TOGETHER, APART

#KINDNESSCREATIVITYCONNECTION TOGETHER, APART

The internet has often been regarded as a reckless and shallow invention, and with trolling, fake news and people sharing pictures of their supper, it's easy to see why. A worldwide pandemic and the need for all us to stay physically apart does seem to have taken it to a more creative and joyous level. Here's this month's round-up of the best local efforts to stay 'together, apart'... Easter events were plentiful with Moseley Park hosting the 'Virtual Egg Hunt'. The Park's official website stated “The first

rule of Virtual Egg Hunt is YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO TO THE PARK. The second rule of Virtual Egg Hunt is YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO TO THE PARK”, parodying the lines from David Fincher's Fight Club. West Midlands Fire Service offered a live stream from Highgate Fire Station on Easter Sunday, offering safety tips and a tour around a fire engine. Our March covers stars Graziella and Stevie held Beatamax, an online 80s electronica and indie night on Easter Saturday. The event was based on the

Tim Burgess

club of the same name that the couple ran on a monthly basis at The Victoria pub in the city centre. Graziella and Stevie were captured on camera at the decks in their home, and took requests from an enthusiastic Facebook disco crowd (I managed to get Fuzzbox's Pink Sunshine played which sounded bostin' Steve Austin on a warm April night). Beatamax was a great success and looks likely to return. Join the Beatamax Brum group on Facebook for updates and interaction. While you are there, you can like the Sweat Funk Club Birmingham page where Stevie is also a DJ providing some seriously sweaty sets. Independent Birmingham shared some inspiring sites spotted around the city, including positive posters pasted up in York Road, Kings Heath. Stuck on the boards in front of the derelict site where the Ritz Ballroom (the concert venue which hosted The Beatles, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones) once stood, the posters had messages such as “Love each other” and “Please believe these days will pass”. The phrase 'together, apart' has been used by Tim Burgess, front man of The Charlatans and currently enjoying fame for #timslisteningparties on Twitter. Tim has arranged to have parties for a couple of albums a night so people can listen at the same time, “together, apart”. Some of the artists behind the records answer questions and tweet memories in real time. How about a B13 listening party? Moseley Shoals (surprisingly!) by Ocean Colour Scene seems to be regarded as the most Moseley record, but there are many other possibilities with the area's wealth of musical talent. There's so much we can do to stay connected during the lockdown, and being at home can be a whole lot of creative fun. Please get in touch with any events you have staged or are planning, or suggestions that can be developed into 'together, apart' moments.

Beatamax DJ Booth

-Mark Baxter