The full programme for 4 Squares Weekender is released today. Birmingham’s leading arts organisations are joining forces to stage a major, free outdoor celebration from 6-8 September marking the opening of the new Library of Birmingham.
Featuring stunning artists from across the UK and beyond, plus plenty of opportunities for the whole family to join in, the city’s central squares – Oozells in Brindleyplace, Centenary, Chamberlain and Victoria – will be transformed with live music, dance, art, film, circus, theatre…and a dose of the unexpected.
4 Squares Weekender kicks off at 9.30pm on Friday 6 September with the large scale, spectacular show As the World Tipped by Wired Aerial Theatre produced by Birmingham Hippodrome. An epic piece of outdoor storytelling set on a vast 12m screen high against the night sky, As the World Tipped is a real life disaster movie with breathtaking staging, film and fearless aerial performance. The performance is repeated at 9pm on Saturday 7 September.
Then on Saturday and Sunday Oozells, Centenary, Chamberlain and Victoria Squares will be packed with events and performances.
The focus in Oozells Square in Brindleyplace is family fun. Visitors can build a giant city from clay outside Ikon Gallery, and hop on the Slow Boat, Ikon’s 72-foot narrow boat, a floating art venue. Birmingham Contemporary Music Group perform new music inside Ikon’s galleries, plus there will be special performances from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, dance from sampad and contemporary circus from Pif-Paf, courtesy of mac birmingham.
Centenary Square will be transformed into a Musical Picnic by Town Hall Symphony Hall – a village square with seating and performance spaces, where pop up music and dance performances happen in an intimate garden setting including performances from Birmingham saxophonist Soweto Kinch. Birmingham Repertory Theatre provide impromptu surprise performances and intimate food-inspired stories from four converted caravans and in the Library of Birmingham itself, visitors can hear the magical music of Ex Cathedra and Birmingham Opera Company.
Over to Chamberlain Square, where The Drum’s Simmer Down stage hosts reggae, ska, bhangra, sufi and hip hop from the likes of Musical Youth and Tippa Irie. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery present a full day of film courtesy of Flatpack Festival, whilst Birmingham Royal Ballet and DanceXchange take over Town Hall with dance performances and chances to join in.
Then in Victoria Square, Nofit State Circus entertain with their impromptu stunts, professional performances and taster workshops.
In addition to performances and events, Birmingham’s most exciting street food will be on offer, with vendors cooking up flavours from around the world.
Dorothy Wilson, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at mac Birmingham, said:
“4 Squares Weekender is a unique showcase for Birmingham’s cultural sector as a new iconic building joins the skyline and we welcome home The REP. No other city enjoys the depth, breadth and vibrancy of culture as we do here – and that will be on show, free of charge, across four squares in one weekend. We hope residents and visitors alike will enjoy and continue showing their support for the essential contribution the arts make to our city.”
Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services for Visit Birmingham, said:
“Attracting 10 million visitors for arts and culture annually, Birmingham continues to draw record numbers to experience its unique destination offering. 4 Squares Weekender is a fantastic new addition to Birmingham’s festival calendar, promising a ground-breaking programme of spectacle and performance, reflecting the creativity, innovation and talent found in the city.”
4 Squares Weekender is presented by Birmingham Arts Partnership (BAP), the consortium of leading arts organisations and venues in the city. It is the first event conceived, programmed and promoted by BAP as part of its growing role in helping to lead Birmingham’s cultural development.
4 Squares Weekender is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome on behalf of Birmingham Arts Partnership. Programming and marketing committees drawn from BAP members are responsible for commissioning and overseeing the production of the series of events.
4 Squares Weekender is supported by Arts Council England, Birmingham City Council and the European Regional Development Fund through its Investing in the City Region project managed by Marketing Birmingham.
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More information can be found on www.4squaresweekender.com and in the comprehensive brochure, on distribution now.
