Alternative Black Country (ABC) unearths some of the cultural gems our glorious corner of the West Midlands has to offer, gives them a good polish and presents them to you, sparkling, on a weekly basis.
THIS WEEKEND: 17 | 18 | 19 NOV
HEAVEN 17
FRI 17 NOV | 19:00
Sheffield post-punk band Heaven 17 are touring in celebration of their acclaimed 2nd album The Luxury Gap from 1983. 40 years later, the album's sly, post-modern critique of modern society has never sounded so resonant, nor been so necessary.
The Wulfrun at The Halls, Wolverhampton | £34.25
OFFICIAL HEAVEN 17 AFTERPARTY
FRI 17 NOV | 22:00
With an exclusive DJ set with legendary experimental electronic Blitz Club DJ and founding member of Visage, Rusty Egan.
North Street Social, Wolverhampton | £6.00
ALISON RAYNER QUINTET - JAZZ AT NAC
FRI 17 NOV | 20:00
Led by bassist and composer Alison Rayner, multi award-winning quintet ARQ are widely celebrated and critically acclaimed. Previewing new material from their forthcoming album.
Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton | £15.00
THE SOAPGIRLS
FRI 17 NOV | 19:30
The SoapGirls grace Wolves with their punk presence and want you to enjoy the fun!
The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton | £12.00 adv.
GREEN DUCK DECADE
FRI 17 NOV | 16:00 + SAT 18 NOV | 13:00
The fabulous Green Duck Beer Co. turns 10 this November, and they're inviting you to celebrate with beer (of course), live music, games, food and more.
Green Duck Beer Co., Stourbridge | Free entry
JAMES DELARRE & SAUL ROSE - FOLK AT NAC
SAT 18 NOV | 20:00
James and Saul both have a serious pedigree in the folk genre: James with Eliza Carthy, Jim Moray, the Bombay Bicycle Club and Saul with Waterson Carthy, Dansaul, Faustus among others.
Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton | £14.00
VOODOO SIOUX
SAT 18 NOV | 19:30
Voodoo Sioux return to The Giffard Arms for their annual pilgrimage. Longer set, party afterwards.
The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton | £10.00 adv.
TAXI FOR JESUS
SAT 18 NOV | 20:30
Blues supergroup TFJ are made up of four past members of the Trevor Burton Band; Maz Mitrenko, Bill Jefferson, Pez Connor and Stuart Ford.
Cafe Metro, Bilston | Free entry
KIRK ANDREWS - MUSIC ICONS (OPENING)
SAT 18 NOV | 11:00
Framed original and limited edition art prints will be on display and for sale in this exhibition whi runs into the New Year. Kirk will be at the opening from 11am with additional mounted prints and art coasters.
The Hop Vault, Stourbridge | Free entry
CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS III
PREVIEW SAT 18 NOV | 19:00
EXHIBITION SUN 19 NOV - SUN 03 DEC
Featuring work by Lorraine Bates, Mary Flitcroft, George Jackson, Andrew Matheson, Marcio Mattos, Patrick O’Donohue and Bruno Vinel.
General Office, Stourbridge | Free entry
BLITZ: A STRANGE AFFAIR (DJ)
SAT 18 NOV | 20:00
Bryan Leslie Taylor brings you the sounds of the new romantic era of the late 70s and early 80s.
Claptrap the Venue, Stourbridge | £5.00 otd. (£10.00 after midnight)
STUDIO 109 OPEN DAY
SAT 18 NOV | 10:00
A fantastic opportunity for art enthusiasts and the community to explore the world of original art and creativity. With live demonstrations, exlusive offers, a chance to meet the artists and more.
Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton | Free entry
NEXT WEEK
GARY DELANEY: GARY IN PUNDERLAND
TUE 21 NOV + WED 22 NOV | 19:30
Get ready to dive into a rabbit hole of the best jokes in the world – star of Live at the Apollo and sell-out sensation Gary Delaney is back! (Extra date added)
The Robin, Bilston | £23.10
WILDE ABOUT OSCAR
TUE 21 NOV | 19:30
Join Oscar Wilde (Jonathan Goodwin) for a sparkling one-man show, in which stories will be told, laughter will be raised and, perhaps, a few tears shall be shed.
