Colors: Red Color

The Wolves Mayor Rock Fest will take place at The Slade Rooms on Saturday, April 8. Councillor Ian Brookfield, driven by his love of rock music, has teamed up with Facebook fan group Rockers Through the Ages to organise the event at the Broad Street venue, with doors opening at 4pm.

It will showcase some of the best upcoming rock talent in the City of Wolverhampton.

Bands that will be appearing include The Bad Flowers, Shyyne, Electus, Iconic Eye, The New Saints and Voodoo Sioux.

They will be joined by a rock DJ for what promises to be an extravaganza of music in aid of the chosen charities of the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Barry Findlay -  Samaritans of Wolverhampton, The MS Therapy Centre, and Wolverhampton Help for Heroes.

The Mayor said: "It’s great to see the Rock Fest back and I am happy that Councillor Brookfield has organised it again for three great charities to benefit.

"We're looking forward to showing off the fantastic musical talent we have here in City of Wolverhampton.

"I'd like to thank everyone who is taking part - we have a cast of more than 100 and they are all giving their time for free."

Surge Orchestra leader and composer Sid Peacock is curating a day-long celebration of the West Midlands’ musical and cultural heritage. The day will take in gospel music, free improvisation and Indo-Jazz as well as the inimitable sounds of the Surge Orchestra.
Surge In Spring is the first event in the Grow Your Own festival partnership between Surge, Birmingham City University and mac, and is planned to become an annual event.
Ticketed performances in the mac’s Theatre will be supplemented by free events in the Hexagon bar and Terrace Gallery.
Musicians from Surge will collaborate with the Ray Prince Gospel Band and in a free improvisation session featuring John O’Gallagher with guests Paul Dunmall and Corey Mwamba. There will be a rare concert by John Mayer’s Indo-Jazz Fusions before the full Surge Orchestra rounds off the day off with sometimes chaotic, sometimes tranquil, but always life-giving music.
Sid Peacock’s compositions, as interpreted by his large-scale Surge Orchestra, embrace jazz, folk, rock and contemporary music, all delivered with humour and wit. The band features some of the finest players in the UK. Surge was formed in 2003 with a commission from Paul Murphy to mark the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Birmingham. Since then it has released two CDs, Live in Birmingham 04 and La Fete,  and performed in Belfast, Cheltenham and London jazz festivals as well as regularly in Birmingham.
A new performance by Indo-Jazz Fusions is a particular coup for the festival, and it will be directed by Steve Tromans, with John’s son, Jonathan Mayer, in the band. Calcutta-born John Mayer (1930-2004) developed a mix of Indian music and jazz in the 1960s in collaboration with Jamaican-born saxophonist Joe Harriott, and revived the band in the 1990s. John taught at Birmingham Conservatoire and his music made an impact which extended far beyond Birmingham.
Sid Peacock and Ray Prince have worked together for many years on education and community projects. Expect uplifting vibes and beautiful melodies to mark the start of the day’s events. The Free Improvisation session highlights a form of music that has strong roots in Birmingham and has powerfully influenced Surge. Drummer Mark Sanders, pianist Steve Tromans and guitarist Simon King from SURGE will join saxophonists John O’Gallagher and Paul Dunmall, and vibraphonist Corey Mwamba.

It’s never been so good, for British Black music – and its stars – as two of the country’s biggest names are fronting an advertising campaign alongside two other biggies from these shores. Shortlisted as ‘Men of the Moment,’ international singing star, Craig David , and king of grime, Wiley, joined world boxing champion, Anthony Joshua and ‘ The Revenant ’ actor Will Poulter in promoting the latest Lynx male grooming product in the new advert. The four famous faces were specially selected by Olympic diver Tom Daley, DJ Mista Jam and TV presenter Reggie Yates, who also shortlisted 30 prominent male personalities who are “shaping our times and challenging male stereotypes in 2017.” For Wiley, who along with Dizzee Rascal , Kano and Lethal Bizzle , was at the forefront of the very British, underground, music genre to be recognized by the mainstream, it’s further proof, if ever it was needed, that ‘grime’ isn’t going anywhere – anytime soon. With fellow grime star, Stormzy, also ‘smashing it’ in the wide conscience of British music, the door is wide open for others to follow...for some time to come!​

Mountains on Stage, the film festival dedicated to mountain sports, launches in the UK for the first time this April.

Following a successful winter edition, the festival will tour the UK with six dates in April, showcasing six films that vary in running time from six minutes to fifty nine minutes in length. Themes include, paragliding, bouldering, classic rock climbing from the 1980's and mountain biking in snow.

The films are either in English and when not, are subtitled.

