Street Cred Magazine - September 2019

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The Phoenix Newspaper - September 2019 - Page 17

Music fashion Film Gadgets holiday education health and fitness

SEPTEMBER 2019

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an angelic performance Grease is the word for Peter

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THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLEMENT

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Thin Lizzy star, Phil, honoured at birth place

F

ans from across the globe turned up at a West Bromwich hospital to watch the unveiling of a tribute to rock star Phil Lynott in the form of an emerald green plaque.

The Thin Lizzy singer was honoured at Sandwell Hospital, formerly known as Hallam Hospital, with H, lead singer of cover band Dizzy Lizzy doing the honours.

The plaque inscribed with the words ‘The boy is back in town. Phil Lynott 1949-1986. Musician, Poet, Songwriter. Born here Hallam Hospital’ was fitted at the entrance to the Antenatal Clinic.

Sadly his mother, Philomena, died in June this year. Money for the plaque was raised by the local

community and singer H, along with writer Sean Meaney who spearheaded the campaign.

Phil’s daughters, Sarah and Cathleen said ahead of the ceremony: “It is particularly poignant timing that his place of birth is being honoured in what would have been his 70th birthday year.

“There was obviously something in the water at that time as Robert Plant was born on the same day in the same town a year earlier.

“We are really proud of all our dad achieved and are so grateful for this recognition and to everyone who keeps his memory alive.”

Fans from Japan, Sweden, Scotland and Spain came to see the unveiling along with Trust staff and

others who cheered when the tribute was unveiled.

Helen Hurst, Director of Midwifery from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust which runs Sandwell Hospital, said: “It is very fitting that a plaque to honour Phil Lynott is here at his birth place.

He was extremely talented and we are proud to be associated with Phil, who made a huge difference to the lives of so many through his music.

It is fantastic to know that Sandwell Hospital was the place of birth to one of the most iconic singers from the 70s and 80s.”

Phil, who died aged 36, lived in Smethwick for a short time with his mother Philomena before she moved to Manchester. She finally returned

with him to her native Ireland, where he spent the rest of his upbringing before he went on to form Thin Lizzy Sean, who was also at the event, added: “We lost Phil far too soon and it is sad that his mother wasn’t able to see this day.

“Despite her failing health, the devoted 88-year-old had told friends it was her dream to travel back to West Bromwich one final time to see her late rock star son honoured in the place of his birth. She was very emotional and felt that life had now come full circle.

“She sadly passed away just 10 weeks before the ceremony was due to take place. It has left us all shocked and tinged with sadness.”

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ENTERTAINMENT

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From Peckham To Lagos

I

nua Ellams’ play Barber Shop Chronicles immerses theatre goers in the hustle and bustle of African barber shops.

Following two sell-out runs in London and a world tour, Inua Ellams’ acclaimed and life-affirming play, Barber Shop Chronicles comes to Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 26 – 28 September.

Newsroom, political platform, local hot-spot, confession box, preacher-pulpit and football stadium – for generations, African men have gathered in barber shops to discuss the world. These are places where the banter can be barbed and the truth is always telling.

Directed by Olivier awardwinning director Bijan Sheibani, Barber Shop Chronicles is a heartwarming, hilarious and insightful new play that leaps from a barber shop in Peckham to Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra over the course of a single

day.

Inua Ellams’ was inspired to write the show after he heard about a pilot project to teach barbers about the very basics in counselling. “I was surprised that conversations in barber shops were so intimate, that someone thought that barbers should be trained in counselling, and also that they wanted

the counselling project to happen in the barber shop.

This meant that on some level the person who was organising this thought there was something sacred about barber shops.”

“I covered thousands and thousands of miles writing the play, including six weeks of research travelling through the African continent. I visited South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana and spent a lot of time in barber shops in London and

Leeds. After accumulating about 60 hours of recordings, I whittled them down to a four-hour play and then eventually into an hour and forty-five minute long show.”

Immersing theatregoers in the hustle and bustle of African barber shops, from Peckham to Lagos, it offers a portrait of black masculinity that is tender, funny and, in part, celebratory.

“Stories that involve black boys are still overwhelmingly about stabbing,” Ellams says.

“Therefore, there’s a perception that this dominates a lot of black-British, youthful energies, which, if you look at the numbers and just think logically, cannot be the truth. There’s still a need for black men to be seen as just men who are black. And that’s just what Barber Shop Chronicles does – it shows black men at rest, at play, talking, laughing, joking – not being statistics, targets, tragedies, spectres or spooks… just humans, breathing in room.”

For tickets and further information head to birminghamrep.co.uk or call 0121 236 4455.

Chronixx and Koffee Live In Birmingham Jamaican super star, Chronixx, is one of the hottest and most in demand reggae artists of his generation.

And having lit the path for many to follow since, you can experience his unique blend of roots and culture when he visits the UK later this year.

Performing alongside the hot new sensation that is Koffee, the ever-popular award-winning artist will be live at Arena Birmingham to highlight his exciting, forward thinking, globally focused talents for all to see.

