Created in Birmingham

As you may have realised, we haven’t been posting as much recently, leaving it to our guest contributors to fill the pages on CiB. As a result, I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on what’s going on, so I’m just going to mention a few things that have been coming in through the CiB inbox recently.

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Starting next Monday is Grand Union‘s six-week open residency programme, which will run from 21 March – 30 April 2011. Three artist groups have been invited to work in the project space for two weeks each, starting with Manu Luksch & Mukul Patel.

MANU LUKSCH & MUKUL PATEL, Kayak Libre <<free thinking, free transport>>

Thursday 24 March, 6-9 pm: Opening
Artists’ talk at Grand Union, 6.30 pm
Screening of shorts by Manu Luksch at VIVID , 9 pm

Thursday 24 Mar – Sunday 27 March:
WATER TAXI available to book from 19 March.
For booking please contact info@grand-union.org.uk

Saturday 2 April, 12-2 pm: Final open workshop

Behna (Sisters)

This unique and intimate theatre production by Kali Theatre will be performed in the kitchens of Punjabi households across the Black Country from 22 March to 15 April.

It’s the day before a wedding, Ladies’ Sangeet Night, in a Punjabi household. The bride is having her henna done and the guests are busy eating, singing and dancing. But in the kitchen, sibling jealousy simmers alongside the samosas.  Fast-paced, funny and moving, Behna takes a look through the keyhole of a family house to reveal the secrets and lies of two generations of sisters.

For more information and to book tickets, visit The Public’s website.

One, Nineteen

One, Nineteen from local ‘Archers’ writer, Tim Stimpson, is on at The Old Joint Stock Theatre on 18 & 19 March.

19th January: Freak storms bring devastating floods to the English coast, but before the rescue effort arrives, the media are already in town spinning their story. A play about the power of the news, the strength of the government, the question of climate change, and of course, and the search for Sam, Jack and little Chloe…

After premiering in London, it was given a 4 star review from Time Out, so it’s probably worth a watch.

For more info and how to book tickets, visit The Old Joint Stock’s website.

LUNÄ Talks

Ikon and the Lunar Society present this series of evening talks revisiting themes discussed by the original 18th century Lunar Society within a contemporary context.

The next talk is happening on Wednesday 23 March, from 7 – 9pm and focuses on Education. The panel of speakers looks a bit like this:

Felicity Allen: Artist, writer, educator. Former Head of Learning, Tate Britain (2003-10). www.felicityallen.co.uk

Nancy Evans: Education Manager Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, freelance musician and trainer working in early years education

Colin Gale: Head of School of Fashion and Textiles and Course Director for MA Textiles, Fashion & Surface Design, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design

Kate Iles: PhD student, University of Birmingham; Constructing the 18th Century woman; The life and education of Sabrina Sidney

For more information on the future talks, entitled ‘Urban design and regeneration’ and ‘Medicine and science’, visit Ikon’s website.

Tickets cost £10 (£8 concessions), to book call Ikon Shop on 0121 248 0711.

There’s a few ways to get involved in this summer’s Moseley Festival, which is happening for ten days from 8 – 17 July.

The Moseley Festival is the third of its kind, celebrating arts, culture and music in arguably one of Birmingham’s cutest suburbs. This years festival is taking place at various locations around Moseley, including Art Trails across both weekends.

They’re looking for artists to participate in the the trails, plus local residents to host exhibitions with an Open House.

Artists of all varieties are welcome, and needn’t be Moseley based, with an opportunity to exhibit, perform or organise an event, the festival is welcoming innovative and experimental ideas.

The deadline for artists to register interest is 18 April, which can be done through this form.

For more info, contact Lauren, the art trail co-ordinator by emailing moseleyarttrail@gmail.com or call 07813 341163.

West Midlands based photographer and filmmaker Stephen Vernon Clarke, focuses on simple portraiture and landscape photography, with a polished finish.

Take a look at his portfolio on his shiny new website www.vernonclarke.com, the result of a re brand from Liberty Creative.

Luke Brookes is an illustrator based in Birmingham. His work has a mythical feel, with a focus of fictional characters, along with short stories to accompany some of his pieces. This a cute one about a bear and a fisherman.

He also has a really fun website, complete with rainbows, clouds and a hot air balloon. There’s also plenty more pieces on his blog.

Peter Watkins is a freelance Midlands based photographer. Over the last few years, he’s had a both group and solo exhibitions at various venues, including the Custard Factory, The Public and Light House.

He’s also been awarded with an Honorable Mention at the International Photography Awards, in the Architecture: Buildings, Fine Art: Landscapes and Fine Art: Nudes categories.

Take a look at his portfolio and keep up with his work on tumblr.

The second UK Fulldome Film Festival will take place on Sat 12 & Sun 13 March at the Thinktank Planetarium.

The festival examines fulldome as an artistic media, and highlights ‘the creative and experimental applications of immersive environments, beyond the realm of astronomy education most commonly associated with digital planetariums today’.

They’ve got a pretty full programme, with shorts and feature screenings and sessions running from 9am – 9pm on the Sat and 9am – 7pm on Sun.

Sessions will provide discussion, presentations and workshops based around providing an insight into the processes and challenges of Fulldome content production, from both a conceptual and technical view.

There’s also a special schedule of screenings which will be free to Thinktank ticket holders over the weekend.

Tickets are £40 per day / £20 concessions, and can be bought online.