Updated 1:52am 26 May 2012

Powered by Google

Diane Parkes

Diane Parkes

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

Tamworth X Factor star Treyc Cohen hits the yellow brick road in The Wiz

X FACTOR contestant Treyc Cohen is proving there is life after the television talent show by winning the leading role in a new musical.Read

Fitness trainer to the stars shares her tips in Birmingham

SHE is the fitness trainer who has helped Hollywood stars including Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel and Zac Efron to stay in shape.Read

Musical fundraiser as Birmingham student sings to say thanks

Stephanie was just about to start her second year of a history and anthropology degree at the University of Birmingham when she was diagnosed with leukaemia, and told she had a 75 per cent chance of survival.Read

Birmingham singer recovers from cancer to hit the high notes

A BIRMINGHAM musician is hitting the high notes despite fearing he would never sing again after being diagnosed with throat cancer.Read

Dirty Dancing on stage at Birmingham Hippodrome

WEST End smash-hit Dirty Dancing is coming to Birmingham’s Hippodrome theatre for a run in summer 2012.Read

Hall Green mum tries to prove she can feed her family on £4 a day

COULD you feed your family on a daily budget of just £1 each?Read

Water Orton residents fight plans for High Speed rail at spring fair

MORE than 300 villagers turned out to a spring fair in Water Orton in Birmingham to oppose the controversial High Speed Rail Link, known as HS2.Read

Moseley woman reveals how Gareth Gates helped her overcome her stammer

A Birmingham charity worker has told how singer Gareth Gates helped her to speak properly. Read

Reveiw: Jessie J, at the O2 Academy, Birmingham

With a chart-topping single, a new album and a Brit award to her name Jessie Cornish is riding the crest of a wave at the moment.Read

Sutton Coldfield mum loses five stone to be role model for daughter

MUM Denise Bolger has her daughter Sophie-Mae to thank for helping motivate her to shift more than five stone in weight.Read

Hall Green mum to run the Race For Life after surviving pregnancy cancer ordeal

ALYSON Jones was 36 weeks pregnant with her second child when she discovered a pea sized lump in her breast.Read

Wilbur Smith to launch book in Birmingham

INTERNATIONAL best-selling author Wilbur Smith will headline this year’s Spring book festival in Birmingham.Read

Theatre: Real lives of nurses under spotlight with new show

A WARTIME hospital ward had been recreated thanks to memorabilia and memories from the past for a show by Worcester-based theatre company Vamos.Read

Sutton Coldfield students raise money

PUPILS at Plantsbrook School, in Sutton Coldfield, made nearly £2,000 for Comic Relief with fundraising events including a raffle, leg wax and sponsored silence.Read

Return of the Nutcracker to Birmingham Royal Ballet

BIRMINGHAM Royal Ballet’s festive favourite The Nutcracker returns to the city next Christmas with a two-week run at Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre.Read

Oxfam campaigners walk through West Midlands

HUNDREDS of walkers are expected to join an Oxfam Pramble this week to raise awareness of health risks faced by mums across the globe.Read

Digbeth trekker to hit the heights.

A VOLUNTEER at Acorns Children’s Hospice is to trek through the Himalayas to visit Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama.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.