Category : BBC
WM; West
Midlands TV
Date : 19.03.2004
Printable version
Calling all
music fans. Whether it's soul, jazz, gospel or
samba that rocks your boat these days, there is a feast of sound coming
your way during a week-long BBC Easter music bonanza.
Mad About Music will be taking place in the West Midlands
from 5 to 12 April.
Celebrating the musical styles and cultures of the
region, the project will be featured on BBC local radio and television
as well as online.
A host of musical events are scheduled to be held at public venues throughout
the West Midlands - from Egyptian belly dancing in Coventry and percussion
in Wellington to Morris dancing in Worcester and Northern Soul in Stoke.
The climax of the week-long Mad About Music project
will be on Easter Monday (12 April) when the BBC in the Midlands
will be hosting a musical fun day around the canals of Birmingham
city centre.
The event is being organised in conjunction with Birmingham
City Council, British Waterways, Brindleyplace and The Mailbox.
There will be fun for all the family from noon to 6.00pm,
including a stage in Brindleyplace and performers in bars, on the canalside
and on boats.
The music will reflect the vast array of styles and cultures in the
Midlands, including Chinese dragon dancing, Dhol drummers, a brass band,
steel pans, gospel, reggae, samba and much more.
In Brindleyplace there will be a bouncy castle, inflatable
sumo wrestling, face painting, balloon modelling and the Cadbury Crème
Egg car.
The event will also see the grand launch of the BBC WM narrow boat by
presenter Tony 'Boating with...' Butler.
The boat will be used to host a wide range of BBC WM
events and programmes.
It will also be seen out and about throughout the canal
network at various boating festivals and canal-side events during the
year as well as cruising up and down near BBC Birmingham's new home
at The Mailbox.
You could look out for it while taking a journey along
the canal on one of the many trip boats which operate in the area.
Meanwhile, BBC WM presenter Danny Kelly will be broadcasting live from
the event between noon and 2.00pm.
Ian Clark, asset manager of Brindleyplace, says: "Brindleyplace
offers an array of recreational facilities and, with a full schedule
of outdoor events and entertainment taking place throughout the summer,
we are delighted to start the proceedings with such a high profile and
exciting event as the BBC's Mad about Music."
BBC event producer Jenny Wilkes adds: "The fantastic cross-cultural
make-up of Birmingham is reflected in its amazing range of performers
and musicians.
"We're hoping to capture the essence of our vibrant
city in a fun-filled afternoon for all the family."
Mad about Music will be featured on BBC WM, Midlands Today and online
at www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham.
Earlier in the week there are events in the Coventry,
Worcester, Stoke and Shropshire areas:
Coventry - Monday 5
April
Egyptian Culture and Dance workshop, West Orchard Shopping
Centre, Coventry, 1.00-4.00pm
www.bbc.co.uk/coventry
Worcester - Wednesday
7 April
Traditional border Morris Dancing and Worcester's own
Organic Hillbillies, Crown Gate Shopping Centre, Worcester, 1.00-4.00pm
www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester
Shropshire - Thursday
8 April
Local musicians showcase the full range of Shropshire
music, including Telford West Indian Steel Band, a folk group, jazz
guitarist and shoppers making their own music. 10.00am-3.00pm.
Julian Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley,
is live in concert at The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury. 9.00pm-midnight.
www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire
Stoke - Saturday 10
April
Northern Soul night featuring the top Stoke Northern
Soul DJs and a Northern Soul dancing competition, Alsager Civic Centre.
9.00pm-1.00am.
www.bbc.co.uk/stoke
