Street Cred Magazine - March 2019

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The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2019 - Page 17

Music fashion Film Gadgets holiday education health and fitness

MARCH 2019

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Megan DAvies YouTube cover star to uk headline tour

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ENTERTAINMENT

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THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT

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Sax-Man, Bowden, celebrating re-release of stellar album – 20 years on!

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ground-breaking album from saxophonist/ composer Chris Bowden is back in print - 20 years on!

The jazz man’s debut ‘Time Capsule’ album was first released on Soul Jazz Records in 1992 to universal and widespread critical acclaim. Now 20 years on a new wave of current jazz

artists led by the likes of Kamasi Washington in the USA and a host of British artists – Shabaka Hutchings /Sons of Kemet, The Ezra Collective, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Fourtet, Yussef Kamaal, Tenderlonious, Binker & Moses- have brought this original ground-breaking album into the limelight once more as a pivotal starting point, sharing

many of the aesthetics of these current artists at work today.

Musically all are inspired by the spiritual jazz of John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Don Cherry et al paired with a modern electronic music sensibility.

Bowden’s Time Capsule has stood the test of time like few other albums (as the title of the album suggested), and remains a pivotal, wholly-successful and original experimental musical collage, a radical inspiration and forbearer to many of the best progressive jazz and electronic artists working today.

“Reminiscent of Miles Davis, Stravinsky and Star Trek. Dropdead gorgeous,” said True.

Alongside the release of his latest cd ‘Unlikely Being,’ Chris Bowden’s ‘Time Capsule’ (on Soul Jazz Records) has been re-release on vinyl to mark the anniversary of his debut twenty year old double album which has been fully hi-spec re-mastered and is available as a limitededition heavyweight doublevinyl release with gatefold sleeve (+ free download code), slipcase CD and digital album.

Strong Return for James James Morrison’s return with the Joss Stone duet ‘My Life Goes On’ demonstrates that there’s a huge following for one of the biggest success stories of his era.

It’s reached a huge radio audience after being picked as Record of the Week and being added to the A-list at Radio 2. It’s also picking up strong streaming stats too, with 4 million streams already.

It suggests that the March 8th release of his new album ‘You’re Stronger Than You Know’ will add another glowing chapter to a career that’s already encompassed two #1 albums, five Top 10

singles, a BRIT Award and 7 million sales. He further builds anticipation for the album by sharing the new instant grat track ‘Power’.

A sumptuous modern soul classic, Morrison wrote ‘Power’ in support of his long-term partner Gill when she was feeling vulnerable after the birth of their youngest daughter.

“I was like, I still love you and I still think you’re amazing, but she didn’t see it,” he recalls. “That’s where the title ‘You’re Stronger Than You Know’ came from. I can say that about her. And I can say that about myself too.”

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Gadgets boosting our N bedroom relationships

ENTERTAINMENT

ew research of 1,153 UK adults carried out by gadgets and technology e-tailer, LaptopsDirect.co.uk, found that British couples keep nine gadgets in the bedroom on average – but 72% said they feel this is actually improving their relationship.

The top ten gadgets kept in the bedroom were found to be; Televisions, smartphones, tablets, e-readers, smartwatches, games consoles, Amazon Echo/Google Home speakers, laptops, wearable fitness trackers and baby monitors.

A large number (68%) said they are more likely to go to bed earlier to spend quality time together as a couple - such as settling in to watch Netflix or enjoy a Podcast in bed.

The devices most commonly used by couples in bed was unsurprisingly televisions, with 73% claiming they enjoy watching together whilst relaxing before going to sleep.

More than half (59%) of Brits say that reading an e-book in bed relaxes them, while more than 1 in 3 (39%) couples enjoy the quality time they feel they get from watching TV and films on devices while in bed together. Finally, it was revealed that 16% of those surveyed said that they enjoy quality time together whilst playing games consoles from the comfort of their duvet.

Mark Kelly, marketing manager at LaptopsDirect.co.uk said “It’s great to see how couples are using gadgets to their advantage to enhance their relationships in 2019. In a world where personal relationships are constantly strained, if watching their favourite show together on a tablet means a couple is more likely to snuggle up and enjoy relaxation time in the bedroom together that can only be a good thing.”

Classic Music From PMJ in Birmingham Postmodern Jukebox are making their way to Birmingham’s O2 Academy in March and it’s the culmination of a lot of talent and a lot of hard work.

It’s been five years since Postmodern Jukebox performed its first show, and the family has grown to include nearly fifty singers and another fifty instrumentalists, all of whom now have the opportunity to perform the classic genres they love for the audiences who appreciate them.

“The vocalists sing every note live, without any tuning help. The musicians make every sound you hear on stage and in my living room with the instruments you see them playing,” explains Scott Bradlee.

“Thanks to our millions of fans around the world, Postmodern Jukebox has become the rotating collective of musical outcasts that have somehow found a home and there are still many incredible, undiscovered talents out there that I really am excited to share with you.”

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ENTERTAINMENT

Junior is back - and ‘Every Ting Set’ The Grammy award winning singer Junior Giscombe is back with a new album dedicated to his musical routes.

