Birmingham – which was one of the cities to bid for Eurovision – will be holding a free party to celebrate Eurovision in Birmingham’s Centenary Square from 3.30pm on Saturday, May 13 ahead of a live-screening of the Eurovision Grand Final from 8pm.
With a month to go before the grand finale of the Eurovision Song Contest, an exciting programme of free live performances and activities has been announced by Birmingham City Council.
Councillor Jayne Francis, Cabinet Member for Digital, Heritage, Culture and Tourism at Birmingham City Council, said: “We are so excited to be hosting one of the UK’s official Eurovision Fan Zones, with some fantastic local and Ukrainian talent and lots of fun for all ages in the build up to the Grand Final in Centenary Square on 13 May.
“Following our bid to host this year’s Eurovision in Birmingham, we see this as a real opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian culture and community – so we are throwing this party on Ukraine’s behalf.”
Ahead of the Grand Final, there will be a family-friendly programme of live music, dance and performance. The event will be hosted by Birmingham-based drag performer Fatt Butcher, alongside Ginny Lemon – star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season two.
The event will be launched with a special Eastern European folk dance and Ukrainian music presented by Centrala, an internationally-recognised centre for Central and Eastern European Art and Artists, based in Birmingham.
As well as watching beautiful performances, you’ll get the chance to make music together too. Take part in a workshop with Musical Kitchen, led by Iryna Muha – a Ukrainian-born singer, musical artist and band leader with musicians from Creane Creatives.
Headlining the live programme with two shows will be Massaoke – the all singing all dancing sequin-clad live band who play hairbrush anthems from across the decades.
Big Fish Little Fish will be bringing the rave to the family massive with a specially curated set jam-packed with dance and Eurovision fan favourites. Families of all ages can let loose on a dance floor filled with bubbles, snow foam, wing dancers, confetti cannons and a giant parachute dance finale.
Blending heaps of energy with classical aerobic dance moves set to a a heavy drum ‘n bass soundtrack, Drum N Bounce will lead a fast-paced inclusive dance fitness session to get you dancing and smiling.
Bounce your way through Europop, bass-line classics and mixes by Kyiv-based Ukrainian DJ Vlad Yaremchuk from Ukrainian Association of Music Events – and raise funds for Music Saves UA, which is a non-profit fundraising initiative providing humanitarian help to those who need it most right now in Ukraine.
What’s more, BBC Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills’ curated Eurovision Classics will be on the big screen bringing party vibes and a chance to watch fan favourite Eurovision hits from past and present.
As well as entertainment, visitors will also be able to enjoy great food and drink from a variety of street food vendors, or are welcome to bring their own picnic. The Birmingham Eurovision Fan Zone will be live from 3.30pm ahead of the Liverpool finals being broadcast at 8pm on Saturday May 13.
Ginny Lemon, host of the upcoming event, said: “I am delighted and so so excited to be hosting this event as a massive Eurovision fan, Ukrainian music enthusiast and queen of the West Midlands.
“I feel like I have a won the lottery and feel very honoured to celebrate Eurovision 2023 in Birmingham to show our support to Ukraine and Liverpool! Please come along and let’s have the best Eurovision party ever, all together!”