Stephen and Chris, stars of Channel 4’s Gogglebox, are to join Birmingham Pride this year (Photograph: Channel 4)

Birmingham Pride organisers have announced the addition of Gogglebox stars Stephen Webb and Chris Steed to the line-up at this year’s two-day festival on Saturday 23rd May.

Stephen and Chris, who have propelled to stardom after appearing in the hit Channel 4 prime-time reality TV show, will be in the city to host Birmingham Pride’s Main Stage over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The screen couple are joining over a hundred different acts and DJs at the popular LGBT festival, held in the city’s Gay Village over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

The gay telly duo are also expected to take part in an exclusive ‘Meet & Greet’ session with VIP ticket holders.

Gogglebox stars Stephen and Chris, joined here by Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon, will be hosting on the main stage at Birmingham Pride over the Bank Holiday weekend

Director of Birmingham Pride Festival Lawrence Barton said: “Stephen and Chris have practically become national treasures thanks to their hilarious contribution to Gogglebox. We’re absolutely delighted to have them join our already fantastic line-up at Birmingham Pride. They’re very much the icing on the cake and the perfect people to host our Main Stage.”

Also gracing Birmingham Pride 2015 with their star-presence are ’70s group Boney M, ’80s superstar Jimmy Somerville and ’90s favourites Heather Small and Atomic Kitten, alongside chart-toppers Jess Glynne, rapper Example, former JLS member Marvin Humes and X Factor artists Union J, Only The Young and Stereo Kicks.

There are over 100 acts lined up to perform at Birmingham Pride 2015

This year the colourful and vibrant Pride Parade launches from Victoria Square at 12pm on Saturday 23rd May, highlighting the theme: ‘FREEDOM – Together United’. The parade will be led by Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), the campaign group who were recently immortalised in the hit British film Pride.

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Tickets for the Birmingham Pride two-day extravanganza can be purchased from www.birminghampride.com, or at the festival on the day.

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Birmingham Pride returns to the city this bank holiday weekend, on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May

It’s Birmingham Pride this bank holiday weekend, a two-day family festival celebrating the city’s gay community, with this year’s theme chosen as ‘Freedom: Together United’, but what does the city’s Gay Village have in store?

Well, it’s not all just music stars and celebrities (as wonderful as this year’s line-up is), there’s also a whole host of stalls, community areas, watering holes, clubs and interactive community initiatives taking place; and not to mention the parade itself. A carnival conga of rainbow colours, elaborate costumes, LGBT-inclusive charities, organisations and businesses all marking and celebrating a city proud of its gay community. Here’s what to keep an eye out for…

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Pride Carnival Parade

Launching from Victoria Square in Birmingham’s city centre at 12 noon on Saturday 23rd May, the Carnival Parade route is epxected be the event’s best and most visible procession ever held through the city, as each year gets bolder and brighter than the last.

Birmingham Pride Director Lawrence Barton with Michael Cashman and Peter Tatchell at a previous pride festival in the city (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Leading this year’s parade, alongside the ever-popular Someone At The Door samba band, will be the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), who were recently immortalised in the hit British flick Pride.

Samba band Someone at the Door perform during the carnival parade at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The carnival parade at Birmingham Pride makes its way through the city (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The parade will wind its way down New Street, into High Street, Carrs Lane, Smallbrook Queensway and Hurst Street, before finally entering the main Pride Festival site. Spectators can line the streets along the route to watch, wave and even take pictures during what can be only described as probably the city’s most colourfully chaotic but crazy-cool parade of any kind.

The Birmingham Pride carnival parade will wind its way through the city centre streets

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Pride Main Stage 2015

Music star Ms Dynamite meets fans at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

There’s a lot of amazing music acts performing for the crowds at Birmingham Pride this year. In fact, there’s over 100 very distinct, diverse and different artists, DJs and bands catering for all music tastes; spanning the last few decades and across numerous genres. That said, the absolute place to be for the biggest, brightest (and probaby loudest) music stars is the Main Stage, which will be graced by the presence and talents of Jess Glynne, Jimmy Somerville, Fuse ODG, Heather Small, Example + DJ Wire, Boney M, Neon Jungle, Atomic Kitten, Marvin Humes, Ms Dynamite, Melissa Totten, Stereo Kicks and Union J over the course of the jam-packed two-day festival.

Jimmy Somerville, Fuse ODG, Example and Boney M are among the headline music acts performing on the Main Stage on Saturday at Birmingham Pride

Jess Glynne, Marvin Humes, Heather Small, Ms Dynamite and Union J are among the headline music acts performing on the Main Stage on Sunday at Birmingham Pride

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Chic Dance Arena 2015

Revellers in a dance tent during Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The Chic Dance Arena – named after and sponsored by Chic nightclub – is back again with a weekend full of awesome DJ’s rustling up the best tracks, mixes and beats to get those bodies moving.

Djs and artists performing in the Chic Dance Arena on Saturday at Birmingham Pride 2015

Djs and artists performing in the Chic Dance Arena on Sunday at Birmingham Pride 2015

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Village Cabaret Marquee

A weekend full of great national and local cabaret acts, you say? What more could you ask for…

Cabaret artists performing on Saturday at Birmingham Pride 2015

Cabaret artists performing on Sunday at Birmingham Pride 2015

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Fox Women’s Arena

Two days of exciting and enjoyable entertainment in the Women’s Arena, courtesy of the city’s Fox Bar…

A host of local artists will be performing at the Fox Women’s Arena at Birmingham Pride 2015

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LGSM ‘stars’ of Pride film

The Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) group will be leading the Birmingham Pride parade (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)

Leading this year’s Pride Parade are the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), who were recently immortalised in the hit British flick Pride. The LGSM were an alliance of lesbians and gay men who originally came together to support the striking British miners during the year-long UK miners strike of 1984–1985.

Following the Birmingham carnival parade, the group will be joining audiences for a film screening of Pride at the Birmingham LGBT Centre. There will also be an opportunity to watch the original LGSM film All out! Dancing in Dulais, a chance to join a discussion about how solidarity can break down barriers in struggle and hear local LGBT socialist choirs.

There will also be free social and political events during Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A young man joins the Birmingham Pride parade, with a placard in hand (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Individuals can also join the LGSM on the Pride Parade itself, but spaces are limited. The Birmingham LGBT Centre is free to access and not within the Birmingham Pride wristband-ticketed area. To find out more about LGSM activities during Birmingham Pride, click here.

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Stalls and stands

Rainbow cakes on sale at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

It wouldn’t Birmingham Pride without there being trailers selling hot and cold food, drinks kiosks and pop-up bars, merchandise and accessory stalls and, of course, charity and LGBT organisation stands. If you need to pick up a bit of rainbow gear to spruce up your get-up; or if you just want one of those colourful wigs or glittery cowboy hats, you’re in the right place.

There’ll be plenty of food and drink outlets at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Rainbow accessories on a stall at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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Funfair rides

Revellers enjoy the fairground rides at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

If all the music acts, the costumes, the carnival atmosphere and the food and drink wasn’t already enough, you can also keep yourself amused, entertained and live ‘on-the-edge’ by enjoying the many fairground rides which will be specially installed in the Gay Village for the Pride festivities. Just remember to bring plenty of change, and get that burger in after riding the Pendulum… not before.

Friends enjoying the rides at the Birmingham Pride funfair (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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Finding your way around Birmingham Pride…

A map of the Gay Quarter during Birmingham Pride 2015. Tickets/Wristbands will be required to access the Gay Village during the two-day festival.

The Gay Village or ‘Gay Quarter’ will largely be sealed off for Birmingham Pride festivities over the Bank Holiday weekend.

There will be ticket/wristband exchange booths where one-day or weekend wristbands can be purchased (or exchanged if already paid for). Entry to the Gay Village area will not be allowed without a valid wristband. Official tickets can be purchased in advance here. They can also be purchased on the day, at the ticket/wristband booths, but there will be no guarantee of availability due to high demand.

Birmingham’s premier cabaret act Twiggy greets police officers at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Tickets/Wristbands will be required for entry into the Gay Village for Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Local residents living within the Birmingham Pride festival area will have received direct information about access to their homes over the weekend.

For more information about access, food and drink, age limitations, parking and more, please visit the Birmingham Pride site and their FAQ page here.

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How to get to the Gay Village

Birmingham Pride will be awash with costume and colour (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham Pride Festival is set in the heart of the Birmingham Gay Village (in B5 2TB), in the heart of the city’s gay village, in and around Hurst Street (down from the Birmingham Hippodrome), in the Southside area of the city.

Birmingham New Street Station is situated within a short 5 minute walk of the gay village. And for our international visitors, Birmingham International Airport is only 10 miles away.

You can find out more about transport to Birmingham Pride here.

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Accessibility

Rainbow beads on a stall at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The organisers of Birmingham Pride 2014 wish to make the festival inclusive for all and recognise the need for easy access throughout the event for our disabled community. There are various features in place to cater for those with accessibility needs who are coming to Birmingham Pride. You can find out more about access here.

