Kamura and Jude at the Gunmakers Arms
The stylishly revamped and gorgeous looking Gunmakers Arms returns to action and what better way to check it out than with some great live music and spoken word. The beautifully soulful voice of Japanese singer Atsuko Kamura, one time member of Frank Chickens, is a beguiling thing and we’re so excited she is in town. Jude Cowan Montague and James Kennedy will be delivering spoken word jewels.
Tue 23 May 8pm at the Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath St, Birmingham B4 6HG www.facebook.com

Getting On With Life at mac, Birmingham
Using music and comedy to explore the assumptions we make about each other and how we challenge them, performing arts company Extant have created a show performed by people with visual impairments to help you to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Free but booking is required and places are booking up fast.
Wed 24 May 7pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Sausage & Cider Festival at The Prince of Wales
Four days of high quality meat links provided by Lashford and Sons, local purveyors of sausage perfection since 1889, all complemented by a wide range of the finest cider. Vegetarians don’t panic your needs are catered for too. If you visit on Friday local swingers Playing Django will be on hand to accompany your sausage munching.
Thu 25 May to Sun 28 May at the Prince, 118 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8EE www.facebook.com

The Fidgets at the Blue Piano
Master buskers the Fidgets are taking a break from the chilly streets to bring you their own warming brand of breezy covers and original tunes in the salubrious quarters of the wonderful Blue Piano. If you haven’t seen them performing on the streets yet you must have been walking around with your eyes closed. Great fun live.
Fri 26 May 7pm  at the Blue Piano, 26 Harborne Rd, Birmingham B15 3AA www.thebluepiano.co.uk

No Funkin’ Quarter at 1000 Trades
1000 Trades is getting quite the reputation for hosting imaginative and happening club nights with tonight being no exception. A triumvirate of renown DJ’s in Tone Deaf Monkey, Chris D and Craig B will be taking us on a vinyl adventure through rare groove, ghetto funk, latino and soul.
Fri 26 May 8pm at 1000 Trades, 16 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HE www.facebook.com

Rudie and the Revolvers at the Dark Horse
Moonstomping boots on, Rudie and the Revolvers are descending on the Dark Horse with their high octane rocksteady ska mayhem. They can always be relied upon to motivate any venue and get the skank muscles twitching; Blues Clubs and DJ Dylan will keep the good vibes flowing till the early hours.
Fri 26 May 10pm at the Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP www.darkhorsemoseley.co.uk

Farm Family Day at The British Oak, Stirchley
All the fun of the farm today at the annula family day in the fabulous British Oak garden. The Animal Company take over with their travelling petting farm of goats, lambs, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens and a miniature pony, all accompanied by The Animal Company’s experienced handlers. The Mini Farm is aimed at introducing animals to children who may not ordinarily get the opportunity to bottle feed lambs or pet rabbits and chicks and animal welfare is top priority. There’ll also be entertainment, with a bouncy castle and face painter.
Sat 27 May 1pm at British Oak, 1364 Pershore Rd, Birmingham B30 2XS www.facebook.com

Zoe Green Band at the Hare and Hounds
The sweatiest place to spend your Saturday afternoon has to be crammed in downstairs at the Hare and Hounds listening to the heavyweight noise of the Blues Club. This week the fiery Zoe Green Band will be pumping out a mixture of classics and originals, always a great atmosphere and friendly crowd.
Sat 27 May 4pm at the Hare and Hounds, 106 High St, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ skiddletickets.com

Heducation at the Dark Horse
Back with another one of those block rockin’ beats. It’s Heducation time at the school of funk and breaks down in Moseley. DJ Mylz heads up a roster of  DJ’s that will be taking you on a mash up through the choicest Hip Hop, beats, breaks and funk.
Sat 27 May 10pm at the Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP www.darkhorsemoseley.co.uk

Summer Outdoor Street Food & Market at Sarehole Mill
The stunning Sarehole Mill is the setting for the latest Taste and Liquor event. Expect a raft of the tastiest gourmet street food, cocktails, craft beer and a large vintage market to go rummaging for bargains. The Mill itself will be providing fresh bread and there are activities to keep the kids entertained. Throw in some cool DJ’s and we think it just might be the best place to spend bank holiday Sunday afternoon.
Sun 28 May 11am at Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Rd, Birmingham B13 0BD www.facebook.com

Reggae Takeover Summer Terrace Party at One Trick Pony Club
Let’s hope the sun shines as the Reggae Takeover crew slip into the One Trick Pony Club for their usual chilled out roots shenanigans. DJ’s will be bringing sunshine through the music at least, if the weather fails, through late afternoon and into bank holiday Monday. Big tunes and big fun in one of Moseley’s most underrated bars.
Sun 28 May 3pm at One Trick Pony Club, 93 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8DD  www.facebook.com

Sunday Xpress May Bank Holiday Pre-Election Live Knees-Up at Centrala
Brace ourselves for the forthcoming election with the Sunday Xpress gang’s usual array of imaginatively curated music, arts, visuals and open mic sessions. Punk party merchants Dubrokkaz will be performing a one off special of their festival inspired mayhem, which we hope includes the classic ‘Full Metal Helmet’. If that wasn’t enough Balaban and the Bald Illegals will be firing up a racket too. Plenty more is promised and the Sunday Xpress events never disappoint, defer election panic for a few hours at least.
Sun 28 May 5pm at Centrala, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, Birmingham B5 5RT www.facebook.com

Bank Holiday Free Party w/ Leftfoot b2b Shadow City Soundsystem at the Hare and Hounds
We’re very excited about this, we love free parties but free Leftfoot parties at the Hare and Hounds don’t just float our boat, they launch it several thousand feet into the air. To make matters better, just by tenfold or so, the glorious Shadow City Soundsystem will be kicking it up too. It’s a free event but you’ll still need a ticket so don’t hang about, this would sell out in double quick time if you had to pay so consider yourselves warned.
Sun 28 May 10pm at the Hare and Hounds, 106 High St, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ www.skiddle.com

Sunday Social: Digbeth Dining Club at Mama Roux’s and Spotlight
Twelve hours of gourmet dining and the coolest sounds converge on Digbeth for what looks to be a scintillating bank holiday event. By our reckoning you will be able to squeeze lunch, dinner and supper into half a day of ridiculously sublime nosh and beats across two venues. Alongside the DDC resident’s will be guest slots from Phil Gifford, Big Danny Kane, Tom Shorterz amongst others trawling through the best in funk, soul, breaks and disco as you dance off those full bellies. Street food vendors include Flying Cows, Leave It To Esmie and The Bournville Waffle Company.
Sun 28 May 12pm at Mama Roux’s & Spotlight, Lower Trinity St, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AG  www.facebook.com