Community News

Lidl Mudder is back! Children’s obstacle course in aid of the NSPCC returns for 2024

Families in the West Midlands are invited to sign up for this year’s Lidl Mudder challenge, which takes place at Ragley Hall in Alcester, Warwickshire, on Saturday… Read more »

FINALISTS & PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE ACTS ANNOUNCED FOR JUST NAACH! THE GRAND THEATRE’S SOUTH ASIAN DANCE COMPETITION

Finalists have been announced for the return of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s South Asian dance competition, JUST NAACH, which will be held on Sunday 15 September at 5pm. … Read more »

Kathy Brown & Guests… Raising Funds for Macmillan Cancer Support 22nd September 2024!

Raising Funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, KATHY BROWN DIVA & Guests Birmingham 22.09.24 Just a gentle reminder as one of the sponsors, that in 4 weeks Online… Read more »

ONE WEEK TILL MOSELEY FOLK: Belle & Seb’, Dexys, Levellers + more

It’s just one week until Birmingham’s Moseley Folk and Arts Festival (Friday 30 August to Sunday 1 September 2024). Headlining this year are Levellers, Irish Americans Flogging Molly and troubadour Beans… Read more »

Birmingham charity leader among inspirational speakers at inaugural Raise Up Conference 

“This conference aims to provide attendees with inspiration, hope, and practical insights through the personal experiences of our speakers.”– Soroptimist President, Catherine Williamson. A celebrated charity CEO… Read more »

Spencer’s 1,032km Olympic effort in memory of late mum

A Solihull financier is set for ‘Olympic success’ after pledging to complete 20 triathlons in 50 days, as a tribute to his late mum. Spencer Costley is… Read more »

Jinxy’s ‘A Decade in Digbeth’ Exhibition Launches This August

The exhibition ‘A Decade in Digbeth’ launches at Digbeth Art Space in Zellig on 23rd August, showcasing over ten years’ worth of art from the legendary local… Read more »

UK venue leads the way for diverse cultural programming in ‘challenging market’

UK venue leads the way for diverse cultural programming in ‘challenging market’

– Birmingham’s Hockley Social Club doubles down on commitment to presenting accessible and diverse live arts and music with Autumn 2024 programme – Birmingham Royal Ballet, City… Read more »

Supersonic Festival approaching 30th August to 1st September, Digbeth, Birmingham

JUST OVER ONE MONTH TO GO UNTIL SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL 2024!30TH AUG – 1ST SEPT – WEEKEND AND DAY TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAYDame Area | Gazelle Twin |… Read more »

Rotary ‘steps’ up shoe collection campaign in Solihull

Solihull Rotarians are appealing for donations as they step up their support for a national campaign close to their hearts. The Rotary Club is looking to collect… Read more »

new courses at The Core, Solihull starting in September 

Choose from a range of new classes and courses for all ages at The Core in Solihull, starting from September Professional journalist Wersha Bharadwa leads the ten-week Creative… Read more »

The UK’s Biggest Summer Celebration Of Irish Music And Culture

Páirc Festival, the UK’s premier celebration of Irish music and culture, is thrilled to announce its return to the New Irish Centre in Kings Heath on 24th… Read more »

Birmingham bank holiday must-attend events

Birmingham bank holiday must-attend events

August Bank Holiday is nearly upon us and there’s plenty to sink your teeth into across the Second City! From an Irish Festival in Kings Heath to… Read more »

Suds Fest 2024 with Attic Brew Co

Suds Fest 2024, the most anticipated craft beer festival in the West Midlands, is set to take place on September 7th at the Uffculme Centre in Moseley…. Read more »

New pilot programme from Girl Grind UK is as easy as ABC

Girl Grind UK CIC are piloting a new programme titled Art Break Challenge (ABC) this August. ABC is presented in collaboration with the Duke of Edinburgh and… Read more »

Don’t miss out on The Hundred at Edgbaston

The Hundred is back at Edgbaston for an incredible summer of sport! After a sell-out first home fixture, which saw Birmingham Phoenix’s women’s team defeat Southampton’s Southern… Read more »

Beyond Van Gogh Now Open At Birmingham NEC 

A mesmerising multimedia attraction which brings the works of Vincent Van Gogh to life in a spectacular sensory show is now open in Birmingham. Beyond Van Gogh:… Read more »

One Night Only Productions at Birmingham Rep this September

This September, the Birmingham Rep will be hosting an entire month of One-Night only productions in their largest performance space, The House, ranging from a comedy special… Read more »

Digbeth’s Most Affordable One-Day Festival Is Back This Summer!

