The UK’s queen of soul, Beverley Knight will be at Symphony Hall, Broad Street, on Saturday March 20th to be honoured on the city’s Walk of Stars.

Beverley will receive her star and perform her latest single ‘Soul Survivor’ following a question and answer session hosted by Jo Russell from BRMB’s breakfast show.

Now here’s your chance to send your personal congratulations and birthday greetings (for March 22nd) to Beverley which will be presented to her in one card from her Midlands fans during the event.

How to send your messages:
• Via post to 94 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1AU
• Via email to caroline.ashton@broadst.co.uk
• Via facebook – post your message on our wall at www.facebook.com/broadstreetbirmingham
• Via twitter – send your message to @broadstreetbrum

Speaking earlier about being awarded a star Beverley said: “I was so chuffed to find out I was getting a star! For me, being recognised by my own folk is extra special. The Walk of Stars shows that the West Midlands was, and is, a hub of talent, and I hope that continues.”

If you would like complimentary tickets to attend the presentation at 11am and see Beverley perform live on the Symphony Hall stage please send your request via email to caroline.ashton@broadst.co.uk, or via post to 94 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1AU.

The UK’s queen of soul, Beverley Knight will be on Broad Street, Birmingham later this month to be honoured on the city’s Walk of Stars.

Beverley will receive her star from on Saturday the 20th March, at 11am on the stage of Symphony Hall. Following the presentation Beverley will perform her new single ‘Soul Survivor’ and hold a question and answer session hosted by Jo Russell from BRMB’s breakfast show.

The coveted award will be later embedded in Broad Street’s Walk of Stars alongside those received by other renowned celebrities. Recent stars have been presented to Julie Walters, Frank Skinner and Lenny Henry.

Speaking earlier about the presentation Beverley said: “I was so chuffed to find out I was getting a star! For me, being recognised by my own folk is extra special. The Walk of Stars shows that the West Midlands was, and is, a hub of talent, and I hope that continues.”

Hailing from Wolverhampton Beverley has amassed substantial record sales over the course of her 15 year career and previously been awarded three MOBO awards and in 2004 she was celebrated at the Urban Music Awards and presented with their Lifetime Achievement honour.

If you would like complimentary tickets to see the presentation please send your request via email to caroline.ashton@broadst.co.uk, or via post to 94 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1AU.

REFLEX, Birmingham’s premiere 80s bar, is set to reignite everything that we all find irresistible about the 80s from Wednesday March 3rd.

Following a £500k refurbishment the venue will now be home to the latest trend in Karaoke – ‘You Star’.

Exclusive to Reflex Broad Street, ‘You Star’ provides a private karaoke experience for you and your guests. The experience has been described as ‘liberating’ and allows you and your party to sing your hearts out in the luxury of one of our beautifully designed, private, sound proofed pods.

Further changes will see the venue open from 5pm each evening (Sundays from 7pm) and the introduction of a new diner serving food each night. The new menu brings a slice of food fun to the venue and features many of your favourites including Jack Daniels Rack of Ribs, Foot long Hot Dogs and the massive Reflex Mega Sundae.

One you’re fed and have sung your heart out, for the rest of the night you can throw your shapes on dance floor to the classic hits of the 80s. This is the ultimate party night all under one roof right at the heart of Birmingham’s Golden Mile.

Nigel Clarke, the manager at Reflex says: “I am delighted with the investment in the venue and our new look Reflex. Birmingham won’t have seen anything like this before. I love the new Karaoke pods and look forward to our launch on March 3rd”.

A range of world class musical masters will be taking Birmingham audiences on a journey through the musical heritage of India this spring, from the mystic heights of classical traditions via Anglo-Indian classical fusion to cutting-edge contemporary Asian remixes, as part of the Mother India weekend at Symphony Hall from 9 April – 11 April.

Santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, charismatic sarod players Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, ‘extreme cellist’ Matthew Barley and former World Scratch Champion DJ Tigerstyle are amongst the artists taking part in the weekend, which will also feature freestage events including acclaimed vocalist Sanchita Pal performing at the launch of new Asian chill series Mid-day Mantra and a session by the Arun Ghosh Sextet.

