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FILM PICK: ON THE BASIS OF SEX
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg is an icon in the US, so this biopic assumes a lot of good will. Does it work if you’re just not that fussed about senior figures in the legislature of a far-off land? The good news is it does, with this look at a key sex discrimination case early in her career playing like a splice of a legal drama and a sports movie and, like all good sports movies, our heroine is very much the underdog. It’s hard not to root for her, given the often breathtaking sexism she faces — Brum-born Felicity Jones does good work in presenting the dignity she maintained in the face of it – and how being a dignified resister of prejudice isn’t much fun. It may not be subtle, but the message is rammed home, and a genuinely heroic figure gets her due. Times & trailers
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HIT THE ODE, JACKIE
Hit The Ode is back and, this month lands slap, bang during International Women’s Day. The poetry performance night marks IWD by opening up to talent from our doorstep and worldwide. Actor-writer Rosie Fleeshman’s poetry tackles 21st century relationships, body image, and sexuality while the soundtrack will be performed by AGĀMA, the Electro-Soul-Jazz project of Brummie native Cassandra Gurling. All that should leave you warmed up for Malika Booker (pictured), whose wealth of wordy experience spans poetry, theatre and education. And if you’ve ever wanted an opportunity to perform your own poetry *starts sweating uncontrollably,* you can sign up to a lucky dip on the night for one of ten, three-minute slots. At the Patrick Studio on March 8, tickets are £5 in advance.
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DINNER'S ON HAMPTON MANOR
You know how we're always looking out for you and your upcoming table reservations? We've cosied up with the lovely lot behind Hampton Manor and it turns out, they're almost as into you as we are. In fact, they're so keen to meet you and your pals that to mark their ten-year anniversary, if you book dinner at the Manor's Michelin-starred Peel's restaurant on a Tuesday or Wednesday this Spring (March 5 to May 29), your friend's dinner is on the house. And in case you can't pick between mates, if you book a table for four, two of your gaggle don't pay for dinner. You'll choose from the team's four and seven-course menus, full of seasonal lookers like Chef's Longhorn beef, swede and black garlic creation and the beetroot, goat’s cheese ice-cream and pickled pear dish pictured. Hampton Manor is minutes from Hampton-in-Arden train station, which you can get to in 14 shakes of a lamb's tail, direct from New Street, 36 times a day. Just mention us when you email reservations@hamptonmanor.com to book. You have until April 3 to make a reservation but as this is a first come first served sort of thing, probably get on it.
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CAVE MAN IN CONVO
"You're one microscopic cog, in his catastrophic plan" lilts Nick Cave. And if he's that wise in song, just imagine what the singer-songwriter, author, screenwriter, composer and occasional actor might say in person. Join him for an evening of open discussion — including questions from the audience — as well as music, in the form of some of his very favourite songs performed on the piano. Tickets (from £33) go on sale TODAY (Thursday) at 9am. At Symphony Hall on June 17, his Australasian tour sold out entirely.
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Venue: Saba, 577 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, B12 9BS; website
Choice: Minced lamb kebab (£8.99) Chooser: Waitress
Where are you on the obligatory grilled tomato you'll always find on your plate at Persian restaurants? Like the sculpted carrot that comes with Thai starters, we can dig it. But we'll never understand it like the main event — the chelo kebab koobideh — an ugly delicious minced lamb kebab that intros juicy and smoky to each other, then books them into a hotel room. When you over-order at the innocuous-looking family-run cafe, be sure include the borani bademjan (£4.99), our server's pick of the three aubergine starters, which is fried and mashed up with tomatoes, onions and Saba's homemade strained yoghurt. For its texture and its bit of fresh, the panir sabzi (£4.99) also makes our order list. The ever so simple sounding combo of feta, walnuts and plenty of herbs should be totally recreatable at home, but just doesn't give as much bite and flavour when we make it. Happily, pretty much every starter seems to be served with a proper Persian sesame seed naan, but don't be too taken with the bread's beguiling ways, if you can save a spot for the baklava on pud. Note: Saba is not licensed and is not BYO. The Persian tea we were given within minutes of arriving was however completely delicious. Menu
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