Entertainment News

Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) have announced ‘The Virtual Stage’ - a tech focused project featuring content developed in collaboration with Canon and RiVR, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies that explores the many different ways that AR, VR, 3D mapping and Motion Capture can be applied to BRB’s productions in order to enhance experiences and interaction, increase accessibility, promote its productions worldwide and bring ballet to life in new ways.

Following the announcement of the return of World of Wonder’s RuPaul’s DragCon in 2024, the Phoenix brings you inspiring words of wisdom from some of the world’s most prominent drag queens during their appearance at RuPaul’s DragCon 2023.

Starting us off is RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 4’s star ‘Copper Topp’ who speaks candidly about dealing with anxiety and shares their advice to LGBTQ+ readers who may be struggling with identity.

Brought to you by World of Wonder (WOW), the creative force behind the multi-Emmy Award winning franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race, and the queen of all drag, RuPaul, RuPaul’s DragCon UK is officially ‘ru-turning’ in 2024 as it sashays back to ExCeL London for the second year in a row - marking the return of the world’s biggest celebration of drag and queer culture and to kick-start the new year in style with high heels and lots of glitter.

Birmingham Hippodrome and Bullring & Grand Central launched Birmingham Weekender on Fri August 25 with a spectacular preview event which included an opportunity to try The Swings, a giant swing set installed on Central Street and a preview performance by All or Nothing Theatre as part of the free annual festivities which took place during the Bank Holiday Weekend.

"Hello To Self Irvine Meet CalJah," an extraordinary memoir by Irvine 'CalJah' Lewis, which has achieved a remarkable #1 bestseller rank in the category of Angel on Amazon UK, has been captivating readers with its inspiring narrative of resilience and faith.

At forty-six, Irvine Lewis, a devoted family man, IT Systems Analyst, and gifted saxophonist faced a life-changing challenge when he suffered a stroke that revealed he had a brain tumor. Beating cancer, his battle wasn't over, next facing a life-threatening brain infection, leading to months in the hospital and a tough road to recovery.

They are the only K-pop girl group without any Korean members.

A stage adaptation of Tom Baker’s ‘The Boy Who Kicked Pigs’ is heading for a local theatre this autumn.

Notting Hill and Leeds West Indian Carnivals returns this August Bank Holiday as two of the longest running street parties in the UK and the largest street parties in Europe, will see millions of people, including thousands of tourists, attending both parades through west London and West Yorkshire, which will be showcasing the best of mas dancing, Soca, Calypso, Steel Bands and Sound Systems.

Hip-hop, the most popular genre in America, is 50 this month.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) have release first look images for Wils Wilson’s production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which is currently in previews at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, with press night on Wednesday 30 August.

Despite heavy showers, there was no stopping people from celebrating as Jamaica 0121 Festival took its place in Aston Park, in Birmingham, with music, food and cultural events from local, national and from abroad.

Making its mark for Jamaica’s 61 years since the Caribbean country gained independence from Britain, the stately surroundings of the Aston Hall, the free annual event saw an array of stalls from local businesses.

After closing its doors during the Covid-19 pandemic, Birmingham's best-kept secret venue, Berrow Court, has sensationally reopened its doors, with the addition of guest suites for overnight stays.

Nestled in the forested space of the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this summer’s theatre sensation is just waiting be discovered: director Tim Sheader’s revival of Jerry Herman’s musical version of La Cage Aux Folles (based on the French farce by Jean Poiret). Packed with drag, dance, drama and self-determination, this production is nothing less than a dazzling triumph.

MC Hammersmith, the world's leading freestyle rapper to emerge from the ghetto of middle-class West London, has announced his first ever UK tour after wowing the fans and critics alike with his new show ‘‘Straight Outta Brompton’ at the Edinburgh Fringe this month. The tour starts in his hometown of Edinburgh on 19^th March at The Stand and culminates on 28^th April at Brighton’s Old Market.

Birmingham Royal Ballet is delighted to announce the launch of its new company BRB2 which will be visiting Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Saturday 24 June 2023 as part of its inaugural UK tour with Carlos Acosta’s Classical Selection.

BRB2 is a new initiative where BRB pro-actively seeks out some of the best young ballet graduates from around the world to join a two-year performance programme, providing vital employment for the next generation of exceptional ballet dancers, (aged 18-22) to transition from training into jobs at BRB or other leading ballet companies, impacting the dance sector worldwide.

The country's finest DJ's, businesses, promoters have been nominated for the city's biggest entertainment awards and concert at Symphony Hall where we celebrate 25 years of Street Cred Magazine, the ultimate game changer created in Birmingham known internationally.