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Bars and clubs

Festival-goers enjoying Birmingham Pride in the city’s Gay Village (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham’s Gay Village is home to a number of bars, pubs and clubs including Missing, Eden, The Nightingale, The Core, Bar Jester and The Village Inn. For an extensive insight and guide to the city’s LGBT nightlife, check out website Visit Gay Brum.

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Tickets

If you haven’t already bought your tickets for Birmingham Pride, you can get them here. Tickets must be exchanged for valid wristbands at the ‘ticket-wristband exchange booths’ dotted around the Gay Village over the bank holiday weekend. You may also purchase tickets/wristbands on the day(s) of the festival but best to get in early, just in case they’ve sold out!

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Birmingham Pride

You can download the official guide to Birmingham Pride 2015 here, or view it online here.

You can find out more about Birmingham Pride at the official website: www.birminghampride.com

For updates, check out the official Birmingham Pride Facebook page and Twitter page. Hashtags for this year’s festival are #BirminghamPride and #Freedom.

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The We Are Many anti-war documentary film took nine years to make

An epic film about the global anti Iraq war protests of 2003, which brought 30 million people out onto the streets all around the world, is released this week and features Birmingham political activists Salma Yaqoob and Clare Short alongside a host of campaigners, politicians and celebrities including Jesse Jackson, Damon Albarn, Richard Branson, Hans Blix, Noam Chomsky and the late Tony Benn.

We Are Many, which took director Amir Amirani nine years and three-time house remortgages to make, is finally released on Thursday 21 in cinemas across the country, including three separate screenings in Birmingham.

Recently praised and supported by the likes of Stephen Fry and Russell Brand, the highly praised film explores the global domino effect that began with the huge protests which took place on the same day in 2003 while taking an in-depth look at how the largest international anti-war movement came to be in the wake of 9/11.

Was it really 12 years ago? I’m not sure a trailer has ever made me want to see a film more @WeAreManyMovie https://t.co/26Gt0Zm5TE

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) May 8, 2015

I just supported Watch We Are Many from May 21 on @ThunderclapIt // @WeAreManyMovie http://t.co/3SHPfOpa2G

— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) May 18, 2015

About 30 million people in 800 cities on every continent, surprisingly even in Antarctica, marched against the Iraq war on the 15 February 2003.

In Britain, around 2 million people marched in London, converging on Hyde Park as political leaders clamoured to appear on stage alongside veteran peace campaigners; especially once it became apparent public opinion was firmly not on the side of the pro-war camp. It was the largest protest of any kind in British history.

Protesters create a peace sign in the Antarctic on February 15, 2003

Salma Yaqoob, chair of Birmingham Stop the War Coalition, features in the documentary as one of the key people interviewed about the events on that day. Following the swell of public feeling, she went on to co-establish the Respect party with journalist George Monbiot and was elected as a councillor in Birmingham.

Salma Yaqoob features in the film in her role as chair of Birmingham Stop the War Coalition (Photograph: BBC)

Former Labour cabinet member Clare Short, who resigned in protest at the Iraq war, joins Salma Yaqoob at a peace rally (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham peace activist Salma Yaqoob addresses crowds at an anti-war rally in London (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Former Labour cabinet member and International Development Secretary, Clare Short, also appears in the film. She famously resigned over the then Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to join the US in bombing Iraq, a country still reeling from and largely in a state of perpetual chaos since being invaded in 2003.

Birmingham was one of the major UK cities to mobilise protesters during the anti-Iraq war protests, sending over 1,000 people on over twenty separate full-size coaches to London on 15 February, 2003. The city’s peace movement was an unprecedented coalition of churches, mosques, community centres, schools, colleges, trade unions, artists, politicians and ordinary citizens wanting to express their dismay at a government leading a nation into war against its wishes.

Director of anti-war documentary film We Are Many, Amir Amirani

Reflecting on his final work, director Amirani explains: “It seemed the 15th of February , 2003, was the biggest demonstration in history, the first to be co – ordinated globally, and to be on such a scale before a war had started.

“This was my light-bulb moment. I realized that it didn’t matter where anyone was on that day, but that they took part somewhere , such as the 70 people who demonstrated in Antarctica! And I also realized that something like that does not just happen out of the blue.

“I knew there was a story there to be told, and that in some way it heralded something, a new phenomenon that went to the heart of the public’s relationship to politics, to each other and to great political events shaping our lives. I didn’t know what that was, or how the day came about, but I was determined to find out.

Around 30 million people in 800 cities across the world took to the streets in protest at the impending Iraq war

“That day , which inspired the film and forms its central narrative, was a day on which many ordinary citizens, who were not political or activists, came out for the first time to protest against a war, effectively becoming politicized by the experience.”

Flyers for @WeAreManyMovie, showing in Brum tmrw 8pm at @CineworldBirmin, @ODEONCinemas and @ElectricBham. pic.twitter.com/sJmXKSPaAI via @BStWC

— Salma Yaqoob (@SalmaYaqoob) May 20, 2015

We Are Many also includes moving and insightful interviews with actor and activist Danny Glover, Born on the Fourth of July author Ron Kovic, musician Brian Eno, former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett, Lord Falconer, Writer Tariq Ali 38 Degrees founder David Babbs, Stop the War UK convenor Lindsey German and a host of other contributors.

We Are Many charts the revolutionary movements of 2003 and 2011

The film is being screened in Birmingham on Thursday 21st May at 8pm, at three cinemas in the city, including Cineworld Broad Street, Odeon New Street and The Electric. In Wolverhampton, the film will be showing at the Light House. There are no showings on other days, at present. You can find out more on the Birmingham screenings Facebook event page here.

As part of nationwide screenings, a Q&A hosted by Channel 4 News’ Jon Snow (and with special guests) will be broadcast after the film, live from London.

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You can get tickets for your local screening of the film at the official We Are Many website, or directly from your local participating cinema on the day.

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Thousands are expected to turn out for the Birmingham pride parade and festivities this bank Holiday weekend (Photograph: Arron Dobbins)

Tens of thousands of party revellers are set to descend on Birmingham Gay Pride this weekend, with organisers announcing record-breaking advance tickets sales for the UK’s biggest two-day gay festival.

Birmingham Gay Pride kicks off on Saturday 23rd May with a Carnival Parade through the city centre. The parade, which sets off from Victoria Square at 12 noon, is this year taking the theme of ‘#FREEDOM – Together United’.

Featuring over fifty floats and walking groups, the parade will wind its way through the city centre streets to the heart of the Birmingham Pride festival, taking place in the city’s vibrant and colourful gay village.

Samba band Someone At The Door on the carnival parade during Birmingham Pride

Pride Festival Director Lawrence Barton commented: “The entire Birmingham Pride team are absolutely buzzing about this year’s festival. It’s incredible to have achieved record ticket sales for an event that’s set to attract tens of thousands of people. We set out to build on the success of last year’s festival, and with such a fantastic line-up we’re certain it’s going to be an amazing weekend!”

Boasting its biggest artist and DJ line-up to date, this year’s event features an array of high-profile performers, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Headline acts include Jess Glynne – whose hit single Hold My Hand smashed its way to No.1 – popular rapper Example – whose performance will include No.1 singles Changed The Way You Kiss Me and Stay Awake – former JLS member Marvin Humes – performing with his new band, LuvBug – and X Factor artists Union J, Stereo Kicks and Only The Young. Gay Gogglebox stars Stephen Webb and Chris Steed will also be on hand to host the festival’s popular Main Stage.

>> FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT AT BIRMINGHAM PRIDE <<

The theme for this year’s Birmingham Pride is ‘Freedom – Together United’

Other performers confirmed to appear across the two-day festival include ’70s group Boney M, ’80s superstar Jimmy Somerville and ’90s favourites Heather Small and Atomic Kitten, together with a host of current headline artists.

The Birmingham Gay Pride event, which last year attracted over 50,000 party-loving revellers, also features a dance arena, cabaret marquee, funfair and women’s area, in addition to a host of free community events at the Birmingham LGBT Centre. Stalls and refreshment outlets will also be on site.

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Tickets for the two-day festival, which is located in Birmingham’s Gay Village in the Southside area of the city, are available at a cost of £20 for day tickets and £30 for weekend tickets.

Children under five get free admission when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available from www.birminghampride.com.

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The Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) will be leading the Birmingham Pride Parade (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)

The 2015 Birmingham Pride Parade will be led by the original members of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), who recently returned to public prominence with the film PRIDE. They will also be joined by hundreds of trade unionists from across the Midlands.

The carnival parade will assemble in Victoria Square on Saturday 23 May at 11am. Following the parade at 2pm, the Birmingham LGBT centre will host a showing of the original film made by LGSM All out! Dancing in Dulais.

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, Lee Barron, said: “It is an honour that Midlands TUC and hundreds of trade unionists from across the Midlands will join LGSM in leading the 2015 Birmingham Pride parade.

The support of LGSM in the miners’ strike is a moving story of solidarity. It is now 30 years since hundreds of miners joined the London Pride march. The miners who went on the London Pride march were reciprocating the solidarity LGBT people had shown throughout the 1984/85 miners strike.

