Updated 7:13am 17 February 2012:

Get involved

RSS news for you | Forums
Send your stories

Powered by Google

Diane Parkes

Diane Parkes

How the Japanese Tsunami haunts members of the Birmingham Royal Ballet

THE recent turmoil in Japan caused by a tsunami and earthquake was particularly close to home for two of the dancers on this tour as they both hail from the country.Read

Curtain rises on Birmingham Royal Ballet's tour of Japan

As the applause died on Saturday’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty in Kamakurajust, outside Tokyo, the company could celebrate the fact their third tour of the nation is under way despite all the odds.Read

Dance: Strictly stars' flirty dancing

VINCENT Simone has one piece of advice for guys looking to find their ideal woman – put on your dancing shoes.Read

Brian Conley and Neil Morrissey to share role of Fagin in Oliver! in Birmingham

WEST End hit Oliver! is to come to Birmingham next year with the role of crafty crook Fagin shared between Brian Conley and Neil Morrissey.Read

Dame Judi Dench backs Midlands charity show

AWARD-winning actress Dame Judi Dench is backing a Birmingham theatre show aiming to help combat cancer.Read

Hall Green family finish Live Below the Line challenge

A BIRMINGHAM family are back on coffee and cakes after following a gruelling poverty diet of £1 per person per day.Read

Comedy at the Patrick Kavanagh in Moseley

BIRMINGHAM comedian Sheila M will perform a night of songs and comedy at the Patrick Kavanagh in Trafalgar Road, Moseley, on June 3 from 8.30pm.Read

Jewellers open their doors in Hockley

JEWELLERY designers in Hockley will be opening their studios for two days so visitors can see them at their benches.Read

Stourbridge girl talent spotted while in city hospital

Cystic Fibrosis patient talent spotted while in hospital Read

Jo Enright at Kings Heath comedy night

BIRMINGHAM comedian Jo Enright heads the programme for the next Laughing Cows event at the Kitchen Garden Cafe in York Road, Kings Heath.Read

Worcestershire walkers to raise money for bereaved families

STAFF from a Worcestershire business partnership company are to walk 30 miles for Birmingham-based charity Edward’s Trust.Read

Finding the confidence to get back in the driving seat

Women's Editor Diane Parkes finds out how thousands of drivers are being encouraged to venture out onto the roads again.Read

Hollywood actor John Malkovich to lead Birmingham Symphony Hall celebrations

BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall is to celebrate its 21st anniversary next year with a festival featuring Hollywood star John Malkovich, composter Philip Glass and former CBSO director Simon Rattle.Read

It takes two to tango with Vincent and Flavia

MOVE over Rachel Stevens and Felicity Kendal – there is a new tango queen in town.Read

Theatre: Phill Jupitus takes on Monty Python

MONTY Python was a Friday night ritual in the home of Phill Jupitus when he was growing up – so it is no surprise that he was keen to take up an offer to be in the musical Spamalot.Read

Brian Conley and Lynda Bellingham head the cast at Birmingham Hippodrome panto

LOOSE Women presenter Lynda Bellingham is set to follow the footsteps of Hollywood legend Joan Collins and perform in her first ever panto in Brum.Read

Walsall designer Luke Roper to open Bullring store

WALSALL fashion designer Luke Roper is to open a flagship store in Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre.Read

Birmingham's talking newspaper goes digital

BIRMINGHAM’S talking newspaper has reached a landmark and gone digital.Read

Talent needed to star in Dirty Dancing tour

THE search is on for new talent to take part in the national tour of the musical Dirty Dancing.Read

Theatre: Adrian's tribute to Michael Jackson

IT WAS more than 20 years ago that Adrian Grant was first introduced to singer Michael Jackson, but it was a meeting that was to change the producer’s life for ever.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.