FREE EVERY DAY

CENTENARY SQUARE

FULL SCHEDULE

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Calendar

July

August

1^st

2^nd

3^rd

4^th

5^th

6^th

Wednesday

7^th

August

11:00^am

12:00^pm

1:00^pm

1:30^pm

1:50^pm

2:00^pm

2:45^pm

What Is It to Be a Girl?

4:00^pm

Shine Girl Shine

5:00^pm

Selextorhood

5:00^pm

SCREENING: Overlap Animation

5:50^pm

SCREENING: Overlap Animation

6:00^pm

All About The Fight

7:00^pm

What If

7:00^pm

Wednesday

7^th

August

VIEW ALL EVENTS

What If

Girl Grind UK, Eloquent Dance Company & Vocal Nova Academy

ALL EVENTS WERE HELD AT CENTENARY SQUARE BIRMINGHAM

Led by visionary individuals, international recording artist, songwriter, and founder of Girl Grind UK.

Namywa Hutchinson, dancer and founder of Eloquent Dance Company Romanah Zhane, and Bianca Passelle-Reid, vocalist and founder of Vocal Nova Academy, “What If,” an untold street musical, explores the journey of three main characters: Petta-gay, who took a gallant leap to travel on the HMT Empire Windrush ship and later arrived in Birmingham, Jada who has a life-changing decision to make, and Blessing who needs to dig deep and take a leap of faith despite the naysayers.

Although Jada, Blessing, and Petta-gay never meet, their lives find them in Birmingham with one big decision to make and an even bigger leap of faith to overcome.

As they journey through, make tough decisions, and grow as young women, there are nods to Birmingham’s music, nightlife, economy, and culture throughout, with references to places, sounds, food joints, and events that give you that true Brummie pride and a BIG, BOLD, Birmingham feeling.

Discover More

What If

Date

Wednesday

7^th

August

Start Time

7:00^pm

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A female young dancer in a performance pose with boxing gloves in dim, dramatic light.

6:00pm

Previous Event

All About The Fight

Next Event

11:00am

Nomad: A Tent For Reflection

Stylized image of text in Arabic next to a pyramid in the shadows.

OTHER EVENTS ON THIS DAY

FULL SCHEDULE

ACROSS THE FESTIVAL

Programme Strands

RELATED EVENTS

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A group of women in traditional costumes dance in the middle of a street audience.

Wednesday

7^th

August

2:00^pm

Wi Deh Yah

Moving Tu Balance

Moving Tu Balance present traditional African and Caribbean dance and drumming with renowned artist Sandra Golding and a fantastic community cast.

Female choir members dressed in colorful clothing sing in a park, led by an instructor.

Wednesday

7^th

August

1:00^pm

SHE Choir Birmingham

Original arrangements of pop, rock and indie from SHE Choir Birmingham, a community for women and non-binary people.

A woman focuses on playing a DJ deck on a colorful background.

Wednesday

7^th

August

5:00^pm

Selextorhood

DJ Set

A one-hour DJ set with a bk2bk, bringing the energy up with some top selextors in support of women and gender minority DJs and producers.

Wednesday

7^th

August

5:50^pm

SCREENING: Overlap Animation

Biophobia Vs The Insect World

Birmingham’s best animation night presents animation and a talk by Occulta Dama.

An image of three singing bowls of various sizes.

Wednesday

7^th

August

11:00^am

Wellbeing Sound Bath

Presented by Sense

Wellbeing expert Sheryl Hanna-Kumas from the Disability charity Sense will be sharing amazing experiences of inclusive sound baths all week.

Audience members and performers dance and smile in a dim lit venue.

Wednesday

7^th

August

4:00^pm

Shine Girl Shine

IAM West Midlands

A true sharing of Black girl magic from three artists and a live band.

Content Warning

All of our performances are suitable for the public realm and will not contain graphic descriptions of harmful topics. However, some performances make reference to topics that may be potentially distressing to audiences. Please refer to each event where you see this badge to find out more about its content.