The LGSM group has been immortalised in the recent hit film Pride (Photograph: Pathé)

The LGSM’s struggle has been immortalised in the recent hit film Pride (Photograph: Pathé)

The Miners never forgot this solidarity and went on to support the campaigns for LGBT rights that have now been passed into law today. “And this history is instructive, for we today need similar solidarity in order to give hope, belief and support to working people who are now facing hardship and difficulties, fighting for better pay, safer workplaces, decent jobs and greater equality.”

Humans rights activist Peter Tatchell will also once agian be attending Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Also attending this year’s Birmingham Pride is veteran LGBT and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, a long-time supporter of the event in the city. This year’s theme is ‘Freedom: Together United’.

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Click here to find out more about what to expect at Birmingham Pride 2015.

To find out more about the LGSM events and workshops on Saturday, click here. 

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Download 2015 is coming up (Photo: Andrew Witton Download 2014)

So Download 2015 is fast approaching and if you haven’t decided about going yet, listen up.

The legendary Donnington festival is a Midlands key event and it’s a yearly pilgrimage for thousands of music lovers.

1 – Amazing Aesthetics

Avenged Sevenfold at Download 2014 (Photo: Danny North Download 2014)

With 4 stages scattered across the site, Download never fail to make their arena look amazing. With the towering main stage greeting you as you walk in to the gorgeous blue big top of the Pepsi Max Stage, it all fits into a picture that most will famously recognize. As well as the staging, the themed entrances, posters and of course the giant Download sign adds to the views as you walk through the grounds.

But not only are the organisers to blame for the eye candy, the bands are just as bad. With headliners that have to alert the nearby airports of their presence due to towering infernos of fire from the stage and tanks bursting onto the stage, bands are very well known for bringing spectacles to Donnington.

2 – Birmingham Bands

Thousands of fans attend Donnington each year (Photo: Tom Martin Download 2014)

With the West Midlands being the heart of Heavy Metal, Download is usually a homecoming show for a few bands. Namely this year two stand out. Evil Scarecrow, the West Midlands based Heavy Metal group, are well known for their unique songs and performances. With their most well known song ‘Robototron’, they are one most Brummie metal heads have heard of. But the main boys back in town are Judas Priest. The 40 year strong band are back in their birth place on their ‘Redeemer of Souls’ tour and it should rock Donnington to it’s foundations.

As well as bands from Birmingham, there are tons that have visited the Metal birthplace before and hail it as a haven for rock. With Thunder, Black Star Riders, Billy Idol and many more having visited in the past 12 months, they all know Birmingham for it’s amazing crowds and atmosphere.

3 – Camping Community

Download festival brings everyone together (Photo: Justine Trickett Download 2014)

Be it on your own or with a group of over 20, the camping at Download is always a fun occasion. Turn up, pitch your tent, sit in your chair and within 5 minutes, you’ll have 10 new friends around you with a shared love in the music and atmosphere of the weekend. As the weekend goes on, the recommendations spread between yourselves and you find new bands, music and drinks you’d have never even considered.

Not only that, but you’re never far from a friendly face in the arena or campsite. With many running round with Free Hug signs or trying to get high fives, the friendliness of the crowd is a exhilarating experience.

4 – Distinguished Donnington

Download has a long history of being a haven of Rock and Metal (Photo: Tom Martin Download 2014)

Legendary. Famous. Dream-worthy. These and so many more are words that have been used to describe the landmark weekend that occurs every year at Donnington. Be it rain, in the case of 2012 where the stage sunk but the weekend and music carried on, to clear skies, every year produces a festival that will be remembered. For many it with be their first, whether they are on stage or in the crowd, and for more it will be their return to the hallowed ground, but everyone realises the importance of Donnington.

From it’s creation of Monsters Of Rock, where countless legends have performed, from Black Sabbath to Alice Cooper, Iron Madien to Metallica, to the decade old Download festival where Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold and Rammstein have performed, the site has hosted globally known bands, old and new.

5 – Endless Eateries 

Burgers Galore! (Photo: Danny North Download 2014)

Where would the world be without the walk-home kebab? The chip shop visit after the gig? Well even Download recognises the need for sustenance. With food trucks and marquees serving good old Fish and Chips, to Chinese, Tacos, Steaks and Ice Creams, there is no end of choice to keep the belly satisfied during the weekend.

Not only that, but the multitude of shops scattered around the site. Want a T-Shirt? Got it covered. Loaf of bread? You got it. Forgot the tent at home? Don’t worry, buy one here. There is very little you can’t get from a wonder through the village. Just make sure you don’t spend all your money on the fun fair and cotton candy…

Download 2015 is at Donnington Park from the 12th to the 14th of June.

For ticket information click here.

For the full line up click here.

US singer Ariana Grande performs at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

From glittering dresses to pitch-perfect whistle-tones, there’s only one artist who can grace the stage with such sincerity and glee to pull of a fantastic close to the UK leg of their world tour.

I am, of course, talking about world-wide, multi-platinum selling singer Ariana Grande. From start to finish, she managed to pull off an incredible show full of chart topping hits for her loyal UK fans at the Birmingham Barclaycard Arena.

After an agonising wait, the crowd spewed into the arena with excitement for the nights proceedings. The Birmingham and Glasgow support act was the Drunk and Incapable hit maker Krishane.

Ariana Grande surrounded by dancers during her show in Birmingham (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

Initially, the venue seemed to be relatively empty with at least a quarter of the seats being empty. However, as his set progressed and with the prospect of Ariana’s imminent arrival, seats filled quickly. With a simply-lit backdrop and two dancers at his side, Krishane gave a pretty respectable performance; it was clear that he was enjoying every moment of his showmanship.

His introduction of special guest Melissa Steele to the stage for a joint performance of 2014 hit Drunk and Incapable got the crowd wild, with every soul rising to their feet.

Ariana Grande sparkled in shimmering black during her Birmingham show (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

Ariana Grande belting out chart hits at the Barclaycard Arena (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

After an intermission, the arena went dark and the only light to be seen was the hundreds of adoring fans in bright, glowing novelty cat ears before a video came up on screen of Ariana Grande cutely announcing “I hope my fans have the best night of their lives”, ahead of a 60 second on-stage countdown which had the audience screaming with excitement for their idol.

As the countdown hit zero, the star of the show rose from the stage, illuminated with light. Dancers flew up from the ground and, instantly, the crowd was on once again their feet for Jessie J’s chart-topping Bang Bang, on which Grande collaborated last year alongside Nicki Minaj.

With every beat of the song, fireworks spurted from the platform behind her. This, her most popular single – albeit a collaboration – was performed incredibly well even on her lonesome, with her extended falsetto in the bridge and whistle-tones sang stunningly enough for her to outright own this rendition of the track. She followed Bang Bang with Hands on Me, matched with some very impressive and strong choreography, as was seen throughout her set.

Ariana Grande got her Birmingham fans dancing with her as she got animated on stage (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

Next up, a string trio then played an extended piece before the stage went again dark, lighting back up as Grande flew through the stage atop a giant cloud belting out slow RnB romantic number Best Mistake with a field of clouds illuminated behind her. Despite the obvious height, streams of fans reached up towards her as she floated through the air before drifting back down to ‘Earth’ and continuing with Break Your Heart Right Back.

For Be My Baby, the stage was transformed with ‘diamonds’ as the male and female dancers partnered up for a sensual dance sequence where projected light struck the diamonds, causing them to they separate and create a walkway for Ariana to strut along while singing. During a brief interlude for the artist, a tap dancer appeared in black attire and glittering silver shoes, his intrusion gaining surprised looks from the audience at first but it was cheers all around as broke into a masterful solo performance channeling his ‘inner Fred Astaire’ as Grande prepared her next costume change.

As the well-received dancer exited, a burlesque-style video of Grande was projected onto the back of the stage, which itself was now decorated  in a Great Gatsby style get-up and opened up to reveal Grande floating on a grand chandelier for RnB ballad Right There, a song which originally features rapper Big Sean.

Ariana Grande overcame microphone problems and carried on with audience support (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

>> GALLERY: Ariana Grande at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham <<

After already doing this on a cloud, it was still incredibly spectacular to see and clear by now that Ariana Grande is not afraid of heights, as the chandelier collapsed into itself, turning into a spiral staircase on which she skipped down. Standing proudly as dancers dressed in suits and vintage dresses swooned around her, she took a seat to perform The Way feat. Mac Miller. Skipping around the stage, she threw what appeared to be necklaces into the audience – much to the delight of adoring fans.

As the night went on, she announced she wanted to perform an older song, Pink Champagne, now under a stage is lit with rows of pouring Champagne bottles. Dedicated fans, quite simply, freaked out at this point and screamed with joy, considering many did not expect the song to be featured at all. This was followed by a beautiful rendition of Tattooed Heart.

