City Curator Highlights: Week One
20 May 2024
100 Days of Creativity: City Curator Highlights
Throughout the 100 Days of Creativity, I’m going to be sharing my own personal highlights of this fantastic programme – things I’ve been to and enjoyed but also upcoming events that I’m particularly excited about.
It’s such a big programme – there really is something for everyone – so I hope this will be useful for anyone keen to dip into some creative activities over the summer but perhaps without the time to go through each of the hundreds of fabulous events we have coming up!
So in this blog I’m looking at the very first week of 100 Days of Creativity; 19 May – 26 May. I confess, I thought it would be easier to choose a handful of highlights but I could have easily written about so many of the events, activities and experiences coming up in the next week. But without further ado, here are my four picks for the days ahead:
Flatpack Film Festival
Taking place across the city
19 May 2024
A staple in the Birmingham creative calendar, the first day of 100 Days of Creativity is the very last day of Flatpack Film Festival 2024 so be sure to make the most. You can check out the schedule for Sunday here.
Once again Ian and the team have put on a fantastic array of screenings, many of which integrate live performance in some way – something I really love. On Sunday, Movie Mahal does just that – you can experience a world premier, a selection of classic movie clips and live performance by The Te3nagers too.
Tickets are on sale here.
In:Site
Taking place in Cathedral Square
21 May – 24 May
Head over to Cathedral Square and you’ll find 14 recently graduated artists creating new artworks. Brought to you by Craftspace, In:Site is completely free to experience and you can just drop in – so even if you only have a lunch break to spare in the coming week, you can still find a way to experience and express creativity.
Pop over anytime between 11am and 4:30pm to have a look at what’s going on, meet the artists or even take part in workshops.
More here.
Nashville Sounds in the Round
Symphony Hall
20 May 2024
Today I popped down to chat to the team at B:Music to find out more about their partnership with Abbey Road Studios and, having spent a few hours learning about their plans and enjoying their photography exhibition, here’s what I’d recommend…
Get yourself down to B:Eats and do 2 things:
- Order a Brummie Bacon Cake (it’s a thing)
- Take a look at the photography exhibition in the cafe which showcases the winning and shortlisted images from Abbey Road’s 2023 Music Photography Awards. It’s on until 14 June.
Now, if you can, visit for Nashville Sounds in the Round, just £15 a ticket. Or take a look at the ‘Live at B:Eats’ series for free lunchtime music! Full lineup here.
National Treasures / Jesse Jones
Ikon
Open Wed – Sun throughout the 100 Days of Creativity
Last week I headed down to Ikon for the launch of their upcoming 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.
Alex Nicholson-Evans
17 May 2024
