Created in Birmingham

• Spaghetti Gazetti: Introducing new children’s author Michelle Gannon
  “The story is about a young boy called Michael and a Wizard called Woll which stands for Wizard Of Love and Laughter.”
  (tags: literature publishing)
• Gay Birmingham Remembered
  The Gay Birmingham History Project was formally launched on Thursday. Love the Bull icon.
  (tags: gay birmingham history)
• Pedro and Frankensheep
  The rather fantastic actually animation by The Brothers McLeod starts on CBBC on Monday. And online right now.
  (tags: animation television)
• Creative Republic Launch Party and Charter
  Stef Lewandowski has some photos from Thursday and answers questions on his blog.
  (tags: creativerepublic)
• The Big Picture – why we are doing what we are doing
  Caroline Griffin of Audiences Central explains all.
  (tags: bigpicture audiencescentral photography)
• Brumcast 88: Experimental & Avant Garde 2 hour special
  “This weeks show features the underbelly of the Midlands, experimental, avant garde, ambient, noise etc”
  (tags: brumcast podcasting music)

The first wave of acts confirmed for this year’s Supersonic festival in the Custard Factory have been announced by Capsule.

Taking place over three days rather than the usual two the headliners are Battles and Harvey Milk along with the usual eclectic mix of the experimental and the heavy. Here’s the full list. Not heard of most of them? That’s kinda the point!

Facebook event page.

Some interesting fashion related stuff is establishing itself in Millennium Point right now with Matthew Boulton College‘s Feed Studio hosting the finals of the PIN competition. From the press release:

Matthew Boulton College celebrated the launch of their two brand new specialist design studios, ‘FEED Studio’ and ‘Fashion Lab’ situated at Millennium Point with a showcase of talent, and the opportunity for two new young designers to win £20k between them. The launch took place within the Millennium Point Hub on Thursday 21st February.

‘PIN’ is a groundbreaking collaboration between Matthew Boulton College and Midland Fashion Showcase. The aim is to profile the fashion talent of the West Midlands via a fashion competition. The final of the ‘PIN’ competition culminated on the night with 12 finalists going head-to-head on the runway, presenting their Spring/Summer 2008 collections. A panel of six judges from within the fashion industry chose the two winners from the two categories, Jenny Hardcastle from Solihull, Birmingham won the New Designer award and Shamrez Marawat from Moseley, Birmingham won the Young Business award. Each winner received £10k to develop their business.

Jenny Hardcastle believes she is more than a designer and a dressmaker…she is a sculptor of fabric. Jenny presented her collection Timeless at the event. Her feminine silhouettes evoke thoughts of Grecian romance and 1930′s elegance, which combine to create shapes that will last forever and become what can only be described as….Timeless. Jenny was overwhelmed stating ‘This means everything to me – it’s the start of a new life and a new career’. For more information about the collection visit www.timelessbyjenny.co.uk

Shamrez Marawat presented Balian, a menswear brand that utilises avant-garde sportswear tailoring techniques with subtle military influences. His collection was inspired by the philosophy of the ‘tension of opposites’ which in this case is war vs. nature and is displayed by using military cuts and muted colours. Shamrez was thrilled to have won, ‘I feel this whole ‘PIN’ journey has been incredible and a real catalyst to drive my business. I’m honoured to be a part of the creativity in the Midlands.’

Insectoid, a collective that’s been creeping into my consciousness of late.

Here’s one of their tunes, Giant Termite Queen:
[audio:http://404corporate.net/insectoid/insectoid2.mp3]

Coming out of the a.a.s. group their members include Ana Milgram and Antonio Roberts, the latter of whom gives the game away in this post.

It seems they’ve been active for at least 18 months with a performance at Artsfest 06 on Eastside Green but the above photo, part of a shoot by Steve Gerrard (scroll down in that post) implies they’re looking to take things further. Where exactly I do not dare enquire…

Click for context.

News reaches me of the artists who’s work will be in the new Cadbury building in Bournville.

Jo Naden will create a bronze sculpture based on the form of a cocoa seed pod, drawing on the rich history of the plant as a “food of the gods”.

Eryka Issak’s large scale glass sculpture will quite literally “flow” down one of the building’s pure white walls, using overlapping 3D curved glass to give the sense that the work is a flowing stream of Dairy Milk chocolate.

