Street Cred Magazine - April 2019

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019 - Page 17

Music fashion Film Gadgets holiday education health and fitness

APRIL 2019

/streetcredmagazine www.streetcredmagazine.com

Shows her ‘human’ side

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 18 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT

/streetcredmagazine

/streetcredmagazine

www.streetcredmagazine.com

West End Bhangra Musical to Tour UK

B

ased in theatres around the UK, The West End Bhangra Musical will combine live music, stage production and an experience that raises the level of Bhangra music events.

Not only will it showcase 4 of the Premier UK Bhangra artists of all time – Heera, DCS, Apna Sangeet & Pardesi all accompanied by The Legends Band. The same stage will also be shared by new talent from different communities and musical genres to create a diverse musical to show that music truly is a universal

language.

The West End Bhangra Musical is a project which has been conceived by 4 individuals who collectively have had many successes on the music scene.

From local and international live Bhangra music performances, social media content production, event & film promotions, music education coupled with their decades of passion for Bhangra music, this has bought them together for this unique musical project.

Tejinder Singh CEO of Punjab 2000 said: “The West End Bhangra Musical In a

theatre setting is the logical step to take Bhangra to a new theatre going audience rather than Banqueting Halls & Club Venues” Successful promoter Kam Chera said: “The West End Bhangra Musical is the next stage in raising the live music experience for audiences to enjoy’’ Harry Matharu founder of The Legends Band ‘’ “I want to create such a phenomenal ‘EXPERIENCE’ never seen before by the audiences in relation to a Bhangra Concert.

There will not be a single minute where the audiences will not think “WOW!” as the team & I have more ideas up our sleeves to make these concerts even more special” International DJ, music producer, TV and radio host, Dipps Bhamrah, said: “The West End Bhangra Musical will feature customised lighting shows, big screen production content, dancers ranging from traditional Bhangra to mainstream Urban and all in the effort to keep the audiences on the edge of their seats and wondering ‘what’s going to happen next’?”

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019 - Page 19

www.streetcredmagazine.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Soul legend Knight to guest on Bocelli headline Tour

T

he queen of British Soul Beverley Knight will be joining the world’s most beloved tenor, Andrea Bocelli during his highly anticipated upcoming headline tour this autumn, which includes a date at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena.

2019 sees Beverley celebrate an incredible 25 years as a major performing and recording artist, which includes selling over a million albums in the UK alone.

Knight is also a successful West End star, having performed in The Bodyguard, Memphis and Cats.

Bocelli rounded 2018 off in style with sell-out shows in London and Dublin, as well as achieving his first number one in the UK album charts.

The release of his highly anticipated 16-track album ‘Si’ gave Bocelli his first UK number one album, which was also the first classical number one in The Official

Be transported to Paris in your local cinema with The Royal Opera’s Faust

High-kicking cabaret, breathtaking ballet, sublime singing and Parisian passion will inspire cinemas audiences when The Royal Opera’s ‘Faust’ is broadcast live in UK cinemas on Tuesday April 30, with an encore screening on Sunday May 5.

Director David McVicar’s theatrical production will captivate audiences with its beautiful sets and costumes,

and a stunning cast including American tenor Michael Fabiano as Faust, Uruguayan bass-baritone Erwin Schrott as the devil Méphistophélès and German soprano Diana Damrau as Faust’s beloved Marguerite.

Faust is the French composer Charles-François Gounod’s greatest masterpiece and a favourite with opera audiences worldwide.

The opera tells the tale of the

disillusioned philosopher Faust who loses faith in God and summons Satan to help him. The devil Méphistophélès appears and offers to make a bargain with Faust: he will give him youth and the young Marguerite’s love if Faust hands over his soul. Faust agrees, seduces Marguerite – but then abandons her, with disastrous consequences.

Gounod’s superb score includes some devilish songs for Méphistophélès, Marguerite’s ecstatic ‘Jewel Song’ and a thrilling ballet in Act V. The Royal Opera House cinema broadcasts offer audiences the best seats in the house, and include exclusive behind-thescenes footage, interviews and detailed close-ups of performers.

Audiences are never far from a Royal Opera or Royal Ballet performance, with most UK viewers located within 30 miles of a cinema screening. In the 2017/18 Season more than one million people globally saw a world-class opera or ballet production from the Royal Opera House, at one of more than 1,500 cinemas in 51 countries.

The cinema broadcast of ‘Faust’ starts at 6.45pm and lasts three hours and 30 minutes including one interval. The opera will be sung in French with English subtitles.

Album Charts.

‘Si’ is hs first all-new material album in 14 years – billed as “a celebration of love, family, faith and hope” and features tracks cowritten with the likes of Ed Sheeran and Tiziano Ferro as well as duets with Dua Lipa, fellow contemporary classical star Josh Groban and soprano Aida Garifullina.

The album also sees Bocelli’s 20-year old son Matteo collaborate with him on the track ‘Fall On Me’ which appears on the soundtrack to the upcoming Disney movie, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

Reportedly the biggest selling solo classical artist of all time with over 80 million worldwide album sales, he has performed for four US Presidents, two Popes and many Royal families across the world, as well as at high-profile ceremonies for the Olympic Games and the World Cup. The Maestro has countless music

awards to his name over the past 25 years in music and even boasts a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he received in 2010 for his contribution to live theatre.

Acclaimed worldwide as one of the most accomplished representatives of Italy’s finest vocal tradition, his rich and unique voice is one of the most distinctive of all time.

The tenor actively supports numerous philanthropic causes furthering medical and scientific research, tackling poverty, as well as promoting compulsory primary education worldwide.

Andrea’s 2019 dates will showcase songs from his latest album as well as a wide repertoire from across his previous 15 studio albums, and is set to be one of the most hotly anticipated live performances of the year.

Beverley Knight and Andrea Bocelli will perform at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena on October 19.

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 20 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Sting Announces New Album ‘My Songs’

S

ting has announced ‘My Songs’, a new album comprised of the 17time Grammy Award winner’s most celebrated hits from his unparalleled career, each reshaped and reimagined for 2019.

‘My Songs’ will be released on May 24 in multiple formats including a deluxe edition featuring bonus content (see below for track listings).

Speaking on his approach to the album, Sting says: “‘My Songs’ is my life in songs. Some of them

reconstructed, some of them refitted, some of them reframed, but all of them with a contemporary focus.”

‘My Songs’ boasts modernized recordings, faithful to the original arrangements and celebrates Sting’s illustrious musical career as one of the world’s most distinctive and influential artists.

Since forming The Police in 1977 with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, Sting has evolved into one of the world’s most iconic artists, selling 100 million records and earning the highest accolades

along the way. Fans can expect to hear Sting’s own fresh approach to hits including “Englishman In New York,” “Fields Of Gold,” “Shape Of My Heart,” “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne,” “Message In A Bottle” and many more.

The album will also be accompanied by new liner notes written by Sting, in which he shares the personal stories behind each song and provides insight into how some of the most enduring songs of all time were written.

Never one to stand still, in the summer of 2018, following his

collaborative album release with Shaggy - the Grammy Awardwinning chart-topping record ‘44/876’ – the iconic duo launched a world tour through North America, South America, Eastern Europe and this year will extend to the UK for a series of intimate shows from May 19th - 25th.

These collaborative performances will be followed by Sting’s own, solo ‘My Songs’ tour this summer - a dynamic show featuring the most beloved songs written by Sting spanning his prolific career, accompanied by an electric, rock ensemble.

‘My Songs’ will be released on CD and vinyl, and a deluxe edition will be available including live recordings of ‘Synchronicity II’, ‘Next To You’, ‘Spirits In the Material World’ and ‘Fragile’.

Theatre Launches Young Person’s Stand-Up Workshops

W

olverhampton G r a n d Theatre have announced a new young persons’ stand-up comedy project - ‘Stand Up If You Think You’re Funny’ - providing seven free 2 hour workshops to anyone aged 1116.

Throughout these workshops, participants will devise, write and rehearse their own 5 minute piece of stand-up comedy.

The workshops will happen under the guidance of actress and comedian Janice Connolly, well known for her role as Holy Mary in ‘Phoenix Nights,’ starring alongside Peter Kay. Janice is also a well-loved standup comedy circuit headliner as her alter-ego Mrs Barbara Nice and is a founder member of the award winning Birminghambased theatre company; Women & Theatre and has been Artistic Director for the past 20 years.

