As part of BE FESTIVAL 2022, Fabrice Mazliah/Work of Act formerly MAMAZA (Germany) will be presenting the UK premiere of Garden State (8 – 11 June, Midlands Arts Centre).
The artists will be knocking on doors of residents from across the city to invite them to help transform the MAC’s main stage into an exotic ephemeral communal garden made of their favourite house plants, transforming the stage into an audience space.
Garden State is a durational installation where a programme of free workshops, yoga classes, photography sessions and live performances will take place alongside talks, open mic sessions, meals and concerts. The installation is inspired by the myth of Libertalia, an anarchist colony in 17th century Madagascar where pirates liberated ships of slaves and they all lived together in freedom in an exotic and peaceful community.
Wednesday 8 June
Photography Workshop with Ming De Nasty, 5PM - 6.30PM
During the 90 minute session, participants will look specifically at how to take photos of the plants featured in the exotic Garden State. Book your free space at befestival.org.
A Universal Story, Casey Bailey, 8.30PM - 9.15PM
Casey Bailey is the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020-2022. He is a writer, performer and educator born and raised in Nechells, Birmingham. This session will include a performance of Casey's poetry, including some new, unpublished work. There will be poetry connecting directly to plants and the idea of the garden and other poems.
Thursday 9 June
4 Legs Good presented by Claire Cunningham, 7PM - 8PM
This lecture performance explores her artistic practice - specifically the use / misuse, study and distortion of crutches as artistic practice and how they shape her work and connect her to the world. This lecture performance contains BSL interpretation and has audio description.
David Austin Grey / Germa Adan / Euan Palmer, 9.30PM - 10.15PM
Celebrated pianist, composer and educator David Austin Grey will be appearing with his vocalist/guitarist Germa Adan and drummer Euan Palmer. The trio perform heartfelt and original contemporary jazz along with some improvised music.
Friday 10 June
Modified Toy Orchestra, 10PM - 10.45PM
MTO have been at the forefront of circuit bending, which involves rescuing children's electronic toys and converting them into new wonderfully sophisticated musical instruments. The toy instruments are used to create random, ambient, chaotic and fascinating music.
Saturday 11 June
Palaver Party presented by Fatt Projects, 12PM - 1PM
Featuring a spectacular line up this is an inclusive performance party for kids aged 3-8 (and their grown-ups too). The party is an interactive hosted performance event mixing drag, cabaret, live music, DIY costume making and disco dancing. Plus, there's a large dose of glitter thrown in for good measure!
Tomorrow's Parties presented by Forced Entertainment, 9PM - 10.20PM
A compelling performance that imagines a multitude of hypothetical futures. Tomorrow's Parties is a playful, poignant and delirious look forwards to futures both possible and impossible.
BE FESTIVAL Closing Party, 10.20PM - Close
After 13 years, as the festival draws to a close, BE FESTIVAl will celebrate with special farewell party featuring DJ Glynn Phillips whose GlobalSoundClash will see him mixing and blending a range of exuberant Afro-Latin grooves, soul, Balkan beats, funk, hi-life and more.
Please note all Garden State events are free but spaces are limited and booking in advance may be required for some events.
Garden State is a Creative City Project generously funded by Birmingham City Council.
Visit befestival.org to view the full programme of FREE events.