Owlstock – the ultimate one-day festival celebrating music and peace – is back for 2024! Taking place on Sunday 25th August, the event will offer the ultimate… Read more »

Digbeth Dining Club 15-date tour boost for UK Midlands hospitality

– Tens of thousands of food and drink fans expected to descend on cities and towns across six counties for DDC Summer Tour ‘24 in August and… Read more »

ARTISTS USING ANCIENT SKILLS TO CREATE PERSONAL PUBLIC ART GATHER FOR NEW EXHIBITION

A new exhibition, opening later this summer, will reveal the artists keeping alive an ancient form of communication, amid the technologically advanced, increasingly ephemeral ways of the… Read more »

Panjabi Tales of Willenhall A Photographic Celebration heads to New Walsall Art Gallery this weekend

Panjabi Tales of Willenhall: A Photographic Celebration heads to  New Walsall Art Gallery this weekend  Panjabi Tales of Willenhall is a heritage project that celebrates the rich and diverse… Read more »

new Youth Theatre Group launches at The Core, Solihull

The Core Youth Theatre is an exciting new theatre group for aspiring young actors aged 7-16, starting this September at The Core in Solihull. The Core Youth… Read more »

Temper and Brown to launch

An iconic Jewellery Quarter pub dating back to 1820 has now re-opened under the name Temper and Brown. Now under the new ownership of entrepreneur, Roifield Brown,… Read more »

What’s on this summer – free performances, exclusive discounts and colouring competition at B Eats

B:Eats announces line-up of free performances and menu item discounts alongside Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book colouring competition  B:Eats, a daytime cafe and eatery created by B:Music, the… Read more »

CrossCountry announces temporary changes to timetable between Birmingham, the South West and Wales 

Train operator CrossCountry will introduce temporary resource-led reductions to its timetable from Saturday 10 August until Saturday 9 November to address performance and reliability issues that have… Read more »

Paulus bringing Victoria Wood to Birmingham & WM

Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood, the celebration of the music of the late comedy genius and national treasure written and performed by Paulus (‘The Cabaret… Read more »

SOLAR EYES REVEAL TRIPPY NEW VIDEO FOR “ACID TEST” PLUS, UK SHOWS THIS AUTUMN

Swooping and captivating soundscapes and haunting vocals that pull you in with twanging guitars and haunting strings that pulls the big sky of the wild west into… Read more »

One week until Birmingham Phoenix return to Edgbaston for The Hundred

There’s only a week to go until The Hundred makes its triumphant return to Birmingham for the 2024 season. Birmingham Phoenix’s men’s and women’s teams will be… Read more »

Ombudsman issues annual council complaints statistics for the West Midlands

Ombudsman issues annual council complaints statistics for the West Midlands

Complaints data for councils in the West Midlands for 2023-24 have been released by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. It forms part of the Ombudsman’s… Read more »

Cardiac screening day in memory of 26-year-old has potentially saved three lives

A pioneering screening programme to identify undiagnosed heart conditions in the young was attended by more than 100 young people in Sutton Coldfield on Sunday (July 21st)… Read more »

baby change campaign comes to Lush Birmingham next weekend

On 26th– 28th July Lush Birmingham are hosting a celebration for the Birmingham registered feminist group Love & Power’s campaign Bum Deal – to get baby change accessible… Read more »

CAMPAIGNERS LOOK TO LIONS’ LEGACY TO SAVE PLAYING FIELDS

Birmingham residents are calling on Sir Keir Starmer, Euro 2024 stars such as Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, and former England footballer and TV pundit Karen Carney to… Read more »

Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul 2024 Festival Review

Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul 2024 Festival Review

It’s been a couple of years since I last spent the weekend at Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul in Moseley Park. Prior to that I’d been involved… Read more »

One Week Until Titanic Exhibition Opens at the NEC Birmingham

Taking place at the NEC from 27th July to 25th August, the exhibition features genuine artefacts from the Titanic shown alongside an immersive VR experience, interactive activities… Read more »

New £3m Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity Appeal Announced To Transform Entrance

Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity was joined by patient mum, Liz Hession, from Wellesbourne, today, at the launch of a new £3m appeal – It Starts Here –… Read more »

Art at HMP Grendon – Artist in Residence: Simon Harris

Ikon is pleased to announce the continuation of Art at HMP Grendon, its artist residency at HMP Grendon, Buckinghamshire, for another three years (2024 – 2026). The… Read more »

Plant a free Woodland Trust tree in the West Midlands for your school, sports club or community group and help fight the climate and nature crisis

All sorts of community groups in your patch (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire) have been taking advantage of the Woodland Trust’s free trees scheme.  With tree planting statistics only recently published… Read more »

Artists take over Solihull gallery for new exhibition

The Courtyard Gallery at The Core, Solihull will be ‘taken over’ by ten local artists from Monday 29 July to Saturday 10 August, as part of a new exhibition…. Read more »

RBSA Gallery to host exhibition of never before seen works by photorealist John Salt (1937 – 2021)

John Salt – Paintings will offer visitors to the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter a rare opportunity to see the remarkable work of distinguished Birmingham born and trained… Read more »

Local Businesses Compete in Dragon Boats to Raise Over £250,000 for Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity

Forty-nine teams from businesses across the West Midlands took to the canal at Mailbox Birmingham last weekend (28-29 June) raising over £250,000 as part of Birmingham Women’s… Read more »

Brum ROCKED! Birmingham’s biggest band rocked out at Forum Birmingham 

Misfits Music Foundation’s 14month Brum Rocks project culminated in Birmingham’s biggest rock band on Sunday 14 July at Forum Birmingham with 400 musicians, singers, audience members coming… Read more »

Birmingham Comedy Festival line-up announcement! 

Birmingham Comedy Festival is back this autumn featuring some of the biggest names in stand-up alongside the cream of the West Midlands comedy scene. Running from Friday… Read more »

BIRMINGHAM JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE AN AMAZING NON STOP 40 YEARS

In the 10 days from July 19th to 28th The Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival will celebrate its 40th consecutive year of bringing the finest and most… Read more »

THE REP CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NEW MUSICAL BECOMING NANCY – UK PREMIERE

Birmingham Repannounced casting for Becoming Nancy, the UK premiere of a new musical directed and choreographed by the Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell.  Performances begin on Wednesday 2 October 2024 – Saturday 2… Read more »

Birmingham Jewellery Quarter star shines at industry ‘Oscars’

A leading Birmingham jeweller has won one of the most prestigious national industry awards. Sonny’s Jewellers took home ‘Jewellery Retailer of the Year (five stores or fewer)’… Read more »

Dumpling Room by Blow Water is taking over Birmingham’s highest rooftop bar & private members club SAT 27th July

Dumpling Room Rooftop Edition II by Blow Water is taking over Birmingham’s highest rooftop bar & private members club @eighteenclubspace Blow Water are back this summer in Birmingham… Read more »

Postcards from the streets – supporting Birmingham’s most vulnerable people 

It’s a sad truth that while Christmas often inspires acts of kindness towards vulnerable people, the same cannot always be said for the months when the weather… Read more »

That was MOSTLY JAZZ FESTIVAL – pix from festival + Euros Fanzone 

Packed Birmingham festival enjoys crowd-pleasing sets from Kool & The Gang, Leftfield and more (despite the footy result). 2025 tickets on sale now – limited discount available.This… Read more »

Local Businesses Compete in Dragon Boats to Raise Over £250,000 for Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity

Forty-nine teams from businesses across the West Midlands took to the canal at Mailbox Birmingham last weekend (28-29 June) raising over £250,000 as part of Birmingham Women’s… Read more »