What's On — All events

Eric Bibb: Booker's Guita... plus Megan Henwood (support)

Thu 27 May 8:00pm Town Hall

A performance by Eric Bibb is an enriching experience, both musically and spiritually. His music, like his personality, is intimate, assured and passionate, drawing listeners into the moment more as participants than as spectators. His rich and sensitive vocals and lyrics provide a perfect balance to his fine fingerpicking technique. Purveying a beautifully realised and deftly accomplished soulful and gospel-infused folk-blues, Bibb has no problem blending various genres effortlessly, melding a traditional rootsy American style with a subtle, contemporary sensibility. As one critic wrote, _“Eric’s singing and versatile guitar playing fuses a variety of genes to become a New World Blues.”_ He visits Town Hall to mark the release of new album, _Booker’s Guitar_, inspired by the discovery of a 1930s steel-body guitar that had belonged to Delta blues legend Booker White, an older cousin to B.B. King. Bibb recorded the title track in England using White’s guitar. "Click here to watch a video interview with Eric Bibb":http://www.rock-interviews.com/pageart.php?page=artistes/EricBibb1&id=36&lang=eng
CBSO Russian Classics

Thu 27 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Music director of Moscow’s legendary Bolshoi Theatre since 2001, Alexander Vedernikov makes his CBSO debut with a trio of very different Russian masterpieces. Rimsky’s colourful overture celebrates the Russian Orthodox Easter in a riot of bells and orchestral brilliance, while Prokofiev’s superb post-war symphony strikes a more serious mood in music of great intensity and power. His sometime friend Shostakovich is also famous for his serious symphonies, but this tuneful piano concerto finds him in a lighter mood, and is played for us by the versatile Scottish pianist who has entertained CBSO audiences in music from Mozart to Messiaen. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.thsh.co.uk Pre-concert Talk, 6.15pm: *Soviet Symphonists* Russian music expert David Fanning, of the University of Manchester, introduces Prokofiev's Sixth Symphony.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Alexander Vedernikov* conductor *Steven Osborne* piano
*Rimsky-Korsakov* Russian Easter Festival Overture 16' *Shostakovich* Piano Concerto No 2 20' *Prokofiev* Symphony No 6 45'
Centre Stage - Latin Cell...

Thu 27 May 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

Popular classics with a Latin flavour - including music by *Falla, Pablo Casals* and *Dave Brubeck.*
*CBSO Cellos*
Andy Hamilton's Hat Of Do...

Wed 26 May 8:00pm Town Hall

Andy is one of Britain's most prolific and successful comedy writers and performers. He is a frequent guest on TV and radio shows including _Have I Got News For You_, _QI_, _News Quiz_, and _I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue_. He is co-creator and co-writer of BBC1’s _Outnumbered_ and the classic Channel 4 TV sitcom _Drop the Dead Donkey_ amongst others. This multi award-winner serves up a one-man show, brimming with jokes, stories, gossip, music, cash prizes, nudity and trampolining and containing “mild peril.”
Bach Doubled Orchestra of the Swan

Wed 26 May 2:30pm Town Hall

Three double concertos, for violin and oboe, two violins and double orchestra. Nicholas Daniel also brings his total technical mastery to Vivaldi’s virtuoso Concerto in C.
*Orchestra of the Swan* *David Curtis* conductor *Nicholas Daniel* oboe *David Le Page* violin *Cathy Leech* violin
*Bach* Concerto for double string orchestra *Vivaldi* Oboe Concerto in C *Bach* Double violin concerto *Bach* Concerto for violin & oboe *Handel* Concerto Grosso Op 6 No 11 in A major
Crowded House - 2nd Date plus special guests

Tue 25 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

The Australian band led by singer Neil Finn, featuring Nick Seymour [bass] Mark Hart [keys/guitar] and Matt Sherrod [drums], return to the stage. Best known for hits such as _Don’t Dream It’s Over_, _Fall At Your Feet_, _Weather with You_ and _4 Seasons In One Day_, Crowded House are set to release a sixth studio album later this year.

Approximate show timings are as follows: *Connan Mockasin* 7.45pm - 8.20pm *Crowded House* 9.00pm - 11.00pm / 11.15pm
Billy Ocean plus support Kele le Roc

Tue 25 May 7:30pm Town Hall

Singer and songwriter Billy Ocean has achieved extraordinary success with chart-topping hits including _Love Really Hurts Without You_, _Caribbean Queen_, _Loverboy_, _When the Going Gets Tough_, _There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)_ and _Get Outta My Dreams; Get Into My Car_. He took a break from music to spend time with his young family, but now he’s back, and playing all the hits.
Crowded House plus special guests

Mon 24 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

The Australian band led by singer Neil Finn, featuring Nick Seymour [bass] Mark Hart [keys/guitar] and Matt Sherrod [drums], return to the stage. Best known for hits such as _Don’t Dream It’s Over_, _Fall At Your Feet_, _Weather with You_ and _4 Seasons In One Day_, Crowded House are set to release a sixth studio album later this year.

Approximate show timings are as follows: *Connan Mockasin* 7.45pm - 8.20pm *Crowded House* 9.00pm - 11.00pm
An Evening With Gervase P...

