THE BEARWOOD GAZETTE
The Shuffle is Back!
The Bearwood Shuffle is back, and it’s bigger, brighter, and more Bearwood than ever!
The Bearwood Shuffle, also known to many informally as ’GlastonBEARy’, is a FREE family-friendly music festival, that will take place on Saturday 14th June in LightwoodsPark.
The festival will feature top-notch live music, delicious food, local craft talent, andactivitiesforallages.
The live music line-up includes Layla Tutt, Metz Jnr Band, El Sam, The Ceilidh Band as well as BBC 6 music favourite Sam Redmore!
Inbetweensetstherewillbehigh-energy disco dance fitness sessions by SoFunk and also Keep your ears open for surprise pop-up performances from the brilliant Birmingham Opera Company –youneverknowwhenthey’llappear!
There will be free kids activities including Tat Vision’s Prison Puppet Show, creative crafting with The Parakeet and activities by Go Play Sandwell including arts, glitter tattoos, skipping ropes, Jenga, archery and gardengames.
Thatisnotall! Therewillbeeightstreet food stalls, an outside bar with beers from Attic Brew Co as well as 30+ local craftersandmakersinourArtsMarket.
Top Right: thisyear’sshuffleposter,designed bythelegendarymanofmysteryFokaWolf
Botton Right: acopyofaposterforthefirst everShuffleheldin2011.
The History of The Shuffle
The Bearwood Shuffle is a not-forprofit, volunteer-run festival that celebrates all things Bearwood.
Bearwood Shuffle is organised by Bearwood Promoters, a voluntary group of local music enthusiasts funded entirelybyaudiencedonations.Theyaim to develop and nurture a culturally rich musical environment which promotes a range of musical genres and supports a sustainable live music infrastructure in Bearwood. As well as the Shuffle, they have supported many other music events,includingPicnicinthePark.
The first ever Bearwood Shuffle took place way back in 2011 and the 2025 Shuffle will be the 12th edition of the much-loved festival, and the first since beforelockdown!
Did you know! The Bearwood Shuffle is named after the iPod Shuffle, which, for the younger readers, was like a magical boxofmusicthatpeopleinthenoughties carriedaroundintheirpocket.
Fundraising
Bearwood Shuffle is completely free to attend, but obviously putting on such an eventstillcostsquitealotofmoney!
The not-for-profit team behindit has set up a fundraising page to help support this,andpotentialfutureevents:
Bearwood Shuffle Fundraising Page
Editor’s Note
AliciaKey-Board,Editor
The Bearwood Gazette is the sanctioned mouthpiece of Bearwood Parish Council. We have volunteered to produce this festival guidein order tohelp promotethe Bearwood Shuffle event. In the past there have been accusations that some of the propaganda information produced by Bearwood Council has taken a somewhat creative approach in representation of the truth, we guarantee that most of the information in this guide is generally accurateandtrue.
STAGE TIMES
LIGHTWOODS PARK STAGE
SHARON SOFUNK
12:40
LAYLA TUTT
13:15 - 13:45
METZ JR BAND 14:00 - 14:45
EL SAM
15:00 - 15:30
SOFUNK - OFF STAGE
15:30 - 15:50
SAM REDMORE AND THE TROPICAL SOUNDCLASH ALLSTARS
16:00 - 17:00
THE CEILIDH BAND
17:15 - 18:00
GLOBAL WINES CAR PARK STAGE
THE CHEAP PAINT BRASS BAND 14:00 - 14:30
LOOSE TEETH? JAZZ ENSEMBLE 14:50 - 15:20 BELL END FUNK EXPERIENCE 15:30 - 16:10
RICHARD DARKER & THE WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED GOTH-ORITY 16:20 - 16:45 BHER 17:00 - 17:45
KIDS ACTIVITIES
THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN
THE PARAKEET TAT VISION
Come and visit The Parakeet to play, create, make and shake at the Recycled Loose Parts Jamboree!
Prison Puppet Show:
An inmate named Rod-Knee shares stories from the friends he made on the inside (child friendly!)
BY THE BAND STAND
GO PLAY SANDWELL
Kids’ Activity Zone
Free kids’ activities all day including: arts, glitter tattoos, skipping ropes, Jenga, archery, garden games and more!
SHARON SOFUNK
FOOD & DRINK
FOOD TRUCKS:
HOTTODOGGU
Japanese-inspired hotdogs & loaded fries
HI! KARA-AGE
GO PLAY
Japanese-style fried chicken & Bearwood merch
THE HAPPY COFFEE MAN
Artisan coffee, homemade cakes and pastries
SMOKE + ASH
Neapolitan-style pizza straight from the oven
DENASH’S CARIBBEAN STREET FOOD
Fresh, flavour-packed Caribbean classics
SANDWELL
• THE GOOEY BROWNIE CO.
Decadent chocolate treats
BEAR EATS
Handcrafted arancini balls and polenta chips THE LITTLE DONUT CO
Fresh mini donuts with biscoff, chocolate, cream and more!
BAR: 1000 TRADES ON THE PARK will be keeping glasses full with an outside bar featuring extra beer pumps and fresh pours from local legends, ATTIC BREW CO.
ARTIST PROFILE:
SAM REDMORE AND THE
Tropical
SOUNDCLASH ALLSTARS
SHARON SOFUNK
BBC 6 Music favourite Sam brings his electrifying 7-piece band blending Latin, afrobeat, house, disco and funk. Featuring Bearwood’s own Lumi HD And Elinore on vocals!
Havingbuiltupahugefollowingforhis editsandremixes,SamRedmoretruly brokeontotheUKmusicscenein2022, servingupsliceaftersliceoforiginal eclecticfunkygoodness.
Expect his set to be full of quality global grooves with the ability to light up any dancefloor.
Ifyouwouldliketogetatasteofwhat Sam’ssetwillsoundlikehavealistento thetrackWHATWOULDYOUDO?from hislatestalbumMODULATE.
FunFact:Samcomposedthethemefor JoeLycett’sstand-upshows.
ARTIST PROFILE:
EL SAM
THE INTERVIEW
Bearwood Parish Council sat down with El Sam in the ‘posh room’ at The Bearwood Hotel and he kindly answered some of our questions...
What sort of mood are you hoping to bring to the Shuffle?
I’maimingtobringabitoflate-night energy–thekindthatmakesyouwantto throwyourheadbackanddancelike nobody’sfilming.Abitofglamour,abitof drama,andafewmomentsthathitright intheheart.
If someone wanted to get acquainted with the music of El Sam, what would be a good track to start with?
I’dsay“Simplify”isagreatplacetostart. ItcapturesalotofwhoIamasanartist–theatrical,rhythm-driven,and emotionallycharged,withatouchofpop decadence.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
I’vebeentoldI’mthesonicsonofLana DelReyandSamSmith.I’mdrawnto artistswhoblendvulnerabilitywithbold aesthetics,whocantellastoryandmake youmoveallatonce.
In what ways do you think your Syrian heritage has influenced your music?
It’sinthewayIwritemelodies–thatpull towardsornamentation,thelongingthat sitsjustunderthesurface.EvenifI’m makingapoptrack,there’softenathread ofsomethingolder,somethingrooted.It’s alsomademecurious–I’malwayslooking toblendworldsandbendgenres.
Do you have a favourite cheese?
Absolutely.I’masuckerforaripe,gooey brie.Ideallyonethat’sbeenleftoutjust longenoughtooffendsomeone.
In a recent Instagram post you mysteriously said that you are ‘building something in the shadows.’ Could you please tell us what it is?
Ah,theshadows.Let’sjustsayI’mworking onaprojectthatbringsmyworldtolifein awholenewdimension–something visual,theatrical,anddeeplypersonal. Moresoon,butfornow,let’skeepalittle mysteryalive.
ARTIST PROFILE:
METZ JNR BAND
THE INTERVIEW
Bearwood Parish Council sat down with Metz in the ‘fancy’ bar at The Bearwood Hotel and he kindly answered some of our questions...
What can we expect from Metz Jnr Band’s set at the Shuffle?
BearEnergy,BearGroove.You'veseen nothinglikeit.
If someone wanted to get acquainted with the music of the Metz Jnr Band, what would be a good track to start with?
'TheSun',fromTheSunAlbum.Ifyouhit "shuffle"onourLP,you'dfindithardto missavibeyou'dlike.We'regoingplaya loadofitatBearwoodShuffle,witha twist.
Is your band name a reference to the early 00's alcopop?
Woah,flashback!Nah.Iwasnamedafter myDad!Weneededapromptwayto seperateusinthehouseholdgrowingup. Especiallywhenoneofusgottoldoff.. Usuallyme..
Is there also a Metz Snr Band, where you play saxophone renditions of Vera Lynn songs?
Ha!No,nobodywouldwantthat.
A song of yours talks about attaching ‘Tickets of Love’ to people's car windscreens. Have you ever got in trouble for doing this?
WemadetheTicketofLoveBECAUSEof howmuchtroubleIgotintowithparking tickets..Theyareyettocatchmered handed...
You have a new album coming out. Would you like to tell us what to expect?
Expectourmusictohaveelevatedtoa completelynewlevel.Theeffortsofeach individualbandmembershinesohighlyon thenextLP.Theguysreallyshowedupat thetopoftheirgame.It'stakingsometime, butforgoodreasons.Iamimmensely excitedforyou.It'llbeworththewait.
Lastly, as a former Bearwood resident do you have any suggestions or questions for Bearwood Parish Council?
WhenareyouofficallymakingitBearwood HighStreet?CanIhelpcuttheribbon?Or smashthebottle,orwhateverwe're supposedtodowhenannouncingnew roadnames...
ARTIST PROFILE:
THE CEILIDH BAND
THE INTERVIEW
Bearwood Parish Council sat down with The Ceilidh Band in a Hay Barn just outside Halesowen and they kindly answered some of our questions...
What sort of vibes are you planning to bring to the Shuffle?
"Think'folkfestivalceilidhtent'vibe"thatisthesortofatmospherethatweaim tocultivate.
Will there be do-si-do-ing? (If so, a dosi-do license can be collected from Abbey Road Post Office).
OuroriginalthoughtwasthatNicola(our caller)couldcallfora"CircassianCircle" danceattheend-atraditionalfarewell danceattheendofaceilidh.(Wewon't needado-si-dolicenseforthat.Ifthevibe seemsrightshemaycallfor1,possibly2 dancesorifher"riskassessment" indicatesanythinguntowardshemaynot callanything.Wearekeepingalloptions open.
What's the secret to getting shy people to dance?
Thereisnosecrettothis.Ourmusic shouldproveinfectiousenoughtoentice eventhemostreluctantofshufflersto moveinrhythm.
What are your thoughts on the Confucius quote ‘Never Give a Sword to a man who can't dance’?
Oneofourmusiciansplaysfor BirminghamRapper-asworddancing side.rapperis,contrarytopopular understanding,aswordwithtwohandles. Newmemberstotheclubaretrustedwith aswordrightfromtheearlydays.Rule numberoneisRapperDancingis,"never letgoofthesword."Itwouldbeimpossible toimpaleorstabaninnocentbystander witharapperwhenithasahumanbeing holdingahandleattheend.Confucius wouldn'thavebeenfamiliarwithRapper SwordDancing-timeshavechangedsince hisday.
If ceilidh dancers and morris dancers had a scuffle who would win?
Nastyinjuriescanbecausedby handkerchiefs,sticks,cudgelsandpewter tankards.Byandlargemostceilidh dancersareunarmedhoweverthey generallycongregateingreaternumbers thanaMorrisside.MorrisDancersarea bitliketheSASoffolkdancers-lessin numbersbutruthlesslyeffectiveinthe rightcontext.It'sthecontextthatmatters.
ARTIST PROFILE: LAYLA TUTT
THE INTERVIEW
Bearwood Parish Council sat down with Layla in an art café in Moseley and she kindly answered some of our questions...
What can we expect from a Layla Tutt set at the Shuffle?
Messy-elegantshimmeringnouveaurock!
Is this your first time playing a gig in Bearwood?
No agesago,Iplayedatagiginacafein Bearwoodfor'OutsideLeft'ANDI actuallyspentmyteenageyearshanging outinBearwoodasIgrewupround there,probablyplayedmyguitarin LightwoodsParkafewtimestoo:)
Given that the Shuffle takes place in the lovely leafy setting of Lightwoods Park. Would you say that nature has an influence on your music?
MuchofmymusicisinspiredbyBrum thedirt,theagitation,theurgency,the mess,thehectic-ness moreofthe concreteandhardnessandpeoplerather thannature it'sacontrasttonature! Butafewsongsareperhapsmoreofa yearningfornatureandbeautyanddeffo togetout/moveoutofthecity!!
atthemo'BUTwedohaveanartything wemade-'DawnSongatNight'whichyou canfindonYouTube.Itfeaturesan animationofoneofmybatikpaintings.
How did you end up getting into creating batik artwork?
WhenIwasatcollegewehadabatik specialistcomeinandteachus,Imadea batikinspiredbyaChinesesilkpaintingof aflowerandmyMomframedit.Itlooked sogreat!Yearslater,IthoughtthatI'dbuy abatikpot,paint batiks,sellmyartandbe arichartist.....I'mSTILLtrying!!Ialsolove itbecauseit'squiteagroovyartformand cametoTheWestinthe1960's/70's…and Ilovethatperiodoftime!
What is next for Layla Tutt?
ReleasingasingleinSeptemberANDwe playatThehare&HoundsonThursday July24th:)
ARTIST PROFILE:
Tat Vision
THE INTERVIEW
Bearwood Council sat down with Tat in the back of a van full of porcelain Victorian dolls where he kindly answered some of our questions...
Are you allowed to tell us what you’ll be doing at the Shuffle?