Popular with significant airplay in Jamaica as well as many festival performances, the diminutive star, who won the Culture Artist of the Year, Best New Artist and Entertainer of the Year titles at the Linkage Awards in New York. The 26-year-old artist has also performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and played live in Central Park to 5,000 people.

Son of famed reggae star, Chronicle – who, himself, has ploughed his own furrow following the great Roots players such

as Bob Marley and Toots Hibbert - Chronixx has touched the hearts of fans the world over as he blazes a trail for an entire generation to rediscover their roots and culture.

Following last year's soldout show in London's Alexandra Palace, Chronixx, who has already performed massive shows in Leeds and Manchester, with the Grammy-nominated singer – along with Koffee - set to perform at Arena Birmingham on Sunday November 10.

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ENTERTAINMENT

COMPETITION For your chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to The Festive Gift Fair at the NEC Birmingham, just answer this very simple question!

Traditionally, if you’re on Santa’s naughty list at Christmas, what will he bring you? a) Gold b) Coal c) Sticks

T

his ever popular 4-day November Fair is a cracking start to the Christmas season for those in the know!

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be caught up in the fabulous atmosphere, anticipation rising as you browse 300+ stalls overflowing with thousands upon thousands of unusual gifts, stocking fillers, decorations and artisan food & drink at prices worth celebrating!

It’s an Aladdin’s cave of sparkling stalls offering more choice, more variety and more fun than the High Street, and it’s all under one roof.

The run up to Christmas Day involves a lot of planning and most of us have so much to do and so little time to do it!

Take the pressure out of Christmas shopping and find all the presents you want at the onestop shop Festive Gift Fair.

When your bags are full, just drop them off at the Present Creche and continue to shop some more!

No other Christmas fair in the UK has as much entertainment in one hall to get you straight into the Christmas spirit… * The Grinch will be up to his usual menacing antics! * Father Christmas will be mingling. * The Stilt Jazz Band will be legging it up the aisles! * The UK’s largest snowman will be amazing the children. * The outrageous Panto Dame will be causing havoc around the hall * The fabulous Christmas Band will be performing throughout the day. * The Basetones will have you toe-tapping as you shop, with their Motown-style Christmas harmonies.

Christmas is all about family, friendships and… food! Make a beeline for the FOODIE stalls, where you will discover mouthwatering treats from cheese to chutneys, spices to spirits, puddings to preserves, chocolates to Champagne, beer to brownies, popcorn to Prosecco and hampers to hog roasts!

Back by demand are many favourite stallholders including Magical Story, The Perfume Shop, the Cheshire Cheese Company, Condessa Welsh Liqueurs and East 2 Eden.

In addition, this year’s Festive Gift Fair will be welcoming over 100 NEW stallholders!

The Festive Gift Fair have teamed up with The Phoenix Newspaper to offer 10 pairs of tickets to our readers!

Check out the competition information to the right for your chance to win one of 10 pairs!

Remember, even if you don’t win

one of our pairs of competition tickets, tickets are still available online and on the day to visit the Festive Gift Fair and get your Christmas shopping done far in advance of the big day!

Just email your answer, with your name, address and contact number to competitions@thephoenixnewspaper.com with the subject “Festive Gift Fair 2019 Competition”.

Competition closes at 23.59 on 2nd November 2019. There is no cash alternative.

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MEET YOUR SHORTLIST FINALISTS! Windrush Award

International Excellence Award

Blue Marlin Diamond Travel Professor Gus John Grace Johnson Supplies UK LTD Victoria Mutual Jamaica National Uncle Rons Tropical Sun

Business Of The Year Award Kem The Funky Bear Klassic Koncept Love Your Postcode Jestina Duncan Bloomsbury Nursery Ginger Tree Boutique

Street Cred Next Generation Award Marcia Anderson (Children Of The Sun Saturday School)

Mist

Lady Leshurr Cassandra Maria T Roadz

Atuu Embrace Tony Sealey Becky Humphries Include Me Too Rue Jay & George Kafetzis

Charity Of The Year Award Include Me Too Prince’s Trust Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation

CTO Scholarship Foundation Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA)

Championing Diversity Award Apache Indian Klassic Koncept

British Army Richard Loftus Birmingham REP

9th Anniversary gala dinner and awards masquerade ball Veteran Award

Steel Pulse Mykal ‘Wassifa’ Brown UB40

Big John David Rodigan

Community Engagement Award Birmingham City Uni Dave Gauder Yvonne Mosquito Chief Uzo Owunne Garry Peal Soho Road BID Keith Shayaam-Smith a.k.a. Cypher

Educational Excellence Award Birmingham City University Aston University University of Birmingham Newman University University College London

Leadership And Empowerment Award Craig Pinkney Pamela Liburd

Shushana Davis Nicole Riley Felicity Jordan

People’s Choice Award

Michael Willis Nathan Dennis Apache Indian

Klassic Koncept Noreen Khan GMan

Sporting Achievement Award Anthony Joshua Jack Grealish Dina Asher-Smith Khadijah Mellah Rushian Hepburn-Murphy

DJ/Presenter Of The Year Award Little Richie Country Man

Rue Jay

Wayne Irie G-Man

Entrepreneur Of The Year Award Kem Bobby Singh Tyson J Leon Clint ‘Beva’ Dunkley Jagruti Duggal Charlene Wall [Zen] Paz Heer (Ab Cakes) Ken Ivey Nzinga Graham-Smith Martin Levernore Matt Gubba

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ENTERTAINMENT

l Staff at Tracks and Records with the High Commissioner, Dr Lola and Marcia

Olympic hero, Bolt’s Fine Dining Experience

A

t a time of celebrating for Jamaicans up and down the country, Jamaica’s 57th Anniversary was celebrated in an intimate style as The Phoenix Newspaper Editor-In-Chief Marcia McLaughlin was invited to Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records restaurant by His Excellency Seth George Ramocan, CD and his wife Dr Lola to celebrate the milestone.

Greeted by the owners, management and staff upon their arrival, the group was treated with the utmost respect and care, being

brought through the restaurant and marvelling at the open plan kitchen, allowing diners to see the whole cooking process.

The High Commissioner and his wife, both of whom have already made several visits to Tracks and Records including at the official launch of the restaurant, were once again so proud that this Jamaican business was heaving, especially for a midweek evening. “It’s great to see the support that the community are giving to Usain and this venture” said Marcia as the party sampled a variety of the restaurants star

attractions.

Over a hearty meal they discussed the anniversary of Independence, The Phoenix’s own Anniversary plans for November this year, and also the state of the industry with regards to The Phoenix’s positive stance in comparison to the rest of the offerings available.

Opened just a short walk away from the Liverpool Street train and underground tube stations in EC1, the concept is attracting a massive, regular, flow of high-profiled personalities, as well as ‘quality cuisine’ fans since its launch in

October 2018.

With Bolt’s own favourite scintillating dishes like; jerk chicken, pork and fried fish Caribbean-style spring roll and cassava, packed full of authentic seasonings and spices –is already proving to be a crowdpleaser.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Tracks & Records offer an authentic Caribbean experience; with Olympic hero Bolt planning 15 further sites across the UK alone.

l High Commissioner Seth George Ramocan and his wife Dr Lola Ramocan

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ENTERTAINMENT

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BCMG present world premiere of ‘when falling asleep’

B

irmingham Contemporary Music Group will perform the world premiere of …when falling asleep, the highly anticipated new work by the British composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle, at a special concert in Birmingham this autumn.

Commissioned through BCMG’s flagship new music commissioning scheme, Sound Investment, Birtwistle’s new piece for soprano, reciter and ensemble is a companion piece to his 1999 work The Woman and the Hare.

Celebrating Sir Harrison Birtwistle at 85 takes place at CBSO Centre, Birmingham, on 22 September 2019 before touring to the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany, in October 2019.

With a nod to Birtwistle’s long relationship with BCMG, his 1981 work Pulse Sampler will be also performed in a new version created especially for this performance by BCMG oboist Melinda Maxwell and percussionist Julian Warburton in a special performance at 4.30pm, alongside performances by the 2019–20 NEXT Musicians.

Grease Is The Word.

l Sir Harrison Birtwistle Stephan Meier, Artistic Director of BCMG, commented "I am delighted that BCMG is now able to contribute this new work to our long relationship with Birtwistle.

Sir Harry continues to pursue and counter romanticism, marrying it with modernity in his very own and unique style."

G

rease was the word for Peter Andre has he made his debut on the Hippodrome stage last month.

It’s the first time Andre has performed in a musical and it’s certainly given him the taste for more.

“It’s been absolutely amazing and I can un-

derstand why a lot of big film and TV actors come back to theatre, it’s such a great feeling and I’m really excited about doing more theatre in the future.”

He was also certain audiences were going to love the new production directed by Nikolai Foster; “The cast for the show are insanely talented, and they’ve taken Grease right back to the original and it’s just brilliant.

“I think it tells the story of the show better than the film.”

Peter Andre and Ore Oduba shared the

role of Teen Angel at certain performances with Dan Partridge as Danny, Martha Kirby as Sandy, Louis Gaunt as Kenickie and Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Rizzo.

Taking the 1971 musical by the scruff of the neck and thrusting it onto the Hippodrome main stage, the cast and crew did a wonderful job of taking the audiences back to the 50’s.

While the first half of the show was entertaining enough it did feel a bit slow paced, with a lacking of musical numbers for, well, a musical!

The leads in Dan and Martha were pitch perfect with great presence on the stage, aptly backed by Louis and Rhianne-Louise as Kenicke and Rizzo, who were both also outstanding in their own rights.

