Singing Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody in Pigeon Park
Mama Ooh ooh ooh. Don’t panic it’s just the Wire crew getting ready to raise money for the National Aids Trust by joining several hundred other hardy souls in Pigeon Park to give a rendition of Queen and Freddie Mercury’s most iconic song. A similar event last November drew crowds for a spirited rendition of Toto’s Africa, all good fun and all in a good cause, see you there, we may even do the Fandango.
Mon 29 Jan 7pm at Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham www.facebook.com

Film: Weird Science at The Mockingbird £1
Hated by critics on release, prolific film maker John Hughes’ sci-fi nerd wish fulfilment comedy is certainly filled with several politically incorrect scenes that just about manage to stay the right side of cringe. It might not be up there with Hughes’ other teen classic Breakfast Club, released the same year, but it’s still gloriously eighties fun and features a cracking Oingo Boingo title track.
Tue 30 Jan 8.30pm at The Mockingbird, The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA £1 veezi.com

Flatpack: Everyday at The Ikon Gallery
Everyday is an astonishing work that was filmed for two weeks each year over a five year period to authentically reflect the ageing of John Simm’s character Ian, imprisoned for a drug related crime. The emotional and physical toll taken on Ian and his long suffering family is grimly palpable, a toll that the film’s documentary feel reinforces. The screening is a collaboration between Flatpack film festival and the Ikon to complement the current exhibitions of nineteenth century convict artist, the Birmingham born Thomas Bock and artist in residence at HMP Grendon, Edmund Clark. The film will be introduced by Jamie Bennett, Governor of HMP Grendon.
Wed 31 Jan 6pm at The Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS Free ikon-gallery.org

Coffee Breath, Super Lemon Days, Better Half and Mantra at Subside
Another Surprise You’re Dead four band free entry assault on the eardums down at Digbeth’s noisiest rock venue. Topping the bill and sharing a love of Birmingham, indie-punk and caffeine are Coffee Breath, sophisticated Math rumbling possessed of an edgy sweetness, tasty. They are joined by slackers Super Lemon Days, local lo-fi merchants Better Half and the psych-rock mutterings of the far out Mantra.
Thu 1 Feb 7pm at Subside, 57 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DA www.facebook.com

Film: European Shorts at Artefact
An evening of eclectic short films from across Europe and across a range of genre’s to cure the Brexit blues and raise money for the Refugee Community Kitchen that supports the camps at Calais and beyond, the charity has cooked some 1.5 million meals since forming in 2015. Admission is free but we know Wire readers will dig deep and donate.
Thu 1 Feb 7.30pm at Artefact, 1464 Pershore Rd, Birmingham B30 2NT www.facebook.com

Arts & music launch night: Kaleidoscope at The Night Owl
Launch of a monthly music and arts event showcasing the very best in local talent and the opening night is a belter. Headlining are the raucous kings of riotous noise and sonic unpredictability Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam, latest album Sink or Swim is twenty blistering tracks of off the wall Brummie post punk energy. No one does an Anti-Social Fun Party like SFL. Back up comes from the dirty garage rock of The Lizards and the psych out weirdness of Nova. A plethora of cutting edge artists will be exhibiting (and selling) their art on the mezzanine including Molly Cleaver, RJ Davis and Ginger Dan with the eclectic Brain Food overlords keeping the beats interesting until the early hours.
Thu 1 Feb at The Night Owl, 17 Lower Trinity St, Birmingham B9 4AG www.facebook.com

Black Mekon at The Dark Horse
This is a rare event. The mysterious and elusive Black Mekon usually keep their dark scuzzy brand of fuzzed up dirty garage safely to themselves, which is just as well as exposure to their swamp driven filthy blues confection is liable to induce seizures in the unwitting. Off the leash in Moseley this Friday and for nothing; not even a Treen shekel, so come and join Black Mekon and his brother Black Mekon, who together make Black Mekon. A godlike duo that will unleash an unholy symphony of distorted buzzsaw mayhem into your sense containers, beware they may implode. Psycho rockers Terror Watts and DJ Priscilla B will be facilitating musical first aid.
Fri 2 Feb at The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP www.darkhorsemoseley.co.uk