SUMMER IN SOUTHSIDE Continues with Circus, Dance and Puppetry This Weekend

Following a hugely successful opening on Sat 3 Aug, this upcoming bank holiday weekend will see the streets of Birmingham's Southside district spring back to life in a kaleidoscope of circus, dance and puppetry with Summer in Southside, a free festival of outdoor performance for all the family.

Today 24 (1-7pm) and Sunday 25 (1-5pm) August families, friends and couples are invited to turn up in and around Southside for free workshops, performances and demonstrations. All activities are within 2 minutes walk from one another and whatever the arrival time audiences are guaranteed to see or be part of something out of the ordinary.

Summer in Southside will take place in the areas surrounding Birmingham Hippodrome including Hippodrome Square, Arcadian, Inge Street, and Hurst Street.

The weekend's events are set to include a return by popular demand of the incredible NoFit State Circus with a series of impromptu stunts and performances as well as your chance to run away and join the circus with a host of interactive workshops. A fully animated 20ft robot will dominate the streets in the captivating Iron Man by Graeae Theatre Company whilst The Black Eagles bring their stunning acrobatic skills to Birmingham direct from Tanzania. Midlands based dance group Motionhouse bring their highly-physical piece Captive set within the confines of a metal cage and Upswing present a stunning retelling of grim and glorious fairytales using a mix of circus skills and dance in Red Shoes. Other highlights include a magical 1920's Shanghai Tea House from Rosa Parkin and the Chinese Jitterbug girls plus a range of family friendly Arts and Crafts Workshops throughout the day.

More information and listings can be found at www.summerinsouthside.com.

Paul Kaynes, Director of Creative Programmes at Birmingham Hippodrome said "The opening of Summer in Southside on Sat 3 Aug was a resounding success welcoming over three thousand people to the streets of Southside to enjoy some incredible free events. This bank holiday weekend we will host over forty performers over two days and we look forward to welcoming those who are shopping, eating or theatre going to enjoy some of the best outdoor theatre in the country."

During Summer in Southside road closures will be in place on Inge Street and from the top of Hurst Street next to Birmingham Hippodrome down to Tescos.

Patrons are advised to follow @brumhippodrome on Twitter for regular weather and performance updates. #BHoutdoors.

Whilst the festivities play on during Summer in Southside, the theatre is also bringing free performances and workshops to a range of people and community groups. Birmingham Hippodrome and world-class theatre company Graeae will be working with Telford Library and 30 deaf children at Sandwell and Dudley Deaf Community Centre to create accessible arts and storytelling workshops for families. Library Ambassadors from Telford and Sandwell and Dudley Deaf Community centre will also be hosting cultural family outings in Southside.

As a development of the thriving Chinese New Year celebrations produced by Birmingham Hippodrome over the past few years, the theatre has been working with local contacts, translation agencies and Chinatown businesses to create specific posters aimed at Chinese speaking families.

5 young ambassadors have also been engaged to promote the Summer in Southside events to their friends and family, they will be making a film of their experience during the events.

Saturday 24 August 1pm-7pm Sunday 25 August 1pm-5pm - August Bank Holiday NOFIT STATE CIRCUS Open House Back by popular demand Nofit State Circus explode from their caravans for a series of circus taster workshops, impromptu stunts and professional circus performances. All ages are invited to run away with the circus for a few hours and train alongside Nofit State's professional performers or simply sit back and watch as the spectacle unfolds. CLICK HERE for more information. THE IRON MAN Graeae A captivating show that kids and adults adore with puppetry, signing, storytelling and live music based on TEd Hughes' lovely book. A fully animated 20 ft iron giant tells a compelling story against the backdrop of Southside's urban skyline. CLICK HERE for more information. 1920'S MAGIC SHANGHAI TEA HOUSE Rosa Parkin and the Chinese Jitterbug girls Mixing ancient Chinese magic, the Charleston and a cup of tea, this is a pit stop to remember!CLICK HERE for more information. THE BLACK EAGLES Amazing Acrobatics Originally from Tanzania, East Africa, this dynamic acrobatic trio learnt their skills on the streets of Dar-es-Salaam. CLICK HERE for more information. RED SHOES Upswing Inspired by grim and glorious fairytales, using dance, Chinese pole and other circus techniques, dancers journey through a forest where strange people live and strange things happen! CLICK HERE for more information. CAPTIVE Motionhouse Emotional and highly-physical dance and aerial work, inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke's poem, The Panther. Four dancers are confined within a steel cage, their world is turned upside down as they fight for survival. CLICK HERE for more information. ARTS AND CRAFTS WORKSHOPS Join us for a range of family friendly arts and crafts. Just added... ARCADIAN SUMMER GARDEN Come and make a flower and transform the garden for our special guests... acts include the Shanghai Tea Shop and the Jitterbug Squad, Rock a Hula, Mr Wilson Second Liners roaming band, Tea Club and the Roaming Pot Heads. TEA CLUB Axial Dance Trixie and Tilly are two eccentric tea ladies, who serve their fine leaf drink from their special musical trolley- dancing to their favourite Gramophone records, they swirl and stir along their way.