Reggae Caribbean Cookout at The Hawker Yard
Ok, so it’s technically not free as there’s a one pound admission fee. We recommend digging down the back of the sofa for some loose change. It’ll be worth it to savour the delicious West Indian soul food served up by the sensational Mr Jerk. Throughout the afternoon the vibe levels will be set to hyper chilled as DJ’s spin the best reggae, ska and rock steady vinyl as you chow down, there’s even vegan options available.
Mon 28 Aug 12pm at The Hawker Yard,  62-70 Pershore St, Birmingham B5 4RU www.facebook.com

Will Butterworth Quartet at The Spotted Dog
Something a bit different down the Dog tonight. The usual high quality jazz grooviness this time supplied by the inimitable pianist Will Butterworth and his quartet, who will perform a specially written suite of music inspired by the Oscar Wilde story ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’. Expect the guys to drift off into beautiful flights of improvised fancy as actor Jack Trow narrates Wilde’s tale. Exciting and innovative.
Tue 29 Aug 8.30pm at The Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick St, Birmingham B12 0NH www.facebook.com

PrEP 17: The Coming of Age of PrEP Screening + Q&A at Eden Bar
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of anti-HIV medication to keep HIV negative people from becoming infected. Nicholas Feustel’s documentary explores the experiences of over a dozen PrEP activists; current and former PrEP users; clinicians; and policy-makers. The screening will be followed by a discussion facilitated by Birmingham LGBT and PrEPster. The event is free but booking on the link provided is essential.
Wed 30 Aug 7pm at Eden Bar, 116 Sherlock St, Birmingham B5 6NB www.eventbrite.co.uk

Fat Penguin Comedy Presents Marshall B Anderson at Patrick Kavanaghs 
If you enjoy listening to cantankerous old men spewing forth on the iniquities of modern life then your dreams have come true with Marshall B Anderson. With an hilariously wizened assault on just about anything, the self-confessed angry old man of comedy will have you nodding along and even wringing your hands in comedic despair. As usual the Bunkum Factory improvvers and Andrew Thayer will provide warm up laughs.
Wed 30 Aug 7.30pm at Patrick Kavanaghs, 142 Trafalgar Rd, Birmingham B13 8BX www.facebook.com

Mini Activist: Mini Hygge Hideout at Impact Hub
Who doesn’t like grabbing anything to hand and building a super cool fort; castle, palace, den, sanctuary, whatever you like to call it, and hiding away in a comforting mass of pillows, blankets and cushions. This is actually how the Birmingham Wire office was created. The Danes call this fuzzy cosiness Hygge and; as part of the wonderfully creative mini-activist’s week at Impact Hub, families are invited to help create a Hygge hideout in a mass of bean bags, join in a picnic and then settle down to watch some short films. Hygge heaven.
Thu 31 Aug 2pm at Impact Hub, Walker Bldg, 58 Oxford St, Birmingham B5 5NR www.eventbrite.co.uk

Bad Practice at The Lord Clifden 
The excellent Birmingham club night Bad Practice brings low slung grooves and an eclectic mix of house and techno to one of the city’s coolest garden spaces at the JQ’s liveliest bar The Lord Clifden. If the sun shines, which of course it will, this will be one hell of a party and if it doesn’t the Bad Practice beats will keep the heat pumping anyway. Free entry before 11pm. Don’t be late.
Fri 1 Sep 5pm at The Lord Clifden, Great Hampton St, Birmingham B19 3DL www.facebook.com