Mon 24 May 7:30pm Town Hall

Gervase Phinn will have you in stitches as he shares his hilarious tales of life as a schools inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. Dubbed “the James Herriot of schools” this best selling author, radio and TV personality is one of Britain’s most popular writers and performers, best known for his autobiographical novels. With his keen ear for the absurd and sharp eye for the ludicrous, Gervase Phinn has delighted audiences all over the UK. _“Gervase Phinn is one of the most accomplished public speakers of any kind. A natural storyteller, he combines the timing of the professional comedian with palpable warmth and the ability to deliver a message that is just more than a series of jokes”._ *The Times* _“A born raconteur”._ *The Guardian* _“Funny touching and entertaining”_ *The Daily Express* _“He tells a cracking good tale”_ *The Times*
Lunchtime Organ Concert Thomas Trotter

Mon 24 May 1:00pm Town Hall

*Locklair* Rubrics *Wesley* Larghetto in F sharp minor Choral Song & Fugue *Howells* Psalm Prelude Set 1 No 1 *Festing* Largo, Allegro, Aria & Variations *Thalben-Ball* Variations on a theme of Paganini
CBSO Singalong with the C...

Sun 23 May 7:00pm Symphony Hall

An unmissable opportunity for anyone who loves singing to spend a day with the CBSO, its world-renowned chorus director, Simon Halsey, and young professional soloists, in the magnificent Surroundings of Symphony Hall. This annual singalong attracts over 1000 singers, so join in this year and raise the roof with Brahms’ intensely moving German Requiem. *Information for singers: rehearsals start at 1.30pm; further details will be sent with singer tickets. Scores: we will be using the Peters edition (Bärenreiter scores are compatible) of Brahms’ Requiem and it will be sung in German. To hire a score with Simon Halsey’s rehearsal markings, please purchase the all-inclusive Singer & Score Hire ticket when booking. Please note, if you are not bringing your own score, pre-booking of score hire via this ticket is essential. Pre-booked scores can then be collected on arrival from 12.30pm on the day by showing your score ticket. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Simon Halsey* _conductor_
Notelets Hands on Worksho...

Sun 23 May 12:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

Boogie Beat - Workshop exploring pulse, drumming and rhythms to move to!
Notelets Hands on Worksho...

Sun 23 May 10:00am Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

Boogie Beat - Workshop exploring pulse, drumming and rhythms to move to!
Gwilym Simcock Trio with ... Birmingham Jazz 2009/10

Sat 22 May 8:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

More details to follow shortly
Imagination & Modern ...
Cancelled
Sat 22 May 7:30pm Town Hall

Unfortunately this concert is no longer taking place due to reasons beyond our control
Sir James Galway 70th Bir...

Sat 22 May 3:00pm Symphony Hall

James Galway exudes a leprechaun-like energy and youthful sense of fun, with an unstoppable passion for communicating with audiences. His concert with his wife, Lady Jeanne Galway, ranges from the simple Irish lyricism of Hamilton Harty through to the virtuosic fireworks of the Carmen Fantasie. Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall, says of tonight’s recommended concert: _“The man with the golden flute remains one of the best-known names in classical music. His solo career spans thirty-five years and more than thirty million album sales worldwide.”_ Sir James & Lady Jeanne Galway appear by arrangement with Galway Management
*Sir James Galway* _flute_ *Lady Jeanne Galway* _flute_ *Michael McHale* _piano_
*Hamilton Harty* _In Ireland_ *Debussy* _La fille aux cheveux de lin_ *Debussy* _En Bateau_ *P Taffanel* _Fantasie Sur Mignon_ *Bazzini* _La Ronde des Lutins_ *Briccialdi* _Carnival of Venice_ *Pietro Morlacchi* _Il Pastore Svizzero_ *K & F Doppler* _Rigoletto Fantasie for two flutes & piano_ *F Borne* _Carmen Fantasie_
Family Learning Day Free event

Sat 22 May 10:00am Town Hall

*Please note the venue for this event has changed to Town Hall, and not the Symphony Hall Foyers as listed in the What's On Guide.* A totally free and totally fun Family Learning Day for families, carers, children and young people from across the city. This is a chance to find out more about activities available for young people to learn from in addition to/alongside the school curriculum. A range of interactive arts, science, drama and music workshop activities will be taking place throughout the day. No need to book - just show up on the day. For further information on the activities available contact the UFA: Phone 0121 212 9838 Visit the UFA "Website":http://www.ufa.org.uk
Samantha Fox Touch Me Again Tour
Cancelled
Fri 21 May 8:00pm Town Hall

Unfortunately this concert is no longer taking place due to reasons beyond our control
CBSO Friday Night Classic...

Fri 21 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Tonight the CBSO plays the peoples' favourites in a concert packed with Midlanders' most-loved classical and operatic music. Voting for the concert programme closed on 31 March, programme includes: *Holst*: _The Planets - Mars and Jupiter_ *Grieg*: _Peer Gynt - Morning and In the Hall of the Mountain King_ *Verdi*: _Rigoletto - La Donna è mobile_ *Bizet*: _Carmen - Les Toréadors_ *Pachelbel*: _Canon in D_ *Vaughan Williams*: _Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis_ *Rossini*: _The Barber of Seville - Largo al Factotum_ *Puccini*: _Turandot - Nessun Dorma_ *Bizet*: _The Pearlfishers - Au fond du temple saint_ *Ravel*: _Boléro_ It's a tantalising programme of opera house favourites, luminously indulgent works to relax to and revel in, and rousing pieces using the immense sound of the full Orchestra to mammoth effect.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Michael Seal* conductor *Simon Bates* presenter *Please note that Sue Perkins has become unable to appear in the You Call the Tunes concert on Friday 21 May due to filming commitments which could not be moved. We are very grateful to Classic FM presenter Simon Bates who replaces her.*
Rush Hour Blues - Pete Ha...

Fri 21 May 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

A fine up-tempo blues band led by guitarist Pete Harris.