Sajida’s Blog: A packed week of art, comedy, launches and awards

Since my last blog post I attended Sandwell and Birmingham Mela. It was a like a huge party; perfect weather, people having a boogie and then… Zamana. The stunning show stopped people in their tracks with the spectacle of Heliosphere – a spiralling, spinning helium filled giant balloon with an acrobat attached creating an illusion of flying.

Audiences loved the spectacle, it was a beautiful and engaging piece of work. The icing on the cake was when the performer was lowered into the audience to give high fives all around. Thanks to team Nutkhut and Sandwell & Birmingham Mela for making this happen as part of the Mela Partnership.

A little closer to the ground Creative Black Country invited Rich Franks and Deb Slade to deliver workshops, where Mela visitors were invited to make their own dandiya sticks using newspaper, tape and ribbon. I must say they really lent themselves to a festival vibe! Our tent was between Punch Records and FBC Manby Bowdler with a great offer for families and young people. Bring on 2018!

It was a busy week which also included the launch of Black Country Business Festival. It was great to hear how people can get involved. The aim of the event is to help drive inward investment and support economic growth through the region’s businesses. The festival will take place from 23rd April to 4th May in 2018 and will be a platform for businesses to unite and showcase the region’s world leading economy and business activities. It will feature a fortnight of business focused events, run by business for business. The video that accompanied the launch certainly had people moving in their seats it was punchy and factual, exactly what was needed for a 730am start!

Much later that day Parminder and I met some wonderful people at the Nachural Business Summer Ball and Awards. Ninder Johal and his team did a great job and managed to get over 5m impressions on Twitter. Congratulations to the winners on the night.

Comedian Masai Graham was part of the entertainment, as a nominated master from our 100 Masters campaign he stretched his funny bones at the Awards and was invited by us as part of the exciting Funny Things comedy festival which is coming to Wolverhampton in the Autumn.

During all of this I also had the chance to go and see Life’s A Beach, a new show by Black Country Touring, which is a great piece of immersive theatre. The preview shows were held at Black Country Living Museum and have since been to SO Festival Skegness and Bantock Park in Wolverhampton. The caravans move to Lightwoods Park next week (13-16th July) so mke sure you look out for the scary Seagull and Black Country Elvis – you won’t be disappointed.

During the coming weeks summer I will certainly be looking out for the bears as part of The Big Sleuth and the colourful Wolves in Wolves. I spotted my first Wolf at the Molinuex looking rather majestic!

Till the next blog enjoy the weather….

Image credits: Edwin Ladd &  Creative Black Country