The network produces ten tours per year plus an associated programme of Learning and Participation work.

Black Routes is a partnership between five organisations – Africa Oyé (Liverpool), Centre for Music & Arts Technology – CMAT (Birmingham), Joyful Noise (London), Punch (Birmingham) and Serious (London), funded by Arts Council England.

For more information on the Black Routes check out the dedicated website by clicking here.

The topic for the seminar was Is Black Music Dead? and speakers included representatives from West Midlands Police, promoters, artists and businesses.

Today though there is a whole host of exciting and cutting edge organisations producing fantastic creative work – from visual arts exhibitions right through to rock music nights.

The creative organisations and artists who are based in Eastside (including us) have teamed up to showcase the exciting identity of the area,  to ensure that both residents and visitors  are aware of the activities going on in and around Digbeth and the surrounding area.

Here’s a snapshot of the introduction to the new website:

We Are Eastside – Birmingham’s Creative Playground

Underneath Eastside’s arches you’ll find a whole host of organisations making and presenting film, music, visual arts, digital media, craft, literature, and photography – and some great pubs and cafes too. We Are Eastside is a guide to some of these hidden treasures.

The website is well worth a look so head over to it by clicking here.

In addition Smash Bro’z lead artist Kashmir won first place in the solo freestyle and the group also won the freedom of expression award. They received the highest artistic scores of any crew in the competition. Massive congrats from everyone at Punch.

Smash Bro’z will also be performing  at this year’s BASS Festival in June.  Mean while keep updated with Smash Bro’z by checking out their blog, click here. 

Below is a video footage of Smash Bro’z performing at the Championships.

Bobby joins grime MC Ghetts and lifestyle and music blogger Amelia Ideh on our panel which will discuss the importance of online promotion for musicians.

Attending the seminars is free but you must book a place. There are limited places so attending will be on a first come first served basis.

For more information on the Tuned On seminars click here.

Ghetts is hailed as one of the primer Grime MC’s and his hotly anticipated new album will be out in Summer 2010.

Ghetts joins the panel to talk about how important digital image and promotion is to artists and musicians.

Places for the seminar are free but you need to register to attend and places are limited, click here for all the details.

Below is the new video from Ghetts:

FAITH47 was one of the key artists we worked with during BASS 2008.

See the blog article and watch the video by clicking here.