This isn’t a sponsored post, however this post contains some affiliate links from which BrumHour makes a small profit.
This post is made up from attractions and venues which follow and share BrumHour on Twitter.
Please note the deadline for things to do in October is Friday 17th September.
15 Things to do in Birmingham and beyond in September 2021
Compiled by Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour
Festivals, musicals, arts, heritage, writing, Northern Soul and dreaming of A Place in the Sun after we’ve worked out what six, ten or three countries we can visit this week.. These are the events that make up the list of things to do in Birmingham with some Solihull, Wolverhampton and Coventry (UK City of Culture 2021) here too.
Little Shop of Horrors (1st to 26th September)
The Old Joint Stock, 4 Temple Row West, Birmingham B2 5NY
The cast and creatives from The Old Joint Stock’s August 2021 production of Avenue Q are back with another slice of Broadway in their black box theatre space. Expect dark comic undertones behind a happy go lucky approach.
Tickets: oldjointstock.co.uk/whats-on/little-shop-of-horrors
East is East (3rd to 25th September)
Birmingham Rep, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP
It’s fifty years since Birmingham Rep left its old home on Station Street creating The Old Rep at the same time, and this landmark season is introduced with East Is East which itself is marking 25 years since its first performances.
This production is set in Salford, Greater Manchester and tracks a migrant family dealing with northern life in the 1970s.
Book here: birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/east-is-east.html
Rock of Ages (9th to 11th September)
The Alexandra, Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham B5 4DS
Live touring theatre returns to The Alexandra for the first time since March 2020 with the opening performances of Rock of Ages tour. Kevin Clifton returns to the tour (Not 11th September) in this uplifting and rough around the edges musical.
Book tickets with BrumHour’s affiliate link >> HERE <<.
Birmingham Heritage Week (9th to 19th September)
Across Birmingham
Explore locations that are normally off limits and hear unique talks about the rich history and heritage of the city that once was a town and before that a village.
Find out more here: birminghamheritageweek.co.uk
The Play that Goes Wrong (13th to 18th September)
Belgrade Theatre, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS
The hit show returns to touring with a stop at Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, a brilliantly fun comedy mystery.
Get tickets here: belgrade.co.uk/events/the-play-that-goes-wrong
Mit Jai Inn – Dreamworld (15th September to 21st November)
Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Birmingham B1 2HS
About this exhibition Ikon Gallery said:
Ikon presents the first major solo exhibition in Europe by leading Thai artist Mit Jai Inn (b.1960).
Comprising recent works made from multiple layers of canvas and paint, it fills the gallery’s white-walled spaces with a kaleidoscope of material colour.”
Find out more here: ikon-gallery.org/event/mit-jai-inn
Smethwick Engine Steaming Day (15th September)
Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG
Following a large restoration the 240 year old Smethwick Engine will be steamed at a ticketed event.
Discover more and book here: birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank/whats-on/smethwick-engine-steaming-day-4f7232f3-7360-4ebb-bd61-b7c2b5983029
Solihull: Back to the Future (17th September)
The Core Theatre, Homer Road, Touchwood, Solihull B91 3RG
This isn’t the 1985 film, this is however a chance to see filmed footage of Solihull from the 1940s filmed by Councillor H. T. Lavender. The Core Theatre website says
There will also be a World Premiere of a brand new short video of Solihull Virtual High Street 1948, created by local designer, David Gascoigne.”
Book here: thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/solihull-back-to-the-future/25735
Little But Live (17th to 19th September)
Moseley Park and Pool, Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD
This three day mini-festival returns for a second year and features Paperback Theatre’s own production of The Wind in the Willows. Plus Giggle on the Green, an interactive dance workshop – AlgoRHYTHM, Inspire with Art, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Xhosa Cole Jazz Trio, Eternal Taal, Jester Styles, comedy improv with Box of Frogs and a Sunset Folk Farewell with Juniper. And this year there are evening collaborations with The Prince of Wales.
All tickets are capped at £5 per event. Book here: paperbacktheatre.com/little-but-live-2021
DESIblitz Literature Festival (18th September to 1st October)
Online and at B: Music, Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA plus Birmingham Rep, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP
Speakers, Poetry, Workshops and conversations with this hybrid version of DESIblitz Literature Festival featuring speakers including Sathnam Sanghera, Tahmima Anam, Rupinder Kaur, Preethi Nair, Samit Basu, Shyama Perera, Amruta Patil, Kia Abdullah, Bali Rai, Madhuri Banerjee, Imtiaz Dharker, Anchal Seda and Nikesh Shukla.
Tickets are a mixture of FREE and paid for. Book here: desiblitz.com/arts/events
School of Rock (21st to 25th September)
Wolverhampton Grand, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1DE
The 2015 musical based on the 2003 Movie with Jack Black heads out on its year long UK and Ireland 2021/22 tour. The story follows Dewey Finn as he is kicked out of his band and becomes a posh school substitute teacher.
Tickets here: grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/school-of-rock
Birmingham International Dance Festival (21st September to 3rd October)
Across Birmingham
More than thirty events across eight locations to mark the 2nd part of Birmingham International Dance Festival 2021.
Lucie Mirkova, Head of Artistic Programmes at DanceXchange and Curator at BIDF says:
We can’t wait to be back outdoors featuring thrilling dance performances and to return to venues, finally, after so long. The programme is really exciting showcasing the amazing creativity of both UK and International artists.
We are delighted to be taking the festival to communities across the city where you can experience amazing dance on your doorstep. Make sure you’ve got the dates in your diary and look out for more announcements in the coming weeks.”
Find out more here: bidf.co.uk
Flatpack Festival: Autumn Edition (23rd to 26th September)
Midlands Arts Centre, Queen’s Ride, Birmingham B12 9QH, Centrala, 4 Minerva Works, Fazeley Street, Birmingham B5 5RT and Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Road, Birmingham B5 7UG
Four days of events make up the second part of Flatpack 2021 featuring “Film for all the senses”.
See the Flatpack website here: flatpackfestival.org.uk/flatpack-2021
The Little Big Soul Night with The Night Owl: Mazzy Snape and Sonny And Spare (25th September)
Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space at B: Music, Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA
Digbeth’s own Night Owl heads to Symphony Hall’s brand new performance space for a night of Northern Soul.
Tickets here: bmusic.co.uk/event/the-little-big-soul-night-with-the-night-owl-mazzy-snape-and-sonny-spare
Birmingham Pride (25th to 26th September)
Southside District, Birmingham
After an extended gap, Birmingham Pride returns with street parties and a brand new space for its mainstage at Smithfield, featuring Cheryl, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sister Sledge, Baga Chipz, Rainbow Voices, plus the Conrad Guest Cabaret Stage, the Dance Arena and the Future Stage.
Book Birmingham Pride tickets here: birminghampride.com
A Place in the Sun Live (25th to 26th September – TBC)
The NEC, North Avenue, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT
Dreaming of your own home abroad has probably been something you’ve considered during lockdowns. The TV programme comes to life with two days of exhibitions, speakers and consulting bringing a bit of sunshine to The NEC, near Birmingham.
Book your ticket here: aplaceinthesun.com/exhibitions/birmingham
