place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11, with Feathers Ensemble using music, movement and projections to take the audience on a thought-provoking journey.
Merchant City Festival had local businesses including bars, restaurants and retailers at its heart. Scottish restaurant Mharsanta brought the carnival vibe inside with a spectacular window display while Merchant Square was home to several pop-up events, allowing attendees to support their favourite hospitality venue while enjoying some festival fun.
Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant to see live entertainment making a return to the city. The festival was such a rich cultural experience and there really was something for everyone.
“I’m delighted that the festival brought a boost to the amazing hospitality venues in Merchant City. The area is known for its incredible cafés, bars and restaurants and we’re thrilled that festival-goers got behind local businesses while enjoying the festivities.”
Lorenzo Mele, Merchant City Festival Executive Producer, said: “Merchant City is the cultural heart of Glasgow and the festival really showcased that. There was a brilliant diversity of performances spanning music, outdoor theatre, cabaret, circus, dance and carnival.
“Merchant City Festival celebrated the best outdoor cultural performances that Scotland has to offer and it was incredibly special to see so many talented individuals in the creative sector return to what they do best as part of the festival’s unforgettable return.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, said: “Events play an important role in our communities by providing us with great entertainment as well as bringing social and economic change so it is great to see live events starting to take place as restrictions continue to ease.
“EventScotland was delighted to support the return of this year’s Merchant City Festival through Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund, which has been supporting the events industry to respond and adapt to the effects of the pandemic.”
The 2021 festival was slightly different to previous years due to COVID restrictions and did not feature markets, food trucks or live music stages.
Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, will host a series of family-friendly activities during the Easter school holidays to mark its reopening.
READ MOREStaring X-Factor winner and legend Sam Bailey and Strictly Come Dancing royalty Kevin Clifton, Everybody's Talking About Jamie comes to the King's Theatre Glasgow in May!
READ MORECreative Oceanic powered by Oceanic Awards is proud to announce the 7th Scottish Hospitality Awards 2024.
READ MOREScotland's first listening bar opens this weekend with a programme of impressive global DJs and exceptional sound quality set to soundtrack Glasgow.
READ MOREElaine C. Smith will play the role of The Childcatcher in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when it comes to Glasgow's King's Theatre!
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREGlasgow gourmands, the wait is over! After shaking up the street food scene in the Scottish capital, Ozen is now bringing its Eastern fusion flavours westside and launching in Glasgow!
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MOREThere will be no Aye Write book festival this year after its application for funding was rejected by Creative Scotland.
READ MOREBuchanan Galleries, together with Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, has donated 500 chocolate Easter Eggs for children in hospital to enjoy.
READ MOREAn independent evaluation published by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has highlighted significant, wide-ranging benefits delivered by the Go Cycle Glasgow Fund.
READ MOREVEGA, Glasgow's sky-high bar and restaurant, has unveiled a jam-packed new weekly music programme to welcome those sunny spring nights!
READ MOREMulti-platinum selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor, Matt Cardle, will play the role of Shakespeare in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of & Juliet.
READ MOREThe King's Theatre, Glasgow have announced additional dates for this year's high-flying pantomime adventure, Peter Pan.
READ MORECarmunnock Heritage Trail launches this Easter weekend. It's a unique, free, multi-media tour with 16 QR coded video stops around Glasgow's last remaining village.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREGP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MORELeadership specialist Gavin Bryce announces the launch of the second Unmasking Leaders Workshop of 2024 on Thursday 11th April in Glasgow returns by demand.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREScotland's inaugural Polestar Showroom officially opened at leading retail and leisure destination Silverburn on Friday 22nd March.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREGlasgow Film Festival (GFF) 2024 wrapped up on Sunday 10 March by celebrating a bumper year of ticket sales and local and international talent.
READ MORESix by Nico's upcoming menu promises to take guests on a quintessential New York gastronomic excursion.
READ MOREFrom an Easter Egg-stravaganza on Easter Sunday to high-tech golf games suitable for all the family, Topgolf Glasgow is a must-visit destination during the half-term break.
READ MOREStrathclyde University were crowned winners of Scotland’s largest student varsity sporting competition, the Glasgow Taxis Cup, after edging out city rivals Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREAward-winning performance Pain and I by Sarah Hopfinger, about living with chronic pain, and moving with care, returns to tour Scotland.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"