Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz on Kent Street at Sidewalk in Southside

The Dorothy street art popped up unexpectedly after Easter 2024, on Kent Street, with a ruby red slipper on the line above. On some doors of the Sidewalk gay bar. But by chance The Wizard of Oz will be playing at the Birmingham Hippodrome in June 2024. Is it Joe, as it's not Banksy? Photos from Birmingham We Are's Jack Babington and Elliott Brown. Who run our Instagram page.

The Wizard of Oz at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 11th to 16th June 2024, starring Craig Revel Horwood as The Wicked Witch of the West.

 

The owners of Sidewalk did not expect to find Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz on their building, on a pair of doors. It quickly got into the media, is it a Banksy? No. Who is it by? It is by Joe Lycett? We are not sure yet. Probably not by Disney B32. Perspex has been put over the artwork to protect it. There is also a pair of ruby red slippers on the phone line wire above Kent Street in the Gay Village (Southside BID).

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Photography by Jack Babington | Pro Photography Pictures

 

You will find Dorothy is you make your way to Hurst Street in Southside, when you find Sidewalk, then turn onto Kent Street. She is on the doors. This visit during Storm Kathleen so it was trying to rain, and was a bit windy, like Dorothy flying away in the house from Kansas to the Land of Oz!

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dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown | Ell R Brown 82

 

Go here for our post on Facebook: Dorothy FB. And on Instagram: Dorothy Insta.

Funder City at Moat Lane from Danter Attractions

Digbeth Fun Fair is back for the fourth year. Second time at the Smithfield Festival Site, but near Moat Lane (unlike the Beach @ Smithfield in Summer 2023 near Pershore Street). Started 14th March and runs to the 7th April 2024. In time for the up and coming Easter holidays.

FUNDER CITY THE DIGBETH FUN FAIR.

Danter Attractions is holding their fourth fun fair in Digbeth / Southside in four years, but the second year at Smithfield. It opened on the 14th March and is open daily until the 7th April 2024, during the Easter holidays period.

The same rides as before, some of which were last used at Ice Skate Birmingham. Others return from the last Digbeth Fun Fair, called at the time Beach @ Smithfield (July to August 2023).

 

The view from Digbeth near Enterprise Rent a Car, and the Eastside Metro extension (just before Alcester Street on the Digbeth High Street).

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From Mill Lane near Birmingham Coach Station, towards Bradford Street. Buildings on right were demolished recently, Bullring Autocentre (Strictly MOT before that) and Sutton Florists (previously the Leather Company, and Fonz Leathers before that).

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A carousel ride seen near Bradford Street.

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Fun House

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Birmingham Big Wheel returns again.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Funder City from 14th March to 7th April 2024 open day, Moat Lane City Centre, B5 5BD. Best to get the bus here (or train), don't go in your car!

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Onto Moat Lane. The fun fair is where the concrete Moat Lane Car Park was until it was demolished a few years ago.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Welcome entrance, it's been used at many fun fairs in Birmingham over the years, even one that was at the Curzon Street HS2 site back in 2010!

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Upper Dean Street view, some demolition rubble.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

And to the Bullring, up to the balcony near St Martin in the Bullring for one last view before going into the West Mall.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A few days later, and it was St Patrick's Day. View from the Bullring on the balcony behind Browns Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Smithfield%2017032024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A view from Moor Street Car Park level 8 through the safety barrier fence.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Smithfield%2017032024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Funder City in full swing from Moat Lane, as I walked to check out the St Patrick's Day Parade on Bradford Street.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Smithfield%2017032024%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Beach at Smithfield Birmingham from Danter Attractions

For the third summer in a row, Danter Attractions (the family group behind Ice Skate Birmingham and Digbeth Fun Fair) is opening a fun fair in Birmingham. This time at the Smithfield Festival Site. The entrance will be from Pershore Street in Southside. It runs from 14th July until 28th August 2023. Mostly the same rides as in previous years, Wild Mouse, Star Flyer, Air, Dodgems and so on.

Beach @ Smithfield Birmingham. AKA Digbeth Fun Fair and Birmingham Beach, is once again being run by the family team at Danter Attractions (who annually hold Ice Skate Birmingham in Centenary Square).

Entrance: Pershore Street, Birmingham, B5 4RW

 

Dates: 14th July to 28th August 2023.

