Grammy-award winning artist Bridget Kelly will be playing in Birmingham next month

Grammy-award winning musician Bridget Kelly will be touring the UK for the first time, including a date at Birmingham’s Institute venue.

The 29-year-old musician will be playing in Birmingham alongside Liverpool, Nottingham and London, in a tour co-ordinated by Birmingham-based Punch Records.

Kelly’s  unique  and  powerful  voice  has  collaborated  with  the  likes  of  Jay  Z,  Kendrick Lamar  and  Kelly  Clarkson.  Having  also  nabbed  a  Grammy  for  songwriting,  the  New  York  native  hit  2015  hard  with  her  current  EP,  Summer  of  17  and  her  new  single  Act  Like  That  which  features  Mack  Wilds.

Kelly’s  musical  prominence  came  as  part  of  the  ROC  Nation  camp,  where  she  regularly  toured  with  Jay  Z,  providing  a  sweet  tone  to  complement  him.    As  a  solo  artist  her  breakout  hit  was  Special  Delivery,  which  was  championed  by  many  of  the  UK’s  leading  R&B  DJ’s.    This  is  her  first  UK  wide  tour  with  full  band.

Artist Bridget Kelly has collaborated with the likes of Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar and Kelly Clarkson

Promoters  Punch Touring have previously presented extensive  full  live  tours  with  the  likes  of  Angie  Stone  and  Ameriie, and are hoping to impress further with Bridget Kelly next month.

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UK  Tour  Dates:

• Saturday  21  November  2015,  East  Village  Arts  Club,  Liverpool

• Sunday  22  November  2015,  The  Irish  Centre,  Nottingham

• Monday  23  November  2015,  Institute,  Birmingham 

• Tuesday  24  November  2015,  The  Jazz  Café,  London

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Bridget Kelly will be playing The Institute in Digbeth, Birmingham on Monday 23rd November, 2015. For tickets, visit: www.ticketweb.co.uk

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Man Booker Prize winner Marlon James will be at Waterstones in Birmingham

The 2015 Man Booker Prize winner Marlon James and author David Walliams are to a vibrant events programme at Waterstones in Birmingham, from next week.

Marlon James, winner of this year’s prestigious Man Booker Prize will be flying in from America on Monday 23rd November to launch Waterstones Birmingham High Street’s ambitious events programme, which will include evening talks from high profile authors, celebrity book signings, local book launches, reading groups and regular children’s activities.

James will read from and discuss his prize winning novel A Brief History of Seven Killings from 7pm on 23rd November (Tickets £5). Spanning three decades and crossing continents, A Brief History of Seven Killings chronicles the lives of a host of unforgettable characters – slum kids, one night stands, drug lords, girlfriends, gunmen, journalists, and even the CIA.

His visit will be swiftly followed by evening talks from the writers Jonathan Coe on 24th November and Simon Scarrow on 25th November; and a book signing with the comedian and celebrated children’s author David Walliams on 7th December from 4pm.

Birmingham-raised author Jonathan Coe will be discussing his latest novel Number 11 (Tickets £3) in which he writes about the hundreds of tiny connections between the public and private worlds and how they affect us all. Bestselling historical fiction author Simon Scarrow will discuss his new book Britannia from 7pm on the following evening.

David Walliams at a previous book event in Birmingham in 2011 (Photograph: Nicola Shilton / I Am Birmingham)

Much loved comedian David Walliams has become one of the most critically acclaimed and popular children’s author of recent times. He will be signing copies of his new bestseller Grandpa’s Great Escape. This is a ticket-only, with tickets already selling fast!

Thew newly refurbished Waterstones’ huge third floor is devoted to an unrivalled range of children’s books, and will host an active child-centred events programme, regular crafting activities and parent and toddler story-time sessions.

Closed for nine weeks during the autumn, Waterstones has invested in a comprehensive renovation of the interior and exterior of the much loved city centre bookshop. Now with six floors of books, two cafés, new furniture and a striking new shop front, the state of the art High Street bookshop is set to cement its reputation as Waterstones flagship Midlands store.

Maddy Forster, Events Manager at the store, said:

“We are really excited here in Birmingham to be able to offer our customers a variety of events which means there will truly be something for everybody! The intention is that Birmingham will finally have the Waterstones it deserves. ”

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Tickets for the above book events are available from waterstones.com.

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BBC Music are bringing an array or music events and workshops to the city next month (Photograph: BBC)

The stars of BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music and Asian Network, along with industry experts and local bands, will be taking centre stage for BBC Music: Live in Birmingham – a week of outreach programming and live events the week before 2015 BBC Music Awards at the Genting Arena on Thursday 10^th December.

BBC Music: Live in Birmingham is a programme of daytime and evening sessions taking place in venues across the city. From 1Xtra’s Charlie Sloth talking about how to make money in music, to song writer Terry Hall from The Specials coaching how to write a hit song, to Radio 2’s Sara Cox talking with Solihull star Lady Leshurr about the role of women in the music industry; some of the biggest names in music will be sharing their insider knowledge with a series of inspiring workshops during the daytime.

Major artists including Jess Glynne, Mumford & Sons, One Direction, and Little Mix will be performing at the BBC Music Awards in Birmingham (Photograph: BBC)

By night, the most exciting new acts from Birmingham and beyond – hand-picked by the teams at Radio 1 & 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music and the Asian Network – will take to venues across the city for exclusive BBC Music Introducing Showcase gigs.

Musician, 6 Music presenter and Brummie Matt Everitt said:

“It’s excellent to be heading back to the Midlands homeland to host some fantastic events in the build-up to the awards. BBC Music is all about supporting individual artists, bands and the industry at all levels, and that’s something we’ll be focusing on next month in Birmingham.

“Not only will there be an amazing celebration of 2015’s musical year in the BBC Music Awards, but we are also offering a series of innovative, informative sessions for the people of the Midlands. So come, join in, ask musical questions, get useful answers and find out how you can get more involved in the music industry.”

BBC Radio presenters Nick Grimshaw and Chris Evans celebrate the BBC Music Awards coming to Birmingham (Photograph: Kieron McCarron/BBC)

The 2015 BBC Music Awards take place at Birmingham’s Genting Arena on Thursday 10^th December between 4 – 6pm.
A stellar line up including Ellie Goulding, Hozier, Jack Garratt, James Bay, Jess Glynne, Little Mix, Mumford & Sons, OMI, One Direction, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Rod Stewart and The Shires will all wow the crowds in their celebration of the popular music year with some surprise collaborations and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Tickets are priced £39 – £53 from bbc.co.uk/musicawards.

One Direction will be performing at the BBC Music Awards 2015 at the Genting Arena (Photograph: Paul Thomas/BBC)

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BBC Music: Live in Birmingham

The full programme:

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FRIDAY 4th December:

1-2pm

Glee Club

How to Make Money in Music

Hosted by Radio 1Xtra’s Charlie Sloth

Whether you’re an aspiring artist, interested in working in the music industry, or just love music, this is a Q&A not to be missed! Hear how you can make music your career with artists and industry heavyweights DJ/Producer Preditah, Disturbing London’s Product Manager Sandy Cheema and You Tube channel P110 Media. You’ll hear advice on getting your music heard and played on BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra. If you’re making music, a performer or a writer, PRS for Music will also be on hand to answer your burning questions.

Radio 1Xtra’s Charlie Sloth will be giving advice on how to make money in music (Photograph: Ray Burmiston/BBC)

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SATURDAY 5^th December:

1-2pm

Birmingham Ormiston Academy

Women in Music

hosted by Radio 2’s Sara Cox

From Adele to Beyoncé, some of the biggest pop stars in the world are women. But how big a role do women play in the whole industry? Hear from some the UK’s most prominent women in music. Joining Sara will be local rapper, singer and producer Lady Leshurr, Island Records’ Annie Christensen and Artist Manager Margherita Visconti to discuss what influence women have and what more needs to be done to ensure equality in music.

Radio 2’s Sara Cox highlights the role of women in the music industry Photograph: (Damien Fry/BBC)

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8-10pm

The Oobleck

BBC Music Introducing presents…

with Asian Network’s Yasser Ranjha

Yasser will host the first BBC Music Introducing session of the week, showcasing the acts that he considers to be some of the finest talent in town – DJ Producer Bambooclart, the multitalented Bambi Bains and singer/songwriter Vaz.

BBC Asian Network presenter Ranjha Yasser will host the first BBC Music Introducing session of the week (Photograph: Joel Anderson/BBC)

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SUNDAY 6^TH December

1-2pm

Birmingham Ormiston Academy

Birmingham: The Biz and the Buzz

hosted by Radio WM’s Jack Parker and Jade Matthews

Local music industry figures from across the board discuss topics including how to get involved in the local scene, music promotion in Birmingham, how to go about crowdfunding, and making a success of local music venues.

