featured event: Noddy Live theatre 1 January - 3 January
the nia
This new show, written by the Tweenies co-creators Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton, begins with a bright, sunny day in Toyland and Noddy is off to help his old friend Big-Ears tidy up Toadstool House. He can’t wait, as there’s always fun and magic in store when Big-Ears is around. When Noddy finds the Magical Weather Machine, he just has to play with it but things don’t work out as he had planned! There’s fun and mischief as Noddy, Big-Ears, Mr Plod and Tessie Bear try and stop those naughty goblins Sly and Gobbo changing Toyland’s weather forever. add to your calendar
The Macbeths cordially invite you to share a slice of haggis at their Hogmanay celebrations, just make sure that you are 'abed' before the bell tolls, or you’ll be party to murder, mayhem, magic and horror, horror, horror!
The war is over, Scotland is victorious, King Duncan can now sleep peacefully in his bed... or can he? Macbeth and his scheming, manipulative wife have a lust to be more than mere monarchs of the Glen and if the predictions made by the weird sisters are to be believed, he and his wife will have all they desire as they take the low road to the high road of power.
Forget the rest this festive season and make a date with Oddsocks' "Macbeth The Panto". Fierce farce for all the family - kilts optional, sense of humour a must! add to your calendar
featured event: The Blockheads rock 15 January
birmingham academy
Formed in 1977 to promote Ian Durys' album 'New Boots and Panties' The Blockheads' (featuring Ian's co-writers Chaz Jankel and Mick Gallagher) provided Ian with 5 major chart hits.
The Blockheads have been writing new songs and performing them alongside their classic repertoire since March 2000. September 2002 saw the band enter the studio for the first sessions in the recording of their debut solo album. "Where's The Party?" was released in March 2004 and with it's strong funk-rock and dance grooves has gained the band a younger generation amongst its audience that was perhaps raised on their illustrious back catalogue. add to your calendar
Gilad is a real crossover artist. He is an Israeli, but his award-winning album 'Exile' featured the Palestinian singer Reem Kelani. He is a jazz saxophonist, but more people have heard him play with Ian Dury and the Blockheads. He is a true inheritor of the powerful, Cannonball Adderley style of alto playing, but it was the music of the Middle East, which provided his inspiration. He is a world-famous artist, but his book is banned in his own native land. If you are not a fan of 'crossover' jazz, make an exception in this case. Gilad Atzmon is an original, if outspoken, jazz voice, with tremendous verve and energy. Even the strictest jazz purist will not be disappointed - perplexed, maybe. add to your calendar
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