Make Your Mark, organised by Beatfreeks, will be taking place in the Library of Birmingham

Birmingham-based multimedia social network Beatfreeks are to host a special workshop event to help encourage young people to play a greater role in the election process.

Make Your Mark, an event aiming to engage the interest of youngsters in the forthcoming General Election and local council elections on May 7th, will be held in the Library of Birmingham on Thursday.

The political event has been organised by Beatfreeks, an award winning social enterprise which aims to pioneer new ways of engaging, empowering and developing people and spaces through a blend of arts, media, social action, leadership and enterprise.

Uprising, Beatfreeks and Bite the Ballot are encouraging young people to vote in the General Election on Thursday 7th May

Speakers and artists will be creatively sharing their thoughts, ideas and views on current topics and questions, including ‘Why bother voting?’, ‘What do the parties really stand for? If anything?’ and explaining how individuals can register to vote.

The vast majority of the UK population were non-voters during the last General Election in the UK

Other topical issues being explored include the UK’s relationship with Europe, the basics of democracy and delineating party views in order to focus more on young people’s voices.

According to the event’s Facebook event page, “This is about the next 4 years of our country – youth unemployment, housing, benefits, your rights… this is a chance to truly understand the political landscape, in a safe, neutral space.”

Make Your Mark has been organised by Beatfreeks in association with Uprising, Bite the Ballot and Aston University

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The free open event has been organised in partnership with Aston University, the European Commission, UpRising and Bite the Ballot and will be taking place in Room 104 at the Library of Birmingham on Thursday 16th April at 5pm.

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William Regal shares anecdotes from his career at the Glee Club in Birmingham (Photograph: Aquila Edwards)

This was my first time at the Glee Club so I quickly found my fellow wrestling friend who I invited along.

In the queue we shared chatter about last month’s Wrestlemania (everyone agreed Randy Orton’s RKO was the best version we’ve ever seen) along with talk about the WWE show happening later that night (which I didn’t get a ticket for… yeah, feel the sulking).

When we eventually found our way inside, I really liked how intimate it was. Tightly packed seats and tables, myself and my friend sat three rows back from the stage right in the middle and got comfortable with a bit of history about William Regal, mostly that he was actually born in the Midlands (Codsall, Staffordshire) even though he made his living in Blackpool.

Jim Smallman appeared on stage first, an awesome stand up comedian and co-owner owner of Progress Wrestling. He came laden with plenty of wrestling stories from a fan and promoter point of view. All I can promise is that he warmed all of the audience a treat before Regal came on stage (oh and… get yourself to a Progress show!)

Regal stepped on the stage in a three-piece suit, owning the stage – as only a guy of his profession could – and continued to own it throughout. What held my interest in the first half of the show was the sheer amount of stories of life on the road, his honesty about how professional wrestling was part athletic, part ‘act’ (and admits that this is what he does) and some more heartwarming tales of meeting his wife in Blackpool in the early days of his career. Along with Jim Smallman getting soundly roasted (and he liked it!) until ending the first half of the show which went so quickly.

William Regal was joined by comedian and Progress owner, Jim Smallman (right), at the show in Birmingham

The second half was a Q and A session, taking a variety of questions from the crowd. A lot of stories of bad shows, bad crowds, good shows, bad matches and one particular question was cleared up once and for all. Even when questioned about having a lack of confidence to get the desired ‘heat’ for a crowd (a reaction from the audience associated with heels [bad guys] to get when the match turns in their favour) Regal stated he knew how to get the desired reaction be it a simple wrestling match or one which involves a lot of comedy as well.

All in all, it ended way too quickly. I wish I could have spend an extra hour listening to more copious stories from Regal’s thirty plus years knowledge. If you ever get a chance to see William Regal outside of a wrestling ring and talking history or the finer details, give him the time of day as he’s one of the last living bastions of British wrestling knowledge… and you will leave educated and humoured!

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Aquila Edwards

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4/20 has been become popularly recognised as the unofficial global marijuana smoking day (Photograph: Rafael Castillo/Wikimedia)

As is appropriate for any story that involves the wicked weed that is marijuana – even one that only goes back only a few decades – the origins of the term 4/20 is a hazy memory at best, lost in the fog of time, smoke and brain cells I imagine.

But, it won’t stop many people across the globe from unofficially celebrating the growing phenomenon that is 4/20, or rather April 20th, now an annual event that celebrates cannabis and cannabis culture, by rolling up a doobie, sparking the tip and sitting back to relax as the intoxication of this still illegal plant sweeps through their system.

And, in ever growing numbers too, with many major cities (and I dare say Birmingham too) having their own collective hang-outs, whether this be in public parks or elsewhere at 4:20pm this Monday. And even if you aren’t an urbanite, the peace and privacy of the countryside is probably a far safer bet should anyone be thinking of joining the party.

Many of those who mark 4/20 on April 20th are protesting the herb’s illegal status (Photograph: Pacet /Wikimedia)

For many, no doubt, this is an excuse to get off their heads and hide behind a crowd, I suppose. After all, there is safety in numbers and surely the authorities would not have the resources to police such a gathering?

Although, you can walk through the streets of Birmingham at any time of the day or night and catch the sweet, heady smell of skunk these days as more and more home-grown produce means an easier supply. But, least you forget (short-term memory loss is a side effect of smoking the stuff) it’s still an illegal drug in this country regardless of individual beliefs.

And indeed many gatherings, events and meetings on 4/20 will also be organised as a protest against current laws which have been seen to be eroded away in many Western countries like some states in America and Holland, or course. Whether the stoners of the world can find the energy for anything more than a sit-in, rather than a rally, remains to be seen.

Marijuana – also known by names such as dope, weed, skunk and green – is usually dried and ground before use (Photograph: Wikimedia)

In fact, if we are to look to any origin story of 4/20, then it is to America we must look, and a gang of friends who collectively have come to be known as the 5 Waldos, hailing from San Rafael in California, now a state where Mary Jane can be medically prescribed.  The five firm friends managed to get their hands onto a ‘treasure map’ of sorts that they believed would lead them to an illegal grow that had been abandoned somewhere in Point Reyes, just to the north-west of San Francisco.

A rolled up marijuana joint, or ‘doobie’ (Photograph: Psychonaught/Wikimedia)

Meeting at 4:20pm one day after school these five friends, all of whom were huge dope heads at the time (early 1970s) set off on a journey they would repeat again and again, each time coming up empty handed but all the while stoned. Pretty soon they coined the term ‘420ing’ amongst themselves as a short-hand code for smoking a joint. A code that no-one, especially their teachers, would understand keeping their extra-curricular activities safely under the radar.

How this secret code word amongst dope smoking dudes became a world-wide ‘smoke-in’ is anyone’s guess, but by the early 1990’s the Grateful Dead – the very embodiment of drug culture and alternative thought – were using it on their flyers and encouraging their fans to join the party. This could possibly mark the point when the underground met the mainstream and has been growing slowly and steadily, like the plant itself, into full bloom.

Whatever your plans are – and of course we hope they are to avoid involving yourself in an illegal activity whether publicly or in private – maybe on this occasion keep calm and DON’T carry on?

Still, a celebration of this nature, for me, is better than the other anniversary that April 20th was once infamously attached to: Hitler’s birthday. But, I‘m not going to wish him a happy birthday, so I won’t be wishing anyone a happy 4/20 either; unlike Hitler, I’m equal like that.

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John Dee

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Protesters storm the Library of Birmingham to challenge the council’s decision to reduce its opening hours despite widespread objection (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

Anti-cuts activists have occupied the Library of Birmingham tonight, on the first day of its reduced hours implementation.

Protesters from Birmingham Against the Cuts, TUSC (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Birmingham Trades Union Council and Friends of the Library of Birmingham were joined by members of the public, college and university students and other library users to rally against the new updated hours for the library, which see opening times slashed by 30 hours a week, from 73 hours to just 40.

Members of the public and students joined Birmingham Against The Cuts, Friends of the Library of Birmingham and political trade union coalition TUSC to protests cuts in public spending affecting the Library of Birmingham (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

The Library of Birmingham was opened in September 2013 to fanfare at a cost of £189m

Birmingham Trades Union Council joined the rally, protesting against the Library of Birmingham’s new reduced opening hours (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

Despite the £189m library having been open for only a year and a half, the city council are committed to plans which have included axing up to 100 staff and cutting opening times as part of the council’s 2015/16 budget, despite widespread objections.

Those in opposition to these plans gathered this evening to rally outside the state-of-the-art building before invading it just before closing time for an hour-long occupation.

