The Drum (Arts Centre)
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The Drum (grid reference SP072890) is an arts centre in the Newtown area of Aston, in Birmingham, England, established as the United Kingdom's national centre for Black British and British Asian arts. Activities include music, drama, spoken word, visual arts, comedy and dance.
[edit] History
The Drum occupies the site of the former Aston Hippodrome, which was a major variety theatre between 1908 and 1960. The building was demolished in 1980, but in 1991 Birmingham City Council set up a project to re-launch a cultural facility on the site to specifically reflect the highly diverse culture of the surrounding area. The Drum started hosting events in 1994 and was fully opened in 1998.
[edit] Facilities
The Drum has two auditoria - the 250 seat main auditorium and the 120 seat Andy Hamilton Studio - along with an art gallery, an exhibition space, a cafe-bar and a multimedia production suite.