The race is on to find UK's first ‘City of Culture’ for 2013
097/09
14 July 2009

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw launches national competition

A competition open to the whole of the UK to find the nation’s first ‘City of Culture’ was launched today by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw. The winning city will become a focus for national attention in 2013 and could host high-profile media events including the Turner Prize, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, The Brits and the Stirling Prize as part of their year in the spotlight.

Building on Liverpool’s success as European Capital of Culture in 2008 the successful city could expect to see economic and social benefits flow in, leaving a lasting legacy. The initiative is being launched following a feasibility study by Phil Redmond.

And not just cities can apply. Bids will also be welcome from closely linked urban areas, or cities with their surrounding areas. The important thing is that there must be a clear central focus to the area.

Bidders will have until 16 October this year to submit an outline application, with a deadline of 11 December for initial bids. Expert assessors will then look at bids received and an independent advisory panel will recommend a short list to be announced early in 2010. Finally, those bids that are short listed have until 28 May to submit their full and final bids. Once these have been assessed and a recommendation made by the independent advisory panel, the final winner will be announced by the Culture Secretary later that year.

Ben Bradshaw said:

“Culture is something that we are incredibly good at in the UK. But excellence and innovation in the arts does not begin and end inside the M25 and I believe we have been too London-centric for too long in our cultural life. So this competition aims to find a city or area outside London that has the wow factor, with exciting and credible plans to make a step change in its cultural life and engage the whole country.

“Liverpool’s success last year brought pride, confidence and real economic regeneration to the area. Their triumphant year shows that the title of City of Culture will be a prize very much worth having, with a huge amount to play for.

“National cultural organisations and funding bodies are backing the plan and I am grateful to them for their support so far. I also thank Phil Redmond for his work to make this exciting concept a reality.”

Phil Redmond added:

“Liverpool benefited tremendously in 2008, from simply having a badge of authority that allowed people to work collaboratively together to enhance and maximize every event throughout the city. It also acted as a focal point for every cultural economic and social agenda – including permission to enjoy themselves. Culture is not an amorphous concept: it is at the heart of everything we do. To bring about any step change you need to bring about cultural shift and that is where cultural practitioners can help by introducing new ideas and new ways of doing things. Something we will all have to do looking to a rapidly changing digital world.”

http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/6256.aspx

There's some good reasoned debate on the Stirrer and thought we may as well have a thread.

Good idea or bad idea? Should we be bidding? If so how can we ensure success this time? discuss :)

I like the idea of having a city of culture, just hate all the bidding. Bidding leads to cities sniping at each other and just creates resentment (and wastes a pile of cash).

(or that was my impression for the National Stadium and EU Capital of Culture bids)

ah, a stirree

ive opted for 'bad idea'
basically because its a crap idea to start with, & theres really no point in getting involved in it.

I question the Turner Prize - it's a worthy accolade for those that receive such prizes. How much does the average person benefit from holding this event?

I have my doubts over their willingness to move away from London for this?

thought i should highlight something:

"The winning city will become a focus for national attention in 2013 and could host high-profile media events including the Turner Prize, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, The Brits and the Stirling Prize as part of their year in the spotlight."

notice the word 'could'
also, none of the 4 events listed are anything whatsoever to do with the UK Government

Birmingham has hosted BBC SPY twice already, it has started to go to venues outside of London.
the Stirling Prize has also already been held in various other locations outside of London.

the Turner Prize is awarded by the Tate, so wont move
the Brits are an industry event, so wont move outside of London

so basically, the winning city would have the same opportunity to host a few events that it already has now.


theres also no money with it, so what is that city's culture supposed to do 'extra' during the year, when the city has spent the budget on entering a pointless competition?

News blog on the Birmingham Post Website.

Lets Invite the Whole of Birmingham to be Part of a City of Culture (http://blogs.birminghampost.net/news/2009/07/lets-invite-the-whole-of-birmi.html)

From The Post .

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=phil-redmond-tells-birmingham-to-go-for-it-in-city-of-culture-bid%26method=full%26objectid=24218107%26siteid=65233-name_page.html

http://canvasbirmingham.com/

"Real time recreation of Clif’s Brum-set masterpiece Take Me High — in original locations, Gas St, Alpha Tower, Council House —by Stan’s Cafe."

THAT'S GOT MY SUPPORT

oh my!!!!!!!! fail!!!!!!!

and thats all i got to say about that

THAT'S GOT MY SUPPORT

Same here

From Birmingham Mail today:

Birmingham launches bid for UK City of Culture status

Birmingham has launched its bid to become the UK's first City of Culture, with a £200 million boost to the local economy expected if it is successful.

Birmingham is among 22 other cities who are vying for the cultural crown including Lancaster, Southend-on-sea, Swansea Bay, Aberdeen and Durham.