Postponed to 16th July due to the rain forecast. Or to a later date depending on the weather.

 

 

In 2021, Digbeth Fun Fair was located at Charles Henry Street (Warner Fields), while in 2022 it moved to land at High Street Bordesley (Lunar Rise). For 2023 it is at the corner of Smithfield near Pershore Street and Barford Street (Smithfield Birmingham). While these brownfield sites are not being used, Danter have been putting fun fairs on them each summer.

Smithfield was previously used in summer 2022 for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (Beach Volleyball and 3x3 Basketball).

 

Gallery of 25 photos below taken by Elliott Brown

 

Initial views taken from the no 6 bus on Moat Lane.

Air and Wild Mouse

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Got off the bus at the Bullring (Park Street), and next walked to the Upper Dean Street view.

Runaway Train

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

General view of the fun fair from Upper Dean Street towards the new developments in Southside.

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Dodgem and Wild Mouse

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From Dean Street.

Air and Star Flyer

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Onto Pershore Street near the entrance to Beach @ Smithfield Birmingham.

WELCOME TO THE BEACH

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Giant Circus Slides

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Top Spin

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Selfridges and Wild Mouse

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Onto the Pershore Street corner with Barford Street near Sherlock Street.

Air, Wild Spin and Star Flyer

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Wild Mouse

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The views from Moat Lane through the fence.

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Wild Mouse and Snow Storm

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(21).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Dodgems

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(22).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

General view from Moor Street Car Park, level 8 (over from the Parametric Bridge connected to Selfridges).

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(23).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

View from the no 35 bus on Pershore Street

Wild Mouse

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(24).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Before getting off the no 35 bus in Kings Heath on Vicarage Road, spotted this banner for Beach @ Smithfield Birmingham on the High Street near Institute Road.

dndimg alt="Beach at Smithfield" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beach%20Smithfield%2013072023%20(25).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Go to their Facebook page Birmingham Beach (Digbeth Fun Fair). For more close up photos of the beach and rides, than we have been able to get from walking around Upper Dean Street, Pershore Street, Barford Street and Moat Lane.

Lunar New Year 2023: The Year of the Rabbit in Birmingham

The Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off at the Bullring & Grand Central on Saturday 21st January 2023 with the Traditional Lion Dance from Choy Lee Fut Lion and Dragon Dance Team, orgainised by the Chinese Festival Committee Birmingham. There was also events in Southside at Hippodrome Square and The Arcadian on Sunday 22nd January 2023. Happy Chinese New Year!

Saturday 21st January 2023 at Bullring & Grand Central Birmingham

Chinese Lion Procession (Beginning at 'The Bull')

The festivities began around 12pm at The Bull. Birmingham We Are's Elliott Brown popped up to Costa Coffee inside Next at the Bullring, and after buying a coffee, was able to get a table for the views. After they left Rotunda Square, and went down St Martin's Walk, it was time to leave Costa @ Next and head to the West Mall 2nd floor balcony view!

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dndimg alt="Chinese Lion dance" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPL%20Bullring%2021012023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Traditional Lion Dance at the Bullring

The Choy Lee Fut Lion and Dragon Dance Team walking in with the their dancing lions and drums on the ground floor of the Bullring, was a great view from the 2nd floor balcony, many people were watching. After introductions from the MC and James Wong, the drummers really showed their stuff to the crowd! Would be more events during the day, but this was all that I wanted to see, and it hurts to stand on one spot for too long.

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dndimg alt="Chinese Lion dance" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TLD%20Bullring%2021012023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Sunday 22nd January 2023 around Southside

 

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Hippodrome Square

For the first time in 3 years (since January 2020 before the pandemic), they had a stage set up in Hippodrome Square, and it drew a large crowd of people, a little bit too crowded, and not enough room to walk out of the area. The Chinese lion dancers and drummers went on stage early on, after the procession from The Arcadian.

