Balsall Heath Second Saturday

Monthly creative festival

Category: Discussion

  • SEEMAWORLD – Soft Crits Special + Studio (reimagined). 12-2pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    A physical room, a website, a desk, a routine, a shop, a notebook. What does your practice want and need?

    Join SEEMAWORLD for a series of prompts, conversations, found imagery and materials to draw, write and collage, participants are invited to create their own journal-style zine. We’ll explore the spaces, materials, environments, routines and concepts that support our creative practices – whilst imagining (and reimagining) what a studio might look and feel like beyond a traditional physical space.

    This is designed to be a relaxed, co-making session with a range of coloured paper/card, collage materials and basic writing / drawing / crafting tools provided. No previous zine-making experience is needed.

    The workshop will take place after the final Soft Crits session, which invites artists to bring along one piece of work (at whatever stage) to present to others in the group and exchange thoughts on. 

    Free, limited availability

    Saturday 10 October

    12-1: Soft Crits

    1-2: studio, (re)imagined.

  • PRAXIS: A knowledge and resource exchange for Global Majority Collectives in Birmingham. 2-4pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    Join members of Radical Exhibition Collective, Film Pardna and BLK CURRENT for the first iteration of PRAXIS: A knowledge and resource exchange for Global Majority collectives in Birmingham.

    PRAXIS is a collective workshop and discussion session responding to a growing grassroots cultural landscape in the city. Existing outside of institutional spaces, DIY and grassroots cultural activity in Birmingham is thriving, responding to a growing need for affordable third spaces and connection, as well as creative and ambitious programming- especially from global majority perspectives.

    Reflecting upon our own experiences, we’ll be exploring how we might protect and strengthen DIY infrastructures across the city through thinking about:

    * What it means to work collectively
    * Navigating non-hierarchical working practices
    * Peer to peer support and collaboration

    This session is aimed at collectives delivering grassroots initiatives in Birmingham, as well as those who may be interested in starting a collective themselves.

    Spaces are very limited so book your spot in advance here.

    📆 Saturday 12th September
    ⏰2pm-4pm
    📍Textiles Room, Upper Gallery, The Old Print Works

    ACCESS INFORMATION:
    The Upper Gallery is located up a flight of stairs and The Old Print Works does not have a lift.

  • Birmingham Resistance Library

    Birmingham Resistance Library

    Browse, Borrow & Return
    The Old Print Works
    1-5pm
    Explore the Birmingham Resistance Library collection, become a member and borrow a book. Membership is open to all. You can browse the catalogue in advance online too – birminghamresistancelibrary.co.uk

    More details to follow

    Donations- donate a book on the day, link in bio for our wish list or donate a book related to ‘resistance’ that you have read and recommend.

  • Birmingham Resistance Library

    Birmingham Resistance Library

    Browse, Borrow & Return
    The Old Print Works
    1-5pm
    Explore the Birmingham Resistance Library collection, become a member and borrow a book. Membership is open to all. You can browse the catalogue in advance online too – birminghamresistancelibrary.co.uk

    Design and Print a Bookmark
    The Old Print Works
    2-3pm
    Design a bookmark and print 5 copies. Facilitated by Print and Matter @printandmatter.

    Read and Reflect Circle
    The Drawing Room (The Old Print Works)
    5-6.30pm
    An open space to share and discuss books and writings on resistance. Read an extract from one of the library books, share something you have written, or simply listen/ join the conversation. No pressure, everyone welcome.

    There will be a drop-in drawing/colouring activity suitable for all ages from 1-5pm in the Director’s Office.

    Donations- donate a book on the day, link in bio for our wish list or donate a book related to ‘resistance’ that you have read and recommend.

  • A Bedroom For Everyone –

    A Bedroom For Everyone –

    Join us at the Old Print Works for the community screening of A Bedroom For Everyone, a new film commissioned by Ed Webb-Ingall, currently showing at Grand Union 1pm-4pm The Drawing Room, The Old Print Works

    Taking inspiration from Leeds Animation Workshop’s powerful short animation ‘Home and Dry’ from 1987, which remains strikingly relevant today, ‘A Bedroom for Everyone’ serves as a sequel of sorts, shifting our focus to the current housing crises and the essential role of grassroots organizing. It prompts us to reflect on the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead. 💪🏠⁠
    ⁠
    The script of this animation was crafted collaboratively with members from four inspiring activist and community groups: Save Druids Heath and Acorn Union from Birmingham, Akwaaba Social Centre for Migrants and Housing Action Southwark & Lambeth from London. By incorporating the voices and perspectives of those with lived experience of the housing crisis, the film acts as a powerful resource, inspiring individuals to seek out local groups, lend a helping hand, raise awareness, and contribute to the cause. It is a testament to the strength of collective action and the transformative potential it holds. 🌍❤️⁠
    ⁠
    We invite you to engage with ‘A Bedroom for Everyone’ as a resource that can be shared with anyone interested or engaged in housing struggles. Reach out to us at info@grand-union.org.uk if you would like to showcase this impactful film in your community setting. Let’s empower one another, raise our voices, and ignite positive change. Together, we can make housing a fundamental right for all. 📧🎉 Available in Arabic, English, Polish, and Spanish. 🌍🌟 ⁠
    ⁠
    Made by: ⁠
    @Edwebbingall⁠
    @Sofia_niazi⁠
    @astroidg⁠
    ⁠
    With support from: ⁠
    @acornbirmingham⁠
    @sifafiresideofficial⁠
    @leedsanimation⁠
    @makinglevel⁠
    @stirchleycd⁠
    @granby4streetsclt⁠
    @Acorn_notts⁠
    @nottm_contemp⁠
    @luxscot⁠
    @rule_of_threes⁠
    The Women Asylum Seekers Housing Project⁠
    ⁠
    Generously funded by: ⁠
    @oak_foundation⁠
    @aceagrams⁠
    @artfund⁠
    @unibirmingham⁠
    @serpentineuk

  • Hell Bus Tour 2023

    Hell Bus Tour 2023

    The ‘Hell Bus’ is an exciting interactive art installation by artist Darren Cullen (@SpellingMistakesCostLives) exposing the dirty tactics polluting industries employ to green their public image. Joined by campaign group Adfree Cities and environmental organisation Switch It Green, people of all ages will be welcomed aboard the exhibition to be entertained, educated, and encouraged to get involved.

    The bus has already made appearances at COP26, Glastonbury Festival and Boomtown, and featured in comedian Joe Lycett’s Channel 4 documentary ‘Joe Lycett vs The Oil Giant’. It is sure to catch some eyes in Birmingham.

    The exhibition’s tour is timely, as public concern surrounding planet-harming activities and fossil fuel expansion is high while greenwashing by large corporations is leaving individuals feeling unsure of the solutions. The ‘Hell Bus’ tells this story in a fun and accessible way, while Adfree Cities and Switch It Green are on hand to provide people with simple, effective ways to take positive action against oil and gas companies like Shell.

  • Oriental Star Party

    Oriental Star Party

    Come and join us to celebrate the opening of Oriental Star Express exhibition in collaboration with @oldprintworksbrum. The celebration includes artist talk by @faishussainism, showing of our film ‘Request Line’, great music by @rizmi_____ , and food. This is a free event and everyone is welcomed. Booking below

    Register on Eventbrite
  • Climate Nans Caravan 10-1 The Old Print Works

    Climate Nans Caravan 10-1 The Old Print Works

    ‘We Are Here’ Campaign invites you to put your feet up, have a cuppa, some biscuits and talk to Climate Nan about the challenges that our homes, streets and neighbourhoods are facing.
    Climate Nan, as part of the We Are Here Campaign, will be parking her caravan at multiple locations across Ladywood and Balsall Heath between the 11th and 13th August as part of a tour of communities who have invited her to talk about the climate crisis. Residents can visit, share their concerns and discuss what can be done. Climate Nan will be offering a friendly ear to the neighbourhood with a warm invite and welcome into the caravan where you can either write a letter to the PM or local MP and or record a contribution to the podcast that will be recorded throughout the tour.

    Other stops of the tour:

    Friday 11th August, 10:00 -2:00 PM at the Neighbourhood Supper Club Summer Special hosted by CIVIC SQUARE and neighbours at Midland Sailing Club, Icknield Port Rd, Birmingham B16 0AA

    Friday 11th August, 3:00 – 6:00 PM at Birmingham Settlement- Edgbaston Reservoir Nature & Wellbeing Centre, 79 Selwyn Rd, Birmingham B16 0SL

    Saturday 12th August, 3:00 – 6:00 PM with Edgbaston Reservoir Collaborative (ERCO) at Midland Sailing Club, Icknield Port Rd, Birmingham B16 0AA

