*Look for our Child Friendly Events (blue background)
What's On This Month?
Monday 01 March - Sunday 28 March
HHA / Christies Garden of the Year Photographic Exhibition
Blenheim Palace is proud winner of the 2008 HHA/Christie’s Garden of the Year Award. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the award, HHA and Christie’s have commissioned a professional photography competition and exhibition to feature the winning gardens of the last 25 years, to be displayed at Christie’s in November. Blenheim Palace is delighted to host this fabulous photographic exhibition for six weeks from the open of the new season.
13th February - 28th March
10.30 am – 4.45 pm
Monday 01 March - Sunday 14 March
International Women’s Festival 2010: Grassroots and Glass Ceilings
Join Oxford International Women’s Festival 2010 for a celebration of women’s achievements in around thirty events based on the theme of ‘Grassroots and Glass Ceilings’. The programme is designed to entertain, to educate, to question, to enrich and, importantly, to celebrate women’s achievements, ingenuity, tenacity and compassion. Events include ‘Bin your Bra, don’t Burn it’ (a re-cycling event collecting second-hand bras for developing countries) and several community events, art installations and workshops at venues across Oxford.
See website below for full event listings
Sunday 14th February - Sunday 14th March
Monday 01 March - Wednesday 31 March
Dancin Oxford - Dance Festival 2010
Welcome to the 2010 Dancin’ Oxford Festival. We believe we have something for everyone programmed this year, whether you simply want to sit back and watch, like to join in and try a new dance form or get involved in a workshop. The dance forms this year include African, ballet, ballroom, bangra/bollywood, ceroc, charleston, contemporay, flamenco, family, film, hip hop, historical, jazz, kathak, Latin American, rags sharqi, salsa, samba reggae, street, tango, tap, tea dance and zumba. See website for fulll programme details.
February - April
Monday 01 March - Friday 05 March
Oxford Brookes Human Rights Film Festival 2010
This year, the Human Rights Film Festival encompasses a broad sweep of topics, including torture, sexuality, workers’ rights and people trafficking and with geo-specific issues such as Burma, Rwanda, Israel & Palestine, Kenya and Western Sahara. It promises to be as wide-ranging as it is engaging. From feature films and documentaries to shorts and animation, the Human Rights Film Festival 2010 is featuring the best, newest and most diverse selection fo cinematic activism yet seen in Oxford
Friday 26th February - Friday 5th March
Wednesday 03 March
Flog It!
Flog It! is coming to Oxford! Come and meet Paul Martin and have your antiques and collectables valued by the experts. Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street.
9.30am - 4.00pm
Wednesday 03 March - Saturday 06 March
Torpids at Isis River
College rowing races for the more ‘torpid’ or lethargic crews. Free entry
Friday 05 March - Saturday 06 March
We Look Fabulous Clothes Sale
A collection of top quality vintage, nearly-new and end-of-season clothes with brands from Armani to Zara. The stylish bargains on offer include ladies’, men’s and teenage clothing, along with hats, belts, scarves and handbags and a seamstress will be on hand to adjust outfits that dont quite fit. Preview Tickets £5 (includes glass of wine or cup of tea), Sale Tickets £1
Oxford Town Hall
5th March 2-6pm Preview, 6th March 9am-5pm Sale
Friday 05 March
Offshoot Spoken Word Event with Grevel Lindop
The Offshoot kicks off with a spoken word performance at the fantastic Vaults café, featuring sumptuous poet and compere Sophia Blackwell, the ingenius “Stop Sharpening Your Knives” collective, poet/writer/traveller/blogger/Renaissance Man Grevel Lindop, and even the inventor of the “hornicator” himself: Thomas Truax.
The Vaults Cafe
8.00 pm
Saturday 06 March
Talk: “Milk and No Sugar?” – the history in your coffee cup
Muriel Passey, graduate of St Anne’s College, talks on how coffee drinking became a popular activity and Oxford’s part in its history. The talk is given in association with St Anne’s Association of Senior Members, Oxford Branch. To book call 01865 260668. £6 per person to include a cup of coffee. Limited places.
The Key Learning Centre, Oxford Castle Unlocked
11.00 am -12.30 pm
Saturday 06 March
Oxfordshire Science Festival Launch - Street Science Dance Performance
Street Science is a new commission for Step 2 Dance who together with scientists explore the limits of the human body using street dance. Following the performance audience members will be invited to participate in a live class where their fitness stats can be measured while they learn new moves! Street Science will also tour a number of shopping centres as part of Oxfordshire Science Festival Launch.
