Archive for the ‘ Local Announcements ’ Category

Reservoir Warehouse

Digbeth resident Rosie takes a police officer 'hostage'...

Two weeks ago, Jameson Cult Film Club came to Digbeth to screen the cult classic Reservoir Dogs to 500 film fans at Gibb Street Warehouse.

Inspired by the film’s warehouse, the story was brought to life with an immersive experience that transported fellow Digbeth resident, Rosie Pocklington, and I, into the world of the film.

We were greeted at the warehouse by Mr Pink and Mr White. We then spied in on Joe Cabot’s notorious briefing, saw the infamous shootout unravel before our eyes, and learned Mr Blonde’s legendary ‘Stuck in the Middle’ dance routine.

The packed screening and queues outside proved that people are far from scared of coming to Digbeth. Here’s hoping other organisations will see the potential of the unique venues available for their own events!

Here’s a picture of Rosie taunting the captured police officer, and some more photos from the event:

Eastside City Park Official Opening

When: Saturday 16th March 2013, 11:45-15:00
Where: Eastside City Park, Park Street, Birmingham
(In the event of bad weather, activities will take place in the atrium at Millennium Point)

Join Digbeth Residents Association and other supporters to mark the official opening of Eastside City Park this Saturday.

Entertainment will include music, dance and performances by Birmingham Ormiston Academy students, arts and craft activities, and fun for all the family.

The park will be officially opened at 1pm; please see the flyer below for more information.

Eastside City Park Opening Flyer

Apprenticeship Open Evening

When: Thursday 14th March, 16:00-19:00
Where: South and City College Digbeth Campus, High Street Deritend, B5 5SU

There are currently over 12,000 unemployed 18-24 year olds in Birmingham, and a general belief that there are no jobs for these young people. However, South and City College have secured over 100 vacancies from employers who are looking to take on apprentices in roles such as care assistants, business administrators, and catering assistants.

To help fill these apprenticeship vacancies and to encourage young people in Birmingham to consider apprenticeships, the college is holding a host of activities during National Apprenticeship Week. Young people will be helped through five steps during the ‘Passport to Apprenticeship Success’ Open Evening, including CV tips, interview techniques and advice on dressing for success.

For more information, visit the South and City College website.

A435 Unconference

When: Saturday 16th March, 10:00-14:00
Where: Friends Institute, 220 Moseley Road, Birmingham, B12 0DG

Local Councillors are facilitating an Unconference to consider issues along and surrounding the A435 (Alcester Road – on the 50 bus route), from Digbeth to Kings Heath.

Please see the poster below for more details. Alternatively, please email Hywel Ruddick at Birmingham City Council: hywel.ruddick@birmingham.gov.uk

A435 Unconference 16.03.13

Eclectic Wedding Extravaganza 2

When: Sunday 24th March 2013, 11:30-16:00
Where: Fazeley Studios, 191 Fazeley Street, Digbeth, B5 5SE
Tickets: £6 on the door, or £3 in advance

In November 2012, the first Eclectic Wedding Extravaganza (EWE) was held at Fazeley Studios and proved to be such a huge success that the organisers are back with the second installation (EWE 2) later this month.

Make no mistake, this is no ordinary wedding show: white linen covered trestle tables are discouraged, and hard sells are banished. Jo Bromley, from The Couture Company based in the Custard Factory, is one-third of the team behind EWE 2 and had this to say:

We want people to shake off the shackles of what is considered ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ and to take their own personalities and loves and stamp them on their weddings. With that in mind we have picked suppliers who can help EWE do that!

As well as stalls showcasing suppliers’ wares, there will be competitions, a fashion walkabout/ramble and a treasure hunt! To learn more about the event, and to see a list of people exhibiting, visit the EWE 2 website. Alternatively, visit the Facebook page or follow the event on Twitter.

Flatpack 2013 Programme

Flatpack Festival returns to Digbeth from 21-31 March, celebrating Birmingham as the birthplace of celluloid.

Mixing brand new talent with forgotten classics and the usual dose of eccentricity, Flatpack Festival-goers can expect live scores, late night parties and cycle-powered screenings all while exploring some of Birmingham’s more unusual venues and locales.

Tickets are on sale now, and the full programme is available online on the Flatpack website.

The Old Highgateonians

When: Until Friday 15th March, 11:00-16:00
Where: The Edge, 79-81 Cheapside, Digbeth, B12 0QH

The Old Highgateonians is a group of local people passionate about preserving, sharing and celebrating the history of Highgate.

Come along to this free event to see old photographs, video footage and read newspaper articles from the past 100 years.

If you visit The Edge today, there will also be free servings of Digbeth Stew available too, but only while stocks last! More information on the flyers below (click to enlarge):


Life Drawing Classes @STRYX

When: Wednesday 13th March, 18:00-20:00
Where: Unit 13 Minerva Works, Fazeley Street, Digbeth, B5 5RS
Cost: £2 for two hours

We introduced Stryx to our readers last year. The collective have since put together a full programme for 2013, and have been holding life drawing classes at their studio in Digbeth’s Minerva Works on a fortnightly basis.

The next class takes place on Wednesday 13th March; to learn more about how attending the class helps fund Stryx, do watch the video of co-founder Aly Grimes below:

For more information, see the Stryx website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Big Dig @ Edible Eastside

When: Saturday 16th March, 10:00-15:00
Where: Edible Eastside, 122 Fazeley Street, Digbeth, B5 5RS (more directions available here)

The garden at Edible Eastside will soon be awaking from its Big Sleep and becoming part of The Big Dig!

Edible Eastside will be just one of many local garden schemes and community gardens in Birmingham taking part in The Big Dig – a national day designed to get people involved in gardening.

The Big Dig Day will take place at Edible Eastside on Saturday 16th March, which will be open from 10am until 3pm. The tasks for the day are to clean up the site, refresh the plots with new compost, and most exciting of all, erect a new poly tunnel!

As well as the Big Dig, DRA would like to extend a big pat on the back to Edible Eastside which has secured funding from Awards for All! Congratulations! Jayne and the team will use the award to make improvements to their buildings and employ a gardener to help tame their wild plots. Edible Eastside also hope to increase their number of visitors, and work with local food banks and community groups to encourage learning about growing your own food.

The new garden programme will be announced on the 16th March too, so please visit the Edible Eastside website regularly for news and updates.

Digbeth in the Metro

For our readers who follow DRA on Twitter, you may have already seen that Digbeth featured prominently in the Metro last week:

Please see below for a scanned copy of page 31 of the Metro from Tuesday 26th February 2013, featuring Eastside Projects and the Spotted Dog.

You can still catch Mike Nelson’s (free) M6 exhibition at Eastside Projects until this Saturday 9th March. Please see the website for opening hours.

The Spotted Dog hosts Jazz every Tuesday evening from 20:30. Please see their website for more information about upcoming acts and events.