Entertainment News

Blackpink star Jennie Kim has addressed claims that some of her historic performances lacked energy, saying she was often experiencing physical pain.

In the past, some K-pop fans criticised the star for being "lazy" and "unable to deliver" her choreography, even when it looked flawless to the uninitiated. But the singer told Dua Lipa's At Your Service podcast she had been prone to injury in Blackpink's early days.

2 Tone Ska Orchestra, The Selecter featuring Pauline Black, and The Beat featuring Ranking Roger will be joining force for a historic performance at the New Irish Centre in Birmingham, on August 25th, 2023. The highly anticipated event promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans of the iconic 2 Tone ska movement.

The outdoor grounds on the Centre, in Kings Heath, will serve as the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary gathering of ska legends, with organisers saying: “We are thrilled to bring together these legendary ska acts for what promises to be an epic night of music and nostalgia.

'Excuse Me While I Vanish', very nearly didn’t happen. Following the imposition of lockdown restrictions, frontman Ruarri Joseph found himself cocooned at home in Cornwall, ruminating on an uncertain creative future, watching on as his wife Mandy, a valiant mental health social worker, engaged with the all-too-real dilemmas of the pandemic-riven here and now. Her example motivated Joseph to become a temporary care worker, an experience which would provide renewed focus and influence the songwriting on the new album.

Leicestershire musical artists are being the opportunity to take part in free workshops, industry masterclasses, professional recording sessions and live performances as part of Project LIVE, a free 4-month artist development programme hosted at 2Funky Music Café.

The project, supported using public funding by Arts Council England, is open to singers & rappers, aged 18+ from Leicester & Leicestershire, creating music across Black music genres and will work across musical styles such as hip-hop, soul, grime, jazz, funk, reggae and afrobeats.

The Hollywood actors' union is on the verge of a virtual shutdown of the American film and TV industry. After a month of tense negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the major studios, talks collapsed at the midnight (PDT) deadline Wednesday, and the union's negotiating committee unanimously recommended a vote by its national board to call a strike, joining movie and TV writers, who walked out May 2.

Step into the worlds of Westeros and Middle-Earth this winter with a celebration of the music from Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, some of the most popular on-screen creations of all time. Scores from the fantasy series and adventure films are to be performed live by a symphony orchestra and choir on December 6th at Warwick Arts Centre.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) have released production images of the revival of The Empress, which will run in the Swan Theatre from Friday 7 July to Friday 15 September 2023, with press night on Tuesday 18 July before transferring to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London from Wednesday 4 October to Saturday 28 October, with press night on Tuesday 10 October. The production will then return to the Swan Theatre from Wednesday 1 November to Saturday 18 November 2023.

Global superstar Davido announces two headline shows in the UK at O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester on Wednesday 13^th of September along with a massive arena show at The O2, London on Sunday, January 28, 2024. These highly anticipated shows come on the back of Davido's previous UK shows in 2022 and the record-breaking launch of his fourth album, "Timeless," which has been making waves and breaking global records, catapulting him to his first-ever Top 10 position on the UK charts, and sparking a wave of excitement among fans for his next live show.

Get ready for absolute Vibes! We're just 5 weeks away from the UK's Biggest Jamaican Independence Festival, set to rock Aston Park in vibrant Birmingham! Brace yourselves for the excitement and exhilaration!

Mek sure you stay in the loop with up to date announcements at www.jamaica0121.uk, because this is an event you won't want to miss! While general admission is free, why not crank up the thrill and immerse yourself in the heart-pumping action by snagging a stage arena ticket?

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s second company is returning to Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 October as part of its first UK tour since 2011.

Ailey 2, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this season, is known for bringing together the creative vision of exceptional choreographers with the spirit, energy and talent of the next generation of dance artists. The result is captivating performances of grace, strength and soul, shot through with the unique Ailey spirit.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced that comedian and screenwriter Stewart Lee will rewrite a contemporary version of the Porter scene, featuring Alison Peebles as the Porter, in Wils Wilson’s upcoming production of Shakespeare’s gripping and brutal tragedy, Macbeth.
Stewart Lee said: “I am delighted to have been asked by Wils Wilson to rewrite the rubbish Porter scene from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which is in dire need of a post-alternative comedy makeover. Alison Peebles is an inspired piece of casting sure to bring the requisite level of attack. At the moment the scene is 2 hours long but hopefully will expand in rehearsal.”

The Weeknd, the visionary singer-songwriter, delivered a mesmerizing performance of his highly anticipated 'After Hours til Dawn' Tour at The London Stadium. The concert, held on Friday, the 7th of July left the audience in awe as The Weeknd pushed the boundaries of music and art, showcasing his unmatched talent and enigmatic stage presence.

In a funny and authentic exploration of friendship between Somali girls, this twist on The Breakfast Club sees four students stuck in detention, forming bonds through their shared heritage despite their different outlooks on life and their place in it. Salma, Yasmin, Munira and Hani would normally never be seen with each other, but through stories of men who pretend they are something they aren’t, nosy aunties and the legend of the girl who turned into a monkey, they begin to find common ground.

After last year’s smashing success of Jack and the Beanstalk, the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry has announced that they are commencing their search for the Junior Chorus of this year’s pantomime, Cinderella. 

On Sunday 3 September, children aged 9-16 from across the city and Warwickshire are invited to audition to be part of the legendary Belgrade panto. A total of 32 children will be selected to be part of the show, with the region’s most talented young performers making up three teams of eight, plus one full team of reserves.

It was announced that the city of Malmö is to host next year's 68th Eurovision song contest, following Sweden's victory in Liverpool in May. The coastal town was selected ahead of the country’s capital, Stockholm, after organisers were said to have discussions with several other cities.

Sweden's Loreen won Eurovision 2023 with her soaring pop anthem Tattoo. The star, who also won the competition in 2012, saw off competition from Finland's Käärijä in a nail-biting vote.

2Funky Arts is on the lookout for 12 Midlands-based artists, from Black, African, and Caribbean backgrounds, to take part in an exciting showcase tour, as part of their And Still I Rise Project. This innovative project will give artists the opportunity to create new, 8-10 minute performance pieces, that will reflect and celebrate the vibrancy of Black history and culture.