Preivew: Glasgay!

When you pick up this paper one of Glasgow’s best and most colourful arts festivals will already be underway. As Scotland’s preeminent celebration of LGBT culture Glasgay! is one of the UK’s leading multi-art festivals focussing on LGBT people.

This year’s objective is to explore ‘social, historical and contemporary taboos’ through theatre, film, music, comedy, spoken word and visual art, with a few raucous clubnights thrown in for good measure. Figures gracing Glasgay! 2014 include visionary director John Waters, veteran American comic Scott Capurro and BBC Radio stars Steven K. Amos and Sarah Pascoe.

Piquing my interest is legendary performance artist Ron Athey, who’s performing the fourth chapter of his Incorruptible Flesh series: Messianic Remains at The Arches on the 11^th and 12^th of November. It looks like the event most likely to weird you out in the whole festival, but Athey’s reputation as the cutting edge of Body Art means it’s well worth a look. Glasgay! also gives attendees an opportunity to see late Pulitzer Prize winner Lanford Wilson’s play The Madness of Lady Bright, reputed as one of the first American plays to focus on purely LGBT material. Performed at Rose & Grants between the 27^th of October and the 1^st of November this play is a must-see for those interested in learning more about the history of LGBT culture.

With a huge diversity of art and media on offer, Glasgay! cannot be missed. If you’ve missed your chance this year, don’t worry; GALA Scotland will be back next year with even more spectacular events next October. In the meantime, grab a ticket while you still can and attend one of the most omnifarious festivals you’ll ever see.