With stunning choreography in You’re The One That I Want and Hand Jive, the second half picked up the pace, and not forgetting the one-number appearance of the man himself Peter Andre for Beauty School Dropout, the talent on display was breathtaking from start to finish.

If you’ve only ever seen the 1978 movie version with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy, then you’re in for a treat if you get to catch Grease somewhere else around the country.

@PhoenixNewsUK

s ...

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Midlands Diverse Musical Legacy Celebrated Rebel Music, the latest play from Birmingham born award-winning playwright and screenwriter Robin French, receives its world première at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in September.

Inspired by the Rock Against Racism movement of the 70s and a celebration of the diverse musical

legacy of the Midlands, the production will run from Thursday 19 September to Saturday 5 October and will also tour to 15 local venues.

Rebel Music is set in the sweltering hot summer of 1976, when the country is in economic turmoil and the far right is on the march. Rock

ENTERTAINMENT

Against Racism puts white punk bands and black reggae bands on the same bill – determined to win the culture war and defeat the National Front.

Three teenage music fans, Denise, Trudi and Andrew, join the fight for the soul of working class Britain.

The trio navigate racial politics and social upheaval in Birmingham alongside their own turbulent teenage years, but can their friendship survive?

Commissioned by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and presented in association with award-winning gig theatre specialists, Middle Child, this raucous story of people power features a soundrack of Punk, Reggae and 2Tone.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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B

ASS festival is back for October 2019 and this year, they're shining a spotlight on the future.

Now in its 13th year, BASS festival has teamed up with two of Birmingham's brightest young creatives to curate the festival and leave a new legacy.

This year's curators, Aliyah Hasinah and RTkal, will be showcasing exclusively black artists, creatives, speakers & performers from Birmingham, the UK & beyond.

Expect five days of live music, workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions and film screenings across some of Birmingham's hidden venues, as well as an unveiling ceremony of its 'Future Faces of Birmingham' mural.

Artists include Jevon, Randy Valentine, Big Zeeks, Cali P,

Gig Listings

BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY

808INK, Anaïs, Jamie Rodigan, Italo Skarcha, Layfullstop, Bake Off’s Liam Charles and many more.

September 13 Fleetwood Bac 13 Catapult Club ft. Rookie 15 The World Of Whitfield Crane 16 Pixies 20 Catapult Club ft. Charm Offensive 21 Fireball – Fuelling The Fire Tour 2019 23 Big Zuu 24 Pale Waves 25 The Dust Coda 26 Richard Strange performs the songs of Lou Reed 27-28 Balaam and The Angel 28 Master’s Call 28 Joe / Brandy & Dru Hill 29 New Rules 30 Volbeat: Rewind, Replay, Rebound World Tour

O2 INSTITUTE

September 02 Danny Jones 06 Catapult Club ft. Club Row 06 Koan Sound 07 K-Trap 07 The S.L.P. 10 Alice Chater 12 Trash Boat 14 Star Shaped Festival 2019 14 Star Shaped Festival 2019 After-Party 16 The Snuts 18 Aitch 20 Kojey Radical 21 Blade Brown 22 Fetty Wap 23 Roam + With Confidence 26 The Night Cafe 26 JAY1 27 Tiny Moving Parts 28 Earthgang 29 New Hope Club

29 Red Rum Club 30 Zebrahead 30 Rodrigo y Gabriela

RESORTS WORLD ARENA

September 18-22 Russell Howard 21 Khalid Free Spirit Tour

ARENA BIRMINGHAM

September 05 Bianca Del Rio 14-15 Ariana Grande Sweetener World Tour 17 Muse 21 Professor Brian Cox Live 22 The King Is Back - Ben Portsmouth is Elvis 28-29 Trampoline, Tumbling & DMT British Championships 2019

NEC

September 11-12 Fastener Exhibition & Conference 12-15 The Cycle Show 15 Toy Collectors Fair 18-19 Professional Accountancy 20-22 A Place in the Sun Live 27-29 The National Wedding Show

10 The Voice of The Moody Blues - Justin Hayward - All The Way In Concert (TH) 11 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ In Concert (SH) 11 Last Podcast On The Left (TH) 14 Last Night Of The Rotary Proms 2019 (SH) 15 Hozier (SH) 16 University College Birmingham Awards Congregation (SH) 17 Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra (SH) 19 Tape Face (TH) 20 Bradley Wiggins: An Evening With (SH) 21 Gospel Xplosion Awards (TH) 22 Paul Simon’s Graceland performed by The London African Gospel Choir (TH) 23 Richard Dawkins: An Argument for Atheism (TH)

24 Keane (SH) 25 Average White Band (TH) 26 CBSO: A Child of our Time (SH) 27 Ant Middleton - Mind Over Muscle (SH) 28 CBSO: Sheku plays Elgar (SH) 28 Penguin Cafe (TH) 29 Happy Mum, Happy Baby: Live (TH) 30 Lunchtime Organ Concert – Thomas Trotter (TH) 30 THSH Reggae Choir Workshop (TH)

SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON

September 06 Hats Off To Led Zeppelin 07 The Jam’d 14 Heresy - Reign The Parade 2019 20 The Unreceived 21 Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club 27 M A R C 28 Adam Rowe

TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL

September 06 THSH Reggae Choir Workshop (SH) 07 167th British Open Brass Band Championships (SH) 07 Malorie Blackman in Conversation (TH) 08 Brass Band Gala 2019 (SH) 09-12 Stephen Fry - Mythos: A Trilogy - Gods (SH)

l Ariana Grande sweetens Arena Birmingham on the 14th and 15th

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Insomnia 65 Takes Over The NEC

I

nsomnia returned to the NEC, Birmingham from 23rd-26th August for its biggest show yet.

