Tom Riviere’s Family Band at The Spotted Dog
Long term friends and collaborators make up the freewheeling quartet of double bass maestro Tom Riviere’s Family Band. Steeped in the lush musical history of 1960’s avant garde jazz recalling legendary pioneers such as Ornette Coleman, Keith Jarrett and John Coltrane. No two performances are ever the same as the band reel through a series of seamlessly tight musical adventures. That such fresh faced and youthful musicians can produce music of such sophistication and maturity is a sonic surprise. Prepare to be blown away.
Tue 15 Aug 8.30pm at The Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick St, Birmingham B12 0NH www.facebook.com

Fat Penguin Comedy Club presents Sean Sellers at Patrick Kavanaghs
Googling tonight’s headline act could possibly fill you with dread but rest assured, the Sean Sellars rocking up at Pat Kavs tonight is not the US satanist murderer, though I’m sure he’d know a few good gags too. Possessed of an encyclopaedic knowledge of the world’s other Sean Sellars’, the American comic’s anxious patter is an edgy delight live.
Wed 16 Aug 7.30 pm at Patrick Kavanaghs, 142 Trafalgar Rd, Birmingham B13 8BX  www.facebook.com

Jo Harman at The Jam House
Award winning singer songwriter Jo Harman has worked with a raft of musical royalty in addition to releasing several critically acclaimed albums. Latest work ‘People We Become’ displays Harman’s burgeoning lyrical maturity with honeyed vocals dripping over a bluesy base that owes more to the Southern USA than birthplace Devon. This is a great opportunity to see a musician of Harman’s calibre free of charge, don’t waste it.
Wed 16 Aug at The Jam House, 3-5 St Pauls Square Birmingham, B31QU www.thejamhouse.com

Wild Fun Day at EcoPark
Get out the magnifying glass and stick a deerstalker hat on the kids it’s time to get all Sherlock at EcoPark. Join the scavenger hunt, follow the clues and see if you can discover the hidden treasures. EcoPark is a beautifully sprawling inner city natural wildlife space that fires the imagination of youngsters with its range of imaginative activities. Once you’ve completed the scavenger hunt why not go pond dipping or on a mini beast hunt?
Thu 17 Aug 10am at EcoPark, 258 Hob Moor Rd, Birmingham B10 9HH www.bbcwildlife.org.uk

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 17 Aug 2pm at Impact Hub, Walker Bldg, 58 Oxford St, Birmingham B5 5NR www.eventbrite.co.uk

Art House 004: Summer Daze at Art/House
Birmingham based analogue photographer Kate Hook’s latest exhibition Summer Daze is available to view all week at the ultra trendy street wear clothing store Bene Culture in The Custard Factory. On Friday check out a rising photography talent and join in the closing party hosted by Art House.
Fri 18 Aug 7pm at Art/House, UG13, Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4AT www.facebook.com

Fred Skidmore Trio at The Blue Piano
Birmingham’s greatest Hammond organ hammerers return to the glorious Blue Piano for an evening of full on groovy funkiness and good times. Smiles essential and swinging imperative.
Fri 18 Aug 7pm at The Blue Piano, 26 Harborne Rd, Birmingham B15 3AA www.facebook.com

Check out our guide to FREE cinema this week here.