Birmingham Post - Home - Life & Leisure

Film: Hustle and Dancing On The Edge put Birmingham locations in the spotlight

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:55:00 GMT

Some of Birmingham’s most recognisable landmarks are set for more TV exposure following the filming of two new dramas in and around the city – and one enterprising businessman is enjoying the spectacle.

Music: Jazz Diary

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

One of the liveliest and most characterful sidemen in the Midlands gets to be bandleader tonight as double bassist Tom Hill brings his quartet into The Yardbird.

Post Features: David Walliams is to go up against authors including JK Rowling and Charlie Higson as they battle to see their titles declared the best children’s book of the past decade.

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

They are in the running to land the accolade, which will be decided by viewers of BBC series Blue Peter.

Post Features: Worcester’s rugby and cricket stars teamed up with the city’s business community to raise £5,995 for The Prince’s Trust.

Birmingham Post — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Trust’s annual ‘Question of Sport’ quiz evening, sponsored by Worcestershire accountants Hayward Wright, was held at Worcestershire CCC.

Film: Movie Reviews: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Big Miracle, A Dangerous Method, The Vow

Birmingham Post — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:11:00 GMT

Graham Young reviews the latest cinema releases, including Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Big Miracle, A Dangerous Method and The Vow.

Film: Daniel Radcliffe begins laying the ghost of Harry Potter

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:25:00 GMT

He could have opted to sit on his millions but the magic lives on for Daniel Radcliffe, as Alison Jones discovers.

Music: Kevin Rowland announces new Dexys Midnight Runners album release

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:55:00 GMT

Legendary Birmingham band Dexys Midnight Runners are to release a new album in the summer - although the name of the band has been shortened to just Dexys.

Film: Movie Reviews: The Muppets, The Woman In Black, Chronicle, Tatsumi, Jack and Jill

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:02:00 GMT

The latest cinema releases reviewed and rated, including Daniel Radcliffe in The Woman In Black and the latest offering from The Muppets.

Post Features: Helen Cross: Putting right the wrongs of my first first novel

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:55:00 GMT

The Birmingham Post’s Richard McComb is attending Tindal Street Press’s first creative writing masterclass. Here, guest tutor and award-winning Birmingham author Helen Cross explains the experience of getting her first novel published

Restaurants Birmingham & Midlands: Restaurant Review: Jee Jee's, Smethwick

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Jee Jee’s is no ordinary pub. It is a Punjabi pub. To many people, myself included, this concept is somewhere on the road to dining nirvana. Two of life’s greatest pleasures – curry and beer.

Post Features: Track and field and glamour shoots for Olympic hopeful Louise Hazel

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:38:00 GMT

Olympic athlete Louise Hazel is one of Britain's model sportswomen. Just don’t ask her about make-up, writes Richard McComb.

Music: Conductor Edward Gardner delights in the energy of the CBSO

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Classical Music: Review: Hepplewhite Piano Trio, at Birmingham Town Hall

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:12:00 GMT

Prizewinners from the Birmingham Conservatoire, this up and coming young chamber group, formed in 2009, is rapidly gaining recognition.

Music: Review: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:21:00 GMT

Programme notes verging on the pretentious led to confusion with constant references to death in ‘variable dustings of sound’. Fine playing throughout however, from some of Birmingham’s top musicians.

Stage: Battle lines drawn at the RSC for Nations At War season

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:09:00 GMT

Battle plans are being drawn up as the Royal Shakespeare Company prepares for war.

Music: Review: Conquering The Antarctic, City of London Sinfonia, at Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:19:00 GMT

Forming the bulk of this concert was a musical commemoration of Scott’s journey to the South Pole (he perished in March 1912 on the return leg).

Music: Review: Mark Padmore, Richard Watkins, Julius Drake, at Malvern Theatres

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:18:00 GMT

The programming of Malvern Concert Club’s latest concert looked eccentric, with Beethoven and Schubert sandwiching two of Britten’s lesser-known offerings - but it worked brilliantly.

Music: Review: CBSO matinee performance, at Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:14:00 GMT

We were treated to sumptuous Stradivarius sonorities from Akiko Suwanai, a very fine soloist playing Heifetz’s superb 1714 instrument

Music: Review: Andreas Scholl, at Birmingham Town Hall

Birmingham Post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:08:00 GMT

It would be perverse not to be charmed by Andreas Scholl’s voice which was smooth, mellifluous and honeyed in this Bach concert. He sang with an almost unearthly beauty.

Travel Reviews: A quick getaway to Wroxton House hotel near Banbury

Birmingham Post — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Grant Templeton packs his walking boots for a peaceful break in Oxfordshire.

Restaurants Birmingham & Midlands: Shropshire restaurateur backing campaign to save Birmingham Wholesale Markets

Birmingham Post — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

An award-winning Shropshire restaurateur is backing the campaign to save Birmingham wholesale markets from relocation.

Post Features: Garden Watch: The Jerusalem artichoke

Birmingham Post — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Its botanical name is Helianthus tuberosus, making it a close relative of the annual sunflower, as can be seen from its habit - it will reach 6ft or more – and its foliage.