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78 More Than One Mile?

Another issue and another challenge to the perceptions of Birmingham. This time it comes comes from recent Channel 4 documentary One Mile Away which has thrust Birmingham, more specifically its gang culture, into the national spotlight once more.

It was supposed to be a documentary (and I use that term in the loosest possible sense) that plots the attempts by like-minded members of rival factions of the Johnsons and the Burger Bar Crew, to end their feuding and stop all the senseless loss of life and liberty.

editors note

However, all it really did was show the bad side of Birmingham once more, without showing all the work that is going on in the community to change peoples lives and perceptions of gang culture. Its outdated information and poor presentation make it a laughing stock in documentary terms. Whilst the notion of it may have been honourable, it was devoid of any real challenge to the thinking of those within by Director Penny Woolcock, something that is paramount in all good documentarists. Woolcock instead seemed to be happy to go along as a spectator and only really intervened in the one scene where she is ‘harassed’ by members of the police whilst riding with some of the gang members. It rambles on repetitively and covers little new ground that her original work, a fictitious film called 1 Day, had not already covered. But the idea of a truce is something that the Birmingham community would dearly welcome, as it has grown tired of the detrimental media coverage, along with the shootings and violence. Whilst the ending of the documentary showed the only truce was going to be between the protagonists of the piece, Scene Birmingham know that there are many working within the community to help the disaffected youth and show that there are alternatives to gang culture. Organisations such as the Youth 4 Excellence Awards that celebrate the best and brightest, are working to help others reach their potential and affect change, more so than this documentary ever will. What this documentary has done is further the stereotypes of birmingham as a ‘rough’ place. in order that one woman might revive a flagging career. We may have our problems - we may not be a perfect city, but for all the bad that does happen there is also a lot of good…unfortunately though the media is seemingly uninterested in a documentary about that! Lee

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s t n e t n o c

s t i d e r c

News Milly Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Illustration

An Interview With Trevor Beattie

Artist Spotlight

Managing Director - Jessica Fitzpatrick

An Interview With Michelle Heaton

Editor - Lee hall

Business Or Pleasure

Graphics - EVP Visuals

Benidorm, Forget What You Know

An Interview With Wassem Zaffar

Headphone Review

Events Guide By TICKETSELLERS

Johnson and Libby Blunt

Capital FM

Fstop Atelier

Kerrang Radio Loves

Sales- Donna Joseph-

Cocktail Of The Month

Gallery

Brands We Love

jessica@scenebirmingham.co.uk

lee.hall@scenebirmingham.co.uk ellisonporter@gmail.com Editors Assitant - Talisha Johnson Contributing Writers - James Wootton, Jess Slater, Ami Streets and Stephanie Potter

Special thanks to our interns for all contributions to this issue - Laura Allison, Shara Contributing Photographer - Angela Devaney of

sales@scenebirmingham.co.uk 0121 224 7394 or 07891480070

All information is correct at the time of going to press. No part of this magazine may be used Sneaks & Peaks without the permission from Scene Birmingham Festival Fashion Magazine. All rights reserved.

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SUMMER 8

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Changes For New Street Station as New Exhibition Shows History The first half of New Street station’s new concourse by Network Rail has finally opened as of the 28th April. The new concourse is the first major change to the station layout in 40 years and also marks a major milestone in the £600m redevelopment of the station, which started back in 2010. As the new one opens the old concourse, along with its entrances, has now closed to allow Network Rail to continue to develop the rest of the station and the remainder of the Pallasades shopping center. To tie into the changes, Network Rail has unveiled a series of pictures from the station’s history that showcase the many faces it has had over its 150 year history. The online exhibition shows plans of the original station and the changes that have taken place over the years and can be found at www.networkrail. co.uk/virtualarchive/new-street/ The first half of the concourse will be one and a half times bigger than its predecessor, featuring a larger ticket office and new escalators and lifts that will improve passenger access to the platforms and trains. Passengers can find out more about the redevelopment by going to www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk

Birmingham Continues to Charm Tourists Birmingham’s reputation as a top visitor attraction is on the rise again, according to new research carried out by Marketing Birmingham. The survey contacted over 8,000 respondents both here in the UK and abroad to get their views on visiting the city. It revealed that Birmingham’s reputation as a visitor destination has grown by almost a third (32%) over the last 5 years. Three quarters of those asked were found to be planning to visit the city for at least day trip either on their own or as part of a touring holiday, while a third of respondents who had previously

visited said they were planning to return. The study also revealed that the more recent the visit the more positive the response to the city. There was also a significant increase in visitors rating Birmingham as ‘good value for money’ and for having excellent transport links. Marketing Birmingham’s chief executive, Neil Rami said: “These findings demonstrate that Birmingham’s appeal to international tourists is increasing and that our marketing campaigns are building the city’s reputation and attracting visitors in growing markets. Promotion of the city to tourists through targeted campaigns are having a strong effect on the city’s tourism.” It is hoped developments such as the New Street Gateway project and the £189m rennovation of the Central Library will help Birmingham continue to compete with some of the world’s leading tourist destinations.

The Ikon Gallery Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary in Brindley Place The Ikon, one of Birmingham’s most important art galleries, has reached a major milestone in its 49-year history as it celebrates 15 years at its current home in Brindley Place. The gallery is based in the former Oozells Street Board School, a Grade 2 listed neo gothic design by architect John Henry Chamberlain, was built in 1877. The building served as a school right up until the 1960’s when it became a theatrical costume hire department before becoming a tax office. But in the 1990’s the school was threatened with demolition when the area around it was cleared to make way for the Brindley Place development. It was only saved thanks to a campaign by the Victorian society and it became part of the Brindley Place master plan and home to the Ikon in 1997. The gallery now attracts up to 120,000 visitors a year. In January Ikon was awarded £457, 387 by Arts Council England to replace, repair and modernise parts of the iconic building and there are also plans to develop another Ikon gallery in Curzon Street by 2020.

Arts Festival Scrapped as Part of Council Cuts Birmingham city council has announced plans to scrap the city’s annual arts festival - Arts Fest. The festival has been taking place in the city every September since 1997 and has seen various performers such as artists, musicians and actors put on shows at venues across the city. But now, with the council forced to make savings of over a £100 million from its annual budget, the festival is one of the first of many to fall victim to the council’s cuts despite it attracting up 250,000 visitors to the city every year. The council will not leave the city’s arts scene totally bereft of an arts festival however. The first weekend of September (on which Arts Fest was traditionally held) will see the opening of the new Central library that will incorporate an arts and cultural festival. While a new, albeit lower cost, festival to replace Arts Fest will be launched next year. It is thought that Arts Council England has shown an interest in possibly matching funding a new festival, which could ensure the continuation of an arts festival in Birmingham while saving the council money. Watch this space!

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Illustration by Milly Jackson www.milliyjackson.com

An Interview with

Trevor By Jessica Fitzpatrick

It’s not very often that I get involved in the writing of articles or interviews. Mainly due to the fact that I haven’t studied journalism, was never too good at English and I get really nervous when it comes to putting pen to paper. I may be the Managing Director with a confident and bubbly personality but it just doesn’t come natural to me, especially if it’s an interview with someone like Trevor Beattie! People ask me all the time what inspired me to start this magazine and each time I’ve been asked I swear I’ve given a different answer! A lot of things inspired me; the most apparent is my love for Birmingham, the people in it and the nightlife ‘scene’, which I so desperately like to tell the world about. To me Trevor Beattie is a true inspiration, someone I look up to more than anyone else in this industry. After rediscovering a documentary I watched in my first media class ‘The Adverts That Changed The World’ , I remembered that he was the one that sparked my interest in advertising and branding from a young age. HE was the mastermind behind the ‘Hello Boys’ Wonderbra campaign and the controversial FCUK campaign that grabbed my attention and HE just happened to be from Birmingham too. When I found out ‘The Ad Man’ was backing the City TV bid, I immediately tracked him down to ask if I could interview him and to my surprise he agreed! The advertising campaigns that Trevor has created don’t just sell products; they change views, create debate and of course, cause a bit of controversy...which is why I love them. I didn’t know what to expect when I first met him. Everything I read about him made him out to be this conversational character that you’d expect to be a bit loud and boisterous. In fact, he was the complete opposite, a calm and gentle man with a creative mind and a quiet soul. After 3 hours of chatting to Trevor about life, work, his upbringing and our hometown we soon realised that the actual interview would have to be rescheduled. I walked away feeling completely and utterly inspired, motivated and thankful that he had taken the time to come and see me. Since then we have met up a few times and I now have the interview to share with you all. My first interview with Trevor Beattie, I hope you enjoy!

