First Word Birmingham June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2022 15:43 Page 1
News from around the region
Sound, art and science merge in new exhibition The worlds of sound, art and science are this month brought together in a new exhibition at Birmingham's Hive Gallery (7 - 24 June). SoundMuse: The Sound Of Nature And The Nature Of Sound is the debut exhibition from Birmingham-based classical musician, composer, artist and teacher Nick Chamberlain. Featuring sounds from the natural world, and compositions inspired by them, the immersive exhibition also includes visual representations of sound, vintage and antique technology and various unusual sound-related scientific instruments and ephemera. To find out more, visit soundmuse.co.uk
Kids’ project ‘in the Flow’ A programme of ‘bold and imaginative’ arts & culture, which has been made with, by and for children, is available for families to enjoy in Birmingham and Sandwell across the summer. Produced and curated for Birmingham 2022 Festival by collaborative children’s art studio The Parakeet, Flow comprises a multiartform programme of events which places children at the centre of the action as designers, makers and artists. For more information, visit childrensbiennial.com
Play-space project call-out to community groups A Birmingham 2022 Festival project is bringing together artists, growers and makers with local communities to create ‘a truly magical environment’. Titled Abundance, the project’s aim is to create a play space for all, with organisers eager to involve a wide array of groups local to Sandwell and West Birmingham. For further information, get in touch with Heidi on hello@wearespectra.co.uk
Brass In The Blooms at the Botanical Gardens
Craftspace showcase at Library of Birmingham A selection of the items made during arts organisation Craftspace’s 4600 Gifts massmaking workshops last month is being presented at Library of Birmingham from 30 June to 9 July. The workshops saw participants join Craftspace in making 4,600 handembellished gifts, upcycling locally sourced materials into messages with which to welcome athletes to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 04 whatsonlive.co.uk
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is this month hosting performances by four concert bands from across the region. Presented on Sundays under the umbrella title of Brass In The Blooms, the concerts feature the West Midlands Concert Band (on 5 June), Central England Concert Band (on the 12th), Alveley Village Concert Band (the 19th) and Kingswinford Concert Band (the 26th). For more information, visit birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk
Birmingham gets new kids’ reading festival A brand-new reading festival for children is taking place in Birmingham this month. Word Play has been created by, and will take place in, How Brave Is The Wren bookshop in King’s Heath on Saturday 11 June. On the
same day, it will also pop up at Kings Heath Library and Hall Green Library. The festival programme includes illustrator Al Murphy (Kitchen Disco, Bathroom Boogie) sharing his new book, A Duck Called Brian, and comic illustrator Laura Howell (Beano) providing an insight into how she keeps Minnie the Minx under control. For more information, visit: howbraveisthewren.com
Cricket play aiming to bowl over its audiences Local theatre company Women & Theatre is aiming to ‘bowl over’ Birmingham audiences at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) next month with a brand-new community play to celebrate the inclusion of women’s cricket in this summer’s Commonwealth Games. Bringing together community performers from across the city and Sandwell, A Thousand Threads is set to a unique soundscape of words and music. Initially presented in a number of outdoor community spaces, the production will show at MAC from 15 to 17 July. To purchase tickets, visit macbirmingham.co.uk