Jade Matthews will co-present The Biz and The Buzz

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8-9:30pm

CBSO Centre

BBC Music Introducing presents…

with Radio 3’s Kevin LeGendre, Georgia Mann and Lopa Kothari

BBC Radio 3 presenters Lopa Kothari, Kevin LeGendre and Georgia Mann will host an evening celebrating the breadth of music on Radio 3 with new artists in classical, world and jazz. Artists performing on the night are Birmingham based jazz band Hansu-Tori, world music outfit Project Jam Sandwich and one of the best known accordion musicians of his generation, Iosif Purits.

Kevin LeGendre joines Lopa Kothari and Georgia Mann in hosting an evening celebrating the breadth of music on Radio 3

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MONDAY 7^TH December

2-3pm

Glee Club

The Art of Songwriting

hosted by 6 Music’s Matt Everitt and Tom Robinson

Whether you’re an aspiring song writer hoping to learn the key to penning a hit single or just interested in how your favourite musicians create that magic, this is the Q&A session for you. BBC Radio 6 Music is known for its alternative spirit and many of its presenters are active musicians and song writers, so join host Matt Everitt (formerly of Menswear) to look at the process of song writing. Tom Robinson (of 2-4-6-8 Motorway fame) and local pop star and song writer Terry Hall (Fun Boy Three, The Specials) reveal how they go about the craft with contributions from others in the 6 Music team Jarvis Cocker (Pulp), Guy Garvey (Elbow) and Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin’ Criminals).

6 Music’s Matt Everitt co-hosts The Art of Songwriting (Dean Chalkley/BBC)

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8-10pm

Hare & Hounds

BBC Music Introducing presents

with 6 Music’s Tom Robinson

6 Music’s Tom Robinson host a new music showcase with some carefully selected, exciting new talent – rapper Lady Sanity, folk outfit Boat to Row and five piece band Hoopla Blue.

BBC Introducing Presents will be hosted by 6 Music’s Tom Robinson (Photograph: BBC)

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TUESDAY 8^th December

1-2pm

CBSO Centre

A Career in Radio

with Radio 1’s Annie Mac

Whether you’re an aspiring DJ, radio presenter or just a fan of good music, join us for an audience with the woman who has the best job in music broadcasting and the man who gave her her big break. From an entry-level job behind the scenes to presenting 20 Years Of Radio 1 in Ibiza this summer, Annie Mac will share the memorable moments of her career at Radio 1 and her adventures DJing across the globe. She’ll be in conversation with Rhys Hughes, Head of Programmes at Radio 1 and 1Xtra, who gave Annie her first show back in 2004.

Radio 1’s Annie Mac discusses her career in radio (Photograph: Ray Burmiston/BBC)

8-11pm

The Oobleck

BBC Music Introducing presents…

with Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Target

Radio 1’s Huw Stephens joins forces with Radio 1Xtra DJ Target to present acts that they consider to be some of the most exciting new talent around. Performing on the night will be local rapper Vital, Disco duo Ekkah, singer songwriter Call Me Unique and rock band God Damn.

Radio 1’s Huw Stephens joins forces with Radio 1Xtra DJ Target to present some of the most exciting new talent around (Photograph: Ray Burmiston/BBC)

Radio 1’s Huw Stephens joins forces with Radio 1Xtra DJ Target to present some of the most exciting new talent around (Photograph: Ray Burmiston/BBC)

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WEDNESDAY 9^th December

1-2pm

Glee Club

Industry Inspiration

hosted by Radio 2’s Jo Whiley

Whether you’re a struggling musician or just want to ‘work in music’ but not sure where to look, this session will answer all your questions. The music industry is big and varied, encompassing many elements beyond the pop stars. There’s radio, record labels, live music venues, publishers, producers, promoters, pluggers and more. What do they all do and how do they work together to discover new talent and bring it to the wider world? Joining Jo will be Lauren Brennan, Music Producer at BBC Radio 6 Music, plugger Rich Perry, Artist Manager/A&R man Ally McCrae and others who will be on hand to answer all of your questions.

Radio 2’s Jo Whiley discusses ‘Industry Inspiration’ in Birmingham (Photograph: David Venni/BBC)

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8-10pm

The Hare & Hounds

BBC Music Introducing presents

with Radio 2’s Jo Whiley

Radio 2’s Jo Whiley hosts a new music showcase with acts that she has specially selected for the occasion. Performing will be local singer/songwriters Lawrence Taylor, Hannah Brown and Tom Aspaul.

Venue Details:

Birmingham Ormiston Academy: Grosvenor St, Birmingham, B4 7QD

CBSO Centre:  Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF

Glee Club:  The Arcadian, 70 Hurst St, Birmingham, B5 4TD

Hare and Hounds: High Street, King Heath, Birmingham, B14 7JZ

The Oobleck: The Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA

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BBC Music: Live in Birmingham

BBC Music Introducing: The performers

BBC ASIAN NETWORK NIGHT: 5^th December

VAZ: Singer/songwriter from London and Canada. The first instrument he learnt to play was the guitar at the age of ten. He then decided to teach himself to play the piano. His main influences are Nat King Cole, Nirvana, Prince, Musiq Soulchild and A.R Rahman.

BAMBI BAINS: Singer, dancer, model, actress and YouTuber. Her music is a combination of gospel, soul, R&B, Hindi and Bhangra. At the age of eight she began playing the piano, bass guitar, drums and dhol. She was nominated as Best Newcomer and Best Female Songstress by the BritAsia Music Awards and The Bhangra Awards.

BAMBOOCLART: Bambooclart is a DJ/Producer from Birmingham. He’s remixed for names like Major Lazer and Diplo. He’s had national and international exposure from working on projects for The Gaslamp Killer, Beardyman and DJ No Names (Foreign Beggars) to name a few.

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RADIO 3 NIGHT: 6^th December

PROJECT JAM SANDWICH: Project Jam Sandwich is comprised of five highly accomplished, award-winning musicians who met whilst studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. They are a ‘world music’ outfit, a dynamic collaboration of instruments, interests and genres adding their own individual stamp to folk music from all over the globe.

IOSIF PURITS: Iosif is an accordionist from London and was the first BBC Introducing classical artist to perform live on In Tune on BBC Radio 3. He has become one of the best known accordion musicians of his generation and has travelled around the world performing at the most prestigious concert venues.

HANSU-TORI: Hansu–Tori are a Birmingham based jazz band, playing vibrant, original contemporary music. They describe their music as Jazz/Rock/Improvised Music/Cinematic/Modern Classical/Electronic. The Korean term ‘Hansu’ means ‘water: a drop of water gathering to make an ocean.’ ‘Tori’ is the Japanese word for ‘bird‘. It can be thought to represent freedom and grace.

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6 MUSIC NIGHT: 7^th December

BOAT TO ROW: Boat to Row are a collective of instrument swapping, harmony sharing friends from the Midlands; meandering through all that life and love have to offer. From its beginnings as a solo university project Boat to Row has evolved into a band confident with delivering intelligent, intricate folk music.

LADY SANITY: She is a 21-year-old female rapper from Birmingham who started rapping at the age of 13 and since then has been experimenting on creating her own style. Her inspirations range from Lauryn Hill and Jimi Hendrix to A Tribe Called Quest.

HOOPLA BLUE: Hoopla Blue is a five-piece band from the West Midlands. They have been championed by BBC Introducing in their home-town and have supported the likes of Dutch Uncles, Wolf Alice, Temples and Stealing Sheep amongst others.

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RADIO 1 & 1XTRA NIGHT: 8^th December

VITAL: A rapper who makes dancehall, grime and hip hop in Wolverhampton. He is also a business man, videographer and technician. He has performed along-side acts like Tinie Tempah, Dappy and Stylo G.

EKKAH: A female duo called Rebecca and Rebekah. They describe their music as ‘Downtown Disco’ and have had a lot of support from BBC Introducing in the West Midlands and London.

CALL ME UNIQUE: Call Me Unique is a singer/songwriter heavily influenced by jazz, soul and the forgotten art of jazz scat-singing. She combines these elements with modern rap, beautiful melodies and soulful, thought-provoking lyrics.

GOD DAMN: Back in the summer of 2010 two like-minded guitarists and one power house of a drummer met in a lock-up situated in an old canal side factory at the heart of the recently crowned home of metal, the Black Country. Their music ranges from early heavy metal, blues, grunge and elements of prog.