So, Trevor let’s go back to the beginning, you grew up in Balsall Heath as one of 8 children. After gaining an Hons degree in Graphic Design from Wolverhampton Polytechnic you moved to London on your own to begin your career in advertising. Was it hard leaving the family home to pursue a career in the big smoke or was it something that you felt you needed to do? It was tough to leave Brum. But I felt that I’d set the process in train by moving to Wolverhampton (Poly) three years earlier. I know it’s only 12 miles down the road, but actually moving out of the Beattie family home was a big leap. To this day, only me and my sister Sheila live outside of the Midlands (Sheila moved to Ireland and settled there many moons ago). As for my move to London, if I wanted to make It in any seriousness in the world of advertising, London was where it was at...and it still is.

What was the original brief that French Connection gave you for the campaign and how did the idea come about? The brief was a very very simple one. Stephen Marks (CEO and Chairman of French Connection) asked me to “do a Wonderbra for FC.”. When I asked him to clarify, he said he wanted to be “the most talked-about fashion chain on the High Street.” You don’t get a brief like that every day! The idea came about, like this: French Connection had a store in Hong Kong. It sent a fax (it WAS 1997!) to French Connection Head Office in the UK. It was headed: FCHK to FCUK. I saw the fax in a pack of reference materials Stephen gave me. It seemed noone had noticed the diamond in their midst. I added the word “FASHION” (It seemed rude not to) and my Art director, Jay Pond-Jones added a whole heap of dramatic white space and inspired art direction and we presented the resulting campaign to French Connection. They loved it. You know the rest.

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There’s a film I wrote for Unicef, featuring the great Nelson Mandela and directed by Hugh Hudson. It’s called “To be you”. Best thing I’ve ever written. It made a huge impact on people’s lives. But the press had their faces in lingerie at the time, so never got round to writing about it.

You shot to fame hitting headline news with the controversy that surrounded the FCUK campaign. What was it like at the time when it was all kicking off and how did you deal with your new found fame?

Are there any campaigns that you have done that you are really proud of that have perhaps gone unnoticed?

After getting to know you over the last few months it’s quite clear that being in the spotlight doesn’t interest you in the slightest, yet over the years through your job you’ve been lucky enough to meet some of the most famous people in the world?

After years of working for another company you then decided to set up BMB with your business partners Bill and Andrew, each walking away from a lifetime of security. What was it that made you want to take such a risk and what do each of the partners bring to the table to make the agency what is it today?

I’m proud to say I have met ALL of my heroes. Some say you shouldn’t do so, but I heartily recommend it. I’ve met the following, and they’ve all rocked my world: Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, Prince and David Bowie and Buzz Aldrin...giants.

It was just the right time do it. Bil Bungay (my art director) had badgered me to do a start-up for years, but it never seemed the right time. 5.5.2005 had a nice ring to it.

Yes! Unicef. There’s a film I wrote for Unicef, featuring the great Nelson Mandela and directed by Hugh Hudson. It’s called “To be you”. Best thing I’ve ever It was a very disturbing, very odd time and I pretty much hated all of it. I was and still am extremely proud written. It made a huge impact on people’s lives. But of the work, but the press got a bit bonkers. Those who the press had their faces in lingerie at the time, so actually know me, will know that I’m a little quiet fella never got round to writing about it. Hey, it didn’t even who’s not quite sure how to react to being branded as have a swear word in it. Why would they wanna cover that...? the wild, controversial bad lad of advertising.

The key is that the 3 of us are very different characters. We each see the world very differently. We could never do each other’s jobs, and wouldn’t want to. There’s a definite harmony in our disharmony. And we’ve hired some very lovely, very talented people. The Labour Party. After years and years of Thatcherism, (Bil’s BMB ruling on hirings was always a brutal: No the proudest moment of my entire career was twats in the building. It works!) presenting the layout of a billboard featuring William Hague with Margaret Thatcher’s hair in the Cabinet Office of 10 Downing Street. Happy days.

What has been your most enjoyable campaign to work on over the years and why?

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Flying to space is pretty much all I’ve ever wanted to do in my life. It is my total obsession. I bought my ticket 8 years ago and we’re getting closer and closer. It’s looking like we’ll fly next year. You’ll just have to watch Sky News to find out what I’ve got planned for when I finally get up there! A friend recently told me a great story that you told him during a speech at an advertising conference about how you made Buzz Light Year fly? Tell us how this happened… Ha! I’ll cut a long story short. I love flying. I loved the film Toy Story. I felt sorry that its hero, Buzz Lightyear couldn’t actually fly (even though, just like R Kelly before him, he believed that he could) So., when I had the chance to fly up to 90,000 feet in a Russian MiG jet, and experience a little bit of weightlessness at the top, I thought I’d smuggle a toy Buzz aboard and whip him out for a brief flight when the moment came. Tell your friends: BUZZ HAS FLOWN!

I could do a whole interview on the movie MOON! I’m so so proud of the project. I hired a lad called Duncan Jones (he’s David Bowie’s son). He’s a remarkable talent. He wrote the screenplay for Moon while he was at BMB. He directed it - me and Bil helped produce it. I think it’s a wonderful piece of work. It won a Bafta, Duncan moved to LA and he’s now one of the hottest director’s in Hollywood. Dreams do come true.

In November 2011 you set up The Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation in honour of your parents. It supports victims of social injustice by providing grants to both organisations and individuals under the themes of ‘Dignity’, ‘Freedom’ and ‘Sanctuary’. How can the people of Birmingham After devising the marketing campaign for and beyond get involved in this foundation and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Space Tourism what made you want to start it? Programme in 2009, you then declared to the world that you will become the first ever fare Again, this is a subject worthy of its own piece. I’m paying space traveller in 2013. With the flight intensely proud of the Beattie Foundation. It’s the most fast approaching at the end of the year are you important thing I’ve ever done in my life and the only thing I’d ever want to be remembered for. If anyone getting excited or nervous and will you be doing wants to find out more, or how they can help, please anything outrageous with a BMB flag when you just go to www.jackandadabeattiefoundation.com it’s all there, as there isn’t room to do it justice here. get there? Flying to space is pretty much all I’ve ever wanted to do in my life. It is my total obsession. I bought my ticket 8 years ago and we’re getting closer and closer. It’s looking like we’ll fly next year. You’ll just have to watch Sky News to find out what I’ve got planned for when I finally get up there!

If you could do any other job in the world what would it be and why?

I offered £80,000 to keep an old peoples home from closure in Wolverhampton, but the Conservative council turned down my offer. They’ve all since been voted out and it’s now a Labour council.

And finally, could you sell Birmingham in one tweet?

Astronaut...of course!

Do you have any tips for those wanting to go Apart from the ticket into space have there been into the advertising industry? any other times in your life that you have been Never give up. Keep on keeping on - then keep on some a bit spontaneous with your money? more. And have 20 ideas a day...at least.

Tell us about the BAFTA award winning film that you made called Moon and how Moon first came about... 16

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Follow me at @trevorbmbagency and I’ll do just that!

r o v e r

WonderBra Campaign

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ARTIST

Overall, I love my city and wish that others would follow me in the getting up on the side of street art. I pretty much inspired the city with the mass amount of area I was covering... Tell us a about yourself?

Little sh*t since four; tagger since 12, street artist… never and sticker bomber since 22. I’ve been named by many as one of the biggest/most consistent sticker/ paste up artists in the UK but I find it hard to believe myself.

Do you see yourself as a Street Artist?

I’m labelled as a street artist by many people and I do more work than most other street artists in Birmingham including mammoth size pieces like billboards. But the funny thing is I hate street art! I hate street artists who wanna make money from street art and hold street art exhibitions to get that little bit of extra recognition…especially if they have only been around five minutes. Where as people like the Toaster, The London Police, Pez etc, have made enough contributions to the scene to be worthy of having their names in lights.

How do you balance what you do?

I do graffiti with the tougher class of writers, having jams, doing quick dubs and going bombing. I do my stickers mainly alone or with those who inspired me to begin…I’m very ‘clicky.’

I hate street artists who wanna make money from street art and hold street art exhibition... I hate fakes and people who try to be something they just shouldn’t be. Don’t mean to come across as a b*tch but...the way I look at it is ‘Graff before art looks smart, art before graff looks naff.’ Stick to what you know and if you’re gonna experiment then do it behind closed doors first.

What draws you to Birmingham and what does the city offer?

Overall, I love my city and wish that others would follow me in the getting up on the side of street art. I pretty much inspired the city with the mass amount of area I was covering, walking from town to town and hitting all circular routes.

