A MEMBER from the famous Scottish indie band Del Amitri will perform alongside a host of other musicians at a centenary celebration of a culturally “vital” community hall.
Keyboard player Andy Alston, who has played in a host of other bands, including pop band Orange Juice, has organised a day of celebration for the Woodside Halls in Maryhill, Glasgow.
The community hall will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a day of live music, dance, theatre, a reggae disco and a raffle, all under the building’s historic roof, on Friday, May 2.
The night is curated by Alston to not only honour the rich heritage of one of Glasgow’s most notable community buildings, but also reignite local pride and connection around it.
Alston, who has lived in the West End of the city since 1990, said he had never been in the hall despite having walked past it many times.
However, when he was invited into the hall by the local community ahead of the event, Alston said he was taken aback by how amazing it was.
He said: “A lot of these places are maybe redeveloped with student flats or discos or something like that, but it's an amazing space, that's original and really well preserved.”
He added: “It's almost like a Christmas present or something you've never seen the inside of before, and then you’re like ‘wow’.
“Then you think oh, we could use it for other events, as spaces like this are important.”
Funds from the event will go towards the Woodside Community Fridge Project, which helps provide food for those in need.
Alongside Alston, there will be live performances from the Garden of Earthly Delights along with the Glasgow-based rock band The Tenementals, who are a group of academics, artists, and musicians who tell the city’s radical history and untold stories through song.
The singer and founder of The Tenementals, David Archibald, hailed community halls' impact on Scottish communities across the country as he said they provide a vital space for cultural activities.
“Community halls play a vital role in providing spaces for cultural and critical activity, whether that be children’s playgroups, community organising, discussion and debate, or musical events of all sorts – the recent Counterflows festival was hosted by the venue and by all accounts was a great success.
“Community halls are spaces of possibility which open doors to different futures. In working-class areas, they are vital.”
The chief executive of the Community Central Hall, a community trust which is responsible for the operation of the building, said: “As a community organisation, we managed to re-open this historic venue after the pandemic and are working hard to give this lovely space the care and love it deserves after 100 years of service not only to our community, but also the wider city of Glasgow.
“We have an ambitious plan for the future, and this event marks a great occasion.”
Tickets are available for £10 and £7 for concessions, and doors will open at 6:30pm with live performances starting at 7:00pm.
