It’s Christmaaaas! Starting to resemble a mince pie yet? Bailey’s running through your veins? Us too – and we’re not stopping until January. Continue the carousing at one of these excellent local events.
Paul Beatty at the Sheldonian, Fri Dec 16
Literary lovers listen up – this is something of a coup. The winner of this year’s Man Booker Prize, Paul Beatty, is in town this Friday to talk about The Sellout. The judges described it as ‘a novel of our times, a tirelessly inventive modern satire’ and Beatty is the first US author to win the coveted prize. Must confess I haven’t had a spare sec to read it yet, but I’m very much hoping to find it nestling in my stocking come Christmas morning.
The Sheldonian, Oxford, oxfordliteraryfestival.org
Cocktail and wine party, Native Feasts at LASSCO Three Pigeons, Thurs 22 – Fri 23 Dec
If you’re going to go out and get plastered, you might as well do it in style. The Native Feasts boys, the pop up supper stars of LASSCO Three Pigeons, are returning to the venue next week with a Cocktail & Wine Party – two nights of boozy winter warmers, with winter snacks to order from the bar, and music. Friday has already sold out, but you might still be in luck for Thursday if you’re quicksmart. Tickets are £5 per person including an arrival drink, and the fun kicks off at 8pm. Book a taxi and for pity’s sake don’t forget your ibuprofen.
Opera Anywhere, Fri 16 – Weds 21 Dec
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love Opera Anywhere. Such a brilliant concept to take opera out of posh concert halls and into unexpected locations, and lucky us – the company is based in Oxfordshire. Their last performances of the year are a double bill of one act operas, contrasting in style and story, both composed by Giancarlo Menotti and sung in English.
The Old Maid and the Thief is a comic opera that examines how gossip can get out of hand, while Amahl and the Night Visitors is the story about a crippled shepherd boy and his mum who are visited one night by three kings (apparently one of the most frequently performed operas of the 20th century – though I think Puccini may have something to say about that). Tickets are between £5-£15 so it’s insanely good value.
Fri 16 R & R Cafe, Market Place, Abingdon, Oxon; Sat 17 Long Crendon Manor, Long Crendon, Bucks; Weds 21 Wolfson College, Oxford. operaanywhere.com
John Piper Exhibition, River & Rowing Museum, Henley, open now
I mentioned this one last week and since then I’ve been down for a proper gander. I’m so glad I did – it really is fantastic. The late John Piper was a local, living in Fawley, just outside Henley, and many of his paintings are of landmarks and landscapes you’ll recognize (the one above is titled ‘Windsor Berkshire’). Ranked alongside Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth as one of the greats of British modern and abstract art, Piper worked in a variety of mediums – as well as painting he created set designs, stain glass windows, textiles, tapestry and print. The River & Rowing Museum has an well-curated selection in this comprehensive retrospective of his life’s work. It’s given plenty of room to breathe in their roomy upstairs exhibition space, plus it’s a permanent fixture so time is on your side if you can’t make it pre-Christmas.
River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxon, rrm.co.uk
Once Upon A Snowflake, Pegasus Oxford, until Sat 24 Dec
Like your festive fun on the quirky side? Pegasus’s Once Upon A Snowflake encompasses winter sprites, a little girl lost and found, shadow puppetry, storytelling and songs. A Paper Balloon theatre company presentation, it’s a cute and enchanting show for family audiences aged 3 and up. Note that for performances from Sat 17 there are a limited number of seats on cushions in front of row AA to allow you to enjoy the action up close – just call the box office to book. Pegasus is in a very funky little part of Oxford too, with lots of great lunch options in the vicinity, such as the The Magdalen Arms, The Chester Arms and the very cool veggie-centric GAF if you fancy a bite to eat afterwards.
Pegasus, Magdalen Rd, Oxford, pegasustheatre.org.uk
The Rocky Horror Show, Oxford New Theatre, until Sat 31 Dec
With over 40 years of worldwide productions to its name, The Rocky Horror Picture Show really needs no introduction. Comedians Steve Punt and Norman Pace (of Hale and Pace fame) are sharing narrator duty, and then there’s a clutch of soap stars, ex pop stars, and reality singing show contestants pulling on their fishnets and turning the camp up to 11. It’s never been quite my cup of tea but I’m shocked to learn my mother has been four times and went again last night. She said it was brilliant and that next time she’s wearing fishnets and bowler hat to go along. Oxford, don’t say I haven’t warned you!
atgtickets.com
Elves and the Shoemaker, JdP at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, Sat 17 – Thurs 22 Dec
A sweet alternative to panto for younger children, Wild Boor Ideas brings this classic fairytale to life for 3 to 7 year olds, with puppets, clowning (Chris Michael of Gifford’s Circus) and live music (Matt Winkworth, the Perfect Pitch Award Winner 2014). A bargainous £7 per person – and I suspect worth every penny.
jdp.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk
Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Fri 16 & Weds 21 Dec
Christmas at Christ Church is a massively popular event and these evenings always sell out so do get your tickets quickly. Along with 900 others, you get to listen to Christ Church’s Cathedral Choir in the stunning 16th century, candle-lit cathedral, and sing carols alongside one of the world’s best chapel choirs. The evening promises an eclectic festive programme of readings and music, and if you’re stuck behind a pillar there are discreet TV screens so that everyone can see the performers.
Christ Church Cathedral, St Aldate’s, Oxford, 8pm-10pm, musicatoxford.com
Bach – Christmas Oratorio, Sheldonia, Oxford, Thurs 15 Dec
At a loose end tonight and fancy something more highbrow than EastEnders? The Choir of New College Oxford joins the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra in the beautiful setting of the Sheldonian for Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, composed nearly 280 years ago. It doesn’t get much better than that for a choral concert does it? Robert Quinney conductor conducts Cantatas Nos. 1, 2 and 3
The Sheldonian Theatre, Broad St, Oxford, oxfordphilcom
Polly Gibbons & James Pearson, Spin Jazz, Thurs 15 Dec
Out in Oxford tonight? Love live soul and jazz? You’re in luck. It’s been a big year for singer Polly Gibbons – she released her first album and won first prize in the International Songwriting Competition with her collaborator, James Pearson, Ronnie Scott’s in-house pianist and musical director. The dynamic duo come to Oxford’s bijou, hip Spin Jazz nightclub for the venue’s final live show of the season.
The Wheatsheaf, 129 High Street, Oxford , spinjazz.net
Last call for panto!
Still not got your pantomime booked? Boo! hiss! But don’t worry, there’s still time to sort tickets – reacquaint yourself with my ultimate guide to the best local shows.
Choir of Clare College Cambridge: Christmas Music by Candlelight, Stowe, Sun 18 Dec
Stowe Chapel? Candlelight? Mulled wine? And beautiful singing? We’re in. This Sunday evening the Cambridge choir will be singing 9th Century ‘O’Antiphons of Advent alongside favourites by Bach, Praetorius and Mendelssohn, plus lesser-known masterpieces by Mouton, Maxwell Davies, and Grainger. It runs for two hours, with lovely warm booze from 6.30pm. Tickets are £12 (£8 children and members), with a donation going to local charity YC2 Buckingham and Winslow Young Carers.
Stowe Chapel, Stowe, Buckingham, stowe.co.uk