915,000
Music. Theatre. Visual Arts. Comedy. Dance
visits and counting within the last year, are you missing out? mac birmingham offers a range of outstanding activities and facilities: Music Theatre Film Cafe & Bar Visual Arts Learning Participation Room Hire Dance Comedy
Sales & Information 0121 446 3232 www.macarts.co.uk
Registered company no: 718349 Registered charity no: 528979
Cannon Hill Park | Birmingham | B12 9QH
cannon Hill Park | Birmingham | B12 9QH
mac at fifty
2
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Timetable
Contents: Children & Families Comedy Dance Music Theatre Visual Arts
Pg 4 - 5 Pg 6 - 7 Pg 8 -9 Pg 10 - 12 Pg 13 - 17 Pg 18 -21
Spoken Word Connected Development Spotlight: Next Generation Contact Us
Pg 22 Pg 23 Pg 24 - 25 Pg 26 -27
Date
Event
Page
2 Feb
Next Generation Gig Night
12
8 Feb
Phil Cool: Stand Up Chameleon
6
9 Feb
David Parkin: Good Friday
11
13 Feb
Sampad: Dance Sabha
9
14 Feb
The Long & Short Of It
7
17 Feb
Tall Stories: Mr Benn
4
21 Feb
Making Tracks: Yiddish Twist Orchestra
10
22 & 23 Feb
Pied Piper: My Big Little Sister
5
23 Feb
Simon Day: Comedy and Error
6
28 Feb
The Ding Foundation: Hanging by a Thread
15
5 Mar
Adverse Camber: The Kingdom of the Heart
22
Proudly presenting our 50th year of exciting work for our audiences and participants, there are some fabulous nods to our past in our Spring programme. Two pieces of exquisite storytelling for adults using puppets acknowledge our rich history of supporting this area of work. We also continue to champion the fertile grass roots of new theatre from the West Midlands as part of Theatre Fever in a region-wide collaboration with other venues.
7 Mar
Santé Theatre: Passing On
14
7 & 8 Mar
Rosie Kay Dance Company: There is Hope
8
8 & 9 Mar
The Lovely Men
7
9 Mar
Jazzlines: Neon Quartet
10
12 & 13 Mar
Talking Birds: We’re Only Here Today
16
Theatre Fever is a celebration of local Theatre made and performed in the West Midlands. It runs across venues between 9th & 24th March. Look out for the logo and visit www.holdingspace.co.uk to see listings for all Theatre Fever shows, including free events and productions especially commissioned for Theatre Fever by Holding Space. Holding Space is a group of theatre companies and venues, including mac birmingham, who have teamed up to work together helping theatre thrive in the West Midlands
14 Mar
Powerplant with Joby Burgess
12
17 &18 Mar
Soul City Arts: Breaking Down The Walls
16
19 Mar
Peacock Angell: St Patrick’s Day show
11
21 & 22 Mar
Untied Artists: For Their Own Good
17
23 & 24 Mar
Babakas: Our Fathers
17
26 – 28 Mar
Talawa Theatre Company: God’s Property
13
5 & 6 Apr
DNA: Chicken Licken
5
12 Apr
Upswing: What Happens in the Winter…
9
Spring 2013
mac at fifty
3
4
Children & Families
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Children & Families
5
Tall Stories: Mr Benn Sun 17 Feb, 1.30pm & 4pm, Theatre, £8.50, Ages 4-10 Running time: 1 Hour As if by magic, the shopkeeper appeared… Tall Stories (creators of the Gruffalo and Room on the Broom stage shows) present their latest production, with catchy songs and astounding magic – for everyone aged 4 to 104, old friends of Mr Benn and new adventurers alike… One ordinary day, Mr Benn receives an invitation to a fancy dress party – and comes across an extraordinary shop. As if by magic, the shopkeeper appears with an array of costumes, and shows him into the dressing room. Inside is a mysterious door that leads Mr Benn into incredible adventures, full of dragons, princesses and sea monsters… Will Mr Benn ever go back to his ordinary life?
Pied Piper: My Big Little Sister
DNA: Chicken Licken
Fri 22 & Sat 23 Feb, 11.30am & 2.30pm, Foyle Studio, £6, Ages 5-8yrs Running time: 50 mins
Fri 5 & Sat 6 Apr, Foyle Studio, 11:30 & 2:30pm, £6, Ages 3-6yrs Running Time: 45 mins
My Big Little Sister is a play about growing up. Tom’s little sister Ruby always wants to have ‘grown-up’ things and to do ‘grown-up’ activities; all that freedom sounds like fun. But when Ruby’s wish comes true and she wakes up as a REAL grown up, Mum decides to take a well earned break, leaving Ruby in charge. Suddenly the responsibilities of juggling a job and looking after Tom and Nan don’t seem like so much fun.
A baby chick is born and thinks the sky is falling down. On the way to tell the King, she meets Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky and Turkey Lurkey, but there’s a shocking surprise! Chicken Licken grows up to be the Little Red Hen and asks her friends to help her make bread, but no one wants to play! Mixed into this recipe of food, puppets and music is the story of Little Red Hen and the sly Foxy Loxy.
Download Pied Piper’s Family Activity Pack, curriculum-based Education Pack and Illustrated Storybook from www.piedpipertheatre.co.uk.
Will she outwit him and save her stuffing? A spellbinding rendition of three classic Ladybird book stories using puppetry and food!
6
Comedy
Phil Cool Stand Up Chameleon Fri 8 Feb, 7.30pm, Theatre, £16 (£14) | Ages 14+ Phil Cool is one of the country’s finest impressionists; a familiar - if rubbery - face from the TV of the 1980s and 90s. Holding a degree in ‘Faceology’ he is legendary for his facial contortion expertise, achieving YouTube cult status for his varied imitations, which include anyone from Bugs Bunny to George W Bush. A stand-up chameleon, he punctuates his show with a wealth of hilarious anecdotes, observations and topical routines. ‘On so many occasions he was the reason I missed doing my A level homework. Cool It was unmissable.’ Jon Culshaw
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Simon Day Comedy and Error
The Short and Long of It
Sat 23 Feb, 8pm, Theatre, £15 (£12) | Ages 12+ Best known for his hilarious characters in The Fast Show and Bellamy’s People, Simon is a great, intelligent stand up comedian and author. Join him for some witty stand up and quick repartee, before he reads selected passages from his vivid and totally honest autobiography ‘Comedy and Error’ which tells the whole story from his troubled youth to his miraculous rescue from self destructive addiction by a wife who “remained good looking while I got less famous”. The evening ends with a question and answer session, followed by a book signing.
Thu 14 Feb, 8pm, Hexagon Theatre, £15(£12.50) | Ticket includes a glass of sparkling wine with strawberry and chocolate Enjoy Valentines with this stand up rom-com special. Gareth Berliner, a comic known for his soulful stand-up and actress Kiruna Stamell, from 'Life's Too Short' and 'Cast Offs' bring you a Valentine's night to remember. Berliner and Stamell are a real-life married couple, lifting the lid on relationships with tales from their own lives. It promises to be an evening of laughs and celebration of love, with a dash of healthy cynicism. “Berliner and Stamell clearly have something new to say and it's something we haven't heard before... they will have a massive hit on their hands.” www.fringeguru.com
Comedy
7
The Lovely Men Fri 8 & Sat 9 Mar, 8pm, Hexagon Theatre, £8 (£6) | Age 16+ Contains adult content. Out of the ashes of mac birmingham favourites 'Bread and Circuses' rises a brand new energetic and fast-paced comedy sketch show that mixes live action with video and sound from James Cook, Jonathan Lee, Andy Richardson and Dan Smith.
Did you know that we run a stand-up comedy course, taught by “Lovely Man” and full time professional comedian James Cook. Ever popular it provides great skills for anyone who’s ever thought they could be funny. New Term Starts Mon 7 Jan. Booking now.