Chris Keenan’s photographic set, Purple Interventions, will use the trademark Cadbury purple coloured props such as balloons, traffic cones, lights, flags and painted blocks to create surreal and playful images of Bournville landscapes and street scenes.

Matthew Robinson will produce a large scale print, taking direct reference from parts of the Cadbury factory building and surrounding area. Taking new digital photographs and melding them with a variety of archived sketches and digital pieces, the work will form a digital montage using manipulation to a point where a new sense of multi-dimensionality is formed.

The first of the Fierce! art-stunts is revealed in a call out for old pianos.

Between 10 and 24 March 2008 around twenty pianos will mysteriously appear in streets, parks and public places across Birmingham. Each will have a small plaque attached stating ‘Play me, I’m Yours’. The pianos are free for anyone to play, at different points professional musicians will be invited to show their talents alongside members of the public who fancy giving piano playing a go!

The thing is, they need pianos that can sit in the elements for a fortnight. In other words pianos that nobody wants. If you have one lying about the place, maybe under your bed or in a kitchen cupboard, give Fierce a ring on 0121 244 8080 before Feb 29th and they’ll come and collect it for free.

• Alice Trueman, Soundtrack Composer
  She did the music to Radio 4′s adaptation of Solaris and the radio play of Girlfriend In A Coma, broadcast on Radio 3 this Sunday
  (tags: radio music)
• Birmingham Post Editor: Mission possible
  Marc Reeves gives a taste of the new Post website.
  (tags: birminghampost newspaper internet)
• Dice Productions Blog
  Weblog from the folks behind the Don’t Look animation.
  (tags: animation blogs)
• Birmingham Rocks: Venue Rumours
  Barfly apparently taking over the whole of the Sanctuary building giving them a capacity rivaling that of the Academy. I’ve heard this from other sources too. More as it develops.
  (tags: venues music barfly)
• What Are Creatives in the Community Worth?
  asks Bobbie Gardner
  (tags: community blogs)
• Brum Bloggers – venue for Part 3?
  Nick Booth does a roundup of Monday’s blogmeet which was so popular there were people there I didn’t even realise were there, if you get me.
  (tags: blogs blogmeet)
• Bearded Magazine: The home of independent music
  Relaunched website as a WordPress powered blog and I’m really getting the feel for Gareth’s international ambitions here.
  (tags: bearded magazine publication blogs)
• Coldrice fundraiser
  Raising money for Copter, The Big Bang, Black Mekon and Swampmeat to help them get to SXSW and eat while they’re there.
  (tags: coldrice music sxsw)
• 7inch no.29, this Sunday at the Hare and Hounds
  “Crawling out of hibernation to begin our spring season with a super 8 special, including a filmficciones selection and a visit from the folks at straight8.”
  (tags: 7inch cinema film events)
• Has anyone seen Erotic Volvo?
  Misty’s monster lost is Selby. Band not too concerned.
  (tags: mistysbigadventure music)
• Grandmaster Gareth on approaching new albums
  “On the one hand, we want to make music that is accessible to everyone. And on the other, we want to experiment with as many different genres of music as we can.” I wish Gareth would write more stuff like this. He has a good brain.
  (tags: mistysbigadventure music)

This is great. Kerry of Fused magazine explains the steps taken to put on a showcase of Birmingham bands at SxSW in Texas with the usual mix of serendipity, funding applications and hard work. Invaluable reading.

The website for this year’s Fierce Festival is up and given the open nature of the “Wikifest” it gives out shedloads of info about how it’s all going to work.

Go read!

Tracy Saunders writes:

Hi Pete I’m pulling together some information on Birmingham’s art scene for the University of the Arts London (which includes St. Martin’s) and Arts newspaper on why London students should consider coming to Birmingham post graduation.

I’ve done a round-up of galleries, theatres, venues etc and wanted to liven it up with some quotes from artists, media and bods that are passionate about the city’s creative scene on why ex London students should come to Birmingham. (I know it’s a bit of a sales pitch but it’s a great inroad for us to talk about Birmingham as a student city.)

If you’d like to give me a couple of lines, or recommend some people with interesting things to say, by Monday that would be great.

