The days are longer, the evenings are warmer – there’s no excuse not to get out and explore Digbeth’s cultural offerings for June’s First Friday!
It’s another eclectic offering this month; catch up with artists’ work in progress at Stryx and Eastside Projects current residencies. Visit new exhibition Utopia at Showcase Gallery then relax at Digbeth Community Garden for their Pop-up Poetry Café. Get your hands on the new issue of Bab Mag, as well as some tasty nibbles, at Mockingbird Bar and Theatre. Treat your ears to an intimate evening of live music with Southside Producers at The Edge. Grand Union closes their current exhibition with a restaging of the 1972 film ‘Bijou’ accompanied by a live DJ set and put on your red shoes and dance the blues at Vivid Projects as the Black Hole Club explore the world of David Bowie.
Experience the incredible variety of events this month, discover something new and enjoy the fantastic independent culture Digbeth has to offer.
On offer this month:
Digbeth Community Garden: Pop-up Poetry Café, 6.30pm
The Real Junk Food Project and Naked Lungs have combined with Digbeth Community Garden to create an evening of food, words, music and drinking.
Showcase Gallery: Utopia, 6–8pm
The exhibition examines the notion that Utopia is to be found in perfect alignment with the present moment.
The Mockingbird Bar and Theatre: Bab Mag Issue Two launch, 7pm
Summer is coming and it’s bringing issue two of BabMag with it. You’ll not only be able to pick up the second edition for free, full to the brim with talented photographers, street artists, mc’s and entertainers; they will also be hosting an evening of local comedy talent.
Stryx: SOUP Residency Open Studios, 6.30–8.30pm
Stryx invites Digbeth First Friday goers to an informal open studios event, showcasing the most recent artistic developments of SOUP artists in residence; Johnny Gordon, Megan de Greef, Chuma Martin, Raquel Macartney, Duncan Poulton and Gavin Rogers.
Grand Union: Prem Sahib presents ‘Bijou’, 8–10pm
To close Prem Sahib’s exhibition, ‘Grand Union’, we are restaging Wakefield Poole’s 1972 film ‘Bijou’, accompanied by a live DJ set. *Please note that this event has been prepared for a limited, adult audience.
Vivid Projects: Constructing the Self: David Bowie, 7–9pm
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues as we explore the world of David Bowie. Starman, iconoclast, Blackstar: Bowie remains the ultimate self made pop icon. Tonight the Black Hole Club will take you on a journey both strange and uplifting. See vividprojects.org.uk for full artist details. Event is in support of Cancer Research UK.
Eastside Projects: ESP Production Residency I, 6–8pm
Join Eastside Projects where ESP member Chloe Ashley will be presenting the outcomes of the first ESP Production residency.
The Edge: Southside Producers Music Menu, 6–9.30pm
The Music Menu will be an intimate evening of good food and live music, featuring local artists and street-food vendors. It is a night that champions local talent and bohemian entertainment. £3 entry.
More Info:
Events take place 3rd June 2016 from 6pm across Digbeth.
– Maps with details of all events will be available online at www.digbethfirstfriday.com
Digbeth Community Garden: 54-57 Allison Street, B5 5TH, 6.30pm
Showcase Gallery: 316 Jubilee Centre, 130 Pershore Street, B5 6ND, 6–8pm
Stryx: Unit 13 Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RS. 6.30–8.30pm.
Grand Union: Unit 19, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RS. 8–10pm.
Vivid Projects: Unit 16, Minerva Works, B5 5RT, 7–9pm
Eastside Projects: 86 Heath Mill Lane, B9 9AR, 6–8pm
The Edge: The Edge, 79-81 Cheapside, Deritend, B12 OQH, 6–9.30pm
– Digbeth First Friday launched in May 2014 and takes place on the First Friday of each month. The next event will be on Friday 1st July 2016.
– Digbeth First Friday is produced by a group of Digbeth-based arts organisations who are working together to create a critical mass of events and allow visitors to discover the exciting independent culture this unique part of Birmingham offers.