You are browsing the archive for 2010 May.

by Mark Badger

Microblog F j, Y

May 28, 2010 in Other by Mark Badger

  • Back in England, the drive to Birmingham next by way of dartford from Dover #
  • Dover to m25, then Gate 5 at dartford tunnel. Now parked At south mimms, j23 on m25. “Wish you were here” is next I reckon….. #
  • 18 hour drive complete. Back in Birmingham in time for sleep then old wharf…..I’m feeling a bit mad after the driving but all good…. #
  • I’m off to the old wharf in a bit. I’ll have copies of new police bastard cd and last under the sun cd on me in case anyone wants one #
  • gig at old wharf digbeth Birmingham today was brilliant. pub has really good soundsystem. Adam, Pedro chris & the rest are doing a top job #
  • Police Bastard – “It’s Good To Hate…..” CD & DVD (Iron Man Records 2010) Dedicated to Trogg http://bit.ly/9Jcf4g #punk #Birmingham #music #
  • Bob Barry – Birmingham based Guitar repairs and customising : Birmingham Music Network http://shar.es/mYiEp #
  • Police Bastard – “It’s Good to Hate” CD (Iron Man Records) Released May 23rd 2010 | Iron Man Records http://lnk.ms/7KSsw #
  • Packing & wrapping orders for the new Police Bastard cd/dvd – “It’s Good To Hate…..” http://bit.ly/9Jcf4g #punk #Birmingham #music #
  • Police Bastard – It’s Good To Hate… (CD, EP + DVD, Comp) at Discogs http://lnk.ms/7cSG2 #
  • Police Bastard – It’s Good To Hate… (CD, EP + DVD, Comp) at Discogs: http://bit.ly/96rEpl via @addthis #
  • oh yeah. money. 23rd May. (also known as my money burning equinox) just saying. (via @jonone100) #
  • IMAGINE PEACE: Think PEACE, Act PEACE, Spread PEACE. love, yoko. http://IMAGINEPEACE.com (via @yokoono) #
  • IMAGINE PEAS: Think PEAS, Act PEAS, Spread PEAS. Give PEAS a chance. #
  • Police Bastard – Discography | Iron Man Records http://lnk.ms/7cbnc #
  • Listen to Andre Williams. Trust me. Si Reeves played me a cd while last under the sun were in Germany. Forget the rest. Andre Williams. #
  • UFODC-Obama Adviser Says Documented UFO/ET Landings On U.S. Capitol ‘Could Destabilize Society’ http://bit.ly/dvCOmk #
  • Punk Rock Demonstration Radio – A Real Punk Rock Radio Station since 2005 http://shar.es/mY8Ay #
  • Punk Rock Demonstration Radio – A Real Punk Rock Radio Station since 2005 http://lnk.ms/1Hz95 #
  • The Music Network – 4pm Thursday 27th May 2010, Birmingham T.E.E, Millennium Point, Birmingham, B4 7XG. All Invited : B… http://lnk.ms/9CYy5 #
  • Grow Up – Forward The Evolution http://lnk.ms/7dP5t #
  • Underworld, Camden, London: Sunday May 30th Punishment of Luxury, Rubella Ballet, All Living Fear, Never a Hero, Zeropu… http://lnk.ms/7dPqB #
  • Last Under The Sun – Pete Loveday design Logo 300 dpi on Flickr – Photo Sharing! http://lnk.ms/9ChPC #
  • Last Under The Sun: Last Under The Sun Gig Dates wanted September 2010 http://goo.gl/fb/C7LUT #
  • Bullet For My Valentine announce winter UK arena tour and ticket details http://dlvr.it/1B2DM #
  • Police Bastard – “It’s Good to Hate” CD (Iron Man Records) Released May 23rd 2010 | Iron Man Records http://lnk.ms/7KSsw #
  • The Flyover Show Saturday 29th May 2010, Underneath Hockley Flyover, Birmingham : Birmingham Music Network http://lnk.ms/9F5t3 #
  • The saga of the missing Crystal Castles gear is finally looking like it’s solved #
  • Sir Mango Chutney Radio Show Live tonight 8-10 (GMT) on http://www.musicworldradio.com – Tune in and post me a message #
  • Question: who are the people/fanzines/websites worth sending CDs to for review in the midlands? Is there anyone left worth bothering with? #
  • Question: who are podcast/radio/local radio people worth sending CDs to for review/airplay/frisbee in the midlands? Anyone I should know? #
  • @OxjamBrum yes, im sold on that one. Thanks in reply to OxjamBrum #
  • The Flyover Show Saturday 29th May 2010, Underneath Hockley Flyover, Birmingham : Birmingham Music Network http://lnk.ms/9F5t3 #
  • Inner Terrestrials – Escape from New Cross (CD) NEW on eBay (end time 19-Jun-10 17:03:09 BST) http://lnk.ms/9GY2Y #
  • Splitter / Van Hirewe, tour management. teching. and much more http://lnk.ms/7hMtS #
  • Splitter / Van Hire, Tour Management. teching. and much more http://lnk.ms/7hMtS #
  • Joel Stanley – Splitter / Van Hire| Home http://goo.gl/fb/mwmHQ #
  • Touring Solutions For The Music And Entertainment Industry. http://lnk.ms/9Gp4K #
  • Driving You Crazy Touring http://goo.gl/fb/bIVzb #
  • Facebook | Civilised Car Hire Touring http://lnk.ms/7hXcX #
  • Police Bastard – It’s Good to Hate CD NEW May 23rd 2010 on eBay (end time 06-Jun-10 00:32:58 BST) http://lnk.ms/7Vft0 #
  • If you want a copy of Police Bastard “It’s Good To Hate” CD for podcast, radioplay or review please direct message your address. Cheers Mark #
  • Listening to egozid cd, the band are from hamburg. Good band worth finding out about. Chipko next #
  • Driving You Crazy Touring – HOME http://lnk.ms/9Hz3b #
  • The Music Network – 4pm Thursday 27th May 2010, Birmingham T.E.E, Millennium Point, Birmingham, B4 7XG. All Invited http://shar.es/mjSR7 #
  • Driving You Crazy Touring – Splitter Bus, Drivers, Tour Management, Production http://goo.gl/fb/pqLlC #
  • The Flyover Show Saturday 29th May 2010, Underneath Hockley Flyover, Birmingham : Birmingham Music Network http://lnk.ms/9F5t3 #
  • Police bastard are looking for a gig on Friday 25th June, do you know anyone who may be able to help sort a gig for that date? #
  • Stephen Hawking on rivers & James Joyce on traveltime physics: A Tale of A Tribe: Sandpit.: http://ataleofatribe.blogspot.com #