Whightwick Manor and Gardens, Wolverhampton | £20.00
NT LIVE: THE BOOK OF DUST - LA BELLE SAUVAGE
THU 23 NOV | 19:30
Set twelve years before the epic His Dark Materials trilogy, this gripping adaptation revisits Philip Pullman’s fantastical world in which waters are rising and storms are brewing.
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton | £12.00
NT LIVE: ROMEO & JULIET
THU 23 NOV | 19:00
This bold new film brings to life the remarkable backstage spaces of the National Theatre in which desire, dreams and destiny collide to make Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy sing in an entirely new way.
The Light, Walsall | £10.00
DUDLEY WINTER ALES FAYRE
THU 23, FRI 24 + SAT 25 NOV
Purchase and enjoy a selection of over sixty real ales and ciders and traditional Black Country grub. Commemorating the Crooked House.
Dudley Town Hall | £10.00 non- CAMRA members (CAMRA members free)
THE BEATLES VERSUS EVERYTHING (DJ)
FRI 24 NOV | 20:00
Playing the biggest Beatles bangers sandwiched with the best music from some other fairly decent 60s & 70s groups.
Claptrap the Venue, Stourbridge | £5.00 otd. before midnight
STITCHED
FRI 24 NOV | 19:00
Black Country Metalcore crew Stitched return to Wolverhampton for the first time in over a year for a hometown (close enough) show.
Dive, Wolverhampton | £6.00 adv. £8.00 otd.
FRIDAY LATES
FRI 24 NOV | 18:00
Antonio Roberts, MYNA and rumblesan will be hosting an algorave. Antionio has provided visuals at events including SXSW, Supersonic Festrival, Barbican, Green Man festival and more. Expect live, digitally coded music and awesome visuals.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery | Free entry
THE 27 CLUB
SAT 25 NOV | 23:00
Indie/alternative DJ after the bands!
The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton | Free entry
RAW POWER
SAT 25 NOV | 19:00
A rock night like no other, with light show and visuals, live garage/punk sounds and DJ sets by Bad Girlfriend and Luke Singleton.
The Clarendon Hotel Pub, Wolverhampton | £5.00
MUSIC ASYLUM
SAT 25 NOV | 22:00
A night of tech, techno, house and all sounds inbetween! Expect a night of heavy hitters and dance floor shellers all night long.
The Hangar, Wolverhampton | £14.25 adv.
BLACK COUNTRY TYPE PHOTO WALK
SAT 25 NOV | 11:00
Join acclaimed artist Tom Hicks on a guided Photowalk around the urban landscape of Dudley.
Dudley Zoo and Castle | £12.00 adv.
COCKTAIL CABINET PRESENTS: GUILTY PLEASURES (DJ)
SAT 25 NOV | 20:00
The best music to dance on the rug to. Expect wonderful records by Supertramp, Baccara, Boney M, Hall & Oates, ELO, Pilot, TOTO, Abba. You get the score.
Claptrap the Venue, Stourbridge | £5.00 adv. (£10.00 after midnight)
GEEKCON
SAT 25 NOV + SUN 26 NOV | 09:00
This year you will find all your favourite geeky traders, prop displays from Stranger Things and Wednesday and figure boxes to pose in.
Mander Centre, Wolverhampton | Free entry
VEGAN MARKET
SUN 26 NOV | 10:30
A huge variety of vegan street food vendors, artisan bakers, craft brewers, ethical jewellers, local artists, zero-waste champions, environmental charities and more.
City Market, Wolverhampton | Free entry
CREATIVES UNION
SUN 26 NOV | 10:00
Step into a world of creativity, filled with art, music and more. Explore unique stalls, be inspired by talented artists, makers and creatives whilst listening to live music.
The Hangar, Wolverhampton | £3.00