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T R

T S I

Scene Birmingham catches up with prolific artist and sticker bomber, Tempo33, to discuss why he hates the moniker ‘street artist’ and his love for the city of Birmingham!

T The future is and always will be… a blank canvas.

TEMPO

A street art era had started but I have always been in my own bubble, not a lot of people understand why I’m so passionate about my icon but so against others work. It’s a graffiti writers mentality, especially in cities like Brum and London. Sticking 20 photos of yourself on flickr and instagram does not make you a somebody, swapping stickers and doing collabs with everybody does not make you a somebody…getting up and being accepted and into the crews you’ve always looked up to for your style, approach and impact on your city…that is when you’re somebody.

What parts of the world has your art taken you to?

I’ve travelled various cities in Europe with my favorites all being based in Holland. I started doing stickers in 2007 and was inspired by SOL Crew, The London Police and a few other similar iconic artists. The passed 2 years I’ve traveled to Eindhoven and Amsterdam on a regular basis to catch up with SOL Crew and The London Police for collaborations.

What materials do you use?

Just plain old wall paper paste. I’ve tried all the other methods but its too time consuming and when you wake up at five in the morning to hit a spot the last thing you wanna do is start making pancake mix. I’ve got my consistency perfect and now I can throw a billboard up in less than half hour. Hotspot and bollox is all you need!

Do you see the opportunity for the potential to protest and have a political impact in what you do?

Politics is all bulls**t to me…this is my escape, my freedom. This is the game where I set the rules and I do the brain washing and it’s fun time for me…I like to play with people’s minds. I leave no name, I make small changes and hit everything and people see it once and think nothing, they see it again and think nothing, then again and think ‘what the f**k is it? In 2007, when I first started Tempo33 there were no stickers just graffiti. I got it up on the streets so much in so little time even the writers were thinking what is this? A brand, a nightclub, an advert? Most people know it now so my new game is traveling to new cities, filling them with faces and then wait. Few days later you’re seeing your work in that city being put on instagram and tagged Tempo33…that’s when you know you’ve made it as a symbol.

What have you got planned for the future?

The future is and always will be…a blank canvas. I will develop in my own time, shock people when they least expect it and I will always stay true to my graffiti routes!! Written by James Wootton

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C I M

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has aton media e H the helle , Mic icised by â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for 7 0 0 t 2 d her n cri X in erty ight ofte utfits an b i L nty o se of spotl demi rom the aring sca e h t f e Since been far mind, w r r e e h v ne ing peak for s ng. i party

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as it seemed to be a really prestigious event and to be asked I was like ‘REALLY? You want me to be involved?’ Then after finding out more and speaking to everyone about it, I realised It allowed me to do two things that I love…sports and raising money for breast cancer.

Yet now 33 the formerly brash star is demure and poised. She has put the partying aside, following the birth of her daughter last year and having to tragically have an elective double mastectomy. We caught up with her at House of Fraiser following her announcement as Ambassador for the Aegon Classic’s Ladies Day (happening in June) at the Edgbaston Priory to discuss tennis, Liberty X and her new found love for sports!

How did being an Ambassador for the Aegon Classic come about?

Has sports always played a big part in your life? My husband has a massive interest in sport, as he’s a former professional golfer, and his interest rubbed off on me. Now I’m a qualified personal trainer and a ‘ gym bunny’, but I have a really natural interest in all sports…I think its something that’s very important for kids. The gym that we go to is heavily into tennis, so for the last two to three years I’ve been surrounded by the game.

So you’ll be ok if you’re dragged out onto centre court?

It’s been a busy year…and there have been a number of I could serve it up a little bit! opportunities but this one stood out in particular 26

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The tournament is affiliated with Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer – given your own recent health battles, is that a cause that’s important to you?

Yeah I do – it has a great music scene and used to have some great festivals. As the first really major city north of London a lot of people in music come to Birmingham to develop and we came here a lot back in the day.

Yeah, definitely! This charity in particular is non-profit and everything goes back into it so they don’t make any money for wages, electricity bills etc…all the money goes straight back in.

Liberty X recently reunited for The Big Reunion show and you’re currently rehearsing for the tour– how’s it all going?

As the first really major city north of London a lot of people in music come to Birmingham... Anything that can raise money for breast cancer awareness, treatments or preventative surgery is a very worthy cause.

Speaking of which, your surgery was elective but there is the possibility of the gene being passed to your daughter. How do you deal with the idea of knowing cancer will be always a part of your life? Yes there is a 50% chance that she might have it and at the time (November) it was very scary. But I thought to myself ‘hang on she’s only a year old’. The way I look at it by the time she is 18 there will probably be a cure for breast cancer and events like the Ageon Classic are

helping us make our way to a cure.

The tournament takes place in Edgbaston - do you enjoy visiting Birmingham?

It’s going great! The tour will be a bigger version of the show and has been awesome. Being back together came quite naturally…despite the time that has passed - 12 years in some cases - but it still felt very natural - I can’t wait for the tour!

The Aegon Classic takes place from 9-16 June and the Ladies Day is on the 13th June. Liberty X is currently on tour nationwide!

Anything that can raise money for breast cancer awareness, treatments or preventative surgery is a very worthy cause.

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business pleasure 28

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2 mins walk from the ICC Extensive conference and meeting facilities Intimate bar and restaurant

Sumptous, mouth watering steaks are available with a variety of garnishes designed to met in the mouth an tanterlise the tastebuds, but leave room for the devilishly wicked dessert menu. But having recently undergone a £4.7m refurbishment For years Broad Street has been yearning for a steak of all its facilities, it is no longer just a place for weary house and, whilst still young, the Grill has much potenbusinessmen to rest their heads, and has now become tial to make a name for itself in this vibrant locale. For the wearied traveller, the rooms at the Jury are a venue in its own right. Somewhere to enjoy a lavish drink at the swanky new bar or a sumptuous steak in large and cosy, yet practical–ideal for tourists and its new restaurant ‘The Grill on Broad Street’. business people alike. As Birmingham is one of the premiere conference The renovation worked transformed the extensive con- venues in the country, proven by last years number ference facilities including the 20 meeting rooms, all of political conferences, the Jury is ideally positioned 445 bedroom and the various public areas that the Jury within walking distances of all the major venues in the has to offer, creating a vibrant feeling of elegance. city centre. The views of the city are stunning in the The bar and restaurant now sport sleek new looks de- day and breathtaking in the evening as the city lights signed to generate a sense of intimacy. Enjoy a cocktail up. at the bar with friends or take someone special for a So whether just for a drink and some food, an overnight stay when the prospect of a taxi home is too meal. The new menu at the restaurant is extensive and camuch, or if in town on business – the Jurys Inn has ters for all tastes. Featuring a bevvy of light dishes for something for everyone! starters, they cunningly make way for its pièce de résistance (as the name would suggest) the grill section. Rates from £45 per night How about both? For years the Jury’s Inn has been one of the dominant figures of the Birmingham skyline, towering over Broad Street and its revelers.

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For years, Benidorm has languished in the shadows of the popular TV series of the same name. And whilst no one can question the huge success of the series and the attention the region gleaned as a result of its popularity, with the success came the stigma of being a ‘cheap and cheerful’ vacation spot where drinking, tanning and shopping were the only activities on the agenda. But now, as the show draws to a conclusion, Benidorm is about to emerge from the shadows as one of the premiere holiday destinations in Europe. Within just a few hours of exploring and you realise that there is another side to Benidorm that the show fails to portray – a Benidorm with a soul that many will not have realised existed. It has a rich culture, stunning zoo’s and sea life centres, and a number of adventure activities from scuba diving to mountain climbing – making it a hot bed for the adventurous.

which kept city safe from pirates for centuries. But, if the stunning vistas prove too much for you in the high temperatures you can retreat to the sanctuary of the ‘San Jame’ church (the church of Saint James), dedicated to the patron of the town. If that’s a little too spiritual for you, then indulge in a spirit of a different kind with a glass of champagne in the viewing rooms the newest five star hotel in the area, the Villa Valencia (www.hotelvillavencia.com), and gaze out over Benidorm Island, which legend says was put there by a giant trying to rescue a drowning princess.

forgetwhat you think you know

The epicenter of Benidorm’s cultural heritage, the Old Town showcases the sophistication of the area. As the oldest part of the region, it is littered with statues and sculptures that pay homage to the area’s proud local history. Narrow streets and the timeless architecture instantly inspire a feeling of being transported back to old-worldly Spain.

With the mountains dominating the skyline of the region, getting up close and personal is a MUST and there is no better way than a jeep safari. Marco Polo Expeditions can take you up to the very top, where you can enjoy unparalleled 360degree views of the entire region and even indulge in a spot of climbing. Our guides for the day were Marc and Dennis who were equally as madcap and entertaining as the trip itself… definitely worth checking out!

