Autumn Almanac @Ikongallery

Ikon has done it again, and it’s so true, why can’t art and music be combined? They are both creative outlets. This time, the seasonal change is supported by the Autumn Almanac festival, the antithesis to April’s Rites of Spring, which exhaled new life and freshness, even if it did mark the end of Ikon Eastside, R.I.P.

Mistys Big Adventure 18.11.11

“And we start with a minute of noise”,  says lead singer Grandmaster Gareth, who clearly sets the theme for the rest of the night.
Total insanity. But tonight, it seemed like a gradual sort of insanity, easing those unfamiliar, fresh pairs of ears and eyes into the madness, which enhanced after every track. Though, it wasn’t just Misty’s who oozed in oddity, their cult like fans were just as to blame, if not more.

What To Do In An Emergency launch 17.11.11 at Ikon

Thursday 17 November offers the first chance to see a new exhibition of paintings by Stephen Earl Rogers,  as part of the Ikon Gallery’s Autumn Almanac. A reception will be held from 6 – 7pm in the 2nd floor galleries.

Artist Talk by Helen Sweeting 17.11.11

Led by their stories and personal anecdotes, Helen Sweeting creates works expressing these emotional connections through photography, sometimes incorporating props, text or sound-bites. Large scale photographs and other examples of the artists work will be exhibited within UNITB daily betweek 10am-4pm from the 14-19 November 2011.

Helen Sweeting has recently been commissioned for EC-Arts 48Sheet project. 48Sheet project will utilise up to 100 billboards for public art across Birmingham in April 2012.

Thursday 17th November 6pm, UNITB Park Street, Digbeth B5

Birmingham Christmas Calendar Highlights

The countdown to Christmas is underway. How time goes fast when the Xmas light switch on is just a few days away – in early November!

The Christmasinbirmingham.com website aims to help people discover what the city has to offer – and it looks like there is plenty! Here are the highlights:

Christmas Parade and Christmas Lights Switch On (12 November)
Join hundreds of other Christmas lovers to see the city’s lights switched on, with Santa on his sleigh and his reindeer leading the way, followed by stilt walkers, costumed characters, floats and festive entertainers.

Frankfurt Christmas Market (17 November – 23 December)
Winter in Birmingham brings the familiar sight of craft and confectionary stalls lining the streets and the mouth watering smell of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and gingerbread in the air with the largest authentic Christmas market outside Germany descending on the city.

Nativity Trail (30 November – 6 January)
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will be taking festive fans on a trail of the city’s internationally acclaimed art collections, showing visitors how artists have depicted the story of Christmas over the last 500 years.

Aston Hall by Candlelight (2 – 11 December)
Don’t miss one of the country’s finest Jacobean houses seen at its most breathtaking, lit by around 300 shimmering candles. Experience a Victorian household entertaining a very important royal visitor and revelling in the season’s festivities.

Keep an eye on the Christmasinbirmingham.com website for further details and events.

XMAS Fair at Wolverhampton Art Gallery 10.12.11

Christmas Fair at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Saturday 10th December 11am – 4pm
Free entry

The annual Christmas fair is back at Wolverhampton Art Gallery for its third year.  Visitors can soak up some festive cheer and find something unique for everyone on their Christmas list. There will even be a special guest coming down the Art Gallery chimney!

Meet the region’s best craft makers in the inspiring spaces of the art gallery and buy exceptional hand-made crafts, cards and decorations.  There’ll also be beautiful gifts and children’s stocking fillers on sale in our gallery shop and treats in our cafe.

There will be something for all the family to enjoy. Children can enjoy storytelling, free craft activities and local choir performances throughout the day. Younger members of the family can also let Father Christmas know what’s on their Christmas list (£3 inc. goody bag)

Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU
01902 552055

Lewis Floyd Henry at Urban Outfitters 14.11.11

Nudie Jeans and Urban Outfitters proudly present a live tour of the ‘One Man and his 30W Pram’ music sensation Lewis Floyd Henry.

For the past few years, like a Mississippi bluesman in the early 20th century, Lewis has pitched up on street corners around London, at Brick Lane, Borough Market and the South Bank, every time trousering a pocket full of loose change, but also gradually spreading the knowledge of his extraordinary genius.

The tour will take in six of the UK’s major towns and cities on the following dates:

EDINBURGH –  MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER
GLASGOW  –  TUESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER
LEEDS  – WEDNESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER
BIRMINGHAM – MONDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 
BRIGHTON  – WEDNESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER
SPITALFIELDS  – (LONDON) THURSDAY 17TH NOVEMBER

Lewis will play a 30 minute live set in store from 6pm on each date of the tour.

MOSELEY CHRISTMAS ARTS MARKET 26.11.11

Having established itself as one of the city’s leading monthly farmers markets Moseley also includes a successful Art Market that sees original artworks, a variety of handmade jewellery, contemporary & traditional crafts all of which are produced by local traders and sold at reasonable prices.

On Saturday 26th November (9am – 4pm, Moseley Village, Birmingham 13) the Moseley Art Market will be selling Xmas products.

‘Get personal this Christmas with a handmade, one of a kind gift for someone special.’

You can see what’s going to be on sale NOW at the ‘Moseley Arts Market’ by going to:  www.moseleyexchange.com/moseley-arts-market/

48SHEET – Collage Party 12.11.11

In April 2012 48SHEET will launch utilising 100 billboards across Birmingham to exhibit international, national and regional artists work within a unique urban exhibition. Before then, and leading up to the launch, a set of events and collaborations are taking place.

Happening this weekend is ‘Collage Party and artist talk by Elizabeth Rowe‘, 12-4pm, Saturday 12^th November 2011, Unit B, Park Street, Digbeth (opposite Selfridges).

Turn up. Tune in. Cut out. Collage Party invites you to cut up and stick down. Collage Party is about having conversations while you are making.

Materials are provided. DJ-ing is provided. Bring your own refreshments.

For more information: www.ec-arts.com follow @EC_Arts