is an independent film, music and publishing company producing and distributing film, music and books through new media.

There are a few things to discover on their site. From what I gather their main project (at least on the film side of things) is called Ugly and in Love (warning on the strong content), the extract from which was filmed at The Mitre in Stourbridge and features (unless I’ve got my wires crossed) Swampmeat’s Dan Finnemore.

The Spectacle Works provides affordable live/work accommodation tailor-made for designer makers and people in the creative industries who are starting up or already running their own business. It is based at Hylton Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and provides a rolling 3 year tenancy for people and their businesses before they move on to more permanent accommodation.

On the subject, The Lombard Method were advertising available studio space about a month ago.

Their hopes and aspirations cover better collaboration, apps for artists and a look at what to expect from Birmingham’s theatre scene over the coming months.

Have you got any predictions you’d like to make?

First up, the video, which was made by Vermillion Films:

And then the website, which was built by Made Media (which is where I work, full disclosure fans).

Also, blimey – I’ve just noticed that next year they’ve got a show called The Infernal Comedy:

John Malkovich stars in a stage play for baroque orchestra, singers and actor, based on the real-life story of convicted serial killer Jack Unterweger.

Yes, that John Malkovich. I’m a bit impressed by that.

Last weekend I went along to Aston Hall for one of the candlelit tours they do at this time of year:

One of the country’s finest Jacobean houses, Aston Hall is seen at its most breathtaking, lit by around 300 shimmering candles and warmed by two glorious historic fireplaces

It was pretty good too. It’s an amazing place and some of the actors that were dotted around were clearly having a lot of fun (especially one of the sword fighters at the beginning). I hadn’t realised what a big deal it was either – there were a lot of people booked in for each tour.

If you didn’t make it along this year than apparently you’ll have to wait until 2013 for the next one. In the meantime, here’s a video:

Pic from Birmingham Culture on Flickr, from a previous year.

This is an open letter from John Dolan, former Head of Libraries at Birmingham City Council, to Cllr. Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council and Cabinet Member, Culture, copied to Randal Brew Cabinet Member, Finance and Ian Ward, opposition member for Culture.

Birmingham City Council’s library cuts: from world class city to mediocrity

MANDALA is a unique and bold new collaboration fusing classical and contemporary South Asian dance and music with 3D architectural projection mapping.

We plan to use one of the world’s most advanced real-time tracking systems to use the movement of the dancers, musicians and the audience to generate the imagery live, enabling you to push, pull and manipulate the building.

Which sounds pretty impressive to me. They’re co-producing this with Seeper who are responsible for some of the most impressive projection mapping I’ve seen.

They’re using Wefund to collect donations for the £5,000 required to make this happen. Donations are welcome and here’s a video explaining the project a bit more.

Sandford Jr sells screen printed clothes for kids up to the age of 7:

The desire to collaborate with artists to create something truly unique for babies and children as well as supporting artists along their careers has always been the driving force behind Sandford Jr

The featured artists are Lucy Mclauchlan, Leanne Jones and Ben Javens (who flagged this up on his blog).

Movember, the month formerly known as November, is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men’s health

I already know of a few people around Birmingham who are getting involved this year. Feel free to identify yourselves in the comments (with a link to your donation page).

Meanwhile, here’s a Movember-themed animation from The Brothers McLeod.