This year we are delighted to welcome Iris Bertz giving a talk on the iconic and much loved Tower Ballroom.

Iris Bertz, who graduated with an MA in Fine Art from Wolverhampton School of Art, is founder and director of Bertz Associates. Having come to Birmingham in 2012, she fell in love with the city and became an accidental historian, inspired by Midlands Actors Theatre and Carl Chinn. She worked in schools and community projects for over 10 years, using creativity to improve learning and engagement.

In 2020 she founded Bertz Associates, an organisation that platforms emerging voices of diverse creatives in the city. Bertz Associates focuses on discovering untold histories and asking what heritage means to this young and superdiverse city today.

Projects include: Women Between the Lines, a series of women‘s history walks; Everything to Everybody, a reflection on the Civic Gospel; and Discovering Lisel Haas, exploring the archive of a German Jewish photographer.

Several projects have focused on the Tower Ballroom, a story which is the origin of Bertz’s love for this city, and which continues to drive a six-year (and counting!) love affair with its history. Come along and reminisce with Iris about this iconic Birmingham institution!

Doors open at 5pm for a 5.30pm start. Refreshments included.

Description supplied by the event organiser.