Artsfest '09 - Well Done

I’ve just enjoyed a gratifying weekend of sunshine, melody, grub, cider and charming company along with an estimated 270,000 other revellers at Birmingham’s Artfest.

Now; maybe it’s my mind putting a glossy spin on life but as I was sitting on the, inevitably delayed, train to Walsall this morning I couldn’t help recall that the last 3 years have all delivered hot weekends for Artsfest. This weekend had a lot to live up to and it delivered.

Well done Birmingham.

Here are a few of the acts whose names managed to permeate the alcohol induced fog shrouding my brain this weekend;

Flatworld – A bit of Eastern European gypsy Balkan dance to start any day.

Is I Cinema – Some post-rock soundscapes. Best served chilled.

The Father Teds – Irish innit. Trad. Arr. Tunes.

The Acoustic Theatre – Now I think it was these guys that were playing some ace revival ska tunes.

Soweto Kinch – Sax, Drums, Bass and occasional M.C. Hmmm. It works.

Reverend & the Makers – Suprisingly fun (embarrassingly enjoyable)

Athlete – Suprisingly singable (embarrassingly enjoyable…. again)

As Sunday evening began to meander towards something resembling an end I found myself knee deep in discussion with a vast majority of the Rep bar staff. What a wonderful bunch of people they are (and that’s not purely down to the flow of cheap gin that was heading my way). Not one person had a bad thing to say about this year’s Artsfest, in fact, the general consensus was that Birmingham should hold more events like this.

Cultural capital 2012 was it Baron?

Hands-on students create place of relaxation for Birmingham hospital

In 2008, 20 talented, second year Landscape Architecture students embarked on responding to a live design brief for the Birmingham Treatment Centre at City Hospital.

The students were required to use their design skills to re-invent a neglected courtyard into a spiritual, therapeutic space, promoting health and well being for patients and staff.

The collaborative project involving Sandwell and West Birmingham National Health Trust and Jarvis plc, was given to the students because of their exceptional collective skills and depth of experience.

The concept for the garden was designed by student Matt Foster and all aspects of its delivery has been completed solely by the University students.

The proud students downed tools on Friday 4 September and the garden will be officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham on 30 September.

For more information, please contact: russell.good@bcu.ac.uk

Dear All: For the world to ignore.

Has someone been playing tennis with my head or is it just another morning after.

I’m poor. Sure I believe that you can be rich in life even if you are poor in wealth but, here’s the rub, I’m skint and my life is suffering from this personal recession.

So I’ll moan a bit. I’ll check my online banking at 11am and lay my head on my desk dangerously close to the milk I just spilt whilst attempting to make a delicious cup of coffee. It’s not delicious. Hardly palatable.

The lack of common sense, initiative and basic manners here make me feel like screaming rage or blasting Half Man Half Biscuit at passers by. “Is this your Sanderling?”

Are the lives of the men and their dogs, lying in the centre of five ways, worse than mine?

Now I’m just being dramatic.

It must be National Shite Day.

BIAD showcases exceptional student talent

Masters of Arts (MA) students are gearing up to showcase their final projects to the public during September.

An eclectic mix of work will be on display, from fine art installations, to catwalk collections, representing the wide range of postgraduate courses BIAD has to offer. Open to the general public, as well as those in the creative industries, the events will showcase work across the four different schools between 5-24 September.

Entry to all of the shows is free.

For more information, please see: http://www.bcu.ac.uk/biad