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dndimg alt="Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stage%20LNY%20HSq%2022012023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Ladywell Walk

There was a carousel on Ladywell Walk near Hippodrome Square, as well as a balloon arch. The procession from The Arcadian went up here to the stage.

dndimg alt="Ladywell Walk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Ladywell%20Walk%202201223.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Hurst Street

On Hurst Street, south of the Hippodrome was various market stalls and fun fair rides. Was a bit crowded at this end.

dndimg alt="Hurst Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Hurst%20St%2022012023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There was also a ride called Hysteria on Hurst Street, close to the Missing bar and Bromsgrove Street. On the roads that were open, was a lot of traffic around. Was also a teacup ride at this end.

dndimg alt="Hysteria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hysteria%20HS%2022012023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Hysteria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hysteria%20HS%2022012023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Hysteria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hysteria%20HS%2022012023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Hysteria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hysteria%20HS%2022012023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Hysteria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hysteria%20HS%2022012023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Arcadian

The procession of the lion dance started in the arena here, before proceeding to Ladywell Walk and Hippodrome Square.

dndimg alt="The Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Arcadian%2022012023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

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dndimg alt="Lunar New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Jack%2022012023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

MasterChef champion Dan Lee was also in Southside with his trophy.

dndimg alt="Lunar New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Jack%2022012023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

Floral canopy on Hurst Walk and rainbow bunting at The Arcadian

If you are walking around Southside / the Chinese Quarter during Summer 2022, be sure to check out the floral canopy on Hurst Walk (enter from Hurst Street) and the rainbow bunting inside of The Arcadian. Best viewed from the upper walkway before heading to the steps near Cathay Street and exit to Pershore Street.

Five photos in this post.

Head down Hurst Street from Smallbrook Queensway, and enter Hurst Walk.

It's the one with the rainbow path on it (the other one of Ladywell Walk has been tarmaced over during the Public Realm Works).

Above you, you will see a floral canopy that leads into The Arcadian.

dndimg alt="The Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RB The Arcadian 26052022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="The Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RB The Arcadian 26052022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

You now see there is colourful rainbow bunting in the central arena part of The Arcadian. Just walk around the upper path past the bars / restaurants to see from above, or head down the steps. If you stay on the upper path, it leads around to the steps above Cathay Street, and the exit to Pershore Street.

dndimg alt="The Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RB The Arcadian 26052022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="The Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RB The Arcadian 26052022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="The Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RB The Arcadian 26052022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

Chinese New Year 2020 and 2022 in Birmingham

The Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Hippodrome were back again at the Bullring & Grand Central. Once again in the West Mall performance area, just outside of the former entrances of Debenhams. I forgot that they last performed there in late January 2020. So this was their first performance in a little over two years!

Happy Chinese New Year.  There was no dancing Chinese lions / dragons in 2021, but they are back in the first week of February 2022!

The Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, took the dancing lion / dragon all over Birmingham and Solihull. I was not able to be where they were, as much as I would have liked to see it. So below will have to do.

I've not been able to get the dancing lion / dragon, since I got the yellow one at Cathedral Square in 2018.

 

January 2020

It was Chinese New Year, and that year it was the Year of the Rat. A little over two months later the first lockdown began, and this seemed like a distant memory.

 

Photos below taken on 23rd January 2020.

The Bullring Bull in it's Chinese New Year of the Rat outfit. Two years later (2022) the Bull does not have an outfit on (for the Year of the Tiger). But nice to look two years back (to a couple of months before the first lockdown).

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY of the Rat Bullring bull (Jan 20) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY of the Rat Bullring bull (Jan 20) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY of the Rat Bullring bull (Jan 20) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos below taken on the 25th January 2020.

These views from the top floor balcony in the West Mall of Bullring & Grand Central. The Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee putting on a display. It was crowded on all floors.

dndimg alt="CNY Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY 2020 Bullring 25012020 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="CNY Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY 2020 Bullring 25012020 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="CNY Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY 2020 Bullring 25012020 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

February 2022

Photos below taken 1st February 2022.

Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat began on the 1st February 2022. The Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee were performing all over the City, and in Solihull on the 1st and 2nd February. But I kept missing them, so got the below instead.

 

Southside Media Eye at Birmingham New Street Station - Welcome to the Year of the Rat.

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tiger BNSS BRGC 01022022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant & Karaoke Bar. Chinese lanterns seen on Hurst Street.

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ming Moon CNY 01022022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham Hippodrome on Hurst Street. Digital billboard wishing you a Happy (Chinese) New Year!

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BH Hurst St 01022022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos below taken on 5th February 2022.

Two years later, and the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Hippodrome were back with more performances in the Bullring West Mall. This time I took them from the middle floor balcony. Crowds of people on all floors, was hard to get a spot, so took a few photos over peoples heads.

dndimg alt="CNY Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY 2022 Bullring 05022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="CNY Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY 2022 Bullring 05022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="CNY Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY 2022 Bullring 05022022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="CNY Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY 2022 Bullring 05022022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="CNY Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY 2022 Bullring 05022022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Join us for spectacular Chinese New Year Celebrations. 5th February, 12pm - 5pm. Seen on the Media Eye at Birmingham New Street Station, facing the Bullring. View from the Moor Street Link Bridge.

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HNYC Grand Central BNSS 05022022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos below taken on 6th February 2022.

From the 1st to 5th February 2022, I kept missing seeing the dancing Chinese lion with the drums. Then managed to get them on The Queen's 70th Anniversary of her Asccension. I saw them at The Arcadian while they were on Cathay Street.

dndimg alt="Cathay St Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY Cathay St Arcadian 06022022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cathay St Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY Cathay St Arcadian 06022022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Gent 48 street art on Wrottesley Street in Southside. Part of the same mural that is on Bath Passage. Seen from Ladywell Walk, opposite The Arcadian.

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent 48 Wrottesley St Sside 06022022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

On Hurst Street. Lamppost with Chinese lanterns. Below is a Birmingham 2022 banner, Be Bold Be Birmingham. Ahead is the unpleasant concrete eyesore over Smallbrook Queensway, with graffiti that urgently needs removing. Or the building demolishing.

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hurst St BBBB Chinese 06022022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A Gent 48 piece at the end of Smallbrook Queensway near Holloway Circus and Horse Fair. Of a Panda. It's been here since at least 2019 (I took another photo of it when I first saw it three years ago).

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent 48 SMQ Panda 06022022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Southside Theatres: Birmingham Hippodrome

The Birmingham Hippodrome is located on Hurst Street in Southside (part of the Chinese Quarter). It is also up Inge Street and near the Back to Backs. The theatre is home to the Birmingham Royal Ballet. There has been a theatre on this site since 1895. There has been several redevelopments since. The last one in 2001. The Birmingham Christmas Pantomine usually takes place here.

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

Lets support Birmingham's theatres during this troubling time of closure. In Southside there is the Birmingham Hippodrome (on Hurst Street), The Alexandra Theatre (on Suffolk Street Queensway and John Bright Street) and The Old REP Theatre (on Station Street).

Here though we will take a look at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Home of the world famous Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Assembly rooms was the first venue to be built on the site of the Hippodrome in 1895. It was redesigned in 1899 by local architect F. W. Lloyd. A stage and a circus was added with a Moorish tower (removed in 1963). It had the name the "Tower of Varieties". After this failed, it was rebuilt as a normal variety theatre in 1900 as the "Tivoli".  It got the name "The Hippodrome" for the first time in October 1903 under the ownership of Thomas Barrasford (it has previously been named the "Tower Theatre"). The current neo-classical auditorium which was designed to seat 1,900 people, was built in 1924 by Burdwood and Mitchell. After Smallbrook Queensway was built, the entrance building and tower was demolished in 1963.

For a time it was renamed as the "Birmingham Theatre". The plain façade was refaced in the 1980s with mock-Victorian plasterwork. Central TV spent the '80s using the Hippodrome for the ITV Talent Show New Faces.

The exterior was last rebuilt in 2001 by Associated Architects with Law and Dunbar-Nasmith, with a new glass façade and accommodation for the Birmingham Royal Ballet.  There will be another redevelopment of the façade to be completed in 2021 by AHMM Architects.

The BRB has been based in Birmingham since 1990 at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Having been founded in 1946 as the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet in London. Every Christmas season, the BRB perform Swan Lake at the Hippodrome. A production of Sir Peter Wright, the Director Laurete of the BRB. Then there is the annual Christmas Pantomime, where a variety of celebrities come to Birmingham to perform them.

 

Some of my earliest photos of the Birmingham Hippodrome from Hurst Street were taken in June 2009.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Jun 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Jun 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Jun 2009) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen during April 2012 on the main entrance doors from Hurst Street was these labels for the NEW STAGE APPEAL. At the time the Hippodrome was showing Oliver!

