Wayne Burrows: Eastern Bloc Party Songs: Party, Pop & Politics at Centrala
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia, as well as the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (which will occur next year), Wayne Burrows will be debuting an exciting display of paraphernalia from the music scene of former Eastern Bloc Communist states. Burrows’ archival material will include LP and EP sleeves, posters, photography and short films all from state-run record labels from Czechoslovakia and Poland between 1963-88. Exhibition will be accompanied by events.
Fri 7th Sep – Sat 20th Oct at Centrala, Unit 4 Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, Birmingham B5 5RT Free
centrala-space.org.uk

Navigating Spaces Switching Locations, Switching Locations at Grand Union
Based on their London exhibition Navigating Proximities, Ana Kazaroff and Alicia Reyes McNamara’s Navigating Spaces will explore diasporic experiences. This talk will touch on the topics of colourism, passing and consumption of racialisation as inspired by their experiences as Latin American artists. This exhibition is a part of the b.dewitt gallery project which focuses on the curatorial and commissioning elements of contemporary art practises that are situated within a political, historical and intersectional point of view.
Sat 15th Sep at Grand Union, 19 Minerva Works, Fazeley St, Birmingham, B5 5RS Free grand-union.org.uk

Waiting for the UFO’s at Ikon Gallery
Waiting for the UFO’s is the new show by Polly Apfelbum, her work is colourful, well organised chaos recalling Bridget Riley, whilst her circle structures display a hint of Terry Frost. Aesthetics aside, Apfelbum’s work is laced with political and sociological undertones challenging the notion of ‘high art’ in a bid to promote social equality through artistic practice.
Wed 19th Sep – Sun 18th Nov at Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS Free.
www.ikon-gallery.org

Beatfreeks Festival of Audacity ft Sober Rave & Headspace
As a part of Beatfreeks’ ‘Festival of Audacity’ they will be presenting a sober rave with DJ sets from Londons QTIPOC collective BBZ London. BBZ parties have made a mark on London’s queer arts scene, with parties that mix exhibitions with cool events that continue late into the night. BLAB X Headspace is another exciting event on Beatfreek’s ‘Festival of Audacity’ calendar that aims to answer the question ‘does art damage your mental health’ using workshops, performances and panelists.
BBZ London Rave: Sat 29th Sep at Council House, Victoria Sq, Birmingham, B3 3AP. 9pm-1am. Free.
Headspace: Thurs 27th Sep at Quantum Exhibition Centre B9 4EG. 7pm-10pm. Free.
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Reception: Autumn Conversations with Room Art
Cultural engagement doesn’t come any cosier than the Room Art of Melissa Morris and Marcin Sz, it’s the pinnacle of an intimate and personal atmosphere. Set in a location in Digbeth, Room Art’s latest event will include a mixture of live music, performances and of course, art. The crux of the event is set around the debut of Eif and Xhosa Cole’s ‘Autumn Conversations’. EIF and Cole’s sound mixes the meditative with the cyber, creating a conjunction between relaxation and heart palpitations. It’s odd, but very exciting. www.roomart.org