Cadbury World will be welcoming a variety of exciting dance acts from across the West Midlands, when it hosts a special Dance Weekend, taking place from 19th – 20th May.

Among those performing at the chocolate attraction will be Antics, recent finalists from Sky1’s Got to Dance. The self taught, all-male street crew, originally from Birmingham, have been together for less than a year but recently shot to fame when they competed on the high profile dance show.

They will be joined by dance troupes from across the region, including crews from Coventry, Sutton Coldfield and Solihull, who will be performing throughout the weekend with three family dance shows taking place in the Cadbury World marquee each day.

Diane Mitchell, marketing manager at Cadbury World, said: “It’s great to invite so many dance troupes from across the West Midlands to Cadbury World to showcase the amazing talent we have in our region. 

“The weekend is going to be fun, lively and entertaining and is one of many themed weekends that are planned for this summer. We’re also planning a special day to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at the start of June where visitors will be able to see a replica of the Imperial State Crown, which has been hand-crafted in delicious Cadbury chocolate.”

Along with the on site entertainment during Dance Weekend, families can also explore Cadbury World’s 14 amazing zones. Visitors can step onto a Beanmobile and enjoy a gentle ride through a chocolate wonderland in the Cadabra zone, and stock up on their favourite Cadbury treats in the World’s Biggest Cadbury Shop.

For more information, or to arrange a trip to Cadbury World, please visit www.cadburyworld.co.uk.

A new dance production from award-winning Australian choreographer Shaun Parker will be swinging by children’s playgrounds across the Black Country from 16th – 20th May. 

Spill – a playground of dance, will see professional dancers use the Black Country’s playgrounds’ existing equipment as the set for a series of free performances in the hope of reaching the heart of communities and inspiring children of all ages to dance. Developed by dance powerhouse DanceXchange, in partnership with Dancefest, Dancescape and Dudley Performing Arts, the resulting show is an energetic and fun-packed spectacle for the whole family. 

The performances are part of a tour of 30 playgrounds scheduled to take place across the wider West Midlands in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Performances will take place at Huntingtree Park in Halesowen, Willenhall Memorial Park in Walsall, Lightwoods Park in Sandwell, Bantock Park in Wolverhampton and Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge. Primary schools and groups will also take part in workshops and residencies, using the themes of Spill.

David Massingham, DanceXchange’s Artistic Director, said: “This new production is a real celebration of the child within us all. It will be colourful, physical and packed with energetic street gymnastics; a great show for children and their families to enjoy.”

“We’re pleased to be part of the cultural celebrations for London 2012, and it’s been great to work with Shaun Parker to create this unique production for the people of the West Midlands.”

Spill is part of the London 2012 Festival, a spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration from 21st June and running until 9th September 2012 bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.

Spill is part of the Outdoor Dance Programme, led by DanceXchange, in partnership with Dancefest, Dancescape and Dudley Performing Arts. It is part of Dancing for the Games, which is inspired by London 2012 and part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands. It has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, which is creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK, as well as Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands. 

For details of your nearest Spill playground performance, please visit www.dancexchange.org.uk/spill.

The final performance of the Royal Opera House’s 2011/12 season, La Fille Mal Gardée, will be screened live at The Giant Screen at Millennium Point in Birmingham on May 16th, enabling local ballet lovers to see this charming production without the expense or inconvenience of a midweek trip to London.

The simple story of Lise, her suitor Colas and Lise’s larger-than-life mother, La Fille Mal Gardée is full of delicious comedy and is the perfect ballet for first-timers of all ages. One of only a handful of cinemas across the Midlands screening the production, The Giant Screen at Millennium Point is home to the largest digital screen in the West Midlands and opened in October 2011 to offer an entertainment experience like no other.

The Giant Screen presents a wide range of films, documentaries and screenings of live events in spectacular high definition courtesy of its dual state-of-the-art 4K digital projectors. Following its 2011 renovation, The Giant Screen now also features upgraded surround sound and a bright white screen so huge that the roof had to be taken off to fit it in!