The participating cities must submit their bid to become the City of Culture in 2013 by December 10 with the shortlisted cities to be decided in January 2010 by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Birmingham's bid will be managed through the Birmingham Cultural Partnership (BCP) and the finalists will have until May 28 2010 to make their last attempts at the title.

Chairman of the Birmingham Cultural Partnership, Cllr Martin Mullaney said: "Birmingham already has a fantastic cultural offer of international quality. Now we want to shout about it and of course enhance it.

"Within the city our aim is to increase participation because we know culture can play a key part in lasting social regeneration.

"We also want to make it clear that this is a bid for the whole of Birmingham and that's why we're asking residents what they would like to see included in a City of Culture programme.

"The potential economic benefits are massive. Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture was worth a massive £800 million to the city region and estimates suggest UK City of Culture status could be worth up to £200 million."

In a further move to secure the title Birmingham has launched an interactive website which encourages residents in the area to give their views and ideas.

One resident to visit the site added: "Since moving to Birmingham in March I have been overjoyed with the amount of variety available culturally.

"I have been regularly practising Break-dance with B-Boys Attic, training the Afro-Brazilian Capoeira with Cordeo De Ouro, a little samba with Aquella Dance and enjoying some roots reggae thanks to Jam Jah at The Bulls Head, Moseley.

"It has has a massive impact on me and my artistic practices."

The winner of the City of Culture bid will be announced by the Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw in the Summer of 2010.


http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2009/12/09/birmingham-launches-bid-for-uk-city-of-culture-status-65233-25357158/

Apparently Manchester has pulled out of the race to become Britains first city of culture, they think they dont need it as they are sooooooooo cultural already, lol. Cultural, probably not, however more people have a positive image of Manchester than Birmingham, even i admit that. Well at least thats one big rival out of the way, so here to Birmingham 2013???????

Manchester is right on this one.

The UK City of Culture is lame

No its not for a city like Birmingham where "perceptions" of the city are well below what the city is actually like. Birmingham needs to win things like this if it wants to be taken seriously in my book anyway. It has many attractions that need to be shown around the country and this is one event that will do just that. I fully support Birminghams bid for this accolade and "why" shouldnt it???? Birmingham has just beaten Madrid in a vote in Switzerland to have the city in the spotlight next year for "fine" dining so this should be a easy win for us. Birmingham beating spains capital city at anything, who would of though this a few years ago, not many. It goes to show though that the city is aspiring to be a first class city in many ways, usually with the city having much more praise from people overseas than people actually in the UK for some strange reason, but actually its not all that strange as the UK is centred around London with a new "Jerusalem" of the north trying to get a foot in, a city called Manchester.

See food and drink west midlands post for more info on Birmingham beating Madrid for "fine" dining city. :cheers:

i dont think the uk city of culture will do anything, no money, no publicity, pointless i rekon, but hey, if it cost nothing to bid might aswel...which i doubt is the case

How do you know it wont have any publicity?? It already has with the bidding process, Birminghams name is there for all to see and to let everybody know that we are not going to just go away, we want to be known as a great city to visit and to live(something some brummies dont even appreciate sometimes, all taken for granted)
Not only that though as the first part of the redeveloped New street station will then be open for all to see and also hopefully the opening of our new Library of Birmingham, so should have even more to showcase that year.

and if they win it the Stirling & Turner Prize, BBC SPoTY, etc will be held here

the only people that will see this are people in the uk, i guess you could say, this will go some way to improving a media image, however, the best messages are those that come from people who form opinions, or people we trust and i fail to see how the "uk" (this being the word here) city of culture will improve anything much.

plus we shall see if these events actually move and stay in which ever city gets it...which is key of course. like an ofam advert, give a man the skills and he'll feed for a lifetime...move for one yr then go back will be a short term boost.

the only people that will see this are people in the uk, i guess you could say, this will go some way to improving a media image, however, the best messages are those that come from people who form opinions, or people we trust and i fail to see how the "uk" (this being the word here) city of culture will improve anything much.

The UK population is where Birmingham's major image problems exists - a lot of people from overseas also read negative reports in UK media so this has a cumulative effect.

As Brum X has suggested, suprisingly many people I've met from overseas don't hold such negative perceptions - there isn't all the nonsense with the accent and we are known for being the second most important city of the UK - people know us through our many contributions to the world such as music, sport, events, food, architecture, universities, inventions and manufacturing. Birmingham is a huge cosmopolitan city, so many people from overseas have often travelled here for events or have family that are expats or have studied at some point in our universities. We're a lot higher on peoples radar overseas than many Brummies seem to realise.

Personally I think UK City of Culture is a bit of a bollocks competition, however saying that any publicity is good publicity and we could really turn it to our advantage - the mere suggestion of Birmingham and culture will be laughed at by many of the less enlightend, however it might also provoke them to open their eyes and see whats on offer which is certainly no bad thing.

and if they win it the Stirling & Turner Prize, BBC SPoTY, etc will be held here

says who? :lol:

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2009/07/15/birmingham-weighs-up-bid-for-uk-city-of-culture-status-65233-24154788/

I like the fact he refers to a 'greater Birmingham'.

I heard the Brits and MTV awards are looking to be held in the winning city. MOBO could be one too especially as some of the nominees thought it weird to be in Glasgow last year where other cities like Brum were much more cosmopolitan and in tune with Black music.
My gf is American and she loves Brum, has no hang ups about the city or accent, and has argued for us back home when confronted with ill-informed British people in the US.
Will the City of Culture award help us? I don't know if it will kill the bad rep overnight but it might claw back some love for us from the Literati and Luvvies!

An article in today's Birmingham Mail about this .

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories//tm_headline=birmingham-waits-on-uk-capital-of-culture-uk-2013-shortlist%26method=full%26objectid=25808707%26siteid=97319-name_page.html

In 2008 Liverpool won European City of Culture.

The company I work for, that has offices all over the UK, decided to organise a trip to Liverpool for anyone what wanted to go there to see some of the activities (hosted by the Liverpool based employees).

There was so little interest that they had to cancel the trip.

If Birmingham do win this the negative perception of the city by people who live OUTSIDE the Midlands will not change.

Well luckily for us,over the whole year,15 million people where more enthusiastic about what was happening.This event is nothing like European Capital of Culture anyway.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8820/3328176282df6772ffdcb.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/3328176282df6772ffdcb.jpg/)

I like to consider myself a bit of a culture vulture but shamefully I never went either. My reason being that there is always generally something happening here and when there wasn't I tended to find London a greater draw instead.

.This event is nothing like European Capital of Culture anyway.

agree with that, i still think it will be a pointless exercise. Imagine if we don't get it, have a strong feeling brum wont anyway

Great pic that .

Well luckily for us,over the whole year,15 million people where more enthusiastic about what was happening.This event is nothing like European Capital of Culture anyway.



It's interesting to hear your perspective on it Paul.

From the outside, the impressions I got were that the ridiculous looking building by the waterfront which was subsequently cancelled (i think to the benefit of the city) and the rest was a few concerts featuring old Beatles and the Farm, and Classic FM had a few events with the Liverpool Phil.

I'm not trying to be derogatory btw, I'm just wandering if you think it was marketed well outside the city?

It's interesting to hear your perspective on it Paul.

From the outside, the impressions I got were that the ridiculous looking building by the waterfront which was subsequently cancelled (i think to the benefit of the city) and the rest was a few concerts featuring old Beatles and the Farm, and Classic FM had a few events with the Liverpool Phil.

I'm not trying to be derogatory btw, I'm just wandering if you think it was marketed well outside the city?

Capital of Culture events
The full list of events planned for Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Liverpool's initial programme for the city's year as European Capital of Culture in 2008 includes concerts, commissions, festivals, exhibitions and premieres across all cultural areas.
Capital of Culture highlights
April 2007

Launch of the 2007/08 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra season including premieres of works commissioned for 2008.
July 2007

Magical History Tour - A major exhibition celebrating Liverpool’s birthday.
September 2007

Vasily Petrenko opens the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 07/08 season.
October 2007

Turner Prize – The annual art competition will be held in Liverpool.
Brouhaha
Brouhaha

Bluecoat reopens – The UK’s oldest arts centre re-opens with a new wing.
November 2007

Launch of city wide public art programme.

FACT launches five new commissioned films
December 2007

The Liverpool Nativity – The BBC presents the story of the first Christmas told through the music and people of Liverpool.

New Year’s Eve fireworks show

European Opera Centre, Emilia di Liverpool. A new version of Emilia di Liverpool performed in the small concert room at St George’s Hall.
Throughout 2008…

Fragant – The story of Liverpool’s botanical collection

Cities on the Edge – Inter cultural project exploring the links between the port cities of Liverpool, Bremen, Naples, Marseilles, Istanbul, Gdansk and Stavanger.

Liverpool Song Book – A legacy of music for 2008 featuring new songs commissioned by the Liverpool Philharmonic culminating in performances in a variety of settings.
January 2008

Opening of Kings Dock arena

International Holocaust Memorial Day. Liverpool is the designated UK city for 2008's International Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January.

