Frolic into February with this week's artsy, eventful EP - from dancing to writing and comedy to cabaret - plus quizzes, talks and more!

From Here On Laughter

Behold(!) the inaugural Oxford Improv Festival. Across three days, the cream of the Oxford improvised theatre troupe crop - House of Improv, Awkward Actors and The Oxford Imps - come together for live performances and workshops exploring different aspects of the art form. Each group will curate one of the days, and you can buy tickets for individual events or go the whole hog and get a festival pass.

Comedy lovers should also check out Huh, That’s Funny, a monthly event combining comedians and scientists for a night of geeky giggles. This is sure to make you laugh and think in equal measures!

And one event to book ahead for is Be My Cabaret. This alternative cabaret showcases the best of Oxford’s comedy, dance and burlesque and is sure to help lift your spirits with a riotous mix of fun, sauce, and mayhem.

Oxford Improv Festival: Old Fire Station, Fri 31st Jan to Sun 2nd Feb. Tickets £5-10 per event, £75 weekend pass.

Huh, That’s Funny: Lynrace Spirit (Jericho), Thu 30th Jan, 7.30pm, Tickets £13.20 - £19.80.

Be My Cabaret: Sat 8th & Sun 9th Feb, 7.30pm, Tickets £12 - £16.

Movers and Shakers

If you’re anything like us, you might need some encouragement to get outside - or even off the couch - in the winter months. Active Oxfordshire’s Walk, Talk and Tea is an accessible walking group that meets every Friday at Flo’s Place in the Park. Each week takes you along a different local pathway; this week’s route heads to Magdalen Road Convent and Church, a gentle and scenic journey perfect for anyone looking to keep active and make new friends.

On Saturday mornings, you can join Megan from Mind Over Matter Fitness for Feel Good Bootcamp at Oatlands Recreation Ground in Botley, for a friendly outdoor group class that will help you build strength as well as get your heart rate up.

Or if you’d prefer to stay indoors while you get moving, Florence Park Community Centre is here to help. Dance Dance Party is a safe dance space for FLINTA (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Trans and Agender) people to let loose and enjoy a judgment-free boogie surrounded by their community.

Walk, Talk and Tea: Meet at Flo’s Place in the Park, Fri at 2pm. Free.

Feel Good Bootcamp: Oatlands Recreation Ground, Botley, Sat 1st Feb, 10.30am - 11.30am. Tickets £8.

Dance Dance Party: Florence Park Community Centre, every first and third Tue, 8.30pm - 9.30pm. Tickets £5 (concessions available).

About Town

We’re getting into the folk tradition at Grove Village Hall, where the Cotswold Country Dance Band will be scoring a Winter Ceilidh to see in February. With half-time entertainment from Hendred Ukulele Group and a licensed bar for a dance break tipple, this is sure to be a barnstormer.

Italophiles should head to Il Corno in the Covered Market for their Italian Culture Quiz. Order some delicious Neapolitan delicacies while testing your knowledge of Italian film, literature, music and food - do you know your Fellini from your focaccia?

Or slip your headphones on and bop the night away at the Tap Social with Omérta Silent Disco. Pick the soundtrack you prefer from 3 different DJs, each spanning classic funk and retro hits to hard-hitting rave and DnB, for a club night tailored to you.

And if you have a free Sunday, there’s an all-day meeting of the minds as TedXOxford brings the internationally recognised lecture series to our doorstep. The Sheldonian Theatre will play host to 12 prominent voices in their fields, including Afghani children’s rights and education advocate Freshta Karim, award-winning poet Toby Thompson, and Oxford Healthspan co-founder Leslie Kenney, as they share their research and perspective with the Oxford community.

Winter Ceilidh: Grove Village Hall, Feb 1st, 8pm - 11.30pm. Tickets £10 (£5 for under 16s).

Italian Culture Quiz: Il Corno, Covered Market, Thurs 6th Feb, 6.30pm - 9.30pm. Free (booking required).

Omérta Silent Disco: Tap Social Movement, Sat 1st Feb, 8pm. Tickets £5-8.

TedXOxford: The Sheldonian Theatre, Sun 2nd Feb, 10am - 4pm. Tickets £36 (£33 for students).

Creation Stations

If you’re a writer, maker, or generally creative spirit, this week’s for you! First, something for the younger crowd. Modern Art Oxford is running a series of Young Creatives Socials on Thursday evenings for people aged 16-18 to unleash their inner artists. The session on the 6th of Feb will focus on the power of constructive critique.

And speaking of critiquing, if you’re a writer based in Oxford, you may have come across the Oxford Writing Circle at some point. The friendly, all-genres group is celebrating their tenth anniversary on the 13th of Feb with a laid-back social. Before then, however, they have a standard feedback session this Monday - sign up in advance to share work, or come along simply to listen and feedback.

If you’re a young woman in the city, you might enjoy the Oxford Girl Craft Club meetup at Market Tap this Saturday morning. Bring a craft and enjoy a pastry and hot drink as you chat with other makers at this cosy event.

Finally, Tuesday brings February's edition of the Oxford Poetry Library’s ever-popular open mic night, This is Just to Say. Whether you have a poem to share, or just want to be inspired by an array of passionate performances, get there early - tickets are only available on the doors (which open at 7pm) and reliably sell out!

Young Creatives Social: Group Critiques: Modern Art Oxford, Thu 6th Feb, 4-6pm. Ages 16-18. Free, booking required.

Oxford Writing Circle: Readings and Feedback: Caper Bookshop Magdalen Road, Mon 3rd Feb 7.30pm, 10th Anniversary Social: Peace House on Paradise St, Thu 13th Feb, 7pm. Tickets £3-5 at your discretion.

Oxford Girl Craft Club: Market Tap by Tap Social, Sat 1st Feb, 10.30am - 12.30pm. Tickets £6.50 (includes hot drink and pastry).

This is Just to Say: The Oxford Poetry Library, Community Works, Park End St, Tue 4th Feb, doors at 7pm, readings 7.30pm. Tickets £5/standard, £2/concessions

And Finally

Do you have an unwanted board game that is still in good condition? Hoyles of Oxford needs you! The board game shop on the High St is running their Play It Forward Games Drive throughout February, and will distribute the games among local schools and libraries, including Bullingdon Prison Library, once collected. That’s not all - tag Hoyles on their Instagram or Facebook when you donate for a chance to win a £100 gift card!

Image credits: Oxford Imps, Flo's Place in the Park, Adrian Lumi via Unsplash, Sincerely Media via Unsplash, Hoyles of Oxford