Glasgay 2010

For Queer Talents on Stage, in Movies, Clubs - and With Friends

	Glasgay 2010 is here! Wild mix of new theatre, camp old favourites, clubbing, movies and comedy for one fun-filled month do more?.. quick-links: highlights| events| pre-theatre venues| comments AgentX

Glasgay 2010 kicks off on Thursday 14 October 2010. Going from strength to strength, this annual festival has really come out of the closet and into the open.

One of Glasgow's top rated and top attended festivals, it attracts fantastic talents and artists, filling theatres, film houses and clubs with friendly fans, all looking for memorable times in this excellent city of ours.

Running for a full month, expect new pieces for stage and exhibition, fun nights at the movies, lots of clubbing, comedy nights and the chance to try some new queer culture.

Putting all of this together, we've drawn up a few picks of the Glasgay 2010 highlights, and our top tips for the best places for dining, staying over and drinking - all nice and close to the venues you plan to visit.

In addition, we've found the best deals in the city, when it comes to eating and finding the perfect room to put your head down for the night. In these tough economic times, its nice to make every budget stretch as far as possible..;-).

Remember that full listings can be found at the official Glasgay 2010 website.

There's much to celebrate during Glasgay 2010. From new commissions for theatre and art, its sure to be an excellent festival. Top of the comedy lists has to be Scotland's own treasure, the one and only Craig Hill...

On 5 November he takes to the stage at The Tron Theatre for his show, "Why Don't You Come Down The Front?" Camp and infectious, this show will be a riot...

Also in Tron Theatre, the play "Bette/Cavett" runs from 9 to 13 November. Looking at the 1971 interview of screen legend Bette Davis, where she delivers one blistering line after another about drink and drugs in Hollywood - and much more. This will be a real Glasgay 2010 highlight, for sure.

In modern history, Stonewall turned out to be a watershed moment. As part of Glasgay 2010, this vital moment in the gay rights fight, the Stonewall Riots in 1969, is caught in the documentary 'Stonewall Uprising, shown in Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) on 22 October.

From 2 to 6 November, Kings Theatre sets the stage for the youthful and energetic "Don't Stop Believin'". Hot on the heels of TVs Glee, an evening of singalong fun is yours fo rhte taking. Sounds like one not to miss...;-)

King's Theatre also brings Glasgay 2010 The Rocky Horror Show, from 8 to 13 November. Camp, full of songs we all know, and always brilliant fun, its sure to be a Glasgay 2010 hit...

What could be nicer than meeting mates, and enjoying a movie and some popcorn together. Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) leads the way in Glasgow, when it comes to independent film being shown in Glasgow. At Glasgay 2010, this position continues as normal. For example, 'Is It Just Me?' is shown on 18 October. A comedy of errors set around chat room dating and perceived images, laughter is guaranteed with this one...

Not missing out on the act, CCA has some thought provoking films, including a real life look at everyday heroes keeping the only gay bar in Jerusalem up and running. The most important moment in the gay rights fight, the Stonewall Riots in 1969, is caught in the documentary 'Stonewall Uprising', shown in CCA on 22 October.

A Glasgay 2010 commission, Louise Wesh and Zoe Strachen have brought the edgy play 'Panic Patterns' to life. Performed on 10 evenings, from 19 to 30 October, this suspenseful and edgy drama follows the relationships of ornithologists on a remote island in the north of Scotland. Well worth a trip to Citizens Theatre...

Arches Theatre is home to the extravagant and brutally honest show that is Markus Makavellian: Chromotherapy. In a change to published information, dates for the Markus extravaganza are now 26 to 29 October.

And this is merely the tip of the Glasgay 2010 iceberg...;-)

Going to the movies is still a perfect date. Glasgay 2010 is lucky to have a couple of Glasgow's smallest cinemas bringing enough films and documentaries to keep us happy. Visiting these places, whether its a Hot Date or with a bunch of mates, promises lots of fun.

Glasgow Film Theatre, an art deco treasure in Glasgow city centre, knows how to please audiences. During Glasgay 2010, expect independent movies from home and abroad, documentaries on tough and humane stories, and possibly a camp classic or two. And why not?

CCA has a lovely little cinema to the rear of their wonderful premises. Modern pieces showing the struggles and triumphs of glbt people are sure to move us, providing plenty of discussions along the way. Great stuff indeed, from our Centre for Contemporary Arts.

It's important to make the most of your special days at Glasgay 2010. Glasgow has some top bars, restaurants and hotels to add value to any event.

Knowing the best places for some laid back or romantic meals, and for fun and classy drinks, will add sparkle to your excellent evenings. Getting it right makes all the difference.

So here are our mini-guides, revealing the very best pre-theatre places just a stroll from this year's top venues.

Every mini-guide reveals the best places for both buzzing and peaceful dining and drinking, the best sightseeing spot for visitors and the top places to stay nearby for all budgets. Just click on the venue name to reveal all the best places... Have fun!

Clubs and dancing are such an important part of gay cluture, its great to see so many top club nights during Glasgay 2010. Stoke up your boilers before hitting the dance floor, and make sure to take advantage of the top deals we've traced for you...

Finishing in the wee small hours, a nearby bed might be just what you're looking for. Unless you're pulled, of course. Again, top deals are here for you to grab.

Arches Theatre has rightly earned a reputation around the world as a top club venue. Expect to be in the hands of amazing DJs, who'll have you spinning until dawn... Bliss!

Stereo hides from view, in a cool old building along a lane close to Central Station. The little basement venue makes for fun nights out, with all sorts of talents keeping fans on their toes until well after closing time.

The Polo Lounge offers two dance floors, keeping everyone happy. Modern sounds fill the larger club, with classics and camp old nonsense we all love in the other one. A local fave, get in early to avoid the door charge. We can't say fairer than that...;-)

Bennets remains everyone's guilty little secret pleasure. Dancing the night away to current top tunes and (even better!) cheesy old camp classics, has never been such fun. Around since the early 1980s and still going strong, they know how to throw a party here... Have a blast.

Glasgow (and Glasgay) wants to make sure your fun times in the city are matched with rooms that fit your budget. Close to this years' venues, you're in for a cosy night after all that dancing, theatre-going and party animal fun...

Find out about this years' partner places for putting your head down for the night. You can also find out how to make a booking.

Jurys Inn looks over the rail lines in and out of Central Station. It doesn't get more central, and handy for Glasgay's fun and fames than this... and it really won't break the bank.

Close to stately Blythswood Square Hotel Novotel opens its doors to fantastic budget nights out. A stone's throw from Kings Theatre, CCA and Glasgow School of Art, have a dreamy night here.

If you feel more like having the comfort of your own wee flat, but still having the best of city life, Fraser Suites in the Merchant City should fit the bill nicely. With every mod con you could possibly need, these superior apartments are bliss, right in the thick of Glasgow city centre life.

Other fantastic places to stay in Glasgow city centre are close to Glasgay venues, and are well worth taking a look at...

Offering some of the best pampering in Glasgow, and nest to most transport links, Park Inn Glasgow has got it all going on. Expect blissful nights in this designer heaven...;-)

Also offering design on a stick, and next to Arches Theatre, Radisson Hotel has won awards for its top of the range hospitality. Will it win an award from you? Time will tell!

Across Sauchiehall Street from Glasgow School of Art, and round the corner from Kings Theatre, Best Western Hotel opens its doors for for comforting town house stays in the city. Surrounded by ace bars and restaurants too, your stay here is bound to be a huge success.

Above all, remember to have a fantastic time, wherever you stay at this years Glasgay.