Boredom Busters part 2 - with Liam
Next up for Boredom Busters is Creative Producer Liam Smyth who has taken inspiration from some of our 100 Masters alongside a few other Black Country legends…
The next few months are going to be trying times for us all. As the Covid-19 outbreak takes hold and our life changes we’re all being advised to stay in and work from home, avoiding unnecessary contact with others. So with that in mind, the CBC team have been thinking of things that keep us entertained and we’ll be sharing some of our recommendations here and across our social media networks.
Black Country Film to watch
‘Ray and Liz’ (2018) The critically acclaimed debut film from Cradley Heath artist, Richard Billingham. The film retells Billingham's troubled childhood growing up in a Black Country council flat.
‘Educating Rita’ (1983) Revisit the classic that put Smethwick’s own Julie Walters on the map and won a BAFTA and Golden Globe in 1984.
Rob Halford of Judas Priest
Podcasts and radio shows to listen to
In conversation with Rob Halford of Judas Priest, talking about growing up in Walsall: https://player.fm/series/speak-n-destroy/rob-halford
Putting the Black Country on the map with Adrian Goldberg: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01rlmpr
Want your soul and Motown fix? Wolverhampton’s Jenny Wilkes has got you covered: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p008wj5j
Music to check out
Fancy something a little more edgy? Wolverhampton’s Scarlxrd was wearing surgical masks wayyyyy before it was cool. Combining trap music and heavy metal, his rise to international prominence came after the music video for his single "Heart Attack" gained significant attention, holding over 75 million views on YouTube as of March 2020.
His latest album dropped less than three weeks ago and we’ve been listening to it on repeat: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6rYogEVj60BCIsLukpAnwr?autoplay=true&v=A
Books to read
How To Build A Girl – Caitlin Moran
The Boy With The Topknot – Sathnam Sanghera
Before I go to sleep – S.J. Watson
Black Country Type
Social media accounts to follow
@Blackcountrytype – Tom Hicks
@elizabethilsley – Liz Ilsley
Gillian Wearing. Self-Portrait at Three Years Old.
Artists to virtually visit
Gillian Wearing is a Turner prize-winning artist from Sandwell whose work features in many prestigious collections around the world including the Guggenheim in New York. Due to the current USA travel ban, you may have thought a day trip would be off the cards but have no fear! You can now take a tour of the Guggenheim’s famous spiral staircase from the comfort of your own home thanks to Google streetview.
Recipes to try
Check out this TV classic when Keith Floyd visited the Black Country to learn how to make faggots and peas.
But if you want something a bit more spicy then chef Nitisha Patel has the recipe books for you.
Creative things to do (make a... / learn to...)
Korean Billy offers a 4-minute lesson on the black country accent.
Please note - while we know that the current situation is very serious and we certainly do not want to make light of the situation or of anyone’s ill health we also understand the need for wellbeing during this difficult time and hope our suggestions and ideas can make you smile, keep your spirits up and give you some new ideas on how to spend any extra time you may have in isolation. Stay healthy and well. Love team CBC.