The Second Saturday of the Month
T 4 Tits Off: it was worth the lil wait, enit? 🌀
TICKETS 🔗
PLUGHOLE is back for a night of collective care, a top surgery fundraiser for our dear friend Kai. We’re treating you to DJs, drag, live music & art. Plus some wet surprises…
Act fast, we sold out last time and you’re not gonna want to miss this one!
We know you’ve only just dried off, but it’s time to see you down the drain again 💦
Discover the power of self-expression at our unique Self-Portrait Studio Event at The Old Print works, in the heart of Balsall Heath. This one-of-a-kind experience invites you to step into a professional studio space where you become the photographer and the subject. Capture your own portrait in a safe, creative environment using professional lighting and backdrops, guided by friendly experts who will help you feel confident and inspired. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a first-timer, this is your chance to create striking images that reveal your personality and story.
Alongside taking your portrait, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to share your wildest thoughts and feelings on a communal mood board. This collaborative space encourages honesty, imagination, and connection—express your dreams, challenges, or inspirations through words, drawings, or images. Your contributions will help capture the vibrant spirit and diversity of Balsall Heath, giving voice to stories often unheard.
By participating, you will also play a vital role in an ongoing documentary project dedicated to exploring life in Balsall Heath. Your portrait and shared insights could be featured in exhibitions, publications, or digital media, helping to construct a rich tapestry of this community’s identity. Join us for a day of creativity, reflection, and community building—where your story matters and your image can inspire change.
The experience is offered by the PRISM Photography Network and it Is part of the Balsall Heath Observation project.
Focus on sustainable fashion, handmade and hand-upcycled clothing, made from recycled materials. ask about commissions too!
✨ MAKE & TADA! ✨
Pop-Up Creative Workshop
📍 The Old Print Works, Birmingham
🗓️ This Saturday
⏰ 12:00 – 1:00 PM
🎨 Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll make and decorate your very own wooden tealight holder!
Perfect for ages 8+ come along, get creative, and take home something special you’ve made yourself.
👩👧 Family-friendly
🛠️ Tools & materials provided
🌟 No experience needed
Check us out on Instagram: Tada_workshop
Join Wonderfish Art Studio at Balsall Heath Second Saturday for a hands-on creative collage workshop! Perfect for ages 4–10 and their grown-ups.
In a safe creative space, we’ll be exploring what we feel about Birmingham and Balsall Heath with the art of collage, using different materials. Together, we are making collaborative artworks that celebrate our beautiful city and connect community and culture.
Saturday 13 September 11am-1pm
Drop-in, free, no booking required!
Resisting Erasure is a two-part creative workshop series exploring art as a powerful tool for resistance and storytelling as a means to reclaim identity. Each session offers a blend of historical context, hands-on creation, and space for reflection and discussion. Our fist session will be held during Balsall Heath Second Saturday and will focus on Tatreez: Threads of Resistance.
Tatreez, the intricate Palestinian embroidery tradition, has long served as a method of preserving cultural memory in the face of displacement. This session introduces participants to its technique and symbolism, and invites them to stitch their own bookmarks using a guide or create their own pieces using motifs discussed during the session or those relevant to their personal stories.
This session is part of Beyond the Margin, a 9-month Inspire Hub programme exploring identity, storytelling, and creative resistance.
For more information about Inspire Hub or Beyond the Margins, take a look at our instagram @inspirehub.community.
Join The GAP at Balsall Heath Second Saturday for Stories From The Den! 📖
A two hour session of story telling Palestinian and Arab folktales all from the comfort of the den. Get cosy, exercise your imaginations and enter into a world of myths, legends and long tales that tell us much about what it means to be human. After some storytelling we will make some space and use a range of tools and materials to explore some prompts inspired by the stories.
🕓 Saturday 13th September, 11am – 1pm. Please arrive promptly to make sure we can start the stories on time.
HAWWW! zines, diy bits, world-building textures, printed matter + narrative fragments… it’s free + open to all!
holding (literal) space for a print + publishing gathering has been a brewing intention of mine for some time, so let’s start with a concept day 🌱
✨maybe you want to bring, create, share, swap +/or test a #zine or #diy fragment or something in #print
✨maybe you want to sell or exhibit your work in true #popup fashion
✨maybe you have ideas to share about a dream #popup or #library or #zinefest environment
✨maybe you want to congregate in a warm + open space
join SEEMAWORLD + @mixedrage (!) at this drop-in session to co-dream about your ideal diy publishing environment 🚪
more on the concept of ‘HAWWW’ itself in the coming weeks and info about the first HAWWW during october’s second saturday
free + open to all!
