What's On — All events

Don McLean in Concert Plus Support
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Mon 3 May 8:00pm Symphony Hall

America’s legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean returns to Symphony Hall. Over the course of his extraordinary career Don McLean has sold over 40 gold and platinum records worldwide, performed 12 world tours and has appeared in concert more than 3,500 times. He was inducted into the Song Writers Hall of Fame, in New York in 2004, and in February 2002 American Pie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Reginald D. Hunter Plus Support Steve Hughes
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Mon 3 May 8:00pm Town Hall

Reginald D Hunter’s uniquely non-secular approach to comedy continues. _“He shimmers with stage presence and his comic timing is sharp enough to burst balloons.”_ Independent A well-known face on primetime television shows such as _8 Out Of 10 Cats_, _Never Mind The Buzzcocks_ and _QI_, Reginald is also a frequent guest on _Have I Got News For You_ and has just finished starring alongside Andy Hamilton in BBC4’s _It’s Only A Theory_. _“One of the most brilliantly unpredictable comics in the country”_ Sunday Times
Britten Sinfonia at Lunch
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Tue 4 May 1:00pm Town Hall

BBC New Generation artist, Gwilym Simcock sits at the meeting point of classical and jazz music. Hailed as both a gifted pianist and imaginative composer, Gwilym presents a new work scored for piano trio in which he will also perform.
*Jacqueline Shave* _violin_ *Caroline Dearnley* _cello_ *Gwilym Simcock* _piano*_
*Gwilym Simcock* New Work* (World première tour) *Messiaen* _Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus_ *Ravel* Piano Trio
Tchaikovsky and Philip Glass
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Wed 5 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

The Moscow State Symphony Orchestra is one of Russia’s leading orchestras. At the very heart of its repertoire lies Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony - a journey from dark and brooding tragedy to an overwhelming sense of energy and fulfilment. Young British violinist Chloë Hanslip takes centre stage for the clean, pulsating lines of Philip Glass’s unforgettable Violin Concerto. Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall, says of tonight’s recommended concert: _“Philip Glass is one of America’s best-known living composers. His Violin Concerto is a Classic FM favourite. The second movement in particular manages to be both haunting and moving at the same time.”_ 6.15pm Pre-concert talk with Lyndon Jenkins
*Moscow State Symphony Orchestra* *Pavel Kogan* _conductor_ *Chloë Hanslip* _violin_
*Borodin* Overture, _Prince Igor_ 11’ *Philip Glass* Violin Concerto 30’ *Tchaikovsky* Symphony No 5 50’
Chanta La Mui presents Complot International Dance Festival 2010
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Wed 5 May 7:30pm Town Hall

Chanta La Mui’s _Complot_ is the brain-child of three artists - Olga Pericet, Daniel Doña and Marco Flores - who have enjoyed prestigious dance careers. They have joined forces to present an alternative yet complete vision of dance and flamenco inspired by different styles and music. Part of the "International Dance Fesitval Birmingham 2010":http://www.idfb.co.uk produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome.
Chanta La Mui presents Recital International Dance Festival 2010
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Thu 6 May 7:30pm Town Hall

In the second of our two Festival performances by Spanish company Chanta La Mui, performers Olga Pericet, Daniel Doña and Marco Flores explore the more traditional flamenco style of choreography and performance. Several pieces make up the show, in which dance, guitar and singing are the only players. Part of the "International Dance Fesitval Birmingham 2010":http://www.idfb.co.uk produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome.
Centre Stage - Russian String Quartets CBSO Players
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Fri 7 May 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

*Tchaikovsky* String Quartet No 1 *Shostakovich* String Quartet No 6
*CBSO Players*
*Tchaikovsky* String Quartet No 1 *Shostakovich* String Quartet No 6
Hugh Masekela and the CBSO
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Fri 7 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Hugh Masekela is a legend. Born in South Africa seventy years ago, he quickly emerged as one of his country’s leading musicians, his music reflecting its struggles, sorrows, joys and passions. He returns to Symphony Hall for a unique collaboration with the CBSO and the Town Hall Gospel Choir, for whom he has written a new work, as well as performing Jason Yarde’s Trumpet Concerto. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Michael Seal* conductor *Hugh Masekela* _trumpet_ *Town Hall Gospel Choir* *CBSO Young Voices in partnership with Birmingham Music Service*
Akram Khan Company presents Gnosis International Dance Festival 2010
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Fri 7 May 7:30pm Town Hall