I’mputtingonashowforkidscalledThe PrisonPuppetShow!Iplayaninmate namedRod-Kneeandsharestoriesfrom friendsImadeontheinside.
What inspires you?
Filmsandart.
Conversationswithotherartistfriends. ArtonInstagramtoo. Dreams…andsometimesjuststaringata wall.Igetideasthatinspiremetocreate.
What was it like to climb inside Neil Buchanan?*
Affirming...likeI’montherightpath.
What’s your favourite charity shop in the world?
That’satoughone,butI’llgowith DazzlingDreamsinHighgate, Birmingham.I’vefoundloadsofgreatbits oftatatbrilliantprices.It’scashonly,and there’ssomethingspecialaboutthat.The mother-and-sonteamwhorunitare lovely,andhavegoodchatswiththeson aboutStarTrek:TheNextGeneration.
What’s your favourite smell?
Acertaintypeofplasticthatremindsmeof aDarthMaulinflatablechairIhadasakid. IwasneveramassiveStarWarsfan,butI likedthatIcouldsitonDarthMaul’slap. He’sgotagreatdesignandthatdoubleendedlaserswordisprettysicktoo.
Are you working on any exciting projects at the moment?
ThePrisonPuppetShowismymainfocus atthemoment!ButI’llalsobereturningto Glastonbury,performingintheShangri-La sectionastheTeleShrubbies–weirdplant creatureswhobumblearoundandask audiencememberstosticktheirheadsinto ahollowed-outanalogueTVfilledwith plantsandflies.It’scalledTheNature Channel,andit’llbefunanddeeply uncomfortableforall.
*Editor’sNote. Weshouldprobablyadd somecontexthere:
AspartofTatVision’srecentartexhibition ‘Glued to the Box’ atCentralahewas wearingaNeilBuchanan(ofArtAttack fame)outfitcompletewithgiantpapier machehead.
ARTIST PROFILE:
SOFUNK BY SHARON BROWN
Get your groove on!
Sharon will be leading high-energy disco dance fitness sessions between the acts.
Funk your way to fitness by dancing, toning and moving to classic soul, funk and disco music.
ARTIST PROFILE:
BirminghamOperaCompanycontinuestomakes world most diverse city
Theyperforminaircrafthangars,powerstations, nightclubsaction,experiencingtheoperabybeingapartof itandrecognisingthemselvesinit.
Keep your ears open for surprise pop performances from the Birmingham Opera Company in between sets whenthey
Did someone say… AFTERPARTY?
Just because the music at the Shuffle finishes at 6pm that doesn't necessarily mean that the party is over! WhynotgoandexploreBearwood’smanyfineeateriesandbars,oreven keepthemusicvibegoingbycheckingouttheseunofficial afterparty events!
OUTSIDELEFT NIGHT OUT
@ 1000 trades on the park
19:00-23:00
Live music from: INAREKO & DAD BOD
Vinyl DJ sets from: VINYL MORTIMER BROTHERS & TOM PRATT
The OUTSIDELEFT NIGHT OUT returns right after the Bearwood Shuffle. We're shoehorning in two bands, the sweet reggae sounds of Inareko and Bearwood's guitar driven Dad Bod.
Vinyl DJ's are filling the bar with the most eclectic music from 7pm with Paul and David Mortimer and Tom Pratt.
Admission is Free but please Pay What You Can. While admission to the Outsideleft Night Out is free. We encourage people to please pay what you can afford! This revenue is shared with the musicians and Djs and sound people and basically keeps the Night Out going.
FREE ADVANCED TICKETS - Please try to make a donation: ticketsource.co.uk/outsideleft
INAREKO
DAD BOD
BEARWOOD STUMBLE
@ THE CRAFT INN
Soup Wrestling Final: Controversy over illegal big spoon.
Captain Coriander accused of cheating his way to victory using non-regulation large spoon.
Theworldsoupwrestlingsoupwrestlingfinal washeldatThimblemillRecreationGroundon Sundaytoarecordcrowdof15,000people.
CaptainCorianderdefendedhissoupwrestling titledefeatingopponentMisterMinestrone withabrothyheadlockmove. However controversy,aseruptedasitwasnotedthatin anearlierround,
CaptainCorianderhadusedanillegallylarge spoon,whichhehadallegedlyprocuredearlier thatdayfromBearwoodCashandCarry. The largespoonisthoughttohavegivenCoriander anunfairadvantagebyallowinghimtoflinga highersoupyvolumethanhisopponent. Thisisnotthefirstcontroversytogripthe soupwrestlingworld,afterGazpachoLibrewas foundtobeusingperformance-enhancing croutonsinlastyear’scontest.
“Thespoonwasjusttoobig”
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
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