12:30–14:30 ➡️ SCULPTING RADICAL KINDNESS
saturday is looming, people! ^^so here’s a lil itinerary to map out this workshop^^
what does kindness look + feel like when it’s shaped by playful limits? come find out, play and connect.
we’ll be: sculpting relics for speculative futures 🌍 BUT with a limited resource chosen randomly by you:: clay, found objects, collage, writing, 3d animation,maybe more
✨no skills needed
✨all materials provided
✨drop-in or stay for the duration
✨guided workshop / reflection circle begins 12:45
✨pay what you feel: £5 / £7 / £9 (book via www.seemaworld.com or pay on the day)
full programme in instagram bio https://www.instagram.com/seemaworld_, wheelchair access, everyone welcome!
Bric a brac/clothes/curios and more
If you would like to be part of the market, please message us – info@secondsaturday.org.uk
VENTILATOR GALLERY
a dynamic space for dialogue, curated by
Tammy Woodrow
opening event Saturday 14 June 12-4:
interactive installation ‘A Little Respect’ by Gay Place
Location: the old print works, 506 Moseley Road, Birmingham, B12 9AH, bus 50. The gallery is based on the first floor. More info: tammywoodrow@hotmail.com/ 07964770596
studio launch! 2pm – 4pm
a one-day portal
roll out of full studio programme for the rest of 2025 · showcase of instruments + 2025- prototypes · mini zine factory · irl surplus store · original SEEMAWORLD works + project updates · irl world-building: cocreation + ideation stations · a peek at SEEMAWORLD inspo + archives · snacks · more
Selly Oak Palestine Solidarity presents the film Murder in Paris
Murder in Paris is a political crime documentary that traces the motives for the assassination of anti-Apartheid activist, Dulcie September. The story travels from the heart of Paris in March 1988 to the pursuit of justice in 2021.
This is a free film screening for educational purposes, but please register below for a ticket
Help us bring ~even more~ life and colour to our beautiful Peace Garden through some fun creative activities using materials from the earth – clay and chalk 🌞🕊️
🟢 Play with clay and your imagination to create a unique mythical creature to live in the Peace Garden!
🟢 Use chalk to add colour, pattern and messages to the Peace Garden’s planters and pavement flooring
And as always come explore the plants and wildlife, and take a moment to enjoy being at peace within nature 🌿🪻🐦🐞🐝🪱
1 – 4pm (Drop-in)
All ages welcome (Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult)
Free
MENSTRUATORS is a period-poverty MA dissertation project Iwriting a poetry/ lyric essay collection about menstruation/ blood (and wider menstruation-related experiences e.g. menopause, pregnancy, PMDD, PMS, early onset menopause) and poverty in the contexts of war, stigma, oppression, religion, homelessness, disability, and neurodivergence. Please feel free to share any thoughts on a post-it note. There will be some prompts to help evoke memories, but share anything you think might be relevant. Response post-its to other people’s responses also encouraged to start conversations.
Nafeesa (b. Kashmir 1993, bred in Birmingham) is a poet; playwright; educator; performer; and director. When she’s not archiving city council bankruptcy, Nafeesa uses the intersectionality of her identity to inform her multi-disciplinary creative practice. Her poetry collection Besharam (Verve Poetry Press) was highly commended in the Forward Prizes 2019. Nafeesa is published in Forward Poems of the Decade 2011-2020 (Faber Poetry), The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write, (Saqi Books). Nafeesa has appeared on BBC Bitesize; BBC Radio 4 Comedy; The Verb; and at literary festivals across the UK, Ireland and Germany. In 2023 she received a scholarship for Writing Poetry MA at Poetry School London, where she continues developing a body of work about corner shop culture, car boots, faith, and divine love.
Join us this Balsall Heath Second Saturday for an intimate listening, crafting & conversation circle exploring the importance of passing on knowledge of women’s creative work between generations and within communities.
We will invite you to crochet whilst listening to a recorded interview with artist-crafter Jane Thakoordin, before opening up space to share reflections and stories between ourselves about women’s creative work.