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hdrome (Apr 2012) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hdrome (Apr 2012) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In December 2012, I saw this pair in Angel Wings. It was when Cinderella was on (as performed by the Birmingham Royal Ballet), and they welcomed theatre goers at the time.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Dec 2012).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Direct from the West End was Disney's The Lion King. Seen during August 2013. This touring West End show would be at the Hippodrome until the 28th September 2013.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Aug 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

"When in Rome do what the Romans do". Also in August 2013 was the annual Summer in Southside, which used to be held outside of the Hippodrome and down Hurst Street and in The Arcadian every summer. It was a free event held by Birmingham Hippodrome Outdoors.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Hippodrome (Aug 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Christmas decorations and Christmas trees lit up after dark at the Birmingham Hippodrome during December 2013. At the time the panto being held here was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs staring Gok Wan.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Dec 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hdrome (Dec 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Wicked was going to be at the Birmingham Hippodrome from the 9th July until the 6th September 2014. I saw this poster during July 2014. While I've not seen Wicked in Birmingham, I did once see it in London's West End at the Apollo Victoria during October 2012. It was amazing! (it was the last time I went to see a West End show).

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Jul 2014).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Summer in Southside seen during August 2014. Members of the Team in the white t-shirts. With the pointy fingers and at the Info stalls.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hdrome (Aug 2014).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the end of December 2018, saw some Chinese lantern style Christmas lights hanging from trees on Hurst Street, not far from the Hippodrome. It was nice to see. Southside always makes the area look pretty at night.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Hippodrome (Dec 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In July 2020, for my first walk around Southside since the lockdown began (4 to 5 months after I was last here). I took a few photos of the Hippodrome from Hurst Street. Obviously they have been closed since the end of March 2020. And it is not known when it will be safe for them to reopen. Social distancing in the theatre will be hard, and the theatre may have to make people redundant sadly. Meanwhile the Southside BID gives a huge THANK YOU to all keyworkers and to the NHS.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Jul 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Hippodrome" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Hippodrome (Jul 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

Tour of the Gay Village in Southside

It's Pride Month 2020, the annual Pride Parade can't take place in Birmingham for obvious reasons. Here we will look at the buildings / pubs of the Gay Village in Southside, taken over the years. Plus some of the sculptures and public art on display. Down the bottom of Hurst Street and some of the side streets. Welcome to the Chinese Gay Quarter Village! (overlap)

Hurst Street

The Village Inn seen on Hurst Street in Southside during March 2011.

dndimg alt="The Village Inn" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (March 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It dates to the early 19th century and the ground floor was rebuilt in 1887 by C.J. Hodson. The pub has been altered again in recent years.

dndimg alt="The Village Inn" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (March 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The pub was proudly flying the rainbow gay flag on it's flagpoles.

dndimg alt="The Village Inn" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (March 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Village Inn was also on the corner of Hurst Street with Skinner Lane.

dndimg alt="The Village Inn" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (March 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Next up was The Angel on the corner of Kent Street and Hurst Street. It was formerly a car showroom built in 1931 by Alfred J. Dunn. It's at 125 Hurst Street.

dndimg alt="The Angel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (March 2011) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Angel was a Cafe Bar at Wynner House.

dndimg alt="The Angel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (March 2011) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In the same building was Amsterdam XXX. An Adult Shop and Cinema. Was also formerly part of the car showroom of the past.

dndimg alt="Amsterdam XXX" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (March 2011) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now onto January 2015. The Devils Kitchen was on Kent Street, not far from Hurst Street. It was next to a venue called Sidewalk. Which was a Coffee House. They also serve Cocktails, Ciders and Beers. As well as being a Music Bar. It replaced The Angel by 2012.

dndimg alt="The Devils Kitchen" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Jan 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

When open, you could have a take away Cheese Burger for £2.50. Cold drinks was £1.00.

dndimg alt="The Devils Kitchen" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Jan 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In April 2018 a look at Sidewalk from Kent Street. The Devils Kitchen was to the left.

dndimg alt="Sidewalk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Apr 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In July 2018 a first look at the Rhinestone Rhino sculpture. It was seen above The Urban Kitchen at the corner of Hurst Street and Bromsgrove Street. There was a red baseball cap on it's front horn. Was on the top of Wynner House.

dndimg alt="Rhinestone Rhino" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (July 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Took it again in October 2018. As well as the red cap there was a multicoloured scarf around it's neck. Made in 2012 by the artists Emma Butler, Vikki Litton and Robbie Coleman. It was unveiled in time for Birmingham Pride 2012. It was made of a polystyrene mould, carved into a rhino shape and then coated in fibreglass.

