Digbeth First Friday 4th October 6pm until late

This October, get out and about, discover something new and enjoy the fantastic independent culture Digbeth has to offer – as part of Birmingham Weekender in Digbeth!

On offer this month:

Cashpot Amusements: PLAY NOW, 6–9pm

Following on from last month’s exhibition ‘Power of Potential’, Jim O’Raw hosts a group show featuring work from Soft Drinks Publications, Elvin Sanders, Matt Evans and Bonus Prize. The ideas and artefacts displayed are a response to the venue, a moment in time, work, play, circumstance, ambition, the ephemeral, sweet data, wealth and experience. The ugly beauty of the known and unknown. Pass through, have a look, play the fruit machines. A small edition of art work will be on sale, priced relative to the national hourly minimum wage £8.21.

Centrala: Outdoor projection in Minerva Works accompanied by post – soviet DJ set,

6 til late

For October Digbeth First Friday Centrala presents an external projection in Minerva Works, screened specially for Birmingham Weekender in Digbeth and post-soviet DJ set by Maciej Bączyk, aka DJ Pomnik.‘Testimony in practice’ exhibition, celebrating the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, will be also open til late.

Daphne Francis Gallery: Art Digbeth @ The Custard Factory Reception, 6–9pm

An exhibition of art and artists with connections to Digbeth. Artists Talk featuring Paul Newman, Alexi K, Kay Bainbridge, Jeannie Brown, Zarina Keyani, Elena Thomas and Lucy Fiona Morrison and others. Sketch and Scribble – Interpret an idea. Artists Performance by The Sitting Room band and vocalist Elena Thomas. Continues with open studios on the 5th and 6th October 1-6pm.

Eastside Projects: Lady Skollie: Papsak Propaganda, 6–9pm

Lady Skollie presents a performance expanding her recent Papsak Propaganda series of works around the Dop system – the official system of paying South African so-called ‘coloured’ farm workers in alcohol.

Grand Union Gallery: And what it became is not what it is now, curated by Louise Hobson, 6–9pm

Come by and visit And what it became is not what it is now, a group show with 3 Latin American artists – Joaquín Aras, María Agustina Fernández Raggio and Paola Monzillo.

Grand Union Junction Works: The Empire Remains Shop-Birmingham, 6–9pm

At Junction Works (the former Canal Offices), you can visit The Empire Remains Shop-Birmingham and see a light installation by artist duo Cooking Sections, and sculptural work by The Forager Collective.

Kitchen Food School: Bread Club – taste real bread, 6–9pm, £3

Bread Club is a real bread project. We meet every month during DFF. This month’s Bread Club will explore and taste different breads and introduce you to the flavour of ancient grains. Come along and meet the team, taste Sourdough, Brioche, Wholemeal Rye and Ancient Grains. All paired with real ale. Bread will be available to purchase if you pre order when you book. Book online: www.kitchenschool.co.uk

Recent Activity: SNOB – a new solo exhibition by Rosie McGinn, 6–8pm

Recent Activity present an exhibition of new work by Rosie McGinn.

Stryx: P L A Y Exhibition Closing Party and Stryx 7th birthday celebrations, 6-9pm

Stryx Studio Holders Show, curated by: Rupi Dhillon, Emily Scarrott and Emily Sparkes.

Artists: Kirsten Adkins, James Dawson, Rupi Dhillon, Darryl Georgiou and Rebekah Tolley-Georgiou, Brenda Hickin, Dominic Macmillan-Scott, Jack Miles, Dorota Romanowska, Elvin Sanders, Emily Scarrott, Larissa Shaw, Emily Sparkes, and Anastasia Starikova.

Vivid Projects: Press On And Play, 6–9pm

Vivid Projects’ BLKHLCLB cohort presents an evening of sonics and performance commissioned for Birmingham Weekender in Digbeth. Musician and sound artist Matthew Evans leads with an improvised participatory performance Collide: Sonic Portraits And Interactive Environments. Carol Breen and Gemma Jones re-visit, re-perform & re-present a new collaborative work “All I Have Left”. Closing the event is formuls, with a slowly evolving performance where you will experience new audio-visual environments emerging from previously heard material.