Protesters occupied the Library of Birmingham, chanting and carrying banners (Photograph: Jamie Brackley)

Members of TUSC, the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, joined the protests against library cuts (Photograph: Friends of the Library of Birmingham)

Library users joined protesters to occupy the building just before 7pm, keeping it open up until its former closing time of 8pm (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

Displaying placards and a “No Cuts To Our Library” banner, one of many, around a hundred individuals stormed the library to make their voices heard. Many expressed their dismay at so much public money being spent on a new library, only to limit access to its facilities.

A public rally took place outside the Library of Birmingham before activists stormed the venue and occupied it (Photograph: Friends of the Library of Birmingham)

Police officers were called to prevent access to the Library of Birmingham after protesters occupied the site (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

There was also anger at the reduced hours, despite an extra £200,000 being “found” to bolster library archive services.

Student Nadim Ahmed, who helped organise the rally, explained on the event’s Facebook page:

Co-organiser: Student Nadim Ahmed (Photograph: Nadim Ahmed/Facebook)

“A staggering £188.8 million was invested to create the library. This offered the people of Birmingham and surrounding a place where students, workers, children and general library users can enrich themselves via the libraries many facilities. To be given such facilities to only have them taken away is a disgrace.

“For students who make full use of the library, the prospects of shorter hours will be detrimental to our education – especially with examinations looming. Many of us find refuge in the library to peacefully work after school, college and Uni. But we will no longer have this option with the reduced hours.”

Ahmed is determined to hold a follow-up protest and occupation of the building, and encouraged attendees to bring along signs, posters, blankets and revision material.

“To the people of Birmingham and those who are against austerity, we must create a united front of solidarity to show that our voices matters.”

Students spoke out against the reduced hours and public service cuts enforced by Birmingham City Council despite widespread objections (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

Student Nadim Ahmed helped organise the rally and protest on behalf of university students (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

Protesters succeed in occupying the Library of Birmingham (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

On it’s Facebook page, officials at the Library of Birmingham responded to public concerns by stating:

“The reduced opening hours have not been chosen to suit staff at all but to ensure we open for as many hours as possible given the budget cuts. The City Council is having to make massive budget savings from 2015/16, affecting almost all Council services including the Library of Birmingham. As a result of this, the Library’s workforce is being significantly reduced. We unfortunately have no choice but to reduce opening hours and services, including access to archive and heritage materials.”

The Library of Birmingham issued a public statement following concerns expressed from users of its services

“Please be assured that all of us here at the Library of Birmingham will work hard to serve our customers to the best of our ability within the greatly reduced resources we have available. Thank you for your patience and understanding,” they added.

A second and “final” rally, protest and occupation is planned for Friday 24th April.

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A young boy in face paint attends the Birmingham Comics Festival in Edgbaston (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

First and foremost, let me make it clear that I make no apologies for the ‘love letter’ I am about to write as a thinly veiled review of Birmingham’s Comic Festival.

But, indie cons like these, when done well, put you the fan at the centre and I couldn’t have been better looked after over the day. From start to finish, the smile never left my face and if I have but one regret, and it’s a genuine one, was the lack of people I didn’t get round to seeing. I was that busy!

Having already run satellite events, such as the recent Easter Egg Hunt at local beauty spot Birmingham’s Wildlife Conservation Park, Spotlight Films at The Mac’s cinema and a pub quiz (grand prize, a commission from penciller, Mark Buckingham and inked by Mark Farmer) to promote the festival, Birmingham’s fans were well primed for the day’s show and for anyone worried about the rude health of comic cons in the Midlands, the Heart of England itself, have no fear because if The Comics Festival at Edgbaston was anything to go by, then comics’ culture is alive and kicking and going nowhere any time soon.

Victor Wright of Geeky Comics co-organised the Birmingham Comics Festival with Steve Tanner (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Given that co-organizer, Steve Tanner (Time Bomb Comics) planned this with co-conspirator, Victor Wright (Geeky Comics), “to be a true celebration of comics, as well as the creators behind them and the people that read them… we wanted something that (was) celebratory,” I think both can feel proud of that they achieved as first timers, somewhat jaded with cons that do not push comics to the forefront. This certainly was not guilty of ignoring the skills that pay the bills, the creators themselves.

Tasha McKenzie as Electra at the Birmingham Comics Festival in Edgbaston (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

With nearly 2000 fans descending on the cricket ground’s conference facilities, this larger than expected crowd once through the door were welcomed by a flood of comic book artists and writers of the caliber of Ian Edginton (Stickleback), Steve Pugh (DC Convergence: Harley Quinn), Richard Elson (2000AD), Hunt Emerson (Calculus The Cat) and a garrison more who at on panels and doodled all day long, as well as a wave of independent creators such as artist Kat Nicholson (with her new comic Silicon Hearts debuting at the show), writer/artist Jessica Martin (Vivacity), and too many more to simply list here. If you were there, you’ll know how lucky we were with the quality of guests invited to attend, and each and every one of them generous of their time with all.

US writer Jonathan Maberry and comic artist Ryan Brown at Birmingham Comics Festival (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Cosplay enthusiasts Rob Hall, Anastasia Cridge and Ian Nigma – as characters from the Batman comic series – attend the Birmingham Comics Festival in Edgbaston (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Of course, as is the case in this day and age, the inclusion of cosplayers into the mix was a welcome addition displaying their varied, vibrant and vivid costumes and mingling with the crowds, happily posing for snaps throughout the day. The whole rollercoaster that was The Comics Festival was a fun, thrilling, all-encompassing event and while I busied myself catching up with friends old and new, my daughter happily doodled away in the kids’ art corner with her mum (big thanks, Kath) after buying a stack of Simpsons’ Comics from the travelling Simpsons’ Sofa gang who offered people he chance to pose on a full-size replica of The Simpsons’ coach along with the Homer, Marge and the brats. Every base was covered.

The Body Paint Project Team working on models at the Birmingham Comics Festival (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Graphic novel traders including Nostalgia and Comics were present at the Birmingham Comics Festival (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Breaking my cherry as a guest moderator on a couple of panels, thanks to the invitation by Master of Ceremonies, Paul H Birch, I was made to feel at ease with the wonderful, laid back guests I was able to introduce to the fans (a big thanks to Mike Carroll (Judge Dredd), Staz Johnson (Batman/Alien 2), and others already mentioned above) but the two panels were but a couple on offer throughout the day, all set against the stunning backdrop of Warwickshire Cricket Club’s grounds.

Substitute a baseball field as a backdrop and add a bit more class, and you can probably imagine how majestic it felt, especially when gazing out at the sun setting, beer in hand contemplating the day and the festive feeling that permeated the whole day. One of the best panels of the day was undoubtedly the Hidden Agendas (Women In Comics) panel.

Comic creators Kat Nicholson, Laura Howell, Jessica Martin, and Sonia Leong featured on the ‘Women in Comics’ panel, chaired by Julie Pickering. (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The passion shared for comics by these female warriors of the printed page (too much hyperbole?), women’s role in comics; depicted or creating, and their thoughts on the reactions to a certain comic cover heating up the internet of late emanated from these creators, no more so than Sonia Leong. With female creators like these out there, there won’t be many doors that will remain shut for long. And those that do will soon be booted open.

Birmngham-based comic writer and artist Asia Alfasi at the Birmingham Comics Festival (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Storm Troopers cosplay at the Birmingham Comics Festival at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

For no other reason than the over brimming baked beauties that were their peanut, caramel and chocolate (triple, quadruple, I lost count) brownies I must give a big shout out to the wonderful bakers from The Custom Cupcake Company. Like any C grade super-villain, I was utterly defeated. The remains still stare at me daringly from the fridge even now. But I will get you next time, brownie, just you wait.

Journalist Olly MacNamee with comic artist Sonia Leong at the Birmingham Comics Festival (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

As for a reflection of the day, the final words I’ll leave to co-organiser, Steve Tanner. When I asked him about his feeling of the day he couldn’t have summed it up more beautifully than with the following observation:

“My personal highlight is quite a little thing, but encapsulates perfectly what I wanted to achieve with the Festival. Two weeks ago we did a family day where some artists drew for the kids at a local wildlife park and we gave out free comics. It was an amazing day – the kids utterly absorbed and fascinated. For some it was their first exposure to comics – imagine that! Anyway, at the show yesterday I was tapped on the back, turned around to see one of those very kids. ‘Hi! I saw you at the park!’ He said happily then carried on dragging his mum around the exhibition halls. One kid, whose interest in comics was ignited by The Birmingham Comics Festival. That’s what it’s about – that’s what it’s always been about.”

You can’t say more than that. A festival that is encompassing, encouraging and inspiring. Thanks for a great day and another successful con to look forward to next year adding to an ever-increasing list.

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Olly MacNamee

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Around 30 students have been banned from the Library of Birmingham following an anti-cuts protest in the building (Image: Paul Wheeler/IAB)

Anti-cuts protesters who were today protesting against the reduced opening hours at the Library of Birmingham have been reportedly issued with banning orders, preventing them entering the building in future.

According to reports from those present, students taking part in a rally and occupation at the library this evening were held in the venue’s lobby, unable to enter or leave, while staff and police are said to have issued around 30 of them with 3-month banning notices.

The banning order slips seem to be hand-written and the details of those attending don’t appear to have been collected.

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In a video of today’s protest, filmed by 27-year-old library user Paul Wheeler, students locked outside of the library can be heard rallying support for those inside. One of the protesters is then heard calling to the others, “They can’t enforce it [the ban] so rip it up and burn it!”

Also heard at the entrance of the venue were repeated chants of “Whose library? Our Library!” as library staff and police officers manned the doors to prevent more protesters entering.

Students occupying the library were held before receiving 3-month banning orders (Image: Paul Wheeler/IAB)

Protesting students held signs stating “Solidarity with Redundant Library Staff” (Image: Paul Wheeler/IAB)

The rally and protest follows on from a similar occupation of the library on Monday, on the first day of its reduced hours implementation.

Protesters from Birmingham Against the Cuts, TUSC (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Birmingham Trades Union Council and Friends of the Library of Birmingham were joined by members of the public, college and university students and other library users to rally against the new updated hours for the library, which see opening times slashed by 30 hours a week, from 73 hours to just 40.

Students were finally released from the library after being given 3-month banning notices (Image: Paul Wheeler/IAB)

Protest co-organiser Nadim Ahmed was amongst those banned from entering the Library of Birmingham (Image: Paul Wheeler/IAB)

TUSC council election candidate for Birmingham Bordesley Green, Theo Sharieff-Winston, was also held in the library during the occupation (Image: Paul Wheeler/IAB)

Despite the £189m library having been open for only a year and a half, the city council are committed to plans which have included axing up to 100 staff and cutting opening times as part of the council’s 2015/16 budget, despite widespread objections.

Students Nadim Ahmed and Damilola Ladipo (right) have been speaking out against the reduced hours and public service cuts enforced by Birmingham City Council despite widespread objections (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

Hundreds of people have been queueing up outside the Library of Birmingham this week, after its opening hours were slashed due to council enforced public spending cuts (Photograph: Victoria Osgood)

Hundreds of people have been queueing up outside the Library of Birmingham this week, after its opening hours were slashed due to council enforced public spending cuts (Photograph: Victoria Osgood)

Paul Wheeler, who filmed today’s events, said he was disappointed with the way the Library was being forced to treat its service users.

Library user and supporter Paul Wheeler

“Personally I think the reduced hours and heavy staff cuts are a total disgrace. It’s going to leave the people of Birmingham, young and old, without much-needed and essential services. The library is more than just a place to read books, it’s an important educational and social environment.

“It was recently named one the most popular free attractions in the UK. Tourist’s come from all over the world come to visit this beautiful and magnificent library. I don’t think Birmingham City Council really understands how important this building is, not just to the people of Birmingham but to the whole United Kingdom.

“The protest today was not only to stand up against the council and its cuts but to show our support for all the staff whose jobs and livelihoods are at risks. Their skills and knowledge are very important, if we lose that then we may never get it back.”

Those in opposition to these plans gathered again this evening, as they did on Monday, to rally outside the state-of-the-art building before invading it just before closing time for an hour-long occupation.

Students Nadim Ahmed and Damilola Ladipo, who helped organise the rally, explained on the event’s Facebook page:

“For students who make full use of the library, the prospects of shorter hours will be detrimental to our education – especially with examinations looming. Many of us find refuge in the library to peacefully work after school, college and Uni. But we will no longer have this option with the reduced hours.”“A staggering £188.8 million was invested to create the library. This offered the people of Birmingham and surrounding a place where students, workers, children and general library users can enrich themselves via the libraries many facilities. To be given such facilities to only have them taken away is a disgrace.

Protesters storm the Library of Birmingham to challenge the council’s decision to reduce its opening hours despite widespread objection (Photograph: Geoff Dexter/BrumSpark)

On its Facebook page, officials at the Library of Birmingham responded to public concerns by stating:

“The reduced opening hours have not been chosen to suit staff at all but to ensure we open for as many hours as possible given the budget cuts. The City Council is having to make massive budget savings from 2015/16, affecting almost all Council services including the Library of Birmingham. As a result of this, the Library’s workforce is being significantly reduced. We unfortunately have no choice but to reduce opening hours and services, including access to archive and heritage materials.”

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The Swingamajig Festival of urban vintage mayhem returns to Digbeth in Birmingham

Put on your dancing shoes this weekend as Swingamajig Festival returns to Birmingham.

This Weekend (Sunday 3 May) grab your top hats and tailcoats, flapper dresses and dancing shoes, as Swingamajig Festival returns to Birmingham for the third year running.

Swingamajig festival is a celebration of all things vintage, with a mix of music, entertainment, fashion, street food and performance art all set in the iconic Custard Factory in the Eastside of Birmingham.

The Swingamajig Festival will take over the iconic Custard Factory complex with 6 stages showcasing the best of vintage inspired music

In recent years there has been an increasing popularity of city festivals, people are ditching the tents, the mud and the wellies and opting to listen to their favourite bands right on their doorsteps.

Swingamajig is a city festival with a difference and nothing like you have ever seen before, expect electro swing, gypsy beats, jazz, live music, rag time, circus performers, burlesque, cabaret silent cinema and everything in between, spread across six stages from 2pm – 6am on Sunday 3 May.

Birmingham’s own Electric Swing Circus have worked tirelessly with Shambala organisers Kambe Events to curate and host the festival bringing with it a rare treat for Birmingham in the form of French hip-hop collective, Chinese Man who will be headlining the festival.  Music acts also include Ed Solo, Mouseoutfit, The Correspondents, Dutty Moonshine Big Band and a performance from the festival curators themselves  -Electro Swing Circus. The full line-up can be found on the Swingamajig website.

Swingamajig brings together the most friendly and impecibly dressed crowd who love to dance

Once again this year, there will also be the opportunity to participate in a pre-festival dance workshop on Saturday 2nd May (the day before the festival) as Swingamajig and The Swing Era will be running a day of swing dance workshops suitable for beginners and intimidate level dancers. This is a fantastic way to perfect Charleston you will also be able to meet like-minded festivalgoers.  More information can be found here…

Thousands of people are expected to flood the streets of Digbeth for Swingamajig, and if you’re traveling into Birmingham for the weekend, information on travel and local accommodation can be online with some great exclusive deals for Swing(amajig)ers.

The Swingamajig Festival is back for its third year after two sell out shows in previous years

With summer here (kind of), what better way to celebrate the bank holiday and the start of the festival season than partying like it’s 1922 at Swingamajig festival!

Avoid disappointment and buy your tickets quick as its sure to sell out either on Friday or Saturday, there will be a limited amount of tickets available on the door too.

More information about the festival can be found online

Keep up-to-date with the latest festival news and information on Twitter and Facebook.

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You can get tickets to this year’s Swingamajig Festival at www.swingamajig.co.uk

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Courtney Nettleford

Cosplay, competitions and free comics are on offer at Nostalgia and Comics in Birmingham on Saturday 2nd May (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Ahead of the annual comic fest that is Free Comic Book Day, I thought it a good idea to preview what’s happening in the Midlands on the day, and even in the run up to May 2 itself, with some local comic shops wanting your participation ahead of time, hence the heads-up now.

Nostalgia and Comics in Birmingham, as they have in the past, are encouraging fans young and old to enter their drawing competition. Simple enough: draw your favourite superhero or supervillian.

Prizes vary depending on the age category, but the overall winner of the adults’ entries will see their design adorn the new Bags for Life that the gang at Nostalgia and Comics are planning on producing. I must say their most recent design will take some beating, but what a prize for an amateur or more professional artist to bag (if you’ll pardon the pun).

Special comics have been printed for free distribution all around the world on Free Comic Book Day (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Some of the wonderful staff at Birmingham’s Nostalgia and Comics. (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

>> GALLERY: Free Comic Book Day at Nostalgia and Comics in 2014 <<

Each Bag for Life having your artwork emblazoned on it for the world (well, Brummies at least) to feast their eyes upon. If past experiences are anything to go by, you don’t have to be the best artist to enter, but you do need to be original and put a smile on the staff’s faces.

So, get those pencils sharpened and those pens filled up with enough ink. Or, just switch on your Wacom, I suppose.

Comic fans picking up their free comic books and posters at Nostalgia and Comics in Birmingham last year (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A young fan in Birmingham dressed as super-hero Green Lantern on Free Comic Book Day (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Down the road in picturesque Leamington Spa, Dan Mallier, the man behind Leamington’s first comic con last October is pairing up with the Leamington Spa library, encouraging literacy awareness through comics, with 500 free comics to be bagged. Mallier states that:

“Last year’s Comic Con was a big success so I know the people of Leamington love a comic or two. I’m hoping Free Comic Book Day will encourage even more people to discover the marvellous world of comics, and encourage them to join their local library, which has its own graphic novel section.”

Dan Mallier will be hosting the activities in Leamingtom Spa on Free Comic Book Day (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

And with the promise of cosplayers (with Mallier’s own wife, Lisa-Marie Nelson, planning to come as Harley Quinn) there should be plenty of time to bag some free reads and photo opportunities too throughout the busy day.

Two great ways on which to offer satellite events that encourage a younger generation, whether living in the urban sprawl of a big city like Birmingham, or the tranquility of rural Leamington Spa, chalk and cheese, with comics to please.

So, what are you doing this Saturday?

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Olly MacNamee teaches English and Media, for his sins, in a school somewhere in Birmingham. Some days, even he doesn’t know where it is. Follow him on twitter@ollymacnamee or read about his exploits at olly.macnamee@blogspot.co.uk. Or don’t.

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Olly MacNamee

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Solihull artist Clare Maguire in her new music video for song ‘Don’t Mess Me Around’ (Image: Polydor Records)

Solihull-born singer-songwriter Clare Maguire has been secured for a three-date residency at the city’s Glee Club venue, starting this month.

The 27-year-old artist, whose debut album Light After Dark hit the UK top 10 on its release, will be taking to the stage in Birmingham for live performances of her latest material.

It’s a very common story, especially in the past ten years for music… artist ascends with a label, artist does well, artists leaves label, artists takes control.

Even though Clare Maguire’s history is linked with the Internet (back in the Myspace days of the 2000’s) she seemed to have disappeared… only to be slowly working on her own material which reaches back into soul music’s heyday, but with a more 21st century context, releasing a string of EPs since her 2011 debut Light After Dark.

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Catching up on what she’s been writing on her social media has been interesting. The one thing that hasn’t faded, and that drew me to her in the first place, is her voice. It has only gotten better and stronger with time. It appears to raw, smoky and dripping with soul, a voice that makes me very excited to hear what she has in store for her residency at the Glee Club in Birmingham on 1st, 8th and 15th of May.

The last time she was at this venue was back in 2011,  a little over four years ago, so I have a feeling it will be a very fun, intimate and possibly emotional three-night return to Maguire’s home-town. I look forward to it!

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You can book tickets for any of Clare Maguire’s three residence shows at The Glee Club Birmingham, here.

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Aquila Edwards

Download 2015 Friday night headliner has been revealed!

Rock Anthem Kings KISS return to Download to close the show in style!

With Enter Shikari and Motley Crue also revealed for the Sunday, it isn’t one to miss.

Camping, Beer and Metal will return in 2015 (Photo: Gobinder Jhitta)

After a flame filled set in 2008, the American based Rock and Roll Hall of Famers return for another Headline show at Donnington. With their spine tingling riffs and explosive pyrotechnic sets, KISS are well renowned globally and rocking the Download crowd will be no issue for them.

Meanwhile, bassist Gene Simmons said: To all our fans – our intention is to get on that stage, blow the heavens to smithereens and take no prisoners.

Support for KISS on the main stage will also come from a legend in rock, Motley Crue. The band, planning to disband for the rest of time in 2016, are aiming to make their last ever UK show one to remember. Download are promising a show to remember and Donnington will be honored to host Crue’s last show.

Enter Shikari have also been announced as the second stage headliners for the Sunday night. Following the release of their Mindsweep album, the band are promising to light up the stage and make it a stand out show. Closing the show will be a tough call, but Download 2015 seems to be going out with a bang for sure.

Make Your Mark, organised by Beatfreeks, will be taking place in the Library of Birmingham

Birmingham-based multimedia social network Beatfreeks are to host a special workshop event to help encourage young people to play a greater role in the election process.

Make Your Mark, an event aiming to engage the interest of youngsters in the forthcoming General Election and local council elections on May 7th, will be held in the Library of Birmingham on Thursday.

The political event has been organised by Beatfreeks, an award winning social enterprise which aims to pioneer new ways of engaging, empowering and developing people and spaces through a blend of arts, media, social action, leadership and enterprise.

Uprising, Beatfreeks and Bite the Ballot are encouraging young people to vote in the General Election on Thursday 7th May

Speakers and artists will be creatively sharing their thoughts, ideas and views on current topics and questions, including ‘Why bother voting?’, ‘What do the parties really stand for? If anything?’ and explaining how individuals can register to vote.

The vast majority of the UK population were non-voters during the last General Election in the UK

Other topical issues being explored include the UK’s relationship with Europe, the basics of democracy and delineating party views in order to focus more on young people’s voices.

According to the event’s Facebook event page, “This is about the next 4 years of our country – youth unemployment, housing, benefits, your rights… this is a chance to truly understand the political landscape, in a safe, neutral space.”

Make Your Mark has been organised by Beatfreeks in association with Uprising, Bite the Ballot and Aston University

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The free open event has been organised in partnership with Aston University, the European Commission, UpRising and Bite the Ballot and will be taking place in Room 104 at the Library of Birmingham on Thursday 16th April at 5pm.

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Clare Maguire performs at the Glee Club Birmingham as part of a three-night residency (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

I found my way back to the Glee Club (it was only just over two weeks ago I enjoyed William Regal’s musings at the venue), but this time to the more spacious Studio room instead, seating around 150 people. Myself and company took our positions right of the stage and settled into our seats.

This was a more nervous time for me, since I was aware and had listened to Clare Maguire’s last album (Night After Dark back in 2011) and, by my own calculation, it’s been four years since she performed anywhere. I was right, and I didn’t know how special the night was, until I sat down to take it all in.

This in itself made me more nervous, as I know how nerve-wracking it is to take time away from music, then come back with new material (although on a more embryonic level) and I do wonder how well it will be received.

Solihull-born Clare Maguire incorporates and delivers a uniquely rich, powerful and soulful energy in her performance (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

What I had heard through Clare’s SoundCloud page was a distinct move away from a ‘pop’ sound (her most popular single The Last Dance from Night After Dark being a vocal driven pop song) and something more Motown, a lot more soul, a lot more feeling… I was listening a lot to her latest EP Don’t Mess Me Around a lot to get a feel of what I was expecting tonight.

It was a little bit more spacious than the last time I was here, but it soon filled up with fans who talked amongst themselves while waiting for the main act.

Welsh radio presenter and DJ Huw Stephens entertained the audience prior to the main act (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

Before the storm, Welsh radio presenter and DJ Huw Stephens kept us entertained. I haven’t listened to Radio 1 for a long time, but I was very impressed by his track selection and a few things that really stood out (a brass band version of Prodigy’s Outta Space/No Good) before the house lights were turned down and he went on to introduce Clare Maguire onto the stage.

What transpired over the space of an hour was mostly new songs with a raw, catchy and beautiful edge. Stripping away a lot of the gloss from the last record has made her talent even more present and awe-inspiring than before.

27-year-old artist Clare Maguire gets up close and personal with the audience (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

>> GALLERY: Clare Maguire and Huw Stephens at The Glee Club in Birmingham <<

There were nerves initially, but the more Clare got into the set, the better her talent shone. I particularly like how some of her inspirations shone through; a tinge of Americana and a large shot of blues with a hint of Johnny Cash in there. Clare took time to talk to the audience because of how intimate it was, she was aware that a LOT of the fans actually travelled to the gig to see her debut new material.

One lucky fan in particular had come down on his birthday and was serenaded with Happy Birthday by Clare herself as well as the whole of the audience… oh, and a cake! That was a very special moment, she truly recognises the dedication of her fan base and invests into it.

Clare Maguire with fan Mark Josiah from Northampton (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)

There was one particular song which has ‘breakout’ written all over it, it resonated so deeply in me that I was on the edge of crying for most of it. I could feel the pain, the sorrow but also the redemption as it was released from the cage of her inner soul. I’ll leave you to find out what song it is when you get there yourself. Luckily, it’s a residency so there’s still time (remaining shows are 8th and 15th May, so do go get them in while you can!)

She ended up coming back to an encore of her latest single Don’t Mess Me Around and implored us to get up on our feet while she hugged and sang to the audience, with everyone joining in and clapping along to the Motown-style beat, which was really a fun way to close out the night.

Overall, I became more of a fan when I left than I was before. I just hope both the work and the talent of the Solihull-born 27-year-old will get fully recognised on the national stage… no-one in my opinion deserves it more.

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Aquila Edwards

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Birmingham Elections 2015, dominated by the hastag #BrumVotes2015 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The final countdown is on and the excitement is reaching fever pitch, along with the nerves and the last-minute full-throttle uber-campaigning and canvassing as election day fast approaches, only hours away.

But with so many screens, so many talking heads and so many broadcast, online and new media platforms, where can you find the quickest and most interesting up-to-date breaking news and bite-size reference tid bits? Why Twitter, of course!

Alongside Facebook, YouTube and Instagram (amongst others), Twitter will be at the forefront of capturing the mood of the nation; with everyone who has a smartphone, laptop or computer instantly capturing and documenting every moment of the election of new councillors, new MPs and a new government for the country.

As one of the country’s social media capitals, Brummies will be leading the charge in regional twitteri (is that even a word?) as politicos, pundits and politicians themselves post out the highs and lows of election night and the morning after.

So, who’s who, who’s worth a follow and which media platforms will be delivering minute-by-minute wall-to-wall coverage? Find out below…

ELECTION NEWS

I Am Birmingham will be covering the council and general election count (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

I Am Birmingham

Well, we’d be doing a disservice to everyone if we didn’t remind you that we’ll be capturing the action on election day and election night, right from election count central at the ICC in Birmingham. We’ll be there on Thursday 7th May for the General Election count and will remain at our posts throughout Friday 8th May for the Local Election count too, supplying you with the latest election results, images, video and some light-hearted alternatives from staffer Adam Yosef.
In the meantime, if you’ve missed any of our slightly alternative election coverage, catch up on our Twitter, Facebook and YouTube hubs.

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Mixing light-hearted fun with extensive local election coverage is BBC Brumvotes (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

BBC BrumVotes

If ever there was a tongue-in-cheek equivalent needed to balance up the BBC’s regular mundane and somewhat lifeless regional news services, it’s this. From creating viral videos of politicians attempting ‘keepy uppy‘ with a football or exorcising their vocal demons a la X Factor, BrumVotes is there to remind you that politics needs to be just as engaging, inclusive and approachable as it is serious and informative. With a special focus on the youth vote for 2015, you can amuse yourself with the antics of both council and parliamentary candidates on BrumVotes’ YouTube page and Twitter account.
Election night coverage will be provided by BBC journos David Lumb and Noel Phillips. Oh, and they’re on Instagram too!

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The Birmingham City Council’s Newsroom has the most extensive facts and figures for the city’s residents during the election (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham City Council Newsroom

With the responsibility of ensuring that Birmingham citizens have all the correct and accurate information in relation to their city council’s duties and responsibilities to them; the BCC have quite a task ahead of them tonight, tomorrow and the week ahead. Already having made every concerted effort these past few weeks and months to ensure residents have in-depth information on Birmingham’s general and council election candidates, polling station listings, details of how to register to vote and to vote itself – all while maintaining a balanced impartial output – the Birmingham City Council is definitely leading the charge with election night updates; not only hosting all of the press and media at the ICC, but also having a special social media team reporting live from the election count itself. For more, keep an eye on the #BrumVotes hashtag and also check out the BCC Newsroom YouTube page and Newsroom Elections website.
You can also follow the official Birmingham Returning Officer Mark Rogers here.

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Birmingham Updates have been regularly posting useful election advice and notices (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham Updates

Forever at the forefront of updating Birmingham’s citizens with up-to-the-minute information on all public service announcements, traffic and weather news, police notifications and taking pride in sharing the best of Birmingham’s cultural, artistic and natural diversity; Luke Addis of Birmingham Updates will be delivering updates with the speed and efficiency that has come to be expected of his widely-respected blog, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

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The Birmingham Mail will be at the forefront of local election coverage (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham Mail

As usually, the city’s premier newspaper will be keeping readers updated on election results as they happen. With a live feed being manned by Andy Richardson on the Mail’s website, and via their popular Twitter account, you shouldn’t miss any of the results and, we assured, some great photo moments capturing and immortalising the emotional reactions of the winners and losers of the night. Oh, and don’t forget to check out their Facebook page too!

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News in Brum will be casting a critical eye on proceedings during the election count (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

News in Brum

Formerly Politics in Brum, Pauline Geoghegan’s political news outlet takes a sideways look at the city’s political movers and shakers and NiB’s not afraid to scrutinise when and where it feels it’s needed.
For a more critical look at he election results and the day’s events complete with ample statistics and facts, keep an eye on the News in Brum Twitter account and website.

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Opinion, articles and satire in to be expected from The Chamberlain Files (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The Chamberlain Files

Named after Birmingham based businessman and politician Joseph Chamberlain, this Twitter feed and website charts “political news, insight and gossip around Greater Birmingham”.
Run by Birmingham-based public affairs consultancy RJF and edited and written by the Birmingham Mail and Birmingham Post’s Former Public Affairs Correspondent Paul Dale and strategic comms consultant Kevin Johnson, TCF combines satire, investigation and fact to present in-depth analysis, opinions and articles on all things political in Birmingham.
The team from the site will be keeping visitors and readers abreast of developments during election night and can also found on Facebook.

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Have we missed anyone out? Is there someone we should definitely be following for election updates? Let us know @iambirmingham.
Hashtags during election night include #BrumVotes15, #GE2014, #GeneralElection and #Election2015. 

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We’re reporting live from the Election 2015 count at the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

We’re at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham city centre for the General Election 2015 count, awaiting the results as they come in from across the city.

We’ll be here all night capturing the mood, reporting the results as the happen and getting the reactions from the candidates who have stood in this year’s national general and local council elections. We’ll also be tweeting the latest results and images at @iambirmingham, using the hashtag #BrumVotes15, and posting updates to our Facebook page too. Updates below…

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15:50: Birmingham Labour councillors Waseem Zaffar and Shafique Shah are re-elected.

Birmingham Labour councillors Waseem Zaffar and Shafique Shah are re-elected. (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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ELECTION RESULT: Andy Cartwright (Labour) is elected councillor for the Birmingham Longbridge ward, with 4148 votes.

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ELECTION RESULT: Habib Rehman (Labour) is elected councillor for the Birmingham Springfield ward, with 7060 votes.

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ELECTION RESULT: Mike Sharpe (Labour) is elected councillor for the Birmingham Tyburn ward, with 3720 votes.

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ELECTION RESULT: Steve Booton (Labour) is elected councillor for the Birmingham Weoley ward, with 4118 votes.

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14:33: Newly-elected Labour MP Jess Phillips is still the talk of the election count after winning a sensation victory last night, taking Birmingham Yardley from Liberal Democrat John Hemming, with a majority of over 6,500 votes. She joins 8 other re-elected Birmingham MPs to become the city’s first new Labour MP for 2015. Watch her win, the public reaction and victory speech here:

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14:00 And it begins, the local election vote count is underway at the ICC in Birmingham.

The local election count gets underway at the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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13:00: We’re back at the ICC for the ballot count for the local elections in‪ Birmingham‬, starting at 2pm.

The local council election count begins at 2pm, at the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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07:00 – That’s it from us for now. We’ll be back in the afternoon for the Birmingham local council election results. We hope we’ve been able to keep you updated with local general election updates throughout the night. Back with you all very shortly.

It’s been a busy night at the ICC for the Birmingham General Election results (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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Birmingham’s newest elected Labour MP Jess Phillips is all smiles as she’s rushed out of the ICC after her win, to be with her family (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Jess Phillips took Birmingham Yardley from John Hemming with a majority of around 6,000 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

06:45: As we wrap up for now, the big Birmingham story is Jess Phillips win, taking Birmingham Yardley from Lib Dem John Hemming with a majority of over 6,500. The former councillor will now be MP for the constituency. She was mobbed by a large crowd of supporters and press immediately after making her victory speech, and dashed home to be with her family.

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06:20: Here’s how the new constituency map of Birmingham looks, according to Birmingham City Council:

So here’s the new Constituency map of Birmingham. Thanks for joining us #BrumVotes15 pic.twitter.com/LnTwnGJuhi

— Bham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) May 8, 2015

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06:15: All of the nine constituencies announced at the ICC in Birmingham were won by Labour. Sutton Coldfield, announced at Sutton Coldfield Town hall, was won by Conservative. Andrew Mitchell was re-elected MP for Sutton Coldfield, the only constituency in Birmingham to not have been taken by Labour tonight.

INFOGRAPHIC: So who won the seats in Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield? #Labour 9 #Conservative #BrumVotes15 pic.twitter.com/WYK9cyP3uI

— Birmingham Eastside (@bhameastside) May 8, 2015

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05.20 – 06:15: RESULTS – Labour’s Steve McCabe retains his Birmingham Selly Oak seat with 21,504 votes, Jess Phillips takes Birmingham Yardley from John Hemming with 17,129 votes, a majority of around 6,000 (a win that’s been known for a few hours but only just formally announced), Shabana Mahmood holds Birmingham Ladywood for Labour,with a majority of 20,000, Gisela Stuart holds Birmingham Edgbaston for Labour, Labour‘s Roger Godsiff retains his seat in Hall Green and Labour’s Khalid Mahmood holds Birmingham Perry Barr.

Labour’s Steve McCabe was re-elected in Birmingham Selly Oak (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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05:15: RESULT – Liam Byrne holds Birmingham Hodge Hill, with with a majority of 23,000 +

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05:10: PHOTO UPDATE…

Young Green Party Grant Bishop wears a “recycled” rosette as he awaits results for Birmingham Yardley, where he is standing (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham Moseley and Kings Heath council candidate arrives ahead of the local account to oversee proceedings (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A Conservative supporter chats in the lobby area at the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Green Party parliamentary candidate for Birmingham Erdington awaits the official results to see how he’s fared (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A man chats to a Labour supporter at the General Election count at the ICC (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Counting officials continue to sort through ballots into the early hours (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Lib Dem candidate for Birmingham Yardley, John Hemming, appears deflated after admitting defeat hours before an official announcement is expected (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Incumbent Labour MP for Perry Barr, Khalid Mahmood, chats to the members of the press (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Labour’s local representative for Birmingham Washwood Heath, Mariam Khan, attends to support her colleague Jess Phillips (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Election officials from all parties keep an eye on the official vote count at the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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05:05: Cllr. Mariam Khan (Lab, Washwood Heath) discusses Labour successes, challenges and the predicted victory of colleague Jess Phillips in Birmingham Yardley.

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Labour’s Roger Godsiff: “You will have a Conservative Prime Minister tomorrow…” (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

05:00: Labour’s Roger Godsiff tells I Am Birmingham: “You will have a Conservative Prime Minister tomorrow…”

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Labour’s Jack Dromey holds Birmingham Erdington, with 15824 votes (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

04:48: RESULT – Jack Dromey holds Birmingham Erdington, with 15824 votes

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Richard Burden has held Birmingham Northfield, with 17673 votes. (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

04:30: RESULT – Richard Burden holds Birmingham Northfield, with 17673 votes.

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03.30: VIDEO INTERVIEW: Incumbent Lib Dem MP for Birmingham Yardley, John Hemming, concedes defeat – before the results are in – against Labour’s Jess Phillips, citing the Liberal Democrats national unpopularity as one of the main reasons for his predicted loss.

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02:50: PHOTO UPDATE…

UKIP Birmingham Northfield parliamentary candidate Keith Rowe prepares for a television interview (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A Liberal Democrats supporter watches the live election results on a monitor in the media centre at the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Incumbent Labour MP for Birmingham Hodge HIll, Liam Byrne, is joined by Birmingham Bordesley Green council candidate Shafique Shah at the election count (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The election vote count continues and intensifies at the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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02:10: Pauline Geoghegan’s of News in Brum gives her General Election predictions for Birmingham…

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Lib Dem candidate John Hemming admits defeat before the results are in. (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

01:45: Liberal Democrats Birmingham Yardley incumbent MP John Hemming admits it’s over as he tells I Am Birmingham: “I’ve essentially conceded defeat”.

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00:30: PHOTO UPDATE…

BBC Radio WM presenter Adrian Goldberg broadcasts live from the ICC in Birmingham during the General Election count (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Labour council candidate Ansar Ali Khan at the vote count, with Labour supporters (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Election officials and candidates watch over counting officials as they swift through ballots (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Members of the press watch over the count from the Media Centre on the balcony (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Hall 3 at the ICC in Birmingham, with a thorough General Election count taking place (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Ballot boxes being unloaded at the ICC for counting officials to sort through (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Switch Radio presenters Calum Wilkes and Emma O’Brien reporting live from the General Election count in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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Paul Dale, journalist at The Chamberlain Files (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

23:30: We’ve been chatting to journalist Paul Dale, who writes for The Chamberlain Files. His early predictions are:

* If the Conservatives get 316 seats, Labour 239 seats and Lib Dem just 10 seats (according to recent ITN/BBC/Sky News exit poll), Labour would be lucky to hold onto Birmingham Northfield and Birmingham Edgbaston, they could lose both seats, which wouldn’t bode well for the incumbent Richard Burden (Lab) and Gisela Stewart (Lab).
* There won’t be many other surprises for Labour due to Birmingham having a majority of Labour safe seats.
* John Hemming (Lib Dems) could possibly lose Birmingham Yardley, as Labour have been actively targeting his seat.

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23:20: Our friends at BBC BrumVotes have been asking Birmingham Yardley incumbent MP John Hemming (Lib Dems) how he thinks he’ll do. “I’m not confident,” he said.

“I’m not confident” says @johnhemming4mp #yardley #brumvotes #BrumVotes15 #ge2015 pic.twitter.com/hktbaTZSpH

— BBC Brumvotes (@brumvotes) May 7, 2015

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22.48: Ballot boxes arrive at Hall 3 in the ICC. Vine by Geoff Coleman.

Ballot boxes arriving at #brumvotes15 count https://t.co/umxCz1CfCD

— Geoff Coleman (@colebagski) May 7, 2015

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22:00: Counting officials prepare to count ballots after a brief welcome and introduction from an election official explaining the rules. The counting officials are being monitored under the watchful eyes of election officials and various attending political party candidates as they prepare for the count.

The election count begins at the ICC in Birmingham, under the watchful eyes of election officials (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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21:30: Counting officials are in Hall 3 at the ICC awaiting boxes containing ballot papers. Election officials and candidates are still queuing up outside the hall as they slowly drift in. It’s a very lively and busy hall as eager counting officials anticipate ballots and while waiting press speculate on the results. It’s all started very optimistic but how will the night go on as results are officially declared across the country from 10pm? Polls officially close at 10pm.

Counting officials waiting for ballots in the Counting Hall, in Hall 3 of the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Counting officials waiting for ballots in Hall 3 of the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Members of the press in the media centre in Hall 3 at the ICC in Birmingham (Photograph:: Adam Yosef)

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X Factor boy band Stereo Kicks will be performing live and meeting fans at Birmingham Pride

Boy band Stereo Kicks wil be joining the line-up at this year’s two-day Birmingham Pride festival, being held in the city on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May.

Fresh from last year’s series of hit ITV1 talent show X Factor, the eight-piece group will be joining fellow show acts Union J and Only the Young, over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Having recently played a sold-out Birmingham’s O2 Academy and due to release their debut single Love Me So next month, the band –  made up of Barclay Beales, Chris Leonard, Tom Mann, James Graham, Reece Bibby, Jake Sims, Casey Johnson and Charlie Jones – will be belting out songs for fans on the Main Stage in the Gay Village on Sunday 24th May.

A special meet-and-greet photo session with Stereo Kicks has also been announced for VIP ticket-holders.

Lawrence Barton, Director of Birmingham Pride, said: “I’m delighted that Stereo Kicks have been added to the bill alongside two other X Factor favourites, Union J and Only The Young, all of whom will be performing at Pride on Sunday 24 May.”

Also gracing Birmingham Pride 2015 with their star-presence are ’70s group Boney M, ’80s superstar Jimmy Somerville and ’90s favourites Heather Small, alongside chart-toppers Jess Glynne, rapper Example + DJ Wire, former JLS member Marvin Humes and rapper Ms Dynamite.

There are over 100 acts lined up to perform at Birmingham Pride 2015

This year the colourful and vibrant Pride Parade launches from Victoria Square at 12pm on Saturday 23rd May, highlighting the theme: ‘FREEDOM – Together United’. The parade will be led by Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), the campaign group who were recently immortalised in the hit British film Pride.

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Tickets for the Birmingham Pride two-day extravanganza can be purchased from www.birminghampride.com, or at the festival on the day.

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Hit 90s girl-group Atomic Kitten will be performing at this year’s Birmingham Pride weekend

Pop trio Atomic Kitten have been added to the Birmingham Pride line-up for this year’s two-day festival on Saturday 23rd May.

The 90s girl-group – made up of members Kerry Katona, Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon – will be appearing at the event on Sunday 24th May, performing their most popular songs, including number one hits Whole Again and Eternal Flame.

Atomic Kitten rose to stardom in the late 90s with debut single Right Now, followed by a medley of chart hits including Ladies Night and See Ya.

The Birmingham Pride festival is showcasing over a hundred different and very diverse music acts this year, to cater for all tastes; while also featuring a dance arena, cabaret marquee and family funfair. The event will additionally have a host of community stalls and refreshments.

Also gracing Birmingham Pride 2015 with their star-presence are ’70s group Boney M, ’80s superstar Jimmy Somerville and ’90s favourites Heather Small, alongside chart-toppers Jess Glynne, rapper Example, former JLS member Marvin Humes, rapper Ms Dynamite and X Factor artists Union J, Only The Young and Stereo Kicks.

There are over 100 acts lined up to perform at Birmingham Pride 2015

This year the colourful and vibrant Pride Parade launches from Victoria Square at 12pm on Saturday 23rd May, highlighting the theme: ‘FREEDOM – Together United’. The parade will be led by Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), the campaign group who were recently immortalised in the hit British film Pride.

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Tickets for the Birmingham Pride two-day extravanganza can be purchased from www.birminghampride.com, or at the festival on the day.

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BGSO leader Kat Galbraith with the Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra mostly made up of LGBT community members from the Midlands (Photograph: Tom White)

Think Pride and you think huge parties, colourful parades and a weekend you’ll never forget. But on Saturday 23 May, wander up to Adrian Boult Concert Hall at the Birmingham Conservatoire and you’ll find a party like no other as the musicians of the Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra perform their flagship Pride Proms concert.

BGSO Pride Proms is quickly becoming a much-anticipated fixture of the Birmingham Pride weekend celebrations. The full forces of Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra combine with a specially-formed Chorus to perform a selection of the best-known music.

Combining classical favourites and popular showstoppers, the music this year includes John Williams’ music for Jurassic Park, the rousing Dambusters March and a medley of Rogers and Hammerstein classics. Alongside music by Elgar, Vivaldi and Handel it’s an evening that will make your toes tap and your heart swell. And guest presenter Andrew Ridal will ensure the energy is kept sky-high!

“Everyone knows the famous BBC Proms in London,” said Jack Lovell, BGSO Music Director. “BGSO Pride Proms captures that energy with a special LGBT twist – all in Birmingham Conservatoire’s Adrian Boult Hall”

A retiring collection will be made at the end of Pride Proms 2015 in aid of the Albert Kennedy Trust, which supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans homeless young people in crisis.

BGSO is made up of musicians of all abilities from Birmingham and the Midlands, performing three concerts per year. If you are interested in playing with them visit their website at bgso.org.uk.

The Pride Proms 2015 takes place at Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham

BGSO Pride Proms 2015 takes place on Saturday 23 May 2015, at 7pm, at the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire. The Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Jack Lovell and presented by Andrew Rida.

For Pride Proms 2015 tickets, visit bgso.org.uk.

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Stephen and Chris, stars of Channel 4’s Gogglebox, are to join Birmingham Pride this year (Photograph: Channel 4)

Birmingham Pride organisers have announced the addition of Gogglebox stars Stephen Webb and Chris Steed to the line-up at this year’s two-day festival on Saturday 23rd May.

Stephen and Chris, who have propelled to stardom after appearing in the hit Channel 4 prime-time reality TV show, will be in the city to host Birmingham Pride’s Main Stage over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The screen couple are joining over a hundred different acts and DJs at the popular LGBT festival, held in the city’s Gay Village over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

The gay telly duo are also expected to take part in an exclusive ‘Meet & Greet’ session with VIP ticket holders.

Gogglebox stars Stephen and Chris, joined here by Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon, will be hosting on the main stage at Birmingham Pride over the Bank Holiday weekend

Director of Birmingham Pride Festival Lawrence Barton said: “Stephen and Chris have practically become national treasures thanks to their hilarious contribution to Gogglebox. We’re absolutely delighted to have them join our already fantastic line-up at Birmingham Pride. They’re very much the icing on the cake and the perfect people to host our Main Stage.”

Also gracing Birmingham Pride 2015 with their star-presence are ’70s group Boney M, ’80s superstar Jimmy Somerville and ’90s favourites Heather Small and Atomic Kitten, alongside chart-toppers Jess Glynne, rapper Example, former JLS member Marvin Humes and X Factor artists Union J, Only The Young and Stereo Kicks.

There are over 100 acts lined up to perform at Birmingham Pride 2015

This year the colourful and vibrant Pride Parade launches from Victoria Square at 12pm on Saturday 23rd May, highlighting the theme: ‘FREEDOM – Together United’. The parade will be led by Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), the campaign group who were recently immortalised in the hit British film Pride.

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Tickets for the Birmingham Pride two-day extravanganza can be purchased from www.birminghampride.com, or at the festival on the day.

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Birmingham Pride returns to the city this bank holiday weekend, on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May

It’s Birmingham Pride this bank holiday weekend, a two-day family festival celebrating the city’s gay community, with this year’s theme chosen as ‘Freedom: Together United’, but what does the city’s Gay Village have in store?

Well, it’s not all just music stars and celebrities (as wonderful as this year’s line-up is), there’s also a whole host of stalls, community areas, watering holes, clubs and interactive community initiatives taking place; and not to mention the parade itself. A carnival conga of rainbow colours, elaborate costumes, LGBT-inclusive charities, organisations and businesses all marking and celebrating a city proud of its gay community. Here’s what to keep an eye out for…

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Pride Carnival Parade

Launching from Victoria Square in Birmingham’s city centre at 12 noon on Saturday 23rd May, the Carnival Parade route is epxected be the event’s best and most visible procession ever held through the city, as each year gets bolder and brighter than the last.

Birmingham Pride Director Lawrence Barton with Michael Cashman and Peter Tatchell at a previous pride festival in the city (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Leading this year’s parade, alongside the ever-popular Someone At The Door samba band, will be the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), who were recently immortalised in the hit British flick Pride.

Samba band Someone at the Door perform during the carnival parade at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The carnival parade at Birmingham Pride makes its way through the city (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The parade will wind its way down New Street, into High Street, Carrs Lane, Smallbrook Queensway and Hurst Street, before finally entering the main Pride Festival site. Spectators can line the streets along the route to watch, wave and even take pictures during what can be only described as probably the city’s most colourfully chaotic but crazy-cool parade of any kind.

The Birmingham Pride carnival parade will wind its way through the city centre streets

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Pride Main Stage 2015

Music star Ms Dynamite meets fans at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

There’s a lot of amazing music acts performing for the crowds at Birmingham Pride this year. In fact, there’s over 100 very distinct, diverse and different artists, DJs and bands catering for all music tastes; spanning the last few decades and across numerous genres. That said, the absolute place to be for the biggest, brightest (and probaby loudest) music stars is the Main Stage, which will be graced by the presence and talents of Jess Glynne, Jimmy Somerville, Fuse ODG, Heather Small, Example + DJ Wire, Boney M, Neon Jungle, Atomic Kitten, Marvin Humes, Ms Dynamite, Melissa Totten, Stereo Kicks and Union J over the course of the jam-packed two-day festival.

Jimmy Somerville, Fuse ODG, Example and Boney M are among the headline music acts performing on the Main Stage on Saturday at Birmingham Pride

Jess Glynne, Marvin Humes, Heather Small, Ms Dynamite and Union J are among the headline music acts performing on the Main Stage on Sunday at Birmingham Pride

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Chic Dance Arena 2015

Revellers in a dance tent during Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The Chic Dance Arena – named after and sponsored by Chic nightclub – is back again with a weekend full of awesome DJ’s rustling up the best tracks, mixes and beats to get those bodies moving.

Djs and artists performing in the Chic Dance Arena on Saturday at Birmingham Pride 2015

Djs and artists performing in the Chic Dance Arena on Sunday at Birmingham Pride 2015

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Village Cabaret Marquee

A weekend full of great national and local cabaret acts, you say? What more could you ask for…

Cabaret artists performing on Saturday at Birmingham Pride 2015

Cabaret artists performing on Sunday at Birmingham Pride 2015

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Fox Women’s Arena

Two days of exciting and enjoyable entertainment in the Women’s Arena, courtesy of the city’s Fox Bar…

A host of local artists will be performing at the Fox Women’s Arena at Birmingham Pride 2015

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LGSM ‘stars’ of Pride film

The Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) group will be leading the Birmingham Pride parade (Photograph: Geoff Dexter)

Leading this year’s Pride Parade are the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), who were recently immortalised in the hit British flick Pride. The LGSM were an alliance of lesbians and gay men who originally came together to support the striking British miners during the year-long UK miners strike of 1984–1985.

Following the Birmingham carnival parade, the group will be joining audiences for a film screening of Pride at the Birmingham LGBT Centre. There will also be an opportunity to watch the original LGSM film All out! Dancing in Dulais, a chance to join a discussion about how solidarity can break down barriers in struggle and hear local LGBT socialist choirs.

There will also be free social and political events during Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A young man joins the Birmingham Pride parade, with a placard in hand (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Individuals can also join the LGSM on the Pride Parade itself, but spaces are limited. The Birmingham LGBT Centre is free to access and not within the Birmingham Pride wristband-ticketed area. To find out more about LGSM activities during Birmingham Pride, click here.

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Stalls and stands

Rainbow cakes on sale at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

It wouldn’t Birmingham Pride without there being trailers selling hot and cold food, drinks kiosks and pop-up bars, merchandise and accessory stalls and, of course, charity and LGBT organisation stands. If you need to pick up a bit of rainbow gear to spruce up your get-up; or if you just want one of those colourful wigs or glittery cowboy hats, you’re in the right place.

There’ll be plenty of food and drink outlets at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Rainbow accessories on a stall at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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Funfair rides

Revellers enjoy the fairground rides at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

If all the music acts, the costumes, the carnival atmosphere and the food and drink wasn’t already enough, you can also keep yourself amused, entertained and live ‘on-the-edge’ by enjoying the many fairground rides which will be specially installed in the Gay Village for the Pride festivities. Just remember to bring plenty of change, and get that burger in after riding the Pendulum… not before.

Friends enjoying the rides at the Birmingham Pride funfair (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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Finding your way around Birmingham Pride…

A map of the Gay Quarter during Birmingham Pride 2015. Tickets/Wristbands will be required to access the Gay Village during the two-day festival.

The Gay Village or ‘Gay Quarter’ will largely be sealed off for Birmingham Pride festivities over the Bank Holiday weekend.

There will be ticket/wristband exchange booths where one-day or weekend wristbands can be purchased (or exchanged if already paid for). Entry to the Gay Village area will not be allowed without a valid wristband. Official tickets can be purchased in advance here. They can also be purchased on the day, at the ticket/wristband booths, but there will be no guarantee of availability due to high demand.

Birmingham’s premier cabaret act Twiggy greets police officers at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Tickets/Wristbands will be required for entry into the Gay Village for Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Local residents living within the Birmingham Pride festival area will have received direct information about access to their homes over the weekend.

For more information about access, food and drink, age limitations, parking and more, please visit the Birmingham Pride site and their FAQ page here.

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How to get to the Gay Village

Birmingham Pride will be awash with costume and colour (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham Pride Festival is set in the heart of the Birmingham Gay Village (in B5 2TB), in the heart of the city’s gay village, in and around Hurst Street (down from the Birmingham Hippodrome), in the Southside area of the city.

Birmingham New Street Station is situated within a short 5 minute walk of the gay village. And for our international visitors, Birmingham International Airport is only 10 miles away.

You can find out more about transport to Birmingham Pride here.

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Accessibility

Rainbow beads on a stall at Birmingham Pride (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The organisers of Birmingham Pride 2014 wish to make the festival inclusive for all and recognise the need for easy access throughout the event for our disabled community. There are various features in place to cater for those with accessibility needs who are coming to Birmingham Pride. You can find out more about access here.

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Bars and clubs

Festival-goers enjoying Birmingham Pride in the city’s Gay Village (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham’s Gay Village is home to a number of bars, pubs and clubs including Missing, Eden, The Nightingale, The Core, Bar Jester and The Village Inn. For an extensive insight and guide to the city’s LGBT nightlife, check out website Visit Gay Brum.

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Tickets

If you haven’t already bought your tickets for Birmingham Pride, you can get them here. Tickets must be exchanged for valid wristbands at the ‘ticket-wristband exchange booths’ dotted around the Gay Village over the bank holiday weekend. You may also purchase tickets/wristbands on the day(s) of the festival but best to get in early, just in case they’ve sold out!

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Birmingham Pride

You can download the official guide to Birmingham Pride 2015 here, or view it online here.

You can find out more about Birmingham Pride at the official website: www.birminghampride.com

For updates, check out the official Birmingham Pride Facebook page and Twitter page. Hashtags for this year’s festival are #BirminghamPride and #Freedom.

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The We Are Many anti-war documentary film took nine years to make

An epic film about the global anti Iraq war protests of 2003, which brought 30 million people out onto the streets all around the world, is released this week and features Birmingham political activists Salma Yaqoob and Clare Short alongside a host of campaigners, politicians and celebrities including Jesse Jackson, Damon Albarn, Richard Branson, Hans Blix, Noam Chomsky and the late Tony Benn.

We Are Many, which took director Amir Amirani nine years and three-time house remortgages to make, is finally released on Thursday 21 in cinemas across the country, including three separate screenings in Birmingham.

Recently praised and supported by the likes of Stephen Fry and Russell Brand, the highly praised film explores the global domino effect that began with the huge protests which took place on the same day in 2003 while taking an in-depth look at how the largest international anti-war movement came to be in the wake of 9/11.

Was it really 12 years ago? I’m not sure a trailer has ever made me want to see a film more @WeAreManyMovie https://t.co/26Gt0Zm5TE

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) May 8, 2015

I just supported Watch We Are Many from May 21 on @ThunderclapIt // @WeAreManyMovie http://t.co/3SHPfOpa2G

— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) May 18, 2015

About 30 million people in 800 cities on every continent, surprisingly even in Antarctica, marched against the Iraq war on the 15 February 2003.

In Britain, around 2 million people marched in London, converging on Hyde Park as political leaders clamoured to appear on stage alongside veteran peace campaigners; especially once it became apparent public opinion was firmly not on the side of the pro-war camp. It was the largest protest of any kind in British history.

Protesters create a peace sign in the Antarctic on February 15, 2003

Salma Yaqoob, chair of Birmingham Stop the War Coalition, features in the documentary as one of the key people interviewed about the events on that day. Following the swell of public feeling, she went on to co-establish the Respect party with journalist George Monbiot and was elected as a councillor in Birmingham.

Salma Yaqoob features in the film in her role as chair of Birmingham Stop the War Coalition (Photograph: BBC)

Former Labour cabinet member Clare Short, who resigned in protest at the Iraq war, joins Salma Yaqoob at a peace rally (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Birmingham peace activist Salma Yaqoob addresses crowds at an anti-war rally in London (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Former Labour cabinet member and International Development Secretary, Clare Short, also appears in the film. She famously resigned over the then Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to join the US in bombing Iraq, a country still reeling from and largely in a state of perpetual chaos since being invaded in 2003.

Birmingham was one of the major UK cities to mobilise protesters during the anti-Iraq war protests, sending over 1,000 people on over twenty separate full-size coaches to London on 15 February, 2003. The city’s peace movement was an unprecedented coalition of churches, mosques, community centres, schools, colleges, trade unions, artists, politicians and ordinary citizens wanting to express their dismay at a government leading a nation into war against its wishes.

Director of anti-war documentary film We Are Many, Amir Amirani

Reflecting on his final work, director Amirani explains: “It seemed the 15th of February , 2003, was the biggest demonstration in history, the first to be co – ordinated globally, and to be on such a scale before a war had started.

“This was my light-bulb moment. I realized that it didn’t matter where anyone was on that day, but that they took part somewhere , such as the 70 people who demonstrated in Antarctica! And I also realized that something like that does not just happen out of the blue.

“I knew there was a story there to be told, and that in some way it heralded something, a new phenomenon that went to the heart of the public’s relationship to politics, to each other and to great political events shaping our lives. I didn’t know what that was, or how the day came about, but I was determined to find out.

Around 30 million people in 800 cities across the world took to the streets in protest at the impending Iraq war

“That day , which inspired the film and forms its central narrative, was a day on which many ordinary citizens, who were not political or activists, came out for the first time to protest against a war, effectively becoming politicized by the experience.”

Flyers for @WeAreManyMovie, showing in Brum tmrw 8pm at @CineworldBirmin, @ODEONCinemas and @ElectricBham. pic.twitter.com/sJmXKSPaAI via @BStWC

— Salma Yaqoob (@SalmaYaqoob) May 20, 2015

We Are Many also includes moving and insightful interviews with actor and activist Danny Glover, Born on the Fourth of July author Ron Kovic, musician Brian Eno, former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett, Lord Falconer, Writer Tariq Ali 38 Degrees founder David Babbs, Stop the War UK convenor Lindsey German and a host of other contributors.

We Are Many charts the revolutionary movements of 2003 and 2011

The film is being screened in Birmingham on Thursday 21st May at 8pm, at three cinemas in the city, including Cineworld Broad Street, Odeon New Street and The Electric. In Wolverhampton, the film will be showing at the Light House. There are no showings on other days, at present. You can find out more on the Birmingham screenings Facebook event page here.

As part of nationwide screenings, a Q&A hosted by Channel 4 News’ Jon Snow (and with special guests) will be broadcast after the film, live from London.

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You can get tickets for your local screening of the film at the official We Are Many website, or directly from your local participating cinema on the day.

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