With her dancers nowhere to be seen as she stood under a spotlight, the dark arena became filled with hundreds of phone torch lights – a truly beautiful spectacle. Unfortunately, Grande’s mic cut out almost a minute into the song leaving her stunned on stage. She was clearly worried but was showing no fear in her face.

Ariana encouraged her fans to join in with the songs as they held up torchlights (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

Instead she raised the audience to their feet, getting the whole crowd singing along to bring up the volume and the response had her overcome with emotion. Despite the microphone not working, she continued to sing with fans before, as if it were all planned, the microphone came back on just in time for the end of the song, for which she blasted out a stunning vocal climax. It was such a simple performance but one of the strongest of the night by far.

The stage was filled with cherry red smoke as the string trio performed an orchestral opening to Grande’s chart hit One Last Time. The immense power in their playing built a largely un-needed anticipation for her entrance, which came with streams of pink smoke erupting from the stage with each orchestral hit.

As she bounced onto the stage in her sparkling black leotard alongside vividly dressed dancers, her black double microphone and cute ears; a video played of Ariana practising singing with some hi-tech gloves which, when used with hand gestures, altered the pitch and volume of her voice and could even be used as a form of loop pedal. She stood on stage wearing them, singing specifically about Birmingham much to the crowds’ delight; all in a robotic voice with loops that she creates on stage with the gloves. In all honesty, it was quite impressive.

Ariana Grande on stage at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

Ariana Grande was suspended on a large cloud as well as a grand chandelier during her show (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

Grande’s Grandfather then read a speech to the audience via video, from a conversation between himself and Ariana, a moving speech about her stance in the music industry and how many may try to intimidate her but she must power through to succeed. As the whole routine came to an end, she rose from the ground once again on a grand piano, of all things, with the stage illuminated in an icy smoke flowing freely around her for My Everything which was dedicated to her Grandfather. It was a really emotional performance just before followed it up with the apt Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart.

Following a pause during which stared into the audience giggling, she embraced the moment, exclaiming “My heart is exploding with gratitude. I love you guys so much. Thank you for everything you do”, before, quite rightly, taking a Snapchat video of the audience.

She made a brief exit before returning for her encore number Break Free, looking glamorous and liberated as the show largely succeeded expectations in every way. Surrounded with dancers in all-white, innovative outfits and standing in front of a field of ‘stars’ and flashing lights, she brilliantly performed techno pop track Break Free. By this point, the audience were the loudest that was heard all night, until of course she came back onto stage once again in a chequered dress for her absolute final song Problem.

The crowd response suggested Ariana Grande had more than left her mark on Birmingham during her UK tour (Photograph: Ricky Combo)

The whole arena sang, rapped or danced along to her incredible final performance. The atmosphere was electric as glitter exploded from above, showering everyone in black and white confetti to echo some of the monochrome costumes featured throughout the evening. The performance was the performance of the night and she had definitely saved the best ’til last.

All in all, Ariana Grande gave a spectacular performance for her Birmingham fans. Each song was beautifully performed and the gratitude she expressed on stage to her fans, her dancers and all involved only increased her like-ability. She is truly the epitome of a full-0f-life modern-day pop-star and I’m sure she has a long career in front of her, where her raw talent alone makes her stand out alongside some of the biggest voices in the industry.

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Joshua Williams.

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Download 2015 kicked off with full force (Photo: Jack Kirby)

Usually, when Friday comes around, we’re at work, wishing for the end of the day. We look forwards to Saturday and Sunday, with a deep hatred of Monday. But the worst Monday of the year is the one after Download Festival.

This year especially. When Slipknot, Muse and Kiss are headlining the festival, you’re bound to feel a tad lost afterwards.

EofE opened the 4th stage on the Friday (Photo: Jack Kirby)

Friday. Slipknot are headlining the Main Stage. But you’ll read that later. Before you get a chance to watch them, you must watch some quality bands. Bands like Fearless Vampire Killers, Allusondrugs, Lacuna Coil and Five Finger Death Punch. As well as the legends that are, Judas. Priest.

Firstly, it comes to All That Remains to open the weekend. When your vocalist wears a shirt that reads “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but hollowpoints expand on impact,” you kind of need to deliver on that. And do they? No. They have a passion that should be infectious, but the music is plodding and generic. Which is a real shame, as on the Zippo Encore Stage is Rival State, a band that have relocated from New Zealand, and bring that Kiwi passion that envelopes their National Rugby Team. Rival State power through their set, which leaves the crowd wanting more.

Download has some of the most dedicated fans (Photo: Jack Kirby)

To follow Rival State, Fearless Vampire Killers have a fair job to do. A band known for their theatricality, FVK have an infectious enthusiasm and that comes through in their nonstop movement and smiles. This transfers to some of the crowd, but not as many as it should have. Sound issues water down a good set, which includes a cover of Bonnie Tyler. Fearless Vampire Killers should be proud, they did well to win over the majority of a crowd that have not really woken up yet.

I retire to the bar to get myself a drink or two (or four), before I head back to the Main Stage to catch Lacuna Coil.

Babymetal joined Dragonforce onstage (Photo: Jack Kirby)

Lacuna Coil come out, and rip into the growing crowd. It takes a while, but their recognisable sound begins to catch on more and more with the crowd of slightly intoxicated metal fans. By the time Cristina Scabbia is smashing out “Heaven’s a Lie,” they’ve won over the crowd completely. Just amazing, vocally beautiful, musically tight, LC have a few new and a few old satisfied fans.

Babymetal are backstage in the press area, but nobody has any idea why. Many head over to watch Dragonforce, who are doing their usual hair shredding guitar tricks. Faces are melted, and something goes down. Wait. Is that? No. It can’t be. BABYMETAL ARE ON STAGE WITH DRAGONFORCE. What a surprise.

Five Finger Death Punch ripped the main stage apart (Photo: Jack Kirby)

However, time to sprint over to the Main Stage again. There’s a bunch of very angry men on the stage. Five Finger Death Punch are here, and with the ferocity of a rampaging bull in a very provocative china shop, they’re here to tear you apart. With the presence of a band that consider stages like this to be the norm, they play a set that is heavy, tight, and holds nothing back. Impressive, considering their place on the bill. Bigger things for this band.

Here we go. Judas Priest. The legends that are. The crowd gets bigger, and more mean looking. They know what’s about to go down. Rob Halford stalks onto the stage, his leather jacketdraped in a Black Country flag. They play a set that is lost on many, where the sound seems to just blend. By the close of their set, these legends receive a response that does not beget their stature. Maybe it’s because of who’s up next.

Black Stone Cherry returned after 2014 to headline the 2nd stage (Photo: Jack Kirby)

The heroes, returning from the battlefield. “Slipknot are home.” To thunderous roars and rapturous applause, in amongst the sea of devil horns thrown into the air, Slipknot return to headline Download Festival once more. Some argue that although a great band, they play download almost too much, so much so, they’ve almost become the house band. The counterpoint to that is as follows. Slipknot. That’s it. “XIX” blares out from a stage devoid of anybody. It doesn’t matter, as the crowd are screaming the words. The second someone hits the stage, the roar is actually deafening. One by one, the band step onto the stage. Corey Taylor is the last on stage, and instantly addresses the download crowd like a general commanding an army. What he says, they do. Without question.

So they plough through the fan favourites. Make no mistake, Slipknot hit all the right notes. They know where they are, and they know their fans want to hear the big tracks. The new album doesn’t feature much, aside from the “most f*****g requested song” AOV. If you weren’t aware of how much Slipknot love their fans and Download Festival, this set will tell you, in the form of an epic show.

Adam Reynolds

Check out our Download Pictures on our Facebook page here.

Saturday bought Marilyn Manson back to Donnington (Photo: Jack Kirby)

After a Friday night that metamorphasised Donington Park from a racetrack into a swamp, Saturday came. With more rain. But Saturday’s line up has an excuse to forget the rain.

Download 2015 bought some big hitters from Saturday. Today was the say Muse were baptised by the flames of the legendary stage.

In Hearts Wake opened up the 3rd Stage on the Saturday (Photo: Jack Kirby)

First up today are The Lounge Kittens. A trio who sing covers in a lounge style, who many would say are a novelty act. However, their enthusiasm is infectious, and has many of the crowd singing along. They launch a Download Medley, a mix of songs from across the weekend’s line up. All in all, they seem to be having fun, as do the crowd.

Another day, another run. Of sorts. Funeral For A Friend are on the Main Stage soon, and the fastest way would probably be to slide. Having got there about 2 minutes before the set starts, using a method I am not going to share. Stood, covered in mud, I am excited to watch Funeral For A Friend once more. When Funeral come out, they go straight into “Roses For The Dead.” This sets the scene for a professional, tight set, that leaves you wanting more than the 8 songs they played.

Apocalyptica rocked the main stage with their new lead singer (Photo: Jack Kirby)

A little later, Hollywood Undead are up. Many would say that HU do not belong at Download, because they are a rap group. Many people would be wrong. Charlie Scene wants a show of hands for whoever has seen them before, followed by if it’s your first time. And thn asks if it’s your first time and you think that they are… well, for want of a better word, crap. A couple of “f**k you’s” later, and it’s back into the set that spans their career, and contains a surprisingly good version of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” With so many big songs, you’d be hard pressed to call that they’d end on “Hear Me Now,” an anthemic singalong, whereby Danny’s vocals are perfect.

