|
|
|
|
|
THEY DON'T LOOK A DAY OVER EIGHT
What you see above is the first ever Digbeth Dining Club, a decade ago. In the white gazebo, to the right, is Birmingham burger stalwart, Original Patty Men who, having forgotten their gazebo on their first ever event, had to share one with another trader, each crew getting just 1.5 metres of food-slinging real estate. Below, you'll see Digbeth Dining Club as you now know it: a fully-fledged food operation serving thousands, pictured at Warwick Castle, one of the dozens of locations they regularly rock up to. Times have changed, and no mistake, but their passion remains the same; the once small DDC was instrumental in pioneering the street food industry outside London. In what will be their tenth year of existence, the team have announced a 35-date, 15-location celebration — including 10 weeks at Warwick Castle where, alone, they have served a quarter of a million diners since 2020. Fear not, DDC’s two permanent Brum venues — Hockley Social Club and Herbert's Yard — will continue to offer what they always do, but part of their stable of over 60 food traders (plus 50 DJs and 12 bar or brewery vendors) will go on a tour of the West Midlands, as a thank you to their now sprawling home; the name Digbeth long outgrown. The summer programme of events will begin with a 3,000 capacity festival, May 27 to 29, with headliners including the House Gospel Choir, 28-piece orchestra, Ibiza Symphonic, and Norman Jay. Other venues set to be taken over include Merry Hill’s scenic Waterfront, the 18th Century mansion, Himley Hall, Coventry Cathedral Ruins, Bromsgrove Rugby Club and The Tamworth Pleasure Grounds. Tickets for all events go on sale at 11am today (March 31) here. Prices vary.
|
|
|
NOW SHOWING: CURIOUS INCIDENT
An ear-ringing bassline, rave, strobe lights, writhing bodies, all in a digital black box. Not Glastonbury’s Block 9 but – delivering an equally disconcerting slap to your comfort zone – this is the opening to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the onstage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s novel. It’s in Brum, at the Birmingham Hippodrome for a week (until April 2), and really should not be missed. Illustrating the increased understanding of the lived experience of neurodiverse people since the novel and play’s first run, it’s now on its second outing, with a stage production that’s frantic, overwhelming at times, and incredibly compelling. It’s kinetic, with movement and sound the narrative forces to make you understand the 15 year-old hero, Christopher’s, unique perspective on the world and to keep you immersed in the disordered segments of the play. There’s a sense-achingly realistic portrayal of London’s tube chaos for any out-of-towners, and amongst serious subject content, nods and winks to the audience lighten the tone as we witness the discombobulating feelings Christopher lives through. The interval gives you respite from the chaotic events on stage, just as you start to understand his experience. Returning for the second half, even the coldest heart will be warmed by the final act (a cuuuute deus ex machina), ending bittersweetly. Kudos to the effects department for smashing out an encore in which I still don’t understand how Christopher solved a Maths equation, but I do know explaining it with flair and confetti might earn you points for showing your working. Act fast, tickets (from £24) will go quickly.
|
|
|
POWERPOINT TO THE PEOPLE
Fans of bringing work home with them will love the new Wine Club at Cafe Artum; they’ve got presentation slides, guys! But death by PowerPoint, it ain’t. Turns out, it’s what wine tasting might be missing. Sat in the very chic Cafe Artum surroundings, nestled within a corner of Hockley Social Club, at £49 you can relax and enjoy four frequently topped-up glasses of vino while perfectly selected vinyls spin and the friendliest, not-a-sommelier-but-self-confessed-wine-nerd, Alex Smith (formerly of Carters), talks you through the selection. The charm is that for each event it’s all one vineyard; sampling a range of wines to experience their grapes several ways. Greeted with a bubbly and a table education on the Pet Nat process (alongside a shocking discovery that ‘old’ vines are just 50ish years old!), you’ll then be expertly taken through three additional whites and reds, matched with some very fine Andy Low ‘n’ Slow plates. First time around, this was a Tamworth pork with cauliflower mole, to complement and– interestingly– compare with both a white and a red from the supplier du jour, Testalonga Wines. Alex makes this a compelling tour, avoiding overwhelming you by sticking with one vineyard’s range and their different processes; a digestible amount of wine wisdom that you won’t forget once you leave (although no one checked if the slides would be circulated afterwards…). He has a knowledge and relaxed approach to talking you through wine that doesn’t make you feel like a self-conscious fraud for not tasting what everyone else reckons, and will softly nudge you to your own opinions on each one. As predominantly a wine tasting, conveniently there’s the choice of HSC right outside Artum’s doors, if you’re still hankering for extra grub afterwards or just want to stay, drink on, and beckon in Friday’s hangover. A great monthly quaffing sesh for the diary, and the next do is May 26. You can follow Artum on Facebook or Instagram.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