FACT film festival 22nd January – 2nd March
Tennis
Liverpool Tennis Tournament

British Dance Edition: 2008

World premiere of new choral work by Kenneth Hesketh

Fresh Festival – Cutting edge jazz, world and contemporary music.
February 2008

Chinese New Year – Celebrations of the start of Year of the Rat

High Society – Exhibition by 19th Century French artist Tissot

European Senior Boxing Championships at Kings Dock Arena

World premiere of new choral work by Sir John Tavener

Festival of British Music Part 1 – newly commissioned work including pieces from Kenneth Hesketh, Mark Simpson, Stephen Pratt and Emily Howard
March 2008

Identity and heritage project – Exploration of British identity

Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts the European Union Youth Orchestra

SK-Interface – sci-art commissions at FACT

Leap 08 – Liverpool’s annual contemporary dance festival

Wimfest – Liverpool Women’s International Music Festival

King Lear – Pete Postlethwaite is to appear at the Everyman
April 2008

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Vienna Series

Singh Twins - A commission of work by Amrit and Rabindra the internationally acclaimed contemporary British artists

Grand National – The world’s greatest steeplechase

Viennese Balls at St George’s Hall

Monet to Hopper: The artist and the railway – an exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery celebrating the power and impact of the railway on art featuring artists including Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Hopper

Portrait of Liverpool by Ben Johnson – A panorama of Liverpool commissioned for the new Museum of Liverpool

Adelphi – The Musical – A staging of the colourful history of one of Liverpool’s most famous landmarks
May 2008

Four Corners – Five projects devised in the city’s neighbourhoods.

Tate Liverpool’s 20th birthday

The Liverpool Sound – A special concert on the waterfront featuring world famous artists playing music that Liverpool exported to the world.

Gustav Klimt exhibition at Tate Liverpool

Writing on the Wall festival

Three Sisters – Liverpool writer Diane Samuels relocates Chekhov’s Three Sisters from
Russia to Liverpool at the Everyman
June 2008

Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem – A special performance at Liverpool Cathedral

Opening of the University of Liverpool Victoria Gallery and Museum

A new play by Jonathan Harvey at the Playhouse

The Peoples Festival – Celebrating working class culture with a specially commissioned work by composer Michael Nyman

Africa Oye – Free annual festival celebrating the best of music of Africa.

Liverpool International Tennis Tournament at Calderstones Park

Splatterfest – Festival of theatre for children
July 2008
Mathew St Festival

Summer Pops – Summer music festival

Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival

Classical Summer Pops – The big top relocates to Sefton Park

The Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale

Liverpool Comedy Festival

Hub Festival – The UK’s biggest free urban culture festival

Brouhaha International Street Festival

European Youth Parliament sits in Liverpool

Poetry in the City – Annual poetry festival

The Beat Goes On – Exhibition celebrating Liverpool as the capital of pop and rock at World Museum Liverpool

Maritime Festival including the finish of the Clipper Race and the start of the Tall Ships Race

Pipilotti Rist film premiere at FACT

School’s Shakespeare Festival
August 2008

World Firefighter Games

Mathew Street Festival

Creamfields

Major theatrical event at Liverpool Cathedral produced by the Everyman and Playhouse
Black Star Liner – The opening of Liverpool’s first dedicated home for black music in Jamaica Street.
September 2008

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra at the Philharmonic Hall

British Association Festival of Science

Honda Powerboat Grand Prix

Hope Street Festival

The Big Biennial – Liverpool’s fifth International Festival of Contemporary Art including the 50th John Moores exhibition

Fiesta Latina – A week of Latino music, food, culture and dance.

Finale of Tour of Britain cycle race.

Liverpool Live 2008 an extensive live arts programme at the Bluecoat and across the city.

Festival of British Music Part 2 - newly commissioned work including pieces from Kenneth Hesketh, Mark Simpson, Stephen Pratt and Emily Howard

New play for children by Frank Cottrell Boyce premiers at the Playhouse
October 2008

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

RIBA Stirling Prize – The Oscars of British Architecture are held at the newly opened
Arena and Convention Centre at Kings Dock.

Liverpool Irish Festival
Biennial
The Big Biennial

Le Corbusier – The Art of Architecture a major exhibition in the crypt at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Black History Month

Eric’s – The Musical. The story of the other influential Mathew St club at The Everyman

Halloween Lantern Carnival
November 2008

Shipping Lines- Literary festival at the University of Liverpool featuring Seamus Heaney, Jorie Graham, Doris Lessing, Monica Ali, Roger McGough, Melvyn Bragg, Philio Pullman and Paul Farley.

Dadafest – Celebration of disability and deaf art in the North West

Homotopia – Gay, lesbian and transgender festival

Liverpool Music Week
December 2008

Best of Liverpool at the Bluecoat – A showcase of visual art practice in the region.


