Playground is an artist-led open platform which encourages development and presentation of new work while introducing a space for meeting up, networking and collaboration for artists and makers in Oxford and its surroundings.

We organise bi-monthly events, taking place at the Old Fire Station, Oxford on the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, September and November.

Oxford, while oozing with charm and history and knowledge, finds it hard to provide to the emerging practitioners a space where they can get to meet their peers, make mistakes, find collaborators, experiment in front of the public and in front of  other artists and receive constructive feedback as a response to their work.

Playground aims to facilitate a context within which artists can feel safe to experiment, to play around, to explore their potential, to “try things out” and open up their communication paths with other practitioners in the area in an attempt to create a vibrant creative hub in the city.

So you have something in the works? Trying to get a new project off the ground? You want to share with us something you sort of know? Looking for collaborations, someone to help you, or some feedback to your work? Come and join us!

Join me for my monthly uplifting heart-warming afternoon of Nia Movement (a holistic fitness technique), Dance Meditation/Mindfulness, & Easy Yoga/Relaxation especially designed to make you healthy & happy in body, mind, emotions and spirit.

-Get Fit & Feel Great with the best moves and grooves from from the fabulous Nia Technique....(a unique joyful mix of dance, martial & healing arts - with inspirational music from all around the world www.nianow.com)

-Set Your Spirit Free and Rediscover Your True Nature & Positive Energy with some Dance Meditation/Mindfulness (Creative Movement, Reflections & Soulful Music)

-Relax & Be with some easy yoga/relaxation

-Meet other like minded souls, have fun and enjoy!

£12/£14 prepay, £14/£16 on the door.
contact me if you need to pay by cheque or bank transfer.

Its always a very wonderful event. hope you can come xxx

Vicky Rainbow is the creator of SOUL SHINE – Dance, Fitness & Wellbeing and has been facilitating inspirational workshops for over 12 years. She is a Blue Belt Nia Technique Instructor, long time meditator, artist & singer/songwriter. She is currently developing a Creative Wellbeing Space in Abingdon and writing her first album. Go to www.soulshine.org.uk to find out more....x

Feedback from other workshops....
“ It is a wonderful experience of dance, movement, freedom, joy, and deeper inner connection, guided by the wonderful Vicky who creates a safe and comfortable atmosphere for everyone to feel at ease. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to feel good and open up to more love and light! ” Paola on Oct 30, 2016. (Feel Good Workshop)

The theme of ‘love’ was perfect for the workshop and I loved the selection of Nia songs that Vicky had chosen to go with the theme. It was a great mix of movement and dance with also a chance to explore expression in dance. Vicky led the workshop really well and made everyone feel welcome, embraced and relaxed – Sarah Gibbs (Nia Technique Teacher) Mar 2015.

Professor Lynn Garafola (Barnard College, Columbia University) discusses her work on Bronislawa Nijinska, one of the most innovative modernist choreographers of the twentieth century (Le Train bleu, Les Biches). She will focus on one of her most experimental and influential works, Les Noces (with Stravinsky, Goncharova). The event will be followed by a drinks reception in the JdP foyer.

A dialogue between choreography and visual arts with Siobhan Davies and Jeremy Millar.

Visual artist Jeremy Millar and choreographer Siobhan Davies discuss the making of material / rearranged / to / be, a new installation showing in 2017 including contributions from choreographers, visual artists, scientists and designers exploring how bodies communicate.

In this talk they discuss strategies of collaborating across artforms. Taking inspiration from Aby Warburg’s Mnemosyne Atlas they investigate how side by side presence can inform their artistic practice and create a new present. The event includes performative moments with collaborator Helka Kaski.

Our regular weekly classes begin again in Oxford from Friday 9 September with a 4 week course.

We have a brand new Beginners class from 7.00pm - 8.00pm in which dancers will learn all the basics of Flamenco dance plus learning a full dance of Fandangos de Huelva. This class is suitable for people new to Flamenco dance or people who have previously done a little and would like to go over the basics again.

Also starting on Friday 9 September we have a class for Intermediate/ Elementary students from 8.00pm - 9.00pm. You need to have danced Flamenco for a minimum of 1 year to join this class which will be learning a Tanguillo de Cadiz during the course.

Both classes are accompanied by the Camino del Flamenco musicians for that live music energy and are held in the dance studio of the Rose Hill Community Centre. You will find more details of these classes on our website. If you'd like to register, please contact us and we'll send you a registration form by email.

Dip your toe in the water of Flamenco dance with a one-off adult workshop at Cornerstone Arts, Didcot on Thursday 15 September.

For complete Beginners (or people who've done a little and would like to do more) the workshop is from 7.00pm - 8.00pm. In this workshop you'll learn all the basics of Flamenco dance plus an easy to learn and fun dance.

For Intermediate dancers the workshop is from 7.45pm - 8.45pm and you'll be learning the lovely dance of Tientos.

Workshop Prices: £7.50 per person (or £12 per person for both levels).

You'll find more details of these workshops on our website - contact us if you'd like a registration form or if you have any queries.