What's On — TownHall events
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Soweto Kinch: A Life in the Day of B19 Part 2 Basement Fables
Fri 25 Jul Town Hall
Brilliant saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch is back with an early chance to hear material from A Life in the Day Of B19: Basement Fables. It’s the highly anticipated follow-up to his acclaimed album B19: Tales of the Towerblock, which earned Kinch a 2007 MOBO award. Basement Fables will shake up audiences and critics on both sides of the Atlantic, weaving an ambitious narrative that fuses jazz, hip-hop and poetry. Alongside Soweto, pioneering young artists from B19 will showcase extracts from their recently premiered Hockley Flyover show. Don’t miss the chance to catch one of the UK’s outstanding musicians, a cutting-edge jazz player but also a leading rap artist and MC. “Mr Kinch demonstrates what England has to teach [the USA] about narrative hip-hop. Don’t sleep on Mr Kinch” The New York Times “A rawness and power that mark him out from his peers in British jazz” The Independent £12.50
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Birmingham Scout and Guide Revue
Sat 26 Jul Town Hall
A fun packed entertaining evening of music, song and dance. Presented by the young people of Birmingham’s Scout and Girl Guiding movement, in the centenary year of Birmingham scouting. Over 100 young people present a thoroughly enjoyable night whilst raising money towards their centenary appeal - the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Tickets £10
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The Rhythm of Kurdistan
Sun 27 Jul Town Hall
A community event in which Kurdish musical inheritance of song and dance and a variety of talks and speeches are introduced. An opportunity for all communities to come and enjoy the flavour of Kurdish music. £10 Stalls, £15 Circle
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Family Open House
Town Hall
With tours for families with children of all ages, a heritage children's trail, organ demonstrations, activities and music on in the foyers, family friendly staff and suitable refreshments from the cafe. Adults £5, 60 plus £4.50, Under 16's £2.50 Family Ticket (4 people, minimum 1 adult) £12
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British Classics
Fri 8 Aug Town Hall
The National Youth Orchestra of Wales has the distinction of being the first national youth orchestra in the world. It combines traditional expectations with a contemporary outlook, develops a first-class training experience into performances that are full of energy and passion, and is not afraid to challenge audiences with a repertoire that is bold and adventurous. £10, Full-Times Students & 60 plus £6
*National Youth Orcehstra of Wales* *Owain Arwel Hughes OBE* conductor
*Mathias* Celtic Dances *Britten* Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra *Vaughan Williams* Symphony No 2, a London Symphony
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CBSO Summer Concert - CBSO Youth Orchestra Academy
Sun 10 Aug Town Hall
When the CBSO Youth Orchestra Academy, the virtuoso chamber orchestra drawn from the CBSO’s acclaimed Youth Orchestra, gave its first concert last September, the critics were unanimous. “Rapture was really the only natural response,” declared The Birmingham Post, going on to describe the Academy as “this jaw-droppingly brilliant group”. Now it steps onto a bigger stage: past meets present, as the stars of tomorrow raise the roof in Birmingham’s most historic music venue.
