Blast

Say cheese!

Aloha! I'm Maneek and I will be taking up the role of BBC Birmingham Blast Arts Reporter for 2007. Over the summer I'll be filling you all in on the best dance, music, theatre and visual arts events in Birmingham.

I'm 18 and I love to dance. I'm a British born Asian and I enjoy both cultures but I can't cook traditional Asian food to save my life.

I've just completed my two years at Stourbridge College at which I studied dance, performance studies and then the random subject, sociology. I am now looking forward to three party packed years (and some studying of course) at London Metropolitan University to study performing arts.

Ouch, thats got to hurt!!!

Mickeying around!

I have a number of nicknames including Mick or Micksey because I had big ears when I was a kid and my aunty will never let me forget it. I'm also known as Neek, Monique, Maneekio, unique Maneek and Ma-knee-cap (don't ask!)

I like travelling as I have family in Canada, America and India. Vancouver and Egypt have been favourites so far but I would love to visit Brazil at least once in my lifetime.

Dance

My main passion is dance. I have studied contemporary dance but I have an interest for all styles ranging from hip hop break-dance to traditional Indian kathak.

I'm really excited about being this year's Blast reporter. Not only do I get the experience of working with the BBC and learning new skills, I also get to go out and report on things I love for free!

Don't I look professional?

After that, I'd love to get a career in dance, be it in performing, choreographing or dance journalism. All three will suit me!

Finding the dream man (yes ladies… that's going to be a toughie) is the ultimate challenge and making my life and other people that are a part of it as happy as I can.

In short, you can sum me up like this:

Loves:

My family and friends; dancing; all kinds of music; clothes (I’ve got an obsession with skinny jeans and dresses); chicken (you can do so much with it!); my mobile phone which gets me into a lot of trouble; martial arts films; chocolate; sleep; being happy and making others happy and a whole lot more.

The working girl... or is she?

Hates:

Peas, beans, onions and peppers… eeeewwwww!!!! Also Arguing, liars, bad weather (which we seem to get a lot), spiders, being nervous - it's one of the worst feelings ever - and always being skint. I can't think of anymore!

I hope that you all enjoy my stories over the summer and if you have any ideas or events you know of that would make a good story let me know.

You can e-mail me on maneek.randhawa@bbc.co.uk