Project Soundlounge Festival
The Town Hall hosts an amazing array of local talent organized as part of their youth development programme. The 16-25 year old participants take on all aspects of arranging the event; programming, producing and marketing. Highlights include Dorcha’s beautifully wistful electronica, the shoe gaze nostalgia of Karl Monroe and the smooth soul of Kemi Sulola. A fantastic event that deserves all of our support.
Sat 6 Aug 2.30pm at Town Hall, Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ projectsoundlounge.co.uk/

Joanna Karselis + DJs at mac’s Summer Sessions (outdoors)
The Birmingham based singer songwriter is the latest addition to the excellent Summer Sessions series of free concerts at the mac. As well as performing solo Joanna has worked with several orchestras and  has also scored music for plays and films. She will be playing a mixture of old and new songs and we have been promised a glimpse of her new guitar! The performance will be followed by a chilled out set from DJ Gravebongaz.
Fri 5 Aug, 6pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH  macbirmingham.co.uk/

The Taskers at Gunmakers Arms
The Gunmakers Arms continues to expand its already huge cultural repertoire with more live music, this time from the Stafford based The Taskers. Hard working rockers with influences as diverse as Weezer and The White Stripes they have released six albums with number seven ‘Wolf Party’ due out soon. The outdoor stage and decking is a lovely place to watch live music and if the sun shines all that Two Towers ale will go down a treat.
Sat 6 Aug 3pm at Gunmakers Arms, Bath Street, B4 6HG www.facebook.com

Songs and Poetry at The Lamp
The Lamp Tavern in Digbeth plays host to an evening of songs and poetry featuring one woman band Rowena Knight performing all original celtic funk, singer songwriter John Benbow and Andy Howell.
Sat 6 Aug 8pm at The Lamp Tavern, 157 Barford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6AH www.songsandpoetry.org.uk/

Free Clubbing
Outdoor summer clubbing vibes at the Corona Sunset Summer Terrace Party at The Rainbow + free RElapse party at Hare & Hounds, see our clubs roundup here. And more Balearic outdoor DJs and dancing at The Great Outdoors Summer Sessions, see our preview here.

Ikon Gallery
Currently has several free exhibitions we heartily recommend, see our feature here

Central City Roller Girls
So you’ve just finished watching the kick ass feminist roller derby movie ‘Whip It’ and you’re ready for a piece of the action. Luckily for you Birmingham based Central City Roller Girls have newbie sessions completely free of charge every Monday. They’ll even provide all your equipment, though bringing your own mouth guard is recommended. If falling over is a particularly favourite hobby of yours then get yourself along. Girls and boys welcome.
Mon 1 Aug, 7pm at Moseley School Health & Fitness Centre, College Road. www.centralcityrollergirls.co.uk

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (dir: John Madden, 2015, cert PG)Charming if slight sequel but with a very strong ensemble cast, stunning scenery and the ubiquitous happy ending. A pleasant way to spend a couple of hours in the always welcoming surroundings of the LGBT centre. If you have ideas for films you would like to see screened there is a film choice meeting this week too.
Tue 2 Aug 7pm at LGBT Centre, 38/40 Holloway Circus, Birmingham B1 1EQ
The film choice meeting is Thu 4 Aug 8pm at Wetherspoons Dragon Inn, Hurst street, Birmingham B5 4TD www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk/

Gregory Peck’s Jazz, Funk & Soul Open Mic Night at The Night Owl
The Night Owl is always a cool venue to spend time in. Throw in some free live funk music and, if you’re that way inclined, bring along your own instruments to plug in and make some tuneful noise.
Wed 3 Aug, 9pm at The Night Owl, Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AG www.facebook.com/

Lunchtime Guitar Concert with Leo Turner
The lunchtime guitar concerts are a unique and popular event on the Birmingham music scene and feature some of the most compelling and exciting guitar music from the Spanish, Latin and Classical repertoire. The concerts take place in the beautiful setting of the Round Room.
Fri 5 Aug 1.10pm at BMAG, CHamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/

Distant North – Hiking The Kungsleden + Q&A (dir: Theo Gove-Humphries, 2016, cert 12) The King’s Trail (Kungsleden) is a long distance walking path measuring some 440km through some of Europe’s most unspoiled scenery taking in Sweden’s highest mountain the Kebnekaise. The thirty day hike is not for the fainthearted. The documentary follows four friends traveling through Arctic Sweden as autumn descends from Abisko to Hemavan A Kickstarter funded project.
Sun 7 Aug 2pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH macbirmingham.co.uk/