The Bear Story Readings at the mac
One for the family. The mac have laid on three events to acclimatise younger audiences to the experience of theatre going; specifically ‘The Bear’, the heartwarming production of Raymond Briggs’ book, which runs at the mac until New Year’s Eve. Cast members will be reading from the adventures of Tilly and her new cuddly polar bear friend and there is even a possibility the big furry fellow himself may turn up. Great fun for kids.
Mon 12 Dec 11.30am at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH macbirmingham.co.uk/

The Kneejerks in A Miracle on Bright Street at the Victoria
Everybody’s favourite Birmingham based comedy improvvers will be adding a generous dose of Christmas spice to their latest show with the usual lashings of audience participation. The Kneejerks have discovered that submitting to the seasonal juggernaut is inevitable and resistance is futile so get yourselves along to one of the city’s coolest bars and join in the fun.
Mon 12 Dec 7.30pm at Victoria, 48 John Bright Street Birmingham B1 1BN www.facebook.com/

Carol Concert at Birmingham Conservatoire
It’s not Christmas without a decent carol concert and one of the best places to ingest your annual dose of seasonal choral joy is at the Birmingham Conservatoire. The recital hall is a cosy and acoustically perfect setting for all your favourite Carols and will have you yearning for mince pies, turkey and appalling yuletide knitwear in no time.
Tue 13 Dec 1.05pm at Birmingham Conservatoire, Paradise Circus B3 3HG www.bcu.ac.uk/

Tinsel Ride
Get in the (mobile) Christmas spirit by decking your bikes with masses of tinsel and lights and join hundreds of other Crimbo cyclists for a pedal through the city. A wonderful sight to behold and after an easy-going ride down the NCN5 cycle route into the city, the festive wheels then take to canal paths and side roads to end up at the pub (Black Eagle in Hockley). Hosted by Cycle Birmingham.
Wed 14 Dec, 7.15pm meet at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birimngham B12 9QH  www.facebook.com/

Big Art Talk 4 at BCU
Birmingham born artist the Turner Prize nominated Roger Hiorns combines materials to transform urban situations and objects. Exhibited throughout the world including the Tate Britain and the Art Institute of Chicago. This is the fourth Big Art Talk in the lead up to the selection of the winning commision. Hiorns will be discussing his exciting proposal to produce a landscape of transformed steam trains and car engines. An Eastside Projects event.
Wed 14 Dec 6pm at Birmingham City University, Parkside Building lecture theatre 5 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD eastsideprojects.org/

Blues Club with Mickey Banks at Hare and Hounds
The Sonic Gypsy himself Mickey Banks will be ploughing through a set of sludgy blues Saturday afternoon, that is if he’s managed to navigate his way back through the English Delta to Kings Heath. A unique and fiercely independent musician his debut album as The Sonic Gypsy ‘Born A Rolling Stone’ is available now. DJ’s Dylan Gibbons & Dave Le Moderne will be spinning the usual eclectic sounds to keep the cool vibes going.
Sat 17 Dec 4pm at Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath B14 7LG hareandhoundskingsheath.

Come vinyl with me at Fletcher’s Bar
It’s late Sunday afternoon, what better way to relax than by listening to some quality vinyl, but even better than that, bring along your own vinyl and make everyone else listen to it. No restrictions and you get ten minutes to spin those scratched old Herb Alpert albums you love so much, or not! Fletcher’s is a cool bar and describes itself as the stay out late sister of Kitchen Garden Café; we couldn’t put it any better.
Sun 18 Dec, 5pm at Fletchers, 7A York Road, Kings Heath, B14 7SA www.facebook.com

Winter Social ft Silent Cinema at The Bullring
The excellent series of cool daily events continues in the run up to Christmas read our full preview here