The latest news, updates and events in Birmingham
A bright and colourful new mural has been painted in Birmingham which celebrates the history and wildlife of Small Heath. Birmingham street artist Martin Hoakser Edwards, who was commissioned to paint the dynamic looking mural on a canal wall, says he managed to save a baby pigeon from drowning and reunite it with its mother…
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has been in Bangladesh this week following his weeklong trade mission to neighbouring India. In his first visit to the independent South Asian nation, the Mayor met with local business, academic and political figures to reflect on the existing close ties between the West Midlands and Bangladesh; and explore new trade, diplomatic and…
A Birmingham artist is putting together a spiritual show which will be unveiled at The Hippodrome as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival. Award-winning artist Mohammed Ali, who hails from Sparkbrook, is gearing up for what he hopes will be a memorable theatrical experience which will educate, inspire and unite the diverse communities of Birmingham.
A community volunteer group which has offices in the Small Heath area of Birmingham has been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Purbanat CIC received the prestigious award for services to the community which included helping vulnerable people with mental health issues during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Birmingham film director Sheikh Shahnawaz explores the subterranean world of illicit drugs, addicts and the plight of the homeless in his debut film Bluff, which was filmed in the underbelly of his home city. The poignant and multifaceted film peels back the layers of suffering endured both by the drug addicts and the cops on…
A brand-new book featuring a collection of writings by women and girls in Bangladesh, Pakistan and the UK, has been launched in Birmingham. Unveiled at a special event at Midlands Arts Centre hosted by writer and author Kavita Bhanot, ‘My City, My Home‘ – published in English, Urdu and Bangla – is a ground-breaking publication…
A new outdoor exhibition has opened in Birmingham’s Chamberlain Square to mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence with works that explore the dark history of colonialism and oppression. ‘Lost Memory Eternalised’ showcases artworks and writing by artist Mustafa Zaman that explore the “body, trauma, history, and politics” in Bangladesh.
The Birmingham Contemporary Music Group returns to live indoor performances next month to showcase new music inspired by poets Paul Celan and Rabindranath Tagore, including creative responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The classical music collective, known as BCMG, have announced two dates at the CBSO centre in Birmingham. They are scheduled to perform on 22 November and 13 December.
An international writing competition for women and girls from diverse communities in Birmingham, Bangladesh and Pakistan has been launched. My City, My Home is part of Transforming Narratives, a ground-breaking three-year project to establish Birmingham as a global centre for contemporary arts from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The tragic death of George Floyd, who kept pleading ‘I can’t breathe’ as a US police officer brutally pressed a knee into his neck, has inspired new street art in Birmingham. The startling and topical stencil was painted in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham on Monday night by Birmingham-based artist, Mohammed Ali. This freshly…