February is almost upon us and, with all the rain, wind and grey skies we’ve been enduring over the past few weeks, it’s good to know that spring is on its way, bringing longer days and colourful spring flowers to cheer us. Looking ahead to March we have lots of exciting shows coming up.
On Sunday 2nd there’s a super afternoon of music especially for children and families in Blast Off With Kid Carpet. Not only will Kid Carpet and the Noisy Animals blast off into space but they’ll keep everyone entertained as they make friends, play games, contemplate the world and finally rock out at a grand dance contest. Along the way they’ll share lots of interesting facts and information. Astronaut costumes are very welcome but not obligatory!
Stand-up comedian Lucy Porter comes to Cornerstone on Friday 7 March. Familiar to many from her appearances on Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock the Week, Lucy’s thoughtful and funny show will include anecdotes from her real life.
The Only Way Is Downton comes to us direct from the West End on Saturday 22nd. Combining the super popular period drama with contemporary reality TV shows Luke Kempner is a superbly versatile actor and impressionist, and switches between thirty two different characters. You really don’t need to know anything about Downton to enjoy an evening of great entertainment.
There’s a real treat in store for folk music lovers on Saturday 29 March with Emily Smith, one of the leading singers of the contemporary Scottish folk scene. She’s been likened to ‘a Scottish Joni Mitchell’ and has worked with a wide range of artists from the folk scene and beyond. She’s touring to launch her new album ‘Echoes’ and is accompanied by Jamie McClennan on guitar, fiddle and vocals and Matheu Watson on guitar and whistle.
Finally we have a great range of activities lined up for the February half-term and Easter holidays. More information is available on the Cornerstone web site or from the Box Office.
MARCH 2014
Sat 1-Sun 30 Oxford Print-Makers: Focus on Print, Exhibition, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. FREE entry.
Original prints demonstrating a variety of techniques including etching, screen print, linocut and woodcut.
Sat 1 Rob Beckett: Live, Comedy: Stand Up, 8pm. Rob’s so popular his tour’s been specially extended. With his cheeky, wry, wit and trademark grin his aim is to make everyone laugh. A lot.
Sun 2 Blast Off With Kid Carpet, Children’s: Music, 2pm. Ages 4+ and adults. A rock and roll band for children plus lots of interesting info about planets, shooting stars, cheesed-off nursery rhyme characters and more.
Fri 7 Lucy Porter: Northern Soul, Comedy: Stand Up, 8pm. Lots of anecdotes from Lucy’s real life as she talks about where she comes from and where she belongs
Sat 8 An Intimate Evening with Ruthie Henshall, Music: Musical Theatre Songbook, 8pm. Ruthie and her band take us on a musical journey through her extraordinary career. After-show signing in the café bar.
Sun 9 A Cappella Spring Fest, Hiring: Workshop, 10am. A wide range of choral singing workshops and classes throughout the whole building. See Cornerstone web site for more information and booking details.
Thu 13 Tunnels, Theatre, please call for more details, times and prices. A mixture of live music, sign and sensory experience for ages 13 to 25 with profound and multiple learning disabilities, plus their carers.
Fri 14 Land Of The Giants, Bar Gig, 8pm. FREE entry. This six-piece band are firm festival favourites. Their music fuses many styles: rock to reggae, ska to blues and has a heavy helping of dub in the mix.
Sat 15 Young and Strange – The Magic, Comedy and Illusion Show, Family: Magic Show, 7pm. Ages 8+ and adults.
Large-scale illusions, incredible sleight of hand and comedy suitable for all ages. Great family entertainment.
Fri 21 Richard Herring: We’re All Going To Die, Comedy, Stand up, 8pm. Herring returns to tackle the undiscovered country from whence no traveller returns (apart from Jesus and that canoe bloke).
Sat 22 The Only Way Is Downton, Comedy: One Man Show, 8pm. Direct from the West End Luke Kempner performs impressions, spoofs Downton Abbey characters and mixes in contemporary and TV references.
Fri 28 Andrew O’Neill: Heavy Metal – A History, Comedy: One Man Show, 8pm. Stand-up comedy for everyone, whether you like heavy metal or not. Lots of silly stuff to surprise and entertain.
Sat 29 Emily Smith, Music: Folk, 8pm. One of the foremost interpreters of traditional song in the UK, Emily’s touring with musicians playing guitar, fiddle and whistle to launch her new album ‘Echoes’.
Sun 30 Wash, Children’s: Theatre, 11.30am, 2pm & 3.30pm. Ages 6-36 months and adults. A gentle adventure and a game of hide and seek, rhythm and song. Limited places for each show as it is on the flat floor.
One Off Workshops for Adults
Sat 8 Mosaics Taster, 10.30am-1.30pm. Learn mosaic skills and try out different techniques.
Sat 22 Craft at Cornerstone: Investigating Fabrics, 10.30am-1.30pm. Experiment with textiles. All abilities.
While your youngsters are busy with their activities why not relax in our café bar with a cup of coffee or tea and a delicious cake or pastry, or enjoy a leisurely lunch? We have bottle warmers, high chairs and a children’s menu to cater for our younger visitors along with baby changing facilities and an area for parking prams and pushchairs.
APRIL 2014 – EASTER HOLIDAY TREATS
8-17 Drop-In and Doodle: Star Viewers, 10am-4pm. FREE. All ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Explore the Awesome Universe exhibit in the gallery, then make a star viewer and take outer space home.
Sun 6 Comedy Club Workshop, 11.15am-1pm. Ages 7-13 years. Have a go at comedy before our Comedy Club 4 Kids show at 2pm. Learn how to write and perform stand-up and comedy sketches.
Tue 8 Light Fantastic: Family Day, 10am-4pm. FREE. All ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Hands-on activities, demonstrations and special workshops exploring the science of light.
Tue 8 Clay Sculpture, 1.30-3.3.0pm. 5-12 years. Create work inspired by our Light Fantastic Science Day.
Wed 9 Magnificent Mosaics, 10.30-1.30pm. Ages 7-12 years. Explore the colourful and creative art of mosaics.
Thu 10 Cheerleading, 1.30-3.3.0pm. 5-10 years. Learn the athletic skills and dance routines of this sport.
Fri 11 Funny Faces Animation, 10.30am-12.30pm. Ages 6-9 years. Plasticine animation offers a great combination of story-telling and hands-on activity for the younger age range.
Fri 11 Amazing Animation, 1.30pm-4.30pm. What wacky stories will come out of this ever popular workshop?
Tue 15 Clay Sculpture, 10.30am-12.30pm. 5-12 years. Create work inspired by our Light Fantastic Science Day.
16-17 Youth Dance, 10.30am-12noon. Ages 5-7 years. Get moving and get creative in this two morning course.
Thu 17 Film In A Day, 10.30am-4.30pm. Ages 9-13 years. Plan, devise, write and shoot a film all in one day
CORNERSTONE ARTS CENTRE, 25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NE
Box Office: 01235 515144 Web site: http://www.cornerstone-arts.org