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Diane Parkes

Diane Parkes

Birmingham to hold first international dance festival

BIRMINGHAM is dancing in the streets – as it celebrates the beginning of its first international dance festival. Read

The Baggies make me want to shout

AMONG the thousands celebrating the Baggies' promotion this week was none other than actress Claire Sweeney. Read

Tommy's got animal magic

IN a lifetime in showbusiness Tommy Steele has one stellar rule when it comes to choosing his shows - would he want to see it? Read

What it takes to be British...

BIRMINGHAM playwright David Edgar tackles the thorny issue of British identity in his new play Testing the Echo. Read

Moon Water, Birmingham Hippodrome

LAUNCHING Birmingham's International Dance Festival, this 70 minute performance gives an indication of the diversity in store. Read

St Laurence Church School

Waxing lyrical to save the planet

LOIS Saunders is almost bursting with excitement. The nine-year-old pupil has spent the morning practising for a concert she is taking part in and is eager to tell us all about it. Read

The hospital said it may not be cancer but they would need to check it

WHEN a testing kit for bowel cancer arrived through the door of Dianne Ladd's home, she decided she had nothing to lose by doing it. Read

Fit for a marathon after 3 stone loss

SUPER slimmer Jane Glaze is heading north of the border next month as she prepares to run the Edinburgh Marathon. Read

Style News

French Connection in Birmingham's Bullring holds a Mad Hatter's Tea Party offering customers a 20 per cent discount, beauty advice, music, drinks and goody bag. To take advantage of the promotion, on May 6 between 5.30-9pm, customers need to register for tickets at www.frenchconnection.com Read

The Blue Planet Live, Birmingham Symphony Hall

WITH breath-taking film from the BBC television series of the same name, The Blue Planet Live! takes the audience where it can never hope to go in real life. Read

Watch This Space

A world of dance on your doorstep

IF you are out and about in the city next weekend make sure you take in a visit to Victoria Square where more than 30 dancers will be performing the open air show Watch This Space! Read

Dance Festival

Join the global dance party

GET ready to party as Birmingham's inaugural International Dance Festival kicks off next week. Read

Hannah Millington

I was told I might never have kids or work again

HANNAH Millington was just 25 when she heard the words that everyone fears - she had cancer. Read

Zoe Tyler

Zoe's masterclass boosts confidence

KIRSTY Rutter swallows nervously and prepares to break into song. Read

Ginette MacDougall

I had always been too big to jump out of a plane

WHEN mum Ginette MacDougall lost nine stone, she decided the best way to celebrate was by jumping for joy - with a jump of more than 10,000 feet. Read

Fashion News

Looking for smart choices for bigger sizes? Ann Harvey's new spring range for sizes 16-28 includes this red beaded dress for £99 with matching stole for £29.99. Find the collection in the store at The Pavillions or in House of Fraser. www.ann harveyfashion. co.uk Read

Out with the new - and in with the old...

SAVE your pennies and save the planet by joining the trend for recycled clothing. Vintage design is not only a way of making your own style statement it also means you can pick up good quality tailoring for a fraction of the high street price. Read

Hapgood

Hapgood, Birmingham Rep

TOM Stoppard's play takes us back to the age of the Cold War when the Eastern bloc swopped agents, double agents and triple agents with the West. Read

How To Tell The Monsters From The Misfits

Clueless cops hunting killer

NEW play at Birmingham Repertory Theatre aims to turn the crime thriller on its head. Read

Bierton Road Community Centre

Sporting chance

ON A cold Monday morning the last thing many of us would feel enthusiastic about is donning our tracksuits for a session of keep fit, but a group of women meet each week to do just that at a community centre in Yardley. 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.

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