since 1992 & earlier the jug of ale in moseley has been a byword for seeing new musical talent before they become famous.
it's the end of an era now, & the next week is your last chance to see as the rumours which have been floating around for the last nine months come true - the jug closes as a gig venue this sunday, with birmingham alive! favourites misty's big adventure being the final headline, ensuring the place goes out with a bang. oh, & the mexicolas are playing too... add to your calendar
featured event: The Assassin theatre 14 May - 17 May
crescent theatre
Written by the existentialist French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, this rarely performed play is set during the second world war in a fictional country.
The tension and focus are on the main character, Hugo Barine, who has joined Illyria's Proletarian Party to forget his past. In order to gain acceptance and to escape the label of a mere bourgeois intellectual, he begs the leaders of his faction to allow him to take direct action - to become an assassin. His target will be the Party leader, Hoederer who has agreed to negotiate deals with the Fascist leaders of Illyria to get his hands dirty for the party's political survival. add to your calendar
There is nothing else in the whole of classical music to compare with the
experience of hearing Messiaen’s amazing Turangalîla Symphony live. A
larger-than-life tribute to the cosmic power of love, it features a massive
orchestra and major solos for piano and ondes martenot, the
other-worldly electronic instrument that was this composer’s speciality. It is conducted in the composer’s centenary year by Ilan Volkov, who has built a very strong reputation in large-scale 20th-century scores. We also begin a three-week Janácek focus with Taras Bulba, his stirring triptych telling of the battles and ultimate death of a Ukrainian Cossack hero. add to your calendar
Originally formed in 1990 to play a one off show to celebrate the 50th birthday of their
favourite composer, the Muffin Men have gone on to play more than 400 shows in 10
countries. They have recorded 10 CDs and had 4 original members of the Mothers of Invention/Zappa bands in their line-up. Their line-up and flavour have changed somewhat
over the years - just as Zappa himself evolved his bands and repertoire, allowing the
music to grow. add to your calendar
Capsule present an event at Town Hall as part of Fierce Festival, featuring an evening of the occult with visionary rock musician and hip archaeologist Julian Cope.
Cope will present one of his infamous lectures, based on his years of study of the occult, mythology and Britain’s pre-history. Followed by a screening of cult film Haxan (1922 dir: Benjamin Christensen)-an other worldly vision of grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, baby sacrifices and satanic Sabbath, with a live soundtrack by art house electronix outfit Bronnt Industries Kapital. add to your calendar
other listings sites are available...
at birmingham alive! we believe the city is big enough for all of us - as comprehensive as we aim to be, we recognise that nobody can cover absolutely every single event there is. if you can't find something interesting here, you might find these other sites to be helpful: