Kick-start your festive celebrations with another jam‐packed Digbeth First Friday full of the great independent culture this unique part of Birmingham has to offer.
With a wide variety of late night treats to choose from you can dip into exhibition openings and book launches, experience live music and special film screenings, bag a bargain Christmas pressie and party the night away having filled up on streetfood, mulled wine, mince pies and much more.
Guaranteed to get you in the festive mood – here’s what we’ve got in store for you this month:
Digbeth Doubles:
Dali Double at The Spotted Dog. 8–11pm, Free
Shown in 1985 on Channel 4 taped on VHS and presented complete with original adverts, Hello Dali! (1973) is a long forgotten documentary of enlightening hilarity and unrelenting Dali-isms followed by a talk by Joss Walker, doctor of philosophy, then wrapped up with surreal classic Un Chien Andalou.
Vivid Projects:
Flatpack Film Festival presents La Jetée and Sci-fi Shorts, with new music by LARVA.
From 5.30–9pm Vivid Projects presents an evening of live music and film. They kick off with SciFi shorts before LARVA create a live score to accompany La Jetée, Chris Marker’s famed black and white science fiction ‘photo-roman’. In Unit 2 John Bradburn and Michael Lightborne present a new audio visual installation.
Eastside Projects:
New Music and Table Top Art Sale, 6–8pm
From 6–8pm hear students from the Birmingham Conservatoire perform new compositions inspired by Susan Philipsz’s installation and browse for Christmas goodies from Grand Union, Millington Marriot and Two Queens amongst others at the Black Pleasure table-top art sale. The bar will be open and selling various mulled beverages, alcoholic and otherwise, to keep you warm on a wintry.
Rope Press:
Neon Noir book launch, 6–9pm
From 6–9pm Rope Pres bookshop in the Jubilee Centre are launching the special risograph edition of comic book Neon Noir. This visually stunning crime graphic novel short by duo Jonathan O’lyon and Michael Kennedy will be available to buy with 10% off on the night.
Polish Expats Association:
Finisage of ‘Now and Then’, 6.30–11pm
Especially extended for Digbeth First Friday this exhibition showcases three generations of Polish video artists, showing films which record the socio-political changes that have taken place in Poland during the last fifty years.
Grand Union:
Magic City Christmas Party, 8pm–3am
End the evening at Grand Union for the best festive party night of the year. With Christmas cocktails, music until late, a special Santa’s Grotto, Robot reindeer races and lots of arty surprises to be won in their Christmas raffle, this is definitely a night not to be missed.
DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY
Friday 5th December, 5.30 until late
Maps with details of all events will be available online at: www.digbethfirstfriday.com
Eastside Projects: 86 Heathmill Lane, B9 4AR. 6–8pm. Free
Rope Press: The Jubilee Centre/ Unit 108, 130 Pershore Street, B5 6ND
Vivid Projects: Unit 2 & 16, Minerva Works, B5 5RT
Polish Ex Pats Association: Unit 4, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT. 6.30 – 11pm
Grand Union: UNIT 19, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RS. 8pm–3am.
Digbeth Doubles: The Spotted Dog,104 Warwick St, Digbeth, B12 0NH. 8–11pm. Free