Glasgay!

Promises Us Super Times With A Celebration Of Fab Queer Talents

Glasgay 2008 is well at home in the lofty peak of Garnethill. Most famous for Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow Film Theatre , both are connected with this year's festival. In and around this area of Glasgow, there are super places just waiting to be found. I’ve written about the best right here.

Glasgow Film Theatre is Glasgow’s art house cinema, and is a local institution. At the main door, turn hiirpin left and you’ll find the cosy Cafe Cosmo

Here’s an example for you… every Christmas, GFT shows the ever so slightly crimbo-camp of It's A Wonderful Life to packed audiences who cheer and clap at the end.

Aaahhh!

In line with the Tennessee Williams retrospective this year, several movies based on his plays will be shown. There's lots more to look forward to, however.

Look out for the Australian short movie 'Prada Handbag', and the heart-warming Canadian drama 'Breakfast With Scot'.

Glasgow School of Art covets one of the most famous buildings in Scotland. It was designed and build by Glaswegian style guru Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

If you have time, take one of the guided tours.

These are often put on by existing students, and are enthralling.

It’s great to see behind the scenes, and to realise that 100 years on, it really is a working building. Don’t forget your camera.

Utter Gutter club will be alive and kicking again at Glasgay 2008. Nights of disco heaven await!

For wonderful food, served pre-theatre or post-event, you’re spoiled for choice around here.

The best food is served by Red Onion, Gamba and Baby Grand Charing Cross.

Psst!... Are you long familiar with the Glasgow gay scene?

Then you’ll remember the site now taken up by Gamba as the Squires bar of old, and may even shed a tear for its passing?

In my humble view, there are several watering holes well worth a visit near Sauchiehall Street .

As well as being a good bet for a cracking meal, Baby Grand Charing Cross is also a boozing hang-out for local arty types in need of a drink...

And even many luvvies – that’s actors and crew - from the nearby Kings Theatre.

Other local bars worth a look are the cool cocktail vibe of the Blue Dog with stays open until the wee small hours every night.

And the well-tucked-away top secret charms of The Universal – another little local bar tucked away in a city centre alley, and well worth the effort in finding.

Lastly, but by no means the least of my top choices is The Pot Still for some comfy old world charm that locals love so much (well, it’s either that or the hundreds of whiskies that line the ceiling-high shelves?)

A short stagger further away from GFT and CCA, one of the coolest places for food and drink is Chinaski's , just over the M8 and in the shadow of the Mitchell Library.

Its decked garden has plenty of heaters to allow you to stay outside in the autumn weeks of the festival.

Check out the bar – it dominates the space in Chinaski’s, screaming ‘dry martini’ at you in a 1920’s jazz-vibe. We love it…

Time for more? Next stop on these five Top Secret Missions to make the most of Glasgay 2008 is Glasgow's West End.

Or skip to any other missions that take your fancy...

Time to grab your very own page all about Glasgay 2008! festival.

Not just a tiny comment (lost in deep cyber-space)... Not even a whole blog post ("vanishing" into "archives" a week later)... You will have your own entire page on topsecretglasgow.com for all eternity (or until the internet blows up!)... live 24-7...

Welcome to my-page - the easiest way ever to grab you own tiny piece of the web.

So, if you are as big a fan as me, why not tell the world why this makes you want to run open-armed and panting into its open arms.

Big it up! Shout about it! Jump up and get down!

(Of course, you could always just calmly type out a few random thoughts about it too. Whatever takes your fancy...)

Do share with us all below...