Curtain up is at 7pm. For tickets and further listings information, please visit www.giantscreencinema.co.uk.

A new dance production from award-winning Australian choreographer Shaun Parker will be swinging by children’s playgrounds across Birmingham from 3rd to 7th May.

Spill – a playground of dance, will see professional dancers use Birmingham playgrounds’ existing equipment as the set for a series of free performances in the hope of reaching the heart of communities and inspiring children of all ages to dance. Developed by dance powerhouse DanceXchange, in partnership with Dancefest, Dancescape and Dudley Performing Arts, the resulting show is an energetic and fun-packed spectacle for the whole family. 

The performances are part of a tour of 30 playgrounds scheduled to take place across the wider West Midlands in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Birmingham leg of the tour is timed to coincide with International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012’s Family Weekend at Cannon Hill Park, and performances will also take place at St George’s Park in Perry Barr, Adderley Park in Hodge Hill and Sheldon Country Park in Sheldon. Primary schools and groups will also take part in workshops and residencies, using the themes of Spill.

David Massingham, DanceXchange’s Artistic Director, said: “This new production is a real celebration of the child within us all. It will be colourful, physical and packed with energetic street gymnastics; a great show for children and their families to enjoy.”

“We’re pleased to be part of the cultural celebrations for London 2012, and it’s been great to work with Shaun Parker to create this unique production for the people of the West Midlands.”

Spill is part of the London 2012 Festival, a spectacular 12-week nationwide celebration from 21 June and running until 9 September 2012 bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.

Spill is part of the Outdoor Dance Programme, led by DanceXchange, in partnership with Dancefest, Dancescape and Dudley Performing Arts. It is part of Dancing for the Games, which is inspired by London 2012 and part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands. It has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, which is creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK, as well as Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands. 

For details of your nearest Spill playground performance, please visit http://www.dancexchange.org.uk/spill.

Cadbury World is giving visitors the chance to win some chocolate treasure this May bank holiday, when the attraction welcomes pirates to its shores for a special themed weekend.

Taking place from 5th-7th May, Cadbury World staff will be dressing up as pirate shipmates and encouraging the visiting public to do the same, with chocolate prizes awarded in a daily best dressed pirate competition.

As part of the themed weekend, visitors can enjoy pirate family entertainment in the Cadbury World marquee and test their skills as a buccaneer by scaling the climbing wall on site. The Bournville-based attraction will also be cooking up themed food and drink, available in the Cadbury World restaurant.

Diane Mitchell, marketing manager at Cadbury World, said: “The bank holiday weekend provides the perfect excuse for people to get out of the house, and at Cadbury World we’ve got lots of additional entertainment planned for a fantastic family day out. 

“Our pirate weekend always proves popular and with our climbing wall, performances from our pirates and the chance to win some Cadbury chocolate treats, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.”

Along with the themed weekend, Cadbury World has fourteen amazing zones to explore. In the interactive Purple Planet, visitors are able to play in virtual chocolate rain and by wandering down Advertising Avenue they can re-live Cadbury’s pioneering advertising campaigns.

Throughout May there are more themed weekends planned at Cadbury World. On 19th-20th May, the attraction will host a Dance Weekend where visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of dance acts in the Cadbury World marquee with local dance crew Antics, recent finalists on the Sky1 programme Got To Dance, among those performing.

For more information, or to arrange a trip to Cadbury World, please visit www.cadburyworld.co.uk.

Birmingham Pride 2011. Image courtesy of Midlands Zone.

Birmingham’s Southside district, home to the city’s Chinatown, Gay Village and theatre land, has announced a programme of festivals to delight and entertain visitors to the area throughout 2012.

A total investment of £51,000 has been made through Southside Business Improvement District and the European Regional Development Fund, to support five festivals that celebrate the area’s rich cultural mix. Kicking off with Birmingham Pride 2012 over the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, the festival programme will also feature Shock and Gore – a celebration of horror and science fiction film organised by The Electric Cinema – and Six Summer Saturdays, developed by Birmingham Hippodrome, which will bring street theatre and circus performances to public spaces across Southside and the city centre.

