Izzie Derry and Lauren Marie at Yorks Cafe
Another Monday and another wonderful musical showcase at the Yorks Cafe, miss it at your peril. This week two young rising stars of Birmingham’s burgeoning acoustic scene will be complementing the delicious cake and coffee of Yorks. Izzie Derry has already released two EP’s and garnered plays on BBC Radio, with a debut album due out this month it’s clear her soulful Joni Mitchell inspired style is resonating with audiences. Lauren Marie returns after a ‘recharging’ hiatus from gigging, the renown singer songwriter has a new EP out soon.
Mon 15 May 7pm at Yorks Cafe 29-30 Stephenson Street, Birmingham B2 4BH www.facebook.com

Big Bad Wolf at the Spotted Dog
Big Bad Wolf have a unique way of composing songs, with each member taking part in an improvisation session that evolves into the contemporary jazz tinged tunes for which they are renown. Complex, intricate and beautifully formed music from four musicians at the top of their game. A big feather in the cap of the Spotted Dog for securing them.
Tue 16 May 8.30pm at the Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick St, Birmingham B12 0NH www.facebook.com

Journey Film Club at Birmingham LGBT
One of Whoopi Goldberg’s greatest performances is as the effervescent lounge singer Deloris Wilson in Sister Act. Deloris witnesses a mob hit and goes into hiding within a stuffy convent, much to the consternation of Mother Superior Maggie Smith. A great deal of singing and dancing ensues as Deloris chisels away at the nun’s innate stuffiness. We’re suckers for swinging nuns.
Tue 16 May 7pm at Birmingham LGBT, 38-40 Holloway Circus, Birmingham B1 1EQ www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk

Artist’s Talk: Oliver Beer at the Ikon
Oliver Beer’s new exhibition features a fascinating new piece entitled Reanimation (I Wanna be Like You) in which an iconic scene from Disney’s Jungle Book is recreated frame by frame using the artwork of 2,500 Birmingham children under the age of 13. Join Jonathan Watkins and Oliver and as they discuss the ideas behind his work. The event is free but pre-booking is essential.
Thu 18 May 6pm at the Ikon, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS ikon-gallery.org

Muzikstan at the Old Print Works
The latest edition of the consistently superb experimental music event Muzikstan is curated by those wonderful local hip hop funksters Shokunin. In addition to their sublime grooves audiences can catch the sophisticated and complex guitar virtuosity of Amit Dattani. As ever delicious homemade food will be available and of course, the gloriously inclusive Muzikstan atmosphere.
Thu 18 May 7pm at the Old Print Works, 506 Moseley Road, Birmingham B12 9AH www.facebook.com

Hit the Ode at the Victoria
Bringing together the most exciting local poets each month, Apples and Snakes Hit the Ode is a delightfully unique event. Three poets; one local, one from elsewhere in the UK and one from another country. It makes for an engagingly eclectic array of spoken word performance. Local hero and award winning writer Luke Kennard represents Birmingham, with Rachel Long from the the Octavia women of colour poetry collective and Sweden’s Olivia Bergdahl. There are limited open mic slots available, email bohdan@applesandsnakes.org to request a slot.
Thu 18 May 7.30pm at the Victoria, 48 John Bright St, Birmingham B1 1BN www.facebook.com

8 Bit Lounge in Stirchley
The retro masters of the 8 Bit Lounge spread their low tech wings to Stirchley’s Artefact for a one off event. Relive the good old days of minimal RAM and maximum fun on classic machines ranging from the humble Spectrum through to the mighty N64 and several devices in between. The usual DJ’s will be supplementing the nostalgia fest with suitably 8 bit sounds.
Thu 18 May 8pm at Artefact, 1464 Pershore Rd, Birmingham B30 2NT www.facebook.com

Patsy Fuller & The Revelators at the Dark Horse
The beautifully soulful voice of Patsy Fuller could fill a room ten times the size of the Dark Horse so this is going to be some show. With the awesome Revelators in tow band leader Patsy glides through a raft of styles from jazz and blues through to hip hop and rare groove. A delightfully beguiling mix of styles and sophistication, your ears will love you after this.
Fri 19 May 10am at the Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP www.darkhorsemoseley.co.uk

Music Video Klub at Centrala
Have a film, music video, video art, basically anything that can be transported on a USB stick or DVD you want to exhibit to a live audience? Then get yourselves down to the Music Video Klub at Centrala. An eclectic monthly event that can surprise, dazzle and shock with the array of work on offer. Of course you can also just turn up and enjoy the event if you have nothing to share.
Fri 19 May 8pm at Centrala, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, Birmingham B5 5RT www.facebook.com

Real Junk Food Project Vegan Takeover at the Gunmakers Arms
The RJFP is a fabulous concept that Saves perfectly fit food that would otherwise go to waste from markets, wholesalers & even artisan producers. Read more about its work here. In addition to some incredible food the Two Towers Brewery will be laying on a wide selection of  vegan beers for curious punters to sample.
Sat 20 May 6pm at the Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath St, Birmingham B4 6HG www.facebook.com

Break Mission 5 Year Anniversary Party at Hawker Yard
The Hip Hop community group Break Mission has been working for five years with charities to actively help the homeless through its work. To celebrate half a decade of organising ‘Donate to Participate’ events, join them at Hawker Yard for a night of raging beats from Psykho Mantus, Unpronounceable and The Deviant.
Sat 20 May 8pm at Hawker Yard, 62-70 Pershore St, Birmingham B5 4RU www.facebook.com

Rave Against Racism at 1000 Trades
We all know the the best way to tackle the ugly face of racism, and for that matter the whole gamut of acrid political noise poisoning our world just lately, is to wear our positivity and openness with pride. So buckle in, power up the glow sticks and rave the night away at The Jewelry Quarter’s coolest new bar. Jock Lee and Jonnie Greaves will be spinning the grooves.
Sat 20 May 8pm at 1000 Trades, 16 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HE www.facebook.com

Sunday Classics Re-Launch at the Spotted Dog
Sunday Classics have been brightening our Sunday afternoon’s for two years (and a bit) with an always imaginatively curated lineup of diverse classical sounds. Highlight for the relaunch is talented violinist Ning-ning Li who will also be showcasing her artwork. It all kicks off in the wonderful Spotted Dog garden with fizz and food before moving inside, a perfect way to end your weekend.
Sun 21 May 4.30pm at the Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick St, Birmingham B12 0NH www.facebook.com

I Want! I Want! at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has opened up its doors to a hugely ambitious new exhibition this spring. In stark contrast to the museum’s permanent collection, ‘I Want! I Want!’ delivers an explosion of modern creative expression to titillate and assault all the senses, whether that be vibrant visual imagery or an angered Plan B swearing at you through a small television. See our full preview here.