RSA Events Spring 2012

RSA West Midlands Regional Events - January - March

Birmingham:

Sunday 15th January

Legacy WM - 'Bangla Food Journeys'

1pm - 4pm - The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, B6 4UU Birmingham

The project captures the story of first, second and third generation Bangladeshi people living in Birmingham and their relationship to the food culture of the UK. All this is compiled in a book, including favourite Bangladeshi recipes. The event includes a book launch, photographic images of the project, speeches from some of the first generation Bangladeshi settlers in Birmingham and entertainment including music and dance. The project was supported by an award from Heritage Lottery Fund. Please RSVP to Raihan Hussain r.hussain92@live.co.uk

Thursday 9th February

'What it means to be a Modern Briton'

6pm - 8pm The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, B6 4UU Birmingham

Three RSA Fellows of different ethnic backgrounds lead an evening debate. Satvinder Juss, Charles Small and Yeow Poon explore their personal experiences from the perspectives of Sikh, African-Caribbean and Chinese/Malay followed by an opportunity for Fellows to join in the debate. There will be a free buffet and a cash bar. Places are limited to 50 so please book your place with Keith Horsfall at keith@leapsandbounds.org.uk

Thursday 1st March

'This IS a Big Issue'

6pm - 8pm - Birmingham Institute of Art & Design (BIAD), Margaret St., Birmingham

Following the receipt of a RSA West Midlands Venture Fund award investigating the negative attitudes of some young people towards Big Issue sellers, RSA Fellow Lara Ratnaraja will launch and discuss the resultant 10 minute video which is aimed at changing attitudes. She will be joined by the film team as well as representatives from Big Issue. Please book your place with Keith Horsfall at keith@leapsandbounds.org.uk

Saturday 17th March

'Equinox - Cultures in Harmony'

7.30pm - Symphony Hall. Pre-concert on-stage RSA-sponsored talk at 6.15pm

This will witness the realisation of a vision, led by Martin Willis FRSA and the City of Birmingham Choir, of bringing together 350 choral singers and percussionists in reflecting the diverse communities of Birmingham and the West Midlands. Following individual group performances, the event will climax with all performers combining in the world premiere of a unique composition by Midlands composer Christopher Long. The RSA will host a free pre-concert talk on stage at Symphony Hall at 6.15pm. For more detailed information visit www.citychoir.org.uk/equinox or contact Martin on dalley.willis@btinternet.com If you would like tickets please contact keith@leapsandbounds.org.uk - they are priced between £10-£25; if we get sufficient (over 10) we will get the 10% discount and no booking fees.

Worcester

Wednesday 18th January

Network Meeting

5.30pm - 7pm - Costa, High St. Worcester

This month we're going back to the RSA's roots and meeting in a coffee house. This will be an informal networking event, shaping the programme for the rest of the year. What would you like the Worcester Fellows Network to achieve? Would you like the events to be pure networking events, or to focus on particular issues or activities as they have so far? What would you like the programme to look like for the rest of the year? For more information contact Julia Goodfellow-Smith on julia@questforfuturesolutions.co.uk

Monday 20th February

'Reimagining the public library in the 21st century'

6pm - 7.30pm - Worcester Library

John Blewitt FRSA will talk to us about the work, funded by two RSA Catalyst awards, he’s been doing with local libraries in Birmingham, to make sure that they remain relevant – and open. He’ll also talk to us about his future plans. We’ll explore the ways in which we might be able to help him take the project forward, and also how we might be able to take what he’s learnt and apply it to our local libraries. This is an open event, to which we will be inviting local WI members as well as Fellows, as the WI is currently running a ‘Love your Libraries’ campaign. If you know of anyone who might be interested in coming along, please do invite them.

Booking: It’s not essential to book for this event, but the room is limited in size so if you can let me know if you’re planning to go, that would be helpful. Please contact Julia Goodfellow-Smith on julia@questforfuturesolutions.co.uk

Coventry

We are about to launch the Coventry Network. The first event will take place in the Whitley Academy, a recent addition to the RSA Academy programme. As well as a discussion around future RSA Coventry events there will be a tour around the school and its principal, Lorraine Allen, will discuss the merits and success of the RSA Opening Minds curriculum which is central to the school. If you are willing to become involved in the new Coventry Network in any way please contact Pat Kendrick FRSA patkenrick@btinternet.com who is coordinating the Network. Once we have a date confirmed we will let everyone know.

If you are interested in further helping the Whitley Academy, they are holding a fundraising Charity Ball to support of their partner school in South Africa on Friday 10th February at the Holiday Inn, London, Road, Coventry. More information call 02476302580