With suitable weather upon us, this weekend Summer in Southside brings the seaside to the city.

Over the weekend, experience a vibrant carnival atmosphere where Hurst Street will be transformed with seaside sights, sounds and silliness. Be swept away by nautical encounters from a cod choir, deep-sea divers and even some pirates.

Play on wooden street games, dive into the mouth of an enormous whale, enjoy street acrobatics, a marching band with a difference and much, much more.

The festival takes place from 12-5pm on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July. The programme can be found here.

From Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 May, head to Centenary Square for Live Nights – four nights of free spectacular performances. Performances will start at 6pm and Digbeth Dining Club will also be offering food.

Each night will culminate in a perfomance of The Machine Show, a brand new production featuring outstanding international dance artists Aakash Odedra, Melanie Lomoff and Spider Salah, with incredible live music from rock band rinôçérôse. A great chance to get a taste of contemporary dance and all that the festival celebrates.

Open to theatre makers from across the UK, PILOT Nights take place in venues across the West Midlands. Each event is programmed and managed by a Co-Pilot, in conjunction with the core PILOT Nights team. Co-Pilots are practising artists with an interest in producing/curating.  Having a different Co-Pilot for each event ensures the programme remains diverse and exciting, and places artists at the heart of PILOT Nights.

PILOT Nights encourages applications from diverse sections of the theatre-making community and welcomes applications from disabled artists. Please contact PILOT Nights if you would like the application form in alternative formats, or have any alternative access needs.

The Co-Pilot:

‘A stranger arrives in Birmingham City Centre as the passover festival begins. The events of the next few days will turn the world upside down…’

After sell-out performances in 2014, ‘Passion’ returns to Birmingham from 15-25 March. The production will re-imagine the life and death of Jesus Christ by leading the audience across the city centre.

Tickets are available here.

Are you stressed out by life? Are you struggling with the daily grind? Rich Stokes has the life hacks that will help your life run more smoothly. With innovative ideas on everything from parenting to earwax, Rich will reduce your stress and make you a happier person.

Join him on Saturday 27 February at mac birmingham to find out ‘The Secret of Happiness’. In a new show exclusive to mac, he will combine stand-up, songs and poetry, in which he will attack the main issues threatening today’s society – including ukuleles, internet stalking and taking your children to school.

Tickets can be booked here.

Sarah is discussing sex. And porn. And all the unavoidable worry.

Using pornography and her own sex-life as a starting point, Sarah Hamilton Baker investigates what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. It’s refreshingly truthful but a little bit awkward.

Think of it as an open and honest way discussion of things we’re not usually that open and honest about.

Created in the REP Foundry, Lady Lust is the highly anticipated first full-length show from Sarah Hamilton Baker. Anna Poole Director

Tickets via The Box.

Devoted & Disgruntled 11: What are we going to do about theatre and the performing arts, Improbable’s annual event for theatre lovers and performing arts people, is being hosted by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 9 – 11 January 2016.

Lyn Gardner from The Guardian has described D&D as “One of the most vital events in the theatre calendar.” Whilst Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of the REP has kindly said “D&D has a national impact already and I hope the move to the REP can make that even greater and more meaningful.” We’re very excited to be partnering with The REP for the first time for this national conversation, which is now in it’s 11th year.

Devoted & Disgruntled is a very different kind of conference, using Open Space a format where everyone attending sets the agenda, and there is no name badges or awkward networking. The format thrives from there being a range of people being present – everyone is welcome – theatre makers, audience members, teachers, arts administrators & performers. (Tickets are £26 Full, £13 Concessions for the full 2.5 day event).

The last Digbeth First Friday of the year is upon us and, of course, this edition has a distinct festive vibe. There’s lots going on – our highlights include:

• Many & Varied: December Salon – Fascinating talks from fascinating people on all kinds of creative ideas and projects. This is final Salon of the current programme – book a space now!

• SIFA Fireside: A Festive Evening of Music and Art – bring a donation to the homeless charity and drop in for mulled wine, a chance to see their murals and be serenaded by their in-house band, the Firesiders.

• Grand Union: Christmas Party! – Expect unique artist-made decorations, boozy roulette, festive cocktails to warm your cockles and an eclectic soundtrack of party classics.

• tArt – The first event by Black Hole Club members Ryan Hughes, Michael Lightborne and Kate Spence, combining music, performance and visual art.

• Boxxed: Tabula Rasa – A multifaceted art show combining high-speed photography, moving image and ethereal soundscapes.

The Hubb was a pioneering arts centre which was open from 2010-2013 in Sparkbrook. It hosted artists, academics and community activists from around the world, and provided a space for local communities to come together and be inspired by art and culture.

The Hubb closed its doors in the summer of 2013 as a result of a compulsory purchase order on the building. However, the team behind the centre have been working behind the scenes ever since to find a new building in the locality. Premises have been found, but they need help in order to renovate the space. They are currently crowdfunding in order to undertake the first phases of development which includes new flooring and lighting; repairing walls and ceilings; correcting pipework and electrics; plastering and painting.

Donations can be made here.

Priority Five members are hosting a Takeover Day at Library of Birmingham in partnership with the Library of Birmingham and Looked After Children’s Education Services.

The activity ties in with the National Takeover Day and builds on a pilot takeover in 2014. The aim is to allow young people to take ownership of aspects of The Library and to host an event with, for and by children and young people across the city.

11am-4pm, Library of Birmingham, Saturday 21st November.

More info via Work in Progress’ mailchimp.