YOUNG street dance performers are warming up to give the Southside Festival a burst of energy.

More than 20 members of the Shawlands Academy Dance Group will fuse hip hop, Latin and bhangra at three performances at Queen's Park Baptist Church tomorrow afternoon. MAIN STAGE HIGHLIGHTS SATURDAY 12.15pm: Desi Bravehearts 12.40pm: MacDonald Bros 1.20pm: Desi Bravehearts 1.50pm: Nikitta Angus 2.40pm: Desi Bravehearts 3pm: Langside College Band 4pm: Hot Love

SUNDAY 12.15pm: Desi Bravehearts 12.45pm: Nikitta Angus 1.35pm: Festival Stars winner 2.10pm: Desi Bravehearts 2.35pm: Hot Love 3.35pm: Alkotron 4.15pm: The LaFontaines</ p>

The youngsters are among hundreds of performers taking to five stages around Queen's Park during the festival.

The second Southside Festival aims to bring together the area's diverse cultures and communities in a celebration of music, dance, sport and art.

Last year more than 8000 people flocked to Queen's Park for the event, a figure organisers hope will be closer to 30,000 this year.

It's the second time Shawlands Academy's agile street dance exponents have been drafted in for the event.

Instructor Huma Abbasi, who founded the group in 2007, said: "It gives them a great boost in confidence - it's such a great atmosphere.

"They're going out for the day and mixing with different people. They loved it last year and that's why they can't wait to come back this year."

A procession kick-starts the festival tomorrow with a riot of colourful costumes and music. It starts at 11.30am from Moss-side Road near Shawlands Academy and moves up Pollokshaws Road, along Allison Street, down Victoria Road and into Queen's Park.

X Factor contestants Nikitta and the MacDonald Bros are among the main stage attractions. They will line up alongside Asian dance troupe the Desi Bravehearts, Langside College Band and hotly-tipped Lanarkshire band LaFontaines, the latest proteges of Wet Wet Wet guitarist Graeme Duffin.

On Sunday, Partick singer Nikitta will introduce the winner of the Festival Stars competition, a talent contest to be fought out tomorrow evening among 11 acts at Destiny Church in Shawlands.

A kids marquee for little nippers will be bursting with family-friendly entertainment such as circus workshops, clowning around, puppetry and magic shows.

The CSG tent boasts an international flavour with African drummers, Hellenic dancers, and Taiko Japanese drummers. The sports programme offers the chance to take part in rugby, mountain biking, archery, lawn bowls and sailing on the pond.

Should the heavens open, there is a full programme of artworks to view, plus live music and dancing in the Victorian Glasshouse, including brass band Brassmonkeys, bellydancing, and a showcase of local singer-songwriters Maeve O'Boyle, Frank O'Hagan and Gavin Moore on Sunday.

Bailie Margot Clark, who will open the festival, said: "This is a great day out on your doorstep." Having fun on the Subway

YOU wait all year for a festival, then two come along at once.

Glasgow's underground is the setting for the second annual Subway Festival taking place on-board carriages and at eight stations this weekend.

Around 300 performers, including break-dancers, mini soap operas, three-minute movies and gospel choirs will take over the Clockwork Orange to provide entertainment to travellers on Saturday and Sunday.