For our guide to all that’s free, happening and funky on May Day Bank Holiday Monday read our full feature here.

Stirchley Community Market 
One of our favourite monthly markets is back. Of course market doesn’t do it justice as there is so much going on. A lovely place to while away an afternoon with good food, imaginative wares on sale and a warm friendly atmosphere. New this month curious punters will find the artistic brilliance of designers Holodeck and the bespoke beauty of Little Lion Crafts. We’ll be found with deep filled mouths lurking near the Pietanic’s cool little van. Can’t wait.
Tue 2 May 4pm at Stirchley Baths, Bournville Ln, Birmingham B30 2JT stirchleycommunitymarket.co.uk/

Journey Film Club at Birmingham LGBT
Kitsch calling. Another quality screening from Journey Film Club. This time it’s Bette Midler’s finest film Beaches (dir: Garry Marshall, 1988, cert 12) that despite a panning from the critics was still a great commercial success. Need a good clear-out? Bring an absorbent hankie, Beaches fulfils and surpasses its reputation a one hell of a tearjerker as Cecilia (Midler) and Hilary (Barbara Hershey) overcome a plethora of individual crises and become lifelong friends. Light comic touches amidst all the weepie wipeout make it a magical ride. Akin to an 80’s episode of Girls, it’s also very much of its day. Mind those shoulderpads.
Tue 2 May 7pm at Birmingham LGBT,  38-40 Holloway Circus, Birmingham B1 1EQ www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk

Mellow Yellow 5 at Island Bar
An acoustically folk flavour to this consistently excellent showcase for local musical talent. Headlining are the renown Bryn Teeling & The River Thieves who have a new EP out soon and have received extensive airplay on BBC Radio. Also appearing is one half of Stirchley rockers The Mighty Young Joseph Gatsby and singer songwriters Jack Toop and Zee Khattak. That’s four quality artists for nothing. Wow. With the money you save treat yourself to one of the Island’s legendary cocktails.
Wed 3 May 7pm at Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham B1 1LT www.facebook.com

Showcase with Chris Cleverley and Kim Lowings at The Blue Piano
If you haven’t come across Kim Lowings and The Greenwood yet I suggest you move out from that rock you must be living under. Making huge waves in the folk music scene they are heading for big things. Kim is guesting with Chris Cleverley at the ever excellent Blue Piano showcase this evening, their folk partnering is a wistfully beautifully symphony of sweet melodies and lyrical prowess. Enjoy this then go and check out The Greenwood, they have a new album out soon ‘Wild & Wicked Youth’ which we thoroughly recommend.
Wed 3 May 7pm at the Blue Piano, 26 Harborne Road, Birmingham B15 3AA www.thebluepiano.co.uk

Sitcom Laughing Exhibition at Artefact
Local artist Emily Sparkes brings her second solo exhibition ‘Sitcom Laughing’ to the cultural paradise of Stirchley’s Artefact. Five new paintings drawing on a raft of influences including selfies, memes and YouTube videos exploring the new power of the image. Emily’s work has been exhibited at the mac, BMAG and New Art West Midlands. The show begins with a private viewing and will continue until the end of May.
Thu 4 May 7pm at Artefact, 1464 Pershore Rd, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2NT www.facebook.com

Project Birmingham and Bad Girls at the Hare and Hounds
We love a free party at The Hare and Hounds and Birmingham’s best live music venue is hosting a belter tonight. Two of the city’s most creative artistic collectives combining for an eclectic night of music, visuals and good times. Project Birmingham and Bad Girls not only foster a welcoming and beautiful inclusivity in their work they popularize all that’s good about our city. Come down and join the fun, you won’t regret it.
Fri 5 May 8pm at the Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ skiddletickets.com/

Gintas K at Centrala
The granulated sounds of the Lithuanian experimental music scene land in Birmingham for Digbeth First Friday. Gintas K is a sound artist with a ridiculously huge discography of music, 29 albums so far, his manipulation of frequencies and melodies is stark and profound. It’s the first time he has visited Birmingham and we’re really excited as should you be.
Fri 5 May 8pm at Centrala, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, Birmingham B5 5RT www.facebook.com

The Equators at the Dark Horse
For four decades Birmingham’s own exponents of the Two-Tone sound have been tearing up venues with their riotous live performances and were major influences on bands such as The Beat. Performing in The Dark Horse tonight with special guest DJ Don Carlo keeping the party going till the early hours. Get your moonstomping boots at the ready.
Fri 5 May 10pm at the Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP www.darkhorsemoseley.co.uk

Make it Reggae! At 1,000 Trades
A wonderful excuse to wander down to the Jewelry Quarter’s coolest new bar for an evening of the deepest reggae sounds with resident DJ Joe Turner and a special guest appearance from Mr Rocksteady himself, Simon Tipper. Make it reggae and make it a glorious night of chilled dub grooves.
Sat 6 May 6pm at 1,000 Trades, 16 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HE www.facebook.com