With the chance to see some of your favourite YouTubers and Twitch Streamers from across the globe, play some of the latest games, experience virtual reality, relive the past in the retro zone and so much more all under one roof!

Now in its 65th iteration, with exhibitors including Nintendo, Playstation, Borderlands 3, Overclockers, Corsair, Steelseries, Razer, and many more smaller and independent retailers, developers and companies, Insomnia is the place to be for all things gaming.

Featuring a wide array of stunning Cosplay, high octane Overwatch esports tournaments, and the Bring Your Own Computer LAN thousands of gamers there is something for everyone at Insomnia, regardless if you’re a cas-

ENTERTAINMENT

ual or hardcore gamer, creative, streamer, YouTuber, or industry professional.

This time around Borderlands 3, as well as the new Legend of Zelda:Links Awakening and Pokemon Sword/Shield were the star attractions, with lines over 2 to 3 hours not uncommon over the 3 days.

Energy Drinks made a prominent appearance too, with Sneak Energy upping the game with their illuminated Sneak Van at their first expo, and GFuel rounding up offerings.

The annual Pub Quiz on the Friday Night was another big hit as usual, with a packed out house.

Insomnia 66 is scheduled for April 10th-13th 2020 back at the NEC for another year, make sure you get in early to grab those Early Bird tickets to beat the queues and get in early - it may well be one of the only ways of guaranteeing getting your hands on those games!

'My Endz' celebrating the local heritage of Birchfield, Perry Barr and Handsworth

W

hat does my community mean to me?' was the question posed to local young people from the surrounding areas of Birchfield, Handsworth and Perry Barr (within the Perry Barr Constituency) as part of a project created by the team at Birchfield Big Local in partnership with Ifa Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust (founded in 1995 by Grammy award-winning percussionist Lekan Babalola) to inspire and foster community spirit, funded by Heritage Lot-

tery.

The answers, poems and illustrations given by the young people have been turned into a brightly painted mural – and booklet – to reflect what life is like from their point of view of 'My Endz'.

With Perry Bar playing a key part in bringing the Commonwealth Games to Birmingham in 2022 – and millions of pounds worth of development on the cards to regenerate the local area – we are celebrating community heritage and what the term means to local residents.

Councillor Paulette Hamilton,

Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and ward Councillor for Holyhead, gave the welcome speech and officially opened the mural, with expected attendees including Father Bob (St Mary’s Church), Hector Pinkney MBE aka ‘Mr Handsworth’ and acclaimed ‘Godfather of Black British photography’, Vanely Burke.

With the grand opening of the ‘Secret Garden Birchfield Community Heritage Mural’, on the day, people were also able to pick up one of a limited edition of the 'My Endz' booklet as a memento.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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RETURN OF THE MAC T

Interviews

ony McKakly AKA Macca, hailing from Wolverhampton took the grime scene by storm.

This bright, young MC made his name from spitting his ferocious bars in youth clubs around the Midlands from a young age.

With his relentless drive and passion for the genre, he quickly made a name for himself and shone among his peers.

Once the Youth Clubs shut down, Macca took his love for music to the streets, this is where he perfected his craft and earned his stripes.

Surrounded by guns, drugs and violence, he kept his focus on music to cement his notoriety with MC’s nationwide. “you’ve got 2 ways, it’s either the bad way or the good way, I was fortunate enough to go the RIGHT way”.

After a while he joined the crew ‘TnG’ and went onto ‘The Oxygen Rooms’ in Birmingham, the Mecca of the grime scene at the time working with various like-minded musicians from surrounding areas, “if you were important or any good, that was where it was at”.

Macca started a grime collective with fellow MC Casper, Don Menna, Moves and S-X quickly catching the eye of a youth worker at the time Jamie Dread, Jamie went onto manage the collective with the help of Despa Robinson thus ‘StayFresh’ was born.

With the addition of Swifta Beater, Raider, Safone, Moky, Deadly, Pressure and J1, the collective went on to meet great success, all the while stamping their names into the history of grime.

With such tracks as “I hear ya Don” and “who said that” it was clear that Stayfresh was something special.

Macca’s biggest influences growing up were Michael Jackson, Mo Town, Linkin Park, right through to Reggee and bashment, not limiting himself to one particular genre, “if it sounds good I’ll listen to it”.