‘Every Ting Set’ sees the south London musician team up with a number of reggae artists and features new versions of his huge hit - 'Mamma Used to Say.' Originally a big hit in 1984, the No 7 UK Chart hit single also gave him Top 5 R&B in the United States which earned him a ‘Best Newcomer’ award from Billboard magazine. His follow-up single, ‘Too Late,’ also made the Top 20 in the UK. Although not a regular in the Charts, he made a brief return to

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l Junior Giscombe the Top 10 in 1987 with ‘Another Step (Closer to You)’ - a duet with then queen of pop Kim Wilde.

The uncle of celebrated British comedian and EastEnders star Richard Blackwood, who sampled ‘Mama Used to Say’ on his own single ‘Mama – Who Da Man’ in June 2000, Giscombe was also a prolific songwriter for various artists, including Sheena Easton, Maxi Priest, Penny Ford (ex of Snap), Amy Stewart, and Ruby Turner.

Over the years, artistes such as Heavy D, Warren.G, Cam’rom and Brand Nubians have sampled the classics’ Mama Used To Say and Too Late.’

Historic Grammy Appearance for Queen of Reggae

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eggae’s reining queen; Etana is the first Jamaican female nominee to be a part of the Grammy’s live red carpet telecast.

According to major global media outlets, she represented well for her country and genre.

Multiple outlets placed her on their ‘Best Dressed’ list.

Not only is this a win for the singer/ songwriter, it is also a win for Jamaica's fashion industry as her dress was custom made by a local female designer.

With offers to wear and promote world famous luxury fashion brands, Etana politely declined.

She was unwavering in her

decision to use Melissa Dunkley, a popular fashion designer.

She chose a pink ensemble, that highlighted the underrepresented females, in the male dominated industry of which she is a part.

Etana also selected pants opposed to a dress, indicating she was just as strong as her male counterparts.

According to Etana; "I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to attend the Grammys. I accomplished my objective of making the most of the opportunity.

“I am thankful to my fans for their continued support, Andre Morris, Tads Records, Sharon

l Queen of Reggae, Etana Burke, Junior ‘Heavy-D’ Fraser, Tarrus Riley, Gramps Morgan, DJ Courtney, Jessie Adleman, Khambrel McPherson, Clive Hunt, Chevaughn as well as all the singers, musicians and engineers who made this project possible.

“I applaud all the media outlets that featured me in their Grammy

reviews.”

Nominated for ‘Best Reggae Album of the Year,’ Jamaican singer Etana, a.k.a. Shauna McKenzie, celebrated the occasion with a bubble-gum pink lip colour that matched her ensemble perfectly. Long, dark lashes and her gorgeous spirals completed the look.

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Fashions Finest Shine at London Fashion Week

FASHIONS FINEST

l Britain’s Top Designer winner Tuncer Tonun with Fashion Finest Director Deborah St Louis

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n the 16th of February, Fashions Finest welcomed 17 designers from 12 countries and an equally global audience at the Congress Centre, Great Russel Street, London.

Fashions Finest’s kicked off the day with its Let’s Talk Fashion Business industry talk series featuring Sue Mee Maudsley.

The fashion veteran who worked with brands such as Burberry, Topshop, Warehouse, Monsoon, John Lewis, Topman, Simply Be and Racing Green shared valuable industry insights with the audience.

The first runway show of emerging designers started with Misora Nakamori, L'Essayeur, Nitya Singh,

Helen Kaye, The Kemist, and Kepaza.

This was shortly followed by the next set of designers which included Mary Dickow, Pathos, Olya Sookie, Kanna Yeung, Miss Boss Fashion, Linda Blissett, Louisa Moody, and Tuncer Tonun.

Chiara Bordi (18), an Italian model who has a prosthetic leg walked the runway for Croatian designer Olya Sookie.

GH Lingerie enticed with sensual intimates in the popup space, where Berkshire Beauty pampered guests with complimentary beauty treatments and muchappreciated massages, while Fashion Enter was at with resources and advice for fashion creatives.

A day of fashion extravaganza culminated in

the Britain’s Top Designer Award.

Helen Kaye, Mary Dickow, Kepaza, Louisa Moody, Misora Nakamori, April Banbury, Joyce Pilarsky, Tuncer Tonun, and sustainable designer Giebultowski presented their collections in front of industry judges.

These included stylist to he stars Bernard Connolly, celebrity and fashion photographer Joe Alvarez, fashion editor and media personality Sarah Mulindwa and TV presenter and stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones.

Announced by Fashions First director, Deborah St Louis, The Britain’s Top Designer winner was Tuncer Tonun, with the second runner-up Joyce Pilarsky from the Philipines and first runnerup: Misora Nakamori.

l Chiara Bordi (18), an Italian model who has a prosthetic leg

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ENTERTAINMENT

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A Class Of Their Own

l Zakir Hussain (seated) and Zane Dalal (standing) during the performance of Peshkar

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he 19th February saw a UK first at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall as conductor Zane Dalal and Grammy award-winning Tabla Master Zakir Hussain along with the Symphony Orchestra of India made their UK debut performance.

Performing the tabla concerto Peshkar, a piece commissioned in 2015 by India’s National Centre of Performing Arts; the evening culminated with RimskyKorsakov’s classic retelling of the Thousand and One Nights

Scheherazade with all its glittering splendour and gorgeous colour.

That afternoon, Zane and Zakir attended a private meal at Aktar Islam’s Opheem restaurant in the heart of the city.

The pair, along with specially invited guests were treated to a sumptuous offering of contemporary, delicious food, inspired by Aktars own love of Birmingham and Indian food.

Speaking ahead of the evening Conductor Zane Dalal said; “To do the concert here and start the tour in this house is a great moment of excitement for us.

