Rachel has been invited to be a guest speaker at her old school, but what kind of a role model is she really? Through stand-up, character and musical comedy, she explores what messed up message she can possibly offer to impressionable young minds.

Rachel is an award-winning musical comic whose songs have been played on BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music and who was listed in the BBC’s Hot Talent List 2017. She has appeared in Murder in Successville, Plebs, The IT Crowd and most recently, satirical BBC show The Mash Report. She’s also a founder member of smash hit improv show Austentatious.

“Frank and funny… tears of laughter” – Guardian

“A gifted performer” – Times

“Brutally funny” – Skinny

“Absolute genius – I was in tears” – I Talk Telly

“Brings to mind the late Victoria Wood” – Whats On London

The Glass Aisle is an astonishing collaboration between two major talents in poetry and music: acclaimed songwriter and singer Brian Briggs, frontman of the Oxfordshire indie-folk band Stornoway and poet Paul Henry.

Paul Henry, who came to poetry through songwriting, performs new poems, plus new and old songs with Brian Briggs, including some Stornoway tracks. The pair then perform their musical collaboration The Glass Aisle, a long poem with songs, inspired by the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal close to Henry’s home and its associations with radio pioneer Marconi and an old union workhouse.

With its songs composed ‘out of the poem’, and brought to life in Brian’s clear tenor this work breaks down the borders between the poem and the song lyric while offering a timeless, affecting elegy to the displaced.

This special event launches Paul Henry’s new poetry collection of the same title – The Glass Aisle – published by Seren.

Henry is author of nine poetry collections. Boy Running was shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year 2016. He features regularly as a presenter and poet on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio 4.

Briggs is a founder member of Stornoway. The band has been active since 2006, touring worldwide, producing top 20 albums and playing the main stages at festivals such as Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight.

★★★★ ‘Brilliant – the closest thing the Fringe has to rock gods’ Fest Magazine

Critically acclaimed, multi-award nominated Oxford-bred musical comedy stars Jonny & the Baptists present a riotous celebration of their first five years. A joyous night of silly songs and satirical anthems from the iTunes Comedy Chart-toppers and Radio 4 comedy regulars.

This exclusive hometown show is performed with a live band, featuring the musical talents of Kirsty Newton (The Distraction Club, Comedy Store Players) and Rob Sell (Rudimental, Ronnie Scott’s).

A guaranteed treat for fans – and the best possible introduction for newcomers!

★★★★ ‘Uproarious… a double act at the top of their game’ The Stage

★★★★ ‘Wickedly amusing’ The Times

★★★★ ‘Spirited comedy… broad, daft and punchy’ Guardian

★★★★ ‘Superbly crafted… very funny’ Metro

The Oxford Improvisers invite guests from Britain and abroad to perform an evening of new and improvised music.

‘Free music’ is an internationally respected approach that embraces players from the worlds of jazz, classical, experimental and ethnic music. The Improvisers put aside the rules and structures which enclose so many forms of music. This allows players of widely differing training and technical ability to come together and to create extraordinarily diverse and rich music ‘in the moment’. Visit their website for more information on watching or being part of the Oxford Improvisers.

Please note: The Loft is only available via a short flight of stairs, and has no level access.

This two-day intensive course is led by Phil Rust (AKA Rebel Overlay). Introducing the skills involved with VJing, Phil will clarify the process of working with VJ-specific hardware and software to produce content and use it in a spontaneous and dynamic way. Participants will look at the basic techniques of VJing, as well as tips and tricks to quickly become self sufficient at creating, experimenting and performing with visuals.

In addition, organisation methods and codes of practice will be suggested to give learners a head start for when interacting with musicians, promoters and venue managers. A big part of being a successful VJ is about working as a team with other players in the clubbing and live arts industries.

https://www.filmoxford.org/course/creati...

http://www.rebeloverlay.com/

Voices Across Time are excited to announce their return this Christmas with a new rendition of last years' sell-out show, 'I'll be Home for Christmas'.

20th December - BANBURY - St. Mary's Church. Doors at 7pm for a 7:30 pm start.
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The Show...
17th December 1942: It is the evening of the school nativity and many excited children eagerly await their chance to perform. However, the nativity has not even begun when the sound of air raid sirens causes everyone to flee to the community air raid shelter to escape from the threat of bombing. As fear and frustration grip many of the community members and threatens to destroy all Christmas spirit, they discover that through music they have a way to restore their morale. As they begin to share their dreams and excitements with each other through song and dance, they realise they may even be able to truly celebrate Christmas by devising a way that the children can finally perform their nativity play!
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Featuring both professional and amateur musicians and actors, I’ll be Home for Christmas will run for one night only at St. Mary’s Church, Banbury on Wednesday the 20th December. Voices Across Time will share a story of hope, heartache, determination, excitement, love and faith to welcome in Christmas with a sing-a-long show that embraces all the timeless classics from this era such as Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again', 'The White Cliffs of Dover' and the
Andrews Sisters' 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy', as well the old festive favourites, that have brought meaning and comfort to millions over the years. 
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Tickets are £10 and £5 for children. They can be purchased by e-mailing boxoffice@voicesacrosstime.com or by calling 07532446665.
https://voicesacrosstime.com

The Exuberant Trust invites you to:

The Therapeutic Uses of Music - A Panel Discussion

3pm, Sunday 3rd December

We hope for a lively discussion about the scope of music therapy,
following short presentations by our speakers :

Vicky Paterson, BA Music (Leeds), MA (Guildhall),
Exuberant grantee, now working with Suffolk Music Therapy Services

Andy Stevens, MA, Music Therapist
at John Radcliffe Hospital, with Rosie’s Rainbow and Thomas’s Fund, and in a special school referral unit.

Steve Pratley, Exuberant Trustee
co-founder of Soundabout and Flash of Splendour Arts, using music as a tool of communication for children and young people with disabilities.

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The Pavilion at The Limes, Standlake, Oxfordshire OX29 7RH
The driveway is next to the Black Horse pub car park.

This event is free, and will last one hour.

Refreshments will be available afterwards.

Donations (preferably Gift-Aided) to The Exuberant Trust will be
most gratefully received, so please bring your Cheque Books.

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The Exuberant Trust supports young people in Oxfordshire by providing
small grants to help individuals realise their creative potential in any of the arts.
Applications welcome.

For more information: www.exuberant-trust.org.uk

Come and join us in the Holywell Music Room for an evening of uplift to raise money for the very hardworking charity Asylum Welcome. There will be songs to delight from all over the world, harmonies in abundance - we will get you singing too...it will be joyous!