Birmingham’s always been a place for stirring up a bit of trouble, a bit of controversy, enjoying a frisson of something a little bit special from Joseph Priestley defending the revolutionaries in France and having to flee the city to The Winterval Debacle to the decision to take away our HP sauce and make it somewhere else. I love how Birmingham opens it’s heart to everyone who visits the city and gives them a warm welcome. I love it’s arts scene, it’s creative community and the city has (another) long tradition of innovation in the arts. I’m quite excited about a new Arts festival that’s about to spread out over the whole city & take over. SHOUT is a festival of LGBT art, music, dance, theatre and sport. It also has a dollop of political and community activity. (There is literally something for everyone and if you can’t see something that doesn’t stir an emotion you need to check your pulse) The festival has come about through a number of key partnerships between the LGBT community, arts organisations and lots of dedicated volunteers and they’ve pulled together a really diverse and exciting programme. For full listings of events you...




