I write about Birmingham and these are the most ‘Brummie’ experiences you can have

I was walking across the bridge between the ICC and Brindleyplace earlier this week, the setting sun giving way to twinkling lights over the canal, and a thought struck me: “I can’t believe how lucky I am to live in my favorite city.”

I have many moments like this when I’m experiencing this brilliant place and I’m suddenly removed from the Brummie feel. As someone who spends every day writing about food, drink and culture here, searching for them has become a bit of an obsession.

So I thought I’d tell you about five of my favorite, truly Brummie moments to give you some ideas of things to do if you want to connect with our home. Maybe you were born and bred here, or maybe, like me, you’re an adopted Brummie?

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Either way, I’d be absolutely delighted if you got in touch to tell me all about the most Brummie thing you can think of. Keep it easy, okay? This is an optimistic space – I’m at [email protected].

1. Going to the market

And I don’t mean just any market. While the Rag Market is ace in theory, it never seems to me that Birmingham City Council is doing all they can to make these spaces as good as they can be for independent traders. Elsewhere in the city, we see small markets emerging and flourishing.

Birmingham Craft Markets are my favorite and I never have a bad time at them. From meeting in the jewelery quarter to the market on a historic village green and one of Birmingham’s coolest streets, I love them all.

Not only does it give you the opportunity to read and buy items from local makers, but you can chat with those makers to learn more about their processes, intentions and ambitions. They don’t let just anyone access them, you can’t show up with some eBay junk bought in bulk to mass distribute, you have to meet criteria to be involved.

What this means is that you have local creators, artists and artisans supporting your neighbors and putting together brilliant food, gifts and creations that feel special. Special and very, very Brummie.

2. Visiting the Old Rep Theater (and wandering the back streets!)

I recently went to The Old Rep Theater to watch some talented young actors from Birmingham’s Stage And Screen Academy perform a show they’ve worked so hard to put together. From nothing!

It was so inspiring and a testament to how promising the arts are in our city. Especially if it is fed.

In the historic theater, a neighbor of the endangered Electric Cinema and old Black Sabbath boozer The Crown, I drank a bottle of house beer, admired the history of the space and reaffirmed to me how important it is. is that we don’t just nurture new talent, we value the history and heritage buildings that give them space to exist.

And then, when did I leave? I slipped past the old buildings, the once 24-hour Majestic Snooker Club, Adult World (insert side-eye emoji here) and our beautiful precious Electric. What a good Brummie street.

3. Standing by the Centennial Square Fountains

I don’t think there was a single time in my life when I walked by the Centennial Square Fountains and didn’t feel happy. Even when they are not on…

As they throw water into the air, small children pass between them, laughing and babbling in the sunlight. Now they’re gone, much older kids flock to the fountains, rollerblades in hand, and turn the whole area into an ice rink!

While some sit sipping pop and eating takeout with music playing through the speakers, others fly around the fountains at incredible speeds. Back, front, together and alone, it’s so much fun to watch.

Forget any preconceived notions you may have about the great gathering of young people. This doesn’t mean mindlessly scrolling through TikTok or causing trouble in parks. It’s self-expression, en masse. Just awesome and so, so Brummie.

4. Hearing the Birmingham City Symphony Orchestra

I can’t believe how lucky we are to have the Birmingham City Symphony Orchestra. They are some of the best and most accomplished musicians in the entire world and they are ours!

When they’re not playing the Brummies in the purpose-built Symphony Hall, they’re traveling the world representing our city in incredible venues, the biggest venues on planet Earth. Our flag is flying!

And it’s not just any old GCSE music lesson music that’s boring into your head. These guys have fun performing music from movies, television, video games and more, as well as classical music.

Music is always very emotional for me. But hearing the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra perform in our hall? Does knowing the price of the ticket facilitate their ability to spread joy through music in schools, hospitals and more in their work outside of performing?

That invokes a deeper emotion. The best in Brum!

5. Visiting the Hall of Memory

I visited it for the first time this year and was more impressed than I expected. It is not open all the time, allowing visitors to enter only on memorial days and special occasions.

This city-bought space was created by Brummies, for Brummies. All.

The Hall of Remembrance, listing the names of those who fought for us during the two world wars, is special. Brummies donated their money to build it () and Brummie artists used their skills to create a beautiful, emotional, peaceful and respectful place. Where we could go, stop and remember.

We have several such spaces around the city, among them the cathedral. But this little place just feels different. It is special.