Macca attended Kings Church of England School in Wolverhampton from 98’ to 03’ drawing influence from different people and embracing different cultures from his own, giving him a wider understanding of people.

He transferred this knowledge into

his lyrics, “with going to such a multicultural school, I got to embrace cultures of others, I had Black, Asian, White friends” Macca now is pursuing his Solo Career with his 1st solo album ‘25’ with his energetic flows, intelligent punchlines and catchy hooks smashing radio stations nationwide with a wide roster of colourful, talented musicians. Talking to Macca, it’s clear his desire to keep going as a MC is his love for music “lyrics are a reflection of my bottle up emotions, money is a commodity, we make money important by our emotions and thoughts, I have a passion, a hobby that will hopefully live on when I’m gone” wise words. With his follow up EP ‘Winners Only’ receiving very well, and another project on the way this year, his unforgiving work rate and drive for his craft is sure to elevate him to new heights, I have a feeling we will be seeing his name up in lights very soon.

Check Macca out on his Socials: Twitter - @MaccaStayFresh Instagram - MaccaWinnersOnly Spotify - Macca

@PhoenixNewsUK

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ENTERTAINMENT

Pretty Weird - Drag Royalty Hit The UK

By Mandip Singh Taunque

R

l Yvie Oddly, winner of Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 11 with Mandip and Plastique Tiara

How to be happier on social media

By Thomas O’Brien

When scrolling through social media feeds, it is easy to feel as though everybody else on your timeline is living a more exciting life than you are.

We always see posts from celebrities detailing every aspect of their latest yachting holiday or private jet trip.

We then see posts from many of our contacts on these networks who have gone into their overdrafts in order to emulate the lifestyles that they see celebrities living, and picked up 50 likes in the process.

It would be helpful if they uploaded pictures of themselves eating beans on toast for the next month just as enthusiastically, in order to put some of their more lavish posts into context. Sadly, this doesn’t happen.

In order to be

happier on social media, it is important that we view every post in context and remember the following points whenever we next log into our accounts.

There is an entire industry designed around glossing up images on social media

You might have seen a post on Instagram and commented ‘#lifegoals.’ Is spending hours of your day sat around a similar photo shoot to the one that produced that post also a #lifegoal?

So many of the images plastered across social media are artificially taken and enhanced, in order to sell us products we don’t need and lifestyles that we aren’t living.

Very little effort is made to make people feel content with the lives that they are currently living, as this social media content would be bad for business, as far as the corporates advertising across these networks are concerned.

Whenever you see posts depicting extravagant lifestyles from your favourite stars, enjoy them, but don’t compare your lifestyles to them, as real life and a photo shoot are two very different things.

Would you post something if a massive brand paid you £100,000?

Most people would

answer yes to this question immediately.

Unfortunately, they don’t always realise the ramifications of this reality on the posts that appear on their social feeds.

If anyone can be paid to post anything, then you have no guarantee that anything you see on these networks is a genuine expression of a person’s true feelings.

Individual networks have clamped down on this somewhat by labelling posts funded in this way as ‘sponsored posts’ or ‘ads.’

However, the practice is so rife that it can’t be eliminated completely.

Worse still, ordinary users of these networks then strive to acquire thousands of followers on their personal pages so that they can secure these deals with big brands as well.

The result is a society where people value themselves based on how many followers they have, or how many likes their latest posts received, instead of how they interact with other people in real-life and the contribution that they’ve made to their communities.

It is important to remember that everyone has value, and how your life is viewed when you die depends on what you did in the real world, not what you did on your smartphone.

If something is making you unhappy – stop using it

We can log out of these networks or completely delete our accounts on them at any time. You wouldn’t constantly buy food that you hated eating, or watch TV shows that you didn’t enjoy.

Likewise, don’t feel obliged to use social networks if they’re making you sad, because you’re worried about how your friends may react to an unforeseen absence from the digital world.

Your true friends will always be there for you, regardless of whether you have a Facebook account or not.

upaul Drag Race season 11 winner, American, Yvie Oddly, and fellow contestant Vietnamese Plastique Tiara hit the UK as part of the ‘Slay Presents - Pretty Weird’ world tour and they did not disappoint.

At Birmingham’s Glee Club, Yvie brought the weird through her crazy contortionism climbing out of small suitcase and acrobatics whilst Plastique bought the pretty with killer dance moves.

Those of you that watched this year’s Drag Race would have seen Yvie having a rollercoaster of a ride particularly when she clashed with other contestants, often not her doing.

The remarkable thing about Yvie is that she suffers with the condition ‘Ehlers-Danlos syndrome’ which meant she was often in pain throughout the show.

The condition causes Yvie to suffer included severe joint ache, loose unstable joints that dislo- l

cate easily and fatigue.

Not only did she not let this take over her life during her time on the show she took advantage of her condition to perform intense routines despite the pain which set her apart from her competitors to finally take the crown as season 11 winner.