Broad Street
1.00 pm
Saturday 06 March
Inspector Morse Tour at Oxford Tourist Information Centre
Follow in the footsteps of the city’s celebrated TV detective, created by Oxford author Colin Dexter. Visit the scenes of Inspector Morse’s best-known cases, with lots of lively anecdotes along the way. Tour departs at 1.30pm every Saturday. Please note that this is a very popular tour and advance booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
1.30 pm
Saturday 06 March - Sunday 21 March
Oxfordshire Science Festival 2010
The Oxfordshire Science Festival is where hands and minds can get busy exploring, debating, experiencing and discussing science at the many events held across the county each year.
Various venues
Saturday 06 March
Queer Oxford - Walk on the Wilde Side
Part of the LGBT History Month (Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Trans). Explore 600 years of Queer Oxford History as we walk through the centre of this historic city - presented by Oxford Pride.
Meet at 2.00 pm at Magdalen Bridge, High Street
2.00 pm
Saturday 06 March
Science In Your World - Festival Launch
So you think science happens only in labs? Come and extract DNA with just items from your kitchen! do you think science has nothing to do with you? come and see just how much science impacts on your life at Science In Your World, the Oxfordshire Science Festival launch event which will see Broad Street transformed into a giant, science-filled marketplace. Operating from interactive market stalls, scientists drawn from university departments and partner organisations will give you the chance to do experiements and ‘hands-on’ activities to show just how much science impacts in everyday life. Come and see our live shows including Mathemusica with Professor Marcus du Sautoy and the Oxford Philomusica, Street Science a newly commisioned performance from World Champion street dance troupe Step 2, Think Forensic where you can become the star of your own CSI, an attempt to break the record for the world’s longest human neurone chain and much more! Free entry
Broad Street
12.00 - 5.30 pm
Sunday 07 March
Family Tea Dance Extragavanza
Ragroof’s welcome return to Oxford means another opportunity to enjoy a fabulous afternoon of dance. All ages are welcome to join in the dancing whether experienced, beginner, families, couples, or groups of friends. Enjoy elegant dance displays, instant ballroom lessons by Dorothy’s Shoes and dance the afternoon away to the sounds of the ‘20s, ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. (Ragroof Theatre will also lead Family Tea Dances on Saturday 6th March at Cornerstone, Didcot.) Tickets Adults £6, Children £4, Family £16 (2+2). Box Office: 01865 305305
West Oxford Community Centre
2.00 pm
Sunday 07 March
After Eight Services at Christ Church
The ‘After Eight’ services at 8.00 pm on Sunday during University term resume in the New Year, and forthcoming conversation guests and performers include singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph (right), Whitbread award-winning poet Michael Symmons-Roberts, and writers Julia Golding and Geoffrey Moorhouse. The services, which feature a wide range of music, readings and conversation, have been described as ‘a cross between BBC Radio 4’s Something Understood and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.’
Free entry
Christ Church Cathedral
8.00 pm
Wednesday 10 March - Thursday 11 March
Spring Dance Platform by Flydance
Students from Oxford & Cherwell Valley College and guest performance groups. £3 from the college or on the door.
Top Floor Theatre, Kennet Building, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College
7.30 pm
Thursday 11 March
Talk: “The night-time haven of the wandering tribes”-The common lodging-house in Victorian England
By the early 19th century lodging-houses were common in English market towns and cities but had an evil reputation as overcrowded, unsanitary dens of iniquity. Using examples from Oxfordshire, local historian Liz Woolley investigates the truth of these claims and tries to cast common lodging-houses in a more positive light. To book call 01865 260668. £5 pp
The Key Learning Centre, Oxford Castle Unlocked
6.00 - 7.30 pm
Saturday 13 March
Inspector Morse Tour at Oxford Tourist Information Centre
Follow in the footsteps of the city’s celebrated TV detective, created by Oxford author Colin Dexter. Visit the scenes of Inspector Morse’s best-known cases, with lots of lively anecdotes along the way. Tour departs at 1.30pm every Saturday. Please note that this is a very popular tour and advance booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
1.30 pm
Saturday 13 March
African Boogie Disco
Come and dance the blues away. For all the family. To raise money for 2 Africa Charities, Friends for Children which sponsors children orphaned by HIV in Ethiopia, and African Outreach which does literacy & HIV awareness in Ghana. £5 adults, £3 children over 12, under 12’s free
St Clements Family Centre, Cross St off Morrell Avenue
6.00 - 10.30 pm
Sunday 14 March
Mothering Sunday and Hellebore Day
Entry to our ornamental gardens is free for all Mums on their special day! Its a fantastic opportunity to see our beautiful Hellebores which should be in full bloom and theres also a fabulous Mothering Sunday menu in the Teashop. Please note no bookings will be taken for lunch - its first come first served.
Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, Near Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1JZ
10.00 am - 5.00 pm
Monday 15 March
African School Workshop & Lesson: Shona - Southern Africa
Teacher Natty Mark & Guests. Free entry. Everyone welcome
Jubilee Hall, Sorrell Road, Blackbird Leys
7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Saturday 20 March
Inspector Morse Tour at Oxford Tourist Information Centre
Follow in the footsteps of the city’s celebrated TV detective, created by Oxford author Colin Dexter. Visit the scenes of Inspector Morse’s best-known cases, with lots of lively anecdotes along the way. Tour departs at 1.30pm every Saturday. Please note that this is a very popular tour and advance booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
1.30 pm
Saturday 20 March - Sunday 21 March
Arch: Choreographer Fiona Millward, Public Artist Jo Fairfax & Filmaker Katja Lehmann
Be taken on a journey of discovery where movement, costume, light and sound transform one of Oxford’s beautiful buildings. Inspired by and created for the site offering quietly quirky yet explosive vignettes of dance, sculpture, and music. Arch is a collaboration between the award-winning artists, choreographer Fiona Millward, public artist Jo Fairfax and director/filmmaker Katja Lehmann. Commissioned by Dancin’ Oxford and Pegasus Theatre, with the support of Arts Council England. Please note: New Saturday start time and that audience numbers are limited so arrive early to assure entry. Free entry.
Worcester College
Saturday 6.30 pm & 8.30 pm, Sunday 6.30 pm
Saturday 20 March - Sunday 21 March
Lambing Weekends at Northmoor Trust
Come and see our new born lambs! Learn about life on the farm, chat to our farmers and have a go at farm activities.
Northmoor Trust, Little Wittenham
10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Saturday 20 March
Brookes Science Bazaar
Create stories in a virtual world…. Get a whiff of some smelly science….. Cook up healthy food and learn all about it….. just some of the hands on activities at Brookes Science Bazaar. Bring the family for a FREE day of science based fun, led by Brookes scientists. There’s no need to book in advance; some sessions must be booked on the day. Suitable for ages 5+ (some sessions are for 8+). Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Oxford Brookes University, Main Reception, Gipsy Lane site
11.00 am - 4.00 pm
Saturday 20 March
C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Guided Walking Tour
Two highly popular university lecturers and authors, friends J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, wrote some of the most popular books of the 20th century. Share the environment in which they studied, lived and spent their leisure time in their beloved Oxford. Adult £7.50 / Senior £7.50 / Child £4.00
13.30
Saturday 20 March - Sunday 28 March
Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival
The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival holds over 250 literary events, including talks by authors of all genres, topical discussion panels, interviews with household names, and an extensive Childrens Programme. Festival venues include Christ Church and the marquees on the Meadows, Corpus Christi, Jesus and Oriel colleges, the Sheldonian Theatre and the Bodleian Library; an exceptional opportunity to visit many of Oxfords premier locations. A Creative Writing Programme with masterclasses by Helen Dunmore, Joanne Harris and Julie Myerson among others is also available.
Christ Church
Sunday 21 March
Dance on Screen (Film Shorts)
This popular event will feature Xtend IV (Movement in the Built Environment) – an international selection of dance films curated by South Hill Park, alongside the premiere of two short films made by Oxford-based dance film-makers, commissioned by OFVM Film Oxford. Booking in person or by phone on 0871 704 2062. Tickets £4 - £6.
Phoenix Picturehouse
4.00 pm
Sunday 21 March
Rumble at The Regal: Championship Boxing Home Counties Senior ABA Finals
Tickets £10 on
The Regal
1.00 pm onwards
Monday 22 March - Tuesday 30 March
Zippos Circus
Family-favourite, Zippos Circus, will appear in South Parks, with a special circus show.
South Parks
Monday 22 March
African School Workshop & Lesson: Luba - Central Africa
Teacher Natty Mark & Guests. Free entry. Everyone welcome
Jubilee Hall, Sorrell Road, Blackbird Leys
7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Wednesday 24 March - Sunday 11 April
Oxfringe
Oxfringe is the fringe festival for Oxford, featuring music, literature, comedy, theatre and visual arts.
Various venues - see website below for full event listings
Thursday 25 March
Oxford Twestival 2010
On Thursday March 25, 2010, Oxford will join with other towns and cities across the world, partying as part of a global fundraiser which aims to beat the $250 thousand dollars raised this time last year. People who have met via the micro-blogging site, Twitter, are coming together offline with friends to organise events for Concern Worldwide, aiming to bring education to the world’s poorest children. Oxford partygoers will be gathering in the Living Room at 7PM. Tickets, priced at £3, are now on sale and can be purchased through the Oxford Twestival website.
Where: The Living Room Door - New Road, 1 Oxford Castle, Oxford OX1 1AY, tel.: 01865 260 210
When: Thursday March 25, 2010 - doors open at 7PM. Performances start at 8PM and last till 11PM
Tickets: only £3 - purchase from Oxford Twestival website
Doors open at 7PM. Performances start at 8PM and last till 11PM
Saturday 27 March
Grand Opening of the New Alexandra Playground
The friends of Alexandra Park group invite you to the Grand Park Opening of the ‘brand new’ Alexandra Playground, Summertown (between Middle Way and Woodstock Road). Bouncy Castle, Treasure Hunt, Competitions, Face Painting, Cakes and Drinks, Basketball Coaching and more! Ribbon cutting at 11am by the Deputy Lord Mayor John Goddard, introduced by Bill Heine of BBC Oxford.
10am - 1pm
Saturday 27 March
Book Fair
New and second hand books: academic, fiction, general non-fiction, children’s books and more. 50p admission. Organised by Oxfam. Wesley Memorial Hall, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford. Seniors and children free.
9.30 - 5pm
Saturday 27 March
The Readers’ Voice
Second Convention for Readers and Reading Groups
Whatever your taste in books, this is an opportunity to network with other readers, meet experts in the book world and be inspired by reading group projects in the community that change lives. Talks, debates and hands-on workshops where you can learn about the reading technologies of the future or take tuition in performance reading or open your eyes to the literature of the East. Morning coffee and biscuits, afternoon tea and cakes included. Sandwich lunch @ Blackwell Bookshop extra. Tickets £37.
Jesus College, Turl Street
9.00 am - 5.30 pm
Saturday 27 March
Inspector Morse Tour at Oxford Tourist Information Centre
Follow in the footsteps of the city’s celebrated TV detective, created by Oxford author Colin Dexter. Visit the scenes of Inspector Morse’s best-known cases, with lots of lively anecdotes along the way. Tour departs at 1.30pm every Saturday. Please note that this is a very popular tour and advance booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
1.30 pm
Saturday 27 March - Sunday 28 March
Lambing Weekends at Northmoor Trust
Come and see our new born lambs! Learn about life on the farm, chat to our farmers and have a go at farm activities.
Northmooor Trust, Little Wittenham
10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Saturday 27 March
Oxford Bi-Fest
Saturday 27th March, 2010: Oxford BiFest is a day long celebration of everything Bisexual!
Do you like men? Like women? Like both? Please join us for the first annual BIFEST OXFORD! A celebration of bisexuality for bisexuals & bi-friendly people including daytime workshops & an evening dance with DJ
BiFest Oxford is a friendly, welcoming event offering opportunities for networking and new friendships, as well as resources and partnerships for comparing experiences and discussing significant, wide-reaching issues. Our programme features participatory workshops, such as stories and supportive strategies for coming out of the closet; how to fight discrimination or harassment; and how to make choices that promote sexual health. However, we also include lighter ‘fun and games/icebreaker’ sessions, a reading from one of our favourite published authors, and an evening social with a well-known community DJ! Entry is £10 waged, £5 unwaged.
The Oxford University Club, Mansfield Road
11.00 am - 11.00 pm
Saturday 27 March - Sunday 28 March
Saxifrage Weekend
Waterperry holds the National Collection of Kabschia and Silver Saxifrages and this special weekend gives visitors the chance to see a wonderful array of these versatile plants in our newly extended courtyard garden. Resident expert Adrian Young will be on hand to give advice and information about Saxifrages and expert Tim Roberts will give a talk at 2pm each day on Himalayan Saxifrages.
Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, Near Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1JZ
10.00 am - 5.30 pm
Sunday 28 March
World Pooh Sticks Championships
The event all started when lock keeper Lynn David (a keen RNLI supporter) noticed walkers throwing sticks in the river and rushing to the other side of the bridge to see whose stick emerged first. They were, of course, imitating the game created and made famous by Pooh Bear and his friends. This gave Lynn the idea of creating an event to raise funds for the RNLI. The annual event prospered until Lynn’s retirement more than 10 years ago when, as the result of an appeal, the Rotary Club of Sinodun accepted the challenge of organising the event. This was particularly appropriate as the Club was named after the Sinodun Hills - also known as the “Wittenham Clumps” - which overlook Days Lock.
Days Lock, Little Wittenham
11.00 am onwards
Monday 29 March
African School Workshop & Lesson: Sacred Trees - East Africa
Teacher Natty Mark & Guests. Free entry. Everyone welcome
Jubilee Hall, Sorrell Road, Blackbird Leys
7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Tuesday 30 March - Wednesday 31 March
Body In The Basement - Murder Mystery
Watch out for clues! Written and performed by the Turl Street Storytellers, a group of Oxford authors. Preceded, if desired, by a delicious Lebanese meal at the Riviera Restaurant, overlooking the river at Folly Bridge. Purchase your ticket here by 15 March for both food and event for £15. On the door £20 for food and event, or £5 event only.
Riviera Restaurant, Folly Bridge
6.00 pm