“The Orchestra have not played in a building like this before; it’s going to knock their socks off.”

Before the concert at the worldrenowned Symphony Hall, invited guests including Birmingham Lord Mayor Councillor Yvonne Mosquito and Birmingham’s Consulate General of India, Dr. Aman Puri, gathered at Symphony Hall to celebrate the momentous occasion for the city of Birmingham.

Zakir’s mastery of his intstrument, the excellence of Zane’s conducting and of course the individual talent of each

member of the orchestra shone through in every note.

Chief Executive Officer of Town Hall Symphony Hall Nick Reed said; “Town Hall Symphony Hall are committed to representing our diverse city in our programme and presenting the UK debut from the Symphony Orchestra of India demonstrates our commitment to that ambition.

“It was a pleasure to host the UK debut of the Symphony Orchestra.

Despite only being 13 years old, it’s clearly an orchestra with a very bright future who thrilled the Symphony Hall audience.”

l Zakir Hussain and Zane Dalal at Opheem, with Aktar Islam and Nick Reed

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ENTERTAINMENT

Experience The Magic of Swan Lake

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rom the 5th to the 16th February, Matthew Bourne’s homoerotic, iconic production of Swan Lake returned to Birmingham Hippodrome, bringing with it a fresh look, but while retaining the elements of the original loved by millions around the world.

Most well known for replacing the traditional female corpsde-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, Bourne’s take on the original Swan Lake is as stunning to watch as it was disruptive when it first premiered.

The cast this time around was as talented as any seen before, with a standout performance from Will Bozier’s Swan, always the alpha male amongst the other swans, and as the stranger at court, a dangerous and captivating performance that enthralled not only the princesses at the court, and the Queen, but the audience too.

Katrina Lyndon performed her role as the comic relief as the inappropriate girlfriend of the prince to perfection, from taking selfies at the wrong time, to generally being the wrong person in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

The choreography of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is still outstanding, bestial, savage and

intense at all times, and one of the most challenging and exciting dancing roles in contemporary theatre.

At select performances the lead role of ‘The Prince’ will be danced by former Birmingham student James Lovell.

Talking of his experience, James said; “Dancing as a part of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures has been a dream of mine since I first saw their work when I was 15. I still wake up on our days off and have to pinch myself that I’m touring the world with Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake.”

Collecting over thirty international accolades including an Olivier Award in the UK and three Tonys on Broadway, Matthew Bourne’s powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is a passionate and contemporary Swan Lake for our times.

If you didn’t manage to catch this stunning performance it is still on tour around the country, so get your hands on tickets as soon as possible!

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An Evening With Don Powell of Slade

Enjoy a very special evening with Don Powell, the charismatic drummer of Black Country rock legends Slade!

Ably assisted by rock giant’s Poet Laureate Paul Cookson and singer/ songwriter Les Glover, you can expect conversation, poetry, music, and a trip down memory lane with some exclusive insights into the music and life with arguably the best 'live' band of all time.

Born in Bilston, Powell, who started drumming on a borrowed Olympic kit as a youngster, wsa a member of the band who dominated the UK charts during the early 1970s, outperforming chart rivals such as Wizzard, Sweet, T. Rex, Suzi Quatro, Mud, Smokie, Gary Glitter, Roxy Music and David Bowie – with more singles in the UK than any other group of the 1970s. In 1973 alone, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ sold over one million copies globally, obtaining gold disc status.

He later released his biography ‘Look Wot I Dun - My Life in Slade.’ Oh, and watch out for a world exclusive - or two!

You can join Don at The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton on Friday 18 October 2019.

A l Don Powell

s the world grows closer together, our lives become ever more entwined.

Borders between different cultures blur, broadening our understanding of the world and the society we live in.

Just like Zakir Hussain’s Peshkar Tabla Concerto performed at the Symphony Hall last month with the Symphony Orchestra of India, Wu Wei, one of the world’s best players of the Chinese instrument, the Sheng, will join the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group at the CBSO Centre.

He will perform the world premiere of a speciallycommissioned Sheng Concerto by Korean-born BCMG Apprentice Composer in Residence, Donghoon Shin.

Incorporating a musical instrument from a different musical tradition is just one way composers have reacted to our increasingly borderfree world.

Speaking of the piece,

Donghoon said “The Sheng concerto, Anecdote is a selfportrait of my twenties, the wandering years when I lived in the strange city of Seoul, my hometown.

“The piece consists of three different movements contrasting each other in terms of characters and lengths.

“The image of the sole Asian traditional instrument surrounded

by Western instruments brought back my memory of the city which has been developed and westernised rapidly since the 1970s, yet still hides old palaces and traditional houses in the forest of skyscrapers.”

Bookended by Rebecca Saunders’ Crimson Molly’s Song 1 and Murmurs, the concert will also feature The Wind Sound in the Sky for sheng, cello and percussion The musical imagery of this work comes from a few lines of Chinese poet Haizi’s poem September: Wildflowers blooming on the prairie where gods died, The faraway wind is farther than far, My lute is crying without tears.

In this piece, composer Jia tries to translate the textual structure of these lines to musical structure, and to connect the poetic imagery with musical expressions.

