Young parents project
August - october
We have just launched an exciting project aimed at young parents. This is a four month long programme designed to bring young parents into the performing arts arena. If you are a young parent and you are interested in acting, music, creative writing or the technical side of theatre. Or if you simply want to share your experiences with others.
You can be involved in writing, producing, performing min what will be a new theatre play which will be performed in schools starting on the 22nd September - 6th October 2008
Contact:
Natalee Robinson at:
Nu century Arts
160 Hamstead Road
Handsworth
Birmingham
B20 2QR
Tel: 0121 523 5551/0121 523 5122
TY- SUNDAY 27TH APRIL
27/04/2008 - 19:45
The Drum
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Firmly secured in the hip hop premier league the much loved Ty, continues to impress with his creatively conscious lyrics about contemporary life and relationships. With infectious beats and relaxing melodies tonight he joins Soweto on stage in a thought provoking and sensational performance that is not to be missed.
TOR - IN THE BATTLE IN THE BOX - SUNDAY 20TH APRIL
20/04/2008 - 19:45
The Drum
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ONE OF THE SICKEST LYRICIST THE UK HAS TO OFFER" (1XTRA)
Passionate, precise and consistent are just three words that can be used to sum up east Londoner, Tor. Homegrown UK talent, Tor is flipping the rap game on its head with her melodic flow and fiery feminine ways. And that?s no hype talk.You may have read about, or been lucky enough to witness Tor at the Urban Classics event, a one-off show which saw her rapping along with the BBC Concert Orchestra for what was described by the press as 'a night of groundbreaking, live, classical, grime.' Perhaps you?ve recognized her vocals from the live performance at the Olympics 2012 winner?s announcement in Trafalgar Square viewed by one billion people.
Z-U - SUNDAY 13TH APRIL 2008
13/04/2008 - 19:45
The Drum
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Z - U is a three piece outfit striving to push forward the boundaries of improvised music with a homogenous world sound. This sound reflects the eclectic range of influences of its members.By taking the raw elements of jazz and allowing generous use of electronics, loops and effects, a symphony of sound is created in which fragments of melody are spontaneously imagined.The band has performed in many popular venues in London such as The Vortex, Spitz, Notting Hill Arts Club and plays the festival circuit across Europe. They recently played at the London jazz festival supporting Polar Bear and have an extensive tour scheduled for 2008.
Neil Charles (Bass)graduated with a classical degree at Trinity College of music. He has worked with Empirical, Robert Mitchell, Charles Mingus Big Band, Soweto Kinch, Jason Yarde, Omar Puente and Julian Siegel.Neil plays in several renowned festivals across Europe and has recently performed at the South by South West conference in Texas.
Shabaka Hutchings (Clarinet/saxophone)is a graduate from the classical course of the Guildhall School of music. He has performed with Polar Bear, The Heritage Orchestra, Courtney Pine Big Band, Soweto Kinch and Byron Wallen. He has performecd at numerous jazz festivals including The North Sea, Montreaux, Cheltenham, Nice and London jazz festival. He has also performed at the IAJE conference in Toronto.
Tom Skinner (Drums)Was a member of Gary Crosby's Tomorrows Warriors for four years (1998-2001) doing gigs and workshops up and down the country including a weekly residency at London's Jazz Cafe. He was also part of the Denys Baptiste Quartet and is featured on the 'MOBO' award
BATTLE IN THE BOX -G.T.A 6TH APRIL
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G.T.A Junior Doctor Chima Anya & trainee accountant Ineffable: two dudes went to school together, united by the power of Hip Hop, come to tear down s***.
