Glasgow 2014: Commonwealth arts festival line-up announced
The line-up for an arts festival which helps celebrate the Commonwealth Games has been announced.
Festival 2014 will feature a wide range of performances across a number of genres as part of the celebrations for the Games.
More than 1,000 performances will take place in more than 100 different locations in Glasgow.
The festival will begin on 19 July and end on 3 August when the closing ceremony takes place.
Across Glasgow performances will be staged in some of the city's theatres, venues and arts spaces, including the newly refurbished Kelvingrove bandstand.
Some performances are scheduled to take place on and around the River Clyde and even on the routes to and from the Games venues themselves.
The performers chosen to play at the events are all from Scotland and the Commonwealth nations.
Scottish musicians Lloyd Cole and Edwyn Collins will play at a Live Zone at Glasgow Green.
As part of the Live Zone, Glasgow Green will be transformed into a "home" hosting a free house party with events, performances and live coverage of the sporting action on the main stage in the "Living Room".
Alongside this a "Kitchen" will house a giant food village while sports sessions will take place in the "Back Garden". A "Wee House" will also be constructed for children and young people.
The festival line-up will also feature acts who will play this year's Merchant City Festival, which has been expanded to 11 days.
There will be poetry and spoken word events held at the Old Fruitmarket, as well as classical music performances from Nicola Benedetti and a collaboration between Scottish Opera and Alexander McCall Smith.
Live entertainment will also be on offer at the BBC at the Quay event, which will be staged outside BBC Scotland's headquarters.
Eileen Gallagher, independent director on the Glasgow 2014 board welcomed the breadth of the festival's line-up.
She said it would give everybody a chance to "be part" of Glasgow's Games.
"Festival 2014 will be an amazing celebration of culture which is woven into the fabric of the Commonwealth Games experience," she said.
"No matter where you are in Glasgow during the Games, you will be able to access performances and events involving some of the best home-grown 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 offering everyone the opportunity to be part of the Games."
'Talent and creativity'
After the Glasgow festival, 2014 cultural celebrations will continue with the focus then on the Edinburgh Festival.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "2014 is an exciting year for Scotland as we welcome the world to join us in the celebration of the second year of Homecoming, and as the host of the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.
"With the launch of Festival 2014 attention will shift to Glasgow, with cultural events transforming the city, maximising the Games experience for visitors and residents and showcasing our talent and creativity to the world."
She added: "I would encourage everyone to join in, be inspired, enjoy yourself and celebrate this special year."
A listing of all of the acts set to feature at Festival 2014 is available at the Glasgow 2014 website.