8
Dance
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Dance
9
In collaboration with Arc Stockton, & in association with The Albany & Jackson’s Lane
mac birmingham, Warwick Arts Centre, Dancexchange and International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012 present
Rosie Kay Dance Company: There is Hope Thu 7 & Fri 8 Mar, 8pm, Theatre, £12 (£10) Age 14+: contains partial nudity and scenes of an explicit nature. Following the success and critical acclaim for its 2010 production, 5 SOLDIERS, this Birmingham-based and nationally-renowned company bring their hard-hitting, contemporary dance work to mac birmingham. There is Hope begins in the real world, but rapidly descends into hell, followed by purgatory before finally reaching a state of heaven – interwoven with elements of Kay’s renowned black comedy, occasional nudity and athletic performances. Both challenging and thought-provoking, this new piece – featuring five dancers and three musicians playing live - ultimately offers up a message of hope and redemption. Exploring ancient ritual and contemporary religion, there is a chance to engage with the company in either a pre-show debate on Thu 7 or post-show discussion on Fri 8 March.
Southern Belles: Dance Sabha
Upswing: What Happens in the Winter…
Wed 13 Feb, 7.30pm, Foyle Studio Tickets: £8 (£6)
Fri 12 Apr, 8pm, Theatre, £12 (£10)
Sabha is sampad’s popular showcase for local and emerging talent in music, dance, theatre and spoken word. This evening’s show features the beautiful forms of classical South Indian dance. Kopal Vedam will perform Kuchipudi dance from Andhra Pradesh, known for its graceful movements and strong narrative/dramatic character and students of Chitraleka Dance Company will present striking Bharatanatyam originating from Tamil Nadu. Presented by sampad in partnership with mac birmingham
An arresting mix of aerial, theatre and dance treading a delicate path through the minds and bodies of two women who refuse to stop flying. Using the lives of circus artists as inspiration, Upswing asks what happens as you get older, when your profession requires super human strength and skills? How does it affect your self-worth and your place in the world? Created by aerial director Vicki Amedume, and Manchester based writer Sonia Hughes there is an opportunity to join the company for an aerial workshop with a group of participants over 55. Participants from this session have the opportunity to be integrated into the show as an ensemble. For more information, please contact learning@macarts.co.uk or 0121 446 3220.
“demonstrate the real possibilities that emerge when circus, dance and theatre meet and meld.” Guardian (on Fallen)
Music
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Jazzlines: Neon Quartet
Making Tracks: Yiddish Twist Orchestra
Peacock Angell: St Patrick’s Day Show
Sat 9 Mar, 8pm, Theatre, £12 (£10)
Thu 21 Feb, 8pm, Theatre, £12 (£9)
Tue 19 Mar, 7.30pm, Hexagon Theatre, £10 (£7)
This quartet is led by one of the most respected saxophonists and band leaders in British jazz, Stan Sulzmann, who has been a member of bands led by Gil Evans, Kenny Wheeler and Michael Brecker as well as leading his own fabulous big band. Stan has always been keen to foster talented young players and this quartet features three of the most brilliant: pianist Kit Downes, vibes player Jim Hart and drummer Tim Giles.
Twisted retro roots featuring Ska Cubano’s Natty Bo on vocals, this all-star East End London band’s irresistible, bold and brassy musical fusions guarantee to have us all doing ‘der shvitz’!
10
Expect strong melodies with a lot of interaction between the members of the quartet. The Neon Quartet released their second album Subjekt on Edition Records in November 2012. Listen to a sample on; www.stansulzmann.co.uk/neon
Music
11
David Parkin Good Friday: The Clinical Depression Concept Album Show(™) Sat 9 Feb, 8pm, Theatre, £10 (£7) | Age 16+
The Yiddish Twist Orchestra revive a cultural collision born in the late 50s and early 60s of the dirtiest, most deliriously danceable music of all – a hallucinating mix of surf rock guitar, West Indian calypso, mambo, skiffle and Jewish folk melodies.
Ruth Angell’s soulful fiddle and airy singing mix seamlessly with Sid Peacock’s dexterous, syncopated guitar style and a vocal able to control its traditional Irish gruffness and deliver a soft serenade. Together the pairing create an eclectic mix of music influenced by Irish folk, jazz, country, blues and more modern ethereal music about the struggles of daily life and the beauty found in everything.
