Vanity of Vanities: Bellini, Bascenis, Hals, de Heem at The Barber Institute
The Barber Institute holds lunchtime tours and talks every Tuesday to introduce visitors to their exhibitions, displays and collections. Each talk is 30 minutes long, no booking is required and they are free of charge. A great way to soak up some culture in a wonderful environment. This week’s talk and tour is entitled ‘Vanity of Vanities: Bellini, Bascenis, Hals, de Heem’.
Tue 13 Sep, 1.15pm at The Barber Institute, Edgbaston, B15 2TS  barber.org.uk/

Latin Jam Sessions at The Cuban Embassy
If you can play an instrument then bring it along and join in the jamming action at The Cuban Embassy and you’ll get free drinks as well as free entry. If you just want to relax and enjoy the music, the chilled out vibe is perfect for whiling away a few hours.
Tue 13 Sep 7pm at The Cuban Embassy, St. Mary’s Row, Moseley Birmingham, B13 8HW www.facebook.com

Sing Political at The Prince of Wales
Following on from past ventures such as A People’s Cabaret POW now present a monthly Political Song Session.  Come along, raise your voice and whether the songs were written yesterday or hundreds of years ago, feel their message loud and clear.
Wed 14 Sep 8.30pm at Prince of Wales, 118 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8EE www.tradartsteam.co.uk/

Cogs bar presents TSWU Takeover
TSWU is a worldwide collective who are pushing the sounds of tomorrow. They released a project on May 29 with 10K+ plays and still counting. Expect bass music, trap and much more.
Wed 14 Sep 9pm at Cogs Bar, 61 Newhall St, Birmingham B3 3RB www.facebook.com/

Gregory Peck’s Jazz, Funk & Soul Open Mic Night at The Night Owl
The Night Owl is always a cool venue to spend time in, throw in some free live funk music and, if you’re that way inclined, bring along your own instruments to plug in and make some tuneful noise.
Wed 14 Sep 9pm at The Night Owl, Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AG. www.facebook.com

Lubaraun (dir: Maria jose Alvarez & Martha Clarissa Hernandez, 2014, cert PG)
A beautiful documentary about the Garifuna people, (descendants of West African, Central African people) living on the Caribbean Coast of Central America who maintain their own language and traditions. Part of the Screening Rights Festival.
Thu 15 Sep 5pm at Mockingbird, Custard Factory, Birmingham B9 4AA www.facebook.com/

for-Wards: City-wide Launch Party at Rainbow
Celebrating the launch of a two-year, city-wide, community-based musical project. Welcome speeches, complimentary Caribbean themed food & drinks cooked by Mr. Pecka Don from PST and live performance from Max Simpson & Sam Owen of experimental pop group Pram plus local hip hop practitioner Juice Aleem.
Thu 15 Sep 6pm at The Rainbow Rooftop, 160 Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD Birmingham www.eventbrite.co.uk/

COGnitive Jazz Therapy at Cogs Bar
Every Thursday, Cogs Bar hosts a Jazz themed night which features live bands, music and amazing people. This night used to be hosted at the Yardbird in Birmingham City Centre.
Thu 15 Sep, 7pm at Cogs Bar, 61 Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 3RB cogsbar.co.uk/

B. A. Zimmermann sonata for solo cello at Ikon Gallery
Recordings of Sonata for solo cello resound through the gallery building, with the score projected onto the walls, and punctuated with live performances by cellist Ulrich Heinen. This installation takes place during the changeover of Ikon’s exhibitions. Sat 17 &
Sun 18 Sep at Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS ikon-gallery.org/

Bikefest 2016 at Victoria Square
This family-friendly free cycling festival and bike spectacular takes place to encourage and inspire the city of Birmingham to get riding. This year they have created a 2km closed road route through the heart of the city, starting and finishing at Victoria Square but there will also be lots of other fun activities to take part in or watch throughout the day from 9am until 4pm. Stunts, have a go sessions and pro-rider shows should entice everyone to get on yer bike and take part.
Sun 18 Sep 9am at Victoria Square, Birmingham birminghambikefest.com/

Sunday Social at the Old Crown
Birmingham Promoters weekly free entry Sunday Social events continue. Each week, some of the region’s best acoustic artists will be performing live. This week Glen Boden, Alex Voss, Maya Pinnock and Rhianna Keane.
Sun 18 Sep 4pm at Old Crown, 188 Digbeth High Street, B12 0LD www.facebook.com/

Free exhibition: Birmingham People and Change in the Inner City at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
Fascinating exhibition running until 2017. See preview here

Birmingham on Film 2016
Flatpack Film brings us an incredible season of Birmingham celebrated on the screen. Events kick of Thursday at the mac. See our round-up of the best FREE film events here

Heritage Week at Various Venues across Birmingham
An amazing array of tours, trips, talks, screenings, viewings, street art, hidden finds and kids play celebrating the city continues this week. See our further top 20 FREE things to do featuring Shakespeare Refashioned at Selfridges, Moroccan tents and phone boxes at Routes2Roots and more, here.