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

by Mark Badger

links for 2010-05-28

May 28, 2010 in News by Mark Badger

  • Driving You Crazy Touring – Splitter Bus, Drivers, Tour Management, Production
    Working alongside our Industry partners & suppliers of top quality Splitter Buses – Good 2 Go Touring-Together, our aim is to give you a First Class luxury touring experience – Whether you are a band just starting out, or a seasoned old pro – We will get it right for you, first time. Your touring and transportation needs will be taken care of, by our team of dedicated Music Industry professionals. From a short haul to a full tour… We take care of it all Call us, on +44 (0) 7813 050204 email us on info at drivingyoucrazy.com
    (tags: newswire music van touring)

No Comments »

by Mark Badger

links for 2010-05-27

May 27, 2010 in News by Mark Badger

  • Police Bastard – It's Good to Hate CD NEW 2010
    The release contains a CD featuring four new songs and one cover version with an additional DVD containing live footage collected between 2007 and 2010. The record features the work of founding band members Pid and John Doom doing dual vocals together again for the first time in ten years. The gigs and recordings have also seen the return of Chris Crass, who took over on bass from Trogg in 1994. Seano Porno and Mark Badger from Last Under The Sun have picked up the work of guitars and additional vocals and the drummer is Simon James who also plays in Last Under The Sun and formerly of Rivers Edge.  The release is dedicated to Trogg, Police Bastard's first bass player who passed away in 2008.

    The CD tracks were Recorded, mixed, produced and mastered by Simon Reeves at Framework Recording Studios, Musoplex. Simon has worked with the likes of Napalm Death, Cathedral, Meathook Seed…..

