Gig/Family/Food/Arts: Simmer Down Festival at Handsworth Park
The annual free family festival favourite returns to Handsworth park to celebrate Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity and pay tribute to the reggae roots of Birmingham’s musical scene. This year’s lineup features Misty in Roots, Inner Circle, Pulse Beat, Jay Bigby and lots more. Delivered across three stages including the bandstand and marquees, live music, spoken word, dance and educational workshops and fun activities feature large alongside a dedicated young people’s programme in the Children’s Meadow area. A community cricket match, rides, street food stalls and a brilliant laid-back vibe make this one of the most magnificently vibrant and welcoming free festivals in the city.
Sun 12 Aug 12.30pm at Handsworth Park, Holly Rd, Birmingham B20 2BY simmerdownfestival.com

Food/Arts/Shopping/Music: Harborne Night Market at The New Inn
The inaugural Harborne Night Market utilising the enormous garden at The New Inn brings a fine selection of street food, arts and DJs to the suburbs. Tasty eats are provided by The Brownie Bus, Patty Freaks, Koba Ko Ramen and Greidy’s Wings, with fifteen boutique traders ranging from fashion, art and more, and sounds provided by DJ Alex Traska. We told you it was a big garden.
Fri 10 Aug 4pm – 10pm at The New Inn, 74 Vivian Rd, Birmingham B17 0DJ www.facebook.com

Arts/Music: A Field in Stirchley at Artefact
Artefact is being transformed for the evening (including the garden) into an installation of field recordings and found sounds, which for the special first edition is themed around forests and machines. This intriguing symphony will be complemented by the modified instruments and audio sculptures of Paul Gittins’ Oak Apple Orchestra.
Fri 10 Aug 7pm at Artefact, 1464 Pershore Rd, Birmingham B30 2NT www.facebook.com

Gig: Gasoline & Matches at The Dark Horse 
Fiery Birmingham based suo Gasoline & Matches bring an edgy Nashville sound to Moseley, with a distinct rock edge to their seductive country rhythms G&M possess a unique second city charm, support comes from The Whip & Luke Davies.
Fri 10 Aug 9pm at The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JP www.facebook.com

Gig: Catwalk Villains at The Dark Horse
Moseley’s finest exponents of big dirty blues land at The Dark Horse for a riotous night of mile high riffs and powerhouse noise. The upstairs room will become a swamp of deep south rumbling as The Villains career through a set of covers and original material.
Sat 11 Aug 9pm at The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JP www.facebook.com

Club/Food: Make it Reggae at The Night Owl
Celebrating fifty years of Trojan Records, seminal ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub label founded in – you guessed it – 1968. Vinyl-only selector Joe Turner will be laying down the classics throughout alongside Tom Mason, laying down grooves that are guaranteed to get your feet shuffling like you’re playing an unorthodox game of cards. And on top of all that, there’s a jerk BBQ. Say no more?
Sun 12 Aug 2pm at The Night Owl, 17-18 Lower Trinity St, Birmingham B9 4AG www.facebook.com

Gig: XServitudeX at Subside
Sunday afternoon’s just aren’t the same without some raging vegan straight edge hardcore noise pummeling your senses, well this weekend you’re in luck as XServitudeX headline an intense night at Subside. Support comes from Cruelty, Abandonment and Cauldron.
Sun 12 Aug 7pm at Subside, 57 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DA www.facebook.com