I hate these sort of things. 200 lines, sure, but a couple? So I’m passing the buck to you guys. Any ideas? Leave them in the comments and I’ll alert Tracy to their presence.

Due to increased expected numbers the venue for the joint Creative Republic / Created in Birmingham party this Thursday (that’s tomorrow!) has changed. It’s now at the Vertu Bar at 25 Frederick Street in the Jewellery Quarter which looks a little like this.

All other details remain the same.

Oh, apparently I’m giving a speech at 6.30. Which should be fun.

See you there!

In other news I’m horribly behind on the blogging, the irony of which hasn’t escaped me. Hope to catch up soon…

• L’Augmentation on MySpace
  Some nice tunes from one of the “We Brought Our Friends” late 90s bands.
  (tags: history music myspace)
• Gig review: Betty & The Id, Liechtenstein, and Horowitz
  Dunc reports on a gig he put on, including wondering where a band from Sweden should spend the day in Birmingham
  (tags: gigreview music birmingham)

Fused Magazine are taking five Birmingham bands to South by South West in Austin, Texas next month and have established a blog to tell the story. They’ve also got a nice poster by Newtasty:

There’s usually quite the West Midlands contingent popping over to Austin for SXSW including, this year, myself. More on that later but if you’re going do let me know, either in the email or comments. It’d be good to keep a record.

Artsfest sent through their newsletter as a Word document. Which was… nice. The thing is, it’s got a shedload of really useful and interesting information that really should be up on their website. So in the interests of public service (and to get myself some quick and easy content) here’s their roundup of what some of the artists who’ve been involved with Artsfest are up to with links added. And then at the end I’ll explain why Artsfest should do this on their site.

Birmingham Printmakers Have Moved
Birmingham Printmakers are pleased to announce their move to brilliant new premises in the heart of Birmingham’s creative quarter. Previously based at Lee Bank Business Centre, you can now find the Printmakers at their new home on 90 Floodgate Street, Digbeth.

An Evening of Russian & British Romance – with proceeds to St Mary’s Hospice & Church
Stella Sims (mezzo-soprano) & Phillip Ypres-Smith (piano/organ) invite you to join them for an evening of exotic Russian & inspiring English songs punctuated by piano solos & atmospheric poetry, with proceeds going to St Mary’s Hospice & St Mary’s Church. The concert will take place on Saturday 8th March, with Russian food served from 6.30pm, and the concert starting at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29. Tickets are priced at £8 (£6 concs) with advanced tickets available by calling 0121 472 1839.

MDCC Theatre Company – New Plays by Local Writers
MDCC Theatre Company warmly invites you to their first production of 2008, ‘Family Snaps’. ‘Family Snaps’ features two new plays, ‘Tidy’ by local writer Martin Drury and ‘Forgive Us Our Trespasses’ by local writer Elizabeth Parkes. Performances take place at Oldbury Rep on 22nd & 23rd February and at MAC Hexagon Theatre on 29th February & 1st March. For more information please visit mdcctheatre.com

Poetry in Wednesbury
On the last Thursday of each month Poetry Wednesbury will be meeting from 7.30pm at their new venue The Old Post Office, Holyhead Road, Wednesbury for poetry readings, open mic, occasional workshops and even a little music! Admission is free and all are welcome to go along and participate or just to watch.

Capoeira Batizado
Capoeira Conviver are pleased to announce their first UK grading ceremony on Saturday 22nd March. Taking place only once a year the Batizado features Capoeira students receiving their belts and a whole day of performances. This promises to be a chance to see some truly amazing martial arts with Capoeira masters from all over the world confirmed to attend. For more information please visit capoeira-conviver.com

International Dance Festival Birmingham
Birmingham is set to secure its position as an international dance capital with the announcement of the inaugural International Dance Festival Birmingham. A joint venture between DanceXchange & Birmingham Hippodrome, the month long festival will take place from 28th April to 24th May 2008. The festival will encompass all styles of dance and express the youthful, diverse and energetic spirit of Birmingham while bringing outstanding dance from across the globe to the city.

