Thursday 18 July 2013

Hall Green Arts Surgery Tonight

Dear all
If you are an artist, crafter, event organiser or a supporter of arts & cultural events in the Hall Green Constituency, you are cordially invited to the next Hall Green Art Surgery.
Venue Details 6.30-8.00 at Highfield, Highfield Rd, Hall Green. B28 0HS
Agenda: as well as giving people a chance to meet up and share information about their activities and challenges, I would like to discuss how our Forum should spend its £1,000 allocation on art & cultural activities in the constituency. I would like to see if there is any interest and support for a GreenFest, perhaps around Sarehole Mill.
In addition Steve Gove-Humphries (who is kindly providing light refreshments) has an idea for an idea for a symposium in November to consider the way forward for the Forum. Here is his idea: "I explained when we met that I wished to propose the disposal of the "£1000" grant-monies to be used to set up a DAY LONG conference at Highfield Hall with speakers, exhibition tents, performers, workshops etc to enable a proper inter action of the varying groups within Hall Green District to exchange ideas, learn from innovators throughout the City & wider & set up a properly accessible DATA BASE for arts entrepreneurs & producers.
We must engage with each other& have a central source of this info. This of course did not come up at the last meeting. I would suggest we can organise this fairly rapidly & certainly by end of year. I propse by say November 2013.
This would leave a legacy of support & a resource in these challenging times. I propse that along side this we make a community chest BID to all 4 WARDS to support the technical infrastructure of a website/data base/ publicity for it et al. We can film some of it & upload info so that if you need to know how to get a grant, apply for a licence there is a ONE-STOP place that will have an "expert" ( as in the ubiquitous YouTube films on varying things ) to assist people through the arcane & somewhat tortuous pathways. This is about empowering people to do it themselves BUT with the caveat of support from other well-seasoned & confident individuals. Council officers & others would surely be happy to share this information. It would also save costs in the financial climate we have. Many others will , I hope , input & share their wide experience"

Please do pass this invite on to those in Hall Green who may be interested.

Old Print Works 5 Sunday Events...Where Are You?

Please can you circulate and post to your forums the attached leaflet link - advertising our current 5 Sundays Programme- being hosted by The Old Print Works. The time is NOW! We have so many fantastic resources in our building all managed by amazing local artists and makers who are keen to welcome new visitors and share their skills. Please help us to spread the word and encourage more designers and makers and more local people to meet, learn and make as we open our doors and get busy.
 
We are looking for MORE stall holders and MORE people to come and visit us during these events- so they can see what we are all about!
 
Facilities OPEN NOW include- Wood and Metal Workshops for Children, The Community Darkroom, The Crafts Studio, The Growing Garden, Ort CafĂ© and Gallery, Zoodio, The Music Room (recording studio and workshops), Mendi Tabla Teaching, The Tea Room, Furniture Making... ALL  this at the 5 Sunday events- plus exclusive weekly activities and stalls. See leaflet for more information.
 
With a big thank you and best wishes to you all (and hope to see you on a Sunday soon!)
Sophie
 
Sophie Handy
07768 431124
 
Just 3 Sunday's left, Sunday 21st July (FOOD), Sunday 28th July (GARDEN) and Sunday 4th August (HEALTH and WELLBEING)

Saturday 13 July 2013

Garden Party at KHCC

This is the second event supported by Kings Heath space explorers (see space probe 1), funded by Near Neighbours application made in partnership with Hall Green Arts  Forum.

Space Explorers are also supporting a series of street parties to celebrate National Playday where three streets in Kings Heath (Goldsmith, Westfield and Albert Rds) will be open for play (and closed for cars) on 7th August.

Kings Heath Community Centre is just off Kings Heath High Street, 8 Heathfield Road.

Also don't forget HGA meeting at Highbury Hall Thursday 18th 6:30

Thursday 11 July 2013

Hall Green Art Surgery 18th July

Dear all If you are an artist, crafter, event organiser or a supporter of arts & cultural events in the Hall Green Constituency, you are cordially invited to the next Hall Green Art Surgery.

