What’s on in West Berks: A weekend of star-gazing and superstars
Party with Björn Again and Clean Bandit
Björn Again and Clean Bandit are headlining Parties in the Paddock at Newbury Racecourse tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday after the racing. ABBA’s best known tribute act Björn Again perform live on Friday. Foofighters Dave Grohl said: “I just love them – who doesn’t? When Björn Again opened for Nirvana at the Reading festival they stole the show and got the best response of the day – everyone went berserk.”And Saturday’s Visit Malta Hungerford Day offers fans a chance to win a dream holiday to Malta before Clean Bandit perform live. The electronic music group have achieved four number-one singles and six top-10 songs. They direct and produce their own music videos, with three, Symphony, Rockabye and Solo each surpassing one billion views on YouTube. The group consists of classically trained cellist Grace Chatto and brothers Jack and Luke Patterson. Jack, the principal songwriter, has won two Ivor Novellos for Rather Be. Visit newburyracecourse.co.uk for booking information.
Jesus Christ Superstar
TIM Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s extraordinary rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar continues at The Watermill until September 21. This timeless work is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events, but seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire. Spilling out of the theatre into the gardens, be immersed into the heart of this epic rock score, with an incredible cast of actor-musicians seamlessly fusing these classic roles with iconic music including Superstar, Gethsemane and I Don’t Know How to Love Him.Visit www.watermill.org.uk/ events/superstar
Shaw House sculpture park
Altered States The Orangery Lawn at Shaw House has been transformed into a free to enter open air sculpture exhibition where you can discover 86 artworks by acclaimed sculptors. All works on display are available for purchase. The House, cafe and gift shop will also be open to the public at weekends and during the school holidays. Dogs on leads welcome. Continues to Sunday, September 28, open every day 11am-4pm, no need to book, just drop-in. Take a look at https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/lifestyle/pictures-take-a-walk-with-us-around-the-shaw-house-sculptur-9428380/
Seven-metre Helios
The National Trust has co-commissioned the internationally renowned artist to create Helios, named after the Ancient Greek mythological God who personified the Sun. The seven-metre artwork will be displayed outside in a glade in the Pleasure Grounds of Basildon Park, over two long weekends from tomorrow (Friday) to Monday, August 18, and the following Friday, August 22, to Monday, August 25. The sculpture combines audio and visual artistry, including the sound of the Sun captured by NASA. A related programme of activities includes skygazing through solar scopes, trying on space suits, Indian classical dance to the Sun god Lord Shiva, yoga and a barbecue on the front lawn. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/basildon-park
The art of Radiohead
This is what You Get runs at the Ashmolean, Oxford, to January 11. This major exhibition explores the visual art of Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke and the iconic images of Radiohead. More than 180 objects are on display from the artists’ 30-year collaboration, including original paintings for album covers, digital compositions, etchings, unpublished drawings and lyrics in their sketchbooks. Developed and curated with Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke, the show offers a unique opportunity to look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades. Please note some artworks and labels in the exhibition include strong language. For more information, including booking, visit https://www.ashmolean.org/
Wild Walls
IMMERSE yourself in nature at Greenham’s The Base gallery that has been transformed by street artist Katie O. Explore the mural adorned walls inspired by the scenery and wildlife of Greenham Common, which this year marks its 25th anniversary of being reopened to the public. Visitors of all ages can enter an immersive environment and explore Katie’s nature-themed designs around the gallery, spotting familiar landmarks, animals, birds, insects and plants along the way. Make your mark on the huge gallery doodle wall, complete guided activity sheets and enjoy creature-spotting opportunities, wax-rubbing, papercrafts and colouring. There’s plenty to entertain nature and art-lovers in this sensory celebration of the beautiful green space on the doorstep. Continues to September 6.