Later in the year, the SHOUT Festival will celebrate ‘queer film, music, theatre and visual art’ at venues across Birmingham, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton, while the Eye Candy festival, new for 2012, will cast a spotlight on outstanding illustration.

Julia Chance, Southside BID manager, said: “Southside prides itself on representing a rich tapestry of people and is already famed in Birmingham for its nightlife and entertainment offer, so I’m thrilled to be supporting a programme of festivals that truly reflect the amazing breadth of destinations in the district.

“This investment is designed to raise the profile of Southside and Birmingham across the region, the UK and internationally, through the additional profile that these festivals will bring. In addition, the increased footfall that these large scale events will bring to the area will have a positive commercial impact for businesses across the district.”

Details of planned activities at the opening festival of the season, Birmingham Pride can be viewed at www.birminghampride.com.

The Interface Financial Group, an alternative finance provider which helps small businesses through a unique funding model and franchise system that has barely changed since day one, is celebrating 40 years of what it calls ‘being boring’.

The group, which operates globally and has a number of franchises in the UK, was started with a single transaction in 1972 and now offers finance solutions to clients with needs of all sizes. Buying its clients’ outstanding receivables at a discount to ease their cash flow concerns, the network now purchases millions of pounds worth of invoices every year.

“With a franchise failure rate that is almost zero, four decades of growth and clients thanking us for the speed and flexibility with which we can assist them, we are pleased to celebrate being successfully boring because it works,” says David Banfield, president of the alternative financing firm. “We’ve adapted our services to the changing business climate, but the invoice discounting model we introduced back in 1972 is essentially what we offer our clients today.”

IFG’s service allows a company to use their unpaid invoices to accelerate their cash flow and meet current financial obligations, and because IFG offers this package on a transactional basis, businesses can use it as often as they need it with no minimums. This easy and fast form of short-term financing offers small business owners the opportunity to access cash quickly without having to wait for their outstanding invoices to be paid.

And it’s not only IFG services that are in demand. Entrepreneurs are lining up to buy franchises. Banfield says that, as well as entrepreneurs looking to put their valuable skillset to work for themselves, many long-term unemployed executives are enquiring about IFG franchise opportunities. The franchises are inexpensive to open, can be run from home on a sole-trader basis, and allow the franchisee the flexibility to dictate their own workload. In addition, each franchisee receives extensive training and ongoing support, a comprehensive risk management programme, and the security of a seasoned management team backing them up.

IFG is consistently ranked one of the top franchises by Entrepreneur magazine, and is currently designated a World-Class Franchise® by the Franchise Research Institute®.

A creative writer and a visual artist filmmaker from the West Midlands are joining forces to undertake a road trip with a difference, as they recreate four journeys from American literature on the region’s roads and waterways for a new art project.

Inspired by works of fiction which examine the American Dream, Mark Ellis and Chris Poolman will spend four days travelling around the region as they attempt to discover ‘the West Midlands Dream’.

Starting in Birmingham on April 3rd, the pair will travel over the Welsh border using small, forgotten roads connecting rural villages in deference to William Least Heat-Moon’s Blue Highways. On day two, the pair will head towards Hay-on-Wye in canoes to explore the cultural differences between those living either side of the English-Welsh border, using Eddy L. Harris’s Mississippi Solo as their inspiration.

From here they will travel to Solihull using local bus services to recreate the suffering experienced by characters from The Grapes of Wrath as they go from country to urban living, and on the final leg of the journey, undertaken by car, Ellis and Poolman will travel to tourist hotspot Stratford-upon-Avon, inspired by Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

The pair will record the trip on video, with people able to follow their progress as they live-blog their experiences using social networks. Following the conclusion of the journey, Poolman will use the footage to create a short documentary chronicling their adventure and those they meet, while Ellis will use the experience to inspire a series of new short stories re-exploring the books’ themes. 

Ellis, who is also a lecturer at The University of Wolverhampton, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me, as a writer, to explore the relationship between fiction and reality. I’m really looking forward to the experience and immersing myself in what is, essentially, a four-day theatrical performance.”