*Michael Seal* Conductor *Morgan Szymanski* Guitar
*Part* Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten *Ligeti* Concert Romanesc *Rodrigo* Concierto de Aranjuez *Beethoven* Symphony No.7
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The National Children's Orchestra
Sat 23 Aug Town Hall
If you are looking to see something outstanding and inspiring this summer period then the National Children's Orchestra is the performance to see. The quality of sound produced by such a young orchestra is outstanding. Each year NCO auditions hundreds of talented children to take up the 500 highly sought after places. The sheer passion and enthusiasm of the children adds to the experience making it perfect, for you and your friends and family alike. You have to see it to believe it! £10, £14, £17, Under 16's £5 60 plus/full-time students/unwaged/ disabled patrons £8, £12, £15
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Camille O'Sullivan: La Fille Du Cirque
Fri 5 Sep Town Hall
Following sell out seasons in New York, UK and Australia, Camille sings the music of Nick Cave, Jacques Brel, Tom Waits, David Bowie and more. Her recent shows were awarded Spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2007, Best Music at the Brighton Festival 2006 and garnered a host of 5 star reviews. Camille has recently appeared in Stephen Frears Oscar winning film Mrs Henderson Presents opposite Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins and Will Young, and has sung with Duke Special, Damien Rice and Shane McGowan. £17.50
La Fille Du Cirque
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Family Event: World Music Encounter with Infusion
Sat 6 Sep Town Hall
Come and meet this unusual collection of musicians as they lead you on a musical journey from Albania to Zimbabwe! Meet the characters behind the instruments and share the stories of their own personal musical histories. Join them and the rest of the audience as they lead you in an interactive workshop that will certainly have you dancing and singing in the aisles! Infusion was established by Sound It Out Community Music in October 2006 to develop the skills of exiled musicians to run community music workshops and to raise awareness and increase understanding towards refugees and asylum seekers amongst local communities. Adults £5, 60 plus £4.50, Under 16s £2.50 Family ticket (4 people, minimum 1 adult) £12
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Late-Night Light Night
Fri 12 Sep Town Hall
In a thrilling evening of sound and light, Town Hall throws open the doors for an exclusive event showcasing some of the freshest musical talent from around the West Midlands. The party gets underway inside the iconic landmark with beats from Manga (Shaanti, Funkshaan), live hip hop and jazz with Soweto Kinch plus performances courtesy of Summary and The Sub Ensemble. Expect a mix of beats, bass, brass and amazing vocals for a funky ArtsFest Friday. Outside Town Hall, spectacular illuminations and visuals will present the iconic building in a whole new light as part of Light Night Birmingham, a project featuring innovative architectural lighting of city centre landmarks. Free entry and a dazzling late-night audiovisual experience offers an opportunity to see the restored venue as never before. Admission FREE Presented in association with Birmingham Jazz. Soweto Kinch is a Town Hall Associate Artist.
*Soweto Kinch* *Manga* *Summary* *The Sub Ensemble*
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Meet the Associates
Sat 13 Sep Town Hall
As part of the ArtsFest weekend we’re offering free showcase performances from the Town Hall Associate Artists: 1pm - 2pm *Black Voices* showcase The inspirational female vocal quintet 2.30pm - 3.30pm *BBC Big Band* showcase Conducted by Barry Forgie, Britain’s finest big band is on stage with jazz and swing classics 4pm - 5pm *Ex Cathedra* choir showcase Beautiful and uplifting singing from Birmingham’s premier choir Admission FREE
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Open Hall!
Sun 14 Sep Town Hall
We’re throwing the doors open to everyone, with: Orchestra of the Swan showcase (2pm - 3pm), children’s Heritage trail, Organ demonstrations, foyer music, Town Hall exhibition, refreshments from the foyer café, and a prize draw for free concert tickets. Admission FREE
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Stephen Bishop Plus John O'Connell (Groundpig)
Thu 18 Sep Town Hall
The acclaimed American singer / songwriter and composer of _On and On_, _Save It for a Rainy Day_, _Everybody Needs Love_, and _It Might Be You_, the theme from the movie _Tootsie_. Bishop is an American singer and guitarist who has been nominated for two Grammys and an Oscar. As well as writing and singing on numerous film scores, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Art Garfunkel, Kenny Loggins, Johnny Mathis, Phoebe Snow, David Crosby and The Four Tops have all recorded songs penned by Bish. Jonny O'Connell was half of the well-known Liverpool band Groundpig and is now making a name for himself as a popular singer/songwriter.
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A Black Country Night Out September 2008
Fri 19 Sep Town Hall
You don't have to be from the Black Country to enjoy A Black Country Night Out. Following their sold out show in Town Hall last year, the cream of Black Country entertainment come together again to raise the roofs with laughter. Master of ceremonies (flying in from Halesowen) Tommy Mundon, is joined by husband and wife comedy duo Dandy, the Black Country's own Aynuk, the region's most famous musical act Giggetty and special guest from TV's The Comedians, via Tipton, Lee Wilson. Together they will perform in this two hour show of mirth and merriment, laughter and song.