Indo-jazz stars the Arun Ghosh Sextet open the Mother India weekend with an early evening live performance for the popular Rush Hour Blues series in the Symphony Hall Level 3 Bar on Friday 9 April. Entry to the session is free and offers music fans an opportunity to see and hear the future of UK crossover jazz up close and personal with a set featuring raag explorations, dub-reggae bass, tabla patterns and funk drumming.

Conceived in Calcutta, bred in Bolton, matured in Manchester and now living in London, Arun Ghosh’s musical vision and vocabulary reflects his rich geographical heritage. He is accompanied by Idris Rahman (tenor saxophone), Dr Das (bass), Aref Durvesh (tabla and dholak), Kishon Khan (piano) and Myke Wilson (drums).

‘What is this fiery music and where does it come from?’ Metro, review of Northern Namaste by Arun Ghosh

A performance from accomplished vocalist Sanchita Pal will launch Mid-day Mantra - a new free monthly series of informal sessions in Symphony Hall’s Level 3 Bar featuring Asian artists from the UK and the Indian subcontinent. Refreshments and South Asian snacks will be available to purchase.

Other artists set to take part in future Mid-day Mantras include rising stars Soumik Datta, Faheem Mazar and Indo-Irish band Milun.

For further information please visit www.thsh.co.uk/mother-india-weekend.

Birmingham’s Broad Street has been shortlisted in the first Google Street View Awards in the category of Best Foodie Street.

Nicholas Lander, the Financial Times’ Restaurant Correspondent was part of the panel experts that nominated Broad Street for this prestigious award recognising the eclectic mix of mouth-watering options available along the city’s Golden Mile.

The panel of experts also included VisitBritain, TV personalities Julia Bradbury (CountryFile), Jeff Banks (The Clothes Show), journalist Jo Elvin (Editor of Glamour Magazine) and authors David Else (Lonely Planet) and Richard Harden (Harden’s Restaurant Guide).

The awards have been created in anticipation of further imagery being added to Google’s Street View tool, which currently allows users to view and navigate 360 degree street-level imagery in 25 British towns.

If successful Broad Street will be named “Britain’s Best Foodie Street 2010” and will then work with the team at Google to create a bespoke Google Street View tour to highlight the key retailers and points of interest allowing the world to find out more about the winning area.

The nationwide public vote has now opened and will close on Sunday 28th February. The winners will be announced in March.

To support Broad Street and vote for it to be crowned champion go to www.maps.google.co.uk/beststreets (http:// www.maps.google.co.uk/beststreets).

Brindleyplace’s legendary Tin Tin Chinese Restaurant has reopened under new management and with a fantastic new menu.

The restaurant has been rescued by its original owner John Lau, who aims to restore it to its former glory as one of Birmingham’s most prestigious Chinese restaurants.

Kenny Man joins Tin Tin as restaurant manager from Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter while head chef, Wah Lee has over 20 years kitchen experience. With a refurbished kitchen designed to accommodate more traditional Chinese cooking, Wah Lee has created an exciting new menu for Tin Tin including a strong focus on his speciality – seafood. Adopting Western ingredients and flavours to form a unique Cantonese style, dishes range from Wah Lee’s signature Lobster Banquet to popular favourite’s including Peking Duck.
Tin Tin Chinese Restaurant is now open from 12 noon to 11pm daily with takeaway also available. Brindleyplace loyalty card holders receive a 10 per cent discount.

The Chinese New Year will be celebrated in style this year at Tin Tin’s on 15th February. A special party night menu, live music & entertainment including lion and unicorn dancing costs just £25 per person. For further details visit tintinchinesesrestaurant.co.uk or call 0121 633 0888.

Sunday night saw the biggest celebration to date of the talents behind the scenes of Birmingham’s Golden Mile.

The Best of Broad Street Awards (BOBS) 2010 honored the best bars, nightclubs, hotels and restaurants in a glittering presentation ceremony at the ICC attended by 350 local businessmen, VIP guests and local dignitaries.

Undoubtedly the biggest and best BOBS to date the evening began with Gary Taylor, Chairman of the Broad Street BID, congratulating the teams behind the great venues on Broad Street and thanking them for their efforts throughout 2009.

Gary was followed on stage by the singing talents of X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon who performed a set that included songs from her time on the hit show.

Mike Olley, Broad Street Manager said “The BOBS is a fantastic event, held to celebrate the unseen talents that make Broad Street the entertainment district of the Midlands. It is great to be able to host such an event to recognise the hard work and effort that goes into running our venues and making them the success that they are”.

There were 25 awards in total including Best Bar Staff, Best Waiting Staff, Best Door Supervisor, Best Police Officer, Best Manager, Best Chef, Best Bar, Best Restaurant, Best International Restaurant, Best Themed Restaurant, Best Hotel, Best Outstanding Contribution, Best Casual Dining, Best Newcomer and Best Overall Venue.

2010 BOBS Award Winners:

The Ritchie Award for Outstanding Contribution
• Andrew Jowett – Symphony Hall

The Broad Street Award for Excellence
• Julie Moss – Birmingham City Centre Partnership
• Pat Haines – Figure of Eight
• Sgt Simon Finney – West Midlands Police

Best Door Supervisor
• Winner: Thomas Bull – Sports Cafe
• Highly Commended: Jonathan Wallace – Sugar Suite

Best Door Crew
• Winner: Walkabout
• Highly Commended: Jurys Inn

Best Police Officer
• Winner: PC 9779 Brian Green
• Highly Commended: Abdul Rohomon

Best Promotions Person
• Winner: Rachel Taylor – Sports Cafe
• Highly Commended: Sarah Foley – O Bar

Best Hotel
• Winner: Hyatt Hotel
• Highly Commended: Novotel

Best Chef
• Winner: Bishal Rasaly - Pushkar
• Highly Commended: David Ferguson - Piccolino

Best Waiter/Waitress
• Winner: Manuel De Silva – Brasshouse and Margaret So – Grosvenor Casino
• Highly Commended: Ariane Howa - Pushkar

Best Bar Person
• Winner: Daniel Hargreaves – Oh Velvet
• Highly Commended: Lucy Pritchard – Walkabout

Best Manager
• Winner: Shazma Astle - Piccolino
• Highly Commended: Andrew Barton – O’Neills

Best Restaurant
• Winner: Bank Bar and Restaurant
• Highly Commended: City Cafe

Best International Restaurant
• Winner: Blue Mango
• Highly Commended: Celebrity Restaurant

Best Casual Dining as voted by BRMB listeners
• Winner: Nandos
• Highly Commended: Around the World in Eighty Dishes

Best Themed Venue
• Winner: O’Neills
• Highly Commended: Grosvenor Casino

Best Newcomer sponsored by Brindleyplace
• Winner: Pushkar
• Highly Commended: Rewind

Best Independent Bar
• Winner: O Bar
• Highly Commended: Oh Velvet

Best Managed House
• Winner: Reflex
• Highly Commended: Bar Risa

Best Arts and Entertainment Venue as voted for by Birmingham Post readers
• Winner: Symphony Hall
• Highly commended: The Rep Theatre

Best Student Night Out
• Winner: I Love Risa – Bar Risa
• Highly commended: Gatecrasher

Best Bar as voted by BRMB listeners
• Winner: Walkabout
• Highly commended: Sports Cafe

Best Overall Venue as voted for by Birmingham Mail readers
• Winner: Gatecrasher
• Highly commended: Walkabout

Futurist folk group The Imagined Village, Judeo-Spanish songstress Yasmin Levy, leading UK jazz star Courtney Pine OBE and legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela performing with the CBSO are amongst the highlights at Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham in winter and spring 2010 – underlining the halls’ firm commitment to present a wide ranging and accessible programme, showcasing the very best in jazz, folk and world music.

This eclectic and varied season gets underway on 21 January at Town Hall with futurist folk group The Imagined Village and their collective multi-cultural take on English identity and music, followed by perennial US folk legend Tom Paxton on 25 January at Town Hall, still performing both starkly beautiful and light-hearted music well into a sixth decade.

Transatlantic Sessions, the stage centrepiece of the Celtic Connections festival and acclaimed BBC4 TV series, offer an incredible line-up of eighteen singers and musicians, including Eddi Reader, Cara Dillon, Tim O’Brien and Danny Thompson, for a memorable evening of Irish, Scottish and Americana inspired music at Symphony Hall on Friday 5 February.

The Mother India weekend, a journey through the musical heritage of India in the company of a range of musical masters, will take place at both Town Hall and Symphony Hall from 9 to 11 April. The weekend will feature a rare UK recital from santoor maestro and living legend Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, a collaboration between sarod players Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash and cellist Matthew Barley as well as a re-visioning of cinematic classic Mother India by British-Asian artist DJ Tigerstyle and a handful of freestage events including the launch of Asian chill series Mid-day Mantra, a new free monthly Saturday lunchtime series.

At Symphony Hall on 19 April, singer-songwriter Melody Gardot will perform her inimitable smoky voiced jazz and blues, following the critically acclaimed 2009 release of My One and Only Thrill, the follow-up to 2008 debut album Worrisome Heart, which was completed after recovery from a near fatal accident and led to comparisons with contemporaries such as Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux.

Legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela will appear at Symphony Hall on 7 May for a unique collaboration with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Town Hall Gospel Choir and City of Birmingham Young Voices for whom he has written a new work, as well as performing Jason Yarde’s Trumpet Concerto.

Further jazz, folk and world music highlights at Town Hall and Symphony Hall in 2010 include the third annual English Originals – a weekend celebrating the diversity of English music from traditional folk to contemporary singer-songwriters - at both venues from 14-16 May. There’s soulful and gospel-infused folk-blues from Eric Bibb at Town Hall on 27 May followed by Ukulelescope on Saturday 5 June, a collaborative project between the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and the British Film Institute and part of the Town Hall ‘Vintage Silents’ weekend celebrating music and movies from the silver screen era.

Dudley comedian, writer and actor Lenny Henry is the latest celebrity to be honoured on the Broad Street Walk of Stars.

A crowd of 350 gathered at Jongleurs, Broad Street on Saturday to watch Lenny received his star from Birmingham Lord Mayor, Councillor Michael Wilkes. Following the presentation Lenny held a question and answer session with BRMB’s James Cook.

The coveted award will now be embedded in the city’s Walk of Stars alongside those received by other renowned celebrities. Recent stars have been presented to Julie Walters, Frank Skinner and Midland football heroes, including Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown and Ray Graydon.

Speaking at the presentation Lenny said: “This means more to me than winning awards, although the awards are very nice. I am really proud of this, my mum would have been loved this.

“In a year where I’ve won Outstanding Newcomer to Theatre, this isn’t just the cherry on the cake, this is the cake on top of another cake so I thank you for this and I really appreciate it”.

One of the country’s best loved comedians, Lenny was born in Dudley in 1958. His career started in 1975 after appearing on the talent show ‘New Faces’, which he repeatedly won. His career has spanned over three decades and most recently has seen him tour the country in the title role of Othello for which he has received widespread critical acclaim.

The event also helped raised £492 for The Anthony Walker Foundation through a raffle, with all prizes having been donated by local businesses.

Three of Birmingham’s leading art galleries are offering a free Art Bus and will be open late until 9pm on Thursday 3rd December.

Building on the success of sinilar events over the past three years, Ikon Gallery, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and the RBSA Gallery are once again teaming up to run Galleries Night and the free Art Bus service, helping people to travel between the galleries in comfort and without the worries of parking or using public transport.

Each venue is staying open until 9pm and so it’s a unique opportunity for people to enjoy the exhibitions and collections after finishing work. Hourly guided tours will take place at all three galleries, and a free glass of wine or soft drink awaits all visitors.

The Art Bus will leave the Barber Institute on the hour every hour from 5pm, stopping in Broad Street (bus stop nearest Oozells Square) for Ikon. It will leave Broad Street at 25 minutes past the hour and stop at Brook Street for the RBSA, departing from there at 5.40pm, 6.40pm, 7.40pm and 8.40pm. The last bus will leave the Barber at 9pm and travel back to Broad Street for 9.20pm.