Venue Details: 6.30-8.00 at Highfield, Highfield Rd, Hall Green. B28 0HS

Agenda: as well as giving people a chance to meet up and share information about their activities and challenges, I would like to discuss how our Forum should spend its £1,000 allocation on art & cultural activities in the constituency. I would like to see if there is any interest and support for a GreenFest, perhaps around Sarehole Mill. In addition Steve Gove-Humphries (who is kindly providing light refreshments) has an idea for an idea for a symposium in November to consider the way forward for the Forum.

RSVP ian.edwards@stpaulstrust.org.uk

Please do pass this invite on to those in Hall Green who may be interested.

Link to location map: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=highfield+hall+hall+green&safe=active&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=highfield+hall&hnear=0x4870b93f89137ba9:0x20019956059b3e40,Hall+Green,+West+Midlands&cid=0,0,12739490589959125959&t=m&z=16&iwloc=A

Ian

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Balsall Heath Carnival

Only four days to go before Carnival, hits the streets and parks of Balsall Heath! Arts Champions for Hall Green, The Drum Arts Centre is pleased to be part of this years festivities and has programmed performances on the day. We are also delivering carnival arts workshops at Calthorpe Park Play Centre, for 25 children, who have been busily making bugs, bees, butterflies and blooms, with the support of Sophie Handy (Facilitator), Foster Darby (Community & Play), Jeannette, Carol and lately parents of the children. I am excited as the children are and looking forward to seeing them in their costumes on the day. 

The stage show at Pickwick Park kicks off from 12 noon, compared by legendary comedian John Simmit who will also be our DJ. We are pleased to present an array of artists and styles, we guarantee there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Kicking off the performances is Brooklynne - A rising star performing RnB tracks like Beyonce’s “Dangerously in Love” along with her own original songs. Meddy Ranks a previous performer at Balsall Heath Carnival brings his own brand of reggae music to nice up the area. Whilst Birmingham born rapper and lyricist Sic’ Nis is sure to have you wanting more.

Gospel Central is one of Birmingham's most unique bands giving gospel music an urban and contemporary edge. Kokumo has been described as not just an artist but also a cultural anthropologist and dub-griot.  He uses his skills as a singer/songwriter and dub-poet to capture his audience, taking them on a cultural, spiritual and political journey. Formed in 1984, Birmingham based Azad Kashmir Folk Group have a dedicated following both in the UK and in Pakistan. They are recognised as one of the leading exponents of ‘Sher Khawani’ (folk poetry).

Guitarist, singer/songwriter Esther Turner from Halesowen  will wow the audience with her acoustic set. Bringing things to a close on the day are Azaad Dhol Group who have performed all over the Midlands and London promoting Birmingham's unique scene, showing the colours and sounds of Bhangra.

We hope you will come and join us on Saturday 6 July at Pickwick Park and join the procession from Balsall Heath Park. There will be plenty of stalls selling food, arts and crafts and fun for all the family!




Tuesday 2 July 2013

New Sustrans project to transform Kings Heath

Kings Heath is to be part of a Sustrans led project, 'Active School Neighbourhoods', for which they have secured an extra £3,615,000 funding through the Big Lottery Fund. To launch this project there was a meeting at All Saints centre on Monday for tea, biscuits and a chat.  This is a national programme that will focus on engaging local communities in the redesign of areas around schools & elsewhere with a view to making them safer and more attractive for walking & cycling.

Joe Green from Sustrans says, "Largely due to the efforts and success of the Car Culture project, we have been able to put forward Kings Heath for inclusion in the pilot of this programme (along with two areas in London & Newcastle). Birmingham City Council have agreed to provide match funding towards any capital works resulting from this."

The presentations, by Joe and two other Sustrans colleagues - Finlay McNab and Paola Spivach, highlighted the achievements of our Car Culture project, and an explanation of the origins of Sustrans innovative DIY Streets initiative and how it has already transformed streets across the UK (see more references at bottoom of blog).

It's a fantastic opportunity for Kings Heath - we'll keep you posted as the project develops.

Useful links: