Olympians Geraint Thomas and Steven Burke attended the Black Country University Technical College’s ‘Accelerate Live’ event last weekend, inspiring students to learn about science and engineering.

Wrestling is being dropped from The Olympics. Richard Lutz remembers his high school career

Suspect hands himself in to police.

Arts centre commended for excellence and innovation in digital accessibility for all.

West Midlands Police football unit signs up for Great Birmingham Run.

Initiative follows upsurge in violent incidents.

Police watchdog to probe botched slavery investigation on Chinese restaurants.

World record football freestyle expert to visit Solihull.

Name change reflects wide range of events for 2019.

Top attractions coming to Warwickshire.

Exhibition aims to show Birmingham at its best.

Imagine a 30 foot high Ariel towering above Propero - that’s what you get in this groundbreaking performance, says Richard Lutz

To celebrate fifty episodes of Outside the Lines With Rap Genius, we’re bringing you a very special best-of show. Hear the most fascinating moments of our first fifty episodes. Guests include Nas, RZA, Saul Williams, Big Daddy Kane, Jean Grae, Ron Isley, and TONS more!

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/50/ for full show notes and comments.

From Broadway stars to legendary DJs to the best of the battle rappers, OTL has hosted a spectrum of voices — each with an individual story to tell. This episode takes us through the very best of OTL — its highs and lows, its most memorable soundbites, and its most resounding voices. Join us as we take you through Part 1 of OTL’s best.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/74/ for full show notes and comments.

From Broadway stars to legendary DJs to the best of the battle rappers, OTL has hosted a spectrum of voices — each with an individual story to tell. This episode takes us through the very best of OTL — its highs and lows, its most memorable soundbites, and its most resounding voices. Join us as we take you through Part 2 of OTL’s best.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/75/ for full show notes and comments.

Ben Westhoff is an award-winning journalist and hip-hop contributor who has worked for almost every major media outlet: the Guardian, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Vice, NPR, L.A. Weekly, the Wall Street Journal, and more. He wrote the 2011 book Dirty South: OutKast, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, and the Southern Rappers Who Reinvented Hip-Hop.

But none of that is why we wanted to talk to him. Westhoff’s new book is Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap. As the title implies, it tells the whole story of rap in Los Angeles and beyond, from the birth of the scene in the 1980s through the tragic deaths of Tupac, Biggie, and Eazy-E over a decade later. The book is fascinating and exhaustive, with tons of never-before-reported information about the lives and careers of the scene’s key players.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/177/ for full show notes and comments.

Ernest Dickerson is a director, cinematographer, and writer who has played a key role in some of the best and most important film and television of the past four decades. He got his start in the mid-1980s as the cinematographer on movies by his NYU film school pal Spike Lee. Ernest show every one of Spike’s movies up through 1992’s Malcolm X—a historic run that included She’s Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing, and Jungle Fever, just to name a few.

Ernest struck out on his own with a hip-hop cinema classic, 1992’s Juice. The film, about four Harlem teenagers who slowly get dragged into a perilous situation, featured Tupac Shakur in his first starring film role—and also had cameos from hip-hop figures of the time like Treach, Queen Latifah, Red Alert, and Yo! MTV Raps hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover, and Doctor Dre. A 25th anniversary edition of the movie, with tons of never-before-seen extras including an alternate ending, is available now.

But that’s not nearly all of Ernest Dickerson’s story. He has directed other great films like Surviving the Game, Demon Knight, and the Snoop Dogg-starring Bones. And he has helmed notable episodes of great TV series like The Wire and The Walking Dead. His latest project, out now on the festival circuit, is Double Play.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/205/ for full show notes and comments.

The University of Birmingham is set to host its first Arts & Science Festival to showcase the wealth of ideas, research and collaboration across its campus.

This is the first time that Testicle Testaments and a live Church Of What's Happening Now podcast have ever been combined into one show. Joey opens up with a story about the choices you make in life and then we finish up with a live Church.

Recorded live on 4/29/15

Esther Ku, Comedian and Host of the "Ku and The Gang" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

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Esther Ku, Comedian and Host of the "Ku and The Gang" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Zeel - Get the best massage of your life, in your home. Get $25 off of your first massage when you go to Zeel.com/church or use promo code church on the zeel app. 

Sarah Tiana, comedian and writer seen on @midnight and Reno 911, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio...twice.

Ian Bell to host an evening at The Ivy Temple Row.

Aim is to make festival accessible to all.

The body, which has not yet been identified, was discovered around 8am yesterday (Thursday 4) in the Birmingham & Fazeley canal near Tyburn Road junction with Wheelwright Road, Erdington.

Liam Byrne launches radical women’s manifesto to tackle "pervasive inequality".

Anonymous disposal helping reduce knife crime.

Charity offers £10,000 to find those responsible for kidnap, torture and murder of Birmingham man.

New addition brings further diversity to destination's range.

Flatpack Projects brings free family screenings and craft workshops to the Mailbox.

Indico Street Kitchen announces Mailbox opening date.

A £200,000 investment drive has seen a Warwick-based PCB assembly specialist secure its best ever year, with sales up 35% and five new jobs created.

A two week celebration of theatre will highlight the best of West Midlands’ creativity this March.

Birmingham voted best regional business tourism destination.

Display inspired by Glastonbury anniversary.

Book signing at signature restaurant to launch new publication.

New York Sounds: Dizzy's Club And The Iridium

The area's culture celebrated over eleven days.

Fire fighters from Highgate, Kings Norton, Ladywood and Northfield fire stations are taking on a job like no other

How Birmingham's 'golden mile' is being looked after during COVID-19.

Fashion industry the focal point of new action.

Extinction Rebellion Youth to host 'die-in' at Primark and HSBC New Street.

Richard Lutz takes his pew for a classic performance at Symphony Hall.

Get set for the best in dance and performance.

Award-winning singer joins stellar line up for 2020 Fest.

Waterboys, Richard Hawley, The Wonder Stuff and many more to mark anniversary.

A musical rainbow in the Cotswolds.

The West Midlands’ relationship with China is set to receive a further boost following the landmark agreement between Coventry University and SAIC.