Updated 2:06pm 25 May 2012

Powered by Google

Diane Parkes

Diane Parkes

Wings of Desire. Picture Owain Shaw

Theatre: Birmingham's Victoria Square plays host to Wings of Desire

The free event will see the city square transformed into a performance arena for four nights during the spectacle Wings of Desire.Read

International Dance Festival. Picture Jas Sansi

Dance: The International Dance Festival comes to Birmingham

What does the word ‘home’ signify?Read

Dirty Dancing

Theatre: Paul-Michael Jones and Emily Holt indulge in Dirty Dancing

PAUL-Michael Jones credits actor Patrick Swayze with making dancing cool. So it was no surprise that he was eager to take up the role Patrick made famous in the film Dirty Dancing.Read

People are blooming at garden centre in Aston

A GARDEN centre is helping people with mental health difficulties plant seeds of hope.Read

Vintage brides opt for something old at Birmingham-based company Luxe Bridal

TWO friends are helping brides ensure they have something old for their big day by selling vintage wedding dresses.Read

The world comes to Birmingham to dance

BIRMINGHAM’S third International Dance Festival is promising to be bigger and better than ever.Read

Real life: Dad's stroke puts Angie into running mode

WHEN Angie Mills-Cooper’s dad died suddenly of a stroke, the mum-of-two realised it was time to look at her own life.Read

Gambian school named after Walsall teacher Hilary Emery

Hilary Emery was a special needs teacher who worked in Walsall and was so committed to helping disadvantaged children that, when she died from bowel cancer two years ago, her friends and family donated money to the African Oyster Trust. Read

Review: The Snowman, Birmingham Rep at the ICC Theatre

****

This Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company production was a huge hit when it was premiered in the city in 1993 and nearly two decades later it still cannot fail to charm.Read

Review: The Snowman, The ICC Theatre

****

THIS Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company production was a huge hit when it was premiered in the city in 1993 and nearly two decades later it still cannot fail to charm. Read

Bishop David Urquhart celebrates the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible

BISHOP David Urquhart tells the Birmingham Mail why the King James Bible remains important.Read

The Sixteen revive traditional carols at Town Hall

*****

WHEN we become so used to hearing O Come, All Ye Faithful and In The Bleak Midwinter every Christmas we forget there is a rich tradition of carols going back centuries.Read

Special report: Help for victims of domestic violence

ELIZABETH did not know her daughter was suffering from domestic violence until she received a call that Cathy was at hospital with broken bones.Read

Birmingham and district ex service notes

Venues and meeting times for Birmingham's ex-service associations and groupsRead

Nostalgia: When Birmingham waited for Charles Dickens and his Christmas Carol

IT was a cold night on December 27 in 1853 and there was snow on the ground. But in Birmingham city centre a queue of nearly 2,000 were braving the bitter temperatures.Read

Pictures: Grease cast arrive to get Birmingham rocking

THEY are the ones that we want – the cast of the hit musical Grease arrived in town this week, ready for a month long run of the show.Read

Birmingham women buy 2,000 items of clothes in their lifetime

WOMEN in Birmingham buy nearly 2,000 items of clothing each during their lifetimes but wear only 35 per cent of it, according to a survey.Read

Ballet dancers sport moustaches for Movember

DANCERS and staff at Birmingham Royal Ballet raised £3,000 by growing moustaches in support of Movember. Thirty people took part in the month-long campaign in support of male cancer charities.Read

Model scouts at The Mailbox

WOULD-BE models are invited to meet experts, talk with professionals, have their pictures taken and find out a few secrets of the catwalk.Read

The Bard's Julius Caesar on television

BBC Four is to film the new Royal Shakespeare Company production of Julius Caesar directed by Gregory Doran. It will be broadcast next year.Read

Author Profile

Diane Parkes has worked in journalism for 14 years and has been with the Birmingham Mail for ten. She is Women's Editor covering health, fitness, education, fashion and beauty features. As Dance and Theatre Editor she is also responsible for professional arts coverage across the region.