Kings Heath United Against Racism Weekender: full line-up, details and more about free performances

York Road is an interesting street full of independent cafes in the diverse neighbourhood of Kings Heath in south Birmingham.

But not too long ago the community was shocked by an attack on an elderly Muslim man. On Wednesday, March 29 at around 11 pm, a 73-year-old man was attacked while walking along this very road, on his way home from a local mosque after Ramadan prayers. Since then, West Midlands Police have arrested and bailed two 16-year-olds.

The community came together quickly following the attack after the initial shock, and are now hosting a weekend festival called Kings Heath United against Racism from 12-14 May. The event is making a stand against racism and islamophobia - and a celebratory expression of the community’s diversity and unity.

The event has been organised by local residents and venue partners from the local community. The program will include live music, DJs, storytelling, spoken word, outdoor murals, information stalls and discussions.

Local venues participating in the programme include The Fletchers Bar, Kitchen Garden Café, Hare and Hounds, The Station Pub and The Juke.

Owner of Fletchers & Kitchen Garden Café Brett Rehing, whose staff tended to the 73-year-old victim said: “You can’t brush this under the carpet when it happens on your doorstep.

“As one of the participating venues, the diverse programme of curated music and spoken word events across the different venues is a wonderful act of solidarity which will entertain, challenge and celebrate our diversity and shared values.”

Here is the full schedule of the event:

FRIDAY 12 MAY

1. Neighbourhood Sounds

• The Juke
• 16 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7RZ
• 4 – 11:30 pm: Free entry (Donations Welcome)
• Local DJs come together to present an eclectic uplifting unity mix.

2. Family Storytelling Celebrating Community

• How Brave Is The Wren Bookshop
• 4 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7RZ
• 6 -7 pm: Free entry
• Professional storyteller Graham Langley brings together storytellers from diverse backgrounds for a family audience.

3. The Specials Ltd

• Hare & Hounds
• 106 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ
• 8 – 2 am: Main Room
• £15 adv MOTD
• Paying tribute to the 2-tone legends who combined punk, ska and reggae to create a unique image and an anti-racist ethos.

4. Friendly Fire Band & Friends

• Fletchers Bar
• 7 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA
• 9 – 1 am: Main Room
• Free Entry: Donations welcome
• South Birmingham’s very own reggae warriors come together in peace, love and unity to ‘chase the crazy ball heads out of town’.

SATURDAY 13 MAY

1. Blues Club Special

• Hare & Hounds
• 106 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ
• 3 – 7 pm: Back Room
• Free entry
• Steeped in the Blues and Jazz all his life, South Birmingham guitarist Steve Ajao bring together stellar musicians for a special Weekender event.

2. DJs United Against Racism

• Fletchers Bar
• 7 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA
• 9 – 1 am: Main Room
• Free Entry:
• Celebrating diversity and dropping hip-hop, soul, funk, disco and reggae mash-up dance beats against racism in a party vibe are DJs Deesh, Simon and Betti Forde with live percussion by Mahendra.

3. Birmingham United Sounds

• The Station
• 7 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7BB
• 2 - 9 pm: Outside garden, 9 - 2 am: Backroom.
• Entry with a donation to Kings Heath Food Bank (Food or Cash). A night of roots, reggae and dub featuring Jonnie Greaves alongside Dani Dub-Dub, Comrade T, and Robidon from Jam Jah Sounds.

SUNDAY 14 May

1. The Joe Masterton Trio with Tilley Clark

• The Station
• 7 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7BB
• 2 – 4 pm: Back Room
• Free Entry

2. Poetic Justice: Spokenwords Against Racism

• Kitchen Garden
• 17 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA
• 5 – 7 pm: Main Room
• Free Entry:
• An afternoon of inspiring spoken word and readings from some of Birmingham’s outspoken poets including Nafeesha Hamid, Kamil Mahmood and Sophina Jagot plus an open mic slot.

3. Musicians Against Racism

• Fletchers Bar
• 7 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA
• 7 – 11 pm: Main Room
• Free Entry:
• An array of singers and musicians come together to in an expression of unity including Banner Theatre, Basil Gabiddon (former Steel Pulse member) Dal from tablatronix plus many more.