Three-day festival celebrates Black Country pride
Bostin' tunes and plenty of loffs are promised when a host of performers and artists take to the stage during the Black Country Day celebrations.
A three-day festival of music, comedy, poetry and art will kick-off on Friday at the Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley.
While popular trio The Fizzogs will not only be flying the flag for the Black Country but also wearing it when they perform their unique comedy at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on Saturday.
To start the festival on Friday, there will be A Black Country Night Out - a comedy show which will feature legendary performer Aynuk as well as popular acts Black Country Gaz, Emma Rollason as Dolly Allen and The Sponners. Tickets for the comedy evening cost £10 and are available from www.wegottickets.com
On Saturday, the focus will be on live music, performance art, dancing and art.
The line-up is set to include creators of the Black Country Anthem, The Empty Can as well as a host of other acts including Pat Breslin, Alice Coley, Esther Turner, Highway Dave and the Varmints, Pete Boddice and Ben Smith.
Also taking part will be Sylvia Brennan School of Irish Dancing, Bostin' Things, Faith's African Drum School and artist Luke Perry.
Entry costs £5 per person but is free for under 14s.
On Sunday the day is given over to poetry and the spoken word with Heather Wastie, Billy Spakemon, Brendan Hawthorne and Dave Reeves in the spotlight. There will also be a school's poetry competition. Admission is free on Sunday.
The cone's exhibition spaces, children's activities, open studios, on-site business and coffee house will all be open for business during the weekend.
Dudley's culture chief, Councillor Hilary Bill,s said: "The three day festival of comedy, music, art and poetry is a fantastic celebration of our Black Country heritage and I hope that local people make the most of this treasure trove right here on their doorstep."
The Fizzogs will be treating the audience at Brierley Hill Civic Hall to new twists on their most celebrated characters on Saturday.
Abba tribute band Faba - Sue Hawkins and Deb Nicholls, will be displaying their new glamorous outfits – tailored from the Black Country flag.
They will be joined by 'gansta rapper' Wayne Kerr, played by Jacky Fellows.
She said the group were keen to help put the Black Country on the map.
"We are waving the banner for the area which has always been the inspiration for our performances.
"Us Fizzogs are extremely proud of our heritage and where we come from, we never change the way we are or the way we speak, as soon as we knew about the Black Country Day and the festival we knew we had to be involved."
Councillor Pete Lowe, deputy leader of Dudley Council said: "The Fizzogs put on a great show and are a great fit for our Black Country themed celebrations. We are sure they will be extremely popular."
Tickets for the show are available from www.fizzogproductions.ticketsource.co.uk