Directed and choreographed by Akram Khan, _Gnosis_ is a solo show inspired by the Mahabharata story of Queen Ghandari. Akram has always been fascinated by comic-book superheroes and villains, and how these comic-book characters are in some way inspired by real characters that exist in our societies. _Gnosis_ is about the journeys of different characters inspired from myth; whether kings, queens, heroes or gods, they exist in our societies - from the past to present civilisations. “_The wunderkind of Western contemporary dance and classical Indian kathak._” *The Times* Khan’s choregraphy has been developed in collaboration with the internationally renowned Kathak masters Sri Pratap Pawar and Gauri Sharma Tripathi, and the show features a band of musicians including Yoshie Sunahata, a taiko drummer from acclaimed Japanese company KODO. Part of the "International Dance Fesitval Birmingham 2010":http://www.idfb.co.uk produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome.
We'll Meet Again A Musical Salute to The War Years
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Sat 8 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Over 70 years on, take a nostalgic journey with Gavin Sutherland, special guests and live orchestra. Timeless classics include: _In the Mood, We’ll Meet Again, Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Begin the Beguine, One O’clock Jump, Lili Marlene, Jumpin’ at the Woodside, Goodnight Sweetheart, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy_ and _A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square._ Plus a toe-tapping tribute to George Formby and a traditional sing-along to forties favourites.
*London Concert Orchestra* *June Whitfield* _presenter_ *Matt Little* _special guest singer_ *A Tribute to the Andrews Sisters* *The Swingcats* *Chris Marques & Jaclyn Spencer* _world champion dancers_ *Mark Walsh* _ukulele_
Akram Khan Company presents Gnosis International Dance Festival 2010
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Sat 8 May 7:30pm Town Hall

Directed and choreographed by Akram Khan, _Gnosis_ is a solo show inspired by the Mahabharata story of Queen Ghandari. Akram has always been fascinated by comic-book superheroes and villains, and how these comic-book characters are in some way inspired by real characters that exist in our societies. _Gnosis_ is about the journeys of different characters inspired from myth; whether kings, queens, heroes or gods, they exist in our societies - from the past to present civilisations. “_The wunderkind of Western contemporary dance and classical Indian kathak._” *The Times* Khan’s choregraphy has been developed in collaboration with the internationally renowned Kathak masters Sri Pratap Pawar and Gauri Sharma Tripathi, and the show features a band of musicians including Yoshie Sunahata, a taiko drummer from acclaimed Japanese company KODO. Part of the "International Dance Fesitval Birmingham 2010":http://www.idfb.co.uk produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome.
Biss plays Brahms's Piano Quintet
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Sun 9 May 3:00pm Town Hall

_“Outstanding”_ (The Guardian), _“pure magic”_ (Daily Telegraph) and _“a heaven-storming performance”_ (The Strad) - the Elias Quartet seem unable to put a foot wrong with the critics. Rising star and passionate Mozartean, Jonathan Biss, joins them for Mozart’s Second Piano Quartet. There is also Britten’s Purcell-inspired Second Quartet and one of Brahms’ mightiest chamber works, the powerful and expressive Piano Quintet.
*Jonathan Biss* _piano_ *Elias Quartet*
*Mozart* Piano Quartet No 2, K493 30’ *Britten* String Quartet No 2 30’ *Brahms* Piano Quintet 38’
Lunchtime Organ Concert Thomas Trotter
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Mon 10 May 1:00pm Symphony Hall

*Thomas Trotter* _organ_
*Bach* Gigue Fugue *Anon* La Shy Myse; Belle et Jeune Fleur; My Lady Careys Dompe; Saltarelle *Alain* Three Pieces (Jannequin, 2 Danses, Litanies) *Kulkova* Stalactites *Stravinsky* Suite from _Petroushka_
CBSO Symphonic Dances: III
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Wed 12 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Andris Nelsons kicks up a real song and dance. In American exile, Rachmaninov summed up his life’s work in one extraordinary masterpiece. His _Symphonic Dances_ evoke a fantastic dream-world of half-remembered melodies, ghostly waltzes and driving jazz rhythms. But more to the point, they’re pure Rachmaninov - and that means high romance and glorious tunes. If you love his piano concertos, you’ll be spellbound. And if you love Beethoven’s piano concertos - well, you won’t need any persuasion to hear the most songful and poetic of the lot, played by the masterly Lars Vogt. Meanwhile, who’d have thought that the very first piece of music Nelsons brings us from his native Latvia would be the wonderfully evocative _Tango_, by his friend Arturs Maskats? Post-concert talk, c 9.15. Stay late for a post-conecrt conversation with Andris Nelsons and Stephen Maddock.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* conductor *Lars Vogt* piano
*Maskats* _Tango_ 12' *Beethoven* Piano Concerto No 4 34' *Rachmaninov* _Symphonic Dances_ 35'
Centre Stage - Lars Vogt
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Thu 13 May 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

*Schubert* '_Trout_' Quintet
*CBSO Players* *Lars Vogt* _piano_
*Schubert* '_Trout_' Quintet
Jamie Cullum Plus special guests
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Thu 13 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Jamie Cullum is set to play a full UK tour for the first time since 2006. Jamie recently wowed New York with a sold out Carnegie Hall show and has been country hopping around the European Festival circuit all summer. These dates included a headline show at Holland’s North Sea Jazz Festival, rocking the Jazz World stage at Glastonbury, and an appearance at the famous Montreux Jazz Festival. Please note this performance is currently sold out. Clicking on the below link will take you to the booking page if any returns are available. Alternatively you can call the Box Office on 0121 780 3333 to enquire.
Francis Rossi Plus special guests
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Thu 13 May 7:30pm Town Hall

The Status Quo frontman is regarded as a classic rock performer and has won several awards including the BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution To Music. This concert will allow him to reveal another side of himself to the rock fraternity. Rossi commented, _“I never stop writing songs and melodies but there have been many tracks over the years that just weren’t right for Quo. These songs have been gathering dust in my mind for too long and now seems the right time to showcase them. It’s a big step for me but I hope to see lots of the same faces out there on the road!”_ The _One Step At A Time_ tour represents a great chance to witness one of rock’s great performers, famous for his dry wit and lyrical dash, up close and personal. Francis Rossi will be accompanied by an 8 piece band.
N.O.M.A.D. English Originals Weekend & Rush Hour Blues
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Fri 14 May 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Birmingham-based N.O.M.A.D. kick off English Originals Weekend with their uniquely enjoyable brand of folk-fusion. ‘The most enjoyable thing to happen to Donington Le Heath since Richard III slept there.’
Grace and Danger: The Songs of John Martyn English Originals Weekend 2010
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Fri 14 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

It’s just over a year since the death of John Martyn, a musician of genius who walked a tightrope between the grace of his art and the danger of his personal demons. This special show is curated by bassist Danny Thompson, Martyn’s long time friend and collaborator.A range of special guests will pay tribute to the most soulful and innovative singer songwriter of his generation. Check back here for the latest artist updates.
Featuring Beverley Martyn, Scott Matthews, Eddi Reader, and more special guests to be announced
Curated by Danny Thompson
Folk4Free English Originals Weekend 2010
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Sat 15 May 2:00pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

An afternoon of free folk music, curated by Moseley Folk Festival. *Dave Boddison* has been writing music for ten years and performing for seven. His solo acoustic sound hovers in the realms of ambient folk. 23-year-old *Abie Budgen* combines psychedelic, roots and blues sounds with finger-picking. As a child, *Deborah Hodgson* earned her first guitar by washing cars. Although not the most glamorous start to a career, she has now performed in festival fields, castles, a cathedral crypt and a major arena tour supporting 10CC. _‘Fantastic voice’_ Nick Britten, Daily Telegraph *Goodnight Lenin* caught the attention of audiences in Birmingham after releasing a YouTube video of a simple acoustic performance in which they sat perched on the counter-tops of their kitchen. The group attribute their sound to Bob Dylan and Elvis Perkins, mixing folk with a heavy American influence. 2010 is set to be a great year for the band as they supported First Aid Kit on the Birmingham leg of the duo’s UK tour and will be releasing their first limited edition single in the summer. Yet despite this, they can still be found performing amongst the pots and pans in kitchens. Growing up listening to Abba and Queen, *Megan Henwood* first performed at the tender age of nine. Turning eighteen she played her way round the world, singing to crowds in Venice, Thailand, India and Malaysia. After falling in love with Nepal, she has returned to Kathmandu twice to record with leading Nepalese musicians Nirmal Kulu, Binod Katal and Shyram Saram Nepali. In 2009 Megan won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician of the Year Award.
2pm *Dave Boddison* 3pm *Abie Budgen* 4pm *Deborah Hodgson* 5pm *Goodnight Lenin* 6pm *Megan Henwood*