Tommy Mundon, Dandy, Aynuk, Giggetty & Lee Wilson
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Three Parts Guitar 60th Birthday Special Gordon Giltrap John Etheridge Raymond Burley. With special guest Rick Wakeman
Sat 20 Sep Town Hall
As well as a love of the guitar Gordon, John and Raymond also share the same year of birth. 2008 marks the 60th birthdays of three of the UK's finest guitarists. Tonight they will celebrate together when for one night only they bring back the sell out 'Three Parts Guitar' concert. Three friends, but also three wonderful guitarists, each acknowledged as a virtuoso in their style. A mixture of classical rock, celtic, jazz, and classical. This concert will treat fans to their favourite songs with some very special collaborations. A night not to be missed for any lover of the guitar !!
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Lunchtime Concert - Australian String Quartet
Wed 24 Sep Town Hall
A new series of our popular lunchtime concerts is given a terrific send-off by snapping up Australia’s finest string quartet on a rare visit to the UK. They team up with their illustrious countryman the pianist Piers Lane for a Beethoven masterpiece and Dvorák's adorable Piano Quintet. £7.50 60 plus/full-time students/unwaged/under 16s £5 Concert lasts approximately one hour.
Australian String Quartet Piers Lane Piano Beethoven String Quartet Op 74, Harp Dvorák Piano Quintet Op 81
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Dennis Locorriere The True Voice Of Dr Hook
Fri 26 Sep Town Hall
As the lead singer of Dr Hook, one of the biggest bands across the world in the seventies and eighties, Dennis Locorriere’s beautiful voice became instantly recognised the world over and he still has one of the finest voices around. With them Dennis had massive world-wide success with classics like Sylvia’s Mother, When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman, A Little Bit More and the original and definitive version of The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan. They clocked up another Gold record last year when Dennis’ concept the Hits and History CD, released to accompany his massively successful Hits and History tour, went Gold in the UK with sales of over 100,000. Dennis returns to the UK this year celebrating the best of his own solo work and the classic songs & recordings of his former band Dr Hook. £18.50
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Kate Rusby - 27th September 2008
Sat 27 Sep Town Hall
From her Mercury-nominated 1999 album Sleepless to 2007’s acclaimed solo CD _Awkward Annie_ plus collaborations with Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble, Ronan Keating, Eddi Reader, Kris Drever et al, Kate Rusby has been a key figure in England's reinvigorated folk scene. Tonight, Barnsley's leading export lets loose her wit, charm and effervescent folk credentials on a spellbinding set of Rusby classics and brand-new songs from her latest album Awkward Annie. ‘The finest female folk singer to hit the scene in two decades.’ The Times
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resonance presents The Heritage Orchestra
Fri 3 Oct Town Hall
The May launch of resonance events was a fresh and funky affair, as London beat maniacs The Herbaliser kicked off a regular night of groundbreaking hip hop, jazz, broken beat and leftfield electronica at Town Hall Birmingham. This time around, expect the spectacular with a packed programme featuring jaw dropping 45 piece ensemble The Heritage Orchestra playing the music of Amon Tobin, album launch for the very brilliant singer and musician Lizzy Parks, giveaways plus a whole host of Birmingham based DJ and MC talent, presented by DJ Cro. Special guests to be announced very soon! Standing £15 "www.myspace.com/resonanceevents":http://www.myspace.com/resonanceevents Presented in association with Birmingham Jazz.
The Heritage Orchestra play the music of Amon Tobin Lizzy Parks album launch DJ Cro and special guest DJs and MCs
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Family Event: Tasmin Little - No Strings Attached
Sat 4 Oct Town Hall
Tasmin Little is one of the UK’s finest violinists and a regular visitor to both Symphony Hall and Town Hall. Her personal quest is to open the classical music world to a wider audience and she is currently visiting community centres, schools, factories and even power-stations all over the country presenting ‘up-close and personal’ solo performances that she introduces as she goes along. We have managed to steal a slot in her diary so that she can share her expertise and enthusiasm for the violin with our family audience. Adults £5, 60 plus £4.50, Under 16s £2.50 Family ticket (4 people, minimum 1 adult) £12

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