City Curator Highlights: Week 7

Wow, week 7! It’s another packed week ahead with plenty to choose from whether you’re in the mood for music, cinema, theatre, art or even VR. Choosing these four highlights is never easy but it’s a real pleasure to be able to draw out some of the showstoppers in the 100 Days of the Creativity programme.

Here are my four recommendation for 1 – 7 July:

Hamilton

Hippodrome

25 June – 31 August

I am writing this on opening night so how could I not include Hamilton?

I have just booked my tickets to finally see this multi award-winning show and I simply cannot wait.

This is the first UK tour for Hamilton and I’m just so thrilled that I get to enjoy this from the comfort of my own city.

Hamilton is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the foundations of America. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now.

Book tickets before they sell out: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/hamilton/?utm_medium=culturehosts&utm_source=Visit+Birmingham+-+Simpleview&utm_campaign=Hamilton

Birmingham Creates

Snow Hill Square & Victoria Square

Until 5 July

This is your last chance to see this duo of outdoor exhibitions! If you haven’t already visited Snow Hill Square and Victoria Square to see this fantastic showcase of local art then be sure to do so before it closes on 5 July. It’s completely free and is such a great reminder of the emerging talent we have in this wildly creative city.

Find out more: https://visitbirmingham.com/event/birmingham-creates%3a-the-open/160676101/

Benjamin Zephaniah – A Brighter Flame

Victoria Square

5 July – 31 July

As one outdoor exhibition ends, another begins. 

This exhibition celebrates the life of Birmingham poet, author, actor and activist Professor Benjamin Zephaniah. It features more than 20 artworks and is accompanied by flags, designed in his memory, which you can already see flying high on Colmore Row.

One of my personal memories of Benjamin is of a glorious sunny day spent in the gardens of Aston Hall whilst we were filming Antiques Roadshow. You can see a clip from that beautiful day and hear some of his memories of Aston here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0b0w17r 

When he passed away in December 2023, the city was heartbroken at the loss and it’s a real honour to include this celebration of his life in the 100 Days of Creativity.

You can read more here: https://colmorebusinessdistrict.com/events/benjamin-zephaniah-exhibition/

Visit Midlands Art Centre

MAC Birmingham

Throughout the 100 Days of Creativity

There are so many events taking place at MAC for the 100 Days of Creativity that it’s impossible to point to just one. From hands-on workshops to cinema, peruse the programme and you’ll see what I mean.

If you don’t fancy booking onto a specific event then head over for a relaxed day out whilst the weather is this beautiful – first, take a morning walk around Cannon Hill Park and grab some lunch at KILN. In the afternoon, take in the series of exhibitions around the building but be sure not to miss Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood (it’s just opened) an incredibly moving touring exhibition from Hayward Gallery.

Find out more: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/

Alex Nicholson-Evans

City Curator