So what is a network anyway? In our case, a free association of individuals bonded by two essential qualities – an interest in creativity and a friendly, open minded attitude. We realised that between ourselves and our immediate friends we have between us a tremendous variety of interests and an urge to be together and be creative. Weekly meetings began and continue still, the network steadily grew. Our fifth event – Xhibition, comes up this Saturday in Moseley.

Something like Project X could happen and very probably is happening in many places around the world right now, as cultural change and the IT revolution put ever more power into the hands of us all. The fact that it is happening here is surely a good sign – one flowering amongst many to rise out of a rich bed of active and creative individuals and groups. The considerable diversity in both medium and content we’ve been able to manifest and the willingness to explore the boundaries of production and presentation suggest a very healthy grass roots level of creative practice and a varied and eclectic community.

The independent scene in Birmingham can seem very strong – colossal events like Drop Beats Not Bombs show how much energy and drive there is in the in the city, although Boogie Dave has been sounding frustrated in his communications lately and has mentioned last weeks’ event could be the last. Gigbeth is seen by many as an establishment based event, but closer to the real truth is that it relies on the dynamism and organisational skills of one person, Clare Edwards. Worrying then, that Clare isn’t planning another festival this year? At least Supersonic is going strong.

I wonder if there’s a bit of vacuum in the creative hierarchy of the city – which means when an organisation gets so far, its not immediately obvious where the support is at city level or the inroads to a national direction.

There is the traditional Arts Council funded route to consider – eg the successes of Friction Arts and Stans Cafe although that route isn’t going to be for everyone and creativity isn’t something that travels well on predetermined paths.

If the community and the Council really care about creativity, expression and community cohesion then how can it be that one of our best and most energetic venues – the Rainbow – is currently facing closure due to issues of noise abatement from the complaints of one person?

The City does try, but I’ve never been a big fan of ArtsFest – feeling it suffers from a lack of cohesion and direction that curation could bring. It has its place perhaps, but its not enough.

Perhaps our lack of cohesion is an inevitable product of the very diversity we celebrate. Perhaps the apparent lack of a clear, strong leadership at the city level in creative terms is in itself partly responsible for the relative strength of our independent scene? Perhaps I just need to go lay down for a bit!

Whatever is happening, or will happen, I’ve loved my time with Project X so far – its brought me into contact with a great many wonderful and talented people and for every difficult moment where it feels like an arduous labour of love, there are many more magic ones in which I sense – no, experience – our tremendous energy and appetite for progression, development, expression and fun.

If I could, I’d be checking out The Destroyers (amusingly described as “Oompah oompah oompah oompah oompah oompah pah, OY! x 1m” by one unconverted soul), the Sugar Hill Gang and the 4Talent stage.

In fact, 4Talent can have an extra plug because not only are they hosting the stage debut of CiB-founder Pete Ashton and friends, including this chap:

but they’re also giving away USB wristbands to the first 100 people through the door.  They’ve been preloaded with videos, MP3s and a podcast from the acts they’ll be featuring on the night.  If you need to know more, here’s what the 4Talent wristbands contain.

• Plus+ International Design Expo
• Flip Animation Festival
• Gigbeth

Plus+ kicked off today at Fazeley Studios, Digbeth.  I’m heading over in a bit and am not really sure what to expect other than the much-discussed tart cards.  I suppose I’m looking forward to catching a talk or two and just having a mooch about.

Flip is over in Wolverhampton at the Light House and consists of three days of animation goodness – screenings, portfolio dissections, talks and all sorts, with a closing party hosted by Colour.

Gigbeth kicks off with the conference tomorrow and carries on through to Saturday evening.  There’s loads of info out there for anyone wanting to look.  May I direct you to:

• The programme
• Jon Bounds’ round-up (featuring a link to his Gigbeth MySpace marathon)
• Info about 4Talent’s stage, featuring CiB’s Pete Ashton between the other acts
• Rich Batsford has blogged about playing the 4Talent stage and also at Drop Beats Not Bombs later in the evening
• Rhubarb Radio will be broadcasting live feeds from some of the stages

Here are some links to things out there:

• Today (15 Oct) is the last day for buying cheaper earlybird tickets
• Here’s the Gigbeth schedule, although at the mo there are more bands listed on the Gigbeth MySpace
• For a second year, Jon at B:iNS has braved the Gigbeth MySpace Marathon, checking out each band that’s playing
• From watching the interview below, it seems that although the music part of the festival serves as the shop window, the Gigbeth Conference is a bigger thing than many of us will appreciate
• Incidentally, rather than churning out press releases, the Gigbeth blog is an engaging and lively thing written by a few people (I think – who writes each post is a bit of a mystery)

Last, and certainly not least, our Frankie sat down with Gigbeth’s organiser, Clare Edwards, for a natter about how the festival and conference started, what it’s all about and this year’s most exciting acts:

Interview with Clare Edwards, Gigbeth from Created in Birmingham on Vimeo.

Tomorrow I’ll be offering some tickets for the next resonance events shindig at the Town Hall.  There might be a question from the interview, so take notes.

Coming up from Birmingham Jazz:

• Wednesday 24th September
  Jazz Club with Maylight at The Rainbow, Digbeth (£3)
• Thursday 25th September
  Sara Colman Album Launch at The Glee Club (£8/£6)
• Tuesday 30th September
  James Bashford Quintet at The Jam House (free)
• Friday 3rd October
  resonance events presents The Heritage Orchestra (playing the music of Amon Tobin) the Lizzy Parks Band, DJ Cro plus guests
  The Town Hall at 7.30pm, live music starts at 9pm (£15.00)
• Friday 3rd October
  Rush Hour Blues – Mike Hatton’s MHJQ in the Symphony Hall Foyer (Free)

If you’ve not come across them before, there are other CiB interviews on Vimeo with the likes of Capsule, 7 Inch Cinema and Ditto Music with more to come.

Well ladies, gents and those who merely resemble humans, I am pleased and rather smug to let you know that in November you’ll have the opportunity to ‘hear the rhythm of the boogiddy beat’ live when The Sugarhill Gang perform at Saturday night’s Gigbeth!

Fused happen to have an interview with the Sugarhill Gang in their current issue.

Tickets will go on sale in August and we can expect to see a few more acts announced soon too.  If you want to get involved with the Gigbeth street team CiB’s Frankie Ward is organising the street team so if you want to get involved with that give her a shout at frankiepromotes[@]gmail.com or via the Gigbeth Facebook group.