Meteorologists everywhere are celebrating the start of Spring. And so should you, with some culture in between your Netflix viewing sessions.
New Art West Midlands 2017
18 February – 14 May
www.birminghammuseums.org.uk
If you like art and you like the West Midlands (or you know, you just live here) you should probably go along to this at some point. See the new works of art from up and coming talent from the region’s five university art schools – Birmingham City, Coventry, Staffordshire, Wolverhampton and Worcester. This year there are also contributions from graduates from the Hereford College for the Arts for the first time.
Entry: free
Digbeth First Friday
Friday 7th April
digbethfirstfriday.com
Digbeth comes alive on the first Friday of each month with exhibitions, late-night openings, special events, culture in unexpected spaces, live music, street food and more. With different things to see and do each month anything could happen on a First Friday night out.
Digbeth First Friday runs from 6pm ‘til late and event times vary. We recommend you check the listings in advance so you can make the most of your evening. Maps are available online a few days before the event and at participating venues on the day.
Entry: Varies
New Arts West Midlands – Curator Tour
9 March at 2pm and 5 April at 6pm
macbirmingham.co.uk
Once you’ve seen the works of art, get the inside scoop on this years’ New Art West Midlands from the curators, with more information on the art works on display and how the exhibition was curated. Jessica Litherland, mac Visual Arts Producer, will lead the tour on 9 March with Deborah Kermode, mac CEO and Artistic Director leading on 5 April.
Entry: free, but booking is required
Jean Painlevé
15 March – 4 June
ikon-gallery.org
The first UK exhibition of the works of French surrealist photographer and cinematographer, Jean Painlevé. His work includes portraits of octopi, lobsters and starfish, as well as the more conventional human subject. Painlevé used innovative filming techniques, combined with an irreverent sense of humour, to produce works that are still influential and admired today.
Entry: free
B-side Hip Hop Festival
19-21 May
www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Back for another year, the annual Hip Hop festival brings together local talent with some of the best artists from around the country. You can watch some of the dance and music performances and even take part in a hip hop battle yourself, should you have an overwhelming urge to embarrass yourself in public. Which is more fun than it sounds.
Entry – Free, some workshops may be chargeable
Article for Grapevine Birmingham by Sally Watson-Jones