Andy Munro listens to a new re-release from one of Birmingham's early trailblazers.

Monika aims to become international Face.

Richard Lutz rifles through his electronic life to find out who he is.

HD Brows add city centre to their list of academies.

Media and creative professionals from across the West Midlands helped put Birmingham on the map as the new Carnival Capital last week, at a special event organised by the Birmingham Publicity Association (BPA).

Peter Lowe, Managing Editor of Sky News, is to be chairman of the judging panel for this year’s Midlands Media Awards, shortlisted nominations for which will be announced on Monday, May 13.

The Birmingham Look Book – a go-to resource for journalists designed to raise the profile of Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull with national and international media

Rare and unseen British TV footage to be shown at anniversary event.

Birmingham Now TV launched online.

Richard Lutz survives a full assault of Jools Holland.

Richard Lutz plunders his archive to remember what happened last week.....

Live from Bed Stuy’s Restoration Plaza, we bring you a very special event with Buddha Monk and Mickey Hess, authors of a new biography of the Wu’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Occurring only blocks from Dirty’s childhood home, this conversation features not only the authors, but also special appearances from the Wu member’s family and friends. Buddha Monk was Dirty’s close friend since they were children, and had a front row seat to the artist’s rise and fall. His book, co-written with Rider professor Mickey Hess, is The Dirty Version: On Stage, In the Studio, and In the Streets With Ol’ Dirty Bastard, published by Harper Collins. You can buy it here.

If you like this episode, be sure to check out our recent article on the Wu for Radio.com

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/83/ for full show notes and comments.

Thirstin is a Brooklyn rapper who came on most rap fans’ radar during the underground hip-hop boom of the late 1990s. His comic songs like “I Still Live With My Moms” and “How Many Babee Muvas” caught the attention of listeners who liked their lyricism and tales of New York City street life with a side of humor.

But as much as for rap, Thirstin is also well-known for his long-running obsession with Polo. As a teenager, he played a key role in uniting two disparate Brooklyn crews into the Lo-Lifes, a group that would become notorious for both their boosting sprees and their fashion. Thirstin has a new book documenting the worldwide reach of the Lo-Lifes, called Bury Me With The Lo On.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/187/ for full show notes and comments.

Kalyn is a rapper and the leader of the eclectic Denver-based group Wheelchair Sports Camp, who have garnered critical acclaim for their music and their energetic live performances almost since their founding in 2009.

Wheelchair Sports Camp - named after a real camp that Kalyn, who has brittle bone disease and has been in a wheelchair her whole life - used to attend, is a group that pushes the boundaries in sound and subject matter. Most performances consist of Kalyn, drums, and trumpet, and their latest album No Big Deal explores everything from gentrification to the pressure artists put on themselves to important social issues.

In addition to being a great rapper, Kalyn is also an activist, and now a politician. She participated in a big protest against the repeal of the ACA that had her and other activists taking over a senator’s office. And now she’s running - or rather, as she puts it, rolling - for Mayor of Denver.

See http://theciphershow.com/episode/240/ 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.

Madin walking tour led by Alan Clawley Starting at Five Ways Station, 10.30 am, 22nd June 2013

How Welsh National Opera is helping city music students

A charity concert has raised £700 for the Edgbaston-based charity Ammalife.

Donors needed at Birmingham Donor Centre due to low stocks.

"Help us to help you get the treatment you need across Birmingham and Solihull."

Ari Shaffir, Comedian and Host Of Ari Shaffir's Skeptic Tank, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Onnit.com. Use Promo code CHURCH for a discount at checkout.

Hulu Plus. Visit Huluplus.com/joey for an extended free trial.

Dollar Shave Club. Use promo code CHURCH and get high quality razors sent to your door.

HITecigs.com For a better tasting, longer lasting e cig go to HITecigs.com. Use Promo code joeyschurch for a 20% discount

Ari Shaffir, Comedian, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

Buy Ari's new special, "Paid Regular" here for only $5: http://arishaffir.vhx.tv/

This podcast is brought to you by:

Onnit.com. Use Promo code CHURCH for a 10% discount at checkout.

Iron Dragon TV. A New Roku channel with all the best martial arts films. Use Code word joey for two free rentals.

HITecigs.com For a better tasting, longer lasting e cig go to HITecigs.com. Use Promo code joeyschurch for a 20% discount

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Matt Fulchiron, Comedian and Host of "The Full Charge Power Hour" joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio

This podcast is brought to you by:

Ari Shaffir, Comedian, and Host of the, "Skeptic Tank" podcast, Eddie Bravo, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu,join Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio with a call from Duncan Trussell, 'The Duncan Trussell Family Hour"

Ari Shaffir, Comedian and Host of, "This Is Not Happening" which airs on Comedy Central, Tuesdays at 12:30am, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt in studio.

Frank Mir, Two time UFC Heavyweight World Champion and host of the Phone Booth Fighting MMA podcast along with Richard Hunter, join Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio.

This podcast is brought to you by:

Kira Soltanovich, Comedian who's One Hour Special "You Did This To Me" that Kira shot 7 months pregnant premieres May 2nd on Amazon and other streaming platforms.

Ari Shaffir, Comedian whose double special "Double Negative" is available on Netflix, calls in to talk with Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt about his own mental health journey and to offer some advice to Lee and anyone who may be struggling with mental health issues. 

This podcast is brought to you by: 

Joey Diaz takes us through the most important moments in the first 10 years of his comedy career. The story begins in 1989: Joey was fresh out of prison and living in a halfway house. From there he takes us on a journey through both the good and bad choices that he made, and how they impacted his life. 

Vladimir Caamaño, a comedian and actor seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt live in studio!

Ari Shaffir, comedian and host of the, "Skeptic Tank" podcast, joins Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio. Check out Ari's double special, "Double Negative," on Netflix.

This podcast is brought to you by: 

Cameron Crowe's movie makes even more sense with deleted scene. Continue reading…

Partnership aims to build communities through sport.

Tournament said to be worth £32.1 million from international visitors, ticket sales and matchday spending.