A run of sold out shows has boosted the number of visitors to a Sutton Coldfield Charity venue. Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, which took ownership of the venue from Birmingham City Council last month, has seen a recent rise in numbers through the doors of the venue. With over 1500 visitors to the Willard Wigan micro-sculpture exhibition, 1400 people attending Sutton Vintage Fair last week and a sold out Gary Powndland comedy event last Friday, the venue is ready to host its biggest event of the year next Friday.
'Mothers 2' is a sold out charity event on Friday 10th May in aid of Worldwide Cancer Research. It celebrates former Erdington rock venue Mothers, which was open for just under 4 years in the late 60s and early 70s. It was instrumental in the Midlands and national rock scene and saw bands from Black Sabbath to Led Zeppelin on its stage, leading it to be recognised as one of the world's top music venues. Bands who played at the original club such as Soft Machine, The Groundhogs and Stan Webb's Chicken Shack will headline the Town Hall event, with bands from Birmingham's current rock and psychedelic scene supporting them in a 6 hour non-stop live music show.
The months of May and June see a varied programme of events at the Upper Clifton Road venue. Sutton Coldfield Society of Artists hosts a week long free exhibition from Sat 11th May. Popular comedy show Live at the Town Hall welcomes TV comics Hal Cruttenden, Lost Voice Guy and Angelos Epithemiou on Sunday 12 May. Locally born actor Jeffrey Holland (Hi-de-Hi) stars in "...And This is my friend Mr Laurel" on Thursday 16th May. The one-man show, direct from successful runs at Edinburgh Fringe, is based on a visit from Stan Laurel to his long term comedy partner Oliver Hardy in his final days. In a remarkable drama, the show recounts their past successes and reflects on friendship, love and dedication.
Royal Sutton Coldfield Orchestra returns to the Town Hall on Sat 18 May for their Spring Concert. Another Edinburgh Fringe hit 'The James Taylor Story', featuring acclaimed vocal guitarist Dan Clews will be in the Royal Town on Thurs 23 May. With an uncanny vocal likeness, the audience will be taken on a journey through the 5 time Grammy award winning star's life, with songs including You've Got a Friend, Fire and Rain and Sweet Baby James.
Sutton Coldfield Sound Clash, the Town Hall's Northern Soul and live music night, returns for the late May bank holiday on Friday 24 May. Featuring DJ and live Ska band The Interpreters, it makes full use of the Town Hall's huge sprung dance floor.
May closes with the ultimate 1980s party night. Electric 80s will feature the UK's leading Human League band 'Love Distraction' plus 80s DJ playing all the favourite New Romantic and electric 80s hits.
Future shows include Trinity Players' production of Top Hat! from 4 - 8 June, a matinee show of Keith Slater's Celebration of 60's music on Thursday 6 June at 2pm and Sound Clash Northern Soul with live Brit Pop band Marquis Drive on 14 June. Another June matinee will see country band Knoxville Highway present a Celebration of Glen Campbell on Thursday 20th June and family favourite Basil Brush will visit on Friday 21 June.
