From Ballet Black to the ballot box, we bring you the best of what's on in Ox...
Opening Night
Three deeply distinctive shows swing onto the stage this week.
First up, acclaimed and long-running dance company Ballet Black returns to Oxford to present HEROES, a double-bill of pieces exploring humanity and heroism. Ballet Black are known for their thoughtful and innovative shows, so expect to be exhilarated as polished choreography meets an explosion of ideas.
For some pure fun, don’t miss The Importance of Being Earnest, also on at the Playhouse from next Tuesday. Oscar Wilde’s classic of class differences, misunderstandings and non-stop wit is practically guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The Oxford Theatre Guild’s production moves the action up to the 1920s for further flair.
And finally, don’t miss the provocative, riveting bio-play Draining the Swamp , on at the Cornerstone Arts Centre next Wednesday. The play explores the life of fascist leader Oliver Mosley, who went from a successful Labour politician to founding the British Union of Fascists. The show asks what we can learn from Mosely’s story and how it applies to today’s political divides.
Ballet Black: HEROES: Oxford Playhouse. Fri 12th at 8pm and Sat 13th at 7.30pm. Tickets from £14.
The Importance of Being Earnest: Oxford Playhouse. Tue 16th - Sat 20th. 7.30pm Tue-Thu, 8pm Fri, and 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Sat. Tickets from £14.
Draining the Swamp: Cornerstone Arts Centre. Wed 17th, 7.30pm. Tickets £16, concessions £14.
In Concert
Get in on the ground floor of Oxford’s newest local musical showcase, as live streaming website Tad Live launches its monthly gig at the Tap Social this Friday. Each month will feature a rotation of local favourites and up and comers; April’s lineup welcomes post-punk city rockers Killer Kowalski, Secret Rivals for a touch of the goth and New Romantic, and synth-punk cinema samplers In-Flight Movie, for a barnstormer of a premier.
For an easygoing taste of Cuba on a Sunday afternoon the Isis Farmhouse is the place to be, where 16 piece big band Ran Kan Kan will be showing off their top brass. Enjoy a Sunday lunch while toe-tapping to RKK’s infectious Latin rhythms - there’s nothing wrong with adding a little salsa to your roast!
Or look ahead to next week as Bossaphonik presents Nubiyan Twist at Cowley Workers Social Club. The 9-piece outfit’s zesty fusion of jazz, soul, afrobeats, EDM and much more besides have set them apart on the alternative music scene, counting Nile Rodgers, Sean Kuti and Mamani Keita among their collaborators. Rounding out the night with special guest DJ Jokakeli, these tickets always go fast so get them before they’re gone!
Tad Live: Tap Social Movement, Fri 12th Apr, 8pm. Tickets £7.
Ran Kan Kan: Isis Farmhouse, Sun 14th Apr, 2pm - 5pm. Free.
Bossaphonik - Nubiyan Twist: Cowley Workers Social Club, Fri 19th Apr, 8pm. Tickets £18.50 (plus booking fee).
Kidding Around
If you’re after a full weekend of family fun, you’re in luck! We’ve got three great events to keep the kids busy.
First up, on Friday morning the North Wall will host a three hour workshop for budding illustrators. NW Inventors: Illustration is aimed at 8-11 year-olds, and is all about learning new sketching skills and having fun while doing so.
Or make a scaly friend at Oxford Castle and Prison with Adopt a Dragon! With help from the resident Dragon Masters, build and decorate your very own nest of dragon eggs to take home, along with a cuddly toy and an adoption certificate.
Finally, on Sunday, join children’s book author Henry Brook at Caper Books for Meet the Minotaur , an hour of storytelling and exploration of classic Greek myths, including the minotaur’s labyrinth. A can’t-miss for aspiring authors and mythology fans alike.
NW Inventors: Illustration: North Wall Arts Centre. Fri 12th, 9am - 12pm. Tickets £20.
Adopt a Dragon: Oxford Castle and Prison, Sun 30th Mar - Sun 14th Apr, 10am/12/2.30pm/4.30pm. Tickets £14 (3+).
Meet the Minotaur : Caper Books, Magdalen Rd. Sun 14th, 2.30 - 3.30pm. Tickets £10 (drop off possible).
A Reel Good Time
War comes to cinemas this week in the form of Alex Garland’s latest, Civil War. Set in a future where America is being torn apart by competing forces, the film tracks journalists as they attempt to get to Washington DC and is a tour de force anchored by an awards-worthy turn from Kirsten Dunst.
It joins the thrillingly brutal Monkey Man, Dev Patel’s sensational directorial debut. The film follows one man on a path of destruction as he seeks vengeance for his mother’s death, and sees Patel direct, star, produce and write.
Alternatively, you may want to seek out The Teacher’s Lounge , the Oscar nominated German film following a teacher as she seeks to solve a series of thefts, encountering systemic prejudice, infighting and misinformation along the way.
And finally, the Phoenix Picturehouse has one last holiday treat for the families in the form of a screening of Cartoon Saloon’s beautiful Irish folklore animation, Wolfwalkers. One not to be missed.
Civil War: Curzon Oxford, Vue, Odeon George Street, Phoenix Picturehouse
Monkey Man: Curzon Oxford, Odeon George Street, Vue
The Teachers’ Lounge: Curzon Oxford
Wolfwalkers: Phoenix Picturehouse, Sat 13th Apr, 11am.
And Finally
On Thursday May 2nd, all of us Oxford residents will be heading to the polling station to cast our vote in local elections. Ahead of the big day, Oxford City Council has put together a handy bulletin to answer all your questions about what to expect on election day, including details on how to vote in person, via postal vote or proxy vote. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 16 April, so make sure your voice is heard!
Image credits: Oxford Playhouse, Bossaphonik, Science Oxford, Curzon Cinemas, Oxford City Council