City News

On Sunday 4 October, Town Hall Birmingham celebrates its 175th anniversary by throwing open its doors for 175 Today! Birthday Carnival Open Day.  This FREE fun-packed day of music, dance and crafts for all the family includes performances by The Notebenders and the Infusion Ensemble, mask making and craft activities, dance workshops and even a visit from The Gruffalo!  The carnival day is part of a weekend heralding the start of a special series of events which runs until December to mark the 175th anniversary of Town Hall Birmingham, one of the oldest concert halls in the world.  

On Town Hall’s stage there will be performances from the world-music inspired Infusion Ensemble, the trailblazing Soweto Kinch Ensemble and jazz favourites The Notebenders.  There will also be a chance to try out the dance moves for nutkhut’s Bollywood Steps created by Simmy Gupta, which forms the centrepiece of the Town Hall’s anniversary celebrations (9 & 10 October).

A variety of craft-making activities will be on offer on the foyers including mask making, wind socks and garlands, as well as traditional mehndi hand painting.  The Tourist Ensemble’s alien tourists will wander through the crowds as will The Gruffalo and stilt walkers, creating a real carnival atmosphere.

Town Hall Birmingham is one of the oldest concert halls in the world.  At the centre of British musical life since the day it opened in October 1834, the much-loved venue marks its milestone 175TH anniversary with a special series of events including concerts, talks, dances, films and more, running from October to December.  The series celebrates Town Hall’s unique and continuing heritage with events from traditional to contemporary, reflecting the wide range of performance the hall has always presented. 

From Tea Dances to talks, Salsa to Silent Movie, A Christmas Carol to a Carnival Open Day, there’s sure to be something for everyone.  The opening weekend begins with the official 175th Birthday Concert: Handel’s Messiah on Saturday 3 October, performed by The Sixteen and conducted by Harry Christophers with a classic line-up of British soloists.  Other series highlights include three of Birmingham’s best-loved bohemian bands – The Old Dance School, The Toy Hearts &The Destroyers (11 October). 

The centrepiece of the anniversary series is three free performances (9 & 10 October) of nutkhut’s Bollywood Steps created by Simmy Gupta.  This outdoor dance spectacle features dazzling dance numbers, stunning architectural lighting of Town Hall, fireworks, colourful costumes and water effects, hundreds of local schoolchildren, youth dancers and dhol drummers, and a moment of mass participation for the entire audience during a magnificent wedding scene.