“a band with a mission, and their own quirky mythology” (The Guardian)
“How can I sum up this album in one word? Beautiful.” - FATEA MAGAZINE
Expect beautiful music, scary music, funny music, a bass, a knife, a glockenspiel, the stars at night, two cellos and a black dog.
Moving, charming and devastatingly honest, Parkin deals with a troubling issue in an approachable and entertaining way. With tunes. And gags. Taking to the stage with two talented multi-instrumentalists and direction from New Art Club’s Pete Shenton, he tells us of his breakdown and of the love affair between man and piano that blossomed as he wrote the album.
Part of the SPILL National Platform Supported by Embrace Arts, Simorgh, Lincoln Drill Hall, Hatch, Curve and the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
12
Music
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Theatre
13
Talawa Theatre Company, Soho Theatre and the Albany
Talawa Theatre Company: God’s Property Tue 26 – Thu 28 Mar, 8pm, Theatre, £12 (£10) | Ages 16+ Wed 27 Mar* Signed Performance Written by Arinze Kene Directed by Michael Buffong It’s 1982. London is restless, gripped by spiraling unemployment and inner city riots. Ska beats dominate the airwaves and in a flat in Deptford, South London two brothers are re-united unexpectedly. But notions of family and belonging are put to the test when a pack of hostile neighbours gathers outside to deliver some rough justice.
Powerplant with Joby Burgess
Midnight Bonfires and Friends
Thu 14 Mar, 8pm, Theatre, £15 (£12) | Ages 14+
Sat 2 Feb, 7pm, Theatre, £4 adv, £5 on the door | Ages 13+
Internationally acclaimed percussionist Joby Burgess is best known for his virtuosic, lissom performances and regularly appears with artists including Stewart Copeland, Peter Gabriel, Joanna MacGregor and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
Building on the success of last summer’s day-long festival One Beat Sunday, Next Generation at mac birmingham brings you a special night of new music. Midnight Bonfires are one of the hottest new bands in the city, with a unique sound that takes inspiration from artists as diverse as Bob Dylan and Daft Punk. Following the recent release of their debut EP, the band are working with mac birmingham and Jacky P from Scratch Radio’s Unsigned/New Music Show to bring together a line-up of the best bands emerging from Birmingham’s ever-growing music scene.
In a lavish audio-visual feast the worlds of minimalism and electronica collide: explosive drumming, looped xylosynth, found objects, American presidents, traces of Michael Haneke and Franz Schubert culminate in Powerplant’s landmark collaboration with composer Gabriel Prokofiev.
‘The thundering percussion and rapid-fire rhythms of Joby Burgess was thrilling, absorbing stuff.’ The Scotsman
We are offering the chance for an unsigned band/act aged 13-21 to play an opening set at Midnight Bonfires and Friends. If you would like to be considered, please email a 50 word bio of your act, and a link to your music (e.g. Soundcloud) to: learning@macarts.co.uk by Fri 4 Jan 2013 Over 18s – ID will be needed to purchase alcohol
‘Promise comes with a name attached: Arinze Kene.’ The Guardian
14
Theatre
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
In association with Little Angel Theatre
Santé Theatre: Passing On
mac at fifty
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
The Ding Foundation: Hanging by a Thread
Theatre
15
mac at fifty
Thu 7 Mar, Foyle Studio, £10 (£8) | 7.30pm | Age 14+ mac at fifty ticket offer available. See page 15.
Thu 28 Feb, Foyle Studio, £10 (£8) | 7.30pm | Age 12+
This powerful new play has been created from real life stories about ordinary people experiencing the ordinary but extraordinary reality of their loved ones dying in a hospital ward.
Beds play a central part of most people’s lives, after all we spend at least half our life asleep! Sex, birth and death centre around a bed too, and that wonderful activity….. dreaming….Cared for by her daughter, an old woman has knitted herself into her bed – a bed, which has a powerful and surprising will of its own. Using puppetry, objects, performers and music this is theatre that is both playful and hypnotic, spellbinding and absurd.