    (tags: newswire policebastard music birmingham punk records)
  • Driving You Crazy Touring
    Touring Solutions For The Music And Entertainment Industry.
    (tags: newswire van touring music)
  • Joel Stanley – Splitter / Van Hire| Home
    Splitter / Van Hire, Tour Management. Teching. Session Musicians, and much more
    (tags: newswire van)

No Comments »

by Mark Badger

The Music Network – 4pm Thursday 27th May 2010, Birmingham T.E.E, Millennium Point, Birmingham, B4 7XG. All Invited

May 24, 2010 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network is open to all on Thursday 27th May 2010 4pm til 6pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. The Meeting will be lead this month by Mark Badger

The Music Network, Birmingham, 2008

The Music Network organises a NETWORKING EVENT on the last Thursday of each month, for the benefit of music related businesses in the West Midlands region. If you have any involvement in music, come and talk about what you’re up to and meet some new people.These Networking events are about all things music in the region. They’re about helping you to teach yourself how to do it, by yourself, for yourself and encourages you to share the knowledge with others so they can do the same.  If you are a musician, a student, someone who works with musicians, represents musicians, has involvement with the music industry, or are looking to make new contacts…..the meeting will be useful.

If you have news to report, a presentation to give, an event to promote, any new points for discussion, a pitch to make, business cards or flyers to hand round, an appeal for help, advice or guidance or even if you just want the free tea and biscuits and some serious discussion…you are invited.

You can also post in by email any news or gig dates or press release information for inclusion on the website and for distribution through the mailing list and RSS feed. More details on the website.

There will be luxury chocolate biscuits and good coffee for all. There’s food and drink afterwards supplied by the creative networks too. Please pass this invite on to Musicians you know or anyone else who you think may benefit.

http://birminghammusicnetwork.com Come and Join us.

About Mark Badger:

Mark runs Iron Man Records, based in Birmingham England. The record label has been running since 1996 and in 2000 he set up Birmingham Music Network which is also known as just The Music Network.

Mark has organised more than 1000 gigs in and around Birmingham since 1994 using many different identities but most of them used the name Badger Promotions until 2002.

Mark plays in a band called Last Under The Sun and another called Police Bastard. He works as a tour manager and driver helping bands out on the live circuit and when he finds time he writes and maintains several music related blogs. Mark has assembled simple online strategies for established bands, like the The Orb, and countless other new bands who have asked for help.

Mark has done some lecturing at Birmingham City University as part of their Music Business degree course, and bits and pieces for the Musicians Union, Birmingham City Council, Learning and Skills Council and Advantage West Midlands.

Mark also operates a shop on ebay selling all sorts of good alternative music on cd or vinyl.

Midlands Calling?…the new opps and apps for audio broadcast
Speaker – Robin Valk           www.radiotogo.co.uk

Robin Valk is a broadcast and software consultant whose career started in the 60s at the very first Student radio station in the UK. In the 70s he worked in US Rock Radio before becoming the first DJ hired at BRMB, and in the 90s at BBC Radio 2 at Pebble Mill.

When not consulting in the UK and Europe, teaching, podcasting or blogging, Robin works on radio and music projects. He is currently working on a documentary project about the music and musicians of Handsworth, Birmingham, as well as leading a pilot project for the British Library. He is one of the most experienced Selector music programming software operators in Europe and has a ten year association with RCS New York as help author for their flagship products.

A Panel Discussion will follow Robin’s keynote presentation. We’ll be looking at the status of Radio today, where the talent that’s needed is to be found and how the digital age affects production yet offers new opportunities. We’ll examine the expanded horizons for audio broadcast platforms and how to capitalise on the perfect synergy of local music with local radio.

