The Vox Centre, Resorts World Birmingham

I enjoyed a visit to Resorts World a few weeks ago. Wearing a hard hat, hi-vi jacket and capped boots, sartorial protection did not stop me feeling inappropriately dressed in the elegant surroundings of this stunning venue.

The only inaccessible part was The Vox Centre, the conference facility at Resorts World Birmingham. It is managed by The ICC Birmingham. This was unfortunate as there was a booking in my diary for one of the first events there. It always helps to visit a venue ahead of a shoot.

Three weeks later, I returned to The Vox Centre in black tie rather than hi-vi.

The event was a fundraiser organised by East End Foods in aid of Macmillan Cancer. And a remarkable beginning to what will be a very busy diary for The Vox Centre. There’s always a buzz at a new venue and Greater Birmingham has been buzzing since Super September gave way to Awesome October.

Guests were welcomed to The Vox Centre with a champagne reception overlooking the lake. The charity evening offered an exclusive preview of Resorts World Birmingham which opens officially 10am on Wednesday 21st October 2015.

The Vox Centre has flexible spacing which can be sectioned off for meetings for 60-100 people or completely opened to host 900 guests. This was the format for the East End Foods fundraiser.

In order to experience as much of Resorts World Birmingham as possible, consider booking into The Genting Hotel. Cineworld at Resorts World Birmingham has to be the place to watch the latest 007 movie, Spectre which is released on 26th October. Have a Dirty Martini afterwards as Bond does (shockingly) in the film. Take in the lakeside view and try in vain to resist the thought, you’re starring in your own 007 adventure.

Enjoy the images.

Jas Sansi is a freelance photographer based in Greater Birmingham 07930 837 505 @jassansi

thevoxcentre.co.uk

Super Blood Moon

Nature always puts on a spectacular show.

It reminds me of the importance of looking after the planet we inherited and will one day, pass on.

For just under an hour tonight, the moon went from scarred ivory to  blood red. I’ve only ever seen a red moon on Star Wars so made sure I set my alarm clock for 2am to photograph it.

Weather conditions were perfect. It wasn’t particularly cold and the stars were out. Cities are not the best place to observe the sky at night. Street lighting compromises the darkness necessary to witness astronomical moments like these.

Birmingham hosted a packed Arts weekend to mark the opening of Birmingham New Street Station. Super September, as this month is being affectionately labeled was joined by a Super Blood Moon.

The Labour Party open their annual conference in Brighton today. A red moon may suggest the Gods appear to approve of the new leader. He’ll need a few more miracles to secure 2020 and keep George Osborne out of Number 10. Did I say George? I meant Dave.

Enjoy the pictures.

Jas Sansi is a freelance photographer based in Greater Birmingham @jassansi 07930 837 505

Maudits Sonnants #BhamWE

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, well North London, I went to University. My first experience was the freshers fair, a hall set up where you can join societies. The room offered a wide spectrum that included the Rowing Society, the Politics Society and the Sikh Society (I joined this one at birth).

I saw three tall blokes at a table, assuming they were the Basketball Society went across to offer my six foot six frame to the team. As I approached, they gestured me across with their hands. It was then I noticed one had a black eye, one a missing tooth and the other a cauliflower ear, sort of bruised and battered and not anything you’d want your ear to resemble.

They were not the Basketball Society, they were the Rugby Society, a group of young men who in between playing Rugby and drinking, occasionally attended class. Up until this moment, I had never played Rugby and they may have mistaken my frame as someone who was capable of playing the game. It wasn’t.

What struck me was their appearance. And this was before the season had started. I made a mental calculation; if this was how they looked in early Autumn, what on earth would they resemble mid term after half a dozen matches? My feet are quicker than my brain and I had reached the table by this point. The boys were handing me a clip board to sign up. One of them mentioned my height. I can’t remember what he said, it’s difficult to talk with a bruised lip. Like a tabloid sting investigating a brothel, I made a few casual enquiries, made my excuses and left.

The Rugby World Cup 2015 is being held in the UK and the circus rolls into Birmingham today. Villa Park host two matches making Brum the only city to offer more than one game over a single weekend.

I drove past the fan zone at Millennium Point yesterday and it looks awesome. I have to confess, I don’t know anything about the game. I watched a match once with my nephews who adore Rugby. I tried to understand it but all I could see were big blokes running down a pitch with an odd shaped ball. Everything they did to each other would have been an immediate red card in football. They were respectful to the referee and there were two huge H shaped goals at either end, neither of which had a net or a goalie. It wasn’t just the ball that was odd.

Both Rugby matches are being shown on a large screen at Millennium Point, its part of Birmingham Weekender which continues today and tomorrow. I was in Centenary Square last night with my wife to see Maudits Sonnants. It was spectacular. I wanted to go after reading the description ‘An orchestra suspended 60 meters above the crowd like a human chandalier.’ You get to a certain age where you’ve been there, done it and bought the tee shirt. This is unlike anything I’d ever seen and was drawn to the event like a moth to a flare. They repeat the spectacle tonight at 7:30pm. This is highly recommended.

I photographed some of the performance last night. Enjoy the pictures.

Jas Sansi is a freelance photographer based in Greater Birmingham @jassansi 07930 837 505

Trials, Tribulations and Tristram

Gisela Stuart MP and Tristram Hunt MP

Edgbaston Stadium staged a mock trial earlier this week. Barristers from No 5 Chambers enacted a personal injury trial. This for the benefit of risk assessors who were given insight into cross examination and the questions raised when determining fault.

Shadow Secretary for Education, Tristram Hunt MP ended the week at the same venue speaking at a Labour Finance & Industry Group dinner. In a room peppered with members of the education community, it didn’t feel far removed from being a mock trial of the Stoke on Trent MP. Come May 2015, is this man capable of leading The Department for Education?

David Lock QC welcomed attendees to the fundraiser and introduced Gisela Stuart. The MP for Edgbaston spoke about the importance of Tristram Hunt’s department, explaining education is central in a city like Birmingham where 40% of its citizens are under the age of 25. Opening statements over, the defendant entered the witness box.

Tristram Hunt spelt out three priorities for Labour’s approach to Education, adding ‘if we are lucky enough to assume power next May.’ No objections raised there.

1. The first is affordable child care for working families, increasing the number of free childcare hours from 15 to 25 hours for 3-4 year olds “making a very real difference to the cost of living pressures.” With that comes a statutory 8am to 6pm wrap around service incorporating breakfast and after school clubs.

2. Focusing on what Ed Miliband calls the forgotten 50%, namely those not pursuing the university pathway, opting for a technical or vocational alternative. This incorporates an effective apprenticeship system, focusing on further education colleges, ensuring young people are ready for the world of work and new plans for a 14-19 curriculum with a national baccalaureate.

Tristram Hunt expanded on this by speaking of a commitment to rebuilding Careers Advice securing the right outcome for young people. Social justice for those young people without the networks and contacts for internships.

3. There is a growing appreciation of some of the limitations of an exam factory approach to schools. “We know that what we want our young people to come out of school with is a sense of character. This is an attribute employers want.”

Tristram Hunt closed by saying “These values will tackle youth unemployment and earn our way out of the cost of living crisis. We need the supply of skilled, resourceful, educated and motivated young people. That is what Labour in power is committed to delivering.”

Asked whether there was an appetite within the Labour Party to reinstate the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) program, the Shadow Secretary explained there was a need for 250,000 new school places, adding “a Labour Government would build schools in the future without reinstating the BSF as it was under Tony Blair.”

The priority may be content rather than bricks and mortar. Tristram Hunt set out earlier “…we know that students from disadvantaged backgrounds suffer exponentially from poor teaching in the classroom. Because they do not have the backup at home, because they do not have support structures, it is even more essential they have great teaching in the classroom.”

Tristram Hunt didn’t break a sweat under cross examination. The Jury will return a verdict in the May 2015 General Election. Will Labour, under the leadership of Ed Miliband receive a five year sentence? Who am I to judge?

Jas Sansi is a freelance photographer based in Birmingham. Follow on Twitter @jassansi