Monday Night Jazz at Yorks Bakery
Live jazz  in chic, stylish surrounds with great food, cocktails and craft beers. A Monday night winner.  7.15 – 9pm
Mon 17 Oct 7.15pm at Yorks Bakery Cafe, 29/30 Stephenson Street Birmingham B2 4BH www.yorksbakerycafe.co.uk/

Toadally free improvised comedy with Free Form Frogs at Blue Orange Theatre
Members of the brave and foolhardy bunch at Box of Frogs Workshop present their inimitable brand of improvised comedy from audience suggestions. Improv games, unrehearsed and entirely live and a guarantee of your money back if you don’t laugh.
Mon 17 Oct 7pm at Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Great Hampton Street, Birmingham, B18 6AD blueorangetheatre.co.uk/

Olivier Kugler: Talk at Birmingham University
An acclaimed illustrator who uses his art to report on major humanitarian events like the Syrian refugee crisis, will be talking at a free Birmingham event. Olivier Kugler will visit Birmingham City University’s Parkside Building on Tuesday October 18 to deliver a speech highlighting his achievements in a career which has seen his work featured in publications including the Guardian, GQ, Le Monde Diplomatique and The New York Times.
Tue 18 Oct 6.30pm at Birmingham City University, Perry Barr Birmingham B42 2SU www.eventbrite.co.uk/

Latin Jam Sessions at The Cuban Embassy
Free drinks as well as free entry for participating musicians.
Tue 18 Oct 7pm The Cuban Embassy, St. Mary’s Row, Moseley Birmingham, B13 8HW www.facebook.com

Film Night at Birmingham LGBT
Jack Nicholson excels as the mysterious Daryl Van Horne in George Miller’s hilarious The Witches of Eastwick.
Tue 18 Oct 7.30pm at Birmingham LGBT 38/40 Holloway Circus Birmingham B1 1EQ www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk/

Jazz Tuesdays at The Spotted Dog in Digbeth
A grass-roots music night, hosted at The Spotted Dog with an emphasis on great music (& some hefty drinks discounts). Musicians and bands from all over the UK and further afield bringing their creative and innovative music to the heart of Digbeth, every Tuesday night. An open jam session hosted by different local musicians follows. Bring your horns!
Tue 18 Oct, 9pm at The Spotted Dog, Warwick Street, Digbeth Birmingham B12 0NH jazzatthespotteddog.co.uk/

The Kneejerks at the Victoria
The Birmingham improvisers return – like idiot criminals – to the scene of the original crime: The Victoria, John Bright Street.
Wed 19 Oct 7.30pm at Victoria, 48 John Bright Street, Birmingham B1 1BN www.facebook.com/

Gregory Peck’s Jazz, Funk & Soul Open Mic Night at The Night Owl
Free live funk music and and invite to bring along your own instruments to plug in and make some tuneful noise.
Wed 19 Oct 9pm at The Night Owl, Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AG. www.facebook.com

COGnitive Jazz Therapy at Cogs Bar
Every Thursday, Cogs Bar hosts a Jazz themed night which features live bands, music and a delightful crowd.
Thu 20 Oct, 7pm at Cogs Bar, 61 Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 3RB cogsbar.co.uk/

King Lear screening at the mac
Birmingham MAC presents a rare FREE screening of Michael Buffong’s highly acclaimed theatre production of King Lear, captured during its run at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Celebrating Black History Month with a predominantly black cast led by Don Warrington, King Lear is a brutal portrait of a man unravelling – pitted against his daughters, against nature and against the universe itself. As Lear divides the kingdom between his daughters, family ties disintegrate, order disappears and the land slides into chaos.
Fri 21 Oct 1pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH macbirmingham.co.uk/

Smokestack Poetry Evening at Waterstones
Smokestack authors Clare Saponia, Deborah Tyler-Bennett and Mike Wilson bring a dynamic evening of poetry to Birmingham. Smokestack books are renowned for representing bold, unconventional, left-field poets that bring the real world to the page. There will also be 4 open mic spaces at this event on a first come, first served basis.
Fri 21 Oct 7pm at Waterstones, 24 – 26 High Street Birmingham B4 7SL www.waterstones.com/

Longbridge Light Festival 2016: The Shadow Factory
If you only do one free thing this weekend, make it this. Overshadowing any other fun family-focussed event in the city this weekend comes this spectacularly illuminating arts and play event in the unlikely setting of Longbridge. Three words: Neon Roller Disco. See our preview and pick of the events on offer here.

Birmingham Chocival Chocolate Festival at Brindley Place
Taking place in Central Square between 11am and 6pm, Birmingham Chocolate Festival will feature music, entertainment and a variety of food stalls selling a range of indulgent and unusual chocolate treats. From cookies to cakes, gooey brownies and chocolate flavoured cask beers, Brindleyplace is going to be choc-a-block with cocoa flavoured goodness!
Sat 22 Oct 11am at Brindley Place, 2 Brunswick Street Birmingham B1 2JF www.brindleyplace.com/

Poets Place at the library
Organised by the Library of Birmingham and Apples & Snakes, Poets’ Place is an informal gathering of poets that meets twice a month. Poets’ Place can be used to make new friends, discover new poets, find out about poetry events, share and have your work critiqued, make useful connections or simply write.
Sat 22 Oct 3pm at Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, B1 2EA www.libraryofbirmingham.com/

Rhythms Del Toro – Live Latin Fusion Band the Cuban Embassy
Rhythms Del Toro consist of Colombian born resident members Edwin and Camilo who’s musical talents bring infectious Latin vibes to the dance floor. Recommended.
Sat 22 Oct 8pm at The Cuban Embassy, St. Mary’s Row, Moseley Birmingham, B13 8HW www.facebook.com/

Acoustic Sunday Social at The Old Crown
Awesome local sound providers Birmingham Promoters bring some of the region’s best acoustic artists to perform live in what will be a series of very special afternoons. Open mic slots also available.
Sun 23 Oct 4pm at The Old Crown, 188 High Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0LD www.facebook.com/theoldcrownacoustic