On the 17th March there is also a family concert and a Meet The Sheng Insight Evening, while Murmurs takes place on Thursday 21st March 2019 at the CBSO Centre in Birmingham, tickets are available from the website below.

www.bcmg.org.uk/Event/murmurs

l Rebecca Saunders (Photo Credit Astrid Ackerman)

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ENTERTAINMENT

Murmurs: Music Dissolving Borders

Murmurs Thursday 21 March 2019, 7.30pm CBSO Centre, Birmingham Music dissolving borders from Rebecca Saunders, and the world premiere of BCMG Apprentice Composer-inResidence Donghoon Shin’s Sheng Concerto performed by Wu Wei Programme Rebecca Saunders (b. 1967) Crimson Molly’s Song 1 BP (1995), 24′ Donghoon Shin (b. 1983) Anecdote (2019)WP BCMG, 13′ For solo sheng and large ensemble Jia Guoping (b.1963) The Wind Sounds in the Sky BP (2002), 11′ Rebecca Saunders Murmurs BP (2009), 28′

BCMG

BCMG Commission WP World Premiere BP Birmingham Premiere

Meet the Sheng Sunday 17 March 2019 CBSO Centre, Birmingham 2pm Family concert 5pm Insight Event Discover the sheng, an extraordinary Chinese mouth organ. Explore its music from centuries ago to the present day with Wu Wei, one of world’s greatest sheng players. 2pm for families and 5pm general audience.

l Wu Wei and Sheng

Book at bcmg.org.uk or 0121 616 2616 l BCMG Apprentice Composer in Residence Donghoon shin

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Gig Listings

Celebrating the Magic of Rum and Reggae

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he vibrant Rum and Reggae Festival is returning to Birmingham this year.

The night is set out to give visitors a real reggae experience and features carnival dancers, steel performances and a range of authentic food, with Birmingham’s own Global Reggae Band also performing on the night.

On arrival at the event all guests will be greeted with their own rum atlas to get an insight into where the different types of rum are from.

The 19-date tour will have rums from the Caribbean, Philippines, Mauritius, Australia and South America and festival goers will then get the opportunity to create their own cocktails at demonstrations which will be

going on throughout the night.

There will be special rums available including Columbian tipple La Hechicera; which is typically aged for up to 21 years; Dark Matter Spiced Rum and Wray and Nephew. On scale there will also be a range of rums and services that allows customers to order and have rum posted to them afterwards.

Pirates from the Caribbean Kitchen will be at the festival, serving classic Caribbean dishes such as jerk chicken and rice and peas.

The Rum and Reggae Festival is at The Mill, Digbeth on May 18.

l George Ezra will take Birmingham by storm on March 17th

BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY

March 01 Catapult Club ft. The Monkey Butlers 02 Octavian 02 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox 03 U & I Birmingham 08 Blak Twang 08 Stiff Little Fingers 08 Catapult Club ft. Shallow Glow 09 The Lancashire Hotpots 10 Road Trip 10 Progress Wrestling Present: Chapter 86 - Corrupted Harmony 13 Elles Bailey 14 Dodie 15 Catapult Club ft. Wakening the Hollow 15 The Wailers 16 The Stranglers 16 The Amy Winehouse Experience…A.K.A Lioness 20 The Slow Readers Club 21 Yung Fume 21 James 22 Kamelot - The Shadow Tour Pt. II 22 Bars and Melody 24 A Pale Horse Named Death 25 Pist.On 28 Wille and the Bandits 28 Deaf Havana 30 Keuning 30 VSDN 31 Gerry Cinnamon

O2 INSTITUTE

March 01 Godsmack 02 Gus Dapperton 02 Billie Eilish 05 Bas 07 P.O.D. | Alien Ant Farm 08 jack & jack 08 Crooked Colours 09 Cats in Space - Rock Goddess 09 Freya Ridings 09 Stamina - Superstar Edition 11 SWMRS 12 Yungblud 13 NSG 13 Hoodie Allen 14 Becky Hill 16 Joanne Shaw Taylor: The Reckless Heart Tour 19 D Block Europe 21 Picture This 21 AJ Tracey 21 Smokeasac 22 Catapult Club ft. Outer Limit 22 NAO 23 The Pineapple Thief 23 Sleaford Mods 23 Sugarthief 23 I LOVE REGGAETON 24 Loski - Mad Move Tour

25 The Internet 26 The Zutons 27 Grace Carter 27 Slowthai 28 Noname 29 Catapult Club ft. Marstone 29 Watsky 29 The Cinematic Orchestra 30 Netherhall 30 James Morrison

ARENA BIRMINGHAM

March 02 BBC Asian Network Live 2019 06-10 Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships 14 Nicki Minaj 21 The World of Hans Zimmer 23-24 Dream Extreme: Super Regional Championships 26 Panic! At the Disco 29 UB40 feat Ali Campbell & Astro

RESORTS WORLD ARENA

March 01 Bill Burr 02 Asha Bhosle 07-10 Crufts 2019 16 Blue Planet II 17 George Ezra 23 Gymnastics World Cup 24 40 Years of Disco 2 26-28 Drake 29 Busted

NEC

March 01-03 The National Wedding Show 01-02 What Career Live? What University Live?