Founder of Mountains on Stage, Cyril Solomon, comments: “We had such a great reaction from our first ever UK winter tour that we have decided to come back for the summer. There's a huge culture of climbing and mountaineering in the UK and we know these films will be of great interest to participants of the sport. But, even if you're not into rock climbing or mountaineering, these films will inspire people in many different ways.”

One of the films (Blocheads) has especially been scheduled for the UK tour only and it's a history of the sport of Bouldering, something that has particular resonance with UK climbers, the others have all been selected based on their originality, reputation and uniqueness.

In connection with Pakistan Day celebration a photographic exhibition titled “Beautiful Pakistan” held in the Art Gallery of the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) in which about 50 photographs of natural scene of Pakistan were showcased. MNA Tahira Aurangzeb inaugurated the exhibition, while Naheed Manzoor and RAC resident director Waqar Ahmed attended the exhibition as special guests. Photographs of natural scenes of Pakistan by Photographer Zafar Iqbal Raheem were showcased in the exhibition. Speaking on the occasion, MNA Tahira Aurangzeb said the RAC always arranges special programs on national days and the photographs exhibition is valuable addition to programs of the Pakistan Day celebrations. She said Pakistan is blessed with wonderful and breath-taking natural scenes and Zafar Raheem has taken pictures of these scenes very skilfully. She said these pictures show Pakistan is among the most countries of the world.

2017 looks set to be another vintage year for fans of the King! Following the sell-out British arena tour last year and the No.1 multi-platinum album The Wonder Of You, Elvis returns to the UK for a live concert experience like no other, featuring the most recognisable voice of all time, backed by the legendary Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

The six date UK arena tour will visit Birmingham’s Genting Arena on 27 November 2017. Last year’s run gained critical applause – the Yorkshire Evening Post commented “Elvis may have left the building but his legacy very much goes marching on”, with the Birmingham Mail observing how the RPCO “played a blinder to authenticate Elvis’s back catalogue”, with The Spectator stating “the technical achievement was remarkable”.

The Lancashire Telegraph simply put it – “By the end, the show left no-one in any doubt. Elvis is and always will be the king of rock and roll – and so much more besides”.

Featuring a very special personal appearance by Priscilla Presley, the shows will once again give fans a chance that many have never had before – to experience the man who changed the course of popular music. Up close live on screen, the biggest selling solo artist in history (having sold an astonishing one billion records worldwide), alongside the RPCO live on stage performing the King of Rock and Roll’s most well-known “rocking” songs and his tender, heart-wrenching ballads.

The critically acclaimed albums, If I Can Dream and The Wonder Of You, used archive recordings of “The King’s” voice featuring new orchestral arrangements of some of his biggest hits, to create an overwhelmingly encapsulating and enthralling album.  The latter was Elvis’ 13th No.1 album in the UK!

If I Can Dream and The Wonder Of You were produced by Executive Producer, Don Reedman, Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises. Priscilla Presley will also make a very special appearance at the arena shows.

These shows will be a musical celebration of the legend for whom superlatives weren’t enough and who continues to break records.

Calling all ballet dancers, the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is delighted to announce that it will host three Boys Ballet Masterclasses in London, Edinburgh and Birmingham from Sunday 2nd April 2017. Each two-hour high-tempo class will be led by a male teacher, with live piano accompaniment in a fun boys-only environment.

Designed for boys aged 7+years with basic ballet technique upwards, each masterclass will aim to encourage confidence-building, sociability and creativity whilst developing ballet technique, choreography, core strength, musicality, coordination and presentation.

Former professional ballet dancer Joel Morris, who will be teaching in Edinburgh said: “These boys might often be the only boy in their dance class. Here, they get their own time. They’re not the add-on or the afterthought. It’s really good for them to mix with other boys who dance. Instead of being the minority, they’re with lots of other boys with the same interest. It builds a community.”

Iain Mackay, Principal Dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet and RAD Male Dance Ambassador will be teaching the London Boys Ballet Masterclass. He said: “It’s so much harder for boys to come to ballet than girls, and it’s a lot easier for them to walk away from it again. But the benefits of fitness, confidence and imagination are just the same. The push is to bridge that gap through programming and teaching methods that draw on and support boys’ wider interests, relating them to ballet and encourages their dance training.”

Metallica have announced the European leg of their WorldWired Tour in support of their new album Hardwired… To Self-Destruct. The tour hits the Genting Arena 30 October 2017. Norway’s Kvelertak will be support for the tour run. No additional shows will be added. 

Every ticket purchased through official outlets includes your choice of a standard digital or standard physical copy of Hardwired…To Self-Destruct. Redemption information will be included in your ticket

purchase confirmation email. Full details of how you can gift the album, should you have already purchased, will be given on the redemption page. Please note that shipping and handling fees apply to the physical version of the album.

Hardwired...To Self-Destruct was released on November 18, 2016 on Metallica's own Blackened Recordings record label and debuted at No. 1 around the world, selling over 800,000 copies worldwide in its first week.

Legendary artist Tom Jones is set to perform at one of England's grandest stately homes - Holkham Hall in north Norfolk - on Sunday 23 July 2017 in a spectacular outdoor concert.

Tom Jones' distinctive voice and iconic records have earned him a place as one of the best loved artists ever to emerge from the 1960s, with an eclectic musical mix spanning pop, rock, soul, R&B, dance, country and gospel. With more than 100 million record sales under his belt, including the instantly recognisable hits It's Not Unusual, Kiss, Delilah and What's New Pussycat, he is without doubt a living legend.  Tom continues to garner popularity as both a live performer and recording artist after five incredible decades, and at the age of 76, has earned the best reviews of his career for his most recent albums Long Lost Suitcase, Spirit In The Room and Praise & Blame.

Tom is currently a coach on ITV's popular talent show The Voice, and has appeared in several films, including 'Mars Attacks'. With numerous tours the world over under his belt, and a legion of fans, his extraordinary career was recognised in 2006 through his knighthood from Her Majesty the Queen, and a string of prestigious music awards, including BRIT Awards for Best Male and Outstanding Contribution to Music, a Silver Clef Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Hitmaker Award from the [US] Songwriters Hall of Fame, GQ Man Of The Year, and the prestigious [UK] Music Industry Trust Award.

The Earl and Countess of Leicester said, “The parkland surrounding Holkham Hall is a perfect setting for Holkham's outdoor concert and we are thrilled to have such a high profile artist appearing here this year.”

The outdoor concert at Holkham on Sunday 23 July will feature a collection of Tom's most popular hits across the decades - including his latest albums - promising fans an unforgettable evening at the height of the summer. The concert will take place in the east park of the grounds of the estate in view of the fact that the popular two-day Country Fair will be taking place over the same weekend.

Enjoy a celebration of more than 20 years of inspired animation and iconic music scores by Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell, Alexandre Desplat, Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman and many others. Relive the moments from Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and more as they are projected in HD onto the big screen as the music is played live by a symphony orchestra.

“We are excited to bring the stunning music of DreamWorks Animation composers to life on stage to be showcased in this great and fun event for music and movie fans of all ages,” said Carol Nygren, Vice President, Worldwide Live Entertainment, Universal Brand Development.

Justin Freer, President of CineConcerts and Producer/Conductor of DreamWorks Animation in Concert adds, "DreamWorks has brought such delight to families around the globe with their vibrant characters and adventurous stories. What carries us through these charismatic experiences is the inspired and fitting music. To be able to showcase the music in a movie-like environment is an entertainment memory we hope lasts forever.”

The legendary Tony Bennett will be returning for his 10th visit to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on 3 July 2017 as part of a string of live performances in the UK to celebrate his 90th year. Since his first visit in 1996, 19 time Grammy Award-winning Tony has performed to over 17,000 adoring fans in Symphony Hall and he can’t wait to come back. Says Tony: “The audiences in Birmingham are exceptionally warm and welcoming and they are so fortunate to have this beautiful Symphony Hall right in their home town … one of my favourite places to perform…” 

As a convoy of vintage cars, sports cars and supercars sets a course for Corton Denham in Somerset this spring, The Queens Arms has announced a day of automobile appreciation on Monday 1 May. Open to everyone from classic car aficionados to eager young enthusiasts, The Queens Arms' Cars, Coffee and Cake event will take place at Corton Denham Manor House Garden on Bank Holiday Monday, from 11am until 5pm.

Regarded as the pioneer of house music in the United Kingdom and credited as ‘The First Lady of House Music’, Kym Mazelle will be headlining at The Jam House Birmingham on 6th April. Already a successful gospel vocalist and a fixture in Chicago's club circuit, Kym Mazelle broke into Europe on the House Music wave of the late eighties. Collaborations with International DJs & producers at the time, found her chart success with ‘Useless’ (Marshall Jefferson), ‘Wait’ (Dr Robert), & ‘Missing You’ (Soul II Soul) during this time.

Music festival Wireless is heading for Haringey again, welcoming some of the industry’s biggest stars. The country’s premier urban festival is due to be held at Finsbury Park on the weekend of July 7 to 9, 2017, with headliners including The Weeknd, Chance the Rapper and Tottenham talent Skepta. The event has been approved by Haringey, subject to agreement from relevant authorities.

Nearly 500 tickets have already been snapped up to see The Little Mix Tribute show at The Albany Theatre next month (April) with organisers saying the ‘Sold Out’ signs could go up before the end of March. With breath-taking dance moves, replica costumes and some of the finest vocals, this is a high-energy show from beginning to end, packed with all Little Mix’s greatest hits and suitable for all ages.