Free: Sandwell Arts Fest at West Bromwich Town Hall.
Flatpack Cinema take over the Town Hall with some incredible events lined up. Sat 13 Aug. Read our feature here

Summer Sessions at the mac with Midsummer
The summer sessions continue with Midsummer, a five-strong collective, centred around the two singers and songwriters, Lizzy and Chris. Based in Birmingham, they’ve been writing, recording and performing since summer 2015. The songs range from the raucous to the sublime; simple melodies to complex harmonies. The performance will be followed by a chilled out set from DJ Gravebongaz.
Fri 12 Aug 6pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH macbirmingham.co.uk/

The Exorcist (dir: William Peter Blatty, 1973, cert 18)
The best horror film ever made? Probably! Blatty’s original shocker has lost none of its compelling power in the four decades since its release. Distressing and eminently quotable, Linda Blair’s demon possessed infant Regan is a potty mouthed death dealing horror icon. We’re hoping the Mockingbird will be screening the director’s cut that includes the spider walk scene cut from the original. A genuinely creepy and disturbing vision. As Regan might say, “your mother sucks cocks in Hell’. Did I mention this is a free screening? You lucky people.
Wed 10 Aug 8pm at Mockingbird, Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AA FREE www.facebook.com/

The Unstoppable Maggie McGee with Juliet Claire Bell
Juliet Claire Bell is in store with her book, The Unstoppable Maggie McGee. She will be reading from her book and there will be activities geared towards younger readers. All proceeds from this event will go to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and is part of the Book Benches scheme. Pre-booking is essential.
Fri 12 Aug 12pm at Waterstones, High Street Birmingham B4 7SL www.waterstones.com/

Latin Jam Sessions at The Cuban Embassy
If you can play an instrument then bring it along and join in the jamming action at The Cuban Embassy and you’ll get free drinks as well as free entry. If you just want to relax and enjoy the music, the chilled out vibe is perfect for whiling away a few hours.
Tue 9 Aug 7pm at The Cuban Embassy, St. Mary’s Row, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8HW www.facebook.com

Jazz Tuesdays at The Spotted Dog in Digbeth
A great little boozer with a wonderful covered garden area. On Tuesday it’s taken over by Johnathon Silk, Richard Foote and friends for an evening of cool and enthusiastic live jazz. Bring along your beard and stroke it enthusiastically, nice.
Tue 9 Aug 9pm at The Spotted Dog, Warwick Street, Digbeth Birmingham B12 0NH  www.spotteddog.co.uk

Handsworth Heritage Walk
Another wonderful dip into local history organized by Soho House. On the tour you will see fine Georgian and Victorian architecture, a convent designed by Augustus Pugin, a church that was built nearly one millennium ago and is known as the ‘Westminster Abbey of the Industrial Revolution’, the finest park that this city has, along with magnificent civic buildings. Tour starts at 1pm and lasts 1 hours 30 minutes. Pre-booking essential.
Wed 10 Aug 1pm at Soho House, Handsworth, Birmingham B18 5LB birminghammuseums

Reggae Caribbean Cookout at The Coffin Works
Mr Jerk brings his ace Caribbean street food and rum cocktails to the Coffin Works on Sunday for a day of sunshine vibes (whatever the weather). DJs will provide the soundtrack of Reggae, Ska & Lovers Rock with African inspired arts and jewellery. See our preview here

Into the trenches with Michael Grant
‘The evil genius of teen terror’ Michael Grant will be appearing to talk about the inspiring Soldier Girls in his latest novel, Front Lines. Rewriting history where girls stand shoulder to shoulder with the boys fighting Hitler in the Second World War. Grant has written 160 books! Yes I did say 160! Pre-booking is essential.
Wed 10 Aug 6.30pm at Waterstones, High Street Birmingham B4 7SL www.waterstones.com/

Digbeth Dining Club + Hare & Hounds Street Closure Street Food Festival
Back by dope demand, Kings Heath’s best gastro fest brings all its delights out for the heaving hungry masses, culinary and otherwise. Sun 14 Aug. See our full preview here

Gregory Peck’s Jazz, Funk & Soul Open Mic Night at The Night Owl
The Night Owl is always a cool venue to spend time in, throw in some free live funk music and, if you’re that way inclined, bring along your own instruments to plug in and make some tuneful noise.
Wed Aug 10 9pm at The Night Owl, Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AG. www.facebook.com

Blues Club with Swampmeat at Hare And Hounds
Weekly live sessions from Birmingham’s foremost Jazz & Blues musicians with DJ’s Dylan Gibbons & Dave Le Moderne playing an eclectic mix of Reggae, Soul and Rhythm & Blues in between.
Sat 13 Aug 4pm at Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ hareandhoundskingsheath.

The Broombusters at the Fiddle & Bone
Charlie Wolfman and his Broombusters play reggae, ska and blues. 40 years in the business and one time member of 80s disco chart toppers the J.A.L.N Band, Kaufman’s boys know how to get a party started.
Sat 13 Aug 8.30pm at The Fiddle & Bone, Sheepcote Street, Birmingham B16 8AE fiddleandbone.co.uk

Sunday Social at the British Oak
Summer Sunday vibes in Stirchley with a beautiful big beer garden and some of Birmingham’s best-suited DJs for an end of the week wind-down. The beer garden is child-friendly and opens until 8pm and with a huge ale selection and proper high-quality Sunday dinners, make ours a long one…
Sun 14 Aug, British Oak, 1364 Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2XS. Tel: 0121 458 1758 www.facebook.com

Canon at The Dark Horse
Round off your free week by watching some of Birmingham’s best young jazz musicians performing their interpretations of classic compositions from the Great American Songbook.
Sun 14 Aug 7.30pm at The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JP www.facebook.com/darkhorsemoseley

Free Culture: Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.
A whole series of incredible exhibitions running until Sep 9, read our feature here

Free exhibition: Birmingham People and Change in the Inner City at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
Fascinating exhibition running until 2017. Read our feature here