Toadally free improvised comedy with Free Form Frogs
Free Form Frogs, members of Box of Frogs Workshop, present their inimitable brand of improvised comedy from audience suggestions. Improv games, unrehearsed and entirely live. Absolutely free, with the guarantee of your money back if you don’t laugh. Part of Birmingham Fest. See our full preview here
Mon 18 Jul, at Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Great Hampton Street, Birmingham, B18 6AD blueorangetheatre.co.uk/

The Lady in the Van (dir: Nicholas Hytner, 2015, cert 12A) The Brindley Place Film Festival continues with an outdoor screening of the Alan Bennett scripted Lady in the Van. The true story of Bennett’s friendship with Mary Shepherd an eccentric homeless woman. Charming and sprinkled liberally with Bennett’s gentle wit.
Tue 19 Jul 6pm at Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2JF www.brindleyplace.com/

Turning (dir: Charles Atlas, 2012, cert n/a) Part concert film and part art film. A Joint venture between Charles Atlas and Antony & The Johnsons. 13 female artists perform on a spinning stage as Antony & The Johnsons play live in the background. ‘Exploring themes of identity, transcendence and the revelation of essence.’
Tue 19 Jul 7pm at LGBT Centre, Birmingham B1 1EQ www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk/

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 20 Jul, 9pm at The Night Owl, Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth www.facebook.com

Ort Music Box 
Live music at the Ort. This month’s Music Box sees three wonderful acts, Jack Goodall, David Freja and Kate Wilkins. It’s free entry, but there will be a hat collection for donations.
Thu 21 Jul, 8pm at Ort, 500-506 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 9AH www.facebook.com/

Warwick Bar Summer Fete
Situated in Digbeth and surrounded by water on three sides the Warwick Bar is a great venue and is striving to create a venue with cultural and social value. Come and explore for yourself. There will be films, installations, open studios and family workshops, street food, art, DJs, beer and cocktails. What more do you want? Bring the sunshine and party!
Sat 23 Jul, 12pm at Warwick Bar, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5 RS www.facebook.com/

GMA Rockfest
The Gunmakers Arms array of cultural events is quite staggering and they really deserve your support. This Saturday their wonderful beer garden replete with newly developed stage will be hosting a rock festival. If the sun shines its a glorious place to sit and sometimes you can see Brum Kong climbing the Post Office Tower in the distance (this usually happens after consuming ample Two Towers brewery beer). Headline act is Harlequin’s Kiss with more rockers to be confirmed. Fingers crossed for the usual sublime street food.
Sat 23 Jul, 2pm at The Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath Street, Birmingham B4 6HG www.facebook.com/

The Little Unsaid at mac Summer Sessions
‘A giddying conflation of folk, electronica and lavish orchestration’, John Elliott’s boys have been touring relentlessly for the last two years. Working on a new album with Radiohead engineer Graeme Stewart, we are thrilled and surprised to be able to see such a quality band for free. The mac Summer Sessions are an absolute treat. The performance will be followed by a chilled out set from DJ Gravebongaz.
Fri 22 Jul, 6pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH macbirmingham.co.uk/