Latest news with #CentreforContemporaryArts
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Alan Fletcher, ex-Neighbours star, set for Glasgow gig
Alan Fletcher's new tour across the UK and Ireland, which will stop at the Centre for Contemporary Arts on September 24, is his "most ambitious and far-reaching." The singer is also set to release his latest single Back to School on July 3. (Image: Supplied) Mr Fletcher said: "My 2025 tour of the UK and Ireland is my most ambitious and far-reaching. "Last year's tour sold out and, for the first time, I had a real sense that people came to hear the music, not to just meet my alter-ego Dr Karl. Read more: Glasgow man stabbed nephew after he took his kebab sauce Serie A side eyeing move for Celtic winger "I got that sense from seeing people singing my lyrics back to me and from incredible support for my recorded music. "I suspect this tour is going to be a ripper and I cannot wait to share my new music with Brit and Irish fans everywhere." Mr Fletcher became a household name during his 30-year tenure on the Australian soap Neighbours, best known for his role as Dr Karl Kennedy. In 2020, he decided to move away from rock music and pursue a solo career in Americana, alt-country, and folk music. His recent projects include the album The Point and single Tell 'Em, a country music duet with his partner of 35 years and fellow bandmate, Jennifer Hansen. The singer has also been hinting at what fans can expect from his new track, Back to School. He said: "I have been a student of love all my life and the most valuable lesson I ever had was from English philosopher Alain de Botton. "Alain reminds us that, while it is easy to fall in love, staying in love takes work. "We have to learn how to love so, perhaps, the secret to staying in love is to go... back to school (cue song)."
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow venue closes to 'prioritise safety' after protest
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow city centre announced it will be shut after a crowd attempted to stage a takeover on Tuesday. On social media, the spot announced: "In light of recent events and ongoing conversations involving the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), we've made the decision to keep the building closed to the public for the remainder of this week. "This is not a decision we take lightly, but we recognise the need to pause. The temporary closure will allow us to prioritise the safety and well-being of our staff and partners, and to create space for reflection. "We understand the strength of feeling being expressed by our community, and we remain committed to engaging with this moment thoughtfully. "We will be sharing further updates in the coming days. Thank you for your support, and for your patience." Glasgow venue closes to 'prioritise safety' after protest (Image: Newsquest) READ NEXT: LIVE: Huge police presence in city centre as activists stage takeover Palestine protestors took over CCA in Glasgow city centre (Image: Newsquest) We reported at the time that a group of activists staged a sit-in. The action prompted a huge police response, with three police buses, four vans, and a patrol car deployed to the scene. Officers were observed both inside the CCA building and stationed outside on the street. According to the group, the demonstration was sparked by the CCA board's refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or to endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
STV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
CCA closes amid planned takeover by pro-Palestinian activists
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow has temporarily closed in response to protests planned by pro-Palestine activists. The board announced on Wednesday that it had made the decision to keep the building on Sauchiehall Street closed for the rest of the week. It comes after Art Workers for Palestine Scotland shared plans to occupy the public courtyard as part of a week-long programme of action. The campaign group said it would stage an events programme in the 'liberated zone', including workshops, screenings and discussions that centre Palestinian liberation and 'interrogate the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions in the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. The action was announced in response to the CCA's Board's refusal to endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). STV News Art Workers for Palestine Scotland action at CCA The PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Activists began their takeover on Tuesday, resulting in police being called and a 63-year-old woman being arrested. The CCA Board said the decision had been taken to close the building temporarily to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of staff and partners and 'create space for reflection'. A statement issued on social media said: 'In light of recent events and ongoing conversations involving the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), we've made the decision to keep the building closed to the public for the remainder of this week. 'This is not a decision we take lightly, but we recognise the need to pause. The temporary closure will allow us to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff and partners, and to create space for reflection. 'We understand the strength of feeling being expressed by our community, and we remain committed to engaging with this moment thoughtfully. 'We will be sharing further updates in the coming days.' In response, AW4P accused the CCA of choosing 'complicity' and called for the resignations of board member Roddy Hunter and chair of the board Jean Cameron. 'GSA Pal Soc are disgusted by the actions of the CCA and its board that took place yesterday, during a public programme of events centered around resistance, learning and artistic solidarity organised by Art Workers for Palestine', the group said in a statement. 'CCA used internal security, then called police who violently escalated the situation and brutally arrested a member of the public. It is completely shameful and abhorrent to enact fascist state violence against members of their local community who refuse to stay silent in the face of genocide.' STV News Art Workers for Palestine Scotland action at CCA A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 12.55pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, we received a report of a disturbance involving a large group on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. 'Officers attended and engaged with those present. The group later dispersed. 'A 63-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection, and is expected to appear at court at a later date.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Glasgow arts centre temporarily closes after pro-Palestine protest
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow was taken over by campaigners from Art Workers for Palestine Scotland on Tuesday. People could be seen sat outside the building blocking the entrance, while traffic was temporarily unable to pass through the area. (Image: NQ) Police confirmed a 63-year-old woman had been arrested, while the details of other participants were taken down by officers as they left the scene. The group had planned to takeover the building from Tuesday until Saturday in protest over the CCA board's recent refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The sit-in was set to feature events, workshops and screenings that showcase Palestinian art and culture and interrogate "the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions" in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. On Wednesday, however, the CCA said it would be temporarily closing for the rest of the week, citing "recent events and ongoing conversations" involving the centre. READ MORE: UK Culture Secretary: BBC should not show Kneecap's Glastonbury set In a statement shared on Instagram on Wednesday, the CCA said: "In light of recent events and ongoing conversations involving the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), we've made the decision to keep the building closed to the public for the remainder of this week. "This is not a decision we take lightly, but we recognise the need to pause. The temporary closure will allow us to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff and partners, and to create space for reflection. "We understand the strength of feeling being expressed by our community, and we remain committed to engaging with this moment thoughtfully. "We will be sharing further updates in the coming days. Thank you for your support, and for your patience." Following Tuesday's protest, police confirmed to The National that a criminal investigation was underway linked to licencing laws.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Pro-Palestine activists storm Glasgow building & hold ‘sit-in'
Demonstrators say they took action after bosses refused to boycott Israel Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRO-Palestine activists stormed an arts hub after vandals defaced Glasgow University's iconic building with red paint. More than 200 protesters mobbed the Centre for Contemporary Arts with around 20 getting inside after bosses locked the doors in a bid to stop them creating a 'liberation zone'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Protesters took action due to centre chiefs' refusals to back a boycott of Israel Credit: artworkersforpalestinescotland 4 Around 20 activists mounted a peaceful 'sit-in' after gaining access to the CCA in Glasgow city centre Credit: artworkersforpalestinescotland 4 Dozens more chanted as they stood outside the locked centre Credit: artworkersforpalestinescotland 4 Demonstrators held study groups outside after being blocked from entering the CCA Credit: artworkersforpalestinescotland A woman, 63, was arrested after allegations a police officer was punched. Hours earlier anti-Israel graffiti was scrawled and paint hurled over the historic uni a mile away. One demonstrator told The Scottish Sun: 'One of the organisers managed went inside but was forcibly removed by security guards. 'The doors were locked. 'I think a delivery guy opened them and 20 more got inside. 'Police moved in and told them nobody was leaving until they provided their personal details. 'Outside a woman was dragged by three officers and put in the back of a van. 'There was a big line of police cars down the street and drivers were tooting their horns.' Art Workers For Palestine Scotland urged supporters to descend on the city centre culture hub after it was stopped from carrying out a five-day 'spontaneous programme takeover'. The group claimed activists were 'kettled' by police after they skirted security to gain entry to a foyer as an "act of reclaiming". Five Glasgow University students have been on hunger strike for a week as they warn 'we will not stop' Organisers wanted to create a "liberated zone of resistance, learning and artistic solidarity with Palestine". Dozens more blocked the entrance as crowds grew restless outside. Some yelled at cops, chanting "pigs aren't workers — get a real job" and "who do you protect, who do you serve?". A woman was seen being pulled by the arms by cops to a waiting marked van as a protester with a megaphone chased behind shouting: 'Shame on you, Police Scotland.' It is believed the arts centre was targeted because its board refused to back a boycott of Israel and have supported streaming service MUBI which has links to a defence technology company from the country. At least eight police cars and vans were sent to the scene, with around six people wearing orange hi-vis vests with 'observer' on them watching on as a small group printed canvas banners using paint and rollers on the pavement. Signs with 'Free Palestine', 'Hypocrites Stink' and 'Are you guys not embarrassed' were stuck to the outside of the windows during the demonstration which began around noon yesterday. Art Workers For Palestine Scotland claimed centre chiefs are "complicit in genocide" by refusing to boycott Israel and MUBI in an online statement. It said: "CCA will never stop the work of liberation. "They are letting Israel in and shutting Palestine out." Other anti-Israel slogans and red triangles were daubed over Glasgow Uni's 19th-century Gilbert Scott building after it was attacked the previous night. Activists are believed to have vandalised the country's second oldest learning centre over funding for arms firms supplying Israel. A spokesman said: 'The University of Glasgow upholds the right to freedom of expression, including the right of staff and students to engage in peaceful demonstrations. 'However, we do not tolerate criminal activities or those which interfere with the rights of others to go about their business in peace.' Police Scotland confirmed it had received a report of vandalism at the uni and lifted one person at the arts centre demo. A spokesman said: 'We received a report of a disturbance involving a large group on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. 'Officers attended and engaged with those present. 'The group later dispersed. 'A 63-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection, and is expected to appear at court at a later date.' The CCA has been approached for comment.