07-10 Crufts 12 Nursing Careers and Jobs Fair Birmingham 13-16 The Big Bang Fair 2019 14-17 Sewing for Pleasure inc Fashion & Embroidery 14-17 The Creative Craft Show 16-19 The Photography Show (with THE VIDEO SHOW) 22-24 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show 23-24 MCM Comic Con Birmingham 26-27 Naidex 2018 28-31 National Homebuilding & Renovating Show 30-31 Miniatura

TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL

March 03 Asian Spring (TH) 03 Paul Carrack (SH) 05 Peter Moore in recital (TH)

06 BRIT FLOYD - Another Brick In The Wall 2019 (SH) 06 Vonda Shepard & Sharon Corr (TH) 07 Rhod Gilbert (SH) 08 Oslo Philharmonic – Sibelius’ Fifth (SH) 09 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2019 (TH) 09 10CC (SH) 10 Sir Karl Jenkins: 75th Birthday Concert (SH) 10 Loreena McKennitt (TH) 11 Lunchtime Organ Concert - Thomas Trotter with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (SH) 12 Bring Your Own Baby Comedy (SH) 12 Di Xiao – Femmes de Légende (TH) 12 Roy Harper (SH) 14 UFO “Last Orders - 50th Anniversary Tour” (TH) 15 Mike and The Mechanics (SH) 15 Nish Kumar (TH) 16 Lydia Monks The Girl, The Bear & The Magic Shoes (TH) 16 CBSO: Mirga conducts Shostakovich (SH) 16 The Dublin Legends (TH) 20 CBSO: Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony (SH) 20 KT Tunstall (TH) 21 A Grown-Up Evening with Michael Rosen (SH) 22 CBSO: Let There Be Love A Celebration Of Nat King Cole (SH) 23 Comedians Comedian (TH) 23 Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (Except at The Birmingham Town Hall) (TH) 23 Remembering The Movies (SH) 23 No Such Thing As A Fish (TH) 24 Sofie Hagen - Secret Dinosaur Cult (TH) 24 CBSO: Musical Mystery (SH) 24 Scummy Mummies (TH) 24 Standard Issue (TH) 24 Do The Right Thing (TH) 25 Lunchtime Organ Concert (TH) 26 Town Hall Tour (TH) 26 Albion Quartet in Recital (TH) 26 Stewart Copeland Lights Up The Orchestra (SH) 28 Symphony Hall Tour (SH) 28 Rattle conducts Beethoven’s Ninth: CBSO fundraising concert (SH) 28 Gabrielle (SH) 29 David Gray (SH) 29 Henning Wehn (TH) 30 I Talk Too Much - An Evening of Chat and Music with Francis Rossi (TH) 30 An Evening with The Hairy Bikers (SH) 31 CBSO & Gidon Kremer: Weinberg’s Violin Concerto (SH) 31 Rizwan Muazzam Qawwali (SH)

SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

March 09 Eve’s 80’s & 90’s Reunion 15 Blackout Events Neon Festival 16 Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club 22 Jizzy Pearl LOVE/HATE 23 Hayseed Dixie 30 The Dualers

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ENTERTAINMENT

How Moody Blues’ rocker Lodge was once a ‘Villan’

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oody Blues’ rock star John Lodge was once so keen at football that he played for Aston Villa's youth team named after club legend Harry Parkes.

As a child, Lodge used to ‘tickle trout’ in the river that used to run through Pype Hayes park, before his music breakthrough came at the Tyburn House pub with his teenage band El Riot and the Rebels.

The memories from Lodge came as he looked forward to returning to his Birmingham roots for

Arts Council pays tribute to Ghulab Chandio

Ghulab Chandio played an important role in the renovation of Arts Council of Pakistan, he was from very initial people who initiated with us.

He was a great actor and a human being. When we started a new group to maintain Arts

Council of Pakistan Karachi, he contested in the election, we often see him helping people silently.

Said by President Arts Council of Pakistan Muhammad Ahmed Shah in the condolence reference of famous TV and Film actor

Gulab Chandio.

On the occasion, Saadat Jafri, Abid Naveed, Sikandar Gill, Tasleem Rana, Rehana Ameen, Asif Mughal, Safi Ur Rehman, Dr. Ayub Shaikh, Sinhala Qureshi, Wakeel Farooqui, Syed Asjad Bukhari, Manzoor Garaz, Munawar Saeed and Ali Gulab also addressed at the Condolence reference including many other family members, friends and those who loved him.

The President of the Arts Council said “The Arts Council is now an unbiased institute for the poets, writers, actors, philosophers, and Artists, we are helping these people and giving them opportunities in our capacity.

“The Arts Council is being own by the society and we are working with the help of the society.”

Member of the Governing body Arts Council Karachi Iqbal Latif has said Gulab Chandio was a great actor but at the same time he was a greater human being, he worked in different TV shows and films and he did a theatre for us. we spend a great time all together and people like Ghulab Chandio can be born in a hundred years.

The other people appreciated his work for film and TV and paid tribute to him.

Westside Business Improvement District’s (BID) Night of Stars event on 11 April at Symphony Hall.

Lodge was born in Birches Green near Erdington in 1945 and went on to become bass guitarist, vocalist and songwriter of Moody Blues, the rock ban which formed in the city in 1964.

But long before then as a schoolboy he would spend all his spare time playing football with his pals – many of whom went on to have to have professional trials.

Now 73, John said: “I lived on a cul-de-sac on a council estate and my house overlooked a huge roundabout at the end of road.

There were about 14 boys and

six girls who lived in our road.

The boys were roughly the same age and after school we would play football every day.

This was a magic time and many of the boys in my road had trials for premiership teams.”

He wasn’t quite good enough for trials but revealed: “As a young teenager I played for Aston Villa’s Harry Parkes’ All Star Team.”

