Monday Showcase: Liszt, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms at Birmingham Conservatoire
If you think Brahms and Liszt is rhyming slang for getting rather inebriated then you seriously need to up your culture levels a notch or two. Luckily for you the Birmingham Conservatoire provides a regular series of free classical concerts showcasing the incredible talent of the students studying there. It’s a delightful way to start your week if you can make it. This week there are five pieces of music to seduce your ears, including Mozart with baritone Michael Lam performing ‘Hai gia vinta la causa’ (Le nozze di Figaro) ahead of his upcoming appearance at the Rep.
Mon 5 Dec 1pm at Birmingham Conservatoire, Paradise Circus B3 3HG www.bcu.ac.uk/

An Englishman in New York (dir: Richard Laxton, 2009, cert 15) at Birmingham LGBT
John Hurt’s portrayal of one of the stately homos of England, Quentin Crisp, is a delight. Reprising the role that made him famous in The Naked Civil Servant in 1975, Hurt lends Crisp a vulnerability that the celebrated queen tried desperately to hide. More indulged than innovative Crisp cuts a lonely figure as he sashays from one drama to the next meeting several celebrities and artists along the way. His carefully contrived eccentricity masked a glut of insecurities and it is this personality vacuum that makes the film so fascinating. Screening as part of the Journey Film Club.
Tue 6 Dec 7.30pm at Birmingham LGBT Centre 38/40 Holloway Circus Birmingham B1 1EQ, FREE www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk/

Winter Magic. Writers in conversation with Abi Elphinstone at Waterstones
A celebration of new anthology ‘Winter Magic’ featuring stories from several acclaimed children’s writers on wintery themes. Abi will be chatting with Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner Michelle Harrison, Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize winner Piers Torday and novelist Emma Carroll. The authors will be discussing their own influences and Christmas traditions which will be followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Wed 7 Dec 6pm at Waterstones, 128 New Street Birmingham B2 4DB www.waterstones.com

The Cheeky Monkey Comedy Club at the Dark Horse 
In another coup for the Dark Horse renown TV satirist Nick Revell is going to be delivering his razor sharp observations and wit all for free. A ridiculously impressive comedy CV that encompasses work on radio and TV as well as writing for the likes of Jon Oliver, Rory Bremner and Roy Hudd amongst a whole raft of others. Up and coming comedian Toby Brown is in support, Toby has been compared to early Jimmy Carr. Also appearing are Jamie Oliphant and Samantha Pressdee.
Wed 7 Dec 8pm at the Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Road Moseley B13 8JP www.facebook.com/

The Atlantic Players Christmas Gig at the Prince of Wales
Firmly established in these parts the nine piece Atlantic Players are guaranteed to kick up a soulful storm with their energetic brand of fiery ‘Southern Soul’. Dipping into a catalogue of rhythm and blues classics influenced heavily by the likes of Stax and Willie Mitchell they are an absolute riot live. In the cool and salubrious confines of the Prince’s beautiful heated garden they will be a riot. It’s all free too. But the festive goodness doesn’t stop there. Pop up choristers the Skylarks will be on hand to add yuletide charm along with the ubiquitous mince pies, mulled wine and raffle. Dylan Gibbons will be ensuring the Christmas beats keep spinning.
Thu 8 Dec 7pm at Prince of Wales, 118 Alcester Road Moseley Birmingham B13 8EE www.theprincemoseley.co.uk

Jamnesty 2K16 at the Indie Lounge
You may not be aware but the government has been slashing legal aid, this has had a dramatic knock on effect for the most vulnerable members of society who now have no access to legal advice or support. You can read more about this and the campaign for a review at Amnesty International. To find out more and spend a lovely evening of music and spoken word performances you should get yourselves along to Jamnesty 2K16.
Thu 8 Dec 8pm at The Indie Lounge, 634 Bristol Road Selly Oak Birmingham B29 6BQ www.facebook.com/

Dead Pixels Xmas Party at Digbeth Dining Club
The kings of retro gaming are throwing a Christmas party for nostalgia hungry gaming geeks alongside the wonderful appetite sating gods of the Digbeth Dining Club this Friday. There will be 14 consoles available so expect Megadrive, Nintendo 64 and Gameboy greats like Street Fighter, Tetris and Super Mario. Plus a hell of a lot more and all on free play all night, leave that loose change at home or better still spend it on some of the stunning choice of nosh available. There will be seven street food vendors all providing a high quality range of meals but our favourites are The Kebab Cartel, you must try their The Godfather falafel kebab and the Mexican street food of Cafe Orchata, you really need a taco filled with chipotle and ancho chilli braised ox-cheek. Free gaming and top quality grub. What more could you possibly want? There will be live art from the likes of the Reddson Twins, Powis, IWDAP, Laura Simpson and Earp with cool audio from Slobs, Jekyll, Bass Ape and lots more.
Fri 9 Dec 5.30pm at Spotlight, Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth, B9 4AG www.facebook.com/

Blues Club with Ming City Rockers at the Hare and Hounds
The Ming City Rockers are a pulsating guitar rage of psyched out noise in the spirit of MC5, The Stooges and Johnny Thunders. They are certain to put a bullet through the tranquility of your Saturday afternoon and turn you into a sweaty mess. Seeing these boys for nada is an absolute treat. Thank you Hare and Hounds. The Blues Club regular DJ’s Dylan Gibbons and Dave Le Moderne will keep the cool vibe ticking along with their usual unbridled eclecticism.
Sat 10 Dec 4pm at Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ hareandhoundskingsheath.

Winter Social ft Silent Cinema at The Bullring
Independent winter wonderland away from the German market scrum. Everyday coolness until Christmas. Read our full feature here

Babmag Issue 4 Launch & Advent Art Calendar
BabMag launches it’s fourth fierce issue at PROVIDE’s pop up space in the Great Western Arcade. Focus this month is on Birmingham’s musical roots and rich history in Reggae with a collaborative T-shirt, music and the upstairs gallery space featuring work from local photographer Kate Hook, abstract artist Alexander Rhys Boardman, OG graffiti writer Zooki and Provide’s funky Best of Brum advent art calendar.
Fri 9 Dec at Great Western Arcade. See our full preview here.