The Lost Weekend

There really isn't enough awesome left in the world for  Birmingham Weekender. We may have to scour neighbouring planets for fresh supplies. But we're running out of time, because Brum’s biggest arts shindig lands squarely in the city this Friday, runs until Sunday — and because it's dead friendly — includes Saturday too. Here's the events that have us staring at the office clock. Hour. After hour. After hour.

DRUM WAR. IT'S BETTER THAN NUCLEAR WAR, MR PRESIDENT.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Clash of Drums is a drumstick twirling confrontation of rhythm and light, with drummers leading the sort of street-by-street parade which would get them refused entry to every club in B-town. The French (Les Commandos Percu) are taking on the Spanish (Deabru Beltzak), in what will culminate in a spectacle of fire and light and sky-filling explosions. And possible war. Pre-bookable tickets have sold out. But you can call the Hippodrome on 0844 338 5000 for returns. PLUS a number of tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis at the Eastside Green site from 8pm on Saturday. More

SPOTTED: RUBBER YETI 
Hummelmania is a contemporary mythological creature — the God of the workforce. For more entirely excellent made up words see here. For a tribe of rubber band clad creatures who will pop-up across B'ham having broken free of their office restraints, read on. Fulfilling seemingly mindless tasks using mime, sound and LOLZ, they create a tableaux playfully flicking the V's at the daily rituals of office life. The Tribe is the creation of London/Rotterdam-based visual artist, Mette Sterre. The world of the topsy-turvy, the un-canny and the paradox is where you'll typically find her.

CHILDHOOD SURVIVAL 
As a Tiger in the Jungle is based on the true story of twins from Nepal who were sold to the circus by their parents aged five and beaten until they could accomplish the skills needed to perform. After their eventual rescue, the pair were given the chance to turn their traditional circus skills into contemporary dance artistry, and ultimately to appear in this new commission. Expect circus ceremony and spoken word, as the story of how the brother and sister survived their childhoods. On Friday and Saturday, tickets are from £15.

DANCE WAR. ALSO BETTER THAN NUCLEAR WAR, MR PRESIDENT.
Pick a side as Kung Fu meets dance in a Bruce Lee-paced street takeover, with stealth like sequences as well as the more big-ticket sort of moves. From West Mids-based Rosie Kay Dance Company, two opposing groups will move across the city and meet for a final stand-off at the station. And rather than just watch, you can basically Enter the Dragon (so get trained and join in the fight) before each of the two performances of this new and free commission, a-happening on Saturday at 2pm and again at 4pm.

MULTI-STORY ORCHESTRA
Get some Beethoven in those ear canals on Level 1 of Barclaycard Arena's North Car Park no less. Led by conductor Christopher Stark, the Multi-Story Orchestra'sapproach to presenting live classical music in unexpected venues has received some pretty notable plaudits (“the response was ecstatic, and it deserved to be” –The New York Times). The Weekender performances include one of the orchestra's ‘Living Programme Notes,’ where the musicians split into smaller groups around the car park, and devise interactive experiences for the audience — introducing them to the capital "T" TUUUUNES before they hear Beethoven's 5th in all its glory. On Friday and Saturday, tickets are £5.