Literary: The Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1970s Coventry at The Gunmakers Arms
The story of our neighbours is a fascinating one, synonymous with Thatcher’s crushing political belligerence in the late seventies,  a period that was sharply personified in The Specials maudlin classic Ghost Town released at the peak of Coventry’s Two Tone revolution in 1981. There’s more to the West Midlands second city than rude boys though, hear about this and more as Ruth Cherrington discusses her latest book at one of the Birmingham’s finest craft ale boozers.
Mon 12 Feb 7pm at The Gunmakers Arms, Bath Street, Birmingham B4 6HG www.facebook.com

Film: Fight Club at The Mockingbird £1
A coming of age film laced with violent nihilism that successfully messes with its audience’s heads. Brad Pitt, in his most memorable role, as Tyler Durden educates and invigorates the deadened amnesiac Edward Norton into the ways of underground fisticuffs. It’s thrilling stuff and on the big screen for one measly quid unmissable.
Mon 12 Feb 8.40pm at The Mockingbird, The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA £1 veezi.com

Theatre: A Virus to End Humanity at The Victoria
We don’t know about you but statistics and infectious diseases down the pub with a pint gets us really excited. If you feel the same then you’re going to love it down the Victoria tonight. Liam Brierley; expert statistician and epidemiologist, presents A Virus to End Humanity, first performed at the Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas at the Edinburgh Fringe, a potent exploration of the risk the human race is facing. Prepare for a long evening as you will be quarantined.
Wed 14 Feb 7.30pm at The Victoria, 48 John Bright St, Birmingham B1 1BN www.facebook.com

Film: Dispossession: The Great Social Housing Swindle (dir: Paul Sng, 2017, cert PG)
Never has the issue of indifference to tenant’s interests been more pertinent and in Paul Sng’s thoughtful documentary the stigmatisation and cultural devaluing of social housing is explored in unsettling detail. Beginning with Thatcher’s populist ‘right to buy’ policy there has been a steady decline in available social properties and a catastrophic meltdown in the treatment of those who need to live in them. The screening is followed by a discussion with artist Mahtab Hussain.
Thu 15 Feb 6pm  at The Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS Free www.ikon-gallery.org

Film: Romeo + Juliet at The Mockingbird £1
Baz Luhrmann’s frenetically paced take on the bard’s tragic tale of star crossed lovers is a dizzyingly kinetic joyride (epileptics avoid) with the warring Montagues and Capulets transported from Verona of the 1500s to contemporary Verona Beach and clashing gangsters. A one pound feeding frenzy for your eyeballs and deserving of a million literary kudos for making Shakespeare accessible to the yoof.
Thu 15 Feb 8.30pm at The Mockingbird, The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA £1 veezi.com

Gig: Mutes at The Dark Horse
Mutes must have had a killer 2017, completing their mutation from their dream-scape origins into a full-blooded krautrock punk band. Their debut album ‘No Desire’ was one of the best things to come out of the Second City last year. So if you haven’t treated yourself to some Mutes yet, go get sweaty and unruffled at the Dark Horse – for free, no less. With support from Witch Fever and Cave Girl. (CD) Read our full preview here.
Fri 16 Feb 9pm at The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP www.darkhorsemoseley.co.uk

Club: Get Together at Amusement 13
Third birthday party for Birmingham’s finest purveyors of the hypest bass beats across grime, garage, d&b and house. It will get deep and dirty and you need to be there, Fallow and DJ Chalice will be performing alongside the usual killer residents. Just go to the Facebook event page on the link below and tag yourself on the wall for free entry before 12pm. Boom.
Fri 16 Feb 10pm at Amusement 13, 71 Kent St, Birmingham B5 6RD www.facebook.com