One of the best vantage points in the Old Town to And whilst the jeeps may have done all the work getenjoy the panoramic beauty is from the castle remains, ting you up and down the mountain, all that travelling SceneBirimingham.co.uk

Spend some time getting to know Benidorm and you will quickly realise that the perceptions you had before were created in a studio and the Benidorm that you come to know and love, has been there all the time…you just never knew it. builds up a mighty appetite. Thankfully, the Esturion restaurant is a welcome return to civilisation. Famed in the region (despite such stiff competition) for having the best paella around, the mouth-watering dishes are peppered with freshly caught fish and packed with sumptuous flavours. Without a doubt the best paella I have ever tasted.

Flights

Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, operates year round flights to Alicante from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, starting And for those who enjoy their food the Estution is only from £38.99 one way (£69.50 return). For more the tip of the iceberg, as the area has a rich heritage information go to of producing top quality food fuelled by the high level www.Monarch.co.uk. of competition born from the plethora of restaurants the area enjoys. Check out some Andalucian tapas at La Taberna Andaluza or the classic delights of La Sidreria Aurrera in the Old Town. Unbeknownst to most, Benidorm has developed a vibrant and thriving wine culture most typified by the work of the Bodegas Mendoza vineyard located only 20 minutes from the centre of Benidorm. Specialising in predominantly red wines and producing just over 2,000 cases per year which are sold internationally, the vineyard is a sanctuary for wine lovers and at only 20 euros for a tour including sample wines and matching cheeses - it’s an experience not to be missed! Families are also well catered for with a variety of aqua parks, sea life centres and nature parks to keeps kids young and old entertained for day on end. Visit Terra Natura nature park (www.terranatura.com) where you can see elephants, lions and tigers and much more in stunning surroundings. If dolphin and sea lions are more your thing then Mundomar (ww.mundomar.es) has a host of interactive shows that will mesmerise kids and adults alike but don’t sit too close as the dolhins splash! Spend some time getting to know Benidorm and you will quickly realise that the perceptions you had before were created in a studio and the Benidorm that you come to know and love, has been there all the time… you just never knew it.

SceneBirimingham.co.uk

Trips Escorted jeep safari www.marcopolo-exp.es Specialist sport operator. Escorted jeep safaris in 8 seater vehicles - full day from €59 (Under 12 yrs €48) including entrance to Algar waterfalls & hotel pickup

Hotels The newly renovated 4 * Flash Hotel in Rincon de Loix with doubles from €48 www.flashotel. com is perfectly situated in the centre and is in one of the best positions to enjoy all that Benidorm has to offer.

FILM PRODUCTION GRAPHIC DESIGN photography ILLUSTRATION logo designWEB DESIGN

issue #5

Decemeber / J anuary 2012 *F ree

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SCENE Birmingham Decemeber / J anuary 2012 *F ree

nightlife

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culture

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teeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk time with...

wa s e e m Waseem Zaffar MBE is a council leader with a passion for the people of Birmingham. Chair of Birmingham City Council Committee for Social Cohesion & Community Safety, Labour Councillor since May 2011, Waseem has worked with local residents, community groups and faith institutions to unite the community and provide strategic leadership. His work has won him numerous community awards and accolades. Despite the success he has achieved already, his passion for people and developing initiatives to support disaffected young people has not waivered. Scene Birmingham met with Mr Zaffar to discuss some of his achievements and work including his most recent initiative â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Brummie Inquiry, which challenged locals to discuss how to make Birmingham better.

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What is the Brummie Inquiry and what’s its purpose? I’m always trying to come up with fresh ideas on how we can make it (Birmingham) a stronger city, especially addressing inequality. One idea…was the Brummie Inquiry. We did it over three full days interviewing and talking to many passionate local people… it resulted in recommendations that were not…what we were expecting. We asked some key questions like ‘what can we do to make it a more cohesive city, what are the strengths, why should businesses settle here?’ In the end, I had to say ‘calm down!’ as the group had so many ideas.

As part of the Brummie Inquiry 15 recommendations were made regarding building social cohesion. Any in particular that stands out to you?

We talk a lot about stereotypical things in Birmingham, but I always ask ‘what is Birmingham? Who are we now in 2013? What are our strengths?’ I believe diversity is one of our core strengths and a key element of Birmingham’s ‘brand’ today is that we have attracted people from all over the world including 187 countries since 2007 – diversity is key to our success. Earlier this year the education secretary, Michael Gove, was heavily criticised over the new national history curriculum that exclusively focuses on Britain.

What are your thoughts on schools in Birmingham focussing solely on the history of our city? Brummies have made significant contributions to this country and it is about our children understanding that. History used to be my least favourite lesson and I used to hate going because it had no relevance. But learning about our heritage or even the heritage of the area you live in today and how it has impacted our country would be great.

The celebration of Brummie history week is a great community initiative that a lot of people are looking forward to. What can we expect?

For Brummie history week, we want to involve the schools and in one year in particular we want to dedicate History lessons to Birmingham history and we would like to offer universities help to put together resource packs for this. These are only our The biggest ethnic group in the city are white Brummies and, at times, we as councillors have ignored recommendations at the moment and councillor John Cotton is now working with officers to implement them…leaving them angry and alienated. It’s about showing that everybody has a stake in this society and them. we don’t just cater to certain communities. One of the things I thought of is the fact that we all want to promote the city, so I suggested the re-introduction of our ambassador’s programme that is about being an ambassador for the city, your neighbourhood or even your local shopping centre. It’s about selling people the best of Birmingham and there are plenty of people who would love to do this both young and old.

What makes ‘brand Birmingham’ in 2013? 36

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Who do you believe is one of the greatest assets to the city? Carl Chin, someone who I have so much time and respect for! I think he is such a vital asset for us as he’s an incredible historian who has so much knowledge about the city. We do not utilise him enough - if you want to know anything about the city speak to Carl. Understanding the history and heritage of the city helps us to shape what the world is today. Even knowing trivial things such as Birmingham founded

I’m always trying to come up with fresh ideas on how we can make it (Birmingham) a stronger city... especially addressing inequality. the country’s Tennis association and a committee member of Aston Villa, William McGregor, signed and wrote the constitution of the football league that was also founded in Birmingham.

Tee’s Random Q: If you were given the power to make decisions for the city, what is one social change that you would implement concerning young people? Tackle child poverty. It saddens me that a third of the young people in the city grow up in child poverty giving them huge challenges when they grow up.

You have won a number of awards including the Lozells Community Award 2010, the Call of Duty Award and the United Streets of Birmingham Role Model Award, 2009. What legacy are you hoping to leave behind for the next generation of councillors? The legacy I want to leave behind is to encourage more people to get involved in making decisions that affect their lives. I want to see local residents including young people at the heart of democracy.

Written by Talisha Johnson

SceneBirmingham.co.uk

REF from I-LUV, £79.99 - www.Iluv.co.uk Stunning, stylish and compact – what more could you ask for? Available in black, blue, red and white the REF headphones epitomise the new-age of headphones where style and clarity mean everything. Designed in New York with a contemporary Manhattan style the woven fabric finish with stitched detail make the REF headphones a statement piece, whilst the built-in titanium coated diaphragm delivers a dynamic sound range providing some lovely deep bass in the process.

Best features: The unique folding design makes these a practical traveling accessory.

Verdict: Easy on the eyes and on the ears – take the time to break them in gradually as the headband is stiff at first but soon gives.

8/ 10 revolution

Headphones have gone through a transition over the last few years to become more than just a vehicle for taking you to musical lands far away. They are now as much a fashion statement as they are a practical means of escaping the harsh sounds of the world around you. Scene Birmingham put five pairs through their paces to find out which will have you hitting the high notes and which will leave you singing the blues!

P3 from Bowers & Wilkins, £169 – www.Bowers&Wilkins.co.uk The P3 from Bowers & Wilkins fly in the face of current design trends of in your face, oversized cans and have gone for an altogether different approach. Sleek and minimal, the P3’s are the perfect pair for the more sophisticated music fan who appreciates great quality (and I mean great) without the need to draw attention to the fact they are listening to music.

Best feature: There simply isn’t just one – they’re perfect in every way.

Verdict: These are the James Bond of headphones – sleek and suave while packing a proper punch and providing you with a concert all to yourself.

Destiny TTR’s from Marley, RRP £249 – www.TheHouseofMarley.co.uk We love the Destiny range from Marley for the sublime listening experience they provide the user. Yes they are seriously oversized, but the level of sound quality and chic styling more than makes up for their less than subtle appearance. Whilst stylistically as different from the P3’s as you could possibly get, they have the same level of expertise that has been honed to provide you with unrivalled sound quality. Featuring button activated Trenchtown Rock active noise-cancelling technology, you can noticeably hear when it has been activated as the outside noise around you simply melts away, replaced by unbelievably deep base whilst the sound remains exceptionally clear. Best feature: The noise cancellation technology is vastly superior to anything we have previously experienced.

MOS006 from Ministry of Sound, £39.99 – www. ministryofsound.com Brought to you by one of the leading names in music, the MOS006 might be shy of James bond status but despite being the cheapest pair in our review pack a decent punch.

10/ 10

Verdict: Big, bold and beautiful – we were split between these and the P3’s… in the end we called it a draw. They are both superior devices for those who take their music seriously.

The high-grade anodised aluminium cups house two 50mm drivers that deliver great audio quality (although the bass can’t quite rival some of its more expensive counterparts). The lightweight design and soft foamcoated split headband ensure a comfortable listen all day long. Available in four colours (black, silver/black, gunmetal/ black, gunmetal/orange) the minimalistic yet chic design make them a good all day-every day pair of headphones.

Best feature: Light and

comfortable.

Verdict: The M0S006

won’t break the bank but will do the job - good for long periods of listening and cheap to replace.

6/ 10 SceneBirimingham.co.uk

D R A C w o n y u b d n a n a c s

Nandos 3 Free hot wings with every combo meal Five Ways Leisure Centre, Bishopsgate street, Birmingham 0121 616 1844 Twitter - @NandosUK www.nandos.co.uk

Malmaison Sunday Brunch ÂŁ19.95 for 3 courses. Malmaison Birmingham One Wharfside Street Birmingham B1 1RD 0121 246 5006

The Horseshoe Bar and Restaurant 20% off food (excluding Fridays and Saturdays/ Bank Holidays) 1214 Stratford Rd Birmingham, West Midlands B28 9BH 0121 777 2340 http://www.thehorseshoebar.co.uk/ Facebook- Horseshoe Bar (Friend) Twitter- @thehorseshoebar

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Lisa Shepherd Salon Birmingham In-depth consultation & personal hair plan, treatment, cut & blow-dry @ £39 In-depth consultation & personal hair plan, colour*, treatment, cut & blow-dry @ £79

Terms & conditions: Valid at Lisa Shepherd Salon Birmingham Monday – Thursday appointments before 5pm. Appointments essential, please mention Scene Card package at time of booking. *Colour package is for a single colour service i.e. roots OR gloss OR highlights. Dual package i.e.roots AND highlights would incur an extra charge. Subject to availability.

Fort Used Cars 10% OFF

The Fort Used Car Centre is a long established Used Car Supermarket, located in Birmingham. www.fortauto.com Tel: 0121 326 6332 F: www.facebook.com/FortUsedCars T: @Fortusedcars

Hampton Hilton 15% OFF Best available rate Monday-Saturday 25% OFF Best available rate on a Sunday (subject to availablity and black out dates) 200 Broadstreet, Birmingham, B15 1SU 0121 329 7450 Reservation at www.hamptonbirmingham.com

TheClubAndSpa 1x Free Day pass worth £45 No joining FEE worth £70 (Throughout March 2013) The Cube Birmingham, B1 1RN 0121 643 2200 www.theclubandspa.com Twitter: @theclubandspa1

Crave 15% off Selected treatments

CRAVE, The Zellig, The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA Telephone: 0121 224 7505 Website: www.thisiscrave.com F: www.facebookcom/wearecrave T: @wearecrave

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Rodizio Rico @ The Cube An exclusive Scene cocktail for just ÂŁ4.50 (Usually ÂŁ7.00)

0121 285 2856 The Cube, Commercial Street, Birmingham, B1 1RS www.rodiziorico.com

Wrapchic Buy one get one free burritos on Wednesdays Wrapchic, Unit 3 North Western Arcade , Temple Point Birmingham B2 5LH 0121 236 8333 http://www.wrapchic.co.uk/ Facebook- Wrapchic Twitter- @wrapchic

Chung Ying Garden Cantonese Restaurant 20% off dim sum menu (only applies to dishes

chosen off dim sum menu, minimum order of 4 dishes) 17 Thorp StBirmingham, West Midlands 0121 666 6622 http://www.chungying.co.uk/ Twitter - @Chungyinggarden Facebook- Chung Ying Garden

Chilacas 10% off total bill Brindleyplace, the Waters Edge, Birmingham, B1 2HL 0121 643 2707 www.chilacas.co.uk www.facebook.com/chilacasuk Twitter: @chilacas_uk

Benjamins Bespoke Shirt Makers & Tailors 20% off your first order and 10% off thereafter 07550085463 www.benjaminvaughan.com

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The Greenhouse CafĂŠ @ The Custard Factory Free Drink With Every Sandwich The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, B9 4AA @greenhousebrum

COW Vintage Clothing 15% OFF COW VINTAGE 82-85 Digbeth High Street, B5 6DY Tel: 0844 50 40 400 www.wearecow.com www.facebook.com/wearecow www.twitter.com/wearecow

Bolongaro Trevor 15% OFF 44 Whorfside Street, The Mailbox, Birmingham, B1 1RE 0121 665 6409 www.bolongarotrevor.com Twitter - @ Facebook- Bolongaro-trevor-birmingham

Find out more offers online at www.scenebirmingham.co.uk

Please visit www.scenebirmingham.co.uk/thescenecard for more informaton and all terms and conditions. SceneBirimingham.co.uk

EVENT

SceneBirimingham.co.uk

10TH MAY

Tour Beast - The Institute Gods Kitchen Presents Gareth Emery - The Institute

17TH MAY

DJ Yoda - Hare & Hounds

18TH MAY

Public Service Broadcasting. The Temple - The Institute Reggae City Festival - The Rainbow Venues

19TH MAY

Craig David - The Institute

24TH MAY

KTRL ALT DEL Supersonic Vague - Gatecrasher Birmingham

25TH MAY

Upload Tour. The Temple - The Institute We Are Weekender - The Public Midlands Goth Festival - Eddies Rock Club

SceneBirimingham.co.uk

26TH MAY

Midlands Goth Festival - Eddies Nightclub Real Deal Comedy Jam - JO

31ST MAY

Seedy Sonics Summer Party - The Rainbow Venues

JUNE 11TH JUNE

SJM PRESENTS James Skelly - The Institute

14TH JUNE

Love From Outerspace - Hare &Hounds

29TH JUNE

Status 1ST Birthday - The Basement Club

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FESTIVALS 5TH UNTIL 7TH JULY

Mostly Jazz And Funk Festival - Moseley Park Birmingham

9TH, 10TH, 11TH AUGUST

Strawberry Fields - Leicestershire

8TH, 9TH, 10TH, 11TH AUGUST Bloodstock - Catton park - Derbyshire

30TH 31ST AUGUST 1ST SEPTEMBER

Mosely Folk Festival - Moseley Park Birmingham

26TH 27TH JULY

Global Gathering - Long Marston Airfeild - Stratford Upon Avon

FESTIVALS 8TH UNTIL 11TH AUGUST

Wilderness - Cornbury Oxfordshire

8TH, UNTIL 11TH AUGUST

Boomtown - Matterley Estate - South England Gatecrasger 20 20 Warehouse - Donnington Park - Derbyshire

18TH MAY

Reggae City Festival - The Rainbow Venues

17TH, 18ST, 19TH MAY

Bearded Theory, Kedleston Hall On The Outskirts Of Derby

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y a d s eover Tau ke laza P y a w d a o r B

STUDENT ONLY EVENT with unique discounts and special offers Visit broadway-plaza.co.uk to receive your unique student discount vouchers CINEMA • BOWLING • CASINO • BARS RESTAURANTS • HEALTH CLUB • SHOPPING *Terms and conditions apply. See www.facebook.com/BroadwayinBrum for details.

10882_SceneMag_240x169.indd 1

ENTERTAINMENT • FOOD & LEISURE

18/04/2013 22:36

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PLaza

Visit Broadway Plaza for exclusive student discounts across the vast range of food and leisure retailers every Tuesday! Simply produce a valid student ID card to access these great deals! See below for a full list of offers and events. Check out the facebook (link) and Twitter (link) sites to keep upto-date on other Broadway Plaza events and offers.

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Subway – 20% off. Save 20% on your sandwich only on one transaction

Valid from 1st May 2013 Until 31 November 2013, Valid at Broadway Plaza Only. 1) Only valid with a current student card 2) Only available on Tuesdays 3) Offer applies on any purchase of a sandwich only. 4) Cannot be used with any other offer. £2, £3, £4, £5 and £6 or meal deals 5) Management reserve the right to withdraw the offer at any time

ODEON – £4.75 1)

All films, every Tuesday – except bank holidays

Bowlplex – A game of bowling & a drink (alcohol or non-alcohol) and a free voucher for an additional game of bowling.

1) Single measures only apply to alcoholic drinks. Must be 18 or over with proof of age 2) Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer 3) Not valid on bank holidays 4) Offer may be changed or discontinued at any time at managers discretion 5) Offer only valid at Broadway Plaza 6) Only available on Tuesdays

Virgin Active - £39.95

1) Offer available upon presentation of any valid form of ID 2) Full access to home club only 3) Minimum 6 month commitment 4) Contact club for full details

Dragon BBQ – 20% off your food bill

1) Only valid with a current student card 2) Only available on Tuesdays 3) Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer 4) Management reserve the right to withdraw the offer at any time 5) Offer expires 31/07/2013 6) Valid at Broadway Plaza only

Dominoes – 2 for Tuesday. 2 pizza’s for the price of 1 1) Offer valid on medium/large pizza’s only 2) Valid at Broadway Plaza only 3) Management reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any time 4) Offer only available on Tuesdays

SceneBirimingham.co.uk

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After over a decade of broadcasting live from Broad Street 102.2 Capital FM, Birmingham’s No.1 hit music station, is celebrating a new location change to Brindley Place and the start of a brand column in Scene Birmingham magazine.

In this edition, we catch up with Brum’s favourite breakfast show hosts Dan & Katy on the morning of their first show in their new home. We find out what’s exciting them this year and how it feels to be getting up for work at a time when most of us are getting in from a night out… So, you’ve arrived in your brand new studios in Brindley Place recently, how are you finding your new home? Dan: It’s beautiful. We were locked away on another floor from everyone for years in the old offices. Now, we can actually see the people we work with! The only downside is that we now can’t come to work naked! Katy: It’s fab. The studio is so high up and has huge windows so light streams in as the city wakes. It’s great being in Brindley Place as we are close to the coffee shops, restaurants and, most importantly of course, the bars! We have a snazzy new hot water boiling machine too, which means you can make a really speedy brew between songs.

How did it feel this morning compared to your very first Capital show? Do you still get nervous? Dan: Not really. I’ve been presenting radio shows for over twenty years and I’ve never really got nervous in a studio. I think it’s because we can’t actually SEE the listeners, but stick me in a room with people and I’m a sweaty, stumbling, nervous mess…it’s odd! Katy: I agree with Dan; when you’re in the studio it just feels like you’re chatting to your mates. I get nervous when we do events in front of lots of people because I’m so clumsy and I always think I’m going to trip over and lose a tooth or have my skirt tucked into my pants, which sadly, has actually happened before.

Capital has been in Birmingham for over two years now, what’s your best memory in the city? Katy: Labrinth and I were in a lift to the studio a few months ago and he started singing and playing the guitar…that was pretty cool. It felt like I had an extremely fancy, personalised lift system. Dan: To be honest, we’ve done some pretty huge gigs since becoming Capital but I’m going to have to go with the move to the new building. The old place wasn’t a pretty sight!

Do you ever get used to your 4am wake up call?

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Dan: Never…I hate it…especially if I’ve been out DJ-ing the night before. I’m fine after a coffee and always snap out of my drowsiness when the mics go up for the first time. I’m always very aware that I may not be looking my best…I’ve had eight years doing this show of people telling me ‘oooh you’re looking tired’. Katy: 4am? More like 5.20…but don’t tell the boss! Dan: He knows…

What’s your favourite part of your job as a Capital Breakfast Presenter? Katy: Getting paid to talk to two of my best mates…I like talking a lot!

if I need a friend.

What are you most excited about this year? Dan: The Fusion Festival at Cofton Park is going to be an experience. Introducing such big acts in front of thousands of people will be scary though. Another thing I’m looking forward to is my summertime DJ gigs. There is just something about playing out to people in the summertime...everyone’s so much happier! Katy: Yes, Fusion Festival in August is going to be amazing. I’m so excited about that. Can’t wait to see the McFly boys. Plus we’ve got the Capital Summertime Ball in London, which is a huge highlight for us. This year will be the biggest yet with over 23 acts and an international star as the host. Roll on the summer!

My favourite show is when someone calls or texts in with something and that leads us off on a journey to somewhere you would never have imagined.

Dan: It’s the cheesy answer but I’ve always genuinely felt like I’m not doing a ‘real’ job. It’s paradise and I’m a lucky, lucky boy!

What funny experiences have you had with listeners over the year?

CMY

Katy: We’ve had so many that it’s hard to mention just one. I love the way listeners get involved and share their problems and stories with us. My favourite show is when someone calls or texts in with something and that leads us off on a journey to somewhere you would never have imagined. Dan: There’ve been loads over the years but a couple that I’ll never forget are; the guy who accidently shaved his eyebrows off while shaving his beard and another who was exposing a guy on air that’d apparently been going around telling people he was me. I don’t know why you’d want to do that in the first place; at least pick someone popular and good looking…

Dan, any goss on Katy for us? Dan: Just ask her why she keeps her ex-boyfriend’s dreadlock in a shoebox under her bed. I think she’s a dreadlock sniffer. Nice!

Katy, What’s it like working with Dan? Katy: It’s great…Dan and I hit it off straight away. He’s like the annoying brother that I never had. He knows all of my secrets, which means I’ve got to keep him sweet, but overall he’s a good egg and is always there 58

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You’ve been part of the Birmingham scene for years now, how important is it to you that we big up the city? Katy: Massively…it annoys me when people dis’ the city. I’ve been here for nearly six years now and I honestly feel like I’ve been adopted. The people I’ve met here are second to none. I love the sense of humour that Brummies have and the fact they don’t take themselves too seriously is great. Having trained for the marathon for two years now, I’ve loved running through the beautiful parks around Moseley and King’s Heath and I love checking out the new performances at the city’s theatres. Birmingham is brilliant! Dan: Every city has its quirks and one thing I like about Birmingham is its multi-cultural element. I’ve spent my whole life immersed around different cultures, from school to friends, to radio stations I’ve worked at and even down to the family I married into. I’m not a fan of places where everybody looks and talks the same…that’s a dull way to live in my opinion. Also, I’m a huge footy fan so having so many teams in the area is a bonus. I used to live in Dubai and, even if a match were on TV, it wouldn’t kick off until midnight. We’ve got a lot to be proud of in Brum.

Not to mention one of the country’s best breakfast shows! You can catch Dan and Katy weekday mornings on 102.2 from 6am

For more information on The Fusion Festival 2013, and the Capital FM Summertime Ball go to www.capitalfm.co.uk

loves Hi Scene Disciples!! I’m Kate Lawler and Welcome to the first ‘Kerrang! Radio Loves’ feature where we’ll be championing everything that’s rocked Kerrang’s world over the last few months. Thanks to Jess at Scene for asking us to get involved. I must say, what a sexy little magazine… I love it! Can we have some at Kerrang! ??? x First up, what an amazing launch party at Sound Ctrl on Lionel Street on Good Friday. We kicked off our first ever Kerrang Club Night called K!trl Alt Delete and it went down a stoooorrrrrm. Johnny Doom and Alex Baker took to the decks and live bands from Gotham Records hit the stage. Everyone was well and truly rocked out by 4am. The next one happens on Friday 24th May. See you there I hope!! Bring it on! Next, I wanted to give E-Lites Electronic Cigs a shout. Breakfast

DJ Keith Kleinfeldt has kicked the tobacco habit and saved his little lungs from the nasty black tar stuff by switching to E-Lites. No more fag breaks either because he can suck on them in the studio! Weird at first but hey-ho… It’s all good… And he tells me he has saved a fortune too. Good; beers on Keith for the next month then!!

Last month Johnny Doom came across a new Facebook game and we all got hooked. You’ve got to see it… It’s called the Music Festivals Game and the guy who runs it even gave us a Kerrang! Stage. It’s hilarious. I even have my own festival on there… Come check mine out, and build your own; then we can visit each other’s and hang out! I’ve also got to say that this month I’m addicted to the Custard Factory. I sat basking in the sun by the fountain last Saturday and found myself in a little slice of heaven. I could spend days there sifting through chests of vintage clothes and treasure, eating fresh, organic food while listening to the best world music. It’s a creative’s paradise and a wonderful familyfriendly Brummie GEM! Next Saturday try a different shopping experience and pay them a visit. You won’t be disappointed. In April we teamed up with sE

Electronics and The Academy of Music and Sound students to find emerging new talent at Unsigned Lounge. We had

a showcase event downstairs at Fleet Street Kitchen (which was uber-swanky) and OMG we were blown away by the eight finalists. Awesome band Lake Komo were crowned the winners after we deliberated FOREVER. Look out for more ULs and get your bands involved… They ROCK!!

Right, back to the studio for my Drivetime Show… Catch me Monday – Friday 3pm–7pm on Kerrang! Radio 105.2!! DATE FOR DIARY: 14th SEPTEMBER. THE FIRST EVER KERRANG! RADIO FESTIVAL IS COMING TO THE MIDLANDS. LINE-UP AND VENUE TO BE ANNOUNCED ASAP… www.kerrangradio.co.uk www.facebook.com/kerrangradio

Cocktail of the month

Barbed Negroni

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As the sun begins to make an appearance, ensure that you have the perfect drink to quench your thirst, while you take in some rays with our Cocktail of the Month. Featuring one of our favourite spirits, gin, the contrasting sharpness and sweetness of the ingredients in the Barbed Negroni will have you drifting off into gin-filled bliss! What youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need:

45ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin 45ml sweet vermouth 30ml Campari 15ml rhubarb liqueur* dash of Fee Bros Rhubarb Bitters

Method: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add all ingredients. Stir. Garnish with a half-slice of orange. *There are a number of rhubarb liqueurs available, but you can also make it fresh. Combine 500g coarsely chopped rhubarb with 250ml water and 200g sugar in a covered pot. Simmer for 30 minutes. Set it aside to cool. Strain through a jelly bag and combine with an equal measure of gin or vodka (good spirit, such as Sipsmith, will make a much better liqueur).

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages in May for your chance to win a bottle of Sipsmith London Dry Gin so you can get to work on your own cocktails! 62

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Sneaks & Peaks | Custard Factory Sat 6th Apr 2013 Art/Fashion event held in Digbeth Photography by Shara Johnson sharajjohnson@gmail.com

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Fleet Street Launch |Fleet Street Kitchen To celebrate the opening of FSK Photography courtesy of FSK

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Helping Harry Help Others Networking Event | Rodizio Rico, The Cube Photography by Ryan Phillips Find out more about HHHO www.hhho.org.uk

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Red Nose Day Abseil @ Hampton Hilton Hotel Photography by Luis Cedeno

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Emily Style: I like to go for a

different and individual style by mixing high street with vintage.

Inspiration: Japanese Fashion, 2NE1 Korean pop singers.

Todays Outfit: Shoes, office - Jacket, Vintage Levis - Maxi Skirt Topshop – Boyfriend’s Tee.

Whoops... we lost this guys name! Sorry mate!

Style: Smart & Casual. Todays outfit: All

Saints.

Katie Style: I’m a

shorts and playsuits kind of girl.

Celebrity Style Crush: Nicole Richie.

Outfit:

Playsuit, Ted Baker.

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Lauren Style: I try to keep on

trend whilst giving it my own personal touch

Celebrity Style Crush: Alexa Chung

Outfit: River Island and Topshop

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ADVERTISE HERE sales@scenebirmingham.co.uk 0121 224 7394 or 07891480070

LOVE

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Success Comes Made to Measure The height of the recession may not seem like the ideal time to begin a new company, but for tenacious Birmingham-based tailor Benjamin Vaughan, then only 25, it offered the perfect opportunity to launch his bespoke range of tailored products that are loved by celebrities and dignitaries alike throughout the country. Bold as it was, the success of the company has outstripped the imaginings of Benjamin when he started, but it did not come easily: “Starting at the heart of a recession took a lot of blood, sweat, tears and, most of all, the determination to make it work” comments Benjamin.

Under the tutelage of the company he flourished and embraced Rostron’s philosophy and dedication to excellence, which underpinned his own work with the company and has been woven into the fabric of Benjamins. With his hand made, individual shirts and suits adorning some of the nations elite sports and business people, Vaughan is no stranger to the wants and demands of high-end fashion. But despite the pesonal success he has achieved, the thrill of igniting flair and passion in his clientele has never waned. Vaughan believes in the involvement of his clients and by allowing them to have input in the design of their product, they are able to reflect their individual style, whilst the garment itself retains that unequivocal Benjamin Vaughan design.

When people visit me, we often have a coffee and I take time to get to know them individually. They are allowed the freedom to browse through the fabric swatches and material books at their leisure... Having started working life learning his craft with renowned shirt makers Thomas Pink, part of the iconic LVHM group a world leader in luxury with more than 3,000 stores worldwide, Vaughan’s eye for detail quickly led him to the door of Manchester based tailor, Frank Rostron.

Vaughan’s style of tailoring is classic yet inspiring, energetic yet sophisticated. They feature a colourful mix of breath-taking fabrics, a rich palette of solid bold stripes. The company holds strong a belief in British design and manufacturing, utilising as many resources as possible from across the country. Each competent in a Benjamin Vaughan garment has been meticulously chosen for their ability to add an additional dimension SceneBirimingham.co.uk

to a garment, all of which are chose with the explicit involvement of Benjamin himself. But is this the secret to his success? Benjamin believes it’s more to do with the company’s approach to each project and new client that defines them amongst a sea of high street pretenders: “To launch a successful business you have to know your customer. I spend time getting to know each of them personally and have never really taken a ‘hard sell’ approach” Benjamin continues. “When people visit me, we often have a coffee and I take time to get to know them individually. They are allowed the freedom to browse through the fabric swatches and material books at their leisure, as their input is what makes the garment unique. We don’t rush our products…so why should our customers be expected to rush the experience of being part of the process.”

Whilst there is definitely a renewed interest in men taking pride in their appearance, plus an emphasis on personalised, tailored products... But as the economy begins to claw its way back to some semblance of its former self, and with a clear market for tailored products, is the threat of a surge of high street pretenders to the throne something that worries Benjamin? “No” he replies defiantly. “Whilst there is definitely a renewed interest in men taking pride in their appearance, plus an emphasis on personalised tailored products; our garments and the experience we provide would be very difficult to replicate on the high street.” As it stands, Benjamin and his company seem poised to continue to benefit from the increased demand for high-end, tailored products that are quintessentially British and ooze style. Who knows what the future holds for tailoring in the Midlands and across the country, and whether it has a future on the high street or not. But, for now Benjamins it seems, is a cut above the rest.

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E U Q I T U BO

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Tattoo & Aesthetic Boutique Birmingham is home to some of the UK’s best tattoo studios and parlours – but in the age of fast-food body modification, where can the industry go from here? The answer could be Crave.

shepherds of the world, not the sheep”. You can book in to the Italian hair spa and express blow dry to experience Matt’s deconstructed cuts for both men and women.

Brought to the UK by former Suicide Girl, Beau Clarke – Crave Tattoo Aesthetic Boutique is a oneof-a-kind hybrid tattoo and beauty wonderland. Offering an experience like no other, from the

In addition Crave is proud to be part of the Scene Card, with all holders benefiting from discounts on pre-party packages, so you can get your party on in style. Don’t forget you also receive “beat the queue status” so

moment you step into Crave you are instantly inspired. Spacious, sophisticated and luxurious – the latest addition to The Custard Factory family in Digbeth is tipped to set the industry alight.

there’s no waiting in line to take full advantage of all the treats on offer, for more information please visit www.thisiscrave.com.

Straddling the art world, beauty industry and body art culture, this is not your typical ‘pick-itand-stick-it’ tattoo parlour. Straddling the art world, beauty industry and body art culture, this is not your typical ‘pick-it-and-stickit’ tattoo parlour. Spread out over five decadent rooms, each boasting hidden secrets and designs inspired by Gothic Chic, the menu of treatments include tanning, hair, nails, waxing, injectables, body art, piercing...the list goes on. Perfect if you want to get tinted, tanned and tattooed all in one place! Crave’s award winning stylists, artists and beauty technicians all follow the salons ‘Break The Rules’ mantra. The latest creative addition to join the team, hair stylist Matt Toller, reached the final stages of L’Oreal Men’s Image Award and “is here for the

Crave, The Zellig, The Custard Factory, Birmingham, B9 4AA For bookings call now on 0121 224 7505 or email: bookings@thisiscrave.com

15%

Off selected treaments with a scene card (Terms and conditions apply.) SceneBirimingham.co.uk

on the

LASH Lashings of drama and neon pink pouts define this season’s colour pop statement Spring into the season by taking your cues from the catwalk and experimenting with colour. Your new make-up mantra? The brighter the better! Apply contrasting on-trend tones in spring’s hottest shades - blue and neon pink. Statement lips and lashes stand out against beautifully buffed skin and nude nails, as beauty favours a more minimalist approach. There’s no better time to bare your natural beauty than the spring and summer months. For a fresh and flawless base try a BB Cream, infamous for it’s multi-tasking talents, this wonder product helps to heal blemishes, hydrate and smooth skin. Try Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover - with antioxidant properties and great sun protection, (SPF30) it’s become a cult favourite amongst beauty insiders. Finish with a lightweight powder for a matte, velvety texture as favoured at Versace and Louis Vuitton – Laura Mercier Invisible loose setting powder makes skin feel silky smooth and is suitable for all skin tones. Give your eyes an injection of colour by applying bright mascara as spotted at the Donna Karen show. After seasons of natural or no mascara, bold and lengthy eyelashes are back! Choose a tropical shade such as Stargazer’s Turquoise or Chanel’s new Blue Note mascara to layer up and allow it to clump, this gives a more modern grungy edge to lashes as seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim. Make your pout pop with bold neon pink as perfected at Giles. Stila Long-wear Lip Colour in Exhilarating boasts brilliant colour and stain-like staying power, perfect for a bold base before lightly dusting a pigment such as MAC Magenta Madness on top. This concentrated colour powder gives a fashion-forward matte finish – a standout style of the season. Top nail technician Marian Newman cited chic nude nails as, “the biggest trend for 15 years.” For the perfect shade take a look at your foundation – at Fashion Week colours were custom-blended to match models skin tones. Take inspiration from the Chanel catwalk where the French manicure was given an update – create a reverse version by using Orly Instant Artist in Crisp White to outline from the base to the sides of the nail for a simple but effective finishing touch. Written by Ami Streets

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MUA: Rebecca Frances. MU Assistant: Jade Kisnorbo. Nails: Ami Streets. Hair: Lisa Farrall. Model: WHannah Janes @ Next . Photography: Garazi

It’s that time again to cast away the woollies, get out the sun cream and trade those long johns for shorts and skirts. But let’s face it, we’ve all guilty of leaving the summer rush until the last minute, usually a week before that beach holiday you’ve had booked since there was still snow on the ground.

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The trick is not to plan only a month in advance and have a consistent workout and diet routine, rather than waiting for a miracle that’s never going to happen. Train progressively all year round is the secret but if that’s not the plan you’ve been on, here are some quick tips to help you reach that swimwear body in what little time you have left!

SUMMER

r o f t i f get

Pure and simple - put in the work! Anyone who trains regularly would agree it’s really hard work (sorry there are no shortcuts). But one thing that you can do to ensure the work you are putting in is working. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a person work hard but do the wrong things. That’s something I see all the time, especially around this period, as people become desperate before the summer to lose that little bit of weight or just tone up. But when they don’t get the results they want because what they are doing is wrong they quickly pile on any weight lost, and more, soon after. I believe this is a result of a number of things – a lack of education i.e. incorrect form, weights, rep range and nutritional knowledge, each of which needs to be tailored to your end goal. Each of these done wrong will garner little or no results and this demotivates people, hence the sudden increase in inactive gym memberships. For example, people train everyday running their feet into the ground on a treadmill alongside depleting their food intake to solely focus on reducing calorie intake. This couldn’t be more ineffective as the body reacts to this lack of sustenance by storing fats, which is the opposite of what you are trying to achieve. Alternatively, they hit the weights working the same muscle group’s everyday, which has an adverse effect on the particular muscle in question and actually reverses any potential gains. All of this can usually be put down to poor education and the search for a quick fix…we’re all guilty of it! Ask yourself this wouldn’t you be better off training 3-4 times a week consistently throughout the year, splitting muscle groups and using the correct technique, rather than training as hard as you can for 2 months, 6 times a week and risking injury or not getting the results you want? The answer is clear to me and I’m sure it is to you. So what can you do? It’s simple, come and have a chat with me at The Club and Spa Birmingham and get a programme that is tailor made for you physically and for your goals, so that you can get the beach body you want and keep it all year round. The only thing to give up this year is being a seasonal gym goer! Jay Wheeler has been a personal trainer for more than seven years. He has a proven track record of helping people meet their goals whether it’s to lose weight or bulk up.

r e l e e h w y with ja

Having started life in the armed forces he knows that part of the battle is discipline in training and nutrition. That’s why he works with you on every aspect of your life from training, nutrition and dietary advice to help you be the best you that you can be! Go to www.militaryfit.co.uk or check out Jay’s Twitter @bootcampwithjay SceneBirimingham.co.uk

Are you up for the

challenge? 90 DAY CHALLENGE

Transform your body shape whilst saving money with the Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge

Body by VI is a new challenge for those wanting to loose weight, tone up and get fit. The brand aesthetic is to make people turn their priorities to health for the next 90 days. Each kit includes a online timeline to track your progress! With nearly 1.5 MILLION new people joining The Body by Vi Challenge last year, The number 1 Weight Loss & Fitness Platform in North America is now launching in the United Kingdom, 2nd only to Weight Watchers in North America and Canada.

Start your challenge at www.vi-90day-challenge.com 82

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90 day

So what is the challenge?

The challenge is set by the person participating; so achievable goals can be met. The plan consists of an online tracking website for weekly weight and photograph tracking to keep them motivated on achieving their goals. Depending on the final goal there are three different packs of healthy snacks and shakes to choose from and therefore providing low calorie, low carb meals.

It gets better; lose 10lbs in 90days they get ÂŁ600! The Body by VI Challenge has already helped millions of people lose millions of lbs! The Challenge is going viral, with the driving force being word of mouth of people raving about their results! This organic growth is fueled with an entire program of cash bonuses and other rewards for simply promoting The Challenge!

Fancy being a promoter and supplement your income? With earning potential from ÂŁ300 to ÂŁ4500 per month and a BMW incentive scheme, you can get onboard and promote the challenge. Whilst those who help at least 3 friends join will be awarded with a free Challenge Kit each month.

SceneBirimingham.co.uk

SNEAKS pEAKS

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SNEAKS pEAKS One of the new breed of independent events to hit the second city, ‘Sneaks & Peaks’ an exclusive apparel meet, was hosted recently by the custard Factory. Showcasing the best of Birmingham’s authentic, urban brands and independent designers the event also brought to the masses a range of limited edition kicks from the likes of Adidas, Nike and Reebok. Scene Birmingham’s Shara Johnson took a trip down on a sunny Saturday to meet fashion at its finest. Forging the way for independent designers to display their talents on a regular basis, Sneaks and Peaks displayed a unique variety of brands and artwork ranging from sportswear to swanky vintage. Among the hustle and bustle of fashion enthusiasts included iconic labels Bangers and Mash, Haunt, Dubbz Apparel and Lost Souls (just to name but a few). There was an amazing array of different ranges and fabulous clothes,. One of my favourite exhibitors of the day included ‘Tee’s and That’, an eco-friendly brand incorporating water based inks and T-shirts made from organic cotton and recycled polyester. Their items represented high quality as well as style, making them worth every penny!

The event displayed a unique variety of brands and artwork ranging from sportswear to swanky vintage. Another highlight of the day was seeing a brilliant live customisation of painted footwear demonstrated by Founder of HEKS style and illustrator, David Blake. The day delivered a lively vibe with funky music and yummy nibbles reminding me of East London’s infamous Spitafields market. It transcended a simple clothing market to become an out and out event in its own right. If in the past, it seemed most of the city’s designers and artists have been under the radar, Sneaks and Peaks certainly provided a platform to expose hidden talent and flawless creativity. Whether you are a lover of fashion, music or the arts scene, there’s truly something for everyone. Lets hope this is the start of something major for Birmingham’s event calendar! Words and pictures: Shara Johnson

Email:sharajjohnson@gmail.com SceneBirimingham.co.uk

Dolce & Gabbana nylon rucksack, £465

Diesel hooded jacket, £215

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House of The Gods vest, £40

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Dolce & Gabbana denim shorts, £295

Dsquared2 T-shirt, £135

Death by Zero printed vest, £40 Striped dress T by Alexander Mc Queen, £160

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Faith Connexion T-shirt, £135

Citizens of Humany Dylan jeans, £130

Diesel skinny jeans, £140 Wildfox T-shirt, £70

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Kate Sheridan leather trimmed rucksack, £95

Maison Scotch T-shirt, £125

Tiffany & Co sunglasses, £273

Maison Scotch tie-dye denim shorts, £125 SceneBirimingham.co.uk

THE

S p r i n g / S u m m e r 2013

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