This week's EP spans everything from late night museum trips, to family fun, to all-singing, all-dancing nights out - and more!
Song and Dance
2024 is shaping up to be the year of the cowboy/girl/poke, and Tart Productions are riding the Western wave with their Rainbow Barn Dance this Saturday. Grab your fringe, boots and ten-gallon hats and do-si-do the night away to raise funds for Tart’s amazing work keeping queer spaces accessible.
Moving from cowboys to Celts, head on down to Oxford Castle for a traditional ceilidh with Family Ceilidh Oxford. With a live band and caller to keep your steps in time, enjoy a fun, all-ages celebration of one of the UK’s oldest traditional dances. Remember to dress for the weather!
Or if singing’s more your speed, Auntie Shanty is the place for you! This monthly evening of folk and seafaring tunes with a feminist twist takes place at the Jolly Farmers, with attendees welcome to bring musical instruments or just sing along with a rousing chorus.
And for a little touch of vintage, Big R Big Band bring the Cogges barns to life for a night of 30/40s jazz, swing and blues, alongside a summery BBQ supper (including vegan options). Prizes are offered for best outfits, so be sure to sport some dapper nods to the decades and get ready to jive!
Rainbow Barn Dance: Rose Hill Community Centre, Fri 24th May, 7pm. Tickets £20-40.
Ceilidh in the Castleyard: Oxford Castle and Prison, Sat 18th May, 2pm. Tickets £6 adults, £4 children (under 2s free).
Auntie Shanty: The Jolly Farmers, Mon 20th May, 6:30pm. Free.
Big Band in the Barn: Cogges Farm, Sat 18th May, 7pm. Tickets £22-29.50.
Night(s) at the Museum
Over the next few weeks, three Oxford institutions will open their doors after hours for some evening adventures.
First up, Pitt Rivers Museum hosts it's late night Water World, which explores how water is viewed across cultures. Join museum staff, artists and researchers for rain forest sounds, Evenki beadwork, and object handling relating to women's fertility across history. Participants can also grab a drink from the pop-up Tap Social bar and explore the galleries.
Next Thursday bring Modern Art Oxford's latest night-time event, on the theme of desires. Between live performance, DJing, a talk on modern art, an exchange of ideas, and espresso martinis in the cafe, there's truly something for everyone.
Lastly, in early June, Story Museum Oxford will host a wonderland-themed Pride late night with Dear Dear How Queer Everything is Today, with talks, bingo and drag performances throughout.
Museums Late Night: Water World : Pitt Rivers Museum. Fri 1th May, 7-10pm. Free, booking essential.
MAO Late: Desires : Modern Art Oxford.Thu 23rd May, 6-10pm. Free, booking essential.
Story Museum Late: Dear Dear How Queer Everything is Today : Story Museum. Thu 6th Jun, 7pm. Tickets £12.50/student, £25/standard
Lots for Tots
Finding fun for kids in Oxford? Child's play.
It can be a challenge to find ways to entertain pre-school children throughout the week. But thankfully there are several options throughout the week. Family Choir Club run weekly sessions in Abingdon, Didcot and Oxford, with a Mum & Dads Choir running Thursday afternoons.
This is a nurturing environment to sing pop, musical theatre and folk with children from birth upwards.
At St Michael at the North Gate Church there’s Tower Treasures, a baby and toddler group for children aged 0 to 4. This offers nearly two hours of sensory play, crafts and free play, plus homemade cake, fair-trade tea and coffee and snacks for children. Each session ends with rhymes, songs and a Bible story.
The Phoenix Picturehouse run a Toddler Time every Thursday, and next week they’re screening 45 minutes of the charming animation, Molang . And finally there’s Energisers in the Oxford Brookes University Sports Centre, a stay and play session for children under 5. These start with warm up sessions, followed by sporting activities and inflatables.
Mum & Dads Choir: Magdalen Road Church, every Thursday, 1.30 & 3pm, £26 per month
Tower Treasures: St Michael at the North Gate Church, every term time Thursday, 10 to 11.45am, suggested donation £2.50
Toddler Time: Phoenix Picturehouse, every Thursday, 11.30am, £3.30 (adult goes free)
Energisers: Oxford Brookes University Sports Centre, every Friday, 9.30 to 10.30am, £6 (£3 for second child)
Fresh (St)art
An image from the Old Spires, New Dreams exhibition at Leiden Square
We're shining a spotlight this week on new and local artists, as Artweeks exhibitions continue to brighten spaces across the city - check out our guide here.
The Youthlab Camera Club, a photography project for teens aged 12-17, is displaying their work at Leiden Square in the Westgate until the 24th, in an exhibition entitled Old Spires, New Dreams.
More works from emerging artists can doubtlessly be found this Friday at Gloucester Green Market, for the latest of their Young Trader Days - in which young crafters and business people can book a stall for free for the day.
Finally, don't miss the latest installment of the always-stylish and intriguing Oxford Art Market, which comes to James Street Tavern next weekend. Happy browsing!
Old Spires, New Dreams: Leiden Square, Westgate Mall. Until Fri 24th May, always open. Free!
Young Trader Days: Gloucester Green, George St: Fri 17th May, 9am - 4pm. Free!
Oxford Art Market: James Street Tavern Sat 25th 11am-4pm - Sun 26th May 11am-5pm. Free!
And Finally
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust’s annual nature photography competition is back and taking entries until Monday 26th August.
Categories include urban nature, mammals, and butterflies & other insects, as well as special categories from 6 to 11 year olds and 12 to 17 year olds. And for the first time there’s a People Choice Award (entries for this need to be in by Sunday 28th July).
So head over to their website and getting snapping for a chance to win prizes and be in with a chance of featuring in BBOWT’s 2025 wildlife calendar.
Image credits: Cogge's Farm, Pitt Rivers Museum, Ryan Feilds via Unsplash, Old Spires New Dreams, Harry Berks