Express & Star

Celebrities set to gather for virtual event in Birmingham to raise funds for NHS

Celebrities are set to come together to put on Birmingham's biggest virtual show next week to raise money for the NHS.

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Brum’s Big Black Tie Bash will take place on April 12.

Brum's Big Black Tie Bash will feature performances from the city's leading chefs – along with other stars – for a three-hour show.

The event will feature Christopher Biggins, Jaki Graham, Shazia Mirza and the Black Country's Doreen Tipton among 100 others performers.

It will be hosted by Phil Oldershaw and will take place on April 12 with funds raised for the health service, as well as musicians in the area.

Cook-a-longs with Michelin star chefs Glynn Purnell and Aktar Islam, as well as Great British Menu star Alex Claridge, will also take place.

Husband and wife duo Ben and Chloe Grey, who created Brum's Big Black Tie Bash, said: "We’re all living through a pretty crazy time at the moment and it’s hard on everyone, for different reasons.

"We wanted to do something that brought a little light relief to people’s lives; three hours to sit back and enjoy some incredible performances, alongside food and drink demos, but in a way that we can all feel like we’re together again.

"Being a virtual show gives us loads of flexibility in terms of both live and pre-recorded performances, and it means that we can really push people to get on social media and share their evening with friends, family and fellow viewers.

"It’s also a chance for us performers to get back out there; it’s set to be a very quiet, and somewhat challenging, few months with no revenue coming in. By charging a nominal amount for “tickets” we can help performers, who love to entertain people, earn a bit of money. Plus, we’re also donating some of the sales direct to the real heroes of Covid-19 – the NHS."

The show will boast a mixture of live-streamed and pre-recorded performances – including from The Greatest Showman, along with snake charming, contortionists and trapeze artists.

Brum's Big Black Tie Bash will stream on Facebook through a private link, accessed after tickets have been purchased.

Priced at £15 per household, people can get tickets through Eventbrite and Design My Night, or by visiting the event page on Facebook.

Phil Oldershaw, who is hosting the event, said: "Just because we’re in lockdown and can’t paint the town red, doesn’t mean we have to let our glad-rags gather dust.

"We’ve opened our ‘little black book’ and called on our friends across Brum and beyond to help us put on one fun and extravagant house party.

"I hope everyone joins us for an evening of much-needed entertainment that will also help some great causes."

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