This event launches part two of THREADS: An Interactive Exhibition Untangling The Hidden Work Of Women. The exhibition includes oral history interviews with four local women from different backgrounds about how they learnt their creative skills from other women. The interviews were conducted by Kim Chi, who also created artworks in response which are on display in the exhibition, along with craft objects loaned by the interviewees and various interactive activities.
The session will be facilitated by Isra Kausar (Curator), Kim Chi (Artist) and Ella Marshall (Programme Director).
All genders welcome
Ages 14+
No booking required – just show up at 3.30pm
11am onwards at The Old Print Works
Give your clothes a new bloom! Join us as we celebrate Festival of Blossom with Natasha & Ashleigh for a family-friendly workshop where we’ll breathe new life into old garments. Have a go at making your own print with floral woodblocks.
Bring an old garment of clothing to refresh or print one of the patches provided.
Free
Drop in
Join us for a fun and creative crochet workshop where you’ll learn how to make stunning, handcrafted flowers. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, this workshop is perfect for you!
You are invited to bring in your own yarn and hook, and any material you wish to use for the crochet workshop – there will also be materials provided by us so feel free to join us either way!
We will be learning the basics of crochet and learning to read Chinese crochet abbreviations! If you’re interested, please join!
I’m a student from Birmingham City University and this workshop is going to contribute to my degree show, if you don’t feel comfortable contributing, please let me know beforehand!
A complicated comedy about a plastic bottle.
Poor old PET #1. Distantly related to pre historical plankton, used and cast aside every day, desperate not to be buried or cremated, now they’re at the heart of an almighty row between business, governments and people who all love them and hate them at the same time. And that’ s before the cousins #2 – #7 come on the scene!
Stan’s Cafe’s brand new tabletop drama dives deep into the world of plastic.
What’s all the fuss about? What are our options and what could the future look like?
Don’t lose your bottle.
Tickets available here https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on/birmingham/balsall-heath-second-saturday-the-old-print-works/the-many-lives-of-pet-1/2025-04-12/d-pyzglkuygklbp
Join us for a special event and free kids art exhibition and workshop. Please bring spare clothes as this workshop may include getting messy and creative. No age limit please can all children be accompanied by an adult. 🎨 🖌️
Exhibition Opening: THREADS: An Interactive Exhibition Untangling the Hidden Work of Women (Part One)
Saturday 8th March, 11am – 4pm
Join us this International Women’s Day as we launch a new exhibition curated by Isra Kausar @israk_art as part of @balsallheathsecondsaturday . Featuring various craft activities and conversational prompts, the exhibition invites you to talk, listen, reflect and learn about the work of women that too often goes unnoticed and unappreciated.
The things you make and thoughts you share will be a part of the community helping to untangle and appreciate the often hidden work of women, and will be included in Part Two of this exhibition, launching in April. This second part will also feature audio interviews with women local to The GAP exploring their personal stories on how skills are passed down through generations of women, as well as objects and mixed media artworks created in response by Kim Chi (a founding member of The Culture Collective and current team member of The MIX Cafe!).
Part One of this exhibition runs throughout March.
Learn to make sustainable textile jewellery with Mahawa from award-winning Mansading Textile. Inspired by a traditional African wrapping technique. Preserving traditional hand textile skills and using up waste fabrics and yarn, you will create a beautiful necklace or bracelet to wear or gift.
Join artist Sevonah Golabi to celebrate International Women’s Day with arts activities.
Make a dedication heart to a woman who has inspired you, or an important woman in your life and attach it to the washing line.
In the spirit of the suffragettes, make your own rosette about something you feel passionate about or want to change in the world and wear it proudly!
11.30-2.30, free drop in.
“We have yet to invent the politics and new forms of collaborative action—this century’s equivalent of the social movements of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries that aimed to tether raw capitalism to society—that effectively assert the people’s right to a human future. And while the work of these inventions awaits us, this mobilization and the resistance it engenders will define a key battleground upon which the fight for a human future unfolds.”
Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
“[Fossil fuel companies] have been aided and abetted by advertising and PR companies – Mad Men fuelling the madness.”
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, June 2024
Birmingham event: When fossil capitalism met surveillance advertising
Saturday 8th March 2025, public talk at 4pm
(Exhibition open all day from 10am – 6pm)
As wildfires ravaged Los Angeles this January 2025, fossil fuel companies took out ads across California to stop new climate legislation at the state level. In Britain fossil fuel giants BP and Shell have bought ad spaces on public transport networks to focus attention on its renewable projects whilst slashing its green investments plans and ramping up oil and gas investments.
