We’re back again with yet another Gig Guide full of fun things to do in Birmingham! We’ve included a few events for the families this week, as well as our standard assortment of gigs, shows and things to do, so enjoy!
The Old Crown #StPatricksWeek Festival Fundraiser @ The Old Crown, 17th March
With it being The Old Crown’s favourite of time of the year, we had to include their last St Paddy’s Day event of 2017. This is most likely your last chance to celebrate the holiday in style in Birmingham, and also a chance to contribute to the funds for next year’s proceedings!
The event runs from 6pm-12am, and features traditional Irish music, fittingly performed by The Father Teds and Lamba. With The Old Crown being Birmingham’s oldest pub – dating back to 1368 and still retaining most of the original aesthetic – it’s hard to imagine anywhere better to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineer’s Fair @ The NEC, 17th-18th March
This one’s for the kids – the UK’s largest science fair for young people comes to Birmingham this weekend! Attracting over 70,000 last year, the weekend brings an award-winning programme including competitions, interactive workshops, exciting theatre shows and exhibits and careers information from STEM professionals.
The event have recommended families visit on 18th March, when the fair will focus on the exciting careers in science and engineering available to young people. In addition, the fair offers experiences with virtual reality, marine biology, explosive chemistry, space, robots, coding, microscopic bugs and much more!
We’ve found a handy little video of highlights from last year’s event – enjoy!
Sonic Boom Six + Ghouls + Lobster + Mind Step @ O2 Academy 3, 20th March
Those ska-punk-rock-house-reggae-dancehall-electronica….people are currently touring in support of their latest album, The F-Bomb and most recent single Do What You Wanna Do. The band have always avoided generic classification, settling somewhere under the ska-punk umbrella and taking a decidedly social prerogative with their music, whilst delivering a frenetic and energetic live show.
Support is provided by Ghouls, who sound like the best bits of Less Than Jake and The Wonder Years fused together in the setting of a punk band. Lobster are hometown heroes, playing the fusion of reggae and hip-hop they have built their eight year career on. Mind Step are slightly less tenured than Lobster, but have been making waves around Birmingham with their female-led alt-rock.
Musical Picnic @ Symphony Hall Cafe Bar, 22nd March
Sometimes, it’s the simple events that are the best. Musical Picnic offers a relaxing and friendly space for you and your young ones. Recommended for ages 5 and under, music practitioners help facilitate early year learning through music in a supportive and fun environment. Vo Fletcher will be performing, allowing the little ones the chance to explore music, dance and story-telling whilst making new friends.
COGnitive Jazz Therapy @ Cogs Bar, 23rd March
Much like the last event, COGnitive Jazz Therapy is a night where less is more. No gimmicks, thrills or fluff, just good, live music. The steampunk motif that Cogs Bar has lends itself quite nicely to jazz music, giving the performers an atmospheric and intimate setting each week.
With a guarantee that a different band will perform every week, this night isn’t one to miss if you just need to take a load off, have a drink and listen to some music. Also, did we mention it’s free?
Take a listen to Sebastiano Dessaney – he’s one of many performers who have graced the COGnitive Jazz Therapy stage.