Schedule
9.30 AM: Sunrise Stretch: Bollyfit with Aspire Dance
10.30 AM: Perry’s Playtime Disco
12 PM: B:Music in collaboration with Sampad Present Mid-Day Mantra: Vijay Venkat and World Music Group
2.30 PM: Screen Spotlight: GENERATIONS by Julian Germain
5 PM: B:Music Presents Blind Spot: Inner Vision Orchestra Pop-Up
7.15 PM: B:Music Presents Dalbir Singh and Friends: Tablajedi
Throughout the day: Games action on screen, Piing, Screen Spotlights, food & drink
South Asian talent takes centre stage at Victoria Square Festival Site, with an incredible lineup of virtuoso musicians and ensembles. In the morning, have a go at Aspire Dance’s Bollyfit class, which combines the latest Bollywood moves with an energetic soundtrack for a truly fun-filled experience. Then, show off your moves at Perry’s Playtime Disco - your opportunity to have a boogie with the Commonwealth Games’ official mascot!
At lunchtime, B:Music, in partnership with Sampad, present Mid-Day Mantra with Vijay Venkat and World Music Group. Naturally adept at handling several musical instruments with ease , Vijay Venkat is considered one of the very best in the world on the violin, viola, flute and vichitra veena (an ancient Indian fretless slide instrument). As a proficient multi-instrumentalist, he is truly one of his kind. Generously funded by Colmore BID and Central BID.
In the afternoon, celebrate families, diversity and the people of the West Midlands with our Screen Spotlight on GENERATIONS by Julian Germain. Based on the format of the family portrait, the artist has used a large format camera to work collaboratively with families of four and five generations from across the region.
Later on, enjoy Inner Vision Orchestra’s dazzling repertoire, played on an exciting range of instruments from viola, sitar, oud to piano, accordion and tablas. Starring eleven outstanding blind musicians from all over the world together with tabla maestro Sukhvinder Singh “Pinky”, Inner Vision Orchestra are directed by sitarist to the stars Baulji Shrivastav OBE and will bring global sounds to celebrate the thrilling achievements of the Commonwealth Games. Presented by B:Music and generously funded by Colmore BID and Central BID. This event is supported by Arts Council England Lottery Fund.
In the evening, B:Music will bring another special treat in the form of Dalbir Singh and Friends: Tablajedi. Dalbir has lived and worked in the Black Country for the last 20years. A virtuoso tabla player, he has dedicated his life to the honing and mastery of his skill. His rigorous training has included studying with Sukhvinder Singh 'Pinky' and exploring the cross-genre possibilities of this versatile instrument, resulting in a unique style combining classical form with contemporary experiences drawn from a career of ambitious and innovative collaborations. In 2001, Dalbir met former Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim. They became AZIZ & DAL. Powerful & electrifying, together they fearlessly forged a new genre of British music – The Asian Blues. He has toured globally and recorded with artists such as Paul Weller, Ian Brown, and Noel Gallagher, but when he’s not doing this, back home in the Black Country, he has dedicated the other half of his career to the education of tabla and drum students in Sandwell and at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Generously funded by Colmore BID and Retail BID.
At various times during the day, challenge your friends, family and other audience members to a game of Piing. Piing is a virtual game that brings people together, inviting them to play an immersive high-speed game, using their phones as controllers, with the action happening on our big screen. Piing is super simple, uniquely challenging and seriously fun. Presented by Comic Relief - donations are encouraged as part of gameplay. Comic Relief intends to split all proceeds equally between Comic Relief and registered charities United by Birmingham 2022 Legacy Charity and Commonwealth Sport Foundation.
The Festival Food and Drink Eatery, a pop up catering unit, will offer a range of tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner treats daily from 8am to 10pm. From lunchtime, the square will also be licensed for people to enjoy drinks from the bar, including a choice of social enterprise prosecco and cocktails for those looking to support a worthy cause as they enjoy the Games atmosphere.
The menus will change across the two weeks, giving return visitors something different to look forward to and showcasing some of the finest Colmore eateries and bars in the city. For early risers, who want a healthy treat on the way into the city, perhaps after enjoying the Sunrise Stretch sessions, there will be granola yoghurt pots, overnight oats, kombucha and coffee. From lunchtime you can pick up salads, deli bakes, vegan cakes, muffins and pastries plus appetising ciabatta and focaccia sandwiches. There will also be biriyani, vegetarian papdi chaat, spicy chicken noodles and veggie stir fry to enjoy whilst listening to the Fountain Stage Music programme plus kebab wraps, shawarmas with selections of salads, pickles, and sauces and vegan options including crispy tofu. Games and Festival site visitors will be spoiled for choice!
Throughout the day visitors and passers by are also invited to watch sporting highlights from the Games on our big screen, enjoy food and drinks from Colmore BID cafes, bars and restaurants, and take a look at digital commissions and projects from the Birmingham 2022 Festival at our Screen Spotlights.
