Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery has converted an old narrow boat into a unique artistic space. Step aboard the Slow Boat on Wednesday 21st March for the free launch event and make your own screenprint…
Archives for West Midlands
The ten best quirky events for Easter 2018
Looking for some inspiration on how to spend your long Easter weekend? Contrary Life has compiled a round-up of the quirkiest Easter events taking place this year, including the best of the UK’s customs and contests, such as coal carrying races and marbles championships, chair lifting and bottle kicking…
Breakfast, badges and banners in Birmingham for International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day (Thursday 8th March), join the staff of Eastside Projects in Birmingham for a cuppa, some conversation and a spot of banner making at 122 Fazeley Street…
Discover the Ghost Streets of Balsall Heath
Discover the lost streets of Balsall Heath with a new exhibition by American filmmaker and photographer Janet Mendelsohn at Birmingham’s Ort Gallery…
Get flipping, skipping and throwing this Pancake Day
From old local customs to wacky races, there are quirky events taking place all over the UK this Pancake Day. Contrary Life brings you a selection of our favourite events…
An intimate tale of lighthouse keepers
Point of Echoes is an intimate tale of lighthouse keepers, designed especially for village halls, set to tour town and country this Spring…
An unusual treehouse at Croome
Our latest Curiosity of the Week is an unusual treehouse in Worcestershire. The treehouse, wrapped around the bottom of a cedar tree at Croome, was created by artist Chris Alton for the National Trust…
Independent Venue Week celebrates grassroots music venues in the UK
Independent Venue Week (IVW) will return from Monday 29th January to Sunday 4th February with its biggest celebration of grassroots music venues yet…
A darkly comic show that talks about death
The Death Show is a darkly comic journey of discovery and contemplation, exploring our universal relationships with death and dying…
Make some noise and go wassailing this January
On the old Twelfth Night (17th January) a traditional ceremony known as a wassail takes place in villages and orchards across England…
Schmooze without the booze and enjoy a Dry January
Having a dry January? Contrary Life has compiled a handy guilt-free guide to some great venues for meeting friends, without the temptation of a quick drink or three…
Take a trip to Christmas past with Dickensian characters and traditional entertainment
Take a trip to Christmas past, in a more pleasant way than Scrooge did, by visiting one of the many Dickens, Victorian and medieval themed events taking place across the UK this festive season…
Illuminated installations and unique grottos at the Magical Lantern Festival
Experience hundreds of handmade illuminated installations, unique grottos, rides and Christmas markets at this year’s Magical Lantern Festival…
A festival to SHOUT about in Birmingham
SHOUT, the Festival of Queer Arts and Culture, returns to Birmingham this November with an eclectic mix of theatre, visual arts, comedy, and music…
Give boredom the chop with some urban axe throwing
Fed up with the usual days and evenings out in the city? Then why not give Whistle Punks’ Urban Axe Throwing a whirl?