Here’s what’s hot around Newbury this weekend

Pop-up paintings

A POP-up art exhibition opens in among the Crane garden buildings at Hilliers garden centre in Prior’s Court Road. Hermitage on Saturday. The show runs to September 1 and features the work of two local artists, Julie Pearson and Kevin Scully, who are well-known to the area through Open Studios.Kevin, from Hampstead Norreys produces paintings that are mainly figurative, with a sense of the enigmatic and evocative. Subject matter is varied and he focuses on choosing the less obvious viewpoints, avoiding the clichéd and overstated. Mood and atmosphere are his primary concerns. The paintings he produces en plein air are often used as the basis for larger studio-based works. Kevin tutors on painting holidays at home and abroad and runs regular art courses in the UK. He has led groups of painters to Spain, Portugal, Morocco, India, Greece, Gozo, Turkey, France and Italy. Mortimer-based Julie’s award winning work is created in a wide range of mediums including drawing, painting, sculpting and digital prints. Her unique images are produced using different forces, applied with various objects on a range surfaces to move acrylic paint and produce striking colours and affects. She takes days and even weeks looking for interesting aspects of the original work to photograph, sometimes digitally edit and reproduce in print. Their work will be on display daily from 10am to 4pm and both artists will be there for a Meet the Artist session on Saturday, August 17, and Sunday, August 18, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Summer Sculpture Park

TEWNTY-three sculptors are showing more than 70 works in Altered States, in the summer sculpture park in the grounds of Newbury’s historic Elizabethan mansion Shaw House. The show is open from 11am-4pm every day until Sunday, September 29. Free entry and car parking. Dogs and children welcome.

Ranulph Fiennes, world’s greatest explorer

Mad, Bad and Dangerous… Spend an evening in the company of Sir Ranulph Fiennes ‘the world's greatest living explorer’ at The Anvil, Basingstoke on Saturday (7.30pm) as he goes beyond his record-breaking achievements to explore the man behind the myth. Live on stage, Sir Ranulph will share stories from his legendary exploits, telling untold tales of the world's most extraordinary feats of daring and exploration. Delivered in his own inimitable fashion and accompanied by stunning, never-before-seen images and home videos. www.anvilarts.org.uk/events/sir-ranulph-fiennes

Dizzee Rascal Party in the Paddock

Rapper Dizzee Rascal headlines Saturday’s Party in the Paddock after the racing on BetVictor Hungerford Day at Newbury Racecourse. Easily the most acclaimed and influential artist associated with London's grime scene and one of the most successful British rappers of all time, Dizzee is widely praised 2003 debut Boy in da Corner, released when the innovative MC and producer was only 18, won the UK’s prestigious Mercury Prize and remains the definitive grime full-length. Since then, he’s catapulted to international stardom, working with artists like Calvin Harris, Arctic Monkeys and Shakira, scoring four UK number one hits from his fourth album, 2009’s dance-oriented Tongue N’ Cheek. He released his eighth studio album Don’t Take It Personal earlier this year which marked a return to his earlier grime sound. Rising star DJ and producer Emily Nash is joining Dizzee as support. Known for her high energy sets, Emily will be giving Newbury Racecourse a taste of Ibiza ahead of Dizzee Rascal’s full headline show. www.newburyracecourse.co.uk

Roll up for Barnum!

BARNUM’S going down a storm at The Watermill. Step right up and enter the dazzling world of PT Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. The Bagnor theatre’s summer spectacular continues until September 8. Delight at every sight, wonder and miracle as the creator of spectacle comes to town with a sensational show featuring a whole host of characters. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights. However, the irresistible pull of an ever-bigger humbug comes at a cost, and the people paying are usually those on whom Barnum tramples, on the way to the top. The show continues to September 8. https://www.watermill.org.uk/

Ayckbourn Bedroom Farce

BEDROOM Farce runs at The Mill at Sonning to September 21. The Alan Ayckbourn classic revolves around four married couples over the course of one chaotic evening. A hilarious and entertaining exploration of the ups and downs of married life. The dinner-theatre venue is set majestically on the banks of the River Thames, and celebrates more than 40 years of entertainment. The intimate theatre seats 217 in the semi-round allowing the audience to feel involved in the performance and the restaurant, separate from the theatre but within the premises, has views over the river. A waterwheel features in the cosy bar. All tickets include a two-course meal. https://millatsonning.com/

Rewind South

Billy Ocean plus big band and special guests headline Saturday at Rewind South – the Henley festival that celebrate all things 80s also on the bill is Gabrielle, Jason Donovan, Kim Wilde, Heather Small, Bad Manners, Tiffany, Altered Images, Boyzlife, Studio 54 Live and Katrina. Sunday’s headliners are The Jacksons, with the Earth Wind & Fire Experience, Shakatak, Nik Kershaw, Hue & Cry, Aswad, Living in a Box Roland Gift, David Grant from Linx, Peter Hook & The Light and Men Without Hats. Full details at https://south.rewindfestival.com/lineupMoney Talks

Dive into the complex, tense and often humorous relationship between art, money and society. The Ashmolean Oxford’s major new exhibition Money Talks: Art, Society & Power features objects from across history to the present day, from coins and banknotes to artworks by Andy Warhol, Guerilla Girls, Grayson Perry and Banksy. Weaving stories and objects from across the world with items from the Ashmolean's leading collections, Money Talks explores how the everyday artwork in our pockets acts as a mirror to our society. Open to January 5. Booking details at https://www.ashmolean.org/