dndimg alt="Rhinestone Rhino" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst Street (Oct 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Also seen on Hurst Street at Wynner House during October 2018 was Equator Bar. Decorated for Halloween. I called it Halloween Horrors at the time. It is to the right of Sidewalk and was formerly part of a car showroom.

dndimg alt="Equator Bar" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Oct 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A skeleton hanging from the Equator Bar sign.

dndimg alt="Equator Bar" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Oct 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Inside was a ghostly skeleton in red, white and black. They serve coffees and teas here.

dndimg alt="Equator Bar" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Oct 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Next up Hurst Street views from August 2015. On the side of Missing Bar. There is a statue of Marilyn Monroe on the top, and street art at the bottom.

dndimg alt="Missing Bar" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Aug 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I would assume that Marilyn Monroe was a gay icon. Sadly she died young in 1962 at the age of 36 (of an overdose).

dndimg alt="Missing Bar" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Aug 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The street at at the bottom looks like a pair of eagles firing lasers at a cube. With a dancing lady in the middle. The art was painted over in 2017.

dndimg alt="Missing Bar" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Aug 2015) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

To the left of that is a shop called CZ Birmingham. With clothes that LGBT people would like. It's at The Arcadian.

dndimg alt="CZ Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Hurst St (Aug 2015) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Essex Street and Lower Essex Street

In December 2017 a look at the street art at Nightingale. On the corner of Kent Street and Lower Essex Street. The artwork was by Inke, and says Love is Love.

dndimg alt="Nightingale" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Kent St (Dec 2017) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This side of Nightingale on Kent Street. Clearly painted for Birmingham Pride.

dndimg alt="Nightingale" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gay Village Kent St (Dec 2017) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On Essex Street in March 2011. A look at 23 Essex Street. Known at the time as the Queens Tavern.

dndimg alt="Queens Tavern" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queens Tavern Essex St (March 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It was built in 1894-95 by James & Lister Lea. They were famed all over Birmingham for designing and buildings pubs in the City.

dndimg alt="Queens Tavern" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queens Tavern Essex St (March 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

At the time there was a pink pub sign for Queens Tavern.

dndimg alt="Queens Tavern" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queens Tavern Essex St (March 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

An update in January 2013, as the pub had a make over with a new pub sign, andwas now called the Queen Elizabeth. The building is at the corner of Inge Street, so it was quite close to the Birmingham Hippodrome and the Back to Backs.

dndimg alt="Queens Tavern" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queens Tavern Essex St (Jan 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The new pub sign (at the time) resembled a postage stamp of Queen Elizabeth II.

dndimg alt="Queens Tavern" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queens Tavern Essex St (Jan 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another rebrand by May 2014. The pub was now calling itself Priva. Probably a nightclube or strip club? It is still called Priva to this day, but they repainted the outside in red (but is still black at the top).

dndimg alt="Queens Tavern" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queens Tavern Essex St (May 2014).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Sherlock Street

Eden seen on Sherlock Street during March 2011. It was formerly calledThe White Swan and located at 116 Sherlock Street, near Hurst Street.

dndimg alt="Eden" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eden Sherlock St (March 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The White Swan was built in the early 19th century, but was completely recast in 1937 by J.B. Surman.

dndimg alt="Eden" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eden Sherlock St (March 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

At the time Eden had all of these Eden banners on the Sherlock Street facade.

dndimg alt="Eden" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eden Sherlock St (March 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On the side was painted a Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey advert. Old No 7 Brand.

dndimg alt="Eden" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eden Sherlock St (March 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Eden was lit up after dark in December 2018. Seen from the no 45 bus on Sherlock Street. by this point there was a Smirnoff advert painted onto the side of the gay pub. They also painted the bottom half of the pub green.

dndimg alt="Eden" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eden Sherlock St (Dec 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another after dark shot of Eden from October 2019. This time seen from a no 35 bus. Both times lit up in rainbow colours. Was a bit too many reflections from the bus window on the top deck. Could see the Hurst Street side from here.

dndimg alt="Eden" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eden Sherlock St (Oct 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sherlock Street gave it's name to Sherlock Holmes as author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was at one point based in Birmingham. He also got the Hound of the Baskervilles from the Baskerville typeface. But that's all for a different post.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.