Family fun, festivals, and funny people on stage - there's lots to spice up this week in the Editor's Picks!

Infinite Fest

Our festival selection this week is a must for any foodies, opera buffs, and comic book fans. Waterperry Opera Festival returns for nine days of jubilant song, featuring spellbinding performances of Handel’s Semele and Mozart’s Don Giovanni, as well as more family-friendly performances, young performer showcases and workshops for all singing levels. Not sure where to start? Have a look at our blog to see what strikes a chord.

Then there’s fun to be found on the farm as Cogges’ Beer and Cider Festival serves up a crisp, cold accompaniment to the summer heat. Sample over 50 local brews (though maybe not all in one go!), paired with some succulent BBQ - and a bit of Morris dancing on the side! Beer not your tipple of choice? Not to worry, as Pimm’s, wine and sparkling options are also on hand.

Finally, looking further ahead to next week, the Caption Comics Festival is back with a bang in Botley! It’s a jam-packed weekend to delight comic readers AND writers alike, featuring panel discussions from creators like Darryl Cunningham, Alice Nuttall, and Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph. Take part in zine-making workshops, learn networking and character drawing, and even get your portfolio reviewed - all we can say is “excelsior!”.

Waterperry Opera Festival: Waterperry Gardens, Fri 8th - Sun 17th Aug, various times. Ticket prices vary according to the event.

Cogges Beer and Cider Festival: Cogges Farm, Sat 9th Aug, 12pm - 10pm (family day until 6pm). Tickets £15 advance, £17 on the door.

Caption Comics Festival: Seacourt Hall, Sat 16th - Sun 17th Aug, 10am - 8pm Sat, 1pm - 8pm Sun. Tickets £20 day pass, £30 weekend (kids free)

Goes to Show

If you're in the market for entertainment this weekend, you'll be glad to hear this Saturday packs a punch. First up, it's the monthly folk session at Jolly Farmers from noon onwards. Drop in for some melodic tunes and a pint in the garden.

Then, make your way over to Jericho for comedian Celya Ab, who will present a solo show at Common Ground Workspace, with an opening act delivered by the reliable team at Jericho Comedy. Expect razor-sharp observations and quick-witted quips.

Or if you're craving more music, Botley is your best friend. You'll want to head to Tap Social Movement for the free face-off between rock bands Colossapus and Lunar Kites. The former brings an exhilarating, muscular sound, whereas Lunar Kites delivers more soft and ethereal Space Rock. But who will be the evening's favorite? You'll have to see for yourself.

Finally, on Tuesday night, grab some more giggles over at the Glee Club, where comedian Troy Kinne will be reflecting on the triumphs and humiliations of life and love in your forties.

QOFF Folk Sessions: The Jolly Farmers, Sat 9th Aug, from noon onwards. Drop-in, free!

Celya Ab presented by Jericho Comedy: Common Ground Workspace, Sat 9th Aug, 6.15pm. Tickets £11.50.

Colossapus vs Lunar Kites: Tap Social Movement, Botley, Sat 9th Aug, from 7 - 11.55pm. Drop-in, free!

Troy Kinne: The Glee Club, Tue 12th Aug, doors 6.45pm, last entry 7.15pm. Tickets £18.

Playing to the Gallery

If you’re taking things a little easier this week, nothing beats a mindful trip to the gallery to contemplate a piece or two.

Material Interest, currently running at the Irving Gallery, brings together six artists whose works centre on textiles - their textures, composition and what stories they contain. From the soft intimacy implied in the rumpled textures of Helen Kincaid’s photography to the purposeful reclamation of discarded clothes in the paintings of Tamara Dubnyckyj, the pieces on display invite us to ground ourselves in a tangible world.

At ronapainting gallery we take a little step into the impossible with micro-surrealism, an exhibition of works by Desmond Morris. Morris’ bold and graphic combination of colour and shadow rendering lends a vivid immediacy to the amorphous dreamscapes of his imagination.

And This Is What You Get, opening this week at the Ashmolean, offers a fascinating retrospective into the creative collaboration between Stanley Donwood and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. Featuring original paintings, handwritten lyrics and unpublished material, get a unique insight into the artistic vision that drove one of the most sellout bands of the 20th century.

Material Interest: Irving Gallery, Wed 6th - Fri 8th Aug, 11am - 4pm. Free.

micro-surrealism: ronapainting gallery, until Sat 27th Sept, 11am - 5pm. Free.

This Is What You Get: Ashmolean Museum, Wed 6th Aug - Sun 11th Jan, 10am - 5pm. Tickets £18 (concessions available).

Wild Child

There's lots of inexpensive fun about town for the kids this week, so set off on an adventure!

Howbery Park in Wallingford has set up a trail of wooden animals perched around its grounds - pop in any weekday and grab a free map from the Manor Cafe to take part!

Or on Friday, head over to South Oxford Adventure Playground for one of the SOAP Summer Play Days. Everybody is welcome to join in on the games and time on the impressive play structure, with other sessions dedicated to specific age groups also offered during the week.

On Monday, Musuem of Oxford puts the 'raft' in craft with their Canal Crafts session - part of their ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations. Kids can decorate a wooden spoon in a traditional handicraft and learn more about the local waterways.

Finally, head to Banbury Museum on Wednesday for Dino Day. The museum is celebrating the extinct icons with a huge range of free activities and crafting sessions throughout the day.

Free Park Trail: Howbery Park, Wallingford, 9am-4pm on weekdays until the end of October. Drop-in, free (collect map from Manor Cafe).

SOAP Summer Play Days: South Oxford Adventure Playground, Whitehouse Rd, Fri 8th Aug, 10am - 4pm. Drop-in, free!

Canal Crafts: Museum of Oxford, Mon 11th Aug, 10.30am - 12.30pm and then 1.30 - 3.30pm. £1.50 per person, ages 5+.

Dino Day: Banbury Museum, Wed 13th Aug, 10.30am - 3pm. Drop-in, free!

And Finally

Are you an avid reader who wants to share that passion with the next generation? ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children in Oxfordshire) is seeking volunteer readers to share the joy of reading with younger children; through their mentorship programme, you’ll be paired with three children at a local school to build their reading confidence over the course of the year.

You don’t need to have any qualifications or experience, just a friendly, patient attitude and a love of learning. Training will be provided, as well as the chance to build friendships with other ARCh volunteers through their regular workshops and community events. Contact them today to sign up !

Image credits: Waterperry Gardens, Jolly Farmers, Julian Broad via Ashmolean, David Clode via Unsplash, ARCh