Juxtaposing intense testimony and moving dramatic imagery with a life sized puppet, the play explores the dilemmas facing both relatives and health professionals during end of life care. Jim and Joyce recall their encounters with insight, confusion, humour and love. Like Joyce, none of us want to share this experience, but most of us will. With post show talk.
“The Ding Foundation…are part of a growing strand of British theatre that recognises puppets can sometimes connect with audiences more directly than human performers” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian mac at fifty Offer: To celebrate our rich history of promoting puppetry we are offering a combined ticket for both The Ding Foundation and Santé Theatre for just £15 (£10 concessions)
16
Theatre
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Theatre
17
Part of Theatre Fever
Part of Theatre Fever
Soul City Arts: Breaking Down the Walls
Untied Artists: For Their Own Good
Babakas: Our Fathers
Tue 12 & Wed 13 Mar, 8pm, theatre , £12 (£10) | Ages 11+
Sun 17 & Mon 18 Mar, 8pm, Theatre, £12 (£10) | Ages 11+
Thu 21 & Fri 22 Mar, 8pm, Theatre, £12 (£10) | Ages 12+
Sat 23 and Sun 24 March, 8pm, Theatre, £12 (£10) | Ages 12+
Two men appear at your house. What they want, who they represent, or what they’re selling is unclear, but they seem to know everything about your life, and they know how to push all your buttons. Suddenly your life choices, your ethics, your politics, your family, even your place in the world seems in question, and everything has changed now you’ve opened the door. Or perhaps it’s just about double glazing.
World renowned graffiti artist Aerosol Arabic (Mohammed Ali) paints the story around you as the tale of inner city ward Sparkbrook, unfolds through decades of being a gateway into Birmingham for generations of new migrants and communities. Underpinned by a live musical score led by jazz legend Cleveland Watkiss, Breaking Down the Walls is an international story about place, home, communities and the way we all respond to change, told through local eyes.
How does our complex and amorphous relationship with other animals affect our own humanity? Accompanied by a menagerie of exquisitely crafted puppets and automata, two performers investigate the pitfalls of being high up on the evolutionary chain.
What would you do if you were asked to be a father in an email? If your Dad thought it was dance school that turned you gay? If you’d never seen the man behind the mask? A daring leap across oceans and decades, led by three performers whose faraway fathers might just make an appearance. ‘Our Fathers’ takes inspiration from stand-up comedy, contemporary dance, video installation and The Sopranos to create a moving, unforgiving tribute to fathers everywhere who tried to do their best. Babakas is an international theatre group based in Birmingham. They combine experimentation with entertainment and combine multiple languages to explore the universal.
Part of Theatre Fever
Part of Theatre Fever
Talking Birds: We’re Only Here Today
Coventry based Talking Birds have been making new work in the region and beyond for over 20 years, often in unusual spaces, but are making a rare return to the theatre with a brand new show, based on the King Lear inspired Pilot night show performed at the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in 2012. We’re Only Here Today is commissioned by Holding Space and produced in association with Thomas Wildish
Breaking Down the Walls is commissioned by Holding Space and produced in association with Pippa Frith.
For more information on Theatre Fever see Page 2.
Taking source material from interviews and documentary footage of veterinary surgeries, farms, abattoirs, hospitals and homes, this show examines how changing attitudes about how we care for animals might just tell us something about how we care for ourselves.
Produced by Pippa Frith & Thomas Wildish. Commissioned by China Plate, mac birmingham, Warwick Arts Centre and Warwick Centre for the History of Medicine. Supported by Arts Council England and Kinitiras Studio, Athens.
18
Visual Arts
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Sonia Audhali Little Yemen
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
The Habsburgs How to Paint Sat 26 Jan – Sun 17 Mar, Terrace Gallery Opening times as per building
Arena Gallery, Sat 9 Feb – Sun 14 Apr Opening times as per building Sonia Audhali’s Little Yemen is a sensitive portrait of a West Midlands community in transition. As a British Yemeni born and raised in England, her photographs exhibit not only an image of one nation and its culture integrating with another, but also a trace of autobiography. Audhali’s identity as both British and Yemeni instinctively influences her approach to capturing a dual heritage of which there is little in the way of published evidence in the UK. The photographs in this exhibition show life in the home, at work, during prayer and at leisure. They capture the importance of food, religion and the social gathering. And they provide a valuable record of the contemporary British Yemen at a point where generations converge; as the aging population of migrant Yemenis in the Midlands gets fewer, Audhali recognises that the opportunity to capture this particular perspective on the Yemeni experience lessens too. Little Yemen is motivated by this; a compelling need to preserve the meetings of one nation’s heritage with another before they merge inseparably. The West Midland Yemeni Community Project is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
The Habsburgs are artists Craig Barber and Andrew Spackman. They are interested in creating art that avoids categorisation and is deliberately awkward. How to Paint is a video and sound artwork that is presented in the Terrace Gallery, and is a playful critique of painting. The work draws upon formal painting language but applies these protocols through the use of time, colour, sound and composition. The work also considers the act of painting, how we learn, the hobbyist and mastery.
Visual Arts
19
Paul Crook Triangle House Sat 23 Mar – Sun 12 May, Terrace Gallery Opening times as per building ‘Triangle House’ deals with the essential properties of painting, such as the manipulation of materials and the process of production; at the same time it questions the way we understand and engage with various aspects of the urban landscape. Exhibited alongside the ‘Triangle House’ painting is a series of smaller supporting studies. Placed together in this context, the process of developing an initial idea through to a more resolved painting can be read as a diagnostic, selective process of thinking and enquiry. An investigation into possible colour relationships and various paint application methods prove to be crucial in effectively informing the making of the larger ‘Triangle House’ painting.
20
Visual Arts
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Visual Arts
21
Image: Tanya Wood, Pillow 2012, Pencil on arches. Courtesy the artist.
Image: William Kentridge, Ubu Tells the Truth (1996 - 97). Image courtesy David Krut Fine Art, New York & London. ©the artist and David Krut Fine Art, New York and Johannesburg.
The Jerwood Drawing Prize 2012
A Universal Archive William Kentridge as Printmaker
Sat 12 Jan – Sun 3 Mar | First Floor Gallery | Free entry Open Tue – Sat, 12 - 8pm | Sun 11am – 4pm (closed on Mondays)
Sat 16 Mar – Sun 2 Jun | First Floor Gallery | Free Entry Open Tue – Sat, 12-8pm | Sun 11am – 4pm (closed on Mondays)
The Jerwood Drawing Prize 2012 is the largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing in the UK. The Prize aims to explore and celebrate the diversity, excellence and range of current drawing practice and is judged by an independent panel of selectors: Stephen Coppel, Curator of the Modern Collection, Department of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum; Kate Macfarlane, Co-Director of The Drawing Room, London; and Lisa Milroy, Artist and Head of Graduate Painting, Slade School of Fine Art, UCL. From a submission of almost 3,000 entries, the selectors have brought together an exhibition of 78 works from 73 artists. The shortlist includes established artists as well as relative newcomers and students fresh from art college.
One of South Africa’s greatest contemporary artists, William Kentridge is acclaimed worldwide for his films, drawings, theatre and opera productions. He is also an innovative and prolific printmaker whose career began studying etching at the Johannesburg Art Foundation.
Jerwood Drawing Prize is part of Jerwood Visual Arts, a contemporary gallery programme of awards, exhibitions and events. A major initiative of the Jerwood Charitable Foundation.
Over the past 25 years Kentridge has produced more than 300 etchings, engravings, aquatints, silkscreens, linocuts and lithographs, experimenting with formats and combining techniques. Often the social and political themes explored in his prints end up being featured in a piece of theatre or animated film. This exhibition includes over 100 prints in all media from 1988 to the present, with a focus on experimental and serial works, ranging in scale from intimate etchings to linocuts measuring 2.5 metres high. A Hayward Touring Exhibition from Southbank Centre, London.
