The for-Wards launch party went off with a bang at the Rainbow Rooftop on Thursday 15th September. for-Wards is an ambitious two-year, city-wide, music project creating original musical compositions inspired by Birmingham’s 40 wards.
I am part of the core team, which consists of Bobbie Jane Gardner (Creative Director), Janette Bushell (Project Producer) and myself (Marketing Manager).
After months of behind-the-scenes work, this audacious project has now officially launched, commissioning 10 composers and 30 musicians to collaborate with communities across Birmingham. Using a unique approach, musicians and local people will work together to create a suite of 10 new musical pieces culminating in live performances. The first 5 composers are Pram, Juice Aleem, Godflesh’s Justin Broadrick, Percy Pursglove and Bobbie-Jane Gardner.
The Launch
The launch featured live performances from the incredible Juice Aleem and Two Dogs (Pram), plus Lucky Dip DJ, interactive for-Wards musical map, speeches and much more.
What was extra special about the launch was the amazing mix of people who attended and showed their support for the project and the support that we had in putting it together on a next-to-nothing budget.
The amazing Carribbean food was provided by PST, rum punch provided by The Night Owl, amplification provided by Laney – everyone pitched in to make this launch party the best. The staff at the Rainbow Venues went out of their way to help us on the day with set up and I highly recommend this beautiful space for both corporate and creative events. The city’s skyline view is truly a beauty to behold.
Organising the event over the summer proved to be a tough task with everyone either on holiday or not fully in work mode, and we were a little nervous when we heard there were several other music or arts related events on the same day. Luckily enough people were interested enough in this fantastic project to make for a busy and highly enjoyable private launch event.
The new for-Wards website is now live, why not have a look here to find out more about this wonderful Birmingham based music project which has now begun.
The Pledge
The for-Wards pledge campaign is currently on 25% of our goal of £5,000 which is to be used for funding local performances and more.
If you have already pledged, thank you so much! Can you now forward to 5 of your friends or associates who believe in Brum just like you?
If you haven’t yet pledged, please take a look at our page and some of the amazing things on offer such as tote bags, prints of our beautifully hand-drawn map & more, right here
Mazzy Snape - Creative PR, Journalism & Events 
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