The would-be footballer went to Birches Green Infant and Junior School, and after passing his 11-plus went on to what was then called Central Grammar School – now the Tile Cross Academy.

But Lodge’s memories were more about what happened outside the classroom.

He recalled: “I remember Pype

Hayes Park had a small river running through back then, and we had wild and wonderful timed paddling and tickling trout. Sadly, it’s now a brick cement water way – it should have been left as a stream.

The nearby St Mary’s Church youth club was in Pype Hayes and on a Thursday night there was a Mecca, with skiffle bands, table tennis and dancing ... and the occasional fight!

Later on, the first curry house I went to was in the centre of Birmingham and I think it was called the Midland Curry house.

The first group I ever saw was on a Friday night at the Aston Chain and Hook. They had a dance there and the group was called The Modernaires.”

Lodge will be on stage in a special ‘Night of Stars’ event to be hosted by Jasper Carrott at the Symphony Hall on 11 April, in collaboration with Westside BID. Lodge will be joined Carl Palmer, one of the most respected rock drummers to emerge from the 1960s and a veteran of many bands including Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster, ELP (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) and Asia.

Palmer was born in Handsworth in 1950.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Worldwide Audience Watch Black Sabbath ‘Heavy Metal Bench’ Event IN Birmingham

l Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi sitting on the ‘Heavy Metal Bench’

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undreds of thousands of people around the world watched Black Sabbath’s ‘Heavy Metal Bench’ presentation, organised by Westside Business Improvement District (BID) in Birmingham.

Original band member Tony Iommi accepted the bench from comedian Jasper Carrott in an exclusive ceremony at St Luke’s Gas Street Church.

Only 350 fans could fit into the building, but hundreds of thousands of people across the world have watched the ceremony after it was expertly edited into one-minute video highlights for social media, as well as being covered by the BBC. Mike Olley, manager of Westside BID which drove the bench project, said: “We knew there’d be huge interest and so we invited the BBC to the event and our expert media consultant commissioned videographers to create special one-minute video highlights.

The mini videos was watched by more than 50,000 people via our @WestsideBID Twitter account alone, with tens of thousands more watching it via our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.

The event was featured in prime-time slots by BBC Midlands Today – watched by

hundreds of thousands of people across the region, and was also reported on by local print, online and all the mainstream music media in the UK and internationally.

These media hits happened before, during and after the event and successfully brought the world’s attention onto Westside BID and what we’re doing to promote this area and the city.”

The uniquely designed steel bench – incorporating images of the band’s original four members – will eventually be placed on the renamed Black Sabbath Bridge across the canal on Birmingham’s Broad Street.

Iommi said: “The bench looks amazing and I think it’s fantastic for Birmingham to recognise us after all the years and all the work we’ve done.”

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2019 - Page 29

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Former Comedian of the Year, now on Tour At only 22 years old, Tom Lucy has already established himself as one of the most exciting new comedians around.

Signed to the prestigious Off The Kerb agency, home to comedy legends such as Michael McIntyre, Jonathan Ross and Alan Carr, since the age of 17, he quickly rose through the comedy clubs and became one of the youngest professional stand-up comedians in the world.

After successful shows at the Edinburgh Fringe over the last two years – Tom has now announced a string of dates that will include his best material to date alongside new gems. He is apparently, a millennial. This is not something he is happy about. His show is about family, growing up and struggling to come to terms with being the snowflake of his generation.

TV Star Alison Hammond Narrowly Misses Being Crowned Loudest Celeb

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eloved ‘Brummie’ presenter Alison Hammond has narrowly missed out on being crowned the celebrity winner of the UK’s largest ever measure of how loud we can yell.

Narrowly missing out to TV star James Nesbit. A reading of the voice of Nesbitt, revealed it to be 94.51 decibels – as loud as both a jack hammer and a motorcycle engine and fractionally lower than Hammonds’ 94.1 decibels.

Recordings of over 10,000 British residents were taken by Yell.com, in a specially designed booth, which travelled over 9,000 miles across the UK, visiting 20 different locations.

The tour marked the final delivery of the Yellow Pages in each area and challenged people to yell different types of small businesses as loudly as they could – for example ‘pub’, ‘florist’, or ‘plumber’.

Oxford resident Lucian Ghimpu was crowned the overall winner in the competition recording an impressive 94.51 decibels.

Celebrities local to each location also took part in the competition.

Cardiff-born TV presenter Matt Johnson came in third place with 94.20, followed by beloved Glaswegian Lorraine Kelly in fourth with 89.79 decibels. In Manchester ex-Coronation Street and X Factor star Shayne Ward managed 85.76 decibels.

Speaking to Alison Hammond post the roadshows she said: “I can’t believe that I wasn’t the loudest celebrity yeller – I gave it my all – but congratulations to James and his dulcet Belfast tones for beating me!”

Richard Hanscott, CEO of Yell Ltd, commented: “At all of these roadshows the engagement with the public, our #JustYell booth, celebrities and prize activity was fantastic.

“We asked the public to Yell for their favourite type of small business, needless to say “pub” was the most popular! With the final delivery of Yellow Pages having now taken place – we wanted to remind everyone we’re still here for them as we’ve always been and that they can search through the free Yell app for their favourite local business and leave reviews and feedback for them.”

