Our summer season is now well under-way, and June offers a great choice of shows and performances.  There are a variety of afternoon shows ideal for parents and/or grandparents to enjoy some family fun together with children or grandchildren, including A Real Fairy Story on Sunday 1 June when you’re invited to join Mrs Buttersnap and her cat in her quest to photograph a fairy.  Featuring shadow puppetry and a sprinkling of comedy this delightful show will captivate the imagination on a journey to fairyland.

The following Sunday, 8 June, we have something entirely different with Yummm!  There will be two performances of this children’s dance theatre show: the first at 11am for ages 4 and under and the second at 2pm for ages 4 and over. This production seats the audience around the ‘dinner table’ and is a celebration of food seen through children’s eyes, with dancing tables, spinning plates and kitchen utensils woven into quirky meal time rituals.  At the end of each performance there will be a short play activity for audiences on stage, and children will be given their own utensils to play with.  Lots of interactive fun for everyone! Have a look at our web site to see some colourful photos from previous performances.

Something different again is Screaming With Laughter, on Sunday 15 June.  Comedian Lucy Porter leads an afternoon cabaret show of comedy where mums, dads and grandparents can relax and laugh about parenthood with some fine comedians.  And baby’s welcome too!  These stand-up comedians are used to rowdy audiences – and Lucy herself has two toddlers – so won’t bat an eyelid if you need to move around, feed the baby, or baby emits a squeak or two! 

On a more adult note, music and theatre lovers are not forgotten.  Alvin Roy’s previous visits to Cornerstone, with The Mainstream All Stars and The Alex Welsh Tribute Band, proved very popular and he returns on Saturday 21 June with a new jazz instrumental six-piece, Jazz Reeds Incorporated. With a front line of Julian Marc Stringle, Alvin himself and Mike Wills on various saxophones and clarinets, supported by Rod Kelly on piano, Charlie Stratford on drums and John Rees Jones on bass the performance will include numbers from ‘The Great American Songbook’ and original mainstream/swing jazz renditions.

There’s a real treat in store with prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s production of Sauce for the Goose. Feydau, master of the French farce, created the perfect high-spirited romp of passions, pace and pleasure.  Married Pontagnac pursues Lucienne, only to discover that she’s married to his best friend Valentin. Lucienne has sworn to remain faithful to Valentin as long as he remains so to her, so when an old ‘indiscretion’ of Valentin’s arrives, with her other half in tow, Lucienne’s may have an ‘out’. Everyone ends up at the Hotel Ultimus where beds are swapped, infidelities discovered and everyone’s goose is well and truly cooked.  Fun, farcical and fast.  Fantastic!

 

Whats on in June 2014

Sun 1 – A Real Fairy Story, Children’s Theatre, 2pm. Ages 3-7 and adults. Mrs Buttersnap sets out , with an assortment of gadgets, a sprinkling of comedy and her cat, to photograph a fairy. Limited places, book early.

Fri 6 – Hardeep Singh Kohli: Hardeep Is Your Love, Comedy: Stand-Up, 8pm. New stand-up, fresh from a run at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe, this is Hardeep’s take on life, love and finding romance in middle age.

Sat 7 Charleston – The Dance of the 20s, One-Off Adult Workshop, 10.30am-12.30pm. Energetic and exuberant workshop learning the basics of the famous dance. No partner necessary, all experience levels welcome.

Sat 7 – Mike McGear McCartney, Sex, Drugs & Rock’N’Roll, 8pm. Photographer, and Paul McCartney’s brother, Mike was an integral part of the Merseybeat era and shares many behind the scenes tales and photographs.

Sun 8 – Yummm! Children’s: Dance Theatre, 11am for under 4s and 2pm for 4s and over. A celebration of food seen through children’s eyes, with dancing tables and spinning plates. Audience participation. Limited places.

Fri 13 The Paperboys, Music: Folk, 8pm. The folk of fiddle and flute mixed with the hook of horns and Latin and African rhythms. The Paperboys have been touring for 15 years and have released seven albums.

Sat 14 – Julie Madly Deeply, Musical Theatre, 8pm. Love Julie Andrews? Direct from the West End, Fascinating Aida star Sarah-Louise Young and pianist Michael Roulston perform Julie’s famous songs and stories from her life.

Sun 15 – Screaming With Laughter, Comedy for Parents and Children, 2pm. Laugh and relax in this afternoon of cabaret comedy about parenthood, led by Lucy Porter. For mums, dads, grandparents… and baby too!

Fri 20 – Paul Liddell, Bar Gig, 8pm. FREE admission. Paul’s released three albums and his songs are heartfelt and catchy. He creates beautiful layered vocal and guitar harmonies through the use of live sampling.

Sat 21 – Clay Sculpture, One-Off Adult Workshop, 10.30am-12.30pm. Make a functional object then take inspiration from our Oxford Scribes exhibition and use beautiful calligraphy to decorate it. All materials included.

Sat 21 – Jazz Reeds Incorporated, Music: Jazz, 8pm. Alvin Roy returns! This time with a new jazz instrumental six-piece, selecting songs from ’The Great American Songbook’ plus original mainstream/swing jazz numbers.

Sun 22 – Charlie Baker: Baker’s Dozen, Comedy Stand-Up, 8pm. Comedian Charlie has a great jazz belter of a voice and takes the 13 best-selling UK singles from the last 13 years then puts his own twist on each.

Fri 27 – Bristol Old Vic Theatre School: Sauce for the Goose, Theatre: Classic, 8pm. Ages 12+. Master of the French farce, Feydeau, created the perfect high-spirited romp of passions, pace and pleasure. Fun, farcical and fast!

Sat 28 – Camino Del Flamenco: Flamenco Night, Hiring: Dance, 6.30pm. The largest Flamenco school in the UK returns to Cornerstone for its 6^th annual show. More than 70 dancers from Cornerstone classes perform.

Sun 29 – Virginia Ironside: Growing Old Disgracefully, Comedy Talk, 6pm. Agony columnist and writer, Virginia’s written two books celebrating being a sexagenarian, and this show does just that.

Full details of our summer programme can be found on our website http://www.cornerstone-arts.org (online booking available). Or call our Box Office on 01235 515144, open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday

11am-4pm. Closed Monday.

The sun’s shining, the trees are bursting with blossom, bees are buzzing and thoughts turn to the long warm days of summer and its balmy evenings.  Cornerstone’s summer season’s jam-packed with entertainment and activities for everyone.  May will bring a super selection of theatre, with something to suit all tastes.

The season kicks off at the end of April with Everything You Ever Needed To Know Ever (And Some Extra Stuff), on Sunday 27 April, is a very silly family comedy show sure to appeal to everyone from 6 to 106, and it’s just an hour long. Funnyman Tiernan’s pretty sure he knows the answer to any question children might ask, like, ‘Why are there trees?’ and ‘What’s the universe made of?’  Don’t miss your chance to come and ask that question you’ve always burned to have answered.  1001 Nights is the classic tale of Shaharazad, who tells a different tale every night and uses whatever’s around her to help to transport us to the world of kings, viziers and jinns.  This delightful family theatre production on Saturday 10 May will enchant all the family from ages 6 and up.

On Saturday 3 May London Classic Theatre bring their 50th anniversary production of Joe Orton’s dark comedy, Entertaining Mr Sloane, to Cornerstone.  Enigmatic Mr Sloane throws a family’s lives into disarray in this story of seduction, blackmail and murder.  Bitch Boxer – please don’t be put off by the title – is a moving, thoughtful and beautifully performed play about a young girl who becomes a boxer, and her growing up. Audience members from age 14+ will find it really engaging and uplifting.  Sunday 4 May brings The Showstoppers Improvised Musical.  This will be a unique production at Cornerstone, since this brand new musical comedy show is created from scratch, from audience suggestions, at each performance.  These shows are selling out in the West End and on tour so don’t miss the chance to come and make your contribution to the Cornerstone version! 

And, finally, we’re very excited that The Rutles: Will Be Appearing As Themselves on Sunday 18 May.  Originally created by Eric Idle and Neil Iness for the comedy sketch show Rutland Weekend Television they started as a spoof of The Beatles, but were so popular that they became an actual group. recording, touring and topping the charts.  Following a great gig at Glastonbury they’re touring again for a brief period, so catch them while you can! 

MAY 2014 Calendar

1-31 Open Exhibition: Portraits, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. FREE admission. Cornerstone’s annual open exhibition is a feast of art, displaying the skill and imagination of local artists.

1-31 Matthew Wright: The Farrier, Exhibition, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Fine art photographer Mathew Wright’s installation in our Window Wall captures the quietly timeless work of a farrier.

Sat 3 Entertaining Mr Sloane: Classic Theatre, 7.30pm. Adult, but suitable for ages 14+. Behind Mr Sloane’s nonchalant front lie seduction, blackmail and murder in this production of Joe Orton’s classic dark comedy.

Sun 4 The Showstoppers Improvised Musical: Musical Theatre, 7pm. Ages 14+. Audience suggestions create a brand new, unpredictable and hilarious musical comedy show at each performance. Selling out in the West End.

Fri 9 Mark Steel’s In Town, Comedy: Stand Up, 8pm. Mark’s a big favourite at Cornerstone and he’s back! This show is based on Mark’s Radio 4 series, where he writes a show based specifically on an individual town.

Sat 10 Draw Cartoons: One-off Workshop for Adults, 10.30am-12.30pm. Learn how to draw simple expressive faces, make characters walk, move, talk and think with Oxfordshire’s professional comic artist Scooter McKenzie.

Sat 10 1000 Nights: Family Theatre, 6pm. Ages 6+. This production collects together the greatest tales ever told, re-imagined by Shahrazad, a lively young girl torn between her old home in the East and her new English home.

Fri 16 Mark Grist: Rogue Teacher, Comedy: Stand Up, 8pm. Ages 13+ (strong language). Mid-recession ex English teacher and poet Mark embarked on a series of challenges. This show is a comic story of his life.

Sat 17 Formby: Theatre, 8pm. Ewan Wardrop plays Formby and all the key characters in his life, brilliantly performing the classic hits live. A funny, touching play about an essentially ordinary man with an extraordinary talent.

Sun 18 The Rutles: Will Be Appearing As Themselves: Music, 7.30pm. Starting as a spoof of The Beatles they were so popular that they became an actual group to great acclaim. They’re touring again for a brief period.

Fri 23 Youth Activity Day, 4-7pm, ages 9-16. FREE. A brand-new event with theatre, sports, art, games and dance activities and information for young people. Stick around afterwards and enjoy the free music gig with Laish.

Fri 23 Laish: Bar Gig, 8pm. FREE admission. Laish is the song writing project of rich voiced Daniel Green. He writes original songs with honesty, pathos and humour accompanied by a hypnotic, fingerpicking guitar style.

Sat 24 Guitar: One-off Workshop for Adults, 2.30-4pm. Learn to play acoustic guitar, all abilities welcome and no music reading necessary. Bring your own guitar!

Sat 24 Bitch Boxer: Theatre, 8pm. Ages 14+, (strong language, sexual references). Don’t be put off by the title. A thoughtful, beautifully realised and performed play about a young girl who becomes a boxer.

Sun 25 Pirate Gran: Children’s Theatre, 2pm. Ages 3+ and adults. Meet Gran. She bakes. She knits. You’d never guess she was a Pirate with a pet crocodile under her bed, a wicked sense of humour and a raft of adventures to tell.

Fri 30 Fairport Acoustic Convention, Music: Folk, 8pm. They’re a national, an Oxfordshire and now a Cornerstone institution. A great show of old favourites, some re-workings, spontaneous banter and some new material.

Sat 31 The Trials of Oscar Wilde: Theatre, 7.30pm. Ages 14+ (adult themes). Less than 100 days after the triumphant opening of The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde was sentenced to two years’ hard labour. What happened?

HALF-TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

27-30 Drop-In and Doodle: Self-Portraits, 10am-4pm. FREE. All ages, (children must be accompanied by an adult). Explore different ways to make a self-portrait and add it to the Drop-In and Doodle display.

Tue 27 Clay Sculpture: Toby Jugs, 1.30-3.30pm. Ages 5-12 years, (adult goes free when accompanied by a child). These fun jugs take the form of a person. You could make a jug that looks like a TV character, a friend or a teacher.

Wed 28 Shake, Rattle and Roll! 10.30am-12.30pm. Ages 5-12 years, (5 & 6 year-olds to be accompanied by an adult). Create a musical instrument from recycled materials and make music! You’ll need to bring some of your own recycled items, please check when booking.

Thu 29 Play in a Day, 10.30am-4.30pm. Ages 10-14 years. This workshop is for all who love the thrill of making theatre. No experience required, just lots of enthusiasm! Performance for family and friends afterwards.

Fri 30 Media Mash-Up, 10.30am-4pm. Ages 7-11 years. Use iPads, Apple laptops and cameras to make animation and movies in this fun, hands-on workshop. Take home the results to share with family and friends!

 

Full details of our summer programme can be found on our website http://www.cornerstone-arts.org.

Or call our Box Office on 01235 515144, open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm. Closed Monday.

 

Best wishes,

Bridget Haffenden

Marketing team

Royal Mail announced their price rise on the day the March bulletin went to press, (typical), 1^st & 2^nd class stamps are rising by 2p & 3p respectively, (both standard and large letter), so it’s worth buying a few extra to beat the price rise, they all re-value, so will still be valid, whatever price you paid, as long as they have 1^st or 2nd on them! Parcel prices are also changing. Although the good news is that small parcels between 1kg & 2kg, are going down in price! (everything else will be going up we hear!)

The old £50 note with John Houbron on them, are being withdrawn at the end of April, and we have until the end of October 2014 to bank or swap them for new ones!

Thank you to everyone who has been bringing in their Sainsburys’ active kids vouchers, used stamps, and old shoes, they are all going to good charities!

Our friend Andrew is in need of good boots again, if anyone has men’s boots they no longer require (size 11) he would be very grateful! (Please bring them in to us!)

The BGM continue here at the Post Office on Saturday mornings, fresh bread & cakes, eggs, jam etc are available throughout the week too! Steve’s hens are kept very busy!

We will be closed on Good Friday & Easter Monday, allowances are usually paid in to accounts before these days. Customers with “key” meters who need emergency top ups, ring/text my mobile 07825154842. (Please don’t go cold or without a cup of tea, we will come and open the PO!)

Happy Easter to everyone!

Love from Karen & Angela

Hagbourne Bowling Club is looking to increase its profile in the immediate area. The club opens for the summer season on Monday 7 April, 7.30pm. Club nights are every Monday through till September, with matches/social events most other evenings. New bowlers/beginners/social members are all welcome and the club has its annual Open Day starting at 2pm on Saturday 10th May.

For more details, contact Howard Rose – 017854610926.

DIDCOT & DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 2pm at Didcot Civic Hall. Visitors are welcome to come to a meeting as a taster before joining.

The April meeting will be the AGM and will be held on 15 April.

D&D U3A is a self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operative for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for its members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun. There are over 25 interest groups including family history, gardening, wine appreciation, dance, science & maths, play reading, creative writing, walking, bridge, crafts, books, poetry, singing, badminton, photography and 5 languages. There’s something for everyone!

Tel: 07804159993

Email: didcotdistrictU3A@virginmedia.com

Website: http://u3asites.org.uk/didcot

Spring is well and truly upon us and throughout April we have a wonderfully varied choice of performances and activities to engage and entertain every member of the family. 

The iconic Hazel O’Connor returns on Friday 4 April, showcasing her latest album, I Give You My Sunshine, and featuring legendary saxophonist Clare Hirst and with Sarah Fisher on keyboards and backing vocals.  With support from India Electric Company it’s an evening not to be missed.  If pop doesn’t float your boat the sublime ten piece Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra and singers will be at Cornerstone on Saturday 5 April with the hot, sweet, music of the 1920s and 30s and celebrating the best of band music from that era.  If folk’s more your scene Heidi Talbot and her band come to us on Thursday 24 April. Heidi’s touring with her new album, written with her collaborator John McCusker, and recorded with an array of special guest including Mark Knopfler, King Creosote and Julie Fowlis. 

On Saturday 26 April The Remarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe is a fascinating and captivating take on an iconic subject from Dyad Productions, headed up by Rebecca Vaughan who toured very successfully with Guy Masterson and brought Austen’s Women to Cornerstone. 

Easter holiday activities kick off on Sunday 6 April with Comedy 4 Kids.  Comedians who generally play to adults love playing to children because there’s such an immediate and unguarded response.  Adults can come with our without their children!  Whichever, it’s fantastic comedy for any age from 7 to 107 and the perfect afternoon out for all the family to enjoy and have a laugh together.  A pre-show workshop’s also available for ages 7 to 13 offering an opportunity to learn how to write and perform comedy, and a chance to show off new jokes and skills to parents at the end!

During the Easter holidays we have a selection of new activities at Cornerstone on offer: the opportunity to explore the colourful and creative art of Mosaics, a chance to learn and master the athleticism and dance skills involved in Cheerleading and the excitement of planning, devising, writing and shooting a Film In A Day!  Firm favourites at Cornerstone are not forgotten with Funny Faces Animation for ages 6 to 9 and Amazing Animation for ages 9 to 13 as well as Youth Dance sessions. Light Fantastic is another of our very popular family days, exploring the science of light, with hands-on activities, demonstrations and special workshops.

 

APRIL 2014

3-27 European Southern Observatory: Awesome Universe, Exhibition, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. FREE entry. Celebrating Europe’s quest to explore the southern sky this exhibition consists of visually stunning images, showcasing celestial objects as seen by ESO’s observatories.

Fri 4 Hazel O’Connor: Here She Comes Tour with support from India Electric Company, Music: Pop, 8pm. Hazel’s new show coincides with both the publication of her autobiography and the release of the digitally re-mastered DVD of Breaking Glass.

Sat 5 Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra, Music: Jazz, 8pm. A ten piece orchestra and two singers celebrate the music from the 1920s and 30s, and the best of British and American dance bands from that era.

Sun 6 Comedy Club 4 Kids, Childrens: Comedy , 2pm. Ages 7-13 years. Cracking comedy entertainment as the best comedians from the UK and world circuit do what they do best….but without the rude bits! There is a a pre-show workshop from 11.15am-1pm, please see Easter holiday treats for more information.

Sat 12 Reading Male Voice Choir, Hiring: Music, 7.30pm. Didcot and Wallingford’s Rotary Club present an evening of contemporary and folk music to raise money for local Didcot charities. The Club will collect for their charities on the night.

Thu 24 Heidi Talbot, Music: Folk, 8pm. Heidi’s new album of original songs, Angels Without Wings, takes inspiration from the foundations of folk. Heidi comes to Cornerstone with her band, including collaborator John McCusker, with whom she wrote the new album.

Fri 25 It’s Your Round! Theatrical Pub Quiz with a Pie and a Pint! 8pm. Join pub landlady Pat Pinch and her lively bar girl Liberty Belle as they take over the café bar with their theatrical twist on the traditional pub quiz. Test your general knowledge, literature and movie expertise plus music and picture rounds.

Sat 26 The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe, Theatre, 8pm. Monroe, alone in her bedroom in dressing gown and slippers, as we’ve never seen her before. Overdosed on pills, leading to the moment of her death, she reveals a biting intelligence and frustrated talent as she unravels her remarkable life.

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

As usual full details are available on our website at http://cornerstonearts-org.uk, or from the Box Office on 01235 515144. 

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

Cornerstone’s spring season opens on Saturday 18 January with the Chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council’s Charity Gig which has become a popular annual event.  This year’s chosen performer is new global jazz talent Rebecca Poole (who just happens to hail from our very own Nettlebed!) and her band.  Profits will go to The Chiltern’s MS Centre and The Oxford Heart Centre Heartfelt Appeal.  It’s sure to be a fantastic evening; Rebecca has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and is a regular at Ronnie Scott’s.

February brings our one-off workshop for adults with Charleston: The Dance of the 20’s.  Offering the opportunity to boogie and shimmy to your heart’s content (think Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Patrick Robinson and Abbey Clancy in Strictly), come along and dance the winter blues away on Saturday 8 February.  All levels are welcome and no partner’s required.  If you fancy something a little less energetic we’re very excited to have Sunny Ormonde and her One Woman show on the afternoon of Saturday 22 February.  Listeners to Radio 4’s The Archers will know her as the feisty Lilian, aka ‘Pusscat’, and she’ll share behind-the-scenes secrets and anecdotes plus a Q&A session.  But it’s not only Archers aficionados who’ll be entertained by this fabulous February afternoon of stories, banter, favourite pieces and a great repertoire of theatre.  It’s back to the 1920s at the end of the month with local non-professional theatre company Jigsaw’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, at Cornerstone on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 February.

Highlights for March include – straight from London’s West End – An Intimate Evening with Ruthie Henshall and The Only Way Is Downton.  Ruthie’s one of the world’s best loved and most captivating musical performers and will take us on a journey through her extraordinary career.  Luke Kempner’s one man show was a smash hit at Edinburgh and he’ll perform a roller-coaster set of impressions, spoofing Downton Abbey characters and plot lines and mixing in lots of popular TV and contemporary references.

The Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra specialise in the music of the 1920s and 30s, celebrating the best of British and American Dance bands of the era.  The 10 piece orchestra and two singers are sure to get your toes tapping with a selection of great songs on Saturday 5 April. 

February half-term is so often cold and wet.  We have a wide range of half-term activities to keep youngsters occupied and entertained, running from Tuesday 18 to Friday 18 February.  

Bridget Haffenden

 

FEBRUARY 2014

1-16 Janine Philips Exhibition, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Free entry.

Sat 1 The Comedy of Errors Theatre: Family (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School), 6pm. Ages 7+ and adults.

Sun 2 Suitcase Stories Children’s: Theatre, 11am & 2pm. Ages 4-8 and adults.

Fri 7 Dracula by Bram Stoker: Theatre (Blackeyed Theatre), 8pm. Ages 13+ and adults.

Sat 8 The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged) Theatre: Comedy , 7pm. Ages 12+ and adults.

Fri 14 Valentine’s Stories and Supper: Supper Theatre (Scary Little Girls), 8pm.

Sat 15 Cara Dillon Music: Contemporary Folk (plus support from Ellie Williams), 8pm.

Sun 16 Little Howard and the Magic Pencil of Life and Death: Children’s Comedy Theatre, 2pm. Ages 4+ & adults .

20-30 Oxford Print-Makers: Focus on Print Exhibition Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Free entry.

Fri 21 Eamonn Coyle and Kris Drever Music: Folk, 8pm.

Sat 22 An Afternoon with Sunny Ormonde: It’s Lilian from The Archers! Matinee: One Woman Show, 2pm.

Sun 23 Who’s Been Sitting In My Chair? Children’s: Theatre (Freehand Theatre), 2pm. Ages 3-7.

22 &23 Thoroughly Modern Millie Hiring: Theatre (Jigsaw Stage Productions), 7.30pm.

One-off Workshop for adults

Sat 8 Charleston: The Dance of the 20s, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Half Term Holiday Activities

18-21 Drop-in and Doodle: Lines and Patterns, 10am-4pm. Free entry. All ages (adult to accompany children).

Tue 18 Clay Sculpture: Polar Animals, 1.30-3.30pm. Ages 5-12 (adult goes free when accompanied by child).

Wed 19 Handmade Felt, 1.30-3.30pm. Ages 6-11 years.

Thu 20 Print Making, 10.30am-4.30pm. Ages 7-12 years.

Fri 21 Hip Hop Dance, 10.30am-4pm. Ages 7-11 years.

Regular classes (5 week blocks starting after half term break)

Tue 25 Life Drawing (adult) 7-9pm

West End Dance (adult) 7.30-8.30m

Creative Writing (adult) 7.30-9pm

Wed 26 Still Dancing (adult 50+) 11.30am-12.30pm

Baby Boogie (parent & tot 9 months-3 years) 1-1.30pm

Parent & Toddler Ballet (18 months-3 years) 2.30-3pm

Ballet (3-4 years) 3.15-3.45pm

Ballet (4-6 years) 4-4.45pm

Youth Hip Hop and Jazz (7-11 years) 5-5.45pm

Young Directions: Dance (13-16 years) 6-7.15pm

Ballet – Beginners (adult ) 7.30-8.30pm

Thu 27 Parent & Toddler Ballet (18 months-3 years) 11.45am-12.15pm

Ballet – New Starters (3-4 years) 1.15-1.45pm

Ballet (3-4 years) 3.15-3.45pm

Ballet (4-6 years) 4-4.45pm

Ballet (6-9 years) 6-6.45pm

Youth Dance (4-6 years) 5-5.45pm

Yoga (adult) 7-8.15pm

Fri 28 Argentine Tango (adult beginners) 7.30-9.15pm

Sat 1 Arty Party: Children’s Art Classes (4-6 years) 10.30-11.15am

March Arty Party: Children’s Art Classes (7-9 years) 11.30am-12.15pm

 

For more details please visit web site http://www.cornerstone-arts.org or call the Box Office on 01235 515144.

Post Office News;

We are coming into our busiest time of the year, so please help us and the people behind you by putting on the “Airmail” stickers on any overseas post, and the “Customs” label on anything that is not a card, letter or printed paper not going to an EU country, this includes packages to Switzerland, Channel Islands & Norway, BEFORE you get to the counter! We do not have the time to stick your stamps on for you either! ! Please remember to tell us if you have perfume, phones, batteries, aerosols, nail polish etc in your parcel; we have to put special labels on them!

Please note that the last collection is 4.45pm, and all Special Delivery must be in by 4.30pm, to give us time to process them, (on a Wednesday & Saturday its 10am!) The last Parcelforce collection is 2.30pm (or 10.30 on Wednesdays only).

Airmail Last Posting:

Last date for posting to Operational BFPO’s is 29^th November

Wednesday 4^th Dec; Asia, Far East, (Inc Japan), New Zealand

Thursday 5^th Dec: Australia,

Friday 6^th Dec; Africa, Caribbean, Central & S America, Middle East

Monday 9^th Dec; Cyprus, Eastern Europe

Tuesday 10^th Dec; Canada, France, Greece, Poland

Friday 13^th Dec; USA & Static BFPO’s

Saturday 14^th Dec; Western Europe.

UK last posting dates;

2^nd class; Wednesday 18^th December

1^st class & Parcelforce Express 48; Friday 20^th December

Special Delivery & Parcelforce Express 24; Monday 23rd December

Letters to Father Christmas; Please write to Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ, he will try very hard to answer all your letters, but please put the correct postage on it, and remember to include your name & address.(last date is 9^th December for these!)

Please also remember we stock the “One 4 All” gift cards, these can be spent in many stores, there is no fee, and make an ideal Gift, you can load your card with any amount between £5 & £250. (Free gift card & envelope too!)

We also will be having the Scout Xmas Post box, for local mail (25p each) Delivered in the village by the Girl Guides!

The BGM, (Blewbury Garden Market) continues here on Saturday mornings, fresh bread & cakes, whilst we have fresh village eggs, jam, preserves, and other seasonal goodies during the week too.

Love from Karen & Angela

As the leaves are beginning to fall and the nights are drawing in thoughts inevitably turn to Christmas and the New Year ahead.  December at Cornerstone brings lots of seasonal treats. Our family Christmas show this year is The Night Before Christmas.  Running between Tuesday 10 and Tuesday 24 December it has a beautiful set, amazing puppetry, super costumes, exciting effects and joyful music.  Jam-packed full of festive delight it will enthral those aged from 3 to 103!  Nativity In Creakbottom and Christmas Time provide wonderful evenings of comedy theatre, ideal as a Christmas outing for grandparents and grandchildren aged 10 and over.  And on a different note, our Crafty Christmas Shopping and Music Evening on 5 December offers the opportunity to browse and buy unique items from ten of our favourite local craft artists, whilst enjoying live music from pianist extraordinaire Louisa Revolta.  

Cornerstone and the cafe bar will be closed over the Christmas period from 25 December to 6 January inclusive. 

Our performance year will kick off on Saturday 18 January with The Chairman’s Charity Gig which has become an annual event at Cornerstone and, this year, features Rebecca Poole and her band.  Rebecca hails from Nettlebed, has performed at the Albert Hall and is a regular at Ronnie Scott’s.  Her music is a contemporary re-telling of the vintage songs of the jazz age.  All profits will go to the Chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council’s chosen charities – The Children’s Multiple Sclerosis Centre and The Oxford Heart Centre Heartfelt Appeal.

Other January treats in store are the ever popular Pam Ayres, who comes to Cornerstone with all new material, following the publication of her latest book of poetry.  And an affectionate and fantastically funny homage to the greatest comedy act Britain has ever seen, in our comedy theatre performance Eric and Little Ern. 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

With every good wish from the Cornerstone team for a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

What’s on in December 2013

Sun 1 Christmas Cushion Concert Children’s: Music 2pm

A festive way to introduce your children to a classical instrument and a good excuse – as if you needed one – to have a dance yourself! Expect a few Christmas surprises too. Ages 2+.

Thu 5 Crafty Christmas Shopping & Music Evening from 6pm

Ten of our favourite local craft artists provide a unique opportunity to buy a wide range of original pieces. Festive live music from Louisa Revolta. FREE entry.

Sat 7 Nativity in Creakbottom Theatre: Comedy 7pm

When theatrical scouts come from ‘that London’ to Creakbottom, in deepest Suffolk, the local All-Male Amateur Dramatics Society has an unprecedented opportunity to display its undiscovered genius and new production, ‘The Birth of Jesus’! Physical comedy, music and banter. Ages 10+, family tickets available.

Tue 10 to Tue 24The Night Before Christmas Theatre: Cornerstone Family Christmas Show

It’s the night before Christmas. As Emily stands at the window wishing excitedly for Christmas to come, a little mouse called Eddie sets off in search of Father Christmas to ask why only humans get presents. Beautiful set, amazing puppetry, super costumes, exciting effects, joyful music and full of festive delight for all the family. Please call Box Office or see web site for dates and times of performances and schools performances. Ages 3+, family tickets available.

Fri 13 Christmas Time Theatre: Comedy 8pm

Charlie and Toby are feeling low on Christmas Day. Incarcerated at Her Majesty’s Pleasure they cheer themselves up enacting all the Christmas favourites including Dickens, pantomime, musicals, Christmas dinner and films. Ages 10+, family tickets available.

Sat 14 Gospel Singing: One-Off Workshop 5-7pm

A special opportunity to learn from CK Gospel Choir prior to their 8pm show, covering gospel style, harmony and teaching two new songs for performance. For both new and experienced singers.

CK Gospel Choir: Christmas 8pm

Twelve piece, gospel singing, group including band with festive tunes and classic favourites. Finalist on The Voice UK, Ruth Brown, is one of their sopranos.

Thu 19 4 Girls 4 Harps By Candlelight Music : Festive Classical 7.30pm

Traditional carols, specially arranged for harp, some traditional harp tunes and audience sing-a-long encouraged, all in the soft glow of candlelight. Family tickets available.

Fri 20 Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy with The Gift Band Music: Festive Folk 8pm

Mother and daughter Norma and Eliza celebrate the release of their first ever duo CD in this festive concert. Six-piece band including Martin Carthy play traditional classics.

Sun 22 Chris Newman and Máire Ní Chathasaigh Music: Festive Folk 7pm

This new Christmas show features a breath-taking blend of traditional Irish music, swing jazz and bluegrass plus festive favourites given a fresh voice.

Sun 1 to Sun 22 Clair Chinnery: Unruly Objects Exhibition (runs 14 November-22 December)

Oxford-based artist and academic Clair Chinnery has a background in sculpture but works regularly across and between traditional media boundaries. This exhibition presents a range of two and three-dimensional artworks evoking historic, institutional and domestic environments. FREE entry to the gallery. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm. Closed Monday.

 

CORNERSTONE ARTS CENTRE, 25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NE

Box Office: 01235 515144 Web site: http://www.cornerstone-arts.org