B:Music, the Birmingham music charity responsible for Symphony Hall and Town Hall, has launched its new August to October programme for 2023 which includes comedy, live music, dance and spoken word on its two world-famous stages.

The new season showcases an array of performances at Town Hall and Symphony Hall. From the talent of hundreds of teenage musicians in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britainto the stunning stage adaptation of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, August sees a varied and exciting programme. There is plenty of live music to choose from, with everything from the 169^th British Open Brass Band Championships to Panjabi MC, widely recognised as the greatest British-Asian music export ever, gracing the Symphony Hall stage in September, and October sees the return of James Martin with his brand-new live tour, as well as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert.

Dazzled by dance? Strictly Come Dancing legend and judge, Anton Du Beke, takes to the Symphony Hall stage with his show An Evening with Anton Du Beke and Friends (29 October). With his live band, guest singer Lance Ellington, and his dancers, audiences can expect a fab-u-lous evening of song, dance, and laughter. Anton will be performing some of his favourite songs and dances that have inspired his career.

Crazy for comedy? B:Music is providing the laughs this Autumn with a plethora of comedy A-listers to choose from. Stand-up stars including Simon Brodkin: Screwed Up (14 September), Kae Kurd: Kurd Immunity (22 September), Jason Byrne: The Ironic Bionic Man (8 October), Sophie McCartney: Tired and Tested (19 October), John Robins: Howl(28 October) and Jen Brister: The Optimist (30 October) will be taking to the Town Hall stage for the ultimate feelgood night out.

Love live music? Now in its third year, B:JazzFest will take place at Symphony Hall from Monday 7 to Friday 11 August. Following on from the success of the festival over the last two years, the week of music will showcase an array of genres and includes performances from international touring artists to rising stars. Confirmed acts for this year include Gabriella Liandu, Nishla Smith, and Olivia Murphy’s Jazz Orchestra. Expect rootsy, rock and jazz-tinged songs that reveal a deep love of music when actor and musician Damian Lewis brings his band to Town Hall as part of his first ever UK tour (15 September). Join Thomas Trotter on a musical journey in a concert that celebrates a remarkable 40th anniversary as Birmingham City Organist with a typically captivating programme at Symphony Hall in October. Awarded The Queen’s Medal for Music in 2020, he is among the world’s most celebrated organists and has elevated the tradition of the virtuoso organist to new heights (6 October). Continuing the anniversary theme, come and listen to the beautiful voices of the children of The National Children’s Choir of Great Britain, as the choir celebrates its 25th Anniversary at Town Hall (12 August). Experience the astoundingly epic music of cinema’s most spine-tingling moments performed live on the Symphony Hall stage by an orchestra and choir in Symphonic Universe, presented by BBC Radio 1’s Ali Plumb (1 October).

Looking for family fun? Bring the whole family to Town Hall in August to experience The Tiger Who Came to Tea (22-26 August). This delightful show is packed with oodles of magic, sing-along songs and clumsy chaos. Straight off the TV and onto the stage at Town Hall, Andy and the Odd Socks bring their brilliant madcap mix of songs, slapstick, and silliness to life with a show to entertain families of all ages (16 September). Or join Toscana Strings for The Wind in the Willows and Ferdinand the Bull (24 September) and encounter these two classic stories brought to life through music, dance, and a little help from the audience, in a performance which is perfect for all the family.

Looking to learn? B:Music is bringing some world-class speakers with plenty of stories to its stages. Following a sell-out tour in 2022, the Queen of History, Lucy Worsley, is heading back out on the road to share stories from the fascinating life of the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie (9 October). And Danny Robins, creator of the smash hit BBC Radio 4 paranormal podcasts Uncanny, The Battersea Poltergeist and The Witch Farm, and award-winning West End play 2:22 – A Ghost Story, will host the biggest investigation into the paranormal ever at Town Hall in Uncanny: I Know What I Saw (18 October).

For the brave, there’s even the Halloween Silent Movie Special: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (31 October). Starring the unforgettable Lon Chaney as the disfigured bell-ringer Quasimodo, this unique film will be accompanied by live improvisation on the Town Hall’s mighty Hill pipe organ by celebrated classic silent film organist Donald MacKenzie. It promises to be an enjoyable and exhilarating Halloween night out for all.

Other highlights of the Autumn 2023 season include the opening night of the first ever Loose Women Live tour (1 September), Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcastin front of a live audience at Town Hall (8 September), and a performance from beloved soul star Alexander O’Neal who performs at Town Hall as part of his Time to Say Goodbye: Farewell World Tour (21 September).