Just over an hour later, after missing Rise Against to do some interviews, A Day To Remember are up. They comfortably draw one of the biggest crowds of the weekend outside of the headliners, with good reason. First song up is “Downfall Of Us All,” which has the crowd involved from the first microsecond. A few tracks in, we get to one of the heaviest songs in their repertoire; “Mr. Highway’s Thinking About The End,” which has the entire crowd screaming “DISRESPECT YOUR SURROUNDINGS!” before launching into one of the biggest pits of the weekend. All in all, A Day To Remember are one of the biggest upcoming bands in the world, and I am sure we will see them headlining a stage soon enough. The production is already there, with pyro and CO2 cannons set perfectly against the Eagle backdrop.

Black Veil Brides bought all the pyro they could to the 2nd Stage (Photo: Jack Kirby)

Slog over to Zippo Encore with me through the swamplands. I always look forwards to seeing Black Veil Brides live. I don’t know what it is, but their theatricality, though reduced in recent years, is hypnotising. The way that they have the crowd eating out of the palm of their collective hand is truly commendable, and not too many bands have it down to the art form that BVB do. Their live DVD is out next month, and this, as I was told earlier in the day by Jake Pitts, would be a taster of what to expect. Hit after hit was broken by a song getting its live debut. However, the BVBArmy in the crowd already know the words as if it were Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer.” Crowd participation goes through the roof for the 2 closing songs, “Fallen Angels” and “In The End,” where we can fully appreciate the Whoa-Oh’s of Black Veil Brides’ set. Expect arena tours from this band in the next year or two. It would appear that their expectations are the same.

Marilyn Manson bought a full set to Download (Photo: Jack Kirby)

Ok, I’m not a Muse fan. I was one of those who said that Muse shouldn’t be on the bill, that they’d be better off headlining Reading and Leeds. But I don’t know, I think Matt Bellamy and co. were reading the naysaying and thought, ‘we’ll show them all.’ Out they come, to a large drill sergeant on the video wall behind them. The crowd tonight isn’t as big as for Slipknot last night, but Marilyn Manson is on the Zippo Encore stage, so it could be that. What they lack in number, they more than make up for in passion. This crowd bend and cater to every whim that Muse request. To me, it all sounds a bit samey, but then, that’s my opinion. These lot are loving it.

The light show is explosive, and frankly, Muse leave me feeling like there should be more lights, but then, they play a couple of the songs that I actually know. “Supermassive Black Hole” draws a huge cheer, but the biggest is for the encore’s closer. “Knights of Cydonia” is a technical masterpiece, with fingers moving faster than one would think possible, and the air guitars in the crowd are off again. This band brings a lot of joy to a lot of people, but to me, the music is a repetitive monotone, and the vocals are just wailing noises. But hey, personal opinion. It’s a good show, and frankly, I wish I liked Muse so I could enjoy it fully.

Adam Reynolds

Y Not Festival returns with three massive headliners (Photo: Jack Kirby)

So, here we are. Pikehall, Derbyshire. Home of the now 10 year old Y Not Festival. What started as a birthday party, steadily grew into one of the best small festivals in the UK.

With tickets flying out faster than ever before, YNot is shaping up to be even bigger this year. And that’s shown in the line upthis year. It reflects the ambition behind the festival.

Crowds flocked to last years festival (Photo: Jack Kirby)

Snoop Dogg headlines Friday night, which in itself, is reason enough to splash the cash (which is less than £100, a rarity for festivals) Coming off the release of his 13^th album; BUSH, Snoop is guaranteed to be a highlight of any festival this year. But the return of Super Furry Animals is pretty big news, and a massive reason to be excited. But if Snoop, Super Furry Animals, Young Guns and Reverend and the Makers don’t float your boat, The Giant Squid holds a boisterous line up for your pleasure, with Pulled Apart by Horses, WoahNows and Brawlers all taking the stage to offer a different experience. And if THAT doesn’t tickle your pickle, The Quarry stage is there for your enjoyment. With Less Than Jake and Public Service Broadcasting taking that stage, there is literally something for everyone.

Saturday hosts another giant act. Basement Jaxx will be taking the stage with their tour de force of a long career in dance music. But before that, Birmingham’s own Ocean Colour Scene will be playing their own career spanning set. Amongst others playing The Main Stage, are rock up and comers, Deaf Havana, and Jaws. Just another example of how YNot is all about variety. Over in The Quarry, We Are Scientists will be tearing up the tent, with the set bound to include hits from across their discography, and their almost standard level of “banter” (I really hate that word) that is not only hilarious, but smart and rarely offends. The Giant Squid will hold Don Broco, a band that is currently storming the airwaves with their brand of catchy hooks and big choruses, which, when tied in with their massive energy, makes for a massive show. Also on that stage will be Hacktivist, Allusondrugs, and the always entertaining Fearless Vampire Killers. Look out for those bands.

Y Not hosts a multitude of genres (Photo: Jack Kirby)

Sunday. Usually, Sunday is the slowest day. But not this time. Sunday keeps the tempo going. On the Giant Squid, Lower Than Atlantis, We Are The Ocean and Zoax, amid others will be taking it up a notch, with metal and heavy rock taking priority over there, whilst The Quarry plays host to Nick Mulvey, Indiana and Ruen Brothers, for those who prefer a slightly softer sound. The Main Stage, on the other hand, is an Indie explosion, ending in former The Smiths’ guitarist, “Godlike Genius” (NME) Johnny Marr setting up for rock giants, Primal Scream. This band are veterans of the Festival circuit, and are guaranteed to bring a big bang to end YNot.

Not many festivals have an extra day. YNot are different. 4 days of music. Last year, on the Thursday, Goldie Looking Chain were headlining. This year, it’s Ash. YNot get a big name to play on a Thursday? Its almost unheard of, even by those big festivals. There is your ambition. This festival looks like the scrappy little underdog, dropping pipebombs and delivering powerbombs to the big boys, making sure that they don’t miss YNot, and have to up their game to get even close to the high standard set around YNot. Even the food and drink tents are of a good standard, which is another rarity for a festival. You can’t afford to miss out on YNot.

Frank Turner closing the festival last year (Photo: Jack Kirby)

All in all, YNot is setting itself up to explode, and the 8000 capacity will absolutely adore it. Last years headliners include Frank Turner, who writes about the festival when he played in 2009, with much fondness and respect. So there you have it, a festival loved by both the Punters and the artists. Get yourself a ticket, and become a regular yourself.With artists the like of Snoop Dogg, Primal Scream, and Basement Jaxx headliningYNot 2015, it’s clear that YNot is going to get bigger and better in years to come.

Adam Reynolds

The Stand Up To Racism Birmingham (SUTR) and National Union of Teachers (NUT) delegation setting off to Calais (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A delegation of teachers travelled from Birmingham to France yesterday to develop educational resources for refugees in the town of Calais and to document their stories.

The group of 10 teachers and teaching assistants are visiting what has become known as ‘The Jungle’ refugee camp, to build solidarity between the school and library there; and to make a donation of €700, raised by parents and teachers.

The visit is a collaboration between the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and Stand Up To Racism Birmingham (SUTR), who are making their third visit to work with and assist refugees struggling in the makeshift camp.

Among the aims of the delegation are to create educational resources for schools in Britain about the reality of life for the refugees in Calais; to provide educational resources and supplies to the refugees, to ensure they have access to important information about the UK and France in relation to their rights, and to work closely with the temporary school and library which has been set up in the camp.

The school is attended by refugees wishing to continue their interrupted education as well as those wishing to learn about the culture and languages of the countries they are travelling to and residing in. The library in the camp has been named ‘The Jungle Book’ Library.

Birmingham NUT Assistant Secretary Doug Morgan and secondary school teacher Danny Rees delivering €700 to Clare Moseley, the founder of humanitarian organisation Care4Calais (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)

A number of very young children, under the age of ten, are also staying in squalid conditions in the camp and have been using the school there to create some sense of normality in their day-to-day routine.

Doug Morgan, Assistant Secretary of Birmingham NUT, has joined the delegation during this visit. He says:

“Calais lies sandwiched between London and Paris, two of the richest cities in the world in two of the richest countries in the world. Yet, the conditions of the refugees – people whose only crime is that they happen to have been born elsewhere – are atrocious. This trip is about showing solidarity with the people there and trying to capture their stories, through their own words. They are not a ‘swarm’ out to get us and our resources, that’s the bankers. They are people who need the hand of friendship. Let’s offer it.