For Poolman, the journey will feed his fascination with how humour operates within an art context: “American road trip stories are well known for their enormous landscapes, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens when we squash that same story into the West Midlands.”

The project is being facilitated by Turning Point West Midlands (TPWM) in partnership with Writing West Midlands. TPWM is a network to strengthen the visual arts in the West Midlands region through disseminating information, sharing advice, encouraging debate and acting as a voice for the sector.

For a full route map and to follow the journey, visit www.roadtripwestmidlands.com

Image: David Gamez, 2011

A franchisee of international invoice factoring provider, The Interface Financial Group (IFG) is celebrating after taking home an award at the MatchPoint Franchising Awards 2012 held recently at the Royal Society of Arts, London.

Tonbridge-based Bruce Williams, who joined IFG’s franchisee network in 2010, received the TopMatch Franchisee Award after he was nominated for his outstanding achievements and skills in franchising. The IFG invoice factoring brand, which enables SMEs to ease cash-flow concerns by buying invoices off them at a discount, is also celebrating after reaching its 40th anniversary in 2012 at a time when the business is growing.

Bruce, speaking following winning the award, said: “I’m thrilled that my hard work and efforts have been recognised, particularly as my franchise with IFG is my first move into the world of franchising.”

“MatchPoint helped me find IFG, which I chose as it makes use of all my previous experiences working in a number of finance-related jobs over the past 25 years. I’m looking forward to seeing my business grow in the future.”

David Banfield, President of The Interface Financial Group, comments: “SMEs are struggling to find the necessary support from more traditional finance sources, so invoice factoring services like IFG are increasingly popular. Bruce’s award is well deserved, and I extend my hearty congratulations to him.”

IFG purchases current, quality invoices at a discount, with no long-term commitments and no monthly minimums. This means SMEs are able to use the service as a one-off, or as often as they like, whenever they need additional working capital quickly. In many cases, payment can be executed in just 48 hours - considerably faster than more traditional financing options.

For more information about IFG franchising opportunities, please visit www.interfacefinancial.co.uk/.

Members of the public are being invited to contribute towards a landmark new art project in Birmingham’s Southside district that will put the city’s Gay Village on the map as part of the Big City Plan.

The Gay Village gateway project will see a large rhinestone-encrusted rhinoceros sculpture installed on the corner of Bromsgrove Street and Hurst Street to signify to visitors that they have reached the Gay Village.

The horned animal was selected as it symbolises strength and was originally a symbol of the gay rights movement in the United States, while the use of rhinestones reflects Birmingham’s rich jewellery-making history. The artists commissioned to construct the sculpture are now asking members of the public to contribute towards a ‘heart’ that will live inside the finished article containing music, photos, videos and stories.

Those wishing to contribute are asked to upload their videos, songs and images via Facebook and Birmingham LGBT's dedicated Rhino online blog, where visitors can also track the construction of the piece, while Twitter users can submit 140-character entries using the hashtag #rhinestonerhino.

Postcards will be distributed among venues throughout Southside’s Gay Village, on which people can also leave their contributions. A series of workshops will run from April 12th-14th where people can meet the artists involved, and put forward their contributions in person.

David Viney, Birmingham LGBT Health and Wellbeing Manager, said: “This is a hugely exciting project that represents the culmination of four years’ work between Birmingham LGBT and the city council to create a truly iconic piece of art that will rival the Bullring’s Bull! I cannot wait to see the finished article installed in the near future.”

Julia Chance, Southside BID Manager, said: “The Gay Village is such a vibrant part of Southside, we were keen to mark out this gateway to the Village with a landmark that would properly celebrate the area’s diversity and importance to the city.  This project is a great example of private, public and charitable organisations all collaborating to create something positive for the community” 

The project is being delivered in partnership between Birmingham LGBT, Southside BID, GB Training and Birmingham City Council, and it is hoped the rhinoceros will be installed in time for the 2012 Birmingham Pride event that is scheduled to take place over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend in June.

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/thebirminghamrhino or www.blgbt.org/rhino.