In 2017, she was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Community Arts

within the West Midlands.

Grand Theatre’s James Collins said; “To be able to work with Janice to offer these workshops is just another way that we’re able to reach out to the community, especially to local young people. I’m thrilled to be able to offer them the support of one of the region’s most respected comedy perfomers, Janice Connolly, known for her work both locally and nationally across stage and screen. It will be an invaluable opportunity for anyone who takes part to learn the craft of stand-up comedy and an opportunity to perform at the theatre where so many comedians have made the city laugh.”

The workshops - commencing Saturday May 18 - will accumulate in the participants performing their own 5-minute piece of stand-up comedy in an exclusive free show for their family and friends in the Grand Theatre’s Encore Lounge, hosted by Barbara Nice.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019 - Page 21

www.streetcredmagazine.com

U

B40 is me for many reasons, not because I love Red Wine, Cherry oh Baby, have family in Kingston Town and I have many rivers to Cross, no its because these lads are from the same area Balsall Heath where I grew up in.

Before I continue this story let me just say that UB40 wouldn’t be the same without Ali Cambell and Astro so lets get that out of the way.

Right, 29th March was a very important day for Birmingham because it was a celebration of the worlds biggest selling Reggae Band UB40 who have been apart of our lives for 40 years and yes you could say this is me because I am 40 also.

Again this was a very important show for me to attend because these guys are my history from youth and played a very big part of my life music wise.

Like I said we are from Brum and I can relate to singing that UB40 myself which they now call universal credit, don’t think that would be a hip name for a band though, but yes, we all have a connection with this amazing Reggae Band from Birmingham.

I remember watching their televised concert years ago

ENTERTAINMENT

A Triumphant Hometown Return for UB40

at the Blues ground and wishing I was there singing 'Rat In My Kitchen'. That’s probably the one thing I cant relate to, if I seen a Rat I definitely wouldn’t know what to do!

Lets say being at the Arena Birmingham was a dream come true as I celebrated with my Brum lads chanting 40 years of hits.

The Arena was jam packed with fans that knew all the words to each and every song but what was different is UB40 crowds can actually sing.

If you was to leave their fans to do all the singing, the concert could still go ahead if you know what I mean.

The whole floor had families hugging, drinking, laughing & dancing all night to 40 years of UB40 hits, it was just so magical to be apart of.

There was no support acts just the Labour of Love

legends from Brum playing for Brum and that was all we wanted.

It truly was a celebration and to see my boy Ali singing in that unique voice was something else. That guy is a true Reggae legend and Astro is the guy with the proper culture vibes.

There really isn’t any more I can say but only that this was such a big thing for Birmingham and a celebration of Reggae music itself with our very own Birmingham

boys who have continued to champion the genre.

It really was all love in that full 20,000 + arena and we all really just felt proud to be from Brum!!!!

Here is to forty years of UB40 ...WOW! WORDS AND PICS: Mark Dwayne Media facebook.com/ markdwaynemedia instagram.com/ markdwaynemedia

STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD SPRING & SUMMER 2019 13-20 APR

20-22 MAY

THE HALF GOD OF RAINFALL

ROTTERDAM

The Olivier Award-winning bittersweet comedy about gender, sexuality and being a long way from home

Inua Ellams’ contemporary saga that weaves poetry with storytelling in a majestic, chaotic journey

29 MAY – 15 JUNE

2-18 MAY

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

The powerful celebration of the human spirit, from the writer of The Kite Runner

Box Office 0121 236 4455 BIRMINGHAM-REP.CO.UK Season Ad Mar19 180x270mm.indd 1

CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN

The unforgettable love story based on the best-selling novel

Registered in England 295910 Charity No.223660

19/03/2019 13:21

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 22 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com www.streetcredmagazine.com

The Prodigy fans line procession route For ‘Keef’ Fans of The Prodigy star Keith Flint were invited to line the funeral procession route ahead of a service for family and close friends celebrating his life.

Flint, lead vocals on the band's number one singles Breathe and Firestarter, was found dead at his Essex home on March 4.

On Twitter, the band asked fans to line the route to the church near Braintree and "'raise the roof' for Keef".

The band tweeted a map of the procession route through Braintree, starting from Courtauld Road at the roundabout linking Railway Street and Coggeshall Road before heading along Courthauld Road, Bradford Street and then on to Church Lane as it headed to St Mary's Church in Bocking.

The band said fans were invited to line the route to "pay their final respects & 'raise the roof' for

Keef!"

"The church service was just be for family and close friends, but there was speakers relaying the ceremony outside the church for everyone to hear," the tweet said.

An inquest into the 49-year-old singer's death at his Dunmow home heard the provisional cause of death was from hanging.

Flint was born in Redbridge, north-east London, and later moved to Braintree, where he co-founded The Prodigy in 1990 with Liam Howlett and Leeroy Thornhill.

The band, who had been due to tour the United States in May, released their latest album in November and had recently been on tour in Australia.

I

f you’re not aware of who Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox are, then before reading any further, go and check them out on YouTube.

Throwing out cover after cover, but each time putting their own retro shift on everything, the rotating list of 4 performers, MC and host LaVance Colley, Hannah Gill, Tia Simone, and Olivia K u p e r H a r r i s owned the stage each and every

time they came on.

Featuring stunning reimaginings of hits including David Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars’, Jet’s ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’, Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and ‘Africa’ by Toto as well as a phenomenal rendition of ‘Halo’ by Beyonce from LaVance, the crowd was kept dancing and singing along for the whole night.

The 4 main vocalists though are only part of the band. The rotating nature of the group extends to the instrumentalists that accompany these amazing singers.

Completing the night with an

encore of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ and ‘What is Love?’ by Haddaway, the crowd were left in rapturous applause craving more.

From the band starting in Scott Bradlee’s basement apartment, as longstanding member Adam Kubota on bass informed the crowd, the group now has a huge rotating cast who are so passionate about what they do, and do it so well.

The band at that point were paid in falafel sandwiches, but things have come such a long way since those days.

It is because of the people that

@PhoenixNewsUK

ENTERTAINMENT

The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019 - Page 27

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Dizzee Rascal joins Soundscape line-up for Ricoh Arena gig

religiously turn out to every tour date, and those who view all the tracks on YouTube, and buy the albums that allow them to continue to do what they love.

Taking a new or popular song and completely switching the style to something more akin to the 20’s to 50’s, takes some considerable skills, and these guys churn them out time and time again.

This was the rescheuled show from the same date last year when the Beast from the East hit Birmingham and brough it to a standstill!

If you get a chance to get along to a PMJ gig in the future, don’t pass up the chance of an amazing night out!

East London original grime pioneer turned worldwide superstar, Dizzee Rascal, has been added to the Soundscape Festival bill taking over the Ricoh Arena stadium bowl on Sunday June 16.

Chart and dance music fans will be treated to a day of whirlwind acts later this year, as Coventry prepares to host an array of chart-topping music talent.

Dizzee Rascal becomes the SEVENTH artist added to the line-up, as the home of Wasps Rugby prepares for a mammoth day of music featuring huge global acts and the buzz of a traditional festival, with the added bonus of state-of-the-art tech and facilities for discerning music fans chasing a taste of the spectacular.

Soundscape’s line-up speaks for itself, with a range of acts that have commanded headline slots at some of the country’s hugest music events. Dizzee brings his upfront blend of hip-hop to the festival, joining headliner and iconic French DJ and producer David Guetta, playing his only UK date.

Also on the bill is the UK’s brightest new soloist Anne-Marie, chart-topping electropop trio Years & Years, millionselling dance group Clean Bandit, chart sensation Mabel and X-Factor breakout stars Rak-Su, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure.

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 28 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019 `

ENTERTAINMENT

P

roducers Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced that Alexandra Burke and Jennlee Shallow will play the role of Rachel Marron in ‘The Bodyguard’ at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre at selected performances from June 25 – July 6.

Joining them will be Benoît Maréchal as Frank Farmer, Micha Richardson as Nicki Marron, Peter Landi as Bill Devaney, Craig Berry as Tony, Gary Turneras Sy Spector, Phil Atkinson as The Stalker and Simon Cotton as Ray Court.

The rest of the company includes Rosie Cava-Beale, Callum Clack, Myles Cork, Kerry Crozier, Sia Dauda, Gustav Die, Chris Edgerley, James Lee Harris, Holly Liburd, Jack Loy, Hannah Millichamp, Helen Parsons, Daniil Shmidt, Jessica Simmons, Yiota Theo and Michael Wade Peters.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, ‘The Bodyguard,’ directed

by Thea Sharrock with book

by Oscar winning (Birdman) Alex Dinelaris, had its world premiere at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End in 2012 and was nominated for four Olivier Awards. A sell out 18 month UK and Ireland tour followed, before the show returned to the West End at the Dominion Theatre.

‘The Bodyguard’ has also played in the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Canada, Italy, Australia, Madrid, France, and on tour throughout the US and can currently be seen in Stuttgart.

www.streetcredmagazine.com www.streetcredmagazine.com

A Grand Time For Alexandra In The Bodyguard

Gig Listings BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY

April 04 DMA’s 05 Catapult Club ft. Nova Bloom 05 Boyz II Men 06 Max & Harvey 06 The AC/DC Experience 07 The Meteors 07 Mo Amer & Guz Khan 11 Holy Moly and the Crackers 13 Hostile 13 Shakka 14 Tom Williams 16 Fetty Wap 19 MANOWAR 19 Monster Truck 20 MANOWAR 21 Dropkick Murphys 22 Dave 24 Yung Fume 25 Token 26 The Specials 27 Richard Ashcroft 29 Papa Roach

O2 INSTITUTE

April 01 Ward Thomas 03 Keywest 04 Easy Life 04 COSMIC PSYCHOS 06 Left for Red 06 Drenge 06 Catapult Club ft. The Swamp River Rebellion 08 The Hunna 09 James TW 09 The Hunna 10 Sundara Karma 10 Maverick Sabre 12 Catapult Club feat. Polary 12 Billy Lockett 13 Zack Knight 13 Catapult Club feat. Estate 13 Caribbean Rocks 2019 16 One Acen 16 Nina Nesbitt 17 Set It Off 17 Stefflon Don 18 Geko 18 Joe Jackson 19 Geko 20 Love From Stourbridge 2019 21 Love From Stourbridge 2019 23 Circa Waves 26 The Blinders 26 Newton Faulkner 27 Jaws 27 Under The Apple Tree 28 M Huncho 28 Idlewild 30 Kid Ink

ARENA BIRMINGHAM

B-SIDE brings Hip-Hop back to Birmingham

B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival is back from Friday 3 – Sunday 12 May, with a phenomenal line up of dance battles, high-energy workshops, live music and DJ sets from legendary names in Hip-Hop. The explosive festival will feature the best national and international artists plus the city’s finest talent. Already confirmed are Karl ‘Dyzee’ Alba (Canada), Roxy (UK), ChryBaby (New York) and Youth Olympic Bronze medal winner B-Boy Shigekix (Japan), with many more to be

announced.

Birmingham Hippodrome is working with festival partners to bring the key elements of Hip-Hop to Birmingham. Break Mission are back with their epic international dance battles and Sweat The Technique workshops, Marso Riviere’s popular KRE8! Labs and battles return, as well as DJ Psykhomantus’s Vision Bombing Game Show. Juice Aleem brings his FluxCon comic convention along with many speakers and performers and once again the Southside streets will be filled

with eye-catching live graffiti courtesy of High-Vis Festival.

Expect to see many new performances specially created for the festival with Dance Hub Birmingham commissioning several new exciting pieces including Break Mission’s Dance of Death. Zoo Nation Youth Company Birmingham, one of Birmingham Hippodrome’s Young Companies, will also showcase an exciting piece of contemporary Hip-Hop theatre.

April 09 Shawn Mendes 21 Kanwar Grewal 25 Premier League Darts 2019

RESORTS WORLD ARENA

April 03-07 The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice! 12 Legends Live 24 Daryl Hall & John Oates

& Safety Event 09-11 The Facilities Event 09-11 The Fire Safety Event 09-11 The Security Event 30-02 The Commercial Vehicle Show 30 UK Infrastructure Show

TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL

April 01 Giorgio Moroder (SH) 02 Anaïs Gaudemard in recital (TH) 02-03 An Evening With Alfie Boe (SH) 03 Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales: The Ginger Snapped (TH) 04 CBSO & John Wilson: A Pastoral Symphony (SH) 06 CBSO: Belshazzar’s Feast (SH) 06 The Grind Live! (TH) 07 Franco Fagioli – Vinci and Handel (TH) 07 A Fusion of Music and Dance 2019 (SH) 08 Lunchtime Organ Concert Talking Italian (SH) 09 ABC - The Lexicon of Love (SH) 09 Tommy Tiernan Paddy Crazy Horse (TH) 10 CBSO: Sibelius and Nielsen (SH) 10 Soumik Datta: King of Ghosts & Around India with a Movie Camera (TH) 11 Conrad Anker – Hold Fast: Yosemite to Everest to Meru (TH) 11 Birmingham’s Night of Stars in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital (SH) 12 CBSO: Classic FM’s Movie Classics (SH) 13 Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin Masters (SH) 14 National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain – Chávez, Gershwin and Copland (SH) 14 Pohela Boishakh 2019 (TH) 15 Collabro (SH) 16 Aston University Awards Ceremony (TH) 16 Back To The Future In Concert (SH) 17 Art Garfunkel An Evening of Song and Stories (SH) 17-18 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac (TH) 18 Pixar In Concert (SH) 19 Good Friday St Matthew Passion (SH) 19-22 Zog (TH)

21 Mott The Hoople ‘74 - 45th Anniversary Tour (SH) 22 Rufus Wainwright (SH) 23 Ant Middleton – Mind Over Muscle (SH) 25 CBSO: Mahler’s Ninth (SH) 25 Tom Paxton & The DonJuans (TH) 26 Symphony Hall Tour (SH) 26 CBSO: Best of Bond (SH) 26 Michael English in Concert with special guest Brendan Shine (TH) 27 An Evening with Katherine Jenkins (SH) 28 Shake That Thing! The Great British Swing Dance Show (TH) 28 The Goonies Film with Orchestra (SH) 29 Lunchtime Organ Concert (TH) 29 Town Hall Tour (TH) 30 Nicholas McCarthy in recital (TH)

SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

April 03 Swimming Tapes 04 Micky P Kerr - Z-List Celebrity 05 Ivo Graham - Motion Sickness 06 The Annual Mayor’s Rock Fest 12 Aesthetic Perfection 13 UK Guns & Roses 14 Raymond Froggatt 19 Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club 20 Cymbeline 26 The Brew 28 LOL (Ladies Of Laughter) With Noreen Khan

NEC

April 02-04 Sign & Digital UK 2019 02-04 Traffex 2019 03-04 IRX & eDX 08-10 Farm Shop & Deli Show 08-10 National Convenience Show 08-10 The Forecourt Show 08-10 The Ingredients Show 09-11 The Health

l Newton Faulkner rocks the O2 Institute on the 26th April

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019 - Page 29

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Poetry, Basketball and The Half God of Rainfall F

ollowing his hit plays, Barber Shop Chronicles and An Evening with an Immigrant, the award-winning poet and playwright Inua Ellams is set to open his latest play, The Half God of Rainfall at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

The Half God of Rainfall could be described as somewhere between a Greek epic poem, a magical myth and a study in comparative culture.

The story focuses on the superhuman exploits of Demi - the half-god of the title and a basketball star so talented he leaves mere mortals in the dust (played by Kwami Odoom) and his mother, a Nigerian priestess named Modupe (played

by Raki Ayola). The piece is rich in poetry and encompasses Yoruba, Norse and Greeky mythology.

Why did you write The Half God of Rainfall?

I wrote The Half God of Rainfall because I felt like there were questions and conversations waiting to happen. Men needed to ask themselves questions and they needed to find ways of having those conversations.

They needed to ask questions about patriarchy, about religion within patriarchy and patriarchy within religion. Questions about how power is demarcated in society, about sports figures who we make heroes and in doing so we absolve

them of all responsibility to their communities, to themselves, to their power and the spaces they occupy within society.

I wanted to explore all those things with the tools that were available to me and with the cultures that were available to me, which were steeped in my Nigerian-hood, in my religious history and in the game of basketball.

What have you been influenced by in creating The Half God of Rainfall?

I’ve been influenced by everything from Greek mythology, films like Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief to Space Jam, to The Golden State Warriors, particularly Stephen Curry.

Everything from Thelma and Louise to Black Panther, though I wrote The Half God of Rainfall before the film came out. It’s a melding of cultures, worlds, films, stories and poems.

The work of Major Jackson, the American poet, has hugely influenced me. The work of Mary Oliver, who recently passed away has hugely influenced me.

The way she talked about nature and the closeness of it and how human beings should always attempt to document that closeness.

She talked about how nature brings us closer to ourselves and the spiritual realms that govern the world in the most natural way possible.

A mixture of these things gave rise to the story.

But also, my sisters, my friends and all the women in my life who have created space for me to write the things that I have, and who have allowed me into their most personal experiences, all of which inspired this story.

What should audiences expect from The Half God of the Rainfall?

Audiences should expect a big story. A hugely powerful, joyful at times, desperately naked, human story. A human story about love, about power, about the relationship between a mother and child.

They should expect movement, dance, song, an ‘other-worldly’ sense that governs this extremely basic, physical and grounded story. Expect to be taken to places, to see things and hear things that they have never really considered or been exposed to.

Audiences should expect to be confounded almost, to be suspended and to be taken on a really huge journey.

The Half God of Rainfall opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 13 – 20 April. Tickets cost from £15. Box Office: 0121 236 4455 / birmingham-rep.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 30 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

www.streetcredmagazine.com www.streetcredmagazine.com

BMAG Wedding Fair Returns this Spring

W

hether you're looking to say yes to the dress, size up a well-groomed suit, capture your day in perfect detail, or find the blooms for you, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is bringing together the Midlands’ best wedding experts to get bride and grooms-to-be set for the big day. If you're on the hunt for more stylish and unique ideas, then look no further than The BMAG Wedding Fair.

A showcase for the style savvy couple ready to tie the knot, this wedding fair will take place in the stunning surroundings of the Grade II listed building’s Waterhall, with

a whole range of handpicked local exhibitors coming together for this one-of-a-kind event.

One of the region’s leading bridal boutiques, June Peony Bridal Couture, will be taking centre stage to showcase stunning gowns in a series of catwalk shows throughout the day.

Elegant Entertainment will be serenading brides-to-be with their live acoustic performers, providing the perfect accompaniment to the live shows.

From photographers to florists, accessories to entertainment and everything in between, The BMAG Wedding Fair ties together all the little touches to get you set to tie the knot. Exhibitors include

Birmingham's best tailors Clements and Church, beautiful bouquets by Bloom Collective, and so much more.

Capturing your day in perfect detail and catching memories to look back on forever, your wedding photographer is an important factor for your big day. Chat to the people behind the lens with photographers including Wedding By Manos.

The stunning venue will be dressed by some of the region’s best, including Trees by Design, House of Herlihy and Posh Walls, who will all be showcasing everything from blossom trees to flower walls and even a floral swing!

The free BMAG Wedding Fair is taking place on Sunday May 19.

The Perfume Shop Celebrates National Fragrance Week To Celebrate National Fragrance Week, The Perfume Shop held Perfume Masterclasses at various locations around the country, including London, Sheffield, Birmingham and Glasgow.

Trained Perfume Experts shared their knowledge and expertise with local bloggers, press and invited guests.

Showcasing the Michael Edwards app, as well as the skill of their staff, the Perfume Shop have the ability to put in any fragrance, and recommend similar or complimentary fragrances, or search by a key element, such as Floral, Oriental, Woody or Fresh, or by smell, like Rose.

The Perfume Shop was the National Retailer of the Year 2018, beating out other high street names such as Debenhams, John Lewis and Boots, and pride themselves on a no nonsense, simple approach to helping you find the perfect fragrance, so pop into your nearest store today!

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019 - Page 31

www.streetcredmagazine.com

Octavia Celebrates Its Diamond Jubilee The ŠKODA Octavia, the brand’s most successful model in the UK and a multi-million seller around the world, celebrates another remarkable milestone in 2019 – the 60th anniversary of its introduction.

Originally designed to bring affordable and high-quality motoring to the widest possible audience at an unbeatable price, the design and engineering philosophies behind the Octavia remain the same today.

While the Octavia has been a huge sales success around the world, the British have developed one of the strongest bonds with ŠKODA’s brilliant all-rounder.

More than 500,000 examples have found loving homes on our shores since the very first 1959 model rolled onto UK roads.

And, six decades later, it remains ŠKODA’s top-seller with a range that includes nine equipment levels, 14 engine and transmission options and two body styles.

MOTORS

Kia Wins At UK Customer Satisfaction Awards

l First prototype carbon fibre chassis delivered from the MCTC in Yorkshire

A Carbon Fibre Future T he first prototype carbon fibre MonoCell, the tub that forms the main structure of McLaren’s cars, has been shipped from the company’s new £50m innovation and production centre in Yorkshire to the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey.

Codenamed ‘PLT-MCTC - 01’ - which stands for ‘Prototype Lightweight Tub, McLaren

Composites Technology Centre - 01’ - the tub completed its 175-mile journey to the British sportscars and supercar maker’s global headquarters from the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC).

There it will be involved with stringent crash testing duties.

The MCTC was opened in Yorkshire last year by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge alongside HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the

Crown Prince of Bahrain, as part of McLaren’s ambitious plans to increase the rate of innovation of its famous lightweight carbon fibre chassis that are at the heart of all its cars.

This will help the firm’s designers and engineers to find further weight savings as the company develops its next generation of vehicles as part of its ambitious Track25 business plan.

McLaren aims to win the

automotive race to lightweight which will become ever more important as cars move towards hybrid powertrains which are generally heavier than their traditional petrol counterparts.

All McLaren’s sportscars and supercars will be hybrid by 2024.

The MCTC currently employs around 60 people which will rise to over 200 when full production commences in 2020.

Kia Motors UK Limited has been awarded ‘Best Customer Satisfaction Strategy’ Award

by The Institute of Customer Service at their recent award ceremony in London.

The UK Customer Satisfaction Awards is the only customer service awards run by the professional body and recognises organisations and individuals that have implemented successful customer service strategies.

Kia and organisations from across the UK were able to enter over 14 categories and were judged by industry experts, business leaders and academics.

Kia entered into two awards, Best Customer Satisfaction Strategy and Best Use of Customer Insight which were whittled down to just eight finalists.

Jo Causon, CEO of The Institute of Customer Service commented on the award; “I would like to congratulate Kia on winning the Customer Satisfaction Strategy Award and commend their ongoing commitment to improving the service and experience they give their customers.”

thephoenixnewspaper.com

Page 32 - The Phoenix Newspaper - April 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

D

orothy ‘dodie’ Clark brought the house down as she brought her ‘Human’ tour to Birmingham.

The dizzying popularity of the 23 year old singer songwriter from Epping is unarguably because of her introspective and beautifully framed songs about everything.

From topics of mental health to sex and sexuality, these are songs that resonate

so strongly with the youth of today.

Although there was a cross section of ages in the audience, the majority of the fans at dodie’s Birmingham gig on the 14th March at the O2 Academy was Generation Z, no doubt due to her origins uploading covers, original songs and vlogs on YouTube.

This was a largely sold out UK and European tour, which reached its pinnacle at a sold out show at London’s legendary Roundhouse on

www.streetcredmagazine.com

24 March, her largest to date.

With over 570 million streams to date, and tipped as one of the most exciting artists to watch in 2019 by the Sunday Times, Evening Standard, Stylist and The Sun, dodie proved the critics right with a stunning performance from start to finish.

Performing her usual mix of touching, heartfelt ballads and upbeat exciting tracks getting the whole audience jumping, it was east to see why she has sold out the

majority of this tour.

From solo opening track Arms Wide Open, to Sick of Losing Soulmates, Burned Out, Party Tattoos, She and the Rainbow stage for Rainbow, dodie put on a beautiful show.

If you take the time to listen to her lyrics, you’ll find so many songs speaking directly to so many situations everyone has experienced. dodie is definitely one to watch for the coming years.