10 minute read
DIARY
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DIARY: OUR PICK OF THE CITY’S BEST CULTURAL EVENTS, SHOWS, CONCERTS, EXHIBITS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMER & BEYOND
Observations of Being
Until Sunday 15 August
This journey of selfdiscovery follows the flow of oxygen through the body, reactivating forgotten connections between humans and nature. Observations of Being is a stunning outdoor experience, suitable for the whole family, that will engage your senses and fire your imagination.
Sound Systems
Until 2nd September
Sound Systems are an integral part of Jamaican popular culture and music history. The community that migrated to live and work in Coventry brought this sound with them, to keep a vibrant cultural connection to their roots. UK Sound systems were set up across the country and would compete to play the very best music combining the latest releases with one-off dubplates that set them apart. The final event in October will see Jamaica and Coventry’s very best loved Sounds connecting with local, national and international audiences both live and digitally.
The Show Windows
Throughout 2021
Following a year where we have mainly been gazing out of our windows, we are now inviting you to look in. Working with Coventry BID, RIBA, curator Charlie Levine, and their local city centre shops and businesses they have created a programme of ambitious window installations designed by local, UK based and international architects and artists. This project aids city centre recovery and helps us all embrace positive change post Covid-19 lockdown.
In Paint We Trust
Until May 2022
See the streets of Coventry awash with colour in this city-wide street art festival. Local, nationally and internationally
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renowned street artists will be given access to unique and unexpected spaces encouraging audiences to explore Coventry. From May 2021, In Paint We Trust will see new artworks appearing in unique spaces across the city centre. Artists will be given opportunities to animate along pathways and walls giving audiences a chance to explore.
Arlo Parks
5th August at HMV Empire
Arlo Parks is a singersongwriter from London. In her words she spent most of school feeling like that black kid who couldn’t dance for shit, listening to too much emo music and crushing on some girl in her Spanish class. Her songs are confessional and tender, mainly inspired by Portishead and Earl Sweatshirt.
CVX Festival
12th – 15th August
CVX Festival is a pioneering three-day arts activism festival curated by young people in the city around the themes of community, unity and social change. CVX will bring together local, regional and national artists using their platform as role models to stand up for young people and take a stand against violence.
SeaView
November 2021 Belgrade Theatre.
Conceived before Covid-19 took the world of theatre online, SeaView follows the story of Steven, a highflying university student who appears to have a bright future ahead of him. But talent, intelligence and humility aren’t always enough to see you through, and Steven struggles to escape the cycle of poverty, crime and violence that has entrapped his family.
PLAY TACKLES DIVERSITY IN COVENTRY SCHOOLS
Coventry-based charity, Heart of England Community Foundation, has recently supported the production of I Ain’t Dumb an LGBTQIA+ play, written by Tom Wright and produced by Epicene and PlayWell Productions. The highly anticipated production is set to debut in February 2022, following the completion of Coventry’s City of Culture Festival 2021.
The play is inspired by Tom’s experience in Coventry during his time at school and follows an English class that pride themselves on diversity and inclusion, before a sudden culture war takes place. Exploring the themes around race, sexuality, police brutality, sexual assault and gang violence, the production will be hosted as part of the activity surrounding the City of Culture 2021.
Talking about the show’s development, it’s writer Tom Wright, said “It’s been a long road for production due to the COVID-19 restrictions, but we’re so pleased with all of the work that has gone into this. The funding received from Heart of England will help us to run workshops that offer skills and resources to the next generation of artists, specifically in the LGBTQIA+ community. Coventry 2021 is an amazing time to get people talking about Coventry, and I can’t wait for the premiere of ‘I Ain’t Dumb’ and to share my experience within the LGTBQIA+ community.”
Alongside the play, Tom has implemented an extensive engagement programme, collaborating with local LGBTQIA+ young people, artists and audiences, in order to stimulate conversations and offer a platform for the next generation of the LGBTQIA+ talent in Coventry. Further details on the show and the engagement programme will be released over the summer.
Over 180,000 people in the West Midlands identify themselves as LGBTQIA+, and with the loss of real-life Pride events and safe spaces during the pandemic, the last few months have been a challenging time for those looking for support. The Foundation is hoping that by funding projects just like I Ain’t Dumb it will help to reconnect the community.
FROM DIRTY DANCING TO SWAN LAKE AUTUMN’S ANNOUNCED AT BELGRADE
Following the reopening of it’s doors, Belgrade Theatre has announced a whole host of new shows for its upcoming seasons are now on sale with highlights including the return of Dirty Dancing and Mischief Theatre’s The Play That Goes Wrong.
The Belgrade’s Autumn Season kicks off with a series of live music acts. The Best of Take That featuring Rule the World celebrates 30 years of Take That dominating the charts on Wednesday 1 September. The Illegal Eagles then take to the stage on Thursday 2 September, celebrating 50 years since the formation of the legendary West Coast Country Rock band. The Real Thing also arrive in Coventry on Friday 10 September, with original vocalists Chris Amoo and Dave Smith and a live band. Later in the season, The Bluejays present Rave On, a celebration of ‘50s and ‘60s Rock n Roll, on Friday 22 October.
Acclaimed Mischief Theatre once again bring The Play That Goes Wrong to the Belgrade this autumn. The multi award-winning international smash hit comedy has been hailed “a gut-busting hit” by the New York Times and is now in its seventh year in the West End. The slapstick comedy can be seen in Coventry from Monday 13 – Saturday 18 September.
From Thursday 30 September – Saturday 2 October, Original Theatre Company present Being Mr Wickham. Adrian Lukis, who starred in the renowned BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, returns to the role of Mr Wickham to set the record straight. Written by Adrian Lukis and Catherine Curzon and directed by Guy Unsworth.
As part of its Coventry UK City of Culture programme, the Belgrade has teamed up with Cardboard Citizens to co-produce the new musical The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency from Saturday 9 – Saturday 16 October. Based on a true story from the 1970s, we follow the story of the workings of the world’s first ‘estate agency for squatters’ and the foundation of a new nation, Frestonia. The show is enlivened by a chorus of Coventry citizens who have experienced homelessness. Prior to this, a brand-new performance, carefully created with local people with experiences of homelessness in Coventry as part of their threeweek Cardboard Camps residency, will be staged on Friday 23 July.
Following two West End runs, four UK tours, and multiple international productions, Dirty Dancing is back at the Belgrade this autumn from Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 November. Featuring the iconic hits Hungry Eyes and (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, we follow two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.
The Russian State Ballet will also return with three classic ballets, accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra. Experience the beauty of Swan Lake on Thursday 11 November, Sleeping Beauty on Friday 12 November and The Nutcracker on Saturday 13 November.
The Belgrade’s annual Christmas treat for children aged 2-6 arrives this year with Santa’s Magical Mystery Guest. The latest in Imagine Theatre’s hugely popular Santa series, little ones can experience songs and laughter from Thursday 9 – Friday 24 December.
Finally, from Monday 13 – Thursday 23 December, the Belgrade and Chipping Norton Theatre present A Christmas Carol, starring David Bradley (Broadchurch, Game of Thrones). Charles Dickens’ classic novel has been adapted for the stage by Simon Callow. Bradley will be joined on stage by acclaimed folk musician and actor Sophie Crawford.
Tickets are available to book now. Call the box office on 024 7655 3055 or visit www.belgrade.co.uk where prices are cheaper.
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Theatre of Wandering
18 – 19th September
In a new production cocreated and inspired by Coventry residents, this walk-about theatrical experience through the east of the city blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality.
Rivers of the World
1st September – 1st January
Coventry City of Culture Trust, the Thames Festival Trust with support from Open Theatre will be working with eight Special Needs Schools in Coventry and their students to celebrate and re-engage with Coventry’s historic River Sherbourne.
The Specials
11th September at Coventry Building Society Arena
Coventry ska-punk legends, comprised of Terry Hall, Lynval Golding and Horace Panter, will be performing a homecoming gig at the Coventry Building Society Arena after releasing a new studio album, Encore, for the first time in more than 38 years.
Contains Strong Language
23rd – 26th September
The four-day festival will be taking place in venues across the city, celebrating spoken word in all its poetic forms and revealing the best existing and emerging talent from Coventry and the Midlands.
Turner Prize 2021
Friday 1 October – Monday 10 January at Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
The world’s best-known prize for visual arts, Turner Prize 2021, is in the West Midlands for the first time this autumn, presenting its annual exhibition of shortlisted artists at Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.
CITY Festival announces first headliner
As excitement builds for the summer, Godiva Festival organisers have confirmed that ‘Craig David presents TS5’ will headline the main stage on Saturday 4 September
TS5 started out as an exclusive pre-party that was hosted by Craig David at his penthouse home in Miami but has quickly grown into a world-renowned show. The show has toured the US and has been featured at some of the UK’s biggest festivals including Glastonbury.
The set showcases Craig’s amazing ability to sing, MC and work the crowd, all while DJing simultaneously and will bring a prestigious party vibe to the Festival’s Saturday night.
The announcement of Saturday’s headline act comes at the same time as early bird tickets for the festival go on sale. Tickets are available to buy from www.godivafestival.com/ buytickets and people are encouraged to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment.
‘Craig David presents TS5’ is the first act announced for Godiva Festival’s 2021 bill with lots more great acts to follow soon.
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Events said: “We’re thrilled to be able to announce that ‘Craig David presents TS5’ is our first act for 2021 and will be headlining the main stage on the Saturday night.
“Craig is a household name and TS5 has graced some of the biggest and best festivals in the UK. So, it’s fantastic that this show will headline Godiva during our year as UK City of Culture.
Festival-goers can look forward to seeing ‘Craig David presents TS5’, and much more, over the Godiva Festival weekend, 3-5 September, in the city’s War Memorial Park. You can read more about ‘Craig David presents TS5 on our line-up page.
