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Deadline day for The Big Picture
It's the final day for entries to The Big Picture and they urgently need more photos to break the world record.
This is a wonderful Birmingham based project to create the biggest photo album in the West Midlands. As they say, "Everyone can add their favourite pictures – family, friends, local landmarks, even your pets, we’ve made it easy to share your photos and tell the stories behind them."
The quick way to do this is to add the tag 'bigpicture2008' to your existing Flickr photos. Go on, spend 5 minutes adding that tag and you could help break the record.
Here at Live Brum we've added a few new pictures to our photostream. It would be lovely if you could do the same.
Posted on Monday 30 Jun | 0 comments | Permalink
Central Library - the debate takes off
Following on from yesterday's activities, Jon Bounds has an expanded version of his article in what he calls the Post proper - the print version.
Joanna Geary picked up on this and it certainly is an interesting turn of phrase. How long before the online version of The Birmingham Post is regarded as the proper version?
It's fantastic that the Birmingham Post has run with this. The more people get involved in this debate the better and The Post can really help with that.
Finally, Jon has created a collection of links, both for and against, which I encourage you all to browse.
NOTE: Just like yesterday, the image above is by Perry Roberts and you can buy prints from the Ikon Gallery. Do you really want to knock this down? This is a fantastic image that, to my eyes at least, pretty much makes the case for keeping the Central Library all on it's own!
UPDATE: Amongst Jons Delicious links there's an absolute gem - a video of architect Jon Madin talking to Adrian Goldberg about how the building 'just needs finishing'. Embedded below for your delectation.
Posted on Wednesday 25 Jun | 3 comments | Permalink
What do you want to do with the Central Library?
The future of Birmingham Central Library has been much discussed in Birmingham in recent years. The City want to bulldoze the current site and build a new library at a location still to be confirmed.
But there is a spanner in the works. The Birmingham Post reports that English Heritage are still keen to give the building Listed status and that will make demolition much more difficult.
Paul Dale has written a good article over at The Post summarising the current situation and Jon Bounds has replied with an alternative suggestion to knock everything around it down instead.
Jon's argument is very persuasive and I admit to being keen to see the building preserved. Are Jon and I in the minority or is there more widespread fondness for this building in Brum?
The two articles linked above provide great background and it would be interesting to hear from others on the subject. If you want to see the building saved then now is the time to start making a noise. Leave a comment here, or at The Post or at Jon's place or, even better, write your own article on your own blog!
NOTE: The image above is by Perry Roberts and you can buy prints from the Ikon Gallery. Do you really want to knock this down?
UPDATE Jon Bounds has posted a version of his article at the Birmingham Post after I requested in in his comments. Some may consider 'cross-posting' a mortal sin but it makes sense for The Post to represent a full range of views and in this case I think it's justified. Thanks Jon!
Posted on Monday 23 Jun | 0 comments | Permalink
And the winner is...
The draw to win tickets to see Carl Davis and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on Friday 18 July took place this afternoon and we have a winner!
When the competition deadline passed today I suddenly realised that I needed someone to draw the winner. There had been several entries from people I know so there was no way I could do it. There is an obvious need to ensure impartiality and, for that, an independent witness is required.
Of course I hadn't arranged anything in advance so I headed to Rooty's at the Custard Factory. There's always someone trustworthy hanging round Rooty's and, sure enough, there was Lara Ratnaraja, Senior Manager at Business Link, all-round good egg and friend to the creative industries.
Lara agreed to perform the draw on the spot and we're delighted to announce that Michael Freeman was the first name out of the hat (well, box actually).
Congratulations Michael, we hope you enjoy your night out.
Watch out for more competitions soon.
Posted on Friday 20 Jun | 0 comments | Permalink
Win tickets to see the CBSO
Charismatic conductor Carl Davis and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra treat you to a stunning selection of popular classics on Friday 18 July, 7.30pm.
Join them at Symphony Hall, Birmingham for a wonderful evening of much-loved music including Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Beethoven’s Romance in F for violin, Debussy’s Clair de Lune, Fauré’s Pavane and Grainger’s arrangement of Danny Boy.
The music for the BBC’s hugely successful period-drama Cranford was composed by Carl Davis, and you can enjoy a sparkling concert performance of this Suite tonight.
This concert is in aid of the CBSO Benevolent Fund.
Competition
To win a pair of Rear Stalls tickets (worth £62) for this concert on Friday 18 July at Symphony Hall, simply answer the following question:
Who composed the music for the BBC’s drama Cranford?
- Mendelssohn
- Debussy
- Carl Davis
Send your answers via email to info@livebrum.co.uk before the closing date to be entered into the draw.
- Closing date: 11am on Friday 20 June.
The draw will take place almost immediately after that and the winner announced here (and via email).
Posted on Tuesday 10 Jun | 0 comments | Permalink
Socks gets rated at Meowseley
A blog is not a blog without cat pictures. So we interrupt our scheduled blogging to bring you news that Socks, the Live Brum house cat has just been rated at
www.meowseley.co.uk.
What? Well, yes, the cats of Moseley are now under scrutiny. We can't help but be a little disappointed with Socks 48% score but the site seems fair-minded and we'll live with it. You can be assured that Socks will ask for a new assessment once she's grown up a bit.
This is a wonderful, if somewhat surreal, new website that has humour that some might recognise if they'd had their eye on Moseley in the past...
We particularly look forward to the rating of Jon's cats, Bollo and Naboo.
Posted on Saturday 31 May | 0 comments | Permalink
Three Mad Minutes
As part of the Creative Networks event at Millennium Point last night I gave a 3 minute 'pitch' for Live Brum.
Well, I intended to give a three minute pitch. I set up a timed presentation of exactly that length but somehow in the transfer from Apple's Keynote to the required Powerpoint format all the time codes were lost so with no prior warning my presentation launched at about twice the speed it should.
What was already quite tight became utterly impossible as the slides sped past faster than anyone could read and faster than I could talk - and I can talk fast. It came quite close to being a car-crash presentation but I think the basic message got out. Lots of people came up at the end to say they enjoyed it.
As some point a video of the event will be posted at the Creative Networks website so you'll be able to see the mayhem for yourselves.
As an aside, and probably too negative a point for what was an interesting night, I was saddened that the Technology Innovation Centre where this was held could only accept presentations in proprietary Windows Powerpoint format. Frankly this isn't good enough. Effectively, everyone who wants to give a presentation has to pay for an expensive license or they simply can't join in and with such a grand (pompous?) title I expected better.
Apart from that grumble I enjoyed the event. It was fun to listen to Stef and Pete try and come up with a definition of Web 2.0. I'm not sure they actually succeeded in that (has anyone?) but it was enjoyable meander around their thought processes. They threw in lots of small practical tips too which seemed to go down well.
It would be lovely if the 'networking' part of the evening, with free Pizza in the cafeteria could be merged with the talks themselves as, for me, that would be much more appealing than starting with Pizza and then moving on to the lecture theatre. But this event is well established and if tonight's numbers are anything to go by then it's popular too so maybe I am alone in wanting something a fraction more informal.
Overall a good way to spend an evening. For those that are interested, the slides from my pitch can be downloaded below.
Live Brum 3 minute pitch. Download PDF
Posted on Thursday 29 May | 2 comments | Permalink
Created in Birmingham relaunches
Created in Birmingham has been undergoing some changes recently with Chris Unitt taking the reins after Pete Ashton stepped back.
The latest development is a modest re-design. An evolution of the previous site that now uses Baskerville for it's headings - a true Brummie font.
It's a work in progress and expected to continue to evolve over time. We'll be watching with interest.
Created in Birmingham has become a hugely valuable resource and it's terrific to see that Chris is continuing the great work to date.
Posted on Wednesday 28 May | 0 comments | Permalink
The Paper Market
This doesn't fit our criteria for inclusion in the listings as it's not live performance. You'll have to wait for ArtBrum for that [cough] but this looks great.
The Paper Market - 16 May - 2 July
Jibbering Art Proudly Presents
THE PAPER MARKETLaunch Night: Thursday 15th May from 7.30pm
A spectacular showcase of limited edition prints by many of the finest contemporary urban artists, illustrators, designers & photographers from within and around Birmingham.
This exhibition explores the blossoming movement of incredible art that reflects the vibrant and diverse subculture that exists in the city today.
Our new gallery e-commerce website, www.jibberingart.co.uk will also be launched on the 16th May. Prints will be available to buy on-line as well as at Jibbering.
More from www.jibberingrecords.com/
Posted on Wednesday 14 May | 0 comments | Permalink
Support The Rainbow in their licence appeal
UPDATE: Kent emails to say that they were given a license for 6 events a year. Success!
via Created in Birmingham and in their words.
"Bit late notice this one but The Rainbow have a licence appeal hearing on Wednesday. As I understand it they’re having issues adding the Rainbow Warehouse to the licence for the Rainbow itself.
Email your support to kent[at]rootyfrooty.co.uk. Now, please.
Not sure what to say? Maybe something along the lines of:
Kent
I would like to give my support to you in your Premises Licence appeal. In my experience events run at your venues have always been organised to the highest standards and have helped to promote the licensing objectives. Your venues also help to bring some much needed vibrancy to this area of Birmingham.
The Rainbow and the Rainbow Warehouse host music and film and we’re lucky to have them so please give em a hand.
If you read this in time then please send a quick email. Being able to demonstrate that you have public support can make a real difference at these hearings.
NOTE: The correct email address is kent[at]rootfrooty.co.uk
Posted on Tuesday 13 May | 0 comments | Permalink
It's live, LIVE I tells ya!
We are delighted to announce that www.livebrum.co.uk is now live.
Live Brum aims to provide the most comprehensive live event listings in Birmingham, UK. Find events by genre, venue, date or keyword search.
Have a look round and tell us what you think either by commenting here or by sending an email to info@livebrum.co.uk. Live Brum remains in active development so do please tell us your feature requests too. We're listening.
Something missing?
If you are a promoter or venue and your event isn't listed then please get in touch. Note that the criteria for entry is that your event is some kind of live performance in the City of Birmingham. For the pedantic, we classify Birmingham as being anywhere with either a Bxx postcode or an 0121 phone number. If you've got one of those then we would like to feature your events.
Something wrong?
While we have done our absolutely best to ensure the correctness of the information presented, if you think something is wrong then please let us know and we'll get it fixed.
Posted on Sunday 11 May | 4 comments | Permalink
Last orders at the Jug of Ale
This is your last chance to go to the Jug Of Ale in Moseley.
The Jug finally closes on Sun 11 May and is then apparently being demolished. Live Brum is sad about this as The Jug was our local for many years and packed with memories. One of our favourite Birmingham venues closes just 24 hours before we launch Live Brum. What a shame.
The final gig is a good one though and likely to be packed so get their early. Mistys Big Adventure are being supported by the Electric Animals and other guests, 6pm-10.30pm.
More information at www.myspace.com/thecatapultclub
See you there.
Posted on Friday 02 May | 0 comments | Permalink
Delayed
Due to circumstances both unforseen and beyond our control we have had to postpone the launch of Live Brum. Sorry about that.
Live Brum will now launch on Monday 12th May 2008.
For those of you waiting patiently for invitations to test the beta, sit tight, that’ll happen soon. We’ll be in touch.
The countdown on the home page has been reset. Live Brum now launches in 23 days time.
You can consider this set in stone. Whatever happens we absolutely promise to go live on 12th May.
Thanks for you patience.
NOTE: Originally posted on April 18th, 2008
Posted on Thursday 24 Apr | 0 comments | Permalink
Introducing Live Brum
Livebrum.co.uk, a new comprehensive event listings site for Birmingham launches on Tuesday 29th April. Find events by genre, venue, date or keyword search and comment on any event.
Harmonising event data across Birmingham
More than just a website, the plan is to accept data in any format (web, email, flyers, word of mouth, etc) and then publish it in a range of standard formats that others can do new exciting things with. Options include:
Feeds everywhere
Subscribe to feeds for today’s events (refreshes daily) or to events on a particular day. Subscribe to events at a particular venue or events in a particular genre. Subscribe to comments about a particular event or all comments sitewide if you want to see what everyone else is saying.
If this sounds sort of interesting but the whole concept of ‘feeds’ has passed you by then sit tight, we’ll be explaining how to make good use of them in future posts.
Embed content
You can embed both individual events and listings in your own site or blog. Just copy and paste the supplied code and, You Tube style, the information will automatically be embedded on your site.
Microformats
Microformats are embedded sitewide. More on this in a future post.
iCal downloads
Each event includes a calendar file you can use to automatically add the information your calendar.
Send to a friend
Send an email to a friend with a link to any event.
Comments
Comment on any event.
Book online
If there’s a way to book tickets online then we’ll link to it. If not, we’ll let you know the easiest ways to buy tickets.
Venues and promoters
If you haven’t already then please get in touch so we can ensure your information is absolutely correct.
Want a sneaky peak?
We’re opening the site up for some limited private testing in a few days and if you would like to have a play at that point then do let us know.
Elsewhere
Live Brum can also be found on myspace.com/livebrum and twitter.com/livebrum.
Subscribe to our Feed for more updates and news about Live Brum.
NOTE: Originally posted on April 6th, 2008