Colors: Red Color

The RSC brings Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary year in Stratford-upon-Avon to a close with a powerful programme, matching two major Shakespeare titles with two irreverent Jacobean comedies and a new play from Anders Lustgarten, which plays out across 400 years between Caravaggio’s Naples and the housing estates of Bootle.

India is trying to establish itself as a world-class motoring tourism destination by spreading awareness both inside and outside the country. The two-day event will see enthusiasts, corporates, tourists and others come to see and take part in the rally. This is the laudable vision of Madan Mohan, who wears many hats but most important is as founder of 21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally, the 6th edition of which will be held in Delhi on February 6 and 7.

In a male dominated music industry, the BBC Asian Network are bringing forward the names of some of the most talented women who are both Punjabi and British and represent the unique style of music originating from the subcontinent. In the first of a four part series, Dipps Bhamrah plays out a live music session recorded with Sazia Judge exploring her folk Punjabi sound & talks to her about her experiences and influences within the Bhangra music industry.

Reports are abounding that US singer Janet Jackson has put her Unbreakable world tour on hold until spring to have surgery. She went onto her website and social media to let fans know that due to the discovery of a growth on her vocal chords the tour would be rescheduled in the Spring of 2016. Those dates have not been announced yet but if the tumor is cancerous it could be the end of her career.

After its phenomenal run on and off Broadway, the critically acclaimed five times Tony award nominated play ‘Hand to God’ (including Best New Play and Best Director) is making its way to London’s West End and will open at the Vaudeville Theatre in early 2016.  Previews start on February 5. Hand to God will feature an all-star cast, including Janie Dee, Neil Pearson, Harry Melling, Jemima Rooper and Kevin Mains. 

Philips recently organized an international press event to celebrate the World Innovation and Technology Day in Eindhoven, the Netherlands which was attended by media persons from around the globe. Special demonstrations on connected lighting, the Internet of Things (IoT) and human centric lighting were created to allow visitors a glimpse into how lighting is turning Sci-fi into reality.

Scores of people packed the dimly lit auditorium at Birmingham’s The Drum Arts/Theatre Centre to witness the soaring success of yet another Big Comedy Night presented and organised by the BBC Asian Network. Having already toured Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival twice, London and Birmingham once, the tour once again stopped in Britain’s second city. Both acts and performers had to put on a performance of a lifetime if they were going to beat the success of previous events.

What do the stars of The X Factor, the neighbour’s cat, EastEnders and unexpected callers have in common? No, they’re not guests at the strangest party you’ve ever been to, they’re among the top 50 things which makes dads in the West Midlands grumpy, according to a new survey. Lights left on in empty rooms, heating on too high, drum and bass music and being treated like a taxi service also featured on the chart of cantankerousness.

Through personal experience, from the Bible and from urge from people wanting him to document the things he said which motivate them in the course of teaching or conversation has inspired author Fidel Frederick to write “Greatness Without Tears”. This book will teach readers how not to be contented with their comfort zone or current position by giving them the vim to move to upper levels even when they think they do not need to grow further in anything.

A particularly diverse set of subjects go under the spotlight in a series of local history talks taking place in January. The City of Wolverhampton Council's Arts and Museums Service organises regular talks on a wide variety of historical subjects, including three next month. They begin with He's Behind You!, which tells the story of Victorian and Edwardian pantomime.

Following a hugely successful first leg of the tour, the people’s favourite and one of Britain’s greatest ever comedians, Jim Davidson OBE has added a further 17 dates to his ‘Charlton Nil’ UK tour.The son of a Glaswegian father, born and bred in Charlton, this show is all about Jim’s previous experiences ranging from drummer to window cleaner via shelf stacker - coming to a theatre near you. It’s guaranteed to be the most irreverent, outrageous and truthful show of Jim’s to date.

A spectacular fireworks display will light up the skies over Birmingham on New Year’s Eve as the city bids farewell to 2015 and welcomes 2016. Visible from Centenary Square, the five-minute fireworks display, supplied by Pains, is digitally fired and will feature vibrant colours and memorable, breath-taking sequences. The event, which will run from midnight to 12.05am, is organised by Bob Wilson’s Funfairs in partnership with Birmingham City Council.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (MET), one of the world's largest and finest art museums, is exhibiting “Encountering Vishnu: The Lion Avatar in Indian Temple Drama” till June 5 next year. “Dramas presented during religious festivals in southern India are an important aspect of popular Hindu celebration. This exhibition highlights five rare wooden sculptural masks that represent a largely unrecorded category of late medieval Indian devotional art”, MET announcement says. Artifacts shown go as far back as 5th century.

The Photography Show has announced new show feature, the Wedding and Portrait Stage, sponsored by Loxley Colour, for the forthcoming edition at NEC Birmingham, 19-22 March 2016. Set in the thematic surroundings of a mock-up chapel, visitors will take to the pews to hear from speakers renowned for their expertise in the wedding and portrait genres, including Kevin Mullins, Kate Hopewell-Smith, Brett Florens, Drew Gardener, John Denton, Neil Freeman, Stephen Perry, Marcia Michel, Marian Sterea, Robert Pugh, Adam Bronkhorst, Lisa Devlin, Steve Howdle and Stephanie Thornton.

One lucky Birmingham shopper got more than she bargained for during their latest shopping expedition at Bullring Shopping Centre; the chance to drive home for Christmas in a brand new MINI One. Kelly Breakwell from Great Barr was the lucky winner of Bullring's competition to win the new MINI One; MINI's new style icon worth £13,935.  Shoppers could enter the competition simply by downloading the Bullring PLUS app and scanning the car's QR code for the chance to win the ultimate Christmas gift.