Area Guide Winter 2018

Get the insider guide on Arts & Culture and Food & Drink in the West Midlands in the latest edition of Area Guide.

The current issue features:
Once Upon a Time in Birmingham
Verity Milligan
The Pound Project
The Anomie Review of Contemporary British Painting
ScreenBrum
Unselfish Lover
Brumpic
Dave Hill
Whisky Club
Brum Beer Babs
Birmingham Cocktail Guide
Super Stirchley
Gift Guides and more…

Cover by Verity Milligan

Read the online issue here or pick it up from the best bars, shops, galleries and coffee shops in the West Midlands.

AREA GUIDE > November-December issue

Check out the latest edition of AREA GUIDE – if you haven’t managed to pick up a copy yet you can read it online here.

This issue features the usual mix of Art, music, comedy and film previews alongside festive days out and cocktail features, fashion looks for A/w 2015 and our handy gift guide.

#ForwardBirmingham

There’s a big bright shiny building that is about to be opened in BIrmingham and it is all happening next week. Grand Central, the city’s newly vamped New Street train Station, shopping mecca and much-anticipated John Lewis offering is about to step up Birmingham’s retail offer several notches.

Book store Foyles, lifestyle brands The White Company and Cath Kidston, fashion brands Hobbs, Joules and Birmingham’s own Steel & Jelly will be joined by beauty brands Kiehls, Jo Malone and Neals Yard Remedies among many others to open up brand new stores.

To celebrate the launch John Lewis has commissioned local filmmakers Blue Monday to produce a film dedicated to their new home.

Featuring a variety of individuals who live and work in Birmingham, the film follows “Birmingham’s stars of the future – medics, musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs – as they go about their daily activities, capturing their passion and pride in the city that they call home”.

Shot over a period of 10 weeks, the extensive creative process saw filmmakers Blue Monday capture eight hours of footage, involving 20 interviewees in 29 locations across three countries. The footage then underwent a 50-hour editing process and was combined with additional elements, including the soundtrack by Birmingham musician, Alex Ohm.

Murad Skincare launches in Debenhams, Bullring

LA skincare brand Murad is launching into Debenhams, Bullring mid July and offering their signature facial treatments. Developed by world renowned dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad, the range of science-based skincare products for healthy, beautiful skin, is accompanied by the experience of a skin health assessment inspired by the consultations the Doctor gives his patients.

Inspired by research confirming that a whole person approach offers the ultimate path to restoring health and beauty from the cellular level up, Murad products are clinically-proven to rapidly resolve common skin concerns like blemishes, redness, wrinkles and sun damage. There is also a specific facial available for men.

The new counter launches on the 15th July and we can’t wait to give it a try!

DIGMAS at the Custard Factory 20th December, 12-8pm

A packed festive programme awaits in Digbeth this Saturday with Santa’s Grotto and real reindeer; a carousel; children’s face-painting and crafts; sizzling street food by the award winning Digbeth Dining Club and a pop up ‘get merry’ bar by Alfie Birds, Urban Village vintage fair and lots of live music.

Santa and his reindeer start proceedings as they parade down Gibb Street at 12.30pm and there will be plenty of opportunity to get some last-minute gifts with a Christmas market and exclusive discounts on offer at many of The Custard Factory’s 30 independent shops and cafes.

There will be lots of activities and entertainment for kids and adults, including a pop up make up bar by Make-Up Central, cupcake decorating, t-shirt printing, jewellery making and a rodeo reindeer.

The Digmas programme of live music includes traditional carol singing, the Roo Savill Trio, The Glamophones, Rich McMahon Folk and Clutching at Straws. Digbeth Dining Club will be bringing along some of its most popular traders including The Meatshack, Esme’s Seafood Kitchen, Fat Duck Spuds, The Bournville Waffle Company and Vegan Grindhouse.

For the full Digmas programme or to sign up for Digmas Discount vouchers, visit www.custardfactory.co.uk/digmas

PROGRAMME:

Santa and Reindeer parade down Gibb Street 12.30pm

Grotto and reindeer feeding/petting 12 noon – 4.30pm

Live Music, Stalls and activities 12 noon – 6pm

Street Food and pop up bar 12 noon – 8pm

COLMORE Area Guide – Out now

Here’s our latest special edition guide produced on behalf of Colmore BID – go and take a look at the great businesses and venues they have around the district. There are also some great events coming up including the annual CBD Food Festival, Jazz Festival, Moseley Arts Market and ‘Crossing the Bridge’ Sculpture Trail.

You can read it online here or pick up your copy around the District now.

Celebrate Christmas at Digmas – Saturday 14th Dec

Fans of Birmingham’s creative bohemian quarter are in for a treat tomorrow (Saturday December 14th) with the Custard Factory’s DIGMAS event which is teaming up with the famous Digbeth Dining Club to bring the ultimate independent Christmas Fair to Birmingham!

WIN TICKETS TO CLOTHES SHOW LIVE

6-10 December
NEC Birmingham
clothesshowlive.com

Marking their 25th anniversary, Clothes Show Live 2013 is set to be the hottest ticket on the fashion calendar this year! Over 500 leading fashion and beauty brands, non-stop catwalk shows, gorgeous celebrities, tempting bars, and inspirational fashion demonstrations will all be spread over five exciting days. There’s something for everyone so whatever your style, it’s time to make space in your wardrobe. This fashion festival is not to be missed!

FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET has arrived

14 November – 22 December, 10am-9pm
Victoria Square, New Street, Centenary Square & Chamberlain Square

It’s that time of year already. Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market is back and ready to get everyone into the Christmas spirit enabling you to escape to a traditional and unique world of homemade toys and gifts, cheery Christmas carols and beautiful decoration and lights.

Area Guide November

The latest edition of Area Guide is here and packed with events for November. This month’s beautiful cover is by Ben Javens who is taking part in the Bicycle Basket Bazaar at Eye Candy which is happening on the 2nd November. Read it online here.