We're getting there!

Our burgeoning music scene

A few months ago many of us were a bit fed up - "nothing much happens in Bearwood!", we complained.  Like children banging knives and forks on the dinner table our mantra was 'we want more, we want more, we want more': more music, more welcoming social places, just more going on.


Well, this month it feels like we might have got what we wanted. At welovebearwood we got to action and so did others.  Let me fill you in on what's happening over the next few weeks.  Some of it was happening anyway, some of it entirely new.  All of it exciting and a good thing for locals & those beyond the B66/B67 borders...


Here's the calendar of Bearwood Events:
SATURDAY 9 July, 5pm
Millennium Eagle Jazz Band play our beloved Lightwoods Park Bandstand (Adkins Lane) as part of the final weekend of the Birmingham International Jazz Festival
WEDNESDAY 13 July, 7pm
The second Bear Rhythms night of Latin beats, treats and eats.  Family friendly, a lovely night at our newest friendly bar Monalito.  Monalito is on Three Shires Oak Road just opposite The Bear pub.  
Every THURSDAY from 8.30pm the Jazz at the  Corks Club rocks Bearwood with all sorts of Jazz - trad, Big Band and of course, famous resident Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes.  On 30th July Dennis Rollins will be playing with AH & the Blue Notes.  Take a visit at Bearwood Road/Sherwood Road.
SUNDAY 17 July 1pm-6pm
The annual free Warley Woods Picnic in the Park!  Bring your rugs and food and you'll be provided with live local music, craft and cake stalls and lots more besides...
WEDNESDAY 20 July 7pm
The next Friends of Lightwoods Park meeting will be held at St Mary's Church Hall at Bearwood Road/St Marys Road.  We'll be voting in our first Committee members and hearing about whether or not the first stage of the £multi-million bid to Heritage Lottery Fund (to improve the Park and House) as been successful.  An important meeting!

THURSDAY 21 July, 8pm

Good at crafts?  A beginner/interested?  Come along to the free The Bearwood Tapestry at The Bear pub at Bearwood Road/Three Shires Oak Road for a drink and crafty pursuits, brought to you by the Crafty Muthas (check out the blog of gorgeousness).

SUNDAY 31 July 2pm-6pm
The very first Bearwood Shuffle!  A free afternoon of local bands bringing the Bandstand alive for the second time this month! Brought to you by new non-profit group the Bearwood Promoters.  Come and join us for our very first event and look out for number 2 in September. Here's the line up for you:

Is it safe to say there's something for everyone in Bearwood over the next few weeks?  


Join the welovebearwood and Bearwood Shuffle crew on twitter and facebook to keep up-to-date: 


@BearwoodShuffle and @sallyinbearwood.  
Facebook: The Bearwood Page. 


Or email us at welovebearwood@gmail.com to get on our distribution list. 

The Beat On The Streets

One of my favourite tracks is the cover of ‘Can’t Get Used To Losing You' by legendary Ska band The Beat. Perfect pop music! Soul, pop and reggage all fused together with heartfelt lyrics reflecting their musical youth growing up in Brum.

When I was growing up The Beat were frequently at the top of the charts with their three albums: I Just Can't Stop It (1980), Wha'ppen? (1981) and Special Beat Service (1982) and a string of top 10 hits including "Mirror in the Bathroom", "Too Nice To Talk To", "Can't Get Used To Losing You", "Hands off She's Mine". All timeless classics!

Although their heyday was 30 years ago we still have the same social problems today. I was a very naive youngster back then and I always thought “Mirror in Bathroom” was about looking at yourself in the mirror. Doh! It was only as I got older that I found out that the song is about being addicted to coke (the real thing but only for those who like to snort it up their nose!).

The reason why I love The Beat is because their vocalist Ranking Roger is a local legend and if you’re lucky you can see him walking along Bearwood High Street or maybe you’ll bump into him in Subway (other sandwich vendors are available) like I did a few years ago.

Bearwood has a very strong musical heritage and we should be very proud of it. At welovebearwood we're getting very excited because there’s a group forming as I write this (well not literally but you know what I mean) who want to see live music back in Bearwood. We want the glory days back when bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones played at the Thimblemill Baths. Okay, so maybe we’re aiming a little high if we expect Mick and co to pay a return visit but who knows eh?

There’s going to be a meeting at 8pm at the Bear on 30th March for all those who want to be involved so come long and, as Roger might put it, find out Wha’ppen!

Here's the map for the Bear http://www.bing.com/maps/?lvl=15&where1=B664BX,%20UK&FORM=MMREDIR