Changing Environment

This badge signifies that the performance may require audiences to move and engage with performers on-the-ground, or may feature performers moving around the audience area.

Visual Effects

This badge signifies that the performance will contain sudden and/or flashing visual elements (colourful smoke, fireworks, etc.)

Sound Effects

This badge signifies that the performance will contain sudden and/or loud sound elements (confetti canons, bangs, fireworks, etc.)

Audio Description

For audiences with a visual impairment, we have Live Audio Description available throughout the Festival. Headsets are available for pick-up and return near the Accessible Viewing Area.

BSL Interpreted

For our D/deaf audiences, the Festival’s spoken sections will be BSL interpreted on stage and on screen. Pre-recorded films will also be captioned.

PROGRAMME STRANDS

Sound Bath

Each Monday to Friday morning at 11 AM, our friends at Sense, the Selly Oak-based charity for people with complex disabilities, will bring an amazing sensory experience. Soak in the mesmerizing sounds of singing bowls, bells,…

Sound Bath

Each Monday to Friday morning at 11 AM, our friends at Sense, the Selly Oak-based charity for people with complex disabilities, will bring an amazing sensory experience.

Soak in the mesmerizing sounds of singing bowls, bells, gongs and other percussion instruments and be still in a unique city centre experience that will leave you relaxed, inspired, and excited to start your day.

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Perry’s Party Picnic

He’s back! Did you meet Perry last year? Come say ‘hello’ and join in a fun party picnic, where Perry will attempt circus skills, try out Brazilian martial arts Capoeira, sing opera, and dance in outer…

Perry’s Party Picnic

He’s back! Did you meet Perry last year? Come say ‘hello’ and join in a fun party picnic, where Perry will attempt circus skills, try out Brazilian martial arts Capoeira, sing opera, and dance in outer space!

Bring your packed lunch or pick up something nearby, lounge or join in the dancing, and then get the chance to high-five Perry for a fun, exciting time for all the family.

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Made in Brum

Our amazing city is packed with inspiring talent. Our performers, selected through a city-wide callout, will bring you some of the best local talent and arts, from music, dance, poetry, and more. Come witness brilliant community…

Made in Brum

Our amazing city is packed with inspiring talent. Our performers, selected through a city-wide callout, will bring you some of the best local talent and arts, from music, dance, poetry, and more.

Come witness brilliant community organizations take centre stage and share the art and culture that makes Birmingham the vibrant, diverse, and joyous place we all are proud of.

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Power Hour

Bhangra? Drum N Bounce? Boxing? Power Hour is a fun workout for everyone to loosen your body and get you moving, in any way you feel. Incredible instructors will lead you through a new exercise from…

Power Hour

Bhangra? Drum N Bounce? Boxing? Power Hour is a fun workout for everyone to loosen your body and get you moving, in any way you feel.

Incredible instructors will lead you through a new exercise from the stage, getting your blood pumping to an amazing selection of genres, music, and art for an hour of pure joy.

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Twilight Takeover

As the summer sun sets, grab a drink, grab your friends, and soak up the sounds and atmosphere of some amazing performances. Established and newly-formed incredible arts organizations across Birmingham will bring performances especially created or…

Twilight Takeover

As the summer sun sets, grab a drink, grab your friends, and soak up the sounds and atmosphere of some amazing performances.

Established and newly-formed incredible arts organizations across Birmingham will bring performances especially created or adapted for the Festival, with powerful narratives and party vibes meshing to create a one-of-a-kind experience you are sure to remember.

VIEW ALL EVENTS

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ACROSS THE FESTIVAL

Public Trust

This interactive artwork by the New York-based artist behind 2022’s brilliant ‘Key To The City,’ Paul Ramírez Jonas, asks participants to examine the value of…

Public Trust

How serious are the promises we make to one another, the vows we take, or the pledges made by our civic leaders?