Oxford based duo GTA deliver lively vibes, attention grabbing beats and thoughtful rhymes throughout their ?Love is here EP?. Emcees Chima and Ineffable share an infectious chemistry which contributes to the overall feel good factor that permeates this release. The crisp title track acts as a fitting introduction to the group with its positive affirmations and a memorably soulful hook. ?Known to spit? offers straight-up braggadocio with choppy beats and tight scratches from DJ Fu, whilst the clever concept cut ?Rather See? finds the pair outlining their hopes for the future, both serious and light-hearted. (Blues and Soul Magazine)
BATTLE IN THE BOX - PEN TALK - 23RD MARCH 2008
23/03/2008 - 17:30
The Drum
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Pentalk, a stalwart of the Birmingham hip hop scene for over ten years, performs its first ever set at The Live Box and with a full live band; Pentalk also hosts Battle in the Box. Formed in the mid-90s in the B19 area of Birmingham, the collective now spans several countries with members living as far afield as Canada and the US. Despite this, Pentalk has retained its core love of hard hitting beats and rhymes, and continues to astound audiences at appearances such as Newport's B-Boy Championships and support slots with the likes of KRS One.
URSULA RUCKER- SUNDAY 16TH MARCH
16/03/2008 - 19:45
The Drum
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Ursula Rucker has never been afraid to take it there There, that place,deep inside. up and above, where she carves emotion with piercing lyrical cadence.There, where poetry and music entertwine, melodies and words mingle. On her third album, Rucker sets her sights There, aspiring towards ancient Egyptian Kemetic principle, the foundation of universal order and balance maat truth. hence the album title: maat mama. She muses at home in Philadelphia, surrounded by her four children, all age under twelve. Now that I am a mama of four black boys in America, I need all the strength to raise them and to do my best to achieve good human being-ness, so I can show them the way. Supa sista has evolved into ma'at mama. From her native Philadelphia Ruckers' affinity for crafting words catapulted her message into hungry ears when she began to read publicly in 1994 at Zanzibar. The Temple University journalism graduate struck a chord in Philly's soul that reverberated around the world with her mezzo-soprano speak.
Michael Janisch/Pete Zimmer Quartet Sunday 9th Mrch 2008
09/03/2008 - 19:45
The Drum
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Michael Janisch/Pete Zimmer Quartet featuring US saxophonist Joel Frahm, and UK Guitarist Great Phil Robson.
US bassist now resident in the UK, Michael Janisch (Joe Lovano, Gary Husband), joins forces with in-demand New York band leader and drummer, Pete Zimmer to present an evening of contemporary straight ahead jazz at the Drum in Birmingham. They have called upon one of New York's first call tenor men for over the last two decades, Joel Frahm, to join them along with UK guitar phenom Phil Robsom, or Partisans fame. This is a special "Big Smoke meets Big Apple" project will include original music from both Janisch and Zimmer, as well as some arrangments of classic standards. Moreover, this is a very rare opportunity to hear one of the preeminent saxophonists and improvisers in the world today, Joel Frahm, in the UK along side one of England's top jazz exports,guitarist Phil Robson. This will be a night of highly-crafted contemporary jazz not to be missed.
ZENA EDWARDS -SUNDAY 2ND MARCH 2008
02/03/2008 - 19:45
The Drum
more??The amazing Zena Edwards, a titanic poet in her own right, will set the table for a feast.?
Tottenham poet/singer/writer, Zena Edwards, quoted as being One of the most refreshing, ever-developing voices in the UK fuses the raw elements of urban experiences expressed through individualised rhythms of hip-hop and jazz. Her poetry is also inspired by travel, especially in Africa, its traditional song and music. She has poems published in several anthologies and performs her work internationally.To check Zena?s poetry and collaborations check www.myspace.com/zenaedwards
?The amazing Zena Edwards, a titanic poet in her own right, will set the table for a feast.?
Police Association, London Museum Bicentenary of the Commemoration for The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act (2007), Trafalgar Square Festival (2006), Nitrogenesis (2006), Musicport Festival (2005), British Councils Arts and Culture Programme, Broken Words National tour with Apples and Snakes (2005), Def Poetry ? HBO Feb (2004), Future Sounds of Jazz tour (2004), The Cheltenham Literature Festival (2003), The London Jazz Festival (2003, 2004), Poetry International at the Royal Festival Hall (2002), The Kin Tour ? Renaissance One (2003), The URB Hip Hop Festival ? Helsinki (2002 and 2003), Jonzi D?s Aeroplane Man (2002and 2003),