I found something to do or go to most of the year but it depends on what you like,it's all about personal preference.On the subject of whether it was marketed properly,well the 15 million that attended the events and the fact that it was one of the most successful ECoC's suggests it was? The European MTV Music Awards is watched by hundreds of millions on TV as is the British Open golf.The Artichoke Spider was on the front page of the South China Morning Post,the most read paper in the World and possibly as a result of that and our twinning with Shanghai we're the only British city at the Shanghai Expo this year (known as the business olympics and attended by 75 million people).Liverpool's regeneration was moved forward for this also and as a result avoided the credit crunch so nothing but good come from it.Another knock on event from this is the Liverpool Boat Show which is going to be another massive event for the city,this is now to become a regular feature because of the enthusiasm shown for the Tall Ships event and various other maritime events held over the last few years.All in all it worked for me and more importantly it worked for the city big time.Phew I hope this didn't sound like a rant,it wasn't meant too.:)

Thanks Paul. Great stuff.

Puts a whole different perspective on it for me. It's interesting to see how far and wide some exposure was made. Some really good sounding events as well. I really like the fact that the city has got a Boat Show and Tall Ships festival going - they really pull on the history of the city which I always like.

15 million people is a good number too. Obviously a lot will be indiginous population of the city, but with a number like that a lot must have been visiting.

Sounds like you had a busy year. Including Viennese Balls!!

Puts a different perspective on the UK CoC a bit as well. Lord knows we need to improve our image in Brum, against a constantly overwhelming tide.

To be honest with you,this title is below Birmingham,you're much better than that and there's no reason why you can't get all of these events without winning this.

i still think it will be a pointless exercise. Imagine if we don't win it

That would send out the wrong message,culturally Brum would piss this but who knows how these idiots in suits think.It might actually do more damage than good.

That's the danger Paul - these "idiots in suits" are always looking further north when it comes to an alternative to London's monopoly over the culture scene and if Sheffield is still in the running I can see the Steel City winning it.

poor brand management by birmingham if they don't win... this is an event they should never had entered i think, and will do so much damage to brand Birmingham if they don't win

Shortlist just announced on Radio 4

- Birmingham
- Derry
- Norwich
- Sheffield

:carrot::banana2::pepper::cucumber:

Good news :)

Great news if you ask me, Derry and Norwich though?

Does Derry and Norwich have the capabilities to host some of the events? Carrow Road maybe?

Surely were in for a good shout.

Well sheffield is the main compeition but i think we should be the firm favourites. Will be very embarassing if we get beaten.

Well sheffield is the main compeition but i think we should be the firm favourites. Will be very embarassing if we get beaten.

You'd think Sheffield would be the main competition, but for some reason Paddy Power have them bottom of the heap at 6/1. We're 5/6 on :D

I don't think it would be a big deal if we lost. As much as I think we've got a good chance of winning this, it doesn't seem to be being that closely followed by the public. Very much like the Liverpool big for the European Capital of Culture. The only interest came once it had been awarded it. Focus will always be placed on the winner rather than the losers.

To be honest I think we will get it, if only for party political reasons.

Great news if you ask me, Derry and Norwich though?

I'm thinking along these lines. Urban populations approx:

Derry 90k - large 'town' (I know its a city :))
Norwich 250k - small city
Sheffield 650k - medium city
Birmingham 2.2m - large city

I think they've already decided however they need a representative from each size to make it seem that they've taken a balanced decision. Just a thought.

To be honest I think we will get it, if only for party political reasons.

Yes I think this could well end up being Labour's general election bribe to the Birmingham marginals - hoping people will forget the almost total decimation of Birmingham's key industries over the last 5 years for some made up title that costs the government nothing! Not that i'm cynical or anything! :lol::lol::lol:

Phil Redmond has been very complimentary of Brum in the past and he chairs the panel.

Sheffield stands a good chance and it is a surging city especially in pride (and urban design/architecture). Derry I can see for socio-political reasons - united Northern Ireland. Norwich I don't understand - it's a nice place but I can't think of a good reason unless they work on 'Olde England'?

Just to further emphasise what I was saying about ECoC having a knock on effect,this is our latest big event that has been added and it's the end of the article that highlights why ECoC made all of this possible.Congratulations on being shortlisted by the way,I'm sure you've got it in the bag.:cheers:


Liverpool Pageant of Power to see supercars on The Strand

LE MANS supercars, helicopters, powerboats and even a 100mph JCB will appear at a festival of speed on Liverpool’s waterfront.

The inaugural Liverpool Pageant of Power will take place on May 25 and see The Strand shut down to make way for drag races between Bentleys and Jaguars.

The event is being organised by the people behind the successful Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, in Cheshire.

Event director James Hall said: “It is an amazing show incorporating land, sea and air.

“We have Le Mans and Grand Prix cars, powerboat racers from Formula 2, 4 and OSY, as well as helicopters and aerobatic displays.

“The Strand is an ideal space for us. Liverpool could not have been designed better for our air, sea and land purposes.”

The plan is to close both sides of The Strand after rush hour on May 25.

The southbound side will be used for spectators while supercars burn rubber along the northbound stretch between the police headquarters and Mann Island.

Estimates suggest the free event could bring £500,000 into the city in one night, with 20,000 spectators attending.

A week of events including rides in Ferraris, Lamborghinis and possibly even helicopters will coincide with Liverpool One’s second birthday on May 29.
Mr Hall said: “It seemed to us to be a good direction to go to grow the event and show what we are all about.

“We had a smaller event at Liverpool One last year when we drove some supercars around the pedestrianised area and it went well.

“They are keen to promote their second birthday and with it being 45 minutes down the road, it was obvious we could make our statement in Liverpool.”

Although the events have yet to be finalised, it is believed the Bentley Speed 8, a Le Mans 24 hour race winner in 2003; the Silk Cut Jaguar, Le Mans winner in 1988; a supercharged Bentley Blower from 1926 and a JCB dragster capable of 100mph will make appearances.

Mr Hall said: “It will be quite an epic sight seeing that going down the Strand.”

Power Pageant organisers are more used to having high-powered machines roaring around a country estate.

But they said even though organising events within city limits was harder, Capital of Culture year, which saw The Strand closed to make way for the La Machine giant mechanical spider, had primed Liverpool for special events.

Mr Hall said: “Capital of Culture year provided a blueprint of how to handle events, which is exceptionally helpful.

“It will be a great showcase for Liverpool.”

and if they win it the Stirling & Turner Prize, BBC SPoTY, etc will be held here

says who? :lol:

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2009/07/15/birmingham-weighs-up-bid-for-uk-city-of-culture-status-65233-24154788/

but not a single one of those events has anything to do with the government


Birmingham has already hosted BBC SPoTY, & theres no reason it couldnt do so again
theres actually nothing to stop Birmingham hosting any of the mentioned events without 'winning' CoC


if there was a list of actual publicly funded bodies & events that would have to be hosted by the winning city during the year, it might make some sense.

http://blog.birminghamculture.org/birmingham-museum-takes-top-award

Birmingham museum takes top award



From: Geoff Coleman
Birmingham’s Museum of the Jewellery Quarter (http://www.bmag.org.uk/museum-of-the-jewellery-quarter) tonight won a top national tourism award – cementing its place as a leading tourist attraction.

The Hockley museum, opened in 1992, has been named the best small visitor attraction in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2010.

Museum curator/manager Victoria Emmanuel was in Brighton for tonight’s awards ceremony as the museum beat Oakham Treasures in Bristol and Harrogate’s Ripley Castle to secure the accolade.

Congratulations – a richly deserved award.

That place keeps on raking in the awards. Fantastic! :)

Spotted a few of the 'Birmingham City of Culture' posters in Leicester Station on Friday

Spotted a few of the 'Birmingham City of Culture' posters in Leicester Station on Friday

I've noticed a few dotted around the London Underground, seem to be in conjunction withthe Birmingham Royal Ballett

Birmingham artwork to hang in world's top galleries in City of Culture bid
May 4 2010 by Kat Keogh, Birmingham Post

Birmingham artworks are set to tour the globe as part of the city’s push to win the City of Culture title 2013.

Works of art from Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s renowned collection will be hung on the walls of world’s top galleries as the bid for the title continues.

Among those going on loan to galleries in Barcelona, Venice, Toronto and Rouen will be works by the likes of Degas, Millais and Pissarro.

It is hoped that the move will help put Birmingham’s art collection on an international stage.

Coun Martin Mullaney, chairman of the Birmingham Cultural Partnership, said: “Many people are already aware that organisations like Birmingham Royal Ballet regularly promote our city with performances all over the world.

“What is possibly less widely known is that works of art – particularly from our world famous Pre-Raphaelite collection – also go on display in some very prestigious museums and art galleries.

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2010/05/04/birmingham-artwork-to-hang-in-world-s-top-galleries-in-city-of-culture-bid-65233-26368460/


Birmingham’s cultural sector brings in more than £270m
Published Tuesday 4 May 2010 at 16:51 by Alistair Smith

Birmingham’s cultural venues generate more than £270 million for the city every year, according to new research.

According to Birmingham’s Cultural Capital, organisations such as Birmingham Rep, Birmingham Hippodrome and the MAC arts centre help generate an additional visitor spend - on items such as food, drink and travel - in excess of £40 million annually on top of the amount raised by the venues themselves. The report was commissioned by Birmingham Arts Partnership, which represents all the major arts organisations in the city centre. Research was undertaken by Morris Hargreaves McIntyre.

Stuart Griffiths, chief executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, one of the members of the BAP, said: “Birmingham’s Cultural Capital underlines the value of culture to Birmingham and the wider region - economically, as well as in terms of image - to individuals and to wider society. For the first time, it provides a robust measure of the return on investment from public funds in the arts and supports the case for continued investment in culture.”