“As a teacher I am going with others, supported by the NUT and Stand Up To Racism, to help document the real stories of the individuals there rather than what is portrayed by most of the press. We are hoping to create educational resources to allow others to teach and inform on the unnecessary crisis that lies at our shores.“

Sabiha Ahmed, an education activist from Birmingham who has joined the delegation (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Sabiha Ahmed, a education union activist from the city, said:

“I’m going to Calais because I’d like the experience to educate me and in turn to also educate others. I’d like to understand the stories of people who are living there, to understand who they are, where they’ve come from and what their hopes are. I hope that our short visit will help them even in a small way materially but emotionally to feel that people stand in solidarity with them regardless of borders and nationalities.  I hope to take my experiences back to Birmingham to help teachers to educate our young people about the reality of the refugee crisis.”

The joint solidarity visit from NUT and SUTR Birmingham began on Saturday 14th October, with the group returning on Monday 26th October. The next national UK-wide Stand Up To Racism convoy delegation will be taking place in December, with a thousand Britons expected to travel to Calais to demonstrate against the inhumane treatment of refugees.

The refugee camp in Calais, known as ‘The Jungle’, in a photograph taken in October 2015 (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)

Stand Up To Racism will be having a public meeting on Wednesday 4th November, 7pm at The Priory Rooms in Birmingham city centre to report back on all three of their delegations.

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Citizen Khan arrives at Cineworld Birmingham for the premiere of the fourth series of his show (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

Comedy star Adil Ray brought his on-screen family to Birmingham’s Broad Street yesterday, as they graced the red carpet for the premiere screening of the new series of the BBC1 sitcom Citizen Khan.

Arriving in character at Cineworld cinema, the self-appointed community leader from Sparkhill was mobbed by fans of the hit TV show, all queueing up to run shoulders and grab a selfie with the comic alter ego.

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Khan arrived in his trademark yellow Mercedes and was joined by fellow series characters Amjad Malik, Riaz and Naani, played by Abdullah Afzal, Nish Nathwani and Adlyn Ross respectively.

Adil Ray’s on-screen family grace the red carpet for the premier of Citizen Khan (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

Fans took selfies with actor Adil Ray, who was dressed up as his alter ego Mr Khan (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

Also attending the premiere were Radio WM DJs Sunny and Shay and television and radio presenter Suzanne Virdee.

Earlier in the day, ‘Mr Khan’ attracted a large crowd at Birmingham New Street Station where he was invited to take over the train announcements .

The new series of Citizen Khan begins on BBC One on October 30th and runs until December (Photograph: BBC/Des Willie)

A special Q&A session was held at the venue following an exclusive preview screening of the first two episodes of the new series.

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The fourth series of Citizen Khan  returns to BBC One on Friday 3oth October at 8.30pm.

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The Acorns Santa Run takes place in Birmingham on Saturday 5th December

Acorns Children’s Hospice is calling on “good girls and boys”, of all ages, to get into the festive spirit and join Birmingham’s biggest ever Santa Run.

The Acorns Santa Run on Saturday 5 December will kick-start the festive season as hundreds of ‘dashers’ suit-up as Father Christmas for a Yuletide run around Birmingham city centre.

The popular fundraising event, which this year starts and finishes at the Barclaycard Arena, supports Acorns Children’s Hospice and its work caring for life-limited and life-threatened children and their families across the West Midlands.

Registration is now open for the popular fundraising event, which this year starts and finishes at the Barclaycard Arena, to support the charity and its work caring for life-limited and life-threatened children and their families across the West Midlands.

Shujea Khatun, major events officer at Acorns is hoping to see lots of Santa Clauses coming to town. She said: “Last year’s event was a really fun-filled festive day and this year we want it to be bigger, better and even more Christmassy. It’ll be a spectacular sight to see so many people rushing past in red-and-white, so come along; run, jog or stroll and help make this the best year yet!”

All those entering will be given their very own fancy-dress Santa suits and participants can take part in a 5km Santa Run or there is a 2km Santa Stroll for those who want to take things slightly easier.

Entrants will also be given free entry to Birmingham Sea Life Centre following the event.

Festive fundraisers are seen here, posing in Brindley Place in Birmingham, during last year’s Santa Fun Run

Shujea continued: “The children and young people Acorns looks after require specialist care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fundraising and sponsorship raised from events like the Santa Run are absolutely vital to provide the support our children need, so join us and help make this an extra special Christmas for those we care for.”

Participants taking part in the annual Santa Fun Run, in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice

Charity fundraisers show off their medals following the Santa Fun Run in Birmingham

It costs Acorns almost £9 million per year to continue providing its specialist services, and the charity relies on fundraising from the public for the majority of that amount.

The event is generously sponsored by Western Power Distribution and supported by the Barclaycard Arena, which means money raised from sponsorship can go towards the care Acorns provides.

All routes are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs so the whole family can take part.

Entry is £15 for adults and £10 for under 16s and includes a Santa suit and a medal. Under 6s are free and although they cannot be given a Santa suit due to size restrictions, they can attend in their own festive fancy dress.

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To sign up, visit www.acorns.org.uk/SantaRun call 01564 82 5000 or email events@acorns.org.uk

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Around 30 activists attended the Million mask March event in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Around 30 people turned out for a Million Mask March event in Birmingham yesterday, which was held to coincide with the larger official November 5th demonstration in London.

Amidst scenes of police confrontations and burning vehicles in the capital, the turnout in Birmingham garnered a much smaller show of support, with minor scuffles between protesters and police. 

Activists in Birmingham created home-made banners and placards for the Million Mask March event (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Riot vans and police outnumber protesters in #Birmingham as only 20 people show up for a #MillionMaskMarch protest. pic.twitter.com/sswlRvI2P8

— I Am Birmingham (@IAmBirmingham) November 5, 2015

Gathering outside the Council House in Victoria Square, local activists wearing Guy Fawkes masks – as popularised in the 2005 film V for Vendetta – held aloft homemade placards and banners in defiance and in opposition to capitalism, austerity; and calling for a boycott of Israeli goods.

Placards and banners targeted austerity, capitalism and called for a boycott of Israeli goods (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Placards and banners targeted austerity, capitalism and called for a boycott of Israeli goods (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Some protesters then marched through the city centre streets, chanting and protesting outside the Tesco Metro store in New Street, followed by a impromptu rally outside the Bullring shopping centre, which went into lockdown mode in response.

Police evicted Million Mask March activists from Starbucks cafe in Birmingham’s New Street (Photograph: Paul Wheeler)

A few of the masked activists also entered Starbucks in New Street where they were swiftly removed by West Midlands Police officers.

There was a confrontation between anti-war campaigner Stuart Richardson and ‘Anonymous’ activists (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

There were minor scuffles between protesters themselves after attendees claiming to represent the regional arm of organisation Anonymous clashed with Socialist Resistance activist Stuart Richardson, also a member of the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition. A masked activist was heard telling Richardson to “F*** you” before apologising.

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There were no reported arrests during the Birmingham Million Mask March protest.

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Queues of avid gamers are expected outside GAME stores across the region, including at the Bullring in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Hotly anticipated video game Fallout 4 is launching at midnight and fans have already begun queueing up outside stores across the region.

Billed as “their most ambitious game ever”, Bethesda Game Studios – the award-winning creators of Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – are releasing the next installment in the apocalyptic game series tomorrow, with pre-orders being dispatched to gamers from midnight.

The FallOut series is set in the wasteland remains of a nuclear post-apocalypse (Image: Bethesda)

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Where is Fallout 4 being launched?

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Expected to be available on multiple platforms including PC, Xbox One and PS4, the new game is being exclusively launched in GAME stores across the country; including in the West Midlands.

GAME is opening a number of stores at midnight in order to let you get your hands on a physical copy of Fallout 4. In Birmingham, a launch event will be taking place in the city’s Bullring store and at the chain’s Perry Barr store. The stores’ ‘vaults’ are open for business from 23:30hrs.

#PleaseStandBy #FalloutSpotlight midnight launch @GAME_Bullring vault door opens 11pm 2nite #cosplay prizes up4grabs pic.twitter.com/NzvG9QHT4j

— GAME Vault BullRing (@GAME_Bullring) November 9, 2015

As a bonus, customers who scan a designated Fallout 4 image using the GAME app in store at midnight tonight could get a chance to win one of two branded Fallout 4 Xbox One consoles, one of 10 Pip Boy editions, or a full-size Vault Boy statue that will be delivered and assembled for you. Other places to buy Fallout 4 at midnight include the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store. Pre-order now and the game will automatically begin downloading, ready to play as soon as it is activated at midnight.

Although set during the 22nd and 23rd centuries, Fallout is influenced by the post-war culture of 1950s America (Image: Bethesda)

Fallout 4 is the fourth in a popular role-playing series from Bethesda Game Studios (Image: Bethesda)

How much is Fallout 4?

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The cost of the game varies from outlet to outlet and there’s stiff competition on all sides. Sainsbury’s are reportedly currently going the lowest at £39.99, with Tesco also charging a similar £40. Here’s how the rest of the high street heavyweights shape up:

* ARGOS – £44.99
* ASDA – £44
* GAME – £49.99
* HMV – £47.99
* SAINSBURY’S – £39.99
* TESCO – £40

1 more sleep! Fallout 4 lands in-store tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/vUnN7t5P61 — hmv (@hmvtweets) November 9, 2015

And if you’d rather evade all the queues and store chaos, you can always grab your copy online. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, the game is currently priced at £39.99 on both PS4 and Xbox One, with the physical PC version available for £35.99.

Players take the role of a survivor from Vault 111, who finds himself transported 200 years into the future (Image: Bethesda)

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What about the Fallout 4 pre-order controversy?

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Another pre-order disaster broke out over Fallout 4 last week, with customers being unfortunately and erroneously charged twic,e and unable to use the help line.

The Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition, said to be one of the best special editions for years, comes with a recreation of the actual wrist computer from the game. The gizmo works in exactly the same way if you plug a smartphone into it and download a special app. At £99 and exclusive to GAME UK, it’s neither cheap or easily available. However, many who that have pre-ordered were recently told that they may no longer end up getting it.

The new £99 wrist computer works in the same way as in the game, using a smartphone and special downloadable app. (Image: Bethesda)

This created quite an outcry amongst fans across the country, many claiming to have received an official email stating: ‘We have tried to process your order and have hit a few issues’, before suggesting  that ‘your bank has come back to us and they have not allowed the payment to go through. For your security and privacy they do not share the reasons with us.’

A GAME spokesperson has since issued the following statement:

“Thank you to all of our customers that have pre-ordered the Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition, available exclusively at GAME.

While processing these orders, a small number of customers have experienced problems that have been caused by their bank or PayPal accounts not allowing payment to go through. For security and privacy, they do not share with us why payment has failed.

We would like to reassure all customers that have pre-ordered that their order is still reserved and being held for them. Stock will be secured in our distribution centre until we are able to ensure payment and delivery. This stock will not be released for general sale.

We will contact all customers via email within the next 48 hours with an order status.

Rest assured, your Fallout 4 Pip-Boy edition is safe.”

Fallout 4 is available on PS4, XBox and PC (Image: Bethesda)

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Where is my local GAME store?

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Here’s a list of local stores, but do call ahead first to check whether your local branch has a midnight launch event, has the game in stock and that you have the correct store for pre-order collections.

BULLRING
Unit SU312 Bullring
BIRMINGHAM
West Midlands
B5 4BU

PERRY BARR
Unit 48/49 One Stop Shopping Centre
2 Walsall Road, Perry Bar
BIRMINGHAM
West Midlands
B42 1AA

ERDINGTON
90/92 High Street Erdington
BIRMINGHAM, West Midlands
B23 6RS

WEST BROMWICH
61 Sandwell Centre
WEST BROMWICH
West Midlands
B70 7NJ

NORTHFIELD
9 Church Road Northfield
BIRMINGHAM
West Midlands
B31 2JX

SUTTON COLDFIELD
212 Gracechurch Shopping Centre
The Parade
SUTTON COLDFIELD
West Midlands
B72 1PA

SOLIHULL
17 Mill Lane
SOLIHULL
West Midlands
B91 3AR

WALSALL
Unit 7 11 Park Street
WALSALL
West Midlands
WS1 1LY

DUDLEY (MERRY HILL)
Unit L98 Phase 4 Merry Hill
BRIERLEY HILL
West Midlands
DY5 1SJ

MERRY HILL
Unit 52 Merry Hill Centre
BRIERLEY HILL
West Midlands
DY5 1SR

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Fallout 4 is due to be released on Tuesday, November 10 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. For the console editions of Fallout 4 you’ll pay £49.99 from the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, and you can pre-order now.

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Todays featured artist on the Vimal & Zoe show was Arai.

She arrived from the middle east in 1981 at the age of one and grew up being inspired by Arabic and English music.

Her new song ‘Tonight’ is due to be launched in December, hear her sing it live on the show along with a cover versions of Rihannas Te Amo and even a couple of Nursery rhymes with her own  twist on them.

On the show she talks about the influences and  joins in all the fun madness and havoc created by Vimal & Zoe that takes place. Hear the full show below.

Full show – Click on link below.

https://www.mixcloud.com/vimal-korpal/arai-on-vimal-zoe-show/

Hear Arai doing her version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG0j80PfhvU

A condolence peace poster displayed outside the Birmingham Central Mosque today, a day after the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut and Baghdad (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Citizens and organisations in Birmingham have come together to show solidarity with the people of France, following the terrorist attacks in Paris yesterday.

Messages of solidarity have been shared across the city, with the Birmingham Central Mosque holding a special press conference this morning to condemn terrorism and share their condolences while, this evening, the Library of Birmingham has lit up in red, white and blue as a mark of respect for those killed in the tragedy.

The deaths of those killed in terrorist attacks in Beirut and Baghdad yesterday were also marked, in light of the latest chapter in an ongoing cross-continental crisis.

At least 41 people were killed in Lebanon on Friday, in two suicide bomb blasts in the country’s capital, Beirut. In Baghdad in Iraq, 19 people were murdered after a suicide bombing at a funeral service. The highest toll in recent days was in Paris in France, where bomb blasts and gunmen took the lives of 129 people. Both Lebanon and France are in an official state of mourning.

Peace for Paris by @jean_jullien. Thoughts go out to all those affected by the horrific attacks in Paris. pic.twitter.com/Yz75Hqff4h

— Birmingham Updates (@BhamUpdates) November 14, 2015

Following the horror of yesterday’s attacks, officials at the Birmingham Central Mosque today condemned the “brutal terrorist attacks in Paris”.

“We wish to share our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers, to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris last night.

“We also stand in solidarity with the people of France and the world, who have been affected and are in mourning,” mosque Chairman Muhammad Afzal stated at an official press conference.

“There is no justification whatsoever for such acts of horrific violence and brutality, which is completely against the good of humanity. Those responsible  must be brought to justice to protect good, in our constant fight to eradicate evil within humanity.”

Solodarité – The Library of Birmingham turned, red, white & blue. #solidarité #prayforparis #vivelafrance pic.twitter.com/mBVLFn2x1C

— Jade Taryn Graham (@jadetaryn) November 14, 2015

As landmarks across the world paid tribute to the French victims by lowering flags and lighting up in the tricolor of the French flag, the Library of Birmingham has also changed its exterior facade to be lit up red, white and blue. The lights were turned on at 7pm this evening.

In Smethwick, the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple also showed solidarity by lighting up the gurdwara in the colours of the French Tricolore, chanigng its colours from 6pm.

The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Smethwick, Birmingham, changed its lights to the French Tricolore

A vigil has also been organised by Citizens UK Birmingham which will take place tomorrow (Sunday) at 6pm outside Birmingham Cathedral.

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A young boy lights a candle at the peace vigil in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

The people of Birmingham paid their respects to the innocent lives lost in recent terrorist attacks, at a candlelight vigil in St Philips Square.

The Birmingham branch of national charity Citizens UK held a vigil last night to remember the 129 people who died in Paris on Friday, following a terrorist attack on the city; and also for the hundreds who were murdered in Beirut, Baghdad and Kenya recently.

Candles, banners and posters were placed together at the peace vigil in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Hundreds of people took part in a minute’s silence, laid flowers and candles; and heard speeches from leaders of different faith groups. Posters and placards featuring peace signs and the hashtags #Solidarity and #NoToTheRacistBacklash were also held aloft during the vigil before being placed beside a French flag and tea-lights.

Makhdoom Chisti from Birmingham Central Mosque described the murderous tirade in Paris, led by terror group Daesh (ISIL/ISIS), as “senseless and did not represent Islam”. He fears Muslims are facing a backlash in this difficult time for all.

Makhdoom Chishti from the Birmingham Central Mosque attends the peace vigil in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

He said: “Islam does not allow any Muslims to take the lives of innocent people regardless of their beliefs. We strongly condemn this incident.

“The killing of one innocent person is a murder of an entire humanity.”

Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart addressed the crowd at the peace vigil in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

A blessing was led by the Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart.

He said: “This is a very solemn evening. We have gathered from all of our communities, traditions and backgrounds in our grief and in our dismay that there has been even more killing.”

“Terrorists seek to cause division and hatred and when we stand in peace and unity we refuse to let them win.”

Around 200 people attended the peace vigil ‘for Paris’ in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

An interfaith statement was read aloud by attendees at the peace vigil in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

The peace vigil was organised Lozells resident Saidul Haque Saeed, of Citizens UK Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

The flag of France was surrounded by candles and messages as a mark of respect following the Paris terror attacks (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Former Lord Mayor and current Labour councillor Shafique Shah attended the vigil to show solidarity.

He said: “The most important thing is today we have people from all faiths here and everyone is condemning these acts of terrorism.

Mr Shah does not believe the recent terrorist attacks have changed public opinion of refugees and states Birmingham City Council is committed to housing 50 Syrian refugees in the upcoming months.

He said: “In Birmingham we have a strong history of offering sanctuary to people looking for a better way of life.”

Former city council leader Sir Albert Bore attended the candle-lit vigil for peace in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Salma Yaqoob (right) seen here with Danny Rees and Adam Yosef from Stand Up To Racism (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Chairman of the Nishkam group, Bhai Sahib Dr. Mohinder Singh, shares a message of peace for the victims of the Paris and Beirut attacks (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

>> GALLERY: ‘Paris Attacks’ Peace Vigil in Birmingham <<

The following statement was read out by all those who had attended the vigil:

“As citizens of Birmingham and as people from all faiths and none we have been horrified by the terrorist attacks in Paris. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and families at this traumatic and difficult time.

Knowing that this comes soon after the tragedies of the Russia airline, the bombing in Beirut and the ongoing conflicts in many countries including Iraq, Syria and Yemen deepens our grief.

We are gathered this evening to grieve and to show our compassion and solidarity with those innocent victims of the attacks.

We stand together for peace in our city, not allowing these events to drive us apart. We will not hold people here to account for the actions of others but commit to continuing our work to make Birmingham a place of safety and welcome for all.”

Candles were lit outside the Birmingham Cathedral as part of the peace vigil following international terrorist attacks (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Anti-war, anti-racism and pro-refugee banners made up part of the tribute to the victims of the recent attacks (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Rabbi Margaret Jacobi shares a moment with a Salvation Army volunteer at the peace vigil in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Geoff Dexter and Adam Yosef of Stand Up To Racism Birmingham hold signs at the peace vigil in Birmingham (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Also in attendance were representatives from the Jewish community including Ruth Jacobs and Rabbi Margaret Jacobi, Chairman of the Nishkam group Bhai Sahib Dr. Mohinder Singh, prominent anti-war campaigner Salma Yaqoob, Dean of Birmingham Cathedral Catherine Ogle, former city council leader Sir Albert Bore and members of Stand Up To Racism Birmingham, a group promoting community cohesion and solidarity with refugees.

Maz Saleem, daughter of the late Mohammed Saleem who was murdered in an Islamophobic attack in the city two years ago, said in a Stand Up To Racism statement:

“My deepest sympathies and condolences go to all those that lost loved ones and were injured in the attacks in Paris and Beirut. I feel very strongly about such incidents because my father was murdered by a Ukrainian fascist terrorist and I am still struggling to cope with this tragic loss in my family.

“I also feel strongly about these events because my father was a Muslim and he was murdered by a fascist terrorist who bombed mosques in the West Midlands. Quite rightly, we do not equate all white people with this terrorist, but why are all Muslims treated as potential terrorists?

“My father and my family are Muslims and the victims of terrorism. In August Mushin Ahmed an 81 year old Muslim pensioner was murdered in Rotherham. I fear there could be more similar attacks if the approach of depicting all Muslims as terrorists continues.

“We must stand up to such attacks and also the racism and Islamophobia that follows. Don’t let the racists divide us.”

The Library of Birmingham was lit up in French tricolore following attacks in Paris (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A peace poster displayed outside the Birmingham Central Mosque today, a day after the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut and Baghdad (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

On Saturday, a day after the wave of attacks in Paris, the Library of Birmingham was lit up in the French Tricolore. The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Smethwick also paid tribute to the resilience of the French people by being lit up in red, white and blue. While in Highgate, condolences were shared at the Birmingham Central Mosque and at the Sultan Bahu Trust in Balsall Heath.

The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Smethwick, Birmingham, changed its lights to the French Tricolore

“We wish to share our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers, to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris last night.

“We also stand in solidarity with the people of France and the world, who have been affected and are in mourning,” mosque Chairman Muhammad Afzal stated at an official press conference.

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Taz Ali

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MCM Comic Con returns to Birmingham’s NEC this weekend (Photograph: Olly MacNamee)

Closing down an increasingly busy con season here in the Midlands is the two day end-of-year blowout that is MCM Comic Con Birmingham serving up a big, bold slice of TV and film memorabilia, stars and celebrities, as well as the indie-centric Comics Village where I will be once more bumping into some friendly faces, as well as making new friends, and covering the odd panel or two as well.

Phew – that was a complex sentence. But then, there is so much to see and do. I have yet to return form MCM without being absolutely exhausted but enamoured. And, as previously, it’s all happening at Birmingham’s NEC which is very easy to get to via public transport.

All this and the usual good-natured dose of cosplay too, always a welcome presence at the MCM Cons. Who knows, I might even get lucky and bag an interview or two along the way with a few people.

Oh, and did I mention a very special Star Wars themed charity auction aimed at raising money for one of Birmingham’s big charities, Acorns Children’s Hospice? No? Well, I’ll start there then.

Cosplay, especially as super-heroes, is a vital part of comic conventions (Photograph: Olly MacNamee)

Donated by a generous but anonymous donor and happening on Sunday 22^nd November at 4.00pm, the people of Birmingham will be able to bid on a collection of 21 signed Ralph McQuarrie prints of original Star Wars concept art, and not only help out a worthy cause but take home an exclusive piece of Star Wars memorabilia too. Sally Insley, community fund raising manager at Acorns has quite rightly stated that, ‘The images are out of this world, so this really is a one-off opportunity for one lucky individual.’

One lucky, generous fan could walk off with a great early Christmas present. Of course, by writing about this event does mean I’m shooting myself in the foot, because I do fancy a look myself. But, I doubt my teaching wages will cover the eventual price I imagine it will go for. No harm in watching though, or even taking in the exhibition of these prints across the weekend ahead of the auction.

A West Midlands Police officer ‘arrests’ comic vigilante Iron Man (Photograph: Olly MacNamee)

Cosplay fans attend MCM Comic Con in Birmingham as Misty from Pokemon and the Tom Baker incarnation of Doctor Who (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

But before that, there are other events to consider. Along with T Pub (Tortured Life), Sammy Borras (Giant Rhinos In Space), Laura Howell (Regular Show) and a village full of comic book creators, there are the celebrities.

Never short of a well-known name or two, MCM have certainly delivered with appearances by The Lord of The Rings star, Liv Tyler (Sunday only), Maude Hirst (Vikings), Victoria Smurfit and Merrin Dungey (Once Upon A Time) and….wait for it….. Lee Majors! The Bionic Fall Guy himself! People of a certain vintage will be as ecstatic as me in this announcement alone. I can’t tell enough of my friends too often enough and I will be hunting him down like a bounty hunter on the Saturday and Sunday.

Lee Majors, who famously played the The Six Million Dollar Man, will be attending the event in Birmingham

For more details, and times of panels – including a Game of Thrones panel of no less than five cast members, including the mighty Roger Ashton-Griffiths (Mace Tyrell) and Ian Beattie (Sir Mervyn Trant) – autograph schedules, click here to check out their handy online guide for both days and look out for the usual cosplay gallery from yours truly, as well as a smattering of other posts across the next week or two.

Roll on the weekend!

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Olly MacNamee

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Music star Frank Turner was friends with the late Nick Alexander, who was killed in the terrorist attacks on Paris last Friday

British folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner has expressed his grief following the murder of his friend Nick Alexander at the hands of terrorists in last week’s Paris attacks.

Speaking to I Am Birmingham yesterday, the Bahrain-born musician from Hampshire said he was saddened at the loss of Alexander – who had worked with a number of high-profile musicians over the years – but would not be putting his tour on hold as a result.

Nick Alexander, 35, was shot dead by militants at the Bataclan concert venue, where he was working as the merchandise manager for American rock band Eagles of Death Metal.

The music fanatic from Essex was one of 89 people killed when ISIS gunmen burst into the Bataclan theatre in central Paris last Friday while Eagles of Death Metal were performing.

Nick Alexander was murdered after gunmen broke into the Bataclan concert venue in Paris last week (Photograph: Joe Allen)

Commenting on the incident, Frank Turner said:

“I knew one guy who was killed and I knew a lot of people who got hurt, and it’s been a pretty unpleasant few days since it happened.

“I don’t want to overly personalise it but music and rock ‘n’ roll is my thing that I do for a living, it’s my culture and it’s my passion and because it was specifically released in the Bataclan, it was specifically an attack on that.

“Everybody is still in the middle of figuring out how to respond to it – and it’s not my place or my intention to try and dictate how anyone else responds to it – but, personally, the only sort of appropriate response I can think of it not be cowed and to keep doing what we do.

“I’ve spoke to some friends of mine who certainly feel that way and can put a certain amount of assurity that Nick Alexander would have felt that way too.

“I made a comment on Twitter which was slightly misinterpreted. I wasn’t particularly referring to the Foo Fighters, I think cancelling shows in France two or three days after it happened is completely legitimate, and I doubt that have very much say in the matter; but I’ve heard of some bands cancelling whole European tours early next year and that kind of thing; and that is their prerogative and their decision to make but personally that’s not what I would do.”

Artist Frank Turner was seen supporting a wristband in the French tricolore, during his show in Birmingham last night (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

Also paying their respects to victim Nick Alexander, artists Damon Albarn, Smashing Pumpkins, Sum 41, The Black Keys, Yusuf Islam and MGMT have also issued condolences to his family.

Artist Frank Turner made his comments before a show in Birmingham last night, during which he wore a wristband featuring the French tricolore.

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