She brought the same wildness to her stage show. Plastique Tiara who came 8th in the competition showed off her dance skills culminating in death drops and crowd surfing much to the screams of delight of the audi-

l Rujazzle, Queen of Glasgow, is hugely talented and is bound to get bigger and bigger

ence.

It wasn’t just the overseas drag queens who were in the limelight, Glaswegian ‘Rujazzle’ hosted the show and demonstrated that home grown drag queens can do it just as well if not better than their their overseas sisters. Rujazzle brought the comedy and humour as well as flawless lip syncing.

This drag queen is guaranteed to get bigger and bigger on the international drag scene. Fans are hoping she will be on the UK version of Rupaul’s Drag Race which hits the screens in October. If she does she has an amazing chance of winning the crown.

Overall an amazing show with three hugely talented drag queens.

You can follow Slay and read about their forthcoming events on twitter: twitter.com/slaypresents Yvie displays amazing acrobatic skills 5/5

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Page 30 - The Phoenix Newspaper - September 2019

ENTERTAINMENT MOTORS

‘World’s First Minivan’ Joins Concours Of Elegance 2019 The world’s first production minivan – the stunning art deco-inspired 1936 Stout Scarab will be on display at this year’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace.

With only nine in existence, the Scarab was the brainchild of journalist and automotive & aviation engineer William Bushnell Stout.

Inspired by ‘futurist’ author, architect and designer Buckminster Fuller and his tear-drop creation: the Dymaxion, Stout envisaged the Scarab to be a 100-a-year production phenomenon in an age of uninspiring automotive design.

Unfortunately for Stout, the time-consuming coach-work and $5,000 price tag (almost $100,000 today) meant that the idea never gained the traction needed to become a success, and the Scarab dream died after just nine were completed.

Fortunately for the Concours of Elegance, the Scarab is now an incredibly rare, art deco-inspired, coach-built masterpiece that perfectly encompasses the spirit of the show.

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STORMING THE SUMMIT FOR E-MOBILITY 1

0.906 kilometres, 99 corners, one aim: another groundbreaking record with the Volkswagen ID.R. On Monday, 2 September, Volkswagen will literally push electro-mobility to new peaks on the mythical Tianmen Mountain in China.

The breathtaking Big Gate Road near Zhangjiajie is one of the most dramatic in the world. In the important growth market of China, the ID.R will serve as the first ambassador of the fully electric powered ID. family on the roads of the People’s Republic.

“With three incredible records in just 14 months, Volkswagen has proven its true passion for electro-mobility with the ID.R, as well as its great performance capabilities,” says Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, Member of the Board of Man-

agement of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand and CEO, Volkswagen China Passenger Cars Brand.

“The fact that Volkswagen is now aiming for an e-record with the ID.R in such a spectacular setting, underlines the importance of our electrification strategy here in China, as well as globally.

“We hope that thanks to the ‘China Challenge’, Tianmen will become the place where electric vehicles will continue to set new benchmarks in the future.”

So much is already clear before the record attempt

by Romain Dumas (F): if everything goes according to plan, the 41-year-old will drive up the fabled Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road at a higher speed than any other person before him.

So far, the 99 corners have been tackled with drifts, in either SUV or sports cars

with conventional combustion engines – but never with an official start and finish line.

On 2 September, this will change: for Dumas’ drive in the ID.R, these important milestones will also be permanently established for future record attempts.

From a motorsport perspective, little is known about the mountain route in this impressive landscape.

Volkswagen is thus doing pioneering work with the record attempt in China.

“The record drive on Tianmen Mountain is a special challenge for a racing driver,” says Dumas, who with the ID.R holds the alltime records at the legendary Pikes Peak (USA) and the revered Goodwood Festival of Speed (GB), as well as the electric record on the famous Nürburgring-Nordschleife (D).

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The Phoenix Newspaper - September 2019 - Page 31

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ENTERTAINMENT

Catching Up With Sir Bradley Wiggins H

aving become the most decorated Olympic athlete in British sports history, Sir Bradley Wiggins is enjoying recounting tales from a highly-eventful career as one of cycling’s most high-profile figures. Neill Barston speaks to him ahead of his Bradley Wiggins: An Evening With tour.

Being back amid the action covering one of cycling’s ultimate tests at this year’s Tour de France proved highly memorable for Sir Bradley Wiggins. The five-time Olympic gold medal winner was in his element across the channel, describing it as an outstanding highlight of his experience in the sport.

However, as he concedes, he doesn’t miss the intensity of preparing for one of the world’s most celebrated yet grueling spectacles.

So this time around felt poignant for the champion cyclist, witnessing his former teammate Geraint Thomas narrowly miss out on gaining what would have been a second victory in the stellar French race.

“Covering the tour made me realise just how much I love it – when you are competing there’s a lot of emotion taken up with it all in dealing with the event to cross the line.

It’s actually hard to get excited at the end of a race, so going back to it without all the pressure and watching it as a fan was great,” says the record-breaking athlete.

