I don’t tend to cover gigs, but I liked the poster. Call me fickle.

Birmingham Royal Ballet and mac managed to raise a decent amount of money through The Big Arts Give, while Moseley Folk and OxjamBrum ended the year with a Christmas Ceilidh and Flatpack released a few highlights set for their 2011 festival.

We also featured a few independently made Christmas cards by local designers, took a look at what can be expected from the new Library of Birmingham interior and the much anticipated budget for Birmingham art organisations was announced by Birmingham City Council.

As the year drew to a close, Rhubarb Radio made a plea for help, the 2010 Twitpanto production of Jack and the Beanstalk took place and we took a look at what Birmingham’s creative minds had come up with for the festive season.

Christmas Day television treated us to Birmingham Royal Ballet, with a prime Christmas dinner slot on BBC1, while Birmingham Opera Company also made it onto BBC4 for post dinner relaxation.

Congratulations were given to Raphael Selbourne for winning the 2009 Costa First Novel Award and we came across The Music Quarter, a new music blog.

Hustle made the move to the Midlands, we had a giggle with Kipple and the Emerging Festivals Fund was announced, with some of the fruits of that being revealed towards the middle part of the year. Leftfoot started their 10th birthday celebrations and our most popular post of the year was published.

Ian joined the CiB team, we got the first glimpse of WeVee and plans were announced for the CiB shop

We also waved hello to Jane Anderson, Mark Wilkinson, Lucy Pryor, Phill Blake, Helen Flanagan, Sarah Lynch, Jade Sukiya, Jodi Ann Bickley, Leon Sparkes and Luke Halliley.

We also said farewell to Neil Farrington.

Birmingham promoters, Leftfoot, will be bringing their 10th anniversary year to a close with a string of live soul gigs, starting tonight with NYC disco pioneers Metro Area, followed by veteran producer and DJ Bonobo and Motown superstars Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

Since launching at The Medicine Bar back in 2000 Leftfoot have played a huge role on Birmingham’s soul scene, Adam Regan, explains the ethos behind the music;

We started out promoting under the name Leftfoot because it seemed to represent the leftfield music we were in to.

I’ve always booked artists I’m passionate about. By making sure our production and hospitality values for live shows stay high, both those on stage and those in the audience share an amazing live experience.

Join in the celebrations at the following shows:

3 December – Metro Area
The Bull’s Head from 9pm – 2am
Tickets: £5 on the door

12 December – Bonobo
HMV Institute from 7pm
Tickets: £15 adv, order online or call 0844 248 5037

17 December – Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
The Library, HMV Institute Birmingham from 7pm
Tickets: £18.50 adv, order online or call 0844 248 5037

I’m continually impressed by the quality of the acts they get down at the Hare & Hounds, usually on the Leftfoot nights – they’re pulling out the stops for their 10th birthday:

Last night they had Greg Wilson (sorry I was slow on the uptake if you missed it). Coming up, they’ve got:

• Fabio on Sat 13feb
• Mr Scruff on Fri 19 Feb
• Steve Cobby (Fila Brazilia) on Fri 5 March (that one’s at the Bulls Head in Moseley); and
• Marlena Shaw on Fri 19 March

Sorry, that’s

MARLENA SHAW!

Heck, it’s Sunday morning. If you’ve not heard of her (which you will have, either via a sample or an advert) then I won’t labour the point, just treat yourself to 6 mins 53 secs of Yu-Ma/Go Away Little Boy. Then buy some tickets.