    Sunday 13th August, 10:00 – 4:00 PM at The B16 Lunch hosted by CIVIC SQUARE, South Loop Park, B16 0AE

  • RETROFIT BALSALL HEATH

    RETROFIT BALSALL HEATH

    Retrofit Balsall Heath is planning a day of tours, talks and teas to
    mark our one year anniversary and celebrate our Retrofit journey
    so far.
    In June 2022, drawing inspiration from Balsall Heath’s unique
    legacy of grassroots local democracy and the strength of positive
    relationships between local faith communities, Retrofit Balsall
    Heath secured agreement from Birmingham City Council for the
    local community in Balsall Heath to tap LADS 3 funding to retrofit
    700 local homes.
    So far, nearly 200 homes have had work done to make them more
    energy efficient, helping to tackle fuel poverty, health disparities,
    and the climate crisis.
    We have learned that “Retrofit” is more than a technical term for
    insulating existing homes to make them fit for purpose and fit for
    the future. It is a transformative concept for whole communities;
    for community neighbourhoods and landscapes, and for individual
    hearts and minds.
    We hope to share our stories, lessons learned, joys and
    tribulations.
    We welcome practical, financial, spiritual accompaniment and
    assistance for our next steps.
    https://zerocarbonhousebirmingham.org.uk/
    https://www.facebook.com/RetrofitBalsallHeath
    Please join us for our
    Retrofit Open Day 2-6pm
    Friday 30th June 2023
    hosted by
    zerocarbonhouse Birmingham – you can book here

    http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/retrofit-balsall-heath-open-day-and-evening-speaker-supper-event-tickets-623636101367

  • WATA IS LIFE

    WATA IS LIFE

    World Ocean Day – Art, Talks and Perfromances –

    6pm – 9pm organised by Adjei Sun – venue Moseley Road Baths – booking is required and you can book here, family friendly

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wata-is-life-tickets-607905671227

  • The Oil Machine – film

    The Oil Machine – film

    Rolling viewing – from 11am until 4pm, Directors Office tickets available here THE OIL MACHINE and Divest WMPF, Balsall Heath, Birmingham – The Oil Machine

  • Would YOU take a bath in Moseley Road Baths?

    Would YOU take a bath in Moseley Road Baths?

    As part of Moseley Road Baths’ Diving In project, the former Women’s Slipper Baths at Moseley Road Baths are being brought back to life. We plan to bring two of the former washing baths back into use this summer as a space of relaxation and wellbeing for adults in the local area and beyond. But what does a relaxing space look like to you? Would YOU take a bath in Moseley Road Baths? And if not, what would make you want to?

    The fantastic artist Sharonjit Sutton has created an illustration of the Women’s Slipper Baths for you to annotate and sketch what you would like to be in the space. Come and get creative and help shape our plans this year!

  • A Neighbourhood Council for Balsall Heath

    A Neighbourhood Council for Balsall Heath

    11.30am-1pm – Directors Office, The Old Print Works – courtyard entrance

    Calling Residents / Voters. You are being asked to decide Yes or No in a postal ballot in November whether a Neighbourhood Council is set up for our area. Your chance to learn more, think about how it might make improvements; meet the steering group who advocate this change. 11.30am to 1pm drop in in the Directors’ Room, Old Print Works (courtyard). Saturday 12th November

  • RETROFIT BALSALL HEATH

    RETROFIT BALSALL HEATH

    Directors Office – 1.30pm – 4pm- The Old Print Works, courtyard entrance

    An information sharing session about Home Energy Efficiency Grants

    Homeowners and tenants with a B12 postcode can apply for grants to have work done on their homes that could significantly reduce their energy bills. Other postcodes in Balsall Heath can also apply.

    There’s no household income cap, but the scheme is for older homes like these …

    The scheme is completely free for eligible owner-occupiers. Private landlords need to pay a 1/3 contribution.

    Want to know more?

    Please join us for information sharing – for you and your neighbours/street.

    It’s a chance to learn more about the scheme, how to apply for the grant and get your questions answered.

    Please invite your friends and neighbours from Balsall Heath.

    A three-page paper form needs to get filled in to apply – DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 23 NOVEMBER!!

    If you can’t make it please email

    RetrofitBalsallHeath@gmail.com or

    mecctrust@hotmail.com or

    phone MECC 0121 440 3500

    https://www.mecctrust.co.uk/ or drop in at MECC, 93 Court Road, off Edward Road, B12 9LQ