Labrinth launches his debut UK tour at Birmingham's HMV Institute

The country’s most exciting artist; singing, song-writing and producing phenomenon, Labrinth, begins his debut nationwide tour this month. A born performer, Labrinth is set to wow crowds as he tours the UK throughout February and March.

Attracting rave reviews for his live performances at last summer’s biggest festivals, where he performed to packed-out crowds at the likes of Glastonbury, Wireless and Global Gathering, this tour is one not to miss.  Since featuring on, and producing, Tinie Tempah’s Pass Out and Frisky, Labrinth has rapidly become one of the most significant emerging artists of the past 18 months.

Originally from Hackney, east London, Labrinth is the youngest of nine musically gifted siblings. He discovered his talent for music by going to the local studio whilst still at school. Making beats at the age of 13 and playing guitar and keyboards by 15, Labrinth is completely self-taught.

With two smash hits already under his belt, not only is Labrinth undoubtedly one of the most exciting artists to emerge from the UK scene in recent years but he’s also releasing his eagerly anticipated debut solo album, Electronic Earth, on 19th March.

Labrinth launches his 11-date national tour at Birmingham’s HMV institute on Thursday 23rd February, before taking his unique blend of electronic dance, retro-nuevo stylings and jungle-trance-pop ballads across the UK to cities including London, Manchester and Glasgow.

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We’re giving away 2 pairs of tickets to see Labrinth at the HMV Institute in Birmingham. To be in with a chance to win a pair, simply answer the following:

Which music artist is featured on Labrinth’s hit single ‘Earthquake’?

Email your answers to us at iambirmingham[at]hotmail.co.uk – or by clicking here. Please include your full name, address, email and a contact number. Winners will be notified by email/phone. Winning tickets will be ready for collection at the HMV Institute box office. Tickets are for Thursday 23rd February 2012.  Closing date for all entries is at 23:00 hrs on Wednesday 22nd February, 2012.

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Labrinth’s debut headline UK tour kicks off in February, with tickets available from www.livenation.co.uk and www.gigsandtours.com.

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Jay Z and Kanye West bring their 'Watch The Throne' to Birmingham in June

Superstars Jay-Z and Kanye West have today announced that they will be bringing their critically acclaimed Watch The Throne tour to Europe in 2012, and they will be stopping at the LG Arena, Birmingham on Wednesday 13 June.

 Hot on the heels of their huge success at the 2012 Grammy Awards, winning the award for ‘Best Rap Performance’ (for their track Otis), Jay-Z and Kanye West will be doing their first tour as ‘The Throne’. 

Having appeared as guests on each other’s stages in the past, they will now come together for never-before-seen performances from their collaboration Watch The Throne, as well as performing songs from both of their classic catalogues. 

The Throne is a project that brought the two music icons and pop culture visionaries together to produce the most anticipated album event of 2011. On Monday, August 8th last year, the album Watch The Throne debuted at number 1 and went on to become a Platinum selling record, that garnered several Grammy nominations.

Watch the Throne

The longtime friends and music innovators inspired each other to new heights with the album that was recorded in person at various locations around the world. Over a year in the making, and a truly global affair, the duo recorded in London and Bath in the UK, Abu Dhabi, Sydney, Paris, and New York City. 

The album features production from The RZA, The Neptunes and Kanye’s longtime collaborator Mike Dean. The short list of featured vocals includes Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Curtis Mayfield and Mr. Hudson.  The lead track, Otis, brilliantly samples Otis Redding’s Try A Little Tenderness.

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Tickets for Watch The Throne: Jay-Z and Kanye West are on sale from 9am on Friday 24 February, priced at £47.50/£55 (plus book and transaction fees), limited to six tickets person. Tickets are available from The Ticket Factory: www.theticketfactory.com or 0844 338 8000.

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Jeffery Kissoon and Patrick Robinson star in Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot'. Photograph: Richard Hubert Smith.

A funny, poetic and tragic masterpiece contemplating humanity and friendship, Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot is performed by an all-Black cast in a new production at the Old Rep Theatre as part of Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s 2012 off-site season.

Jeffery Kissoon and Patrick Robinson take the roles of Vladimir and Estragon – two men waiting hopelessly, helplessly, haplessly for the elusive Godot – with Fisayo Akinada, Guy Burgess and Cornell S. John completing the ensemble.

This production is the first Waiting For Godot to be produced in the UK with an all-Black British cast. Vladimir and Estragon are waiting. Two old men whose compulsion to wait for a visit from the indescribable Godot forces them to pass the time in the only way they can; with and for each other. Stories are told, boots are abandoned, religion is debated, memories of better days are shared, jokes are made, suicide is contemplated, the fear of being alone is overwhelming – and time passes.

Chance meetings happen, arguments take place, thinking occurs, violence is advocated, hats are exchanged, friendship is venerated – and time passes. On a road with a single tree two old friends wait… and pass the time.

In 1969 Samuel Beckett won the Nobel Prize for Literature. A novelist, playwright, poet and theatre director Beckett wrote in both English and French and penned some of the most important works of Twentieth Century literature.

The mysterious and universal Waiting For Godot which was first performed in the UK in 1955 remains one of his most famous and important works. Its true meaning is constantly debated and searched for, yet Beckett was clear in his belief that all you need to know is there in the play.

Trinidadian stage actor Jeffery Kissoon (Vladimir) works regularly with the RSC and will play Caesar in its all-black cast production of Julius Caesar this summer. He performed opposite Kim Cattrall in Antony and Cleopatra (Liverpool Everyman) last year, and was an Associate Artist at Birmingham Repertory Theatre during the nineties playing leading roles in Othello, Macbeth and The Tempest.

Direct from War Horse in the West End, Patrick Robinson plays Estragon. An actor whose work spans stage and screen, Patrick has previously performed at The REP, playing the lead Thomas Peters in 2007’s Rough Crossings, a powerful drama about 18th century slavery written by historian Simon Schama. His television credits include popular and long-running roles in The Bill and Casualty.

Directed by Ian Brown, Waiting For Godot is a co-production between West Yorkshire Playhouse and Talawa Theatre Company. Talawa is Britain’s foremost Black-led theatre company.

Since its inception it has mounted more than 40 productions including African, Caribbean, American and British classics and exciting new writing. The company is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary and Waiting For Godot is the company’s final production under the leadership of outgoing Artistic Director Patricia Cumper. 

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‘Waiting For Godot’ The REP @ The Old Rep Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY. Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 March. Tickets: £10 – £28 (concessions available) Box Office: 0121 236 4455. Book online: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk.

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The ever popular Gadget Show Live heads back to the NEC in April

The UK’s biggest five-day consumer electronics event, Gadget Show Live, has today announced an additional 2,000 Super Theatre seats, capacity for 15,000 extra visitors and the biggest variety of interactive on-site features ever seen for 2012.

Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 11-15 April 2012, the event is based on the popular Channel Five TV show and is widely recognised as the best place to see, try and buy the latest consumer technology. With all Friday, Saturday and Sunday (13-15 April) tickets already sold out, 2012 is set to be the biggest show yet.

Now in its fourth year, the show will still the latest technology from the world’s leading electronics firms, such as LG, O2, HP, Epson, Pioneer, Phillips, Canon and JVC. Visitors can try out the new OLED TVs alongside smart and connected home technology, 3D projectors, 3D and HD camcorders, as well as new tablets, phones, laptops and gaming consoles; manyof which will be on show for the first time in the UK.

Gadget Show Live

In addition, this year’s show will also see brand new technology, including the latest in audio tech from British companies Bowers and Wilkins and Orbitsound, who’ll be presenting the new T12v3 soundbar. Pioneer will also be revealing the recently launched STEEZ, a boom-box audio system that will be put to the test with exclusive performances from a team of b-boy champions including Junior.

Other exhibitors include Festo, who’ll be showing the latest automation technology through its Smartbirds – a robotic bird that can fly and land without a driving mechanism – and Leonar3DO, exhibiting its integrated software and hardware platforms, which allow users to design virtual 3D objects in real space.

Gadget Show Live visitors can participate in a range of immersive features to help make it the perfect family day out. The hugely successful International Future Tech Zone returns with demonstrations of the latest brain wave technology from Neurosky, who will demo Necomimi, wearable cat ears that react and move in accordance to their user’s emotions. Aurasma will also be in the International Future Tech Zone presenting its latest augmented reality apps, which now have over 3 million users. 

spnKIX will show its motorised shoes – battery powered motorized skates that strap onto any shoes and are controlled by a hand-held remote control – a true step into the future for wearers. 

Lucy Hedges

Other key features include the HUB Theatre, which returns after a hugely successful first run at last year’s event, to offer six free daily presentations of the best tech on show, gadgets to look out for and tips to get the best out of your gadgets. This year will even include a session on how to create a number one single just through the power of your smartphone, The Hub is presented by Stuff TV’s  Lucy Hedges and Radio One’s Aled Haydn Jones.

The Game Zone is also extended for 2012 with games and products from the likes of Kuoda, Codemasters, Alienware, Epic and Leapfrog, as well as retailer GAME and many gaming challenges for everyone to get involved – pro and amateur players alike!  Epic and Train to Gain will give visitors the chance to design and build games of their own within its new theatre.

The Gadget Show Live 2012

Not forgetting the one hour long, high energy, live theatre version of the TV show which will take place in the expanded Super Theatre three times daily. The show’s presenters will be on stage competing in high-energy tech challenges and inviting the audience to participate in a range of contests to win more gadgets! Each show seats 6,000 people (an increase of 2,000 seats from 2011).

Last year’s event saw 104,759 people in attendance, an increase of 50 per cent on the 2010 event, and organisers anticipate another sell out this year, with 120,000anticipated visitors to the NEC.

Matt Hodgins, Head of Event at Upper Street Events said:

“We’re really pleased about how the event has shaped up for 2012, with a bigger variety of features and some great exhibitors like Philips, Dell, Denon and Canon making their debuts this year. Gadget Show Live has remained THE place to get involved with the latest tech available in the UK.

“Having won Best Consumer Show at both the Exhibition News and Association of Exhibition Organisers Awards last year, 2012 promises to be the best yet and a hugely entertaining day out for all the family.”

To find out more and to buy tickets, visit www.thenec.co.uk.

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Tom 'Kong' Watson returns to Birmingham for BAMMA 9 (Photograph: Will Gregson)

BAMMA, Europe’s leading Mixed Martial Arts promoters, has announced its next big event BAMMA 9, which takes place on Saturday 24th March at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena.

BAMMA 9 will see three preliminary fights culminating in the headline battle for the BAMMA World Middleweight belt: Jack Marshman vs. Tom ‘Kong’ Watson.

Tom Watson is best known for beating Alex Reid in BAMMA 4, as well as a catalogue of other victories over the years. The fighter was forced into retirement after BAMMA 6 due to injury, but is now back and better than ever. He will be competing against serving British Armed Forces Afghan vet Jack Marshman, who is currently undefeated.

The three preliminary fights for the event will be: Andrew Punshon vs. Matt Howard; Jason Ball vs. Colin Fletcher; and Nick Nembhard vs. Leeroy Barnes. The main card games for the event are yet to be announced.

Hailing from Spennymoor, the ‘Durham destroyer’ Andrew Punshon has only ever seen one of his fourteen fights leave the first round. With a record of 10-4-0, Punshon has won most of his fights by rapid submission making him a dangerous prospect for any opponent. But, if there’s any man fit for the challenge, it’s undefeated Rough House warrior, Matt Howard (9-0-0).

Colin ‘Freakshow’ Fletcher will be coming face to face with talented boxer, Jason ‘Daddy Cool’ Ball. This is guaranteed to be an unforgettable match as Fletcher is renowned for his circus clown outfit and entertaining walk-outs. While Ball is not your conventional mixed martial arts fighter, but instead has trained in a number of disciplines including Capoeira, Escrima, Jeet Kune Do and Dog Brothers.

Finally, BAMMA crowd-favourite Leeroy Barnes faces upcoming knock-out artist, Nick Nembhard, who has a background in both Muay Thai and BJJ.

BAMMA Matchmaker, Jude Samuel says, “It’s great to see Tom Watson back in action at BAMMA to defend his title after time out due to injury. It’s a true testament to his gritty and hardworking character that he has stood up to the challenge of Jack Marshman.

“Jack will be looking to take advantage of Tom’s inactivity, but ring rust is something that Watson has never suffered from; while Jack, on the other hand, has been extremely busy over the past 7 months, honing his skills for such a test. This makes for a very interesting and explosive fight as both men are putting so much on the line.”

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Tickets are priced at £150.00, £75.00, £50.00, £35.00 & £25.00 (plus booking and transaction fees). They are available from The Ticket Factory: www.theticketfactory.com or 0844 338 8000.

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Britain’s best stitching show, Sewing for Pleasure, has over 150 exhibitors

From 22-25 March, Birmingham’s NEC will be home to three exhibitions aimed at fashion, craft and hobby fans; Sewing for Pleasure, Hobbycrafts, and Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch.

Sewing for Pleasure is Britain’s best stitching, beading and knitting show that will see over 150 exhibitors wowing the crowds with irresistible products, inspirational displays and expert advice.

Following his recent fame on ‘Kirstie’s Handmade Britain’, Jamie Chalmers aka Mr X Stitch bring new trends in embroidery and needlecraft to the show, with an exhibition of pop culture-inspired amateur embroidery from around the world and top tips and advice. The show will also see the brand new feature, the Sewing Hub, which will offer visitors a chance to embrace the growing trend for ‘Make do and Mend’ with expert advice and workshops from the professionals.

Sewing for Pleasure

Other features will include the Sewing Machine Clinic, textile designer and author Charlotte Liddle at the Stitch Diva’s Den, the Dressmakers’ Pattern Bar, and the Knitting Lounge where Belinda and Ruth from the KNIT expo will be on hand to offer their expertise.

The UK’s most inspiring Textile Art show, Fashion Embroidery & Stitch, is also set to get fans creative juices flowing with free catwalk shows each day of the show, hosted by Brenda Killigrew from the Inkberrow Design Centre.

Downton Abbey fans will also get to see the sumptuous costumes from the ITV series on display. Featuring a beautiful collection of some of the most iconic outfits from the first series, each outfit shows the exquisite needlework and craftsmanship that went into their design.

Continuing the theme of costume dramas, the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles’ collection, The Romance of Words, is helping to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility by embracing the theme of romance in the written form.

Downton Abbey

With the landmark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year, the show will also celebrate the ‘Best of British’ with the brand new Glimpses of Blighty display, an exciting embroidery display that will be judged at the show.

Poetry in Stitches 3 will also continue the collaboration of words and craft with the last round of this ever-popular project from the National Needlework Archive.

Finally, the ever-popular and award-winning Hobbycrafts show will be offering top tips and advice, hands-on workshops, inspiration and an unrivalled choice of supplies for all of your crafting needs.

Roll up your sleeves and get involved in one of the large workshop area with free Make & Take sessions on a range of crafts including beadwork, jewellery making, stamping, card making, embossing, pyrography and papercraft.

With three great shows for the price of one, there is something for everyone at Sewing for Pleasure, Fashion Embroidery & Stitch and Hobbycrafts this spring.

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Tickets cost £9.50adv/£11.50 door for Adults, £8.50/£10.50 for Seniors and children under 16 go free if accompanied by an adult or pay £5 on the door. There is also a two-day ticket available in advance, priced at £16 Adults and £14 for Seniors. Tickets are subject to booking and transaction fees and are available from The Ticket Factory or 0844 338 8000.

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The faces of Devon Lee and Jamie Ryan Dee will be gracing posters for the Oasis fashion store

Two budding young models have won a national competition to appear on posters for a top Birmingham fashion store.

Despite tough competition from around the country, teenagers Devon Lee and Jamie Ryan Dee have both successfully taken the title of ‘Face of the Oasis’, becoming the first members of public to front a publicity campaign for the city’s premier alternative clothing store.

The national competition, which was launched in November of last year by media company Punk Zebra, attracted hundreds of contending entries from across the United Kingdom which were separated into male and female categories.

By way of a mass public vote utilising the power of social media, thousands of votes from across the country were cast on the Oasis Alternative Fashion Store’s official Facebook page as people voiced their reasons for why they wanted individuals to represent the store in its forthcoming 2012 publicity campaign.

These votes propelled five male entries and five female entries into the final shortlist of top ten contenders, which were in turn placed head-to-head in a final heat of public voting, before the final two winners were declared.

The winning couple will now be transported to Birmingham for a special photo shoot and press call on Saturday 11^th February.

The competition attracted hundreds of male and female entries from across the United Kingdom

Speaking of his victory, Sunderland teenager Jamie Ryan Dee, said he was “genuinely shocked and flattered that I’d won against so many other competitors”.

The 17-year-old, who has recently amassed a large internet following for his video blogging, expressed his excitement at representing one of Birmingham’s flagship independent style houses.

“I’m nervous about the photo shoot but looking forward to the experience.”

Local Tamworth girl Devon Lee, 16, hopes to get into professional modeling and couldn’t believe her ears when she was told she had beaten hundreds of other female competitors in the challenge.

“I was absolutely thrilled when I found out I would be the Face of The Oasis as I shop there often and see it as an honour to be representing such a unique and distinctive store,” she explained.

“Although nervous, I am really looking forward to the experience and the fantastic opportunity I am getting from the photo shoot.”

The duo’s winning faces will be displayed on posters and publicity in-store and across the city, as well as on the Oasis Alternative Fashion Store’s official website and social networks.

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The NIA scores new soccer show with Jeff Sterling

After appearing on millions of television screens every single week, Jeff Stelling and the Sky Sports team are finally hitting the road for their first ever tour; and the ever popular football show will be coming to Birmingham’s NIA on 8 June 2012.

Saturday afternoons with Jeff Stelling, Matthew LeTissier, Paul Merson, Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Chris Kamara on Sky Sports have become unmissable for football fans across the UK.

Gillette Soccer Saturday Live is a chance for fans to get up close and personal with Jeff and the team, as they look back on some of their favourite footballing escapades.

In this hilarious and engaging evening, the panel will reveal personal anecdotes from their footballing and TV careers, with behind the scenes exploits and entertain with football stories past and present. Alongside rare footage, the evening will give a frank and rare insight into the crazy world of football.

Audience members will become part of the show, as the night goes on as Kammy gets down into the audience to take questions for the panel. Fans can ask the panel anything they like about the football world including current team exploits; brave attendees might even want to catch Jeff out with obscure facts and figures.

Jeff Stelling commented, “This is a unique opportunity for us to engage directly with our audience. Performing in a live setting will be incredibly exhilarating. It’s a brilliant opportunity to get up close and personal with fans of the show.”

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Tickets are priced at £29.50 (plus booking and transaction fees). They are available from 27^th January 2012 at The Ticket Factory: www.theticketfactory.com or 0844 338 8000.

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Lord Mayor councillor Anita Ward with volunteers at John Taylor Hospice

Visiting John Taylor Hospice, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Anita Ward, sat and shared pudding with patients, staff and volunteers at the city’s John Taylor Hospice.

The day proved so inspiring that Councillor Ward is asking Birmingham’s people to learn more about the 100 year-old Hospice.

Councillor Ward said: “I learned John Taylor Hospice isn’t just a place people go to die. In fact most people go back to their own homes because of the amazing respite care and the way staff help people to manage their pain and symptoms. Even so some people do choose to die at John Taylor Hospice.

“As a relative or friend you can visit at any time to suit each patient and there’s space to stay the night too. I think the people of Birmingham should find out more about what John Taylor Hospice can offer.

“We need to talk in a new way about death and dying in Birmingham. It shouldn’t be a taboo subject.”

John Taylor Hospice

John Taylor Hospice provides expert palliative care and lifeline emotional support to around 700 people across Birmingham and the West Midlands each week. At home or in The Hospice, staff and volunteers are there to provide practical help and relieve pain. Put simply; to make every moment matter.

The Lord Mayor’s visit comes at a time of progress for the Hospice, which in October 2011 became the country’s first Hospice to become a social enterprise.

Kate Phipps, CEO, said: “Being a social enterprise means we can be more efficient. For example if a member of our Community Nursing team is sick, we can fill that post with a skilled member of staff from our Hospice at Home team.

“Just six months ago, under the NHS, we couldn’t do that. This means we care for more people in Birmingham and the West Midlands. But to do that we desperately need the support of our community.  So please get in touch to make a big difference by volunteering or fundraising.”

Councillor Ward, who grew up in Erdington and still lives close by, was pleased to see John Taylor Hospice tackling the West Midland’s rising youth unemployment and even have two apprentice posts currently filled with two more being recruited.

Matt Hinton, an apprentice who met The Lord Mayor added: “Working with John Taylor Hospice has been a great opportunity. I’ve got skills and real life experience I couldn’t get anywhere else and it’s such a friendly place!”

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To find out more about John Taylor Hospice, visit www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk or call 0121 465 2018 to support the people of Birmingham with fundraising.

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The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour's launch had audiences cheering in their seats

With more fake tan than the cast of TOWIE, the Strictly Come Dancing tour is back in town at the city’s National Indoor Arena and brings the magic of Saturday night television to Birmingham.

The nation’s favourite celebrities from the hit BBC show, who’ll be in town until the end of the weekend, are performing some of their favourite routines to the eager audiences.

The tour officially kicked off at the NIA last night to a sell out crowd and had the audience  roaring, whooping and cheering from the word ‘go’. In its premise, the live show follows that of its televised counterpart - celebrities dance, judges comment and vote, the audience votes and the most popular contestant wins.

This concept already works well for viewers on Saturday nights and so transfers equally well into the live arena with contestants including McFly’s Harry Judd, actress Chelsee Heeley, radio and screen star Jason Donavon and a whole host of favourites taking to the stage.

They clearly engage the crowd and perform with bags of energy. Even Nancy Dell’Olio - who usually does more sitting around on chairs and stretchers than ballroom dancing - is a joy to watch. My personal favourite dance of the night was from Olympic swimmer Mark Foster who performs an enchanting waltz to Journey’s Open Arms.

Due praise must also be given to the Strictly band and singers who accompanied the dancers with pop classics, soulful ballads and rhythmical Latin numbers and the professional dancers who dazzle us with perfect performances.

Popular television personality Kate Thornton hosts the show fabulously and keeps it running smoothly with good banter, a twinkling smile and a couple of beautifully shimmering costume changes while judges Len, Bruno and Craig add their unmistakable humourous innuendo-filled commentary on the celebrity performances.

Inevitably though, when it came down to audiences votes, Harry Judd won the trophy for the opening night of the UK tour. After years on TV and just as many years on tour you would think that audiences (and the producers) would have tired of the show but this tour is bigger and better than ever… catch it before it leaves!

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Marcus Hubbard