Birmingham arts festival returns

Brum Spirit reveals full programme of weekend events.

The Birmingham based arts collective Brum Spirit have been delivering a colourful programme of bespoke global arts events featuring local and international talent in the city since 2010, building especially strong bonds with a growing pool of artists from Brazil. And after taking a brief hiatus in 2015, Brum Spirit is back with a line-up stronger than ever before.

Brum Spirit 2016 Flyer Front
Brum Spirit 2016: We’re In This Together, will celebrate and explore the thrills and challenges of sharing space in a changing world, with a family-friendly weekend of free and affordable arts events at Moseley School of Art, Balsall Heath.

Amongst the roster of international talent lined up this year, there will be live music in the venue’s long underused theatre space from artists across the globe, including Birmingham gawk-pop trio KateGoes,Polish string quartet String Fantasy, and Brazilian headliners, Panorama Do Choro, who visit Brum Spirit following their performance at London’s Horniman Musem.

Attendees can also expect to experience visual, phonic and performative interventions from Hi-Lite Arts, curated by artist Darryl Georgiou, participatory forum theatre from Jungo Arts, breakdance workshops by Break Mission, We Come In Peace photography exhibition by Paul Mat, and an exploration of this year’s historic venue with Empty Room Tours, led by Ben Waddington from Still Walking Festival.

The weekend will also see award winning film maker and activist Brendan O’Neill host film screenings exploring a series of global and social issues, under the banner of Stickleback Cinema.

Alongside this, There will also be craft workshops and exhibitions from Birmingham refugee programme Made Welcome, as well as pay-as-you-feel treats from the Real Junk Food Project.

Professional Incredibles Director, Tessa Burwood, says: “Over the years, we’ve held Brum Spirit in all manner of unusual places around Birmingham. This year’s venue is just such a gem, we’re so excited to be able to open the doors of Moseley School of Art!

“This year, our collective of artists and activists offers a really diverse and vibrant programme across the weekend. We are welcoming all comers to pop down, have a wander around this unique venue, and take on some surprises along the way.

There are plenty of activities for kids and families, and fun ways to engage with an open conversation about what we want from this space, and from our community. Made ever-more poignant with the current state of affairs in the UK and globally, we can’t wait to unite and celebrate… After all, we’re in this together!”

The launch of the festival has been marked with a public art mural along the River Rea in Balsall Heath, created by Birmingham graffiti artists Hoakser and Zooki and Lebanese duo AshekMan.

Brum Spirit 2016: We’re In This Together will take place from 10am-8pm on Saturday 23rd July, and 2pm-7pm on Sunday 24th July at Moseley School of Arts, Balsall Heath.

For more information visit www.brumspirit.org