15th December, NIA

Blondie
The legendary band Blondie featuring one of rock’s ultimate icons Deborah Harry are coming to the UK for an extensive tour next year. Blondie return to The NIA Academy on Thursday 15 December 2005. Featuring the top line up of Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke. Blondie promise an unmissable set of classic hits along with new tracks guaranteed to blow the audience away!

20th - 21st December, NEC

UB40
The sensational UB40 return to The NEC Arena for two hometown gigs this December as part of their highly anticipated UK tour. After the phenomenal success of their 2003 tour and the album Homegrown, UB40 are promising to wow audiences again in 2005 with Birmingham concerts on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 December. With chart topping singles and albums under their belt, UB40 will be releasing their new album Who You Fighting For in June. See the legendary UB40 perform their classic hits as well as songs from their new album at their Birmingham concerts. UB40 are Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, James Brown, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Michael Virtue, Astro plus Martin Meredith and Laurence Parry.

22nd December, NIA

Bootleg Beatles
The Bootleg Beatles are making a welcome return to Birmingham on Thursday 22 December when their spectacular multi-media stage production revisits The NIA Academy. The band that first formed from the cast of the west-end stage musical Beatlemania have been celebrating 25 years on the long and winding road! During this time they have built up an awesome CV, which includes playing live with Oasis at Knebworth and Earls Court, supporting Rod Steward and Sir Elton John at Wembley Stadium and performing at the Glastonbury festival no less than 5 times.

6 January 2006, Symphony Hall

CBSO Friday Night Classics: Viennese New Year
As a past Leader of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Christian Gansch is well-placed to give Birmingham audiences an authentic Viennese evening. Relax and welcome in the New Year to the strains of much-loved waltzes,polkas and arias by members of the Strauss family and other Viennese composers.

22 - 25 January 2006, NEC

Collection 2006 (Trade)
Collection marks a unique opportunity for you to view inspirational and innovative concepts from hand picked British and International exhibitors. Created from the desire to co-present carefully selected modern pieces, Collection opens an exciting window of opportunity for buyers from both the retail and contract interiors markets. Collection is delivered with its own identity and styling, unique features, product placement opportunities, helpful advice for buyers and a host of other initiatives.

22 - 25 January 2006, NEC

Design Interiors 2006 (Trade)
Design Interiors is the UK's most prominent showcase for interior design dedicated to the best in high-end domestic and contract fabrics, cushions, throws, wall coverings, floor coverings, bespoke furniture and exclusive accessories.

22 - 25 January 2006, NEC

The Lighting Show 2006 (Trade)
The Lighting Show is the annual celebration of the UK's only trade event for the domestic and contract lighting market. Featuring the latest colours, themes and textures and presenting the very best mix of trends and styles you can be sure of the ultimate choice whatever your objectives.

31 January 2006, Symphony Hall

CBSO conducted by Olari Elts
Stephen Hough’s collaborations with the CBSO in recent years have delighted many packed Symphony Hall audiences and led to two Gramophone Record of the Year awards. This week he joins the Orchestra and Estonian conductor Olari Elts for Rachmaninov’s glittering Rhapsody, a perfect mixture of brilliant pianism and heart-on sleeve romance. Sibelius’ stirring Second Symphony is also a CBSO favourite and the concert begins with a Prokofiev rarity, the high-spirited overture that he wrote in 1936 at the time of his return to Stalin’s USSR.