According to the document, for every £1 of funding by Birmingham City Council, city centre venues and companies provide a return on investment of £29. When Arts Council England support is also included, the ratio is still one to 11. The report also said that two million people in the West Midlands have been to a cultural event in Birmingham, including 1.3 million in the last year.

It also claims that the arts employ significantly more people in Birmingham than mechanical engineering, motor vehicles or printing and publishing.

Griffiths, who is also an ambassador for Birmingham’s bid to be awarded the title of UK City of Culture, added: “The report also shows that there remains considerable scope for attracting more visitors into the city centre to enjoy the world-class culture available. Birmingham Arts Partnership will continue to work closely with the Birmingham Cultural Partnership on the bid. Meanwhile, BAP members will work ever more closely together to maintain excellence, develop audiences and inform policy.”

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/28092/birminghams-cultural-sector-brings-in-more

http://birminghamnewsroom.com/?p=10167

CBSO up for awards double

With Birmingham in the frame to be the UK’s first City of Culture, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has been shortlisted in two categories of the UK’s most prestigious live classical music awards – the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards.

Andris Nelsons is in the best conductor category while Igorfest is in the Festivals & Series category.

Colin Matthews’ Violin Concerto, which was commissioned by the CBSO with Funding from the Feeney Trust and had its debut with the Orchestra, is also short listed in the Large-Scale Composition category.

The awards, which show outstanding achievement during 2009 are said to celebrate an astonishingly diverse range of music and music makers from across the UK. They reveal an exciting new generation of artists and ensembles who are firmly establishing themselves alongside distinguished performers; all demonstrate vision and boldness.

Stephen Maddock, chief executive of the CBSO said: “Being short listed in these rigorous and independent awards is great news for the Midlands very own Symphony Orchestra and the region itself. Our Orchestral performances continue to thrill and inspire and, with Andris at the helm, we’re ensuring that classical music in the city truly is world class as these nominations show.

“Our support to the music of the future through the commissioning of pieces like that of Colin Matthews Violin Concerto, will continue to ensure that composers and new works have a podium from which their innovative and unique sounds can be heard.”

The final awards will be presented by Radio 3 presenters Sean Rafferty and Sara Mohr-Pietch at a ceremony on Tuesday 11 May at The Dorchester Hotel, London and will be broadcast on Radio 3 on Wednesday 12 May.

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=birmingham-s-uk-city-of-culture-bid-completed-but-details-remain-secret%26method=full%26objectid=26465636%26siteid=65233-name_page.html

Birmingham's UK City of Culture bid completed, but details remain secret
May 18 2010 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Post
Add a commentRecommend The finishing touches have been put to Birmingham’s 2013 UK City of Culture bid, but the details are being kept under wraps for the time being.

Council leisure bosses fear that rival short-listed contenders Norwich, Sheffield and Londonderry could steal ideas for festivals and other high-profile events.

A document outlining plans for the year-long extravaganza will be delivered to the government in time for the contest’s closing deadline on Friday.

But the politician behind Birmingham’s bid, Martin Mullaney, admitted: “We don’t want to give too much away.”

Coun Mullaney (Lib Dem Moseley & Kings Heath) said support from the public and media for the culture bid had been overwhelming.

The winner will be announced by the Culture Minister in July, and the city chosen for the culture crown can expect to receive free publicity worth around £100 million, thanks to a commitment by the BBC and Channel 4.

Birmingham has already generated extensive publicity, with a London Underground poster campaign and 24-hour live blog.

The city can expect economic benefits from the prestige of winning, according to Coun Mullaney.

He told a council cabinet meeting that being crowned UK City of Culture could put a stop to Birmingham’s “brain drain”.

Coun Mullaney added: “One of the problems we have had for a long time is retaining our graduates when they leave universities in Birmingham.

“It’s been recognised that culture has an important role to play in making a city attractive to graduates and skilled workers.

“Birmingham will be in the national spotlight for a year and we hope firms will be encouraged to relocate their national headquarters to the city.”

Council chiefs are quietly confident that Birmingham will make up for its failure to win the bigger 2008 European Capital of Culture title, which went to Liverpool.

Cabinet member Alan Rudge (Con Sutton Vesey) said: “There is wholehearted and unanimous support for this.”

This was a nice article in the Guardian I read couple weeks back


Andris Nelsons, magician of Birmingham
Charismatic young conductor Andris Nelsons is a talent in global demand. Since joining the CBSO in 2007 his reputation has soared – a thrilling debut at last year's Proms will be followed by the opening night at Bayreuth this year. He talks to Fiona Maddocks about growing up in Riga, Simon Rattle's legacy and Birmingham's bid for UK City of Culture 2013

Fiona Maddocks The Observer, Sunday 6 June 2010 Article history

Everywhere you turn in Birmingham, banners and hoardings urge you to "Join the Big Conversation". This is the slogan for the city's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2013. The other three finalists in this inaugural competition, now reaching its closing stages, are Norwich, Derry and Sheffield. The award, which promises honour, investment and a boost to tourism but no government funding, will be announced in July.