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RADIO 2 NIGHT: 9^th December

LAWRENCE TAYLOR: 22 year old singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Lawrence Taylor moved to London at 19. After years of playing open mic circuit across London, Taylor found his unique sound with just a telecaster. He’s just release Bang Bang the title track of his forth-coming EP.

HANNAH BROWN: Hannah grew up in Long Eaton, Nottingham, and had a passion for music from a very early age. Initially, she wanted to play the drums but then she picked up her mother’s guitar, strummed it for a while and liked the feel.

TOM ASPAUL: He describes himself as a ‘singer, song-writer and Virgo’.  He grew up in the West Midlands and now lives in London. He is currently supporting the Little Boots in Leeds and London

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Tickets to all BBC Music: Live in Birmingham events are free (except tickets to the BBC Music Awards) and are available from: bbc.co.uk/musicawards. Entrants must be over 16 and under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

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Staff at Tapas Revolution in Grand Central Birmingham support Movember

With Movember well and truly underway, there has been a ‘Tash Takeover’ at Grand Central as retailers and restaurants wear multi-coloured moustaches for the day in order to help raise further awareness among customers and generate conversations surrounding men’s health issues.

As Grand Central offer a variety of men’s brands there was a great opportunity to champion male health issues by supporting the Movember campaign. All the moustaches were supplied by Tiger and worn by employees from a selection of restaurants and retailers, helping to promote education and confidence in talking about men’s health.

Leading brands, Kiehls, Joules and Steel & Jelly also got involved by doing a tashtastic mannequin takeover with Kiehls dressing the well-known ‘Mr Bones’ with a moustache and Joules and Steel & Jelly also delivering a window display of moustaches.

Check out some of the photos of the Tash Takeover below…

The Kiehls team’s ‘Mo Sistas’ show their support for Movember

A red ‘tash’ for a team member at Pho restaurant in Grand Central Birmingham

Management and customer care teams at Grand Central Birmingham take part in Movember

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>> GALLERY: More photos of Movember at Grand Central Birmingham <<

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Mr Birmingham Joshua Williams (right) won Young Achiever of the Year at the Birmingham Awards 2015 (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

On Friday, the prestigious Edgbaston Cricket Ground opened it’s doors to the inaugural Birmingham Awards – celebrating and rewarding the people of Birmingham across an array of awards.

Dubbed “The Beating Heart of Birmingham”, the awards show celebrated the best of Britain’s second city and those that work tirelessly to make Birmingham prosper across all sectors.

BBC’s The Apprentice candidates Gary Poulton and David Stevenson join guests Lisa Smith and friend at The Birmingham Awards in Edgbaston on Friday (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

The doors opened and champagne was flowing as special guests, nominees and business owners came together, anxiously awaiting the nights proceedings. An atmosphere of excitement was evident as guests mingled in unity of the special event.

Musician Andre S. Hesson attends The Birmingham Awards with a friend (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

An audience member captures The Birmingham Awards on his camera phone (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

Sponsored by the Birmingham charity Love Brum, in association with Big John’s, the night was set to be a glamorous affair from the onset and throughout.

The achievements of the nominees and Birmingham, as a collective, was made known throughout by hosts DJ Dan Kelly and Raaj Shamji. The future of Britain’s second city has never looked so rich with opportunity, inspiration and endless potential, propelling Birmingham into the spotlight throughout 2015. The often-overlooked achievements of Birmingham, from our advanced canal system and driven workforce being applauded.

Special guests descended on the event with enthusiasm from the BBC’s The Apprentice stars Gary Poulton and David Stevenson, Mr and Miss Birmingham Joshua Williams and Molly Noke, BBC Radio WM’s Sunny and Shay; and the legendary Sir Herbet Douglas Ellis, who accepted the Lifetime Achievement award, during which he gave an incredible speech of his life experiences and work ethic in the process.

Guests enjoying The Birmingham Awards in Edgbaston (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

Guest attendees at the inaugural Birmingham Awards event (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

TV stars Nathanial Valentino, from E4’s Young, Free and Single, with David Stevenson and Gary Poulton of BBC’s The Apprentice, at The Birmingham Awards 2015 (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

The Birmingham Awards aimed to recognise people and businesses that have played a fundamental role in the movement of Birmingham’s future. As Birmingham’s been thrusted into a remarkable year – with the redevelopment of the rail links and the opening of Grand Central Birmingham – the awards categories extended over each sector, from Best Local Business to Charity Initiative of the Year.

Dance group Eternal Taal entertain the audience at The Birmingham Awards 2015 (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

Guests at The Birmingham Awards 2015, held in Edgbaston on Friday night (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr. Shafique Shah, is joined by his wife Sadia (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

The award-winners ranged from Thai restaurant Sabai Sabai, who were awarded Best Restaurant of the Year, and Sporting Initiative of the Year going to Dwarf Sports Initiative UK.

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The list of all award winners are noted below:

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Sabai Sabai (Thai Restaurant)
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BAR/PUB OF THE YEAR
The Bubble Lounge (Hotel du Vin)
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RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Selfridges
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ART & CULTURE AWARD
Eloquent Praise (Dance Academy)
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BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Spearhead Compliance Training
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SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
SimkissGuy Recruitment
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BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR
Peter Murtha (Co-Founder Mr McQueen & Optima)
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BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Kirsty Davies-Chinnock (Managing Director – Professional Polishing Services Ltd)
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COMMUNITY INITIATIVE/CHARITY/VOLUNTEER
Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer
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SPORTING INITIATIVE
Dwarf Sports Association UK
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YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR
Joshua Williams (Mr Birmingham 2015/16)
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VENUE OF THE YEAR
Hyatt Regency
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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Evolve (Helping Children)
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BLOG/BLOGGER OF THE YEAR
Full to the Brum (Laura Creaven)
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CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION
Isa Mutlib
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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Sir Herbert Douglas Ellis
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INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Loki Wine
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EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Grand Central
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BRUMMIE OF THE YEAR
Jasper Carrott

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The night was certainly an evening to remember and one that will be remembered for the months to come. For a first edition, the sell-out show was truly remarkable and all of those involved in creating this event deserve commendation.

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>> GALLERY: The Birmingham Awards 2015 <<

The Birmingham Awards 2015 took place at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium on Friday 27th November, 2015

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Jake Mundel

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A moving image, taken earlier this year, of a mother and her child at the refugee camp in Calais (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Local photographers and visual artists have collaborated to create a portable, pop-up art exhibition, in the hopes of raising awareness and funds for refugees facing dire situation in the makeshift camp in Calais in northern France.

Photographers Paul Stringer and Rizwan Ali Dar of Stand Up To Racism Birmingham have joined forces with curator Jess Davies, as well as visual artists Jonny Graney and Dale Hipkiss, to create an installation built entirely out of donated wood and tarpaulin; materials which will eventually be donated to the refugees living in the camps after the exhibit has finished.

The one-day exhibit – titled Critical Conditions – features images taken during Rizwan and Paul’s recent documentation of their Autumn visits to the camp, during which they delivered supplies and donations as part of the city’s Stand Up To Racism delegation.

The installation itself – which is being hosted at the Impact Hub in Digbeth – has been built to be transportable, with an intimate space to hold a small group of people.

Documentary photographer and filmmaker Paul Stringer explained:

“Having visited the camp only twice, it’s already very easy to see that living conditions are dangerously poor. We should be trying to help our fellow humans in any way possible.”

The Critical Conditions exhibition will showcase the work of artists including Rizwan Ali Dar and Paul Stringer

Jonathan Charles Graney and Dale Hipkiss are a Birmingham-based contemporary art collaborative. Their work centres around ideas of displacement in a local and global context. Employing sculpture, installation and performance, they create temporary spaces that open a dialogue about loss, refuge and survival.

According to the duo, this current piece is simultaneously in a state of settling or transition, loosely held together or deconstructed and scattered. The space holds images of real people whose lives have been uprooted by greed, power and industry but for this moment of settling it becomes a contemplative space.

A series of musicians and poets will be performing within the space, alongside an open invitation for other performers to request open mic slots. Due to the nature of this transportable, outdoor installation – all performances will be acoustic.

Curator Jess Davies said:

“Exploring the ideas behind community and the challenges involved with constructing a shelter within a short space of time has raised further questions for us all. Using arts to humanise the faces behind the title of refugee has been a great opportunity to create further discussion and on a personal level, bring us slightly closer to the reality of what people living within refugee camps are facing.”

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The ‘Critical Conditions’ launch event is 6pm-8:30pm, on 4th December at Impact Hub Birmingham and is supported by Stand Up To Racism Birmingham, Impact Hub Birmingham and Jericho Wood Recycling. For more information, check out; Critical Conditions – Launch Night on Facebook.

