Spring & Summer 2019 in Birmingham
It’s always good to hatch a plan and decide what to do when the weather warms up. As Britain’s second city, Birmingham has
1) TOO CUTE!
Curator Rachel Mclean has brought together works from the Arts Council Collection and Birmingham to reveal objects that are sweet and simultaneously sinister. This exhibition opened in January at BMAG (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery) and has received rave reviews online and in the press.
2) DA VINCI
While you are at BMAG seeing Too Cute! make sure that you take in work by Leonardo Da Vinci. Twelve drawings are on show at BMAG until early May to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of renaissance genius
3)NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW
The UK’s biggest wedding show comes to Birmingham’s NEC right at the start of March. It offers everything you could possibly need for your big day, including an Eclectic Boutique for an alternative wedding.
4) DIRTY VEGAN CURRY NIGHT
Dirty Vegan pop up events at The Mac (Midlands Arts Centre) are a regular event and this curry-themed nightlooks especially tempting. £22.50 buys you a drink on arrival, unlimited samosas and bhajis(!), a selection of vegan curries and entry to Mac’s live music event. Marvellous.
5) CRUFTS
Dog person? Come to the world’s greatest dog show and totally indulge yourself! We have a special soft spot for the joy of the agility competition (and schnauzers…and dachshunds…and golden cocker spaniels…and… ).
6) KINKY BOOTS
Inspired by the true story of a failing shoe factory that found a niche market, Kinky Boots stomps into the Birmingham Hippodrome. With songs by Cyndi Lauper, The Times calls this “an absolute hoot of a show.”
7) CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW
Craft was once considered so uncool, but now it’s back with a vengeance. This show is heaven if you’re into knitting, cross stitch, paper crafting, jewellery making or dressmaking.
8) PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW
This show is another pearl from the NEC with highlights such as a Super Stage featuring photography greats such as Lindsay Adler, Martin Parr, Gordon Buchanan, Chris Burkard, Pete Souza, Annie Griffiths and Moose Peterson. NB: We’re very popular with photographers here at Rotunda thanks to our rather stunning views and swanky interiors, so staying with us when you visit the show could work well.
9) BIRMINGHAM WINE WEEKEND
Buying a wristband gives you access to events at 23 different locations in Birmingham. A great excuse to have a weekend away in the Second City.
10) GYMNASTICS WORLD CUP
Let’s face it, gymnastics is one of the most watchable sports. We always love watching it when The Olympics come around. This year the Gymnastics World Cup takes place at Birmingham’s Genting Arena. Watch 18 top-class gymnasts battle it out, with the men’s competition followed by the women’s events.
11) LES MISERABLES
Ten years after the last sell-out UK tour, Les Mis is on the road again around the UK and there’s nowhere better to see it than in Brum at the glorious Hippodrome. Availability is already very limited for this run, but the Hippodrome website has a cunning feature that allows you to check the view from available seats before you buy!
12) INSOMNIA GAMING SHOW
Easter brings the UK’s biggest gaming festival to Birmingham. Immerse yourself in the latest games, interactive zones, VR and see the world’s biggest gaming Youtubers.
13) BEAST FEAST
With arguably the best event name EVER, Beast Feast at the University of Birmingham brings together composers and lovers of electronic music for three days of music, meetings and ideas.
Guest artists include
- Norah Lorway
- Pete Stollery
- AnoThai Nitibhon
- Jean-David Caillouët
- Anton Lukoszevieze
- Apartment House
14) A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS
This stage adaptation at Birmingham Rep is based on the much-loved novel by Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns is set in Afghanistan in the early nineties. We follow the fortunes of orphaned Laila who is taken by her neighbour as his second wife. As the Taliban take over, life becomes a desperate struggle and the two wives become allies.
15) DIGBETH DINING CLUB
On all year, but recommended for you this spring if you are less than hardy! Digbeth Dining Club is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday and is the gem of Brum’s thriving alternative food scene.
16) FLATPACK FESTIVAL
Flatpack has been described as “the UK’s most creatively curated film festival” (the Independent), “magnificently eclectic” (Time Out) and “joyously inventive” (the Guardian). We don’t think we can beat that! Back this year over May Bank Holiday weekend.
17) SWINGAMAJIG
Swingamajig has found a new home at Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens for 2019. Dive into a world of music, dance and cabaret inspired by the sights and sounds of the 1920s. It’s an experience like no other!
18) THE KINGDOM CHOIR
Perhaps best known for their performance of ‘Stand By Me’ at the marriage of Prince Harry and Megan Markle, the Kingdom Choir bring their glorious gospel music to the Symphony Hall this spring.
19) BODYPOWER EXPERIENCE
Three days of all-things fitness at Birmingham’s NEC. Be inspired by expert advice on training, nutrition, grooming and health.
20) BIRMINGHAM PRIDE
One of the UK’s biggest LBTGQ+ festivals covering three days. Birmingham Pride features a carnival parade plus music stages, a dance arena, a women’s area and a cabaret marquee. The Human League have already been confirmed for the main stage at Pride this year.
We’ve really only scratched the surface here of what’s on in Birmingham this spring! Check out Visit Birmingham for even more
If you feel inspired to visit Birmingham (and we hope you do) then why not book one of our serviced apartments? We combine a superb location right in the city centre with sleek designs, fantastic views and great customer service.
Our larger penthouse, Maxi and Clubman apartments offer Birmingham’s only 5* accommodation whilst our funky studio apartments are 4*.