22
Spoken Word
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Adverse Camber: The Kingdom of the Heart Tue 5 Mar, 7.30pm, Foyle Studio, £10 (£8), Ages 12+ An evening of imaginative storytelling with music for adults drawing freely on two Czech wonder tales and music by Bach and Britten. Join a restless king, a talking horse, the woman from the apple orchard and the youngest son of twelve on an unforgettable journey through the kingdom of the heart. Created and performed by the absorbing storyteller Katy Cawkwell and accomplished classical cellist Sarah Llewellyn-Jones.
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Connected Development
23
Connected Development We have a fantastic season of theatre, visual art, dance, film, spoken word and music from a range of exciting companies from across the UK and beyond. Surrounding the programme there is a range of fantastic workshop and engagement activities on offer from most visiting companies and artists across the season and designed for young people from schools, colleges, universities and community groups. For more information contact our Next Generation Producer, Dan Whitehouse on 0121 446 3225 or email learning@macarts.co.uk Gallery Tours and Talks Join mac birmingham’s exhibition and education staff as they take you on a guided tour of the main gallery exhibitions and talk you through the background and context of the work. Group Prices for a 1 hour tour and talk from £30 Tours and talks with the artists are available on request. Combined workshops and tours available from £130. Theatre and Performance Talks and Discussions Throughout the season there will be a range of post-show and pre-show discussions available for you to meet the companies and artists and be involved in discussions about their work. Post–shows are usually included in the ticket price however pre-show tailored discussions are also available on request. Group Prices for a 1 hour discussion or talk from £30.
Reel Access and Film at mac birmingham mac birmingham in partnership with local community film organisation Reel Access offer a range of film and media based workshops and creative opportunities which are inspired by our fantastic cinema programme. From animation workshops to film challenges, to private screenings of your work in our fantastic cinema, there are a range of opportunities available on request. Group Prices for a 2 hour workshop from £100 Activities will mostly take place at mac birmingham but can be delivered at your organisation / venue on request. To find out more about any of these opportunities and programmes please contact learning@macarts.co.uk. IdeasTap As an official partner of IdeasTap we continue to help young, creative people at the start of their careers. IdeasTap is a charitable organisation with free membership and resources including showcasing opportunities, workshops, funding, mentoring and advice. As part of the partnership we will be developing a range of exciting opportunities, briefs and spa sessions across the season. For more information and to keep updated please sign up now at: www.ideastap.com
24
Spotlight
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Next Generation
25
Next Generation Projects
NEXT GENERATION Daniel Whitehouse is the Next Generation Producer at mac birmingham, a post funded by The Monument Trust. He is responsible for shaping our young people’s programme.
What is a Next Generation Producer? My role is to strategically shape the provision for young people as artists, producers, ambassadors and creative consumers. I work with young people in challenging circumstances and emerging young artists to provide creative opportunities to succeed and to develop our young people’s programme both at mac birmingham and across the city. In order to achieve this, a great amount of the working day is spent liaising with the wider arts, communications and operational teams, as well as artists, curators, educational contacts and other partners. Networking is vital and I really value face-to-face contact, so I always try and schedule meetings and, where possible, go and see work, which enables us to build and strengthen relationships with partners and organisations in the city and nationally. It’s a creative job, but in different ways. In most cases it’s about supporting and championing the creative process, particularly in the development of young people’s work and their resilience, risk taking and leadership abilities. I think creative exposure is vital too. So through my role I try to find ways of introducing young people to high quality art work, and to creating original work to be shared with the wider community of young people in Birmingham, the West Midlands and nationally. What can young people do to get a head start? One of the biggest bits of advice I give to the young people I work with is not to limit yourself to one art form. I think it is important as an emerging artist and practitioner that you try and test out as many things as possible and immerse yourself in as much art and creative content as possible.
Cannon Hill Collective mac birmingham is working with 20 young creatives from across the city giving them the opportunity to develop their own ideas and projects from scratch, have direct access to mac based events and artists, and be given the opportunity to feed into mac’s fantastic arts program. Ideas Tap mac birmingham has become the first Ideas Tap partner www.ideastap.com outside London. In the first year of the partnership we have offered free rehearsal space and creative support to budding artists (creative space), developed a range of creative briefs for young people to access and run a range of ideas spa session masterclasses One Beat Sunday A day-long music festival programmed by and for young people featuring local young talent. The event was supported by young journalists and bloggers whilst Craftspace Collective ran creative workshops. Future Poets’ Festival With the support of professional poets and industry experts a group of 16-19yr olds from the West Midlands created and designed the Future Poets’ Festival. Arts Award Welcome Centre Supporting young creatives to achieve their educational qualifications. Next Generation Across the City We have a strong relationship with organisations across the city and have supported a range of projects with young people including working with Craftspace on the Made In the Middle apprenticeship programme for young people in challenging circumstances. Other partners include, Reel Access (Olympic commission ‘Reel to Relay’), ACE Dance and Music and Birmingham School of Acting. SweetFlyPaperMouth Photography, film and poetry workshops with the young Handsworth and Lozells community inspired by Vanley Burke’s work leading to a showcase event and publication. Breakin’ Out Building on previous years’ success there’ll be more workshops and events focussing on Hip Hop culture. Youth Dance Symposium Empowering young people through dance, in partnership with ACE Dance and Music Next Generation Innovator funds Supporting Young West Midlands creatives to develop arts projects and initiatives for young people in challenging circumstances in communities local to mac. Next Generation Development funds Supporting young emerging artists to develop their creative practice over a sustained period of time within a professional context.
26
Food, Drink & Hires
Spring 2013 Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232
Spring 2013 www.macarts.co.uk
Booking Information
27
Eat at mac Our ever-popular cafe continues to sell a menu of hot meals, snacks and cakes. So make time during your next visit to indulge in fresh, ethically-produced and locallysourced food. There’s also real ale served on draft in our bar and a range of high quality teas and coffees on offer. With notice, we can arrange private catering for all tastes, dietary needs and pockets!
Meet at mac Cinema
Courses & Workshops
If you love film as much as we do then come to our screenings to enjoy films without the background noises of chatter, munching, slurping and texting. All with a member of our team there to ensure the best cinema experience possible. We’ll also be continuing our extremely successful regular cinema programmes:
Our Learning and Participation Spring term starts on 7 January.
Cinema Bambino – adult cinema screenings for those with babes in arms
Half Term – on sale from Mon 17 Dec
Screen Juniors – quality children’s films accompanied by a free animation workshop Departure Lounge – exciting regional film-maker’s work NT Live – screening productions live from the National Theatre stage. Also look out for their Encore screenings and some world-class live Opera. Flickpic - as part of our 50th birthday celebrations vote for your favourite films from the past 5 decades, with the winner of each decade screened at mac birmingham. Vote online or using our on-site kiosk.
There are plenty of short courses happening in the meantime and more information can be found online or from mac itself. Here’s some more important dates for your diary:
Easter Holidays - on sale from Mon 18 Feb Summer Term (Apr - Jul 2013) – on sale from Mon 25 Feb Summer Holiday – on sale from Mon 8 April.
With free WiFi offered throughout the building, mac birmingham is the perfect place to work if you enjoy the creative bustle of our public spaces. We also have a huge range of meeting rooms of all shapes and sizes available to hire at very reasonable rates. In fact, all our spaces are for hire – even a hotdesk in our office.
Shop at mac By now visitors to mac birmingham should have noticed some of the gift cards, children’s activity packs and toys available from the centre. In addition to this we sell work connected to our exhibitions programme including souvenir exhibition guides and the artworks themselves – often under the Own Art scheme where payments can be spread interest free over a 10 month period.
Food Market Self-confessed “foodies” have also been flocking to our food markets on the last Sunday of every month where stalls from local sellers offer delectable morsels to take home and devour.
So if you want to know more contact our Events team on 0121 446 3250 or email hires@macarts.co.uk
Booking Online at www.macarts.co.uk. Don’t forget we have a mobile version of our site so you can book easily on your smartphone. By phone on 0121 446 3232 - where you can also hear this week’s cinema listings In person with a smiley face at our Sales and Information desk. Concessions on proof of ID and discounts for groups of more than 10 are available. Tickets are subject to terms and conditions available online and published at the Sales and Information desk.