Live Brum: The Drum Events

Shadowball , 25 May 2012

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:25:53 +0000

25 May 2012 - Jazz at The Drum

In a time of segregation, when jazz and baseball flourished, a courageous group of men struggled to achieve their dreams despite the odds.

This compelling new jazz opera tells the fast-paced story of Negro League baseball players whose talents went unacknowledged whilst their jazz compatriots reached stardom by defining a new art form. Julian Joseph’s swinging score inspired by the era of Ellington and Armstrong offers a lively evening of home runs, peanuts and Cracker Jack, which is great fun for all the family!

Children’s Jazz Opera, programmed with participating primary schools.

Headline acts: Julian Joseph, Cleveland Watkiss, The Julian Joseph Quintet, Cast of Local School Children

Julian Joseph Jazz Master Class, 25 May 2012

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:29:21 +0000

25 May 2012 - Jazz at The Drum

Fri 25 May, 3.30-5pm. Acclaimed jazz artist Julian Joseph gives a master class to Birmingham Conservatoire students. Price £15

Wine reception and talk by a famous author to launch the show running at the venue

Headline acts: Julian Joseph, Cleveland Watkiss, The Julian Joseph Quintet, Cast of Local School Children

The Nubian Readers Book Club, 25 May 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:08:13 +0000

25 May 2012 - Spoken Word at The Drum

The Nubian Readers’ Book Club continues to meet at The Drum on the last Friday of each month to discuss books written by African, Caribbean, Black British and African American authors. It’s a popular forum for literature enthusiasts and a one of its kind in promoting and discussing Black literature. The group has had a steady increase in the take up of male readers. Suitable for ages 16+

Anthony David, 26 May 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:04:57 +0000

26 May 2012 - Rock & Pop at The Drum

“As Above, So Below.” Heady stuff for an R&B album title, but the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Anthony David has never been the kind of soul artist to “speak loudly, but say nothing.” His debut release, “3 Chords and The Truth”, won critical acclaim and with the Grammy-nominated duet, “Words” David and long-time friend India.

Arie consolidated their award-winning singing and songwriting partnership. Often considered the heir-apparent to troubadour Bill Withers, with “As Above, So Below”, David is elbowing a space for intelligent lyrics and a grown man’s voice in a scene that’s in a race to be young.

A student of Wither’s lyricism; the masculine rhythms of Beres Hammond and Frankie Beverly; the storytelling of Slick Rick, T.I., and Jay-Z; and the blues of Lightning Hopkins, Howling Wolf, and T-bone Walker, David is ushering back the kind of masculine soul that men can identify with and that ladies can nestle upto.

We are Poets, 31 May 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:10:09 +0000

31 May 2012 - Spoken Word at The Drum

We Are Poets bravely flips the image of British youth on its head, as six remarkable teenage poets are chosen to represent the UK at Brave New Voices, America’s most prestigious slam poetry competition. From their inner city lives in Leeds, North England, to a stage in front of the White House in Washington D.C, the team must prepare for a transformational journey of a lifetime. Intimate, honest and imaginative, We Are Poets is a moving testament to the power of creativity, community and the dynamism of young people.

Stephen K Amos, 1 Jun 2012

Sat, 05 May 2012 10:20:41 +0000

1 Jun 2012 - Comedy at The Drum

‘A comedy special marking Upfront’s 20 years in the comedy business, featuring the debut Drum appearance of TV star STEPHEN K AMOS. The star of Have I Got News for You, Mock The Week and his own BBC 1 show is supported by KAYLEIGH ‘Loudmouth’ LEWIS, and JAMIE HOWARD. JOHN SIMMIT hosts.

Naukar Teemi Da, 2 Jun 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:07:08 +0000

2 Jun 2012 - Theatre at The Drum

Hunter Kaur believes that marriage is nothing but just give and take. Give me happiness and I’ll give you pain. Fatte Chak danceson Hunter Wali’s tunes, cooks food for her and sings songs for her. In short he is a perfect ‘Naukar Teemi Da’ but one fine day HunterWali’s younger sister Kuljeet (Aka) Jugni comes to their house tospend her summer holidays and then......there is love in the air.

We Are Poets , 7 Jun 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:09:59 +0000

7 Jun 2012 - Spoken Word at The Drum

We Are Poets bravely flips the image of British youth on its head,as six remarkable teenage poets are chosen to represent the UKat Brave New Voices, America’s most prestigious slam poetrycompetition. From their inner city lives in Leeds, North England, to astage in front of the White House in Washington D.C, the team mustprepare for a transformational journey of a lifetime. Intimate, honestand imaginative, We Are Poets is a moving testament to the power ofcreativity, community and the dynamism of young people.

Faster, Higher, Stronger, 7 Jun 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:05:27 +0000

7 Jun 2012 - Spoken Word at The Drum

FREE

Utilising the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger”to draw parallels between sports and art, we ask our panel of speakers what doesit take to become a successful artist in the competitive world of arts practice? Is thechoice of becoming an artista viable one in the currente conomic climate? What are the parameters for artistic excellence? Is cultural diversity an important facet of the art scene, in an age when identities are so fluid?

The Bollywood Masterpiece , 8 Jun 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:11:43 +0000

8 Jun 2012 - World Music at The Drum

A musical masterpiece of live original compositions and covers of the latest Bollywood Hits, music directors and vocalists such as RDBurman, Madan Mohan, Naushad, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle,Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar. The spectacular night will beaccompanied by vibrant choreographed Bollywood dance.

Akala, 8 Jun 2012

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:04:24 +0000

8 Jun 2012 - Rock & Pop at The Drum

Akala’s rappng reflects his personal struggles against ignorance, against racism’s divide-and-conquer imprimatur, and against the dumbing-down of the musical form that helped provide him with the answers he needed. "I remember when Wu-Tang Forever came out," he says, casting his mind back to 1998, and the second LP from the Staten Island collective. "And I remember going to buy books because of references I heard on there. I literally studied that album and went away and learned because of it. They weren't some obscure, underground rap group – that was the first rap album to go to Number One in the UK. What made hip hop powerful was its education, its culture, its musicality and its intelligence.”

Shake the Dust, 9 Jun 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:06:28 +0000

9 Jun 2012 - Spoken Word at The Drum

A national performance poetry project taking place in schools and youth groups across England from February to July 2012, inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hundreds of 13 -16 year olds from five participating schools (Broadway, Holyhead, Stockland Green, Queensbridge and Woodrush High) are working with established spoken word artists to learn about poetry and performance throughout spring and summer. This slam competition, showcases the best of their writing and performance. The highest scoring team will go on to represent the West Midlands at the national Shake the Dust weekend in London from 5 - 8 July 2012. With performances by Jam Jah Sound System feat. Juggler and special guest judges Akala and Sic’Nis.

My Big Fat Jamaician Funeral , 15 Jun 2012 - 16 Jun 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:17:25 +0000

15 Jun 2012 - 16 Jun 2012 - Theatre at The Drum

Being the only boy in a family of 32 women, Sejanus Jackson was born to be special. His mother’s heartbeat, the apple of his grandmother’s eye, teacher’s pet, the girldem sugar. He is always the centre of female attention (attraction) and he loves it!

Sejanus is now forty, and he’s ready to settle down. He’s ready for the whole “Till Death Do Us Part” thing – one marriage, one woman, one home. But who will become ‘Mrs. Sejanus Jackson’?! The competition is on. And, as they say, all’s fair in love and war…Written by Sylvia De’Vere and directed by Anton Phillips

Starring Lavern Archer, Lovena Brown, Emma Dennis, Marlon King, Charles Tomlin and Olive Miller – all together on one stage for the first time in years!!!

Same Difference, 21 Jun 2012

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:37:03 +0000

21 Jun 2012 - Spoken Word at The Drum

Emerging grime artists and producers Deci4life (8sixteen32, The Spiral) and Smash premier their new spoken word theatre show, about a brotherhood of two young men adopted into a Jamaican family. Here you will see the clash between a light-skinned born and bred Yardie and a dark-skinned Jamaican born in England and affected by English culture. Will they ever see eye to eye? This daring two-hander inverts the typical prejudices encountered by young Jamaicans in British foster homes, questioning notions of race, class and identity in the process.

Ekatva , 22 Jun 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:13:13 +0000

22 Jun 2012 - Dance at The Drum

EKATVA is an experiment to touch the lives and spirit of 16 underprivileged children through dance and art, while inspiring the souls of thousands across the world.

Sixteen children from some of the largest slums of Ahmedabad, Gujarat will perform a 90-minute dance-drama production sharing Mahatma Gandhi’s message of ‘Oneness’.

Celebrating Sanctuary, 23 Jun 2012

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:53:38 +0000

23 Jun 2012 - World Music at The Drum

FREE

A free event packed with entertainment provided by the region’s most talented emerging artists. The ground floor will come to life with a sample of the arts and music activities that take place at The Drum regularly. Performances, workshops, music, stalls, competitions and much more.

The Nubian Readers Book Club, 29 Jun 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:08:25 +0000

29 Jun 2012 - Spoken Word at The Drum

Bebop2hiphop, 30 Jun 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:01:25 +0000

30 Jun 2012 - Jazz at The Drum

FREE

The Drum is launching an exciting new ‘Jazz Fusion’ project which will introduce Young People between theages of 8 - 24 to the various aspects of the culture, era and sound of jazz. Groups will be split according to age and ability. The overall aim is to create a Jazz Fusion band with the Young People over a period of workshops, tuition, gig reviews/research and performances. We aim to launch the project on the 15 June. As we go back in time to explore the ‘cotton club’ era all are welcome to don their trilby’s and feather boas, while the drum will be transformed into ‘The Pit Club’ featuring the house band, light refreshments and an educational ‘cinematic experience’. There will be mini taster sessions based on the instrumental elements within the ‘Bigband’ set up and an opportunity to speak to real working musicians in this field.

Nova Guarda - Brazilian Carnival Show , 30 Jun 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:14:18 +0000

30 Jun 2012 - World Music at The Drum

Nova Guarda brings the hottest sounds from the street blocos of Riode Janeiro direct to Birmingham, playing a mix of authentic Brazilian samba, funk, marchas and pop! Featuring over 30 percussionists from across the Midlands, and guest starring guitarist Pepe Barcellos and vocalist Fabio Allman from the Brazilian super group Monobloco, it promises to be a colourful, loud and unforgettable evening of music and song.

Passa Passa 3 , 1 Jul 2012

Sat, 19 May 2012 08:02:00 +0000

1 Jul 2012 - Theatre at The Drum

Passa Passa 3 is centered on the exploits of Chu Chu who, this time around, is trying to advance her career as a reporter for the local paper. This gives her even more motivation for her news carrying exploits, and with Bibsy there to provide even more dirt on the community, Chu Chu has more than enough ammunition to fill the headlines. There are however complications along the way, as Chu Chu’s gossiping invariable lands her in a world of trouble, forcing her to pull off one of the biggest schemes of her life. Deals, schemes, hustling, ‘ginnalship’, jealously and a whole heap of news carrying makes Passa Passa 3 the must see comedy for 2012