UK: Birmingham serviced apartment operator Staying Cool at the Rotunda is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a programme of cultural events.
Called Creative Heights, the programme will feature music, art, food, performance and cinema experiences at the property’s penthouse apartment.
Tracey Stephenson, Staying Cool‘s managing director, said: “We like to be both creative and innovative, plus we’re a big supporter of the cultural industries locally, so bringing Birmingham’s talent to the top of our iconic skyscraper made perfect sense.”
The first event takes place on 24th May with the creation of an original piece of art by Birmingham artist Amrit Singh. He will use one of the huge penthouse windows as his canvas to capture the cultural vibrancy of the city. He’ll also broadcast a time-lapse video, so that people all over the world will be able to see how his artwork is created from the first stroke of the brush to the last.
The second event is a culinary treat from chef Alex Claridge. Ten competition winners will enjoy one of his menus against the backdrop of the cityscape on one of the longest nights of the year on 21st June. The competition launches on 24th May.
Then on 2nd August, Birmingham’s independent Electric cinema will transform the 20th-floor penthouse into an exclusive venue for a screening of past guest director Ben Wheatley’s cult movie High Rise, starring Tom Hiddleston. The pop-up cinema will also be a highlight of the Electric’s annual Shock and Gore festival.
Seven more penthouse events will take place later in the year, including Songs in the Sky with Songwall, showcasing local musical talent, an event in partnership with Reuben Colley Fine Art and a kitsch Columbo-themed evening with Jenny Hammerton, author of Cooking with Columbo, where guests will enjoy food and drink loved by the famous TV sleuth aka actor Peter Falk.
Gavin Burns, Rotunda general manager, said: “Hosting these events in one of our penthouses is a great way to challenge expectations and give our guests and visitors the most exciting and distinctive experience in Birmingham. We can’t wait to bring guests together with local Brummie talent: there’s such a lot of it.”
Tickets for the public events at Rotunda will be available through Eventbrite. To register your interest please go to stayingcool.com/tenth.
