THE West Midlands will warm up for the 2012 Olympics next month with an open weekend showcasing the region’s art, culture and sport.

Jun 25 2009 by Ben Goldby, Birmingham Mail

The region will showcase some of its cultural treasures to encourage people to take part in the “cultural olympiad” the government is launching alongside the games.

Among the attractions are a photography exhibition celebrating Birmingham’s Victorian Heritage, a festival of live music, street entertainment and arts activities as part of the Marches Youth Festival in Ludlow, Shropshire, and the rock and roll 50s Fun Day in Stafford.

The weekend also features a special tour around the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, the Bewdley Rowing Regatta in Worcestershire and a celebration of the 300th birthday of Samuel Johnston in Lichfield.

Chris Saint, chairman of the West Midlands leadership group for the Olympics, said: “London 2012’s new Open Weekend is a brilliant initiative which gives people in the region the chance to take part in the London 2012 experience right here where they live.

“It also provides a real challenge to try something new as we mark the three-year countdown to the beginning of the Games.

“We’ve got lots of exciting events already signed up for the weekend but there will be even more by the time it comes around – something for everyone to join in with.”

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: “We’ve always been clear that London 2012 is about more than just sport, we want to create a games for the nation that are accessible to everyone. We created Open Weekend as part of the Cultural Olympiad, to enable people to share in the countdown celebrations towards London 2012 but also be inspired by the Games to discover new interests and develop their talents.”