After seven years from his own career-defining victory in France, he says it was encouraging to gain such a warm reception from crowds.

Despite this, he adds his commentating stint this summer couldn’t possibly tempt him out of retirement and prompt him to don his racing kit once again.

“Going back to the tour and seeing some of those climbs brought back memories of just how hard it is. While people can make it look

easy, it really isn’t, especially when you see guys getting taken out of the peloton, and some of crashes you witness. It can be brutal.

“But it was a brilliant event and doing those interviews was something special. Cycling is all that I have ever known, right back to my school days when I was focusing on riding rather than all the lessons,” admits the man who stands as the UK’s most decorated Olympic athlete.

He says that at 36 (he is now 39), it was not a difficult decision three years ago to walk away from the sport at a high point, enabling him to fully focus on the challenges of raising a young family with his wife at their home in Lancashire.

While the celebrity status following his unprecedented back-to- back victory at the Tour de France and London Olympics in 2012 may not have sat entirely comfortably with him, the wider effect of ‘Wiggo’s win’ was clearly tangible. It saw cycling in the UK enjoy a significant resurgence that is showing no sign of subsiding.

The achievement led to his knighthood in 2013, which he built upon further at the Rio Olympics with a final gold as part of the winning British team pursuit squad.

Wiggins is focusing on a number of projects including sports broadcasting and setting forth on his nationwide Bradley Wiggins: An Evening With tour this September.

He’ll be reflecting on his lengthy career, and discussing some of his own heroes who feature in his latest book, Icons, who have proved an inspiration along the way.

As he explains, another key area that is now close to his heart is that of supporting the next generation of potential stars within his sport.

“Cycling is a great and necessary force in my life, and something I’ve been institutionalised in as well as

being passionate about. If there’s a legacy from what I have done it’s with helping young people develop an interest in cycling and getting out there on bikes.

“For many kids there’s a lot that keeps them indoors on their iPads, so one of the great things about cycling is that it’s something you can do as a family and get outdoors – you can’t go out and play rugby as a family,” says the former Olympian, who has worked on a developing series of bikes for children. These days, he enjoys riding near his home in the Preston area.

“I know that it does mean a lot to other people that I won the tour and Olympics in 2012, but I wouldn’t be a very good person if those were the things that were the most important to me in my life,” reflects Wiggins.

These subjects and plenty more besides will come under the microscope as Sir Bradley offers up some insights into his eventful career on his audience with UK tour. Expect plenty of memorabilia and anecdotes of racing rivalries that will offer a very personal window into his world.

“I’ve been enjoying doing these shows as I like to break down perceptions. I feel you never really know someone until you’ve heard their story properly.

“It gives me chance to meet people, and I can particularly remember speaking to one guy in Nottingham. He said his wife would really have loved the show, but she hadn’t made it as she had just died of cancer, so I just told him that she was right there with him. So with these kinds of shows, people see your emotions and I am looking forward to getting out there again,” adds Sir Bradley, reflecting on one of the most eventful careers in cycling history.

COMPETITION

For your chance to win one of 2 pairs of tickets for “Bradley Wiggins: An Evening With” in Birmingham on the 20th September just answer this very simple question!

How many times has Sir Bradley Wiggins won Olympic Gold? a) 3 b) 5 c) 7 Just email your answer, with your name, address and contact number to competitions@thephoenixnewspaper.com with the subject “Bradley Wiggins Competition”. Competition closes at 23.59 on 13th September 2019. There is no cash alternative.

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Page 32 - The Phoenix Newspaper - September 2019

ENTERTAINMENT JAMAICA 0121

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Jamaica 0121

J

amaica 0121 lit up Birmingham as the city’s Victoria Square hundreds of thousands enjoy the best of the sultry Caribbean island’s food, music and allround lifestyle whilst marking the 57th anniversary of its independence.

The Noir Rose Group-fronted event, sponsored by Victoria Mutual Building Society and the Jamaica Tourist Board, brought out the very best for all concerned with

the weekend-long – three day – festival surly being up there as probably one of the all-time best free outdoor celebrations to adorn the front of the city’s Council House.

With DJs playing and presenting plenty of live music – from past, present and future Jamaican stars – just part of the huge majority of major highlights to thrill hoards of men and women, boys, girls and families alike, for those who still harbour the memories of what still goes

down as an unforgettable ‘Jamaica In The Square’ 2012, this - Jamaica 0121 – has to go down as the best yet.

From its heady launch on day one, through to the booming finale on day three, who would have thought that this year’s celebrations could have – and did – surpass the outstanding memories of those previous city gatherings?

So, despite the woes of what was said - by many - to be questionably extortionate

prices laid out by the organisers to obtain any one of the stalls, and the lack of some opportunities for SME singleentity enterprises to be part of what was an unforgettable piece of Birmingham history, in continuing the long-standing links between Birmingham and Jamaica, Jamaica 0121 was the pinnacle a legacy that will live on for years to come.