Mexicolas
Local indie-esque rock band Mexicolas have just announced their February/March UK tour dates. Due to play Birmingham’s Bar Academy on February 15th (full tour dates available at myspace.com/mexicolas), the band will also be performing as special guests to legendary rockers The Cult on Saturday 23rd February at The Forum in London. The bands debut album X is due for release in February with the tracks Come Clean & Shame being used on EA Games Burn Out 2008 and UEFA Soccer 2008.

computerclub
Local indie band computerclub must have been delighted to see their debut limited edition single ‘Snobs’ sell out in a week. Following this the band are due to record their debut album from February and their second single ‘Electrons and Particles’ will be released on March 16th. Computerclub will tour the UK in March with tour dates available at myspace.com/iheartcc.

James Rea
Since ArtsFest 2007 James has been invited to play live on BBC Radio WM and has been featured in the New Talent section of the BBC website. James first released single ‘So Scene’ is currently at No. 4 in the birminghamusic.com charts. James is due to support Dodgy on a series of dates across the UK during March including March 25th at the Academy 2 in Birmingham.

Band of Brummie Brothers go Stateside
Having been getting widespread airplay in the U.S, brummie brothers UXL have been invited to play at this years Canadian Music Week in Toronto in March. Canada’s largest entertainment festival, this is fantastic news for the band!

Rainbow Voices
Rainbow Voices, Birmingham’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered choir are through to the area finals of Radio 3’s Choir of the Year show at Warwick Arts Centre on 9th March. Rainbow Voices also perform with Edinburgh counterparts the fabulous ‘Loud and Proud’ on Saturday 15th March. Rainbow Voices first CD can be ordered from Pam on 07841 755379 at the price of £10 plus £1 p&p. The choir rehearse from 8.15pm each Tuesday at The Hub, 318 Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, B14 7NH.

Bassoon Day
Birmingham Bassoon Choir will be holding a bassoon day on 24th February for all ages at King Edwards School on Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham. The bassoon choir will also be performing as part of the Women in Music Festival at Birmingham Town Hall on 1st March.

DanceXchange
On 26th & 27th February from 8pm DanceXchange presents Rubberbandance Group from Québec performing Elastic Perspective, a work investigating human relationships through a marriage of explosive hip hop and subtle contemporary dance styles. Following this, on 13th & 14th March from 8pm, the company presents Maresa von Stockert & Tilted Productions performing Glacier, an emotionally charged work exploring global warming and environmental change. All performances take place at DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thorp Street, Birmingham, B5 4TB with tickets available by calling 0870 730 1234 or visiting dancexchange.org.uk/shows.

3estates Kings Norton
An exhibition of past and present public art projects that have taken place on the 3estates in Kings Norton will be held at The Custard Factory from 27th February to 1st March. Organised by local photographer Rita Fletcher, the exhibition will also feature ‘A Film of 100 Verses for 3estates’ by Ravi Deepres and Gavin Wade.

Birmingham Festival Choral Society is Making History
On Sunday 13th April at 7.30pm in Birmingham Town Hall, BFCS will present Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the English Hayden Orchestra on period instruments. This performance will capture a time in 1846 when the then newly formed BFCS participated in the ‘Elijah’ premier in the Town Hall, and then again in 1847 with Mendelssohn himself conducting. Being hailed by BFCS as the highlight of their 2007/8 concert season, tickets are priced at £6.50, £10, £16.50 & £20.

Open Mic for Women
L.I.M.E – Yelitza & Friends (Ladies Institute for Music & Entertainment) invites all female artists to take control, share their music, and come and be part of this open mic night held once a month at Café One, Five Ways, Birmingham. For more information please visit myspace.com/yelitzauk.

—

Now that’s a fantastic resource right there. Admittedly it’s all over the place but that’s the beauty of it. Artsfest is in the unique position of having contacts in all sorts of areas of the arts in Birmingham from little community groups to organizations with an international profile. Turning this into a resource is such a no-brainer I can’t believe it’s never occurred to me before. The above is pretty much made up of press releases with no critical voice added, which is not an issue. It probably took me an hour to source all the links in using Google. Even allowing for the small number of staff running Artsfest during the rest of the year I think turning this into a blog shouldn’t be too hard. Each morning check through the emails, copy any news items into a new post and add links. This should take about half an hour if that. And bingo, you’ve got a website that has value throughout the year and promotes Artsfest in ways a poster campaign can’t hope to reach.

(I am, of course, available for chats and tea on these issues…)