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LOCAL, THOUGHTFUL ART
A lot of people talk about Brexit. Other people make embellished, decorative enamel automatas about it. And when we say people, we mean John Grayson, who uses traditional metal forming and enamel decorating processes to create good looking, whimsical objects. As part of a major contemporary craft exhibition including talented makers from across the Midlands, view Le Brexiteuse at Made in The Middle, until April 29 at Parkside Gallery. As well as including 30 exhibitors, it's a forum to buy pieces which are more wallet-agreeable than you might expect. Entry is free.
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RUM IN BRUM
To be more accurate, you'll actually find it — in over 100 varieties — at the Prince of Wales, Moseley. Where for two guaranteed-to-be-sunny-days, you'll also stumble upon a steel pan band, masterclasses, Caribbean and rum inspired street food vendors — like Spice It Up — who cook their food over actual oil drums. And rum. All the rum. Kraken rum, Barcelo rum and Rhum JM rum. Wild, wild rum served by frankly even wilder people. Entry to the festival — which sold out entirely last year — costs £20, including a cocktail, street food, tastings and tasters. Taking place June 17 and 18, as is customary, get your tickets here.
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MOVIE OF THE WEEK:
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
We may live in a world of sequels and remakes, but at least turning a cartoon into live-action inherently brings something fresh to the material. But do you need to, when the material is this well-loved? You may come to Beauty and the Beast and begin by playing a game of compare-and-contrast, but both the gusto of the cast and the invention of the effects mean it's impossible not to get swept up. Emma Watson as Belle is her usual posh self — which for some reason drives Americans wild — but the entire rest of the cast is terrific, in particular Luke Evans (High-Rise) as a darkened version of Gaston, and Dan Stevens somehow shines under mountains of CGI as the Beast. Holy moly is this going to be a big hit — but if you want a slice of how good Stevens can be, watch the The Guest. Times & trailer
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Venue: Damascena, 5-7 Temple Row West, B2 5NY; website
Choice: Mixed meze (£6.95) Chooser: Zeynab, Manager
In terms of priorities, breathing's pretty far up there. But from the precise moment Damascena's mixed meze landed, until we dispatched with the final morsel of fattoush salad, we didn't fully inhale and exhale even once. At the forefront of this generous platter equation, the unbridled auberginey joy of baba ganoush, a Levantine dip. The house garlicky fava-bean fuul is a best-seller from the team's original Moseley cafe, and also won a place in our exclusively food-driven heart. And as we're talking Middle Eastern, you may have some questions about where lamb will be making an appearance in this happy tale. Get an order of Kibbeh Makliya (£3.50), being ground bulgar wheat, stuffed with lamb mince, pomegranate, walnuts and herbs. Together with the mixed meze, this is enough for two but we're completely pro over-ordering where this absolute asset to the city centre is concerned. You can't book but tables rotate quickly. Just don't forget to breathe. Menu
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