Posts Tagged ‘ Birmingham ’

FlixFixer — a new type of cinema at the Custard Factory

FlixFixer is Social Cinema at the Custard Factory Theatre. “It allows you to choose movies you love, find a venue to screen them and invite friends, family or other like-minded film-lovers to share in a screening where you set the rules – be it dress-up, dress down, no hats or no food. It allows you to build a community of friends around your shared love of movies and get together regularly to celebrate that. We screen here on Wednesdays… or you can screen here whenever you want” Loads of special nights already booking, including an offering from the Dirty Bristow team.

Danny Smith: The Wasteland

It’ll come as no surprise that I was a bookish child, I rarely left the house to go out and play and would opt to stay in the massive musty smelling Austin Maxi that my father drove rather than go play in the the sun on whatever day trip my parents would take us on. Evesham or Stourport all enjoyed from the the smeared window of a car built like a tank glanced at by bored eyes while turning the page of whatever comic or book I head stuck my head in. Its why I’m such a good traveller now, I either sleep or read during the boring bits. So the memories I have of the the little strip of green known locally as the Kala’s I am suspicious of, I never really went outside so why are my memories so strong? So vivid? Are they borrowed from my school-friends’ stories? Squirrelled away in my mind that expects a Wonder Years montage of important childhood memories. Its more likely that the fantasy of being so bookish and anti social are an exaggerated construct to assert my difference and nerdy credentials. Yet, I still don’t know how to ride a...

Danny Smith: A Christmas Carol

The life of a blogger is nothing if not glamorous, only last week I was backstage at the dress rehearsal for 3P’s marvellous version of The Nativity. Even before the performance, the squash was flowing and more than a couple of biscuits were passed around. Amid all the revelry the pre-performance jitters were in evidence: the third Wise Man had to be cajoled to climb out of the book cupboard and several shepherds had to be persuaded from kicking their prop sheep out of the window altogether. The performance was a masterpiece, including a entirely improvised bank robbery sub-plot and a song and dance number that went on for three or four extra verses because none of the cast could remember how to end the song. I’m proud to be a part of such a game changing version of the Christmas story, which this year focussed completely on the story of the shepherds as 3P has no girls in it to play Mary. Granted, my role was to stand in the wings and push the correct performer to his mark at their cue. I got pretty good too, I now reckon I can shove an average-sized seven year old...

Signing On — UB40 documentary

“2010 is the 30th anniversary of UB40′s first album “Signing Off”. This documentary, hosted by Ranking Roger from “The Beat”, was produced by Birmingham City University to celebrate UB40′s landmark debut and the band’s nationwide tour to promote its re-release. It features fresh interviews with members of the band – along with Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders and producer Bob Lamb – amongst others. The documentary explores life in Birmingham in the early eighties 80′s and reveals the band’s strong polictial beliefs. UB40 went on to become one of the world’s biggest reggae acts – but their debut album “Signing Off” still stands as one of their most influential releases. This 45 minute documentary pays tribute to the band while showcasing hits and remixes from the album – and detailing the story behind its recording – 30 years ago… ” Ub40: The 30th Anniversary Of “Signing Off” Documentary by Sam Coley on Mixcloud

King Bong* — King Kong on the News

Get the Flash Player to see this content. From MACE: “Tony Maycock interview with Mike Shanley, Birmingham garage owner, who has bought the statue of King Kong to stand it in his car sales forecourt.” a clip of ATV Today 18/09/1972 Remarkably hash tone for such a fluffy news item ‘doesn’t King Kong Kars sound a bit crap’? I’m paraphrasing. *okay it’s ATV Today, and not News At Ten. This is Trevor McDoughnut…

Concert on the the 11 Bus

Don’t normally churn PR quite as straight, but this is a good one: “Sunday 3rd October will see OxjamBrum and The Green Bus take over the 11 bus route for an afternoon of music with a difference, as part of the month long Oxjam music festival taking place across the country during October. Starting at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath our passengers will hop on board The Green Bus to drive a full lap of Europe’s longest urban bus route – the Number 11. Touring the outer circle and visiting some of Birmingham’s most interesting neighbourhoods we will make 11 stops en-route to pick up musical entertainment for our paying passengers. We’re keeping the lid on who the acts will be but be prepared for an eclectic mix of old and new, spanning the genres. Mid route we’ll be stopping at The Bear in Barewood for a quick drink and music from a local band before making our way back to the Hare & Hounds for a Sunday Lunch with a soulful twist from the Soul Food Project. The number 11 has a rich history in Birmingham with a book written about it, a dedicated blog and...

A really rather nice looking video blog about Soho/Handsworth.

Dogging up King’s Heath

Pointed out on Twitter over the weekend is that the opening titles of Childrens’ ITV ‘classic’ Woof! (plot: boy turns into dog at inopportune moments — Billy’s Boots with more fleas) are set in luscious King’s Heath. The dog wanders down the High Street and surprises a vicar who’s hanging around the toilets on the corner of Vicarage Road. Also the setting for this classic bit of filming.

And also a new — actual paper and ink! — magazine that is to “celebrate South Birmingham’s cultural scene”. It’s a beautiful layout and print job and the first issue features Barbara Nice, what could be better. You should be able to pick up a copy for two quid in B12-15′s coolest shops and hang outs (or according to the editorial get it delivered by hand direct to your door…) and you should. There’s a vibe of space throughout it, no articles seem to be too short although it covers a load of stuff. It’s monthly, so in a way it’s a bit of a test for that there ‘cultural scene’ — can it do enough interesting stuff to fill a mag each month. I should think so.

Page 1 of 53

1 2 3 … 53 »

Recent Comments

Archives

Is Brum Happy?

Birmingham's emotional wellbeing* on Saturday 11th of February 2012 17:45: 59.7 % (average)