All around us, advertisers are building new digital advertising screens in our streets with creeping surveillance technologies.
Join us for the Birmingham launch of Digital Dystopia – a mock advertising unit made from recycled electronic waste – re-engineered to reveal the tactics of misdirection used by major polluters to maintain their social licence to operate. We’ll discuss how we build sustainable futures beyond consumerism to meet our needs; and how to create urban spaces that centre community connection, solidarity, public art and access to nature.
With Robbie Gillett and Chloe Naldrett from Adfree Cities & Badvertising.
Join us for a special event and free kids art exhibition and workshop. Please bring spare clothes as this workshop may include getting messy and creative. No age limit please can all children be accompanied by an adult. 🎨 🖌️
11am until 1pm, Lower gallery or courtyard, Courtyard Entrance, The Old Print Works
Monthly family carving club, all ages welcome, learn how to use a sharp knife to make beautiful things from wood
Donation/ pay what you feel – drop in – get there early – limited spaces
Fresh from his role as Artistic Director of the Marrakech Storytelling Festival, John Row continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his masterful storytelling. A cherished figure in the realm of folk tales and oral tradition, John has spent decades weaving vivid and engaging narratives that breathe life into myths, legends, and folk tales from every corner of the globe. His warm, resonant voice and unparalleled ability to create magic through words make him a celebrated presence at festivals, schools, libraries, and community events across the UK and beyond.
John’s roots trace back to the vibrant folk scene of the 1960s and 70s, where his natural gift for narrative first took centre stage. Over the years, he has become a respected performer not only for his expertise but also for his dedication to preserving the art of oral tradition. Drawing from an impressive array of cultural sources—traditional English tales, ancient myths, and indigenous stories—John creates immersive performances that transport listeners to other times and places.
Beyond enthralling audiences, John brings storytelling into education and community spaces as a tool for learning and empowerment. His interactive workshops encourage participants of all ages to craft their own stories, fostering creativity, communication, and a deeper appreciation for the spoken word. His unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life cements his position as a beloved figure in the storytelling community.
John has also contributed significantly to preserving the art of storytelling. From recording traditional tales to participating in international festivals and collaborating with artists, his work champions storytelling as a living tradition. Through his projects, he has not only entertained but also highlighted the importance of cultural heritage and its place in modern society.
Known for his humour, humanity, and timeless style, John’s storytelling transcends mere performance, becoming an experience that resonates deeply with audiences. Whether sharing a poignant folk tale, a light-hearted anecdote, or an epic legend, John Row continues to inspire and enchant all who have the pleasure of listening to him.
The Original Art Club at The Old Print Works and Balsall Heath Second Saturdays.
The Original Art Club is a safe creative space for children to explore, create and develop their artistic skills. This is project-based learning tailored to each individual and their ability. The idea is progress not perfection and with an ‘I can do’ attitude here at the club we want all our budding artists to feel confident and encouraged in their creative journey. We teach several 2D and 3D techniques within our projects using a wide range of materials from pencil, acrylic paint and watercolours, to clay and paper mache. Our mixed age and mixed ability classes is a unique way in building self-confidence, independence and social bonding. Those children who have been with us longer will have gained more flexibility in steering their own projects and outcomes. We use mediums such as acrylics, watercolours, oil/soft pastels, inks, fine liners and 3D work with papier mache, clay and paper sculpture. At the club we value art and believe it is a significant component for the holistic education of children.
In this beginner’s bookbinding workshop, you will learn a saddle stitch binding method and create a one of a kind pocket journal to take home.
All tools are provided, along with a wide selection of papers, card stock, magazines, old books, maps and more. You will get to pick the pages for your notebook, learn how to bind them together and then decorate the cover in your own style. Feel free to bring with you: old envelopes, pages from unused notebooks or sketchbooks, sheet music, maps, posters, old books, cards, paper bags, wrapping paper. Anything goes!
Suitable for older children accompanied by an adult (we will be using sharp tools – an awl, needle, scissors and craft knife)
11am onwards – drop in, The Old Print Works upper gallery
Wood working skills that can set you up for life
pricing available in workshop