This interactive artwork by the New York-based artist behind 2022’s brilliant ‘Key To The City,’ Paul Ramírez Jonas, asks participants to examine the value of their word.

Anyone can contribute pledges declare their promises on to a monumental installation (beneath the Library of Birmingham canopy) exploring what is important to each of us.

They are asked to give their word in a way that’s consistent with their beliefs, such as swearing on a sacred text. That promise is published on a monumental marquee board, placed amongst promises made by politicians, scientists, economists, companies and weather forecasters, all chosen daily from headline news.

UK Premiere

https://wearefierce.org

https://paulramirezjonas.com/

A stylized drawing of a policeman walking through a gate and another person looking through a window.

Empires, Pioneers & the New Radicals

Take yourself on the AR tour Empires, Pioneers and the New Radicals, which maps Birmingham’s cultural and economic journey from empire to innovation in ten defining moments around Centenary Square.

Empires, Pioneers & the New Radicals

We are at the very beginning of the 21st century and multiple intersecting crises have become the new norm and the collective struggle for a more beautiful, just and equitable future has never been greater.

But how did we get to this point? We’ll be taking a deep dive into the tangled web of the empire, discovering the stories that weave our past and present, and collectively re-imagine and rebuild a just innovative future.

Take yourself on the AR tour Empires, Pioneers and the New Radicals, which maps Birmingham’s cultural and economic journey from empire to innovation in ten defining moments around Centenary Square.

10 QR codes will be placed throughout Centenary Square for you to scan and explore. If you’d like to know more, guided tours are available on the 4th and 5th of August at 1:15 PM and 3:45 PM, and 6th of August at 1:15 PM. No booking required—pop into Centenary Square and join the tour in front of our screen.

Have-a-Go Zone

Feeling athletic? Our Have-a-Go Zone delivered in partnership with United By 2022 has something for everyone!

Have-a-Go Zone

Feeling athletic? Our Have-a-Go Zone delivered in partnership with United By 2022 has something for everyone!

Challenge your family to a game of table tennis, work up a sweat in the boxing ring, take part in an impromptu squash tournament, and even learn how to wield a cricket bat. Activities are open to all ages and skills. Pop in every day for a different activity and get moving!

Walkabout

Watch as our Festival extends out from the stage onto Centenary Square and its surroundings with our brilliant walkabout acts. Come give them a high-five…

Walkabout

Watch as our Festival extends out from the stage onto Centenary Square and its surroundings with our brilliant walkabout acts.

Come give them a high-five or join a sudden dance party as they animate the city centre!

Picture of an arts and crafts table, where an adult and a child are working together.

The Exchange

Join us at The Exchange for the vibrant Birmingham Festival 2023! As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, our family-friendly programme offers free exhibitions, activities, trails and talks for…

The Exchange

Join us at The Exchange for the vibrant Birmingham Festival 2023! As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, our family-friendly programme offers free exhibitions, activities, trails and talks for all to enjoy.

Immerse yourself in the thought-provoking exhibition “A Place to Call Home,” which explores diverse experiences of home through the lens of the University’s impactful social justice research.

Witness the symbol of the Games’ unity and resilience by getting up close with the iconic Queen’s Baton, a testament to its incredible journey spanning 72 nations. Unleash your creativity and craft your own sports medal at our drop-in family workshop.

Unearth the hidden stories of The Exchange with our knowledgeable tour guides or embark on a self-guided family trail that reveals the secrets behind the building’s materials.

And be sure not to miss our extraordinary special events, including a Soul City Arts ‘nomadic reflection booth’ for Birmingham’s citizens to step inside and scribe and record their most cherished hopes, du’as and prayers, as well as a captivating family talk by the esteemed Professor Alice Roberts, marking the much-anticipated launch of her new children’s novel, Wolf Road.

Full details available on The Exchange website