ENTERTAINMENT

As their sold-out UK tour draws to a close with a hometown show at London’s Village Underground, Palace announcedtheir sublime sophomore album ‘Life After’ alongside a UK tour including their biggest live show to date at Camden Roundhouse and a brand new track ‘Martyr’. ‘Life After’ follows Palace’s acclaimed 2016 debut album ‘So Long Forever’ and will be released on July 12th.

‘Life After’ is a stunning album with a clear message; hope. Its eleven tracks are among the finest the band have produced, full of the melodic warmth and rich textures that earned them their legions of fans overnight following the release of their debut EP in 2014.

It is an album in equal parts about loss as well as a manual to moving on, stronger than before.

“While there are a couple of different threads to the record, ultimately there’s a romance to it alongside a feeling of looking to the future through a new lens.”

thephoenixnewspaper.com

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Megan Davies We caught up with Megan ahead of her first UK headline tour. She’s set to hit Birmingham on 27th February at the Birmingham Institute 3.

Kinky Boots

With songs by Grammy and Tony winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots takes you from the factory floor to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.

Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the shoe factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola – a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

West End star Kayi Ushe will be putting on the boots to play Lola.

He will be joined by Paula Lane as Lauren, best known for her role as Kylie Platt in Coronation Street, and Joel Harper-Jackson, who recently starred in the The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time UK tour, will be playing Charlie Price.

Inspired by true events, this joyous story of Brit grit to highheeled hit is the ‘Freshest, most fabulous, feel-good musical of the decade ’ – The Hollywood News.

It’s the ultimate fun night out for you and your loved ones, so book now and experience the energy, joy and laughter of this dazzling show.

As you’re about to head off on your first UK headline tour, what can fans that have never seen you play live before expect? Any surprises in store?

Oh there's always surprises!

I'm constantly writing and trying out songs I've never played before. Touring in these intimate settings with my acoustic guitar is perfect for changing things up night after night.

What are you most looking forward to whilst touring the UK? Any tour towns or venues you’re particularly excited to play/see?

I'm really excited about London of course - with it being such a massive city and music hub.

Honestly, last time I was in the UK I was pretty sick so I'm just looking forward to feeling great on stage this time around!

I’m sure this tour is going to be something you will never forget, but are there any previous shows that stick with you?

It's always the audiences that I remember the most. I've played some historic venues here in the US, but that doesn't always make those shows the most memorable.

I loved this room I played in Chicago last year - it was a SoFar Sounds show with an audience of about 300 people. I played acoustic without a PA, so everyone had to be super quiet. And you could hear a pin drop.

Being based in Nashville must be interesting for you as a musician, do you feel the musical energy of the place infusing into your creative process?

Absolutely! It at least makes you feel less crazy for pursuing music as a career since there are so many of us! Over the years I've realized music isn't just a solo endeavour - it's a collaboration b e t w e e n musicians and producers and engineers.

I've met some of my favourite collaborators in Nashville and I think every one of those experiences has pushed me further down the path of my own artistry. I'm super thankful to live in this city.

Growing up who were the musical influences that made you pick up an instrument and want to learn?

There was such a renaissance of female singer/songwriters in the 90's and my mom had all of them playing.

From Sheryl Crow to Sarah McLachlan to Alanis Morissette, everyone of them with their own u n i q u e sound and writing style.

I fell in love with that music and wanted to learn how it was made. That was the start of everything for me.

Biggest Ever Tutankhamun Exhibition To Hit London

I guess you were the perfect age for exploring how YouTube could help you put out your music, did you expect it to lead where it has, with the amount of views, followers etc?

I never imagined I'd have this type success on YouTube. When I uploaded my first cover 5 years ago, I assumed that everyone who was big on YouTube had already made it.

But obviously, I couldn't have been more wrong.

I'm just grateful I didn't close the door completely to it early on.

Have your views on the Internet changed since you first logged on?

Without the Internet, my career wouldn't have happened.

It wasn't too long ago you had to go through gatekeepers before you could get your music to listeners.

And it's beautiful that artists are able to have such a direct connection with their audience.

There are negative parts to the Internet too, but for me it doesn't overshadow that aspect.

After your European tour, what is next for you in 2019?

So much music! I'm most excited about an upcoming collaboration with another Nashville artist, Jeffrey James. We wrote a song called In Your Gravity. I'll be playing it live this winter, so if you're at the show you'll get a sneak peak!

In November 2019, Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh exhibition will open at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the tomb discovery, the boy king's priceless tomb artifacts will visit London one final time while a new permanent resting place for the treasures is constructed at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Running in London from November 2019 to May 2020, the exhibition will transport visitors to Ancient Egypt where they will accompany Tutankhamun on his journey to the afterlife and quest for immortality.

Over 150 stunning authentic tomb objects, 60 on display outside Egypt for the first time, showcase the spectacular artistry of the boy king's 3,300-year-old treasure and will dazzle audiences of all ages.

This will be the largest Tutankhamun exhibition ever with the most objects and the most masterpieces, and offers the final opportunity to experience the magic and mystery of Tutankhamun before his treasures return to Egypt forever.

@PhoenixNewsUK

The Phoenix Newspaper - March 2019 - Page 31

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Motorpoint Staff Sleep Out Raise Over £6K

‘Fastest Car On Sand’ Record Attempt Land speed racer and recordsetting motorcycle rider Zef Eisenberg and his MADMAX Race Team have got a new target in their sights.

On the weekend of 6-7 April 2019, Zef will aim to become the first person to achieve a British land speed record on bike and car within a year.

The goal is to hit 200mph and beyond in a crazy 1200hp specially built road legal Porsche 911 Turbo S on sand.

The attempt will take place at Pendine Sands in South Wales.

In May 2018, Eisenberg became the first person to exceed 200mph with a wheel-driven vehicle, at this world famous speed track.

He reached 201.572mph on his supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa laying down the marker as the ‘fastest motorbike on sand’ in the world, just 20 months after surviving Britain’s fastest-ever (230mph) motorcycle crash.

Eisenberg spent three months in hospital, followed by 3 months in a wheel chair, but defied the odds to race again in under a year.

Since the crash, he’s set numerous records – including an ACU sanctioned flying quartermile, flying kilometre and flying mile, on his MADMAX road legal supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa, albeit heavily modified. This ‘twin’ record attempt, however, is something very different, as is the outrageous car that MADMAX Race Team has built specially for it.

“I’m well known for setting records on bikes,” said Eisenberg, “so people started asking me why not cars?”

MOTORS

Citroën Unveils Its Own Vision Of Urban Mobility Accessible To Everyone

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ince 1919, Citroën’s history has always reflected each era, with non-conformist and revolutionary vehicles that have become icons in the hearts of motorists.

At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Citroën brand is re-inventing itself again, by unveiling its uninhibited take on an urban mobility ‘object’.

Just as the 2CV made freedom of movement broadly accessible last century, Ami One Concept frees up urban

mobility for everyone with its unique and popular character advocating a new experience.

Citroën’s vision of urban mobility is part of a 100% digitalised and personalised customer journey focused on seamless freedom of use.

An Urban Mobility Vehicle For Everyone: License-Free

With this new and unique urban mobility object – a new field of exploration for Citroën as part of its future energy transition programme – the

brand is aiming to free up individual mobility in the city.

Citroën designed Ami One Concept as an alternative to public transport (bus, train etc.) and other modes of transport such as bikes and electric scooters.

An ultra-compact (2.50m long) two-seater concept vehicle bringing occupants impressive agility in urban environments, Ami One Concept also conveys robustness through its body styling.

The enclosed cabin protects occupants in bad weather.

The architecture and design – both informed by the object’s function and usage – enable users to explore a new driving experience within the city.

Accessible to all from the age of 16 (European countries average/dependent on legislation), Ami One Concept is for urban customers, with or without a driving licence, who share Citroën’s love for the freedom of movement.

Motorpoint staff swapped their suits for sleeping bags recently to help raise over £6,000 for the Derby County Community Trust.

A four strong team from the UK’s leading independent car retailer’s headquarters in Derby braved subzero temperatures to take part in the Stadium Sleep Out event outside Pride Park, home of Derby County Football Club.

Jon Baird, Eleanor Shakespeare, Manjit Virk and Ben Wall spent a Friday night with other participants from partners of the Derby County Community Trust representatives from other business in the city sleeping in the shadow of the stadium with only cardboard, warm clothing and a sleeping bag to help them see through the night.

The Stadium Sleep Out was organised by Motorpoint’s charitable partner – the Derby County Community Trust. Together the four Motorpoint colleagues raised an incredible £6,360 – over three times the amount they had hoped to raise at the outset.

The funds will be used to support Rams in Kenya, a flagship programme at the Trust which this year will make its eighth trip to the slums of Nakuru, Kenya to support the building of facilities which will help children who live in absolute poverty.

It will also help vulnerable individuals in Derby who are at risk of becoming homeless through substance and alcohol misuse, or those who are recovering from addiction and are leaning on the support of the Derby County Community Trust and other charities to overcome difficult times in their lives.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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W

elcome to another edition of Teen flair where I give you advice highlight realer people, travel experiences and much more!

This month I will be telling you about my recent trip I went to in Berlin. Now I was not sure what to expect but Berlin is one of the most artistic, places

WITH RHEA DEHANEY

I have been so far. Even the fashion in Berlin is so unique and you have to bring a camera with you when going, there is so much amazing historic places to document.

Speaking of fashion, this week I had the honour of attending Fashion Finest During London Fashion week. Read on to see the exquisite pieces from various designers.

Berlin: Germany

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went to visit Berlin with my course, and it was amazing! One thing that touched me was going to the concentration camps and here is a picture of where they would make the Jews bathe, and it really resonated with me just how much they went through.

I don’t think you’ll ever be able to comprehend just how bad it was until you see the conditions that they were forced to live under. I also visited many museums and I enjoyed seeing the unique artwork from various artists. There is so much beauty in Berlin, as I visited in January it was really cold, however I loved visiting the Berlin wall, and I think if you enjoy art and interesting scenery then Berlin is

KEEP IN TOUCH

As we are all aware there is power in social media, I will be using these networking sites, to promote this newspaper page, and #TEAMFLAIR which will not only advertise,

definitely the place to visit! Oh and of course the beer and food!

Is amazing, even seeing the new menu in Mcdonalds was exciting, Berlin will not disappoint!

but will promote what to look forward to in the newspaper.

I’m not only hoping to create just another column, but a movement, for young people of all races.

‘The Art in Berlin is so modern, and fascinating’

Check out my first Youtube video ‘Rhea Dehaney’ I hope you are blessed :)

Scripture of the month

To Advertise on my page, or to send me news, information and more, contact me at rhea.dehaney@thephoenixnewspaper.com