To join us for this FREE event, please call Dave Taylor on 0121 331 5400. Alternatively, register online at www.creativenetworksonline.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

by Mark Badger

Microblog F j, Y

May 21, 2010 in Other by Mark Badger

  • Egozid and Last Under The Sun, 20th May Stumpf, Welfengarten 2c, Hannover, Germany. http://lnk.ms/1q8mb http://lnk.ms/8ydJT #
  • @jonone100 glad you got the shirt ok, enjoy! in reply to jonone100 #
  • And so the madness begins…..on the way to collect van, then Simon the drummer then Musoplex then great Yarmouth. Don’t ask. #
  • The slaveship is loaded and the voyage of financial suicide begins. Europe here we come http://twitpic.com/1o3f9j #
  • Seano is in the van and the slaveship is on it’s way to dartford then Dover. Place your bets on whether we miss the 12.15 ferry. #
  • The hammer of kybosh has struck again. Last under the sun gig in Belgium tonight has been cancelled as problems at venue. #
  • All good, last under the sun have been invited to play the au. Now all that remains is a 5 hour drive. #
  • Just passed cologne, saw cathedral lit up in distance and the river. On to Frankfurt au now….. #
  • Last under the sun played at au tonight. Couldn’t believe it, DOA were playing. All good, Thomas and verena looked after us all yet agai … #
  • Last Under The Sun has a show coming up on 2010-05-18 at 20:00 @ Ra… in Frankfurt am Main, DE http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/12002231 #
  • Breakfast. It’s raining in Frankfurt but the coffee is good. #
  • It’s ok, I’ll just wander around for seven hours looking for milk. I’m a stupid tourist. #
  • @ The Wagon,Digbeth tomorrow, ft. HushWhore, GirlFixer and The Front (USA). #punk http://twitpic.com/1omqg0 #
  • Financial Terrorists Want Global Currency, Global Central Bank – http://tiny.cc/f0hmr #
  • Mark Of The Beast: Obama’s Latest Monsanto Pick, Elena Kagan http://bit.ly/9eTsUS #
  • Music has lost another legend. Ronnie James Dio http://lnk.ms/7Pff0 #
  • With Thomas at the excess. Yes, I just had my ass kicked at table football again…. But hey, if I spent more time touring I’d be better … #
  • Sir Mango Chutney-Radio Show tonight 8-10pm on http://www.musicworldradio.com A weird&wonderful psychedelic trip through 60′s/Jazz/Asi #
  • In Frankfurt city centre, we found the pitbull shop so Seano has started trying to buy everything which is a major change to his usual a … #
  • In Frankfurt doing a but of tourism. Just found wifi. Seano is warming up….. #
  • No, I’m not going to order ice cream #
  • Last under the sun play Frankfurt raumstation tonight. Doors 9pm #
  • Last Under The Sun has a show coming up on 2010-05-20 at 20:00 @ Stumpf in Hannover, DE http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/12094061 #
  • Gig last night was great. Today it’s vegan kitchen at raumstation so eating a plate of food. They’re playing P.A.I.N -O.U.C.H on soundsytem #
  • Last Under The Sun has a show coming up on 2010-05-22 at 12:00 @ The Old Wharf in Birmingham http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/12167899 #
  • Last under the sun played hannover stumpf last night. The other band called egozid were really good and nice people too. Back to England … #
  • Stuck in traffic somewhere in Belgium #

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

by Mark Badger

Microblog F j, Y

May 14, 2010 in Other by Mark Badger

  • Go ahead, market and promote your City Council, do all the work, but don’t expect any money: Artsfest 2010 http://shar.es/m6i4M You Idiots. #
  • Police Bastard – “It’s Good To Hate…..” CD & DVD (Iron Man Records 2010) Dedicated to Trogg http://bit.ly/9Jcf4g #punk #Birmingham #music #
  • More tea vicar? #
  • Who are the greatest women in the counterculture? Feel free to include their works and deeds in… http://bit.ly/bse0xi #
  • Last Under The Sun – European Tour May 2010 | Iron Man Records http://lnk.ms/7CTXZ #
  • Last Under The Sun: Last under The Sun – European Tour May 2010 http://goo.gl/fb/uwfDW #
  • Police Bastard – God Off (Death Dub remix) A work In Progress http://goo.gl/fb/tAVoA #punk #dance #nonsense #birmingham #
  • Philip K. Dick on "Consensus Reality" and the Multiverse http://bit.ly/cMQJ1j #
  • Last Under The Sun – European Tour May 2010 | Iron Man Records http://goo.gl/fb/etmRJ #
  • Gig: Last Under The Sun – European Tour May 2010 | Iron Man Records http://goo.gl/fb/azpn9 #
  • Last under the sun is rehearsing at Musoplex. Seano is back in action too. All good. #
  • Religious Institutions Are Ruled By the Morally Bankrupt — But Should We Be Cheering Religion’s Demise? http://is.gd/c4JhK #
  • massive shame about Glade Festival canceling this year – the best sponsorship free festy in the UK for Electronica Music !!! (via @Pathaan) #
  • Sat in hockley bar and grill at the big peg. Waiting for news from the hippie. This may take time #
  • New British Prime Minister A Member Of UK Equivalent Of Skull & Bones Society – http://tiny.cc/r5jug #
  • Police Bastard â?? Itâ??s Good to Hate CD (Iron Man Records) Released May 23rd 2010 #punk #birmingham #music
    http://hub.tm/bocxX #
  • Police Bastard – “It’s Good to Hate” CD (Iron Man Records) Released May 23rd 2010 #punk #birmingham #music http://hub.tm/bocxX #
  • Police Bastard – “It’s Good to Hate” CD (Iron Man Records) Released May 23rd 2010 | Iron Man… http://goo.gl/fb/zjtL2 #
  • #lastfm #love Inside Out by Last Under The Sun http://bit.ly/9sOexA #
  • Last under The Sun – European Tour May 2010 – Last Under The Sun’s MySpace Blog | http://lnk.ms/7Kh9t #
  • Magickal Mayhem on http://www.musicworldradio.com right now featuring international sounds from Europe, USA, Scandanavia, UK & Denma … #
  • The hippie has fixed my amp. All good for tour now. Jihaaaaaad!!!! #
  • Interested in becoming a music producer? Our Intro to Logic Course starts soon: http://bit.ly/cZEt7M (via @BlueWhaleBrum) #
  • Try writing without using the word “is” and you may find the world becomes a better place. #
  • On the a24 near horsham on way to collect new police bastard CDs #
  • Sat in the car park at one of the giant ant’s despatch outlets waiting for the packing by slave labour to finish so I can collect the CDs #
  • Israel Is Building A Robot Army http://bit.ly/9c9z26 #
  • @roedebi yeah all good but still waiting on CDs this end in reply to roedebi #
  • And I’m still waiting for the CDs…. #
  • The slaves are working hard….looks like one has a trolley….this could be a loading clue….. #
  • Result. I have the CDs. All good #
  • Police Bastard – “It’s Good To Hate…..” CD & DVD (Iron Man Records 2010) Dedicated to Trogg http://bit.ly/9Jcf4g #punk #Birmingham #music #

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

by Mark Badger

links for 2010-05-14

May 14, 2010 in News by Mark Badger

  • Police Bastard – "It's Good to Hate" CD (Iron Man Records) Released May 23rd 2010 | Iron Man Records
    Police Bastard – “It’s Good To HATE” will be released through Birmingham’s Iron Man Records, May 23rd 2010.

    The release contains a CD featuring four new songs and one cover version with an additional DVD containing live footage collected between 2007 and 2010.

    The record features the work of founding band members Pid and John Doom doing dual vocals together again for the first time in ten years. The gigs and recordings have also seen the return of Chris Crass, who took over on bass from Trogg in 1994. Seano Porno and Mark Badger from Last Under The Sun have picked up the work of guitars and additional vocals and the drummer is Simon James who also plays in Last Under The Sun and formerly of Rivers Edge.

    The release is dedicated to Trogg, Police Bastard’s first bass player who passed away in 2008. It was because of Trogg, and his enthusiasm to do it all again, that Police Bastard started writing, rehearsing, recording and touring again.

    (tags: newswire ironmanrecords cd birmingham music records musoplex)

2 Comments »

by Mark Badger

links for 2010-05-11

May 11, 2010 in News by Mark Badger

  • Last Under The Sun – European Tour May 2010 | Iron Man Records
    http://www.sonicbids.com/LastUnderTheSun

    16th May de Koevoet (with Chaka / Vortex) Ploegstraat 23, Antwerp, Belgium.
    The Filthy Mob present: a lazy sunday afternoon-party @’tKrakersHol / de Koevoet w/ Last under the Sun (UK) Chaka (Bra) Vortex(B) deKoevoet ploegstraat 23 Antwerpen, Belgium 2018

    http://www.myspace.com/chakaliveandloud

    http://www.myspace.com/lastunderthesun

    http://www.myspace.com/vortex

    http://www.myspace.com/thefilthymobgigs

    17th May Gig still wanted either in Belgium, Northern France or Germany

    18th May Raumstation, auf der insel 14, 60489 Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
    Show on Map Tel: 069/78803420 Web: www.raumstationffm.de

    19th May Gig still wanted in Germany

    20th May Stumpf, Welfengarten 2c, Hannover, Germany. Show on Map Web: www.myspace.com/stumpfhannover

    22nd May The Old Wharf, 21 Oxford St. Digbeth, Birmingham, B55NR, United Kingdom Show on Map Last Under The Sun will be on stage playing at 1pm

    (tags: newswire events gigs lastunderthesun music birmingham)

No Comments »

by Mark Badger

UK Music are looking for established music businesses in the North East who have approached banks for business finance

May 8, 2010 in News, Other, Strategy by Mark Badger

Here’s a message from our friends at generator. This is aimed at those operating in the North East but it raises some interesting points that may be useful to you wherever you are based.

“Our friends at UK Music are looking for established music businesses in the North East who have approached banks for business finance. ?Experience from across the industry suggests that this is hard to obtain and UK Music would like to make a case to the Government on behalf of the industry to request additional support in dealing with banks.

If you have been successful in obtaining finance for your business from the banks, UK Music would still like to hear from you as they would like to present a number of case studies.

Please read the letter below and forward your responses to info at ukmusic.org with your name, business and telephone number.”

Thank you.
Damian Baetens ?Director – Business Development?Generator
www.generator.org.uk

Read the letter here: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4588947573_e1d06e968b_b.jpg

uk music letter May 2010

Tags: , , , , ,
No Comments »

by Mark Badger

Artsfest request Applications from Performing and Digital Artists – Closing date Friday May 28th 2010

May 8, 2010 in Get a gig, Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

ArtsFest, Birmingham will run from 10th -12th September 2010

We are very pleased to announce that applications for ArtsFest 2010 for performing and digital artists are now open. Applications for visual artists will open next week, week beginning 10th May and close 28th May 2010.

To apply please log onto the website: www.artsfest.org.uk

Mid way down the homepage there is a link to the performing and digital arts applications forms.  Please click on the link for the form you wish to complete.

You will then be directed to guidelines to help you complete your application, and by entering your email address where requested, you will then be directed to your application form.

Once you have entered your email address, you will receive an email containing a unique link to your application form. Using the save buttons at the bottom of each page in the application, you can save your application part way through completion of it.  Then by clicking on the link in the email, you can return to your application at another time. This means that you do not have to complete your application in one sitting, but can complete it in several sittings if you wish, provided you do so by the closing date of 6pm, Friday 28th May.

If you are having difficulty completing your application, please remember to look at the information, hints and tips given when you click on the blue

Information symbols that appear throughout the application form.  If you have a query not answered by this information then please contact us on 0121 464 5678 or by emailing artsfest at birmingham.gov.uk.

ArtsFest receives large numbers of applications from artists each year and to assist the efficiency of our administration processes we ask that wherever possible you complete your application on-line.  If for any reason however you are unable to do this and would like to request an email, hard copy, or large print version of the application form then please do so by telephone or email at the details above.

We look forward to receiving applications from all involved with The Music Network

ArtsFest
Birmingham City Council
Events Section
C/O Manor House
40 Moat Lane
Digbeth
Birmingham
B5 5BD
0121 464 5678
artsfest at birmingham.gov.uk
www.artsfest.org.uk
ArtsFest 10th -12th September 2010

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

by Mark Badger

Microblog 2010-05-07

May 7, 2010 in Other by Mark Badger

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

by Mark Badger

M.A.C Arts Centre Reopens it’s doors Saturday May 1st 2010

May 1, 2010 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH

At 10 o’clock on Saturday May 1st, MAC finally reopens its doors after a two-year, £15m refurbishment giving everyone the chance to join in the fun and get to know the new MAC. With three days of activities, workshops events and performances, there will be something for everyone.

Saturday will see the first members of the public entering the new purpose-built gallery to see the opening exhibition plug in. Examining Birmingham’s changing role as a global city encountering change, exhibits include pictures and artefacts from Birmingham’s manufacturing heritage, including the sign from the now demolished HP Sauce factory in Aston, a Morris Minor and photos from Stuart Whipps’s series Ming Jue documenting Rover production moving from Longbridge to Nanjing.

Members of the public have also contributed to the show, with a newly commissioned sound piece from Peter Cusack examining people’s favourite sounds of Birmingham, and the Birmingham word cloud – a visual representation of words people associate with Birmingham submitted through social media site Twitter.

In the evening the refitted theatre is hosting its first ever standing gig with Misty’s Big Adventure, Vijay Kishore and Joe Broughton and Kevin Dempsey. Retractable seating means that the theatre is

Out on the relandscaped Terrace on Sunday, critically acclaimed dance troupe Motionhouse will be conducting open rehearsals for their spectacular new piece Cascade, commissioned by mac. One of mac’s associate artists, Motionhouse will be showing off their extraordinary dance and aerial skills as they adventure into a world of water, giving visitors the chance to get a sneak preview of the show developing and put questions to the dancers and choreographer Kevin Finnan.

Monday sees the grand finale of The City Sings, an anthem for mac composed by Helen Ottaway of Artmusic, which will ring out across the city throughout the day with trumpeters, a bus load of singing school children, the Bournville Carillon and many more all joining in. At 4pm the event will culminate in a mass performance as the various groups gather from across the park to celebrate mac’s reopening.

Throughout the weekend there will also be a host of free taster sessions covering the whole range of the Learning & Participation programme, trailers and short films in the refurbished cinema and performances and workshops hosted by South Asian arts organisation Sampad.

Dorothy Wilson, Chief Executive at mac said: “Over ten years in the making, the Building Project has created a dynamic and exciting arts centre that offers vastly improved spaces for audiences and artists alike, I can’t wait to show people around this May Bank Holiday Weekend.”

Highlights of the weekend include:

Amplifying the Map – Guided Tours
Enjoy a range of distinct trails; follow a fantastic audio trail adventure or stroll from bridge to bridge on a journey made for those who care for Cannon Hill Park.

Misty’s Big Adventure, Vijay Kishore, Joe Broughton & Kevin Dempsey
Sat 1 May, 8pm £14
Misty’s Big Adventure, bring their hip hop beats, screwy jazz, pop, scratching and electric toys. They share the event with rising start Vijay Kishore alongside virtuosi of guitar and fiddle, Kevin Dempsey and Joe Broughton.

Creating Cascade Open Rehearsals
Sunday 2 May
Take a sneak preview of Motionhouse’s next outdoor spectacle that promises to be a display of extraordinary dance and aerial skills. Watch how the show develops and put your questions to the choreographer Kevin Finnan.

plug in
Saturday 1 May – Monday 30 August
Plug in, guest curated by artist Simon Poulter, celebrates the opening of mac’s enviable new gallery space by exploring the changing role of our home city.

The Sampad Story
Saturday 1 May – Monday 30 August
A retrospective exhibition that takes you on a journey of South Asian arts in the region since 1990, told through the eyes of the artists, audiences and communities from the past twenty years.

The City Sings, a new work written by Helen Ottaway to celebrate the re-opening of mac
Monday 3 May
Join in as musicians and singers from all over Birmingham appear together to perform in the extraordinary event.

In addition, as part of the opening weekend you will be able to find out more about our Learning and Participation programme. With a wide range of free workshops, artists workshops and artist demonstrations you can take a sneaky peek and sample what’s to come!

What’s more, throughout the weekend there will be an opportunity to re-introduce yourself to our Cinema, see some trailers and shorts and catch up on some of the films that have been released while the mac has been closed. Highlights include A Single Man, It’s Complicated and I am Love.

MAC

Cannon Hill Park
Birmingham B12 9QH

www.macarts.co.uk

Registered Company no 718349
Registered Charity no 528979
VAT no 818 2851 16

Supporting Birmingham’s Bid to become UK City of Culture 2013

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »