We're heading into August! With festivals, film and folk on the cards this week, you can count on our Picks to add some punch to your first of the month.
Headliners

Now we’re well and truly at the height of high summer, we’ve all got festivals on the brain, and this week it’s a triple threat. Wilderness Festival opens in Cornbury Park today for four days of incredible live acts including Supergrass, Wet Leg and Aurora; and if you need a break from the stage, there are dozens of workshops, artisan dishes, well-being sessions and family friendly activities to plan your weekend around.
Looking to find a new ‘aria’ of expertise? Head to the Quarry in Sunningwell for Sunningwell Festival’s three day celebration of music and the creative arts in association with Opera Anywhere; with live performances of two classic works of Mozart, a show stopping celebration of opera and musical theatre, and a quiz night for those looking to show off their musical ear, expect a weekend that’s off the scale!
And moving from the ears to the tastebuds, Oxford’s Cider and Foodie Fest gears up for a showcase of crisp pints and vibrant flavours to get your mouth watering. Hosted by Big Society and The Yard Food Park on Jeune Street, there’ll be 14 varieties of cider and hearty fare from the Yard’s six dedicated street food vendors - bring the whole family for a fun-filled street party atmosphere.
Wilderness Festival: Cornbury Park, Thurs 31st Jul - Sun 3rd Aug, all-day. Adult weekend tickets £293, child weekend tickets £12-£145.
Sunningwell Festival: The Quarry, Sunningwell, Fri 1st - Sun 3rd Aug, various times. Tickets £20.85 - £31.05 adults/£15.75 - £24.93 for children.
Oxford Cider and Foodie Fest: Big Society/The Yard, Sat 2nd Aug, 12pm - midnight. Free.
Theatre and Thunder Lizards

Bigger is better on stage this week, with dinosaurs, thrilling circus stunts and side-splitting opera.
First up, the popular and award-winning Dinosaur World Live returns to the Playhouse, complete with a dino meet and greet post-show. The interactive performance, aimed at kids 3+, introduces audiences to impressively lifelike dinosaurs and offers a peek into their exciting lives.
Next Wednesday, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre plays host to Cirque: The Greatest Show Reimagined, for one night only. The brand-new production is a family-friendly extravaganza, weaving together great vocal performances and gripping circus skills for a big night under the big top!
Finally, Waddesdon Manor continues with its delightful summer of outdoor theatre treats, this time playing host to Illyria Theatre’s production of HMS Pinafore on Thursday. This comic opera is a blend of catchy music and lighthearted humour, and the show is free with grounds admission, making it a nice break from an afternoon of exploring the gorgeous Aylesbury countryside.
Dinosaur World Live: Oxford Playhouse, Tue 5th - Thu 7th, 11am, 2pm. Tickets £18.
Cirque - the Greatest Show Reimagined : Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Wed 6th Aug, 7pm. Tickets from £31.
HMS Pinafore: Waddesdon Manor, Thu 7th Aug, 2pm. Drop-in, free with grounds admission to the manor(from £14)
Amp It Up

We love a blockbuster, high-budget production, but sometimes all you need is a microphone and a speaker to get your message across. Truck Store radiates dreamy vibes tonight as Yoshika Colwell debuts their latest EP, On The Wing, in its intimate performance space. Colwell’s soft, mellow guitar work, ethereal harmonies and introspective lyricism makes this one a must-listen; pre-order the EP to guarantee entry!
Then on Saturday, Folk 4 Gaza brings together a powerful lineup of music and spoken word poetry to raise funds for the people of Palestine. Featuring the chance to try traditional dabke dancing with Oxford Dabke Society, the evening draws from folk music’s longstanding roots in activism and protest, with proceeds donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians.
The power of spoken word continues in the Oxford Poetry Library’s monthly open-mic night, This is Just To Say, sharing everything from poetry to essays to short stories. Whether you’re far into your writing journey or right at the very start, the night offers a safe and supportive space for you to share your work (or even other people’s work that inspires you). Arrive a little early to secure a slot!
And ending on a laugh, Michael Akadiri’s back on the mic at Jericho Comedy; and as a junior NHS doctor/stand-up/new-ish parent, it’s safe to say he’s got a lot to juggle. Nevertheless, Akadiri tackles it all with his trademark charm and relatability in his new work in progress hour - have a look at our thoughts on his showing at last year’s comedy festival for a taste of what to expect.
Yoshika Colwell : Truck Store, Thurs 31st Jul, 6pm. Free entry, guaranteed with preordered EP
Folk 4 Gaza: Florence Park Community Centre, Sat 2nd Aug, 8pm-11pm. Tickets £6 on the door (cash only).
This is Just To Say: The Community Works, Tue 5th Aug, 7:30pm - 10pm. Tickets £5 (£2 conc.).
Michael Akadiri at Jericho Comedy: Common Ground Workspace, Sat 2nd Aug, 6:30pm (doors at 6). Tickets £11 (£12 on the door).
Flick Picks

The Bad Guys 2 and Bring Her Back, Fantastic Four and Friendship…alliteration is where the similarities between this week's top cinematic offerings end.
Marvel reboots a beloved quartet in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which sees Mr Fantastic, brother-sister duo Sue and Johnny Storm, and Ben ‘The Thing’ Grimm facing down not only a potential apocalypse, but first-time parenthood as well. The villain feels fairly standard, but the retro-futuristic setting and warmhearted comedy make this one of Marvel’s freshest offerings in years.
It was only a matter of time before the critically and commercially successful The Bad Guys got a sequel. The Bad Guys 2, brings everyone’s favourite animated antagonistic animals out of retirement for - you guessed it - one last job. Hijinks and humour ensue.
You’ll want to leave the kids at home for Bring Her Back, however. A24’s latest chiller follows foster siblings who become aware of a horrifying ritual taking place at the hands of their new carer, played by Sally Hawkins. Both scary and sad, this film could make for an unforgettable night out.
Finally, the same could perhaps be said about Friendship , an unhinged dramedy about a clueless everyman (played by cringe comedy king Tim Robinson) whose budding friendship with a cool new neighbour (Paul Rudd) reignites his zest for life. When Rudd’s character decides to distance himself, things spiral out of control. Imagine an absurdist spin on The Banshees of Inisherin, if it took place in suburban middle America.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps: Oxford Cinema Cafe, Curzon, Vue
The Bad Guys 2: Oxford Cinema Cafe, Curzon, Vue
Bring Her Back: Phoenix Picturehouse, Curzon, Vue
Friendship: Phoenix Picturehouse, Ultimate Picture Palace
And Finally

If you know any trans youth, encourage them to submit anonymously to Oxford For Trans Rights' new zine, Trans Kids Deserve the Whole World. The volunteer-run organisation is compiling a zine on how it feels to be growing up trans, now.
They want poems, comics, collages, writing, drawings - the messier the better! For more info, check out their call-out on the Oxford For Trans Rights website.
Image credits: Wilderness Festival, Pamela Raith, Jericho Comedy, Oxford For Trans Rights