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Birmingham Food Drive volunteer Vimal Korpal with BBC Doctors actors Bharti Patel (second left) and Lorna Laidlaw (right) (Photo: Nikhara Korpal)

The annual Birmingham Food Drive was held over the weekend, bringing together several of the city’s homeless outreach groups to provide the vulnerable with food, clothes, advice and free haircuts.

Held at Carrs Lane Church in the city centre, the event brought together volunteers, community groups and charities; all of whom had donated items and services to ensure the city’s homeless had enough provisions during the cold winter months.

Professional barber Shahram Ali giving free haircuts to the homeless at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photo: Nikhara Korpal)

Hundreds of homeless and vulnerable individuals and families were offered hot and cold food and drink, clothes, winter warmers, toiletries and essential items from noon on Saturday 5th December, along with professional advice on housing, benefits, health and sexual health, drugs and shelter.

The Birmingham Food Drive – which began in 2012 as a means of assisting rough sleepers in the city – aims to offer warmth, good company and provisions to all who may need it.

Food Items donated for the vulnerable at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photo: Paul Wheeler)

Clothes and shoes to be distributed at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photo: Paul Wheeler)

Co-organised by the Amirah Foundation and Let’s Can Hunger UK, the gathering was sponsored by Islamic Relief UK.

Working with organisations including Socks and Chocs, Who Is Hussain?, The Albert Street Project, As-Suffa Homeless Outreach, St Basils and Birmingham Homeless Outreach; the open-to-all event acts as an umbrella initiative for the many groups who regularly carry our street feeds and soup kitchens.

Cllr Waseem Zaffar (Lab) with Birmingham Food Drive founder Adam Yosef (Photo: Nikhara Korpal)

Rik James (left) of Birmingham Homeless Outreach at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photo: Paul Wheeler)

Volunteers at the Birmingham Food Drive with food packs prepared for the homeless (Photo: Paul Wheeler)

Amirah Foundation CEO and event co-organiser Shaz Manir (left) at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photograph: Nikhara Korpal)

Joining in this year were Lorna Laidlaw and Bharti Patel, actors from popular BBC TV drama Doctors, alongside Labour councillor for the Lozells & East Handsworth ward, Waseem Zaffar MBE.

Musicians also entertained guests with Kirenjit Kaur playing the sitar and rapper Leo Golden Child sharing his spoken word skills with the audience. A special blank canvas was also set up for attendees to share their messages of goodwill.

Group photo of organisers, volunteers and guests at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photo: Paul Stringer)

Birmingham Homeless Outreach organiser Ranjit Dhillon chats to Birmingham Food Drive founder Adam Yosef (Photograph: Nikhara Korpal)

Adam Yosef, founder of the Birmingham Food Drive, said:

“We’re working with a number of homeless outreach workers and organisations because we want to eliminate homelessness, food banks and poverty for families across Birmingham in the long-term. However, in the meantime, we cannot allow our brothers and sisters to freeze, starve or be abandoned because the State has failed in its responsibility to social welfare.

“We live in a country where there are 635,000 empty properties in England, including 607 council homes in Birmingham, and yet we have a homelessness epidemic, which has risen by 25% since 2009. We’ve also had an increase of food banks from just over 50 to over 400 since the Tories came to power in 2010. This is unacceptable.

“We will continue to work with charities and organisations to do what we can and ensure more and more people don’t end up on the streets, and those who do have somewhere to go for help. We want to make sure there’s at least regular hot food for those living and sleeping on the streets this Christmas.”

Volunteer Dan Parks and Katie Cruickshank at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photograph: Paul Wheeler)

Sitar player Kirenjit Kaur performs at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photograph: Nikhara Korpal)

The Birmingham Food Drive was sponsored by charity Islamic Relief (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Birmingham Food Drive co-organiser Ozzy Karim (right) , who also heads Let’s Can Hunger UK (Photograph: Nikhara Korpal)

Volunteers with food packs ready at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photograph: Paul Wheeler)

Speaking about her organisation Let’s Can Hunger UK, Ozzy Karim said:

“We regularly work with the PCSO’s at Erdington Police Station and the Pastor at Bethany Pentecostal church to provide support for families identified as in need.

“We have just teamed up with the Amirah Foundation, The Albert Street Project other agencies for the Birmingham Food Drive, which sees us all host a day to feed, clothe and provide other help and support to the Birmingham homeless and vulnerable.  We are hoping to provide a holistic day where people can come, have some food, maybe have a haircut and get involved with agencies that can support them long term.”

Volunteer Cameron Moon reads messages of support left by guests at the Birmingham Food Drive (Photograph: Paul Wheeler)

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The next Birmingham Food Drive will be taking place on Saturday 9th January at Carrs Lane Church, from 12pm – 5pm. Anyone wishing to volunteer, donate, or find out more, can visit: www.facebook.com/BrumFoodDrive.

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One Direction on stage with Chris Evans and Fearne Cotton at the BBC Music Awards (Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC)

The second year of the BBC Music Awards was hosted by Fearne Cotton and Chris Evans and featured an eclectic mix of music, covering generations and different musical genres, from classic dance anthems of Faithless to the modern Afro-beats of Omi.

The demographic of the crowd definitely reflected the music, with the stands shaking from what looked like 30 plus year olds raving to Faithless, the pre-teens (and secretly, some of the parents) getting excited by One Direction and Little Mix, then lastly the over-50’s singing along to Rod Stewarts classics.

Music legend Rod Stewart performs in Birmingham at the BBC Music Awards 2015 (Photograph: Guy Levy)

This was one of their last performances before their hiatus, and still as popular as ever, the crowd erupted into cheers and every mention of their names and glimpse of them on the screens.

Artist Omi performs with a beach-theme on stage, at the BBC Music Awards (Photograph: Sarah Jeynes)

Surprises for the crowd came during many of the performances with Omi’s beach-themed set, releasing a number of beach balls that were left to bounce around the crowd, a confetti cannon at the end of Little Mix’s performance; and fireworks that shook many in the crowd during Rod Stewarts performance.

Maxi Jazz of Faithless performs at the BBC Music Awards in Birmingham (Photograph: Sarah Jeynes/BBC)

Girlband Little Mix on stage at the Genting Arena in Birmingham for the BBC Music Awards (Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC)

Keeping it local, the Artist of the Year award was presented by Birmingham’s very own Citizen Khan, Adil Ray, who greet Chris Evans with an “As-Salaam-Alaikum”, telling the crowd how much Muslims love One Direction and insisting the legend Rod Stewart (whose career has spanned 4 decades) could be Pakistani as he ‘never stops working’.

So I met @NiallOfficial from #onedirection at #bbcmusicawards #1d he going to be in my show #citizenkhan #NiallHoran pic.twitter.com/bZv1Cp2j0e

— Mr Khan (@therealmrkhan) December 10, 2015

Khan also made reference to Chris Evans giving other minorities such as “Ainsley Harriot, correction… Lenny Henry, a chance”.

Different to many other pop music awards, a section was dedicated to some of music stars lost over the past year, including Cilla Black, Ben E King and Joy Beverley.

Newcomer Jack Garrett electrifies the crowd at the BBC Music Awards (Photographer: Guy Levy/BBC)

Newcomer Jack Garrett performed in one of his first theatre performances, electrifying the crowd, and putting so much into his one many band performance, that it left him short of breath by the end of his piece.

All in all, a great second BBC Music Awards, great line up, great staging and sound; and something for nearly everyone.

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Davina James

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Muslim community activist Kasim Choudhry is hosting a Christmas Day soup kitchen at Birmingham Central Mosque (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham’s premier mosque is set to host a special soup kitchen to feed the city’s homeless on Christmas Day.

The Birmingham Central Mosque in the Highgate area of the city will be welcoming the homeless and hungry over the festive period, providing them with food during an open soup kitchen every evening between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

Hundreds of homeless and vulnerable individuals and families are expected to attend the mass soup kitchen, which has been organised by the Birmingham Soup Kitchen, a new project aiming to regularly provide food to those in need at the Muslim faith centre.

The Birmingham Central Mosque Christmas Soup Kitchen is supported by local community organisations and businesses (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The initiative, which was set up by community activist Kasim Choudhry, is being sponsored by local businesses Mango Delivery, RCJ Catering, The Outdoor Staging Company and Catering Solutions UK; while being supported by the Balsall Heath Forum, AF Community Outreach and the Birmingham Food Drive.

Kasim Choudhry, founder of the Birmingham Central Mosque Christmas Soup Kitchen (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Speaking about his reasons for setting up the service, event founder Kasim said:

“We’re raising £2,000 to feed the homeless over the Christmas week because they should be able to enjoy Christmas.

“Birmingham Central Mosque are proud to announce that a new soup kitchen is being launched this Christmas, opening its gates to the homeless and needy providing them with hot meals and other necessities, daily from Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day.

Rough sleepers are a common sight on the streets of central Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Homelessness in Birmingham has risen by 25% since 2009 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

“The project is being run by local volunteers from the Mosque, funded by donations and business sponsorship. The mosque committee have decided to tackle this issue by supporting those in need in the area. The mosque already have an active food bank but found that this was ineffective to those who did not have the means to cook the food. The initiative is being run through Christmas and it is intended a permanent soup kitchen will be set up within the mosque grounds to serve the local community, regardless of religion and race.”

It is hoped the Birmingham Soup Kitchen will become a regular fixture to compliment the many already established food distribution and outreach service taking place daily and weekly in the city, many run by Christian, Muslim, Sikh and interfaith groups.

Kasim Choudhry, founder of the Birmingham Soup Kitchen, is aiming to feed the homeless in Birmingham, daily between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The Birmingham Central Mosque has been at the forefront of community cohesion building and interfaith activities within the West Midland’s Muslim community, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The place of worship also hosts a Food Bank three times a week.

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The Birmingham Central Mosque Christmas Soup Kitchen will take place between Thursay 24th December to Friday 1st January, from 5pm – 6pm, under a large marquee in the main car park at the Birmingham Central Mosque, 180 Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham B12 0XS.

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Anyone wishing to volunteer or find out more, can visit: www.facebook.com/BhamCentralMosque.

Donations to the Birmingham Central Mosque Christmas Soup Kitchen can be made here.

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Violinist and conductor Joshua Bell performs at a concert (Photograph: Eric Kabik)

The programme opened with Dvořák’s Silent Woods from The Bohemian Forest Op. 68.  As soloist, Steven Isserlis’ yearning and poignant cello was both evocative and powerful. He brought his delicious vibrato and the warmest tone to the renowned lyrical character piece.

The arrangement for cello and orchestra was led by Joshua Bell who managed to play an enthused first violin while simultaneously acting as conductor. He played with resounding sensitivity whilst using his bow as a baton to draw out each crescendo and to keep the orchestra so perfectly united.

If you ever get the chance to see Joshua Bell performing live, then I would advise you to drop everything and be there. Each muscle in him reacts to the music, it is rare to see such an animated and impassioned player.

Throughout it all Isserlis wore a distant look as his virtuouso performance built to a staggering and heartfelt climax. The sustained final note was breathtaking and captured the audience completely. Yet as the audience fell into raucous applause, Steven’s face broke into a joyous grin, he clasped Joshua’s hand enthusiastically and bowed with a theatrical gesture that was only emphasised by his marvellous mop of wild steel hair. It was a spellbinding and captivating start to a beautiful evening.

The second piece was Beethoven’s Symphony no 5 for full orchestra, lead by Joshua Bell. In the infamous opening bars, the scroll of Joshua’s violin dipped between his knees before rearing up before him. He barely kept his seat, as the music took over. This interpretation of the piece was full of texture, contrast and animation. The lighter melodies danced elegantly between the strings as they played as one perfect whole.

Like in the previous piece, Joshua continued to play with such soul ad presence whilst also conducting with his bow in grand flourishes. His theatrical and hypnotic performance is clearly the muscle that provides the pulse and spirit of the ensemble.

The piece built to a heady climax that stunned the audience before they broke into appreciative applause. There were few audience members who are younger than fifty, and everyone who was present was bubbling with excitement as they cascaded out into the foyer and chatted about the performance that they had just seen.

After the interval, they opened with Schumann’s Violin Concerto, mvt II (codetta by Britten). Joshua Bell was on his feet as the soloist, combining technical proficiency with exceptional beauty and an exquisite timbre. His commanding and artful interpretation of this piece was pure magic. The programme was the perfect combination of colour, texture and extremes of light and shade with Joshua’s playing breathing new life into familiar themes and lesser known gems.

Joshua Bell performed with The Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Steven Isserlis (Photograph: Chris Lee)

The concert ended with Brahms Double Concerto (for violin, cello and orchestra) which was performed with perfect balance. Despite the multiple bars of rests for the cello in the opening, Isserlis was completely engaged with the music. With shut eyes and a nodding head he moved in time with the violins as the sweet melodies sang. When Isserlis’ solo came in he threw his whole soul into it and brought out an astonishing deep resounding vibrato, exquisite phrasing with plenty of breathing space.

The bass tones had an astounding resonance and depth to them. The violin answered with vivacious fortitude before the melodies intertwined into something that was deliciously close to being discordant. Brahms has created the most exquisite sort of union, the intimate union of conflict. Hearing it realised by these virtuoso musicians meant that the effect was absolutely out of this world.

The orchestra cascaded in and Joshua drew out the beauty with dancing limbs as Steven echoed the motion with an enthused motion of the head, an exaggerated sway and a mouth that gaped and gasped much like a hungry koi carp surfacing for food.

Steven returned to his cello as the strings softened to a murmur and Joshua joined him. The depth of the cello and the luminosity of the violin was delightful. The call and response, the conflict, the union, the technical excellence and the deeply expressive interpretation of this colourful piece made this a truly spirited performance.

The most exquisite moment was when, with just a shared glance, Joshua and Steven launched into a perfectly synchronised passage of fluidity and raging emotion. It was an absolute wonder to behold.

The final movement is beautifully coquettish and the musicians captured this spirit to perfection. When the slow build burnt, the audience held its breath as one entity.

The divine cacophony climaxed and the audience whooped and unleashed rhapsidous applause. Bell and Isserlis bowed and left the stage, returning numerous times as the audience continued to express their gratitude and delight. Joshua left the Gibson ex-Huberman Stradivarius backstage but Steven brought the burnished ‘Marquis de Coberon’ Strad back with him each time.

The orchestra was recognised, Joshua shook the hand of the first violinist in a gesture as expressive as his playing. As Joshua and Steven embraced the audience buzzed with excitement, encouraging Joshua to execute a comical and playful lift of the eyebrows.

This was not just a remarkable display of art at its finest, but also a roaring celebration of the brilliance of humanity. The composers, the luthiers, the exceptional musicianship. It was blissful, inspiring and delightfully drenched in hope, yet all at once humbling. As the audience flooded out of the majestic hall, I could have sworn that they all were a little taller, a little prouder and with a lot more faith in humankind than they were when they arrived.

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Holly Daffurn

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Jake Hollier runs a coffee shop housed in a converted red telephone box in the city centre (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The young owner of Birmingham’s smallest coffee shop has launched a campaign to raise £50,000, in a bid to help “educate and diversify” homeless people from across the city.

Jake Hollier, who runs a coffee shop housed in a converted red telephone box in the city centre, hopes to expand his business and wants to use his new enterprise as a means of employing, housing and educating homeless individuals he encounters on a daily basis.

The 23-year-old entrepreneur, who lives in the Jewellery Quarter, opened Jake’s Coffee Box in Eden Place next to the Birmingham Council House in August last year; after only one day’s training as a barista.

Jake’s Coffee Box is officially the smallest coffee shop in the city, and may even be the smallest in the country (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The kiosk – outside which he serves at a temporary table – is officially the smallest coffee shop in the city, and may even be the smallest in the country.

Currently on an initial three-year lease, Jake’s Coffee Box serves all the usual drinks, cakes and snacks expected from a regular cafe outlet, five days a week, between 7.30am and 6pm (4pm on Fridays); despite only being a stone’s throw away from a competing Starbucks store.

However, after encountering more and more homeless individuals and rough sleepers since setting up last summer, Jake decided to launch a Pay It Forward scheme.

Also known as a ‘Suspended Coffees’ initiative, the scheme encourages paying customers to advance purchase of a cup of coffee for someone who needs it, regardless of who or why. This can be done by purchasing full cup drinks or donating some change towards the hot beverages.

>> GALLERY: Jake’s Coffee Box launches homeless initiative <<

Jake has already launched a Pay It Forward scheme, often known as a ‘Suspended Coffees’ initiative (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The former Cardinal Wiseman School pupil now wants to provide more than just coffee to some of those who have the adequate skills and ability to learn, but no permanent residence to qualify for work.

“I am in the midst of opening up my second coffee shop, with plans to open up a third later this year. I want to hire homeless people as well as provide safe accommodation for them. This is killing two birds with one stone, they can’t get a job as they have no address, they don’t have a home due to unfortunate circumstances, mental health issues and so forth,” Jake explains.

“I want to help a large group people get back on their feet, and once there they can continue to work for me or move on to another career. They will be gaining new skills and qualifications whilst in my employment, as well as a safe place to live.

Jake Hollier has set up a GoFundMe online fundraising page to help realise his ambitious project to help the homeless

“The money will be spent setting up appropriate accommodation, setting up a course for the homeless community, as well as hiring the correctly qualified people to look after the homeless staff’s state of mind.”

Jake hopes to have funding secured by July and wants to focus his first project on homeless ex-servicemen and those with mental health challenges. He also aims to work closely with homelessness outreach groups including the Birmingham Food Drive and Birmingham Homeless Outreach; who are currently jointly setting up a permanent centre to shelter roughs sleepers and the vulnerable displaced.

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You can help Jake Hollier raise funds to assist the homeless, by donating here.

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Birmingham community and faith leaders will come together tomorrow for a peace rally against far-right group Pegida, who are marching in the city

Community representatives, faith leaders, trade unions and activists are gathering in Birmingham’s Victoria Square for a rally on Saturday 6th February, to challenge the presence of far-right group Pegida in the city.

Muslim, Christian and cross-faith representatives including church ministers and mosque members will be addressing attendees at a peace rally celebrating Birmingham’s diversity and multicultural heritage, on Saturday at noon.

The Birmingham Unites event, organised by Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism, will bring together people from all backgrounds to stand united against fascism and hate, in order to counter a march and rally planned by Tommy Robinson’s Pegida, which is being held near Birmingham International Airport.

The peace rally in the city centre will feature a mix of speeches, live music, colour and a festive spirit.

Cllr Waseem Zaffar (Lab) will be speaking at the anti-Pegida rally on Saturday (Photograph: SUTR)

Hosted by Sharon Campion, speakers at the event include activist Salma Yaqoob, Labour councillor Waseem Zaffar, Lichfield Diocese Team Vicar Minister Ray Gaston, Rev. Oliver Coss of All Saints Church in Small Heath, Clare Thomas from The Green Party, Pete Jackson from The People’s Assembly, Roger King from the National Union of Teachers, Chairman of Remembering Srebenica Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, Rhiannon Lockley from trade union UCU, Matt Raine from Unison, Robert Punton from Unite Against Fascism and Danny Rees from Stand Up To Racism.

Community activist Salma Yaqoob and Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, Chairman of Remembering Srebenica, will both be speaking at the anti-racism peace rally

Musicians and spoken word artists joining the festivities will include social enterprise arts group Beatfreeks, the Clarion Singers, Shaun Gambowl Walsh and the Plagiarists, Johnny Kowalski and the Sexy Weirdos, Thomson Oldeman, DJs Jonnie Greaves and Stephen Jock Lee, Giovanni Spoz Esposito, Robin Surgeoner, Alisha Kadir, Wuzzamill, and Jacob Oneill.

The Birmingham Unites rally has been organised to celebrate Birmingham’s diversity and unity

Protesters join festivities and music performances at a previous anti-racism rally in Birmingham

Activist and anti-racism campaigner Salma Yaqoob stated:

“Birmingham is a diverse and multicultural city and we are proud of this. We stand against Pegida and their racist, Islamophobic and fascist views.

“Only twenty years ago, we had a genocide of Muslims in Europe, which began with a campaign of dehumanising the Islamic community through propaganda and hate. Today, Pegida and other far-right groups are attempting to bring division to our city but we shall stand united. In contrast to the hate propaganda of Pegida, we shall be celebrating the richness and strength in our unity through music, food, and speeches.

“Only a week after Holocaust Memorial Day, we must send a clear message that there is no place for fascism on our streets, and solidarity and good will between people of all backgrounds, races, orientations, genders, abilities and faiths is what makes Birmingham and Britain a better place.”

The ‘Birmingham Unites’ peace rally has been organised by Stand Up To Racism Birmingham and Unite Against Fascism, commonly known as UAF (Photograph: SUTR)

City councillor Waseem Zaffar said:

“Pegida’s visit to our region has helped unite our communities in solidarity; united in celebrating the diversity of our city where people of all faiths and no faith live in harmony together. Birmingham is home to people from 187 countries who have chosen to settle here and we stand together against the hate and division of Tommy Robinson and Pegida.”

‘Birmingham Unites’ begins at noon on Saturday 6th February in Victoria Square, and is backed by Roger Godsiff MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Rabbi Margaret Jacobi of the Birmingham Progressive Synagogue and the Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart.

The ‘Birmingham Unites’ rally against Pegida is being supported by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, seen here in the city last year (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The event is supported by the NUT, Love Music Hate Racism, LGBT+ Against Islamophobia, Momentum Birmingham, Birmingham Central Mosque and Unison.

Pegida UK leader Tommy Robinson has accused Birmingham councillors of being “hypocrites”, stating: “They talk of the history of Birmingham [as one of cohesion and tolerance]. The truth is it was, but not any more.

“Now it’s a hotbed for radical Islam. These council leaders never came out to condemn the marches held by Muslim extremists, like the anti-free speech protests condemning the Charlie Hebdo cartoons. They’re hypocrites.”

West Midlands Police revealed it only expects a few hundred to turn up to the Pegida’s Birmingham march this weekend and said it was also anticipating counter-protests on the day.

Anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate are also organising a meet-up with tea, for faith and community leaders, at Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate this afternoon at 1.15pm.

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You can find out more about the Birmingham Unites peace rally here.

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Spoken word artist Aliyah Hasinah performing at Beatfreeks Poetry Jam’s 3rd Birthday (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Three years ago a bunch of young artists and curious people gathered sweatily in the upstairs of swanky new Urban Coffee Company in Birmingham’s Church Street.

Like a Jekyll and Hyde of the hospitality world, during the day suit-clad entrepreneurs and professionals gathered over spreadsheets and espressos, making way for a wave of artist-come-activists post 6pm.

Three years ago this movement sparked a collective consciousness; a generation of young people who needed space to express themselves freely regardless of their political or economic stance and in spite of their labels and stereotypes.

Beatfreeks’ Poetry Jam was born.

Spoken word artist Luci Hammans delivers a powerful poem at Beatfreeks Poetry Jam (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Three years on, we have had tears, roars, cackles, mini-raves and epiphanies.

Thursday (Feb 4) saw the community celebrate its 3rd birthday. Acutely aware of how strange it is to celebrate an inanimate object’s birthday, this wasn’t about an event but more marking a community who stands together through thick and thin or in our case, through venue change.

CEO and Founder of Beatfreeks, Anisa Haghdadi, serves up birthday cake at Poetry Jams 3rd birthday (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

Poets old and new, young and erm, not-so-young, gathered to eat cake (thanks to the Java Lounge for the gesture), share stories and free themselves.

A packed house at Java Lounge in Birmingham city centre, Poetry Jam’s latest home (Photograph: Paul Stringer)

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Poetry Jam is the first Thursday of the month at Java Lounge, Colmore Row, 7-9pm with an optional writing circle at 6-7pm. Free. More at www.beatfreeks.com.

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Anisa Haghdadi

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The Gap Arts Project winners join the Birmingham Soup team after clinching the prize money for Beyond Borders (Photograph: Ming DeNasty)

City youth-led arts organisation The Gap Arts Project’s newest venture, Beyond Borders, has become the latest winner of SOUP, a Birmingham based community fundraising initiative.

Birmingham SOUP is a community lead fundraising event where people pay £5 on the door, in return for food and a vote. Four projects are then pitched to the crowd and a winner takes home all that is collected.

Guests dine on a variety of soups and homemade bread at the event held at Impact Hub Birmingham (Photograph: Ming DeNasty)

The latest winner, ‘Beyond Borders’, is a week-long project of events, talks, workshops and arts designed to  bring people of all backgrounds together to share experiences, question their understanding of the named theme and learn from interactions.

By doing this, they hope to strengthen the network of individuals and companies that work with refugees in Birmingham and to start collaborations between them.

Organisers from The Gap Arts Project explained:

“We would like artists to critically and creatively respond to the theme of ‘borders’, in light of the project’s focus, but leave this open to interpretation. Contributions can be of any material or discipline, so long as they can be easily hung on a wall”

The money raised from the sale of the artworks will go directly to supporting young refugees and asylum seekers living in and around Birmingham, by providing bikes and cycling equipment in order to combat isolation and dependency. The Gap Arts Project also aim to host cycling events with a special invitation for ‘Beyond Borders Bikers’.

Here’s what the team at Beyond Borders had to say about their success:

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The Beyond Borders art events run from 9^th – 16^th April, and you can find out more and get involved with both projects here: www.thegapartsproject.co.uk
Twitter: @GAPBorders | www.facebook.com/birminghamsoup

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Paul Stringer

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Music artist Nao wil be playing the O2 Institute in Birmingham in April (Photograph: Sam Stubbings/Nao)

MOBO newcomer of 2015, Nao released her latest single Fool to Love last week with streams via Soundcloud rocketing overnight following the success of Bad Blood late last year.

Her sound has been described as electro-soul meets alternative R&B, whatever box you want to try and place her in, one this is for sure, she is definitely adding something extraordinary to current British music.

Fool to Love is yet another installment of her unique sound that has us a step closer her upcoming and eagerly anticipated album, which she assures us, via twitter, is on its way. *squeals*

Can’t wait 2 drop some more tasters from my album with u guys, there’s so much I wanna share with u musically. Ep’s were never quite long ..

— NAO (@thisNAO) 29 February 2016

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Nao (pictured) will be supported at her Birmingham show by US artist Demo Taped

Nao will soon be embarking on her, almost sold out, first UK tour next month. We’ve been keeping a keen eye on her music over the past couple of years and are super excited to hear she has sold out her Birmingham leg of the tour.
We ask young Birmingham artists what they liked about Nao’s art and this what some of them said:

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Luanda

“I like how she’s never afraid to keep surprising you within a song, you don’t think it can get better and then it just gets taken that one step further. Plus she’s all the Black Girl Magic!”

Lu, Aspiring Actress

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Lokui

“Nao has such a refreshing sound, personally I enjoy the marriage between the production and her vocals it’s crazy. So much fluidity, the dynamics, silences, so much movement, but all elements move together seamlessly. Birmingham has no choice but to love Nao, she must love us all to grace us with such beautiful music.”

Lokui, Music Producer

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Suriya

“I like Nao because she wasn’t afraid to start her career later she puts time into her artistry. She’s daring, she makes bold choices – namely the Bad Blood video. Her poetic lyricism makes her a stand out. Birmingham likes her because she’s fiercely creative and that’s what we are.”

Suriya, poet & creative producer

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Nao’s Birmingham show is part of her European tour, and one of six UK dates

We look forward to the release of her album and wish her all the best on her upcoming UK tour, we’ll be in the front row at the Birmingham O2 Institute whooping and dancing.

Keep an eye out, Nao is 100% one to watch, we’re hoping she makes the AFROPUNK UK bill!

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Listen to Nao’s ‘Fool to Love’ here, or below:

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Nao will be performing at the O2 Institute in Birmingham – with support from Demo Taped – on Wednesday 20th April, 2016. More details here.

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Aliyah Hasinah | @a2thesquared

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Gadget Show presenters presenters Jason Bradbury, Jon Bentley, Ortis Deeley and Amy Williams will be at the live show in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

I Am Birmingham have teamed up with Gadget Show Live to give you a chance one winning of 10 pairs of tickets for the opening day of the event, taking place in Birmingham between 31st March – 3rd April.

Britain’s biggest consumer tech show, Gadget Show Live returns to Birmingham’s NEC this Easter and 75,000 tech fans are expected to flood through its doors.

Gadget Show presenter Jason Bradbury at last year’s Gadget Show Live at the NEC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The show features four fantastic new areas this year – Better Life, Power Up, The Lab and The Arcade – making it the perfect day out for everyone from early adopters to silver surfers and tech-fanatic families. For the first time ever, the Super Theatre performances featuring the TV show’s presenters will be filmed for an episode of The Gadget Show to be broadcast on Channel Five later this year giving visitors the chance to feature in the programme alongside presenters Jason Bradbury, Jon Bentley, Ortis Deeley and Amy Williams.

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To be in with a chance of winning one of ten pairs of tickets for Gadget Show Live, all you have to do is answer the following question:

On which British terrestrial television channel is The Gadget Show broadcast?

Email your answers to us at iambirmingham[at]hotmail.co.uk – or by clicking here.

Please include your full name, address, email and a contact number. Winners will be notified by email/phone. Tickets will be for entry to the Gadget Show Live event on Thursday 31st March, at the NEC Birmingham. Closing date for all entries: 17/03/16 at 5pm.

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Tickets are on sale now at gadgetshowlive.net and start at under £10. To find out more about the show, check out www.gadgetshowlive.net.

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Master magician Dynamo will be performing three shows in Birmingham this month (Photograph: Andrew Timms)

Due to overwhelming demand, master magician Dynamo has added an extra 11 shows to his critically acclaimed UK tour, Seeing Is Believing, including three Birmingham performances taking place later this month.

Bradford born Dynamo – real name Stephen Frayne – will bring his unique blend of magic to the city’s Barclaycard Arena on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th March, with a matinee show on the latter.

His last visit to Birmingham was in December, when he performed five dates of illusion and magic for thousands of delighted spectators.

The new dates will also see the ever-popular show return to Leeds, Manchester and London, where Dynamo will perform for the first time at The O2 Arena, making him the first magician in history to have his own show at the world renowned venue.

By the end of his current tour, Dynamo will have performed a spectacular 111 shows, spellbinding more than 400,000 fans across the country (Photograph: Andrew Timms)

Seeing Is Believing opened in Manchester in October last year and saw Dynamo perform an incredible 12 sold out performances. Since then, Dynamo’s first ever tour has visited London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Birmingham, Leeds, Brighton and Cardiff – notching up 67 shows. Bournemouth kicks off this week followed by residencies in Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin.

By the final show at the Manchester Arena on 2nd April, Dynamo will have performed a spectacular 111 shows, spellbinding more than 400,000 fans across the country.

The critics agree, Seeing Is Believing has been described as a “spectacular coups de theatre” by the Evening Standard, the Daily Mirror agreed saying that “seeing his live show really is believing” and The Times hailed it as “jaw-dropping”.

At only 33, Dynamo has already performed for stars including Will Smith, Nelly Furtado, Foo Fighters, Joss Stone and Samuel L. Jackson (Photograph: Andrew Timms)

Dynamo, 33, hit our TV screens just over four years ago with his first series of Magician Impossible. In that short time, he has quickly established himself as one of the world’s best known and most loved magicians. The series has been broadcast in over 180 countries globally, reaching a cumulative audience around the world of more than 400 million people.

He was recently awarded the highest accolade by the Magic Circle with his promotion to Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, a position only held by 300 magicians worldwide, including HRH Prince of Wales.

Speaking about his current tour, Dynamo said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve had from all the fans over the last six months on tour and I’m looking to pull out all the stops for these final shows, which will be a huge celebration of magic and probably the last time I will perform in the UK for a while.”

Dynamo’s career has seen him perform tricks for celebrities including Will Smith, Nelly Furtado, Foo Fighters, Joss Stone and Samuel L. Jackson, as has featured in advertisements for  companies Pepsi, Nokia and Adidas.

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For tickets to Dynamo: Seeing Is Believing in Birmingham, visit: www.dynamomagician.com/tour

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Her Majesty the Queen meets staff and students at the building’s official opening (Photograph: Edward Moss)

The first patients are due to be welcomed to the new Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry on Thursday, 31 March. Students will be based at the building following their Easter break.

Following completion of construction last month, a detailed plan has been implemented to ensure the smooth transition of both staff and equipment from the existing site to its new home in Edgbaston.

Project director, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust chief operating officer Andy Harrison, said: “I would once again like to thank all colleagues and partners for their patience and support during the construction period.

“The new Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry will provide a fitting environment from which to deliver our internationally recognised clinical services, education and research and we are delighted to be able to welcome staff, students and patients to this superb new environment for clinical treatment and education.”

Professor Phil Lumley, Head of the School of Dentistry at the University of Birmingham said: “The facilities within the new building will be a state-of-the-art new home for our world-class teaching and research, as the next generation of dentists and dental specialists are trained here.

“As well as the first-class treatment carried out here for people from the city region and beyond, we will continue with our ground-breaking research to better understand oral and dental health and improve the lives of patients as a result.”

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh meeting staff and students as they tour the new Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry (Photograph: Edward Moss)

Ewan Forsyth, Development Director for BaS LIFT said: “The Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry is a fantastic example of how the public and private sector, working together, can deliver cutting-edge healthcare facilities for the city.

“This landmark building provides a modern, state-of-the-art environment and can only strengthen Birmingham’s credentials as a centre of medical and dental excellence.”

Mark Lee, Chief Executive of Calthorpe Estates, said: “Located within Edgbaston Medical Quarter, The Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry joins a thriving community of world-class healthcare and life sciences organisations.

“As the first building to be completed as part of the regeneration of Pebble Mill, it sets the highest standard for future redevelopment on the 27-acre site.”

The four-storey development is the first integrated, stand-alone dental hospital and dental school to be built in the UK for almost 40 years. It expects to treat more than 100,000 patients each year.

It houses a range of services for the public including unscheduled emergency dental care, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, oral medicine, orthodontics and paediatric dentistry.

The public will access all dental services in one wing of the building while a second wing provides the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry with world-class research facilities and a modern learning environment for more than 600 undergraduate and postgraduate students and trainees.

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Volunteers

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The new Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry is also looking to hear from volunteers willing to help in two very important roles.

Birmingham Community Healthcare is recruiting a team of volunteers (aged 18 and over) to help with greeting and booking patients in and helping them find their way around the new hospital. For information about this, call: 0121 466 6506.

The new dental hospital and school is also appealing for patients to volunteer for treatment to support the clinical learning of University of Birmingham School of Dentistry students. Anyone over the age of 18 who would like to book a free assessment should email: dental.hospital@nhs.net

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Key facts

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The new Birmingham Dental Hospital and School:
• has a total project cost of £50 million
• is the first integrated dental hospital and school built in the UK for almost 40 years
• offers 154 dental chairs
• is equipped to treat over 120,000 patients a year (i.e. at least 120,000 separate contacts).
• offers world class learning and research facilities for more than 600 students
• sits on a 1.5-hectare (6.7-acre) site, has four storeys and covers an area of 15,465 square metres
• offers a wide range of clinical services including emergency dental care, restorative dentistry, oral surgery and medicine, orthodontics and paediatric dentistry.

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Caroline Horton has been appointed as the first Birmingham Writer in Residence for the BBC and the REP

A local writer, theatre –maker and performer has been announced as the first ever Birmingham Writer in Residence in a bid to increase Midlands voices on air and on the stage.

In a new initiative by BBC Birmingham, the BBC Writersroom and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, award–winning writer Caroline Horton, has secured the opportunity to work for six months across three popular national radio and TV dramas all produced in the city. These include BBC Radio 4’s The Archers and Home Front, and BBC One’s Doctors. Caroline will also join The REP as Writer on Attachment.

Speaking of her appointment as the first Birmingham Writer in Residence, Caroline said: “I was really surprised to be selected and feel so lucky to have this opportunity. I’m looking forward to the huge variety of work I’ll be exposed to and working alongside the brilliant teams at BBC Birmingham and Birmingham Rep.”

Over the years Caroline, who is originally from Staffordshire, has won awards for plays that she has not only performed in but also written. She is also an associate artist at Birmingham Repertory Theatre where she mentors young theatre makers and is a regular workshop leader.

Joe Godwin, Director of BBC Birmingham, said: “We’re pleased to have Caroline on board as the first ever Birmingham Writer in Residence. Caroline is an award winning Birmingham writer who has already had two radio plays produced for BBC Radio.

“Caroline will spend six months observing and working alongside the wonderful teams at the BBC Drama Village, Archers and Home Front. This is an incredible opportunity for her to see into all our practices and build up some invaluable skills.

“Supported by the BBC Writersroom, Caroline will help us to champion local voices inside the BBC, and help to increase Midlands voices on air, as well as on stage at one of the UK’s leading regional theatres.”

The BBC WritersRoom is a cross-genre department, working with both new and experienced writers (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Tessa Walker, Associate Director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre said: “We are delighted that Caroline will be the very first BBC Birmingham and Birmingham Repertory Theatre Writer in Residence. We had a huge number of applicants who shared work of an incredibly high standard which speaks volumes about the breadth of writing talent here in Birmingham.

“The panel were all incredibly impressed with Caroline, with the imagination and ambition of her writing and her commitment to reflecting the city of Birmingham in her work. We are very excited about working with Caroline on this inaugural residency; for the stories she will tell with us and the different forms she will explore.”

The Birmingham Writer in Residence is a collaboration between three of the key cultural producers in the city – BBC Radio Drama, BBC Television Drama and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Sir Lenny Henry, a patron of the Birmingham Writer in Residence initiative, praised the new selection

, said: “We need to hear more Midlands voices on TV, radio and on stage. The Birmingham Writer in Residence is an excellent step to make this happen and is a clear sign that the BBC and Birmingham Repertory Theatre value regional voices and are prepared to invest in their future. Its enduring success will just take like-minded people who are keen to collaborate and co-operate across different programmes, channels and productions.”

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The ZoieLogic Dance Theatre will be presenting RIDE during the International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016 (Photograph: Dani Bower)

The return of the fifth award-winning biennial International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) will see venues, streets and squares across the city and beyond welcome one of the world’s biggest celebrations of dance.

The International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016 runs from the 1st – 22nd May, and features world premieres and new commissions over three amazing weeks.

The final programme has now been published including intimate and large scale performances taking place on established stages as well as unusual and outdoor spaces. With a range of styles from contemporary, classical, hip hop, and flamenco, to a special three day South Asian focused programme, IDFB 2016 promises to get Birmingham dancing again!

In an exciting new development for the festival, Centenary Square Live Nights will feature the world première of The Machine Show, a free outdoor spectacular, with French dancer and choreographer Melanie Lomoff. and fellow French hip-hop sensation Salah, headlined with live music by cult band rinôçérôse. Famed for their fusion of rock and electronic dance music, their new album Fighting the Machine is out in May.

Live Nights also features two new IDFB commissions by New Zealand’s Corey Baker Dance and the UK’s ZoieLogic Dance; as part of a dynamic line-up of free entertainment throughout each evening, accompanied by food and drink from the award-winning Digbeth Dining Club – creating a busy festival vibe and helping to drive the night time economy.

A new IDFB 2016 Festival Hub will pop up in Birmingham’s iconic Municipal Bank, with a café, a stunning exhibition of Cosmic Birds by Japanese kinetic Sculptor Shun Ito, and a programme of talks and workshops.

The Machine Show will be held in Birmingham’s Centenary Square during IDFB 2016

At the large scale, Festival partner Birmingham Hippodrome leads the IDFB 2016 theatre programme with outstanding performances from some of today’s leading international names. Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta brings his fascinating and acclaimed career to a close with his Classical Farewell; Canadian Ballet BC present works by three of the finest female choreographers; Nederlands Dans Theater 2 features a hugely exciting company of outstanding 18-23 year old dancers; and Cloudgate Dance Theatre of Taiwan return to cover the Hippodrome stage with 3 tons of rice for a mesmerising show.

Dance: Sampled, a taster selection of dance styles in one night, includes local acts in the foyers before live performances of contemporary (Wayne McGregor), ballet (Birmingham Royal Ballet), kathak (Birmingham’s Vidya Patel), tango and hip hop.

A key focus of the smaller scale IDFB theatre programme is work from Eastern Europe and South Asia (Kathak, Odissi and Bharatanatyam), much of which is based in The Patrick Centre which will host Correction from VerTeDance, Jirí Havelka and Clarinet Factory of the Czech Republic, plus a world premiere of Eclipse from Hungarian Csaba Molnár.

It also stages the UK premiere of Monchichi from Company Wang Ramirez, who recently worked with Madonna on her Rebel Heart tour and were photographed by Paul Smith for L’Equipe Sport and Style, and a premiere from Swiss production Compagnie Philippe Saire which will offer a new perspective on watching dance.

The South Asian programme includes UK premieres from Indian companies Sujata & Preetisha Mohapatra & Shijith Nambiar/Parvathy Menon at Brindley Place’s Crescent Theatre.

Corey Baker Dance presents ‘Phone Box’ across Birmingham’s city centre during IDFB 2016 (Photograph: Dani Bower)

David Massingham, DanceXchange’s Artistic Director and co-Artistic Director of IDFB 2016 said:

“IDFB returns in 2016 with dance for all. If you’re new to dance or familiar with the dance artists and companies in our thrilling line-up, the 2016 festival promises to wow city residents and visitors to the West Midlands and we are excited to announce the final programme. IDFB 2016 promises to engage people of all backgrounds in our international city as Birmingham continues to make its mark culturally and moves further into the 21st Century.”

Fiona Allan, Birmingham Hippodrome’s Artistic Director & Chief Executive, and co-Artistic Director of IDFB 2016 added:

“Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the UK’s best dance stages – a natural magnet for some of the most sought-after and talked-about international companies, choreographers and dancers. For years we’ve invested in substantial international work with partners of all scales and we’re determined to make everyone feel welcome both on stage and in the auditorium. Expanding our wider community links is hugely important so Dance: Sampled in particular will be a perfect blend of the very best dance from around the corner and around the world. Do something different, see something new this Festival.”

Ballet BC’s unique company of 17 dancers will be performing at the Birmingham Hippodrome during IDFB 2016

IDFB 2016 is funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council. The Festival is produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome. IDFB would like to thank our festival venues Birmingham Hippodrome, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, The Crescent and Warwick Arts Centre.

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 IDFB 2016, the International Dance Festival Birmingham, runs from 1st – 22nd May. The full festival programme can be found at www.idfb.co.uk

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