City Curator Highlights: The Final Fortnight
12 August 2024
100 Days of Creativity: City Curator Highlights
As we approach the middle of August, we also approach the end of 100 Days of Creativity which runs until 26 August. I wanted to take one last opportunity to share with you some of my highlights for the fortnight ahead. This one is a bumper edition as, in addition to some new events, I’m taking you back to some of my highlights from weeks gone by where those events and activities are still available to book.
Here are my 10 unmissable creative events:
Birmingham Weekender
Across the city
23 – 26 August
Birmingham Weekender is always a highlight of the year in this city, and for 2024 it’s extra special as it’s the closing event for 100 Days of Creativity.
It’s a fantastic free festival, produced by the legends at Birmingham Hippodrome – in partnership with Bullring and Grand Central. Take a look at the full programme here but don’t miss Island of Foam – not least because it sounds completely bonkers in the very best of ways.
Find out more.
In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
On for the rest of 100 Days Of Creativity
This was a fantastic way to spend an hour. In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats is an interactive VR adventure that transports audiences back to the West Midlands in 1989, during the early days of the Acid House movement and I cannot recommend it enough.
The team will help you into your VR headset, headphones and a vibrating vest that helps really bring the experience to life, before the journey begins and you step into the shoes of West Midlands rave culture pioneers as you go in search of the party.
I actually don’t want to say much more, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I visited and I think that made it all the more exciting and interesting. Just trust me, give it a go and definitely get the premium ticket.
I left wishing I’d been born earlier and had the chance to experience this movement in reality. That’s how good it is. What a vibe.
Hamilton
Birmingham Hippodrome
Throughout the rest of 100 Days of Creativity
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.
Benjamin Zephaniah – The Brighter Flame
Snow Hill Square
Throughout the rest of 100 Days of Creativity
This free outdoor exhibition celebrates the life of Birmingham poet, author, actor and activist Professor Benjamin Zephaniah. Created with the support and acknowledgment of the Zephaniah family, the exhibition features 30 specially curated artworks.
This powerful exhibition has been developed and funded by Colmore BID and co-curated by Pogus Caesar and art historian Ruth Millington.
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.
Live at B:Eats Summer Series
Symphony Hall
Throughout the rest of 100 Days of Creativity
B:Music are putting on a fabulous programme of free lunchtime music over the coming weeks and I am absolutely here for it. What a great excuse to step away from your desk for a bit and get a top up of creative inspiration if you’re working in the city.
For me, August is as much about food as it is about Creativity as Birmingham Restaurant Festival runs from 1 – 31 August. As such, it felt fitting to showcase a venue that has some foodie claims too – B:Eats serves the best Brummie Bacon Cake I’ve ever tried so grab one of those whilst you’re there too!
No need to book – just drop in.
Find out more.
National Treasures / Jesse Jones
Ikon Gallery
Throughout the rest of 100 Days of Creativity
In the early weeks of 100 Days of Creativity I headed down to Ikon for the launch of their summer season and I was really struck by this exhibition. Ikon is a partner in National Treasures, which sees masterpieces from the National Gallery’s collection displayed around the UK.
Ikon presents a masterpiece by Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654 or later), Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria (about 1615-17). I absolutely adored how this artwork has been presented, an incredible striking and dramatic display. Equally as striking is the response by contemporary artist Jesse Jones which brings film and performance to the gallery space. A must-see this summer.
More here.
Visit Midlands Art Centre
MAC Birmingham
Throughout the rest of 100 Days of Creativity
There are so many events taking place at MAC for 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 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/.
Victorian Radicals
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Throughout the rest of 100 Days of Creativity
I am borderline obsessed with this exhibition – I’ve seen it more times than I care to count now. It’s a joy to just be able to go back into the BMAG – although I can’t wait for the whole museum to be fully open again.
The exhibition itself is a triumph – a multi-award winning show that got an incredible reception when it toured the US but it always deserved to be shown in its home here in Birmingham. This is a stunning showcase of the city’s collection – absolutely unmissable.
Tickets here.
Beyond Van Gogh
NEC
On for the rest of 100 Days Of Creativity
During the pandemic I went to Van Gogh Alive at the Hippodrome. I have incredibly fond memories of that immersive experience as it was just so wonderful to be back in a theatre and back experiencing art in this way after such a long time at home! Since then I’ve travelled to Amsterdam to visit the Van Gogh museum and enjoy his works in a more traditional way too.
As a result, I’ve got high hopes for Beyond Van Gogh which blends more than 300 of the post-Impressionist icon’s paintings with cutting-edge technology and a specially curated musical soundtrack. I’ve opted to experience this one via one of their yoga classes, I just absolutely love the idea of practising whilst immersed in the artworks.
Find out more here.
The Hidden Lives of Plants: Botanical Illustrations from the V&A
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Throughout the rest of 100 Days of Creativity
This is the first show in a new annual exhibition partnership between the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Barber and the University’s Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies.
The MA students that have developed this exhibition have selected some of the most interesting and beautiful illustrations from the V&A’s 1,000 botanical illustrations strong collection! These are presented alongside items from the University of Birmingham’s Winterbourne House and Garden and Cadbury Research Library.
More here.
Whilst I have you I did just want to say a few words of thanks to all those who have been part of making 100 Days of Creativity such an incredible showcase for the city. A huge thanks to all of our partner producers & venues – they are the ones that have done the hard work, putting on such an incredible array of events and activities!
Thanks also to our strategic partners:
- West Midlands Growth Company
- Colmore BID
- Culture Central
- Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
- Southside BID
- Central BID
- Jewellery Quarter BID
- Birmingham City Council
Finally thanks to Billy Partridge our ace Programme Coordinator, to the team at Colmore BID and the team at Visit Birmingham (particularly web wizard Paul and Tourism guru Martin) and. Without you this wouldn’t have been possible.
Now if you’re still reading this – we have one final ask, please tell us what you thought of 100 Days of Creativity by spending just a couple of minutes sharing your thoughts: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZH55NP.
Alex Nicholson-Evans
10 August