Each city has drafted in local celebrities to add glamour and profile. One of those for Birmingham is a lean, clean-shaven 31-year-old with high forehead, sharp cheekbones, aqua-clear eyes and a quiet manner.

Something about the way he manages to wear a navy blazer without looking as if he's stepped out of a clubhouse or off a boat, suggests he is not English. He is not, although he speaks it fluently, his third language after Latvian and Russian but before German, or the French and Italian he modestly discounts.

Until three years ago, Andris Nelsons had never even set foot in Britain's second city. Now he is chief conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and one of the sought-after talents in the musical world. He introduced himself to a wider UK audience with his sensational Proms debut last year, in which he conducted the CBSO in white-hot, febrile accounts of Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and John Casken. It was one of the highlights of the season as a capacity Albert Hall, mesmerised by this agile, lanky figure, stamped and cheered, realising they had witnessed an exceptional few hours of music-making. Even the orchestra refused to take a bow, joining in the applause, united in loyal admiration for their new maestro. This season, on 29 July, Nelsons is back at the Proms with Dvorak's New World Symphony. Buy, queue, barter or glue yourself to Radio 3.

In addition, Nelsons has already made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Last month, he stepped in for his friend and mentor, the indisposed Latvian conductor Mariss Jansons, at the Vienna State Opera. Now Claudio Abbado, too, has been taken ill, with illustrious summer commitments in doubt. Nelsons' name is already being whispered as an ideal replacement.

For the moment, however, his heart is in Birmingham, where he took over in 2008. For the players and Nelsons alike it was love at first sight. He was appointed to the job that made Simon Rattle famous after only two private encounters with the orchestra and without the normal fiery baptism of a public concert. "I knew they were looking for a new music director. I knew I was a candidate, so that when I came they would be judging me. I was just myself. We did some rehearsals and a recording and that was it."
...

But there's another vital issue: "Birmingham did a truly remarkable thing in building Symphony Hall, which is the finest concert hall in the UK and one of the best in the world. The city has supported music without putting on the brakes. It deserves to have the title which, in this difficult time, will help support a cultural life that otherwise might be under threat."

His priority during his time in the UK is to speak out for music education in schools. "It's what Simon was always fighting for. There were cuts, they tell me, in the Thatcher years. Now, as a consequence, we are struggling with audiences. In Birmingham they are still good. People here understand the value: you may not be able to afford to go to the Bahamas but you can pay £30 for a concert and get enormous emotional satisfaction. But in these difficult times, I am anxious about the future."
...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jun/06/andris-nelsons-conductor-cbso-city-culture-2013

From BBC Birmingham website:)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/birmingham/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8806000/8806264.stm

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/456513650_af6c6e09aa_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jable1974/456513650/

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/456513650_af6c6e09aa_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jable1974/456513650/

Interesting way to improve the environment of an underpass.

http://i55.tinypic.com/5l5sm9.jpg

Yes, it works really well. I remember the Zutons playing a secret gig under there a few years back :)

There's scope for that in Coventry, where some of the ringroad junctions are like that. Especially as more development seems to be happening outside the ringroad these days than inside it!

Interesting way to improve the environment of an underpass.

I think this was done when the Mailbox opened, to improve the walk from the centre of Birmingham to the Mailbox, which is the "wrong" side of the
ring road.

For many years Birmingham had this "concrete collar" ring road which caused problems because every company wanted to be "inside" the concrete
collar, and almost nothing was built outside the concrete collar.

When the Mailbox was created just outside the concrete collar they had to improve the experience for those needing to walk under this ring road.

Gradually this concrete collar is being removed, but much of it still wraps its way round the centre of Birmingham.

p.s. Not sure why this picture was added to the "Birmingham - UK City of Culture" topic, when the whole topic had not been updated since July.
The picture does not sem to have any relevance to the topic.
.

Maybe these are. Before we lost to Londonderry, Northern Ireland

From May 2010

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4631845924_d40e200b3d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/4631845924/)
We can win UK City of Culture - Birmingham Central Library from Chamberlain Square (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/4631845924/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

June 2010

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/4730880349_3ec1369c92_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/4730880349/)
We can win - UK City of Culture 2013 - on City Arcade, Birmingham (from Warwick Passage) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/4730880349/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

The announcement came in July, the week I was on holiday in Italy. (after that most of the We Can Win banners came down).

Last month November 2010, only the Big City Culture banners are still up

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5213761323_72ce37b6fb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5213761323/)
Connecting everyone to culture - Birmingham Big City Culture (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5213761323/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr