what's on spring 2013

What’s on Spring 2013

This season begins with musical theatre, dance, comedy from The Dead Secrets, and Apollo Theatre’s production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. In April we are hosting the best event for social entrepreneurs in the UK, Oxford Jam followed by Folk Weekend Oxford, as well as Troika Theatre’s Rope. Roll on May and we’d like to invite you to our joint fundraiser with Asylum Welcome on 2nd. The rest of the month then brings music, new theatre and dance, as well as the start of Oxfringe. We finish June with Mad Cap Theatre’s production of The Taming of the Shrew. To win tickets to this performance or Our Town, turn to page 15.

Don’t forget our regulars! Every Tuesday, our regular shows continue to delight and we’ve got a new one added to the list – Morgan and West’s Magical Menagerie. As usual, our Regular Class time table is bursting at the seams so see what we’ve got to offer on pages 18-21.

Our partnership with Crisis is beginning to bear fruit in exciting ways. In December we presented our first Hidden Spire production (find out more on page 32). Over the coming months, homeless people will be involved in more and more classes, performances and exhibitions.

The Arts are for everyone. Everyone has potential.

Welcome

ContentsEvents 4Tuesdays at the Old Fire Station 16Regular classes 18Review: Morgan and West 22Gallery exhibitions 23Arts at the Old Fire Station Friends Scheme 27Shop at the Old Fire Station 28Meet the Maker 30Hidden Spire 32Five ways to support us 33Further information 34

For the latest info, go to: www.oldfirestation.org.uk3

Call Mr Robeson: A Life With SongsWritten and Performed by Tayo Aluko

Directed by Olusola Oyeleye Designed by Phil Newman

Thursday 7 March, 7.30pm

A rollercoaster journey through Paul Robeson’s remarkable life as an actor, singer & civil rights campaigner. Call Mr Robeson explores how his radical activism caused him to be shunned even by those in the civil rights movement. Featuring a number of his famous songs.

Ark T Presents Friday 8 March, 7-10.30pm

Join the Ark T Music Project for an evening showcasing some of Oxfordshire’s most talented young musicians. With an eclectic range of musical styles on show these events promise to be a fun night out for all ages! Open to all ages.

£12.50, in advance

from www.wegottickets.

com/location/8116

£14.50 on the door

£1, 7 tickets for £5, from [email protected],

01865 396778 or 07588 456128

i www.ark-t.org F: ArtTStudio T: @ArkTMusic

Events

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Dance & Academia Conference:

Dance, Identity and the Body PART OF DANCIN’ OxFORDSaturday 9 March, 10am-5.30pm

This fascinating event is a place for dance practitioners and academics to come together in discussion and debate. Open to all with an interest in the topic.

Smoke and MirrorsSaturday 9 March 7.30-9pm

Torch songs and stories. Using the songs of

Kurt Weill, Rebecca Martin and Nia Williams tell the story of two women across four decades, from the brothels of Berlin in the 1920s, through love, war and separation to 1950s California.

£20/£18 concs, from

www.ticketsoxford.com

or 01865 305 305 Lunch is included. £1 off for

Dancin’ Oxford pass holders.

i www.dancinoxford.co.uk

F: Dancin’ Oxford

T: @DancinOxford

£10/£8 concs, from www.ticketsoxford.com,

01865 305305, the Oxford Playhouse Box Office

or on the door

i www.niawilliams.com

Tickets i Further info

F: Facebook T: Twitter

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Recycle: “Emergence” and “Recycle (Disposable Lives)”Friday 15 & Saturday 16 March, 7.30pm

Characters found rummaging through street-rubbish; representative of each individuals’ ‘fractured’ dreams; a ‘jig-saw piece’ of their tragic-beauty life ‘story’. Exhilarating dance, poetry, physical theatre that stimulates the mind and burns a hole in the heart.

Bulletproof JestFriday 22 & Saturday 23 March 7.30pm

Brand new comedy sketches by The Dead Secrets. Featuring: culinary sleuthing, emergency vicars, remarkable inventions, and the greatest threat mankind has ever known. And a bear. To get a taste visit: www.thedeadsecrets.com

£8.50/£6.50 concs, from

www.pointzero.me

i www.pointzero.me

£12/£10 concs, from www.ticketsoxford.com,

01865 305305 or the Oxford Playhouse Box Office

i www.thedeadsecrets.com

Events

6

Apollo Theatre presents

Our TownFriday 5 & Saturday 6 April, 7.30pm

Thornton Wilder’s classic tale of small-town American life in the early 20th century, brought to the stage in this brand new production, celebrating the play’s 75th anniversary.

OxfordJam ‘13Thursday 10, Friday 11 & Saturday 12 April See the website for

full timings

OxfordJam is the annual go to (un)conference

for social entrepreneurs. Jam-packed with opportunities for collaboration and collision, and bursting with inspirational sessions - from breakfast discussions to our infamous late night cabaret - OxfordJam promises an innovative, inclusive and truly participatory environment.


www.oldfirestation.org.uk

i www.apollotheatre

company.com

FrEE

i www.oxfordjam.org.uk F: OxfordJam T: OxfordJam



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Folk Weekend OxfordFriday 19 – Sunday 21 April, events all weekend

After a storming debut in 2012, Folk Weekend returns for another fun-packed weekend, even bigger and better than before! Expect concerts in the gallery, dancing in the loft, and music in every corner! For full details of events and times, please see the website.

Ropeby Patrick Hamilton

Thursday 25, Friday 26 & Saturday 27 April, 8pm

Inspired by a notorious criminal case, Patrick Hamilton’s thriller, Rope, exposes the psychological motives behind and the emotional fallout from an attempt to stage the perfect murder. Ages 14+

Weekend season ticket:

£48/£42 concs, from www.

wegottickets.com/

location/8116

i www.folkweekend

oxford.com F: Folk Weekend Oxford

T: @FolkWeekend

£12, group bookings of 10+ £10, from www.ticketsoxford.com, 01865 305305

or the Oxford Playhouse Box Office

i www.troikatheatre.co.uk F: Troika Theatre T: @TroikaTheatre

Events

8

ice&fire – raising funds for the Old Fire Station and Asylum WelcomeThursday 2 May, 7.30pm

Support the Old Fire Station and Asylum Welcome. A thought-provoking evening of drama and film led by critically acclaimed ice&fire. All proceeds to Arts at the Old Fire Station and Asylum Welcome. Ticket price includes

free drink.

The Usual Incentive & The Necessity of AtheismSaturday 4 May

2.30pm and 7.30pm

The dangers of speaking out. In 1811 Shelley faces expulsion from Oxford for arguing the case for atheism; in 1900 Edmond Fabre risks his job and his marriage if he exposes atrocities in the Congo.


www.oldfirestation.org.uk

i www.oldfirestation.org.uk

www.asylum-welcome.org

www.iceandfire.co.uk

£10/£7 concs, from www.wegottickets.com/location/8116

i www.anglia.ac.uk

Teisha Buick at [email protected] F: ARC (Anglia Ruskin Create)



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SpiroSaturday 11 May, 7.30pm

Like a string quartet, but the most driving and exciting string quartet that you could imagine.

“Mesmeric, cinematic, breathtaking and beautiful” SONGLINES

“True English originals” THE GUARDIAN

“English folk meets Philip Glass” THE EvENING STANDARD

The Funding NetworkThursday 16 May 6.30-9.30pm

Come and hear local charitable projects pitch to persuade you of their need for funding. The evening will follow up with a lively and open pledging session, although there is no obligation to give. Everyone welcome.

£12, from

www.wegottickets.

com/location/8116

i www.bigvillage.org

£5 register for the evening by emailing

[email protected]

i www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk

Events

10

Human LibrarySaturday 18 May, 10am – 4pm

Human Library: where the ‘books’ are people and the ‘reading’ takes place via a conversation. It’s a chance to challenge your perceptions and to discover more about mental health, homelessness and a range of

other issues.

Luminous ShadowsThursday 23 May 6pm and 8pm

Poetic and playful journeys in sound,

light and movement. Experience the live interaction of dancers, musicians and visual artists of Oxford’s acclaimed DEC Drawing Dance group in composed and improvised performance featuring live video projection.

FrEE

i www.oxfordshire-mind.

org.uk

www.humanlibrary.org

From £12/£8 concs, from decprojectoxford.wordpress.com

or on the door

i 01865 557098

decprojectoxford.wordpress.com



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Oxfringe24–25, 27–31 May, 1 June & 6–8 June Various times – see website for full details

After a spectacular 2012, the award-winning Underground venues will return to the OFS to present a programme of top-quality comedy, theatre, magic and family shows – all as part of the 2013 Oxfringe.

Students from The Top Floor TheatreThursday 13 & Friday 14 June, 7.15pm

Last year the students of The Top Floor Theatre based at Oxford and Cherwell valley College brought you a highly praised performance of Widows by Ariel Dorfman. Look out for this years show!

TBC

i www.facebook.com/TopFloorTheatreBoxOffice

or email: [email protected]

Events

From £8/£6 concs, from

www.underthefringe.

com/oxford

i www.underthefringe.

com/oxford F: UndertheFringe

T: @Underthefringe

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Foxtrot SerenadersSaturday 15 June, 7.30pm

The New Foxtrot Serenaders make their first visit to The Old Fire Station with “Strictly Gershwin” – an evening of the best loved songs from George and Ira Gershwin including “I’ve Got Rhythm”, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” and “A Foggy Day”. BBC Radio Berkshire’s Bill

Rennells is guest compere for the evening.

Madcap Theatre Productions present…

The Taming of the ShrewFriday 21 & Saturday 22 June, 7.30pm

Madcap Theatre Productions bring to life one of Shakespeare’s finest comedies. Drama, music and physical theatre combine with typical Shakespearean mayhem; misleading disguises, witty banter and the inevitable rocky road to true love!


www.wegottickets.com/

location/8116

i www.newfoxtrotserenaders.

co.uk

£12/£10 concs, from www.wegottickets.com/location/8116

i www.madcaptheatreproductions.co.uk F: Mad Cap Theatre Productions

T: @MapCap_Theatre



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Dance Scratch NightFriday 28 June, 7.30pm

Come and sample new works and work in progress made by local professional dance artists in this evening hosted by Oxford Dance Forum’s Home-Bed programme. See www.oxforddanceforum.com for more details about how to show work.

For All Those Who Know…Saturday 29 June 8-9.30pm

For all those who know...”What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know.” St AugustineIt is a matter of time...

£3, from www.wegottickets.

com/location/8116

i www.oxford

danceforum.com F: ODF – Oxford Dance Forum

T: @OxfdDanceForum

£8, £7 concs, from www.lunasdanceproject.com

or 07907 555135

i www.lunasdanceproject.com

www.lunasdancetumblr.com/project

Tickets i Further infoEventsF: Facebook T: Twitter

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Win!A pair of tickets to see either Our Town or The Taming of the Shrew at the Old Fire Station!To enter, send an email with the show you would like to see (OUR TOWN or TAMING OF THE SHREW) in the subject line to: [email protected] along with your name, email address and answer to the following question…

How many regular Tuesday events does the Old Fire Station host?

Entries to see Our Town close on 22 March. Entries to see The Taming of the Shrew close on 7 June.

Winners will be picked at random and notified 3 days after the selection and the decision is final. By entering you agree to be added to our mailing list. You may unsubscribe after receipt of the first issue. Further information regarding collection of the tickets will be emailed to the winner. Entrants should be 16 or above. Staff and volunteers of Arts at the Old Fire Station may not enter. Entrants may not enter both competitions.

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Tuesdays

at The Old Fire Station

Oxford Improvisers5 March, 2 April, 7 May, 4 June, 7.30–10pm

Oxford Improvisers present a monthly showcase of music by invited quests

and professional musicians in the organisation. The next four months will provide a wide spectrum of improvised and new music from leaders of the UK and international music scene, such as Heimweh from Italy. Check the website for full details of each date.

£7/£5 concs, from 07941 606869 or on the door

i www.oxfordimprovisers.com

Morgan and West’s Magical Menagerie2 April, 7 May, 4 June, 7.30pm

Roll up roll up! Time travelling magicians Morgan and West bring you

the UK’s finest magical talent – psychics, conjurers and prestidigitators live and in captivity! Guest magicians announced at www.morganandwest.co.uk

£8.50, from www.wegottickets.com/location/8116

i www.morganandwest.co.uk/live-dates T: @WestMagic and @MorganMagic



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Hammer and Tongue12 March, 19 April, 14 May, 11 June 8-10.45pm (doors, 7.45pm)

A cabaret of verbal gymnastics, comedy and controversy featuring two world-class performance poets, while upcoming talent battle it out in the poetry slam. Check website/Facebook for this month’s main act. Ages 18+

£7/£5 concs, from www.wegottickets.com or on the door

i www.hammerandtongue.com F: Hammer and Tongue Oxford

Theatre Scratch Night19 March, 16 April, 21 May, 18 June, 7.30pm

A night of works in progress by local and regional performers. Come and watch or contact us if you have an idea you would like to try out. Want to perform? Contact [email protected] with SCRATCH

as the subject to request an application form.

£5, from www.wegottickets.com or on the door

i www.oldfirestation.org.uk F: Theatre Scratch Night T: OFSScratchNight

Short Stories Aloud26 March, 30 April, 28 May, 25 June, 7.30–9.30pm

Hear award-winning short stories read aloud by professional actors, followed by chat with the authors. Different theme each month; same friendly vibe. Listen to your favourite tales and discover new ones. Ages 13+

£5/£3 concs (free if you bring cake!), from

www.wegottickets.com or on the door

i [email protected] T: @StoriesAloud 17

Class Time Description Contact

Expression School of Ballet and Theatre Arts

5.45-6.45pm Junior Ballet 8-11 years

6.45-7.15pm Beginners/ Improvers Tap

7.15-8.15pm Intermediate Foundation Ballet

8.15-8.30pm Pointe

8.30-9.30pm Intermediate Ballet

Drop in classes taught by professional teachers. Friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome.

[email protected]

07956 231155 www.expressiondance.co.uk

Oxford Youth Dance Company 5.15-7.15pm Contemporary dance company for young dancers aged 15-25 years.

[email protected]

01865 251642

Zumba Fitness 7.30-8.30pm Join the latin-inspired fitness party which has truly gone global!

Lisa Smith: 07885 574360

[email protected]

www.oxfordzumba.com

Oxford University Dance Society

7.25-8.30pm Jazz8.30-9.30pm Street Jazz

Drop in, high energy jazz and street jazz dance class.

karina-doris.vihta @ccc.ox.ac.uk

dancesoc.mulchprod.de

Lunas Contemporary Dance 9.30-10.30am Ballet and Jazz techniques. Get strong, flexible and dancing! Contemporary classes 16+.

Ellie: 07907 555135

[email protected]

lunasdance.tumblr.com

The Young Dancers’ Workshop 4.30-5.30pm Contemporary dance technique and Choreography classes for children with some dance experience.

Joëlle Pappas: 01865 251643

[email protected]

www.tac-au-tac.co.uk

Adult Tap with Sole Rebel Tap 6pm Beginners7pm Improvers8-9pm Advanced

Adult classes suitable for absolute beginners to advanced tappers. Fun, non-syllabus tap dance.

www.solerebeltap.co.uk

[email protected]

Hip-Hop choreography 5.15pm Beginners 6.15pm Intermediate/Advance

Learn different styles of Hip-Hop through choreographed routines. With Dexter and Alan.

Dexter: 07412 712212 Alan: 07760 477122

Any questions, call Marcus: 07885 751829

www.flawrtists.com

Zumba 7pm Join the latin-inspired fitness party which has truly gone global!

Lisa Smith: 07885 574360

[email protected]

www.oxfordzumba.com

Salsa 8pm Beginners9pm Intermediate/Advanced

Learn to partner dance Latin-style, it’s easier than you think!

Lisa Smith: 07885 574360

[email protected]

www.salsaoxford.com

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5.45-6.45pm Junior Ballet 8-11 years

6.45-7.15pm Beginners/ Improvers Tap

7.15-8.15pm Intermediate Foundation Ballet

8.15-8.30pm Pointe

8.30-9.30pm Intermediate Ballet


[email protected]


Oxford Youth Dance Company 5.15-7.15pm Contemporary dance company for young dancers aged 15-25 years.

[email protected]

01865 251642

Zumba Fitness 7.30-8.30pm Join the latin-inspired fitness party which has truly gone global!

Lisa Smith: 07885 574360

[email protected]

www.oxfordzumba.com

Oxford University Dance Society

7.25-8.30pm Jazz8.30-9.30pm Street Jazz

Drop in, high energy jazz and street jazz dance class.

karina-doris.vihta @ccc.ox.ac.uk

dancesoc.mulchprod.de


Ellie: 07907 555135

[email protected]


The Young Dancers’ Workshop 4.30-5.30pm Contemporary dance technique and Choreography classes for children with some dance experience.


[email protected]


Adult Tap with Sole Rebel Tap 6pm Beginners7pm Improvers8-9pm Advanced

Adult classes suitable for absolute beginners to advanced tappers. Fun, non-syllabus tap dance.

www.solerebeltap.co.uk

[email protected]

Hip-Hop choreography 5.15pm Beginners 6.15pm Intermediate/Advance

Learn different styles of Hip-Hop through choreographed routines. With Dexter and Alan.

Dexter: 07412 712212 Alan: 07760 477122

Any questions, call Marcus: 07885 751829

www.flawrtists.com

Zumba 7pm Join the latin-inspired fitness party which has truly gone global!

Lisa Smith: 07885 574360

[email protected]

www.oxfordzumba.com

Salsa 8pm Beginners9pm Intermediate/Advanced

Learn to partner dance Latin-style, it’s easier than you think!

Lisa Smith: 07885 574360

[email protected]

www.salsaoxford.com

For more information please visit the classes page on our website – www.oldfirestation.org.uk/classesBefore attending classes please contact the class tutor.

19COnTinuED...

regular classes



5.45-6.45pm Intermediate Modern7.15-8.15pm Ballet (all levels)8.15-8.30pm Pointe8.30-9.30pm Pilates (all levels)


[email protected]


Open Adult Contemporary Dance Class

7.30-9pm Flowing movement sequences drawing on different dance techniques, Pilates and yoga. Intermediate/Advanced level

[email protected]

07411 075847


Ellie: 07907 555135

[email protected]


Pilates 12.10-12.50pm Mat based core training class to improve back strength and posture.

www.ajactive.co.uk

[email protected]

07796 053703

Karate for All 2.30-4pm Traditional Okinawan karate for everyone – includes warmups, body conditioning, stretching and kata.

www.uechi-ryu.co.uk

[email protected]

01865 251643


6-9.30pm Intermediate/Advanced level master classes in ballet, tap and jazz. Age 16+

[email protected]


Pilates 9.15-10.15am Strengthen and increase flexibility, with a focus on deep muscle groups to improve posture and spinal alignment.

[email protected]

www.toplinefitness.co.uk

07748 600620

Devising for Performance 2-4pm A community theatre workshop creating work-in-progress for performances at the Old Fire Station. Runs 20 April – 15 June

[email protected]


5-6pm Junior Boys Dance 7-11yrs6-7pm Intermediate Tap7-8pm Inter/Adv Jazz8-9.30pm Inter/Adv Ballet


[email protected]


Creative Dance Workshop 3-5pm1 Dec, 23 Feb, 23 March

Contemporary dance classes and choreographic workshop for adults – beginners welcome!


[email protected]


Fri

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Th

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day

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...COnTinuED



5.45-6.45pm Intermediate Modern7.15-8.15pm Ballet (all levels)8.15-8.30pm Pointe8.30-9.30pm Pilates (all levels)


[email protected]


Open Adult Contemporary Dance Class

7.30-9pm Flowing movement sequences drawing on different dance techniques, Pilates and yoga. Intermediate/Advanced level

[email protected]

07411 075847


Ellie: 07907 555135

[email protected]


Pilates 12.10-12.50pm Mat based core training class to improve back strength and posture.

www.ajactive.co.uk

[email protected]

07796 053703

Karate for All 2.30-4pm Traditional Okinawan karate for everyone – includes warmups, body conditioning, stretching and kata.

www.uechi-ryu.co.uk

[email protected]

01865 251643


6-9.30pm Intermediate/Advanced level master classes in ballet, tap and jazz. Age 16+

[email protected]


Pilates 9.15-10.15am Strengthen and increase flexibility, with a focus on deep muscle groups to improve posture and spinal alignment.

[email protected]

www.toplinefitness.co.uk

07748 600620

Devising for Performance 2-4pm A community theatre workshop creating work-in-progress for performances at the Old Fire Station. Runs 20 April – 15 June

[email protected]


5-6pm Junior Boys Dance 7-11yrs6-7pm Intermediate Tap7-8pm Inter/Adv Jazz8-9.30pm Inter/Adv Ballet


[email protected]


Creative Dance Workshop 3-5pm1 Dec, 23 Feb, 23 March

Contemporary dance classes and choreographic workshop for adults – beginners welcome!


[email protected]


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rEviEW:

Morgan and West

6 December 2012

Morgan and West promised a night of the finest magical specimens, and they did not disappoint. Their introduction, involving various slightly gothic illusions (pins threaded in the mouth) was darkly fun, and their quirky Victorian speech and dress added a twist to their stage presence. Morgan and West then introduced their captive magicians for the night.

What followed was hugely entertaining. Mr Bailey was extremely clever and very funny to boot. He dealt seamlessly with a recalcitrant helper from the audience (myself) who wilfully ate the wrong smartie and very nearly messed up a complicated trick. He recovered with panache, doubling the laughter, and my merciless children have dined out on the story at my expense ever since.

Mr Keable was an old fashioned conjurer who delivered smoothly the staples of cards and metal hoops, all spiced with a sharp wit. Fascinating to watch a true professional at such close quarters.

A fantastical, intimate and eclectic night.

Sarah Gardner, audience member

Morgan and West’s Magical Menagerie 2 April, 7 May, 4 June, 7.30pm

See page 16 for more details.

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Gallery exhibitions

The Artificial Standard9 – 29 March

Exhibition Preview: 8 March, 5.30-7.30pm

An exhibition that looks at our understanding of nature: how it grows in complexity and expands like geometry to take on greater and greater depths and dimensions.

i www.theartificialstandard.wordpress.com

23

Gallery exhibitions

The Project Room presents: ‘You can’t fall off the floor’.New work by Kleiner Shames and Patch Plummer.6 – 26 April

Exhibition Preview: 5 April, 5.30-7.30pm

The Project Room presents new work by Bristol based collective “Check your bad self.” a collaboration between graffiti artists Kleiner Shames and Patch Plummer. Since 2006 the artists have painted hundreds of walls and worked on a number of gallery projects and exhibitions including commissions for spray painting cars, interiors of artist spaces in Oxford and edible graffiti.

i www.projectroomoxford.com

http://checkyourbadself.tumblr.com

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Broken Home Collection3 – 31 May Exhibition Preview: 3 May, 5.30-7.30pm

An interactive installation, Broken Home is an eclectic collection of discarded and donated household objects. Interlocking, timber-framed cubes construct a sense of home and its interior spaces, the objects within are suspended and placed as if from memory or dream, inviting the viewer to establish connections of their own.

i www.brokenhomecollection.co.uk

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Gallery exhibitions

Interval7 June – 5 July

Exhibition Preview: 7 June, 5.30-8.30pm

Through a union of repetitive form, industrialized materials and a desire for the unadorned, ‘Interval’ showcases a selection of new work by the London based artist Ashley Rich. Painting, sculpture and print techniques come together to form an installation that highlights the ways in which abstract references inform architectural structures.

i www.ashleyrich.co.uk

26

Arts at the Old Fire Station Friends SchemeBecome a Friend of Arts at the Old Fire Station and help us develop the work we do with artists and homeless people. We’ve got five donation options and every penny counts. How will you ignite someone’s creativity?

To donate, please email

friends@oldfirestation. org.uk

and we’ll send you an information pack and full details of how you can get involved.

A Tinder Box£3 a month will get the fire started

What will it get me?

• Regular What’s On newsletters and invites

• Emailed copy of the Annual review

• Quarterly Friends Mailouts about what

your money has gone towards

A SparklerSpark someone’s imagination for £10 a month

• As above plus:

• Invitation to our yearly birthday party

• Posted copy of the annual review

• Quarterly What’s On Guides in the post

A FireworkIgnite opportunity by donating £25 a month

• As above plus:

• Mention on the website

• Posted Private view invites

• Posted Copy of the annual review

A Bonfire Build on inspiration with £50 a month

• Early Invitations to artist talks

• Opportunity to attend selected

rehearsals

• Free entry to Theatre Scratch Nights

A Big Bang Fuel a creative explosion by giving a

one-off donation of £1000 or more

• As above for a year, plus:

• A plaque on one of the Theatre chairs

(for a minimum of two years)27

Shop at The Old Fire Station

Shop at the Old Fire Station is stocked with a treasure trove of over 100 different artists and designers. But did you know that all of the items are handmade or designed within the UK, with over half of the makers based within Oxfordshire? Who knows, you could even sit next to them on the bus! As if that wasn’t enough to entice you into the shop your money from each purchase not only supports the makers and designers it also helps us to give opportunities to artists from all practices to experiment, try out new work and reach their potential. We also work with Crisis Skylight to provide opportunities for homeless people within the arts. Where else can you go that promises so much return on a simple purchase?

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Shop and gallery eventsPlaygroundEvery 2nd Thursday of the Month, 7pm14 March, 11 April, 9 May, 13 June

Oxford’s very own new works and collaboration platform. Come. Share. Meet. Play.

FrEE

i www.theplayground.org.uk

We’re always busying planning something so keep your eyes on our website for events related to our exhibitions and one off shopping and craft nights.

Want to make sure you don’t miss a thing? Sign up to our mailing list on our website: www.oldfirestation.org.uk

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Triangles, triangles, circles, circles! These two shapes feature frequently in your work. Why these two shapes?Haha, yes I suppose they do feature heavily in my work. I guess I like the simplicity of their form. I like the fact you can fit one

inside the other, add them together or create endless pattern combinations.

Where does the inspiration for your patterns come from? Most of my inspiration up until now has been architectural. However, specific projects have led me to look at Yucatan weaving and patterns found in Mexican temples.

Objects of daily use such as mugs, chairs, coasters, cushions and pouffes are among your creations. What was the object that first started Fun Makes Good?After specialising in embroidered textiles for interiors at University, I wanted to work in 3D and became passionate about chairs and upholstery. The first project was an amazing swivel chair, which I found abandoned and in pieces. It is now my desk chair and I use it everyday.

What’s the most unusual object you’ve ever encountered?Frem Rojle three legged chairs with curved seats, which were fun to re-cover. I recently bought a very nice hand painted ceramic cheese/butter dome with stripes and yellow handle. I call it my ‘Butter circus’ as it looks like a circus tent.

This season we chat to Eleanor Young, designer of the bright and bold Fun Makes Good.

Meet the maker

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We would dot Fun Makes Good pouffes all around our houses. How many pouffes do you own?I have quite a small living room so I only have one of my pouffes, however I have designed all the other upholstery in the room – two armchairs, four dining chairs and a number of cushions. It’s bright!

Where does you colour palette come from?I use a lot of similar colours, often featuring grey with contrasting oranges and turquoises. I find grey is an excellent base for other colours, it compliments some tones and makes others stand out.

Who is your favourite designer at the moment?I am never disappointed when a new Marimekko collection comes out.

What’s next?I have an exciting project in the pipeline taking inspiration from one of my favourite places. I’d really like to work on some more large scale, site-specific projects as well as developing new product lines.

What advice would you give to any upcoming designers?I work by my motto ‘Fun Makes Good’ if it makes me happy and I am enjoying it, you can’t go wrong!

Fun Makes Good items can be bought in the Shop at the Old Fire Station.

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Just before Christmas, we staged our first production of Hidden Spire. Professional artists worked alongside Crisis Skylight members under the direction of local theatre maker, Lizzy McBain, to create a groundbreaking newly devised piece. Taking inspiration from the theme ‘hidden’ and the hose tower in the centre of the Old Fire Station, the show combined acting, puppetry, dance, poetry and music.

The Hidden Spire project is the start of much bigger things to come. In the future we will open up our collaborations to the public to make something really unique as well as continuing to show that inclusive art can be great art.

For the Crisis Members involved, it has given them the opportunity to see a way out of homelessness. One Crisis member said, “working on the Hidden Spire project has meant I don’t see myself as a down and out anymore”. It has also allowed audiences to see that homeless people are as gifted, passionate and creative as anyone else.

To find out more, visit our website www.oldfirestation.org.uk/ how-we-work-with-crisis-skylight

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vOLunTEEr WiTH uS. We’re always on the look out for people to help us with admin, front of house, fundraising, marketing and Shop and Gallery work. Interested? Drop an email to [email protected]

BECOME A FriEnD. We have monthly donation options with fantastic perks! Take a look at page 27, see our website below or email [email protected] for more information.

DOnATE nOW. Just by texting us. Text WOFS01 and the amount (min £1) to 70070. Eg. WOFS01 £10 Don’t forget to GiftAid it by following the instructions in the reply.

BuY SOMETHinG FrOM THE SHOP. Just by purchasing something in the shop you’re supporting independent artists and designer-makers and Arts at the Old Fire Station.

TELL PEOPLE ABOuT uS. Rally your friends, inform your family, and shout about us at work. Whatever you fancy!

Want to support us and what we do? Here’s 5 ways you can…

For more information on supporting us, visit our website: www.oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us

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Spaces for hireWe have a wide range of beautiful spaces to hire for meetings, events, rehearsals and classes. Please see our website or contact us on [email protected]

Arts at the Old Fire Station40 George Street, Oxford Ox1 2AQE: [email protected] T: 01865 263980www.oldfirestation.org.uk

www.facebook.com/artsattheoldfirestation @ArtsatOFS

Alongside our colleagues from Crisis Skylight, we find enterprising ways of supporting excellence and participation in art and culture and help end homelessness in Oxford.

Want to join in? Contact: [email protected]

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Old Fire Station 40 George Street Oxford OX1 2AQ

The main entrance and cafe entrance are on George Street. Entrance to the shop and gallery is on Gloucester Green.

Visiting the Old Fire Station

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TrainOxford railway station is five minutes’ walk away.

CarParking in central Oxford is expensive, and spaces can be limited. The closest car parks are Worcester Street and underground at Gloucester Green.

Nearest disabled parking

BusWe are next to Gloucester Green bus station.

Park & RideThere are five park and ride bus services in Oxford. For details, visit: www.oxfordbus.co.uk/parkandride

Arts at the Old Fire Station registered charity number: 1140525.

Design: www.katydawkins.co.uk

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5th & 6th of April, 7.30pm www.oldfirestation.org.uk

OUR TOWN

At a glance

EventsMARCHThu 7 Call Mr RobesonFri 8 Ark T Presents Sat 9 Dance & Academia Conference Sat 9 Smoke and MirrorsFri 15 & Sat 16 Recycle: “Emergence” and “Recycle” Thu 21 – Sat 23 The Bulletproof Jest

APRILFri 5 & Sat 6 Our Town Wed 10 – Fri 12 OxfordJam ‘13Fri 19 – Sun 21 Folk Weekend Thu 25 – Sat 27 Rope

MAYThu 2 Ice&Fire FundraiserSat 4 The Usual Incentive & The Necessity of AtheismSat 11 SpiroThu 16 The Funding NetworkSat 18 Human LibraryThu 23 Luminous Shadows24 – 25, 27 – 31 Oxfringe

For the latest, go to: www.oldfirestation. org.uk

JUNE6 – 8 OxfringeThu 13 & Fri 14 Students from The Top Floor TheatreSat 15 Foxtrot SerenadersFri 21 & Sat 22 The Taming of the ShrewFri 28 Dance Scratch NightSat 29 For All Those Who Know…

Tuesdays at the Old Fire Station

5 Mar/2 Apr/7 May/4 Jun Oxford Improvisers2 Apr/7 May/4 JunMorgan and West’s Magical Menagerie12 Mar/9 Apr/14 May/11 Jun Hammer and Tongue 19 Mar/16 Apr/ 21 May/18 Jun Theatre Scratch Night26 Mar/30 Apr/28 May/25 Jun Short Stories Aloud

Gallery exhibitions9-29 Mar The Artificial Standard6–26 Apr ‘Check your bad self’3–31 May Broken Home Collection8 Mar Interval

Shop & Gallery events

2nd Thursday of the month Playground

Working with:

Front cover: You Can’t Fall off the Floor, 6-26 April, p24

what's on spring 2013

Documents