FIRST WORD October B'ham.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:19 Page 3
First Word TV favourites to star in The Exorcist Popular television and theatre actors Jenny Seagrove and Peter Bowles will star in this month’s production of The Exorcist at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Seagrove is perhaps best known as QC Jo Mills in the television series Judge John Deed, while Bowles has enjoyed starring roles in numerous TV shows, including To The Manor Born, The Irish RM, The Bounder, Rumpole Of The Bailey and Only When I Laugh. The Exorcist is receiving its UK premiere at The REP, where it shows from Friday 21 October to Saturday 5 November. Tickets can be booked by ringing 0121 236 4455 or online at birminghamrep.co.uk
Birmingham celebrates Black History Month... With its international reputation as one of the UK's most diverse cities, Birmingham is once again seizing the opportunity to acknowledge the cultural contributions of its many communities by celebrating Black History Month. Following the recent deaths of Prince and A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg, events and performances across the city will this year tie in with the theme of black music icons, with full listings and details available at birminghamblackhistorymonth.co.uk. Poetry, theatre, dance, cinema screenings and more is being funded by Birmingham City Council, and led and produced by Birmingham Blackstory Partnership, a passionate collective of organisations and individuals including Inspiring A New Generation, Strawberry Words Ltd, Paulette Francis Green and mac Birmingham.
First celebrity Bear announced for Big Sleuth
Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze
Here are just a few of our highlights... Family Awareness Day & Cultural Market mac, Birmingham, Sat 1 Oct Enjoy a free exhibition, arts and crafts for children, poetry, a craft market and a screening of Black Britain On Film to celebrate the start of Black History Month
Rosa Parks: The Hidden Journey mac, Birmingham, Sat 1 – Sun 2 Oct Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Rosa Parks' defiance on the Montgomery bus, Jude Freeman's thought-provoking play is back by popular demand after sell-out performances in 2015. Directed by Lorna Laidlaw, this new production has been extended and adapted, making it even more vibrant. National Poetry Day Gala with Jean 'Binta' Breeze Birmingham REP, Thurs 6 Oct Previously described as a ‘one-woman festival’, the acclaimed Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze brings her powerfully personal and political work to Birmingham REP. Breeze will read selections from her eight books of poems and stories, including her latest collection, The Verandah Poems.
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Beatfreeks present Poetry Jam
Malcolm X Youth Conference
Java Lounge, Colmore Row, Thurs 6 Oct Pop along and jam with a community of young creative minds at Beatfreeks' monthly open mic session, themed around Black History Month for October. All kinds of poetry, rap and spoken word are welcome. Arrive early to sign up for a slot.
Birmingham City University, Sat 15 Oct For its second annual youth conference, the Organisation of Black Unity commemorates the legacy of Malcolm X and the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party with an afternoon of teaching, performance and discussion.
Homelands Showcase 946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips Birmingham REP, Thurs 6 – Sat 15 Oct From the acclaimed Kneehigh Theatre comes an enchanting stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's much-loved World War Two novel. This poignant tale of the courage and love of one young girl and her adventurous cat is brought to life on stage with music and puppetry.
BEX LIVE Enterprise And Lifestyle Expo Holiday Inn, Sun 9 Oct Explore a marketplace packed with over 70 different exhibitors at the UK's premier event championing the creativity and entrepreneurship of people of colour. This vibrant event features companies in areas ranging from fashion & beauty to health and wealth creation. Live stage shows and competitions take place throughout the day, while an interactive kids' area keeps little ones entertained.
The Old Rep, Tues 18 Oct Homelands explores the heritage of four contemporary, black, UK-based music artists through film and music. The Homelands tour followed journeys to the motherlands of grime artist MC Saskilla (Senegal), Mercury-nominated R’n'B star Terri Walker (Jamaica), producer Diztortion (Suriname) and MOBO award-winning singer Shakka (Dominica), documenting them in films that will be screened alongside performances of specially commissioned tracks.
Nubyond and Inspiring A New Generation Black History Family Day Nubyond Universal Creativity, Unit 4 The Square, Broad Street, Sat 29 Oct Mark the end of Black History Month with this city centre family fun day, featuring craft stalls, performances, music, an arts auction, free arts & crafts for children, refreshments and more.
Bear Grylls will be making a contribution to Birmingham’s Big Sleuth trail of bear sculptures next summer. The popular explorer has teamed up with Retail Birmingham, the organisation which represents retailers in the city centre, to design one of the 165cm-tall sculptures. The sculpture-trail initiative is a collaboration between Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and creative producers Wild In Art. The organisations previously teamed up to present The Big Hoot, a trail of owl sculptures that inspired residents and tourists to uncover Birmingham’s cultural gems and discover areas of the city they may not have explored before. The sun bear sculptures are intended to serve the same purpose.