Opens 27 April
Costumed processions, symbolic dramatisations, traditional dances and fire ceremonies mark the changing seasons and celebrate nature’s bounty. Many of these customs claim ancient origin. This exhibition brings together 50 photographs of regional rituals performed throughout the year in England and is supported by objects from the Museum’s collection.
Oxford Museum
Fletcher’s House, Fletcher’s House
Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX201SN
United Kingdom
Open House at The Museums Resource Centre
Sunday 12 May
Through guided tours and talks discover more about our collections, what we collect, why we collect it and how we use the collections for research, education and conservation. The day will showcase recent work on our collections by staff and volunteers in addition to behind the scenes look at the museum store and conservation labs. Discover some fascinating facts about a newly acquired banner and a collection of items from Longworth. Archaeology volunteers will also be on hand to share the results of some of their recent work.
10am – 4pm – Free admission
Location and contact details of Museums Resource Centre
I helped to man the table in the Asian art area taking the children’s inspired drawings and making them into pendants using coloured card string and sticky back plastic
Was brilliant fun with some lovely people and was good to learn that I can cope with loads of children
Then my first day volunteering at the Oxford Museum had me getting the lay of the galleries, tidying up and being surrounded by children in their amazing Dinosaur room.
Then in the afternoon Claire Cadwaladr and other volunteers and I got a guided tour of the Museum Warehouse over at Standlake. I was a very very happy bunny . I’m back for more this week, helping out at Reception and in their lovely cafe.
On Friday night was another Ashmolean Live event, this one about Music:
“Working in partnership with the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Music the evening will explore the relationship between music and technology over the last century through free workshops, demonstrations, and performances.”
We lurked about the Museum handing out programs, floor plans and helped the visiting public find their way and enjoy the event. The Theremin artist, Lydia Kavina overlooking the Atrium was magical. You might remember it’s sound from the theme of Midsomer Murders. Also captivating was the fascinating science lab Ethometric Museum created in The European Art Gallery by Ray Lee.
The Live events are a wonderful and free way to wander around the museum til late after work, stumbling upon the unexpected or guided by the program. As volunteers we got to look around and take part in the event
The Day I went for a walk.
Yeah it happens occasionally. I heard that there’d be some wildlife about. Just a few birds
Radley Lakes is a nature reserve recently saved from being filled in with Ash from the Didcot Power station. It harbours lots of wildlife especially birds
Seeing the film and listening to the Highlights album are completely different experiences.
The film is a visual feast of gorgeous and atmospheric scenery. The decision to do record on set while filming was a good one and works incredibly well though when Hugh sings I dreamed a dream something is wrong, perhaps they didn’t make it for that scene which is a shame as that was such an important moment and iconic song. Hugh was auditoringly disappointing for me. He acted the hell out of it but at the expense of his voice. Yes he has much experience on stage but not at all in the same class as Anne or Samantha (Eponine).
Anne’s performance of Fantine was stunning. Brutal, harsh, raw… every note, every gasp and sob and breath worked… just worked. She bled the character. Her downfall was catalogued in such numbingly raw portrayal.
Russell has a beautiful voice (I heard him live with his band at the Borderline in London), preferable to Hugh’s in some ways. It is tender and sweet as heard in Stars. Unfortunately though, perhaps concentrating on getting the singing right he loses the emotion in his face and for the most part visually fails the rawness and intensity that Anne, Hugh and particularly Eddie do perfectly. StoneyFaced thy name is Javert.
Eddie is a favourite actor of mine, only discovered in the last few years with stunning performances in British TV. It was a joy to find he can really really did you get that? REALLY sing.
I mean shivers. Seriously. His version of Empty Chairs has cut the lyrics into my heart. Beautiful.
Amanda well she was just annoying. Her voice so clawingly saccharine I could not enjoy her at all. Unlike young Cosette, so perfectly portrayed by Isabelle Allen
Helena and Sacha were stunning in their comedic genius, Well sung, colourful and incredibly well choreographed… just perfect. Their voices more than competent for the task. Helena we had already heard in Sweeney Todd but Sacha was a big surprise for me.
Also Daniel Huttlestone as the weeny Gavroche was amazing. So much character and mischief in a pint sized package. I confess it was his death that broke me and when Javert acknowledged it I sobbed like a baby.
Aaron as Enjolras was perfect. I don’t know if he has stage experience but he could not have been better. Eponine was brilliant but of course she should be due to her experience on the original musical set.
The scenery and costume of course should have been amazing. Those enough lucky enough to have seen the musical will know that its a big big part of the tale and they did not disappoint in anyway. Surely deserve all the awards for creating the atmosphere, filth yet joyful colour. Not once did I see any goofs in the 3d and the ordinary version. I might have been swept away by the whole epicness of it that I missed them. I have been known to get lost in the story and miss huge faults noticeable by others. The sets were HUGE. Was there really an elephant in that square in Paris? I understand that the barricade seen was Harry Potter’s Diagonal Alley rebuilt to tremendous result.
The score onscreen doesn’t have the impact of the live musical though. The dynamics of loud and soft don’t quite come across, but visually completely worth watching.
Denied the visual feast the Soundtrack is awesome, atmospheric and colourful, tugging at all the right places, cutting and tearing and warming the heart. Happily sits alongside my Original Cast CD. Yes they were actors who could sing but in my humble opinion they really hold their own. Well worth shelling out for. Just forgive Hugh for not being Colm.
Shout out to Glyn the King of the Beggars, my friend in the yellow jacket who I spotted twice
So I went to Starfury’s Leverage Convention Con2 and met a few of my favourite stars. Best birthday EVER Check out my pics if you want to see what I got up too .. Flickr Pics Tweet
While visiting Covent Garden we stumbled on West End Fest in the Actors Church. I’m afraid I don’t know who is who as there was no brochure so I can’t label the photos but I will look them up. We got there Just before the interval when Parnell Page was singing. (Stunning voice!) they let [...]
So I attempted to get a ticket at the door but f course it wasn’t possible ;( I wandered to Hyde Park and caught the end of the the Women’s Boxing, saw lots of people and enjoyed the sunshine via Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/hedgewytch/sets/72157631030061432 Tweet
So this Olympic ticket system is a joke I was trying to get tickets for the gymnastics. I’m sorry I’m not prepare to or even could pay £450. The closest I’ve come to affordable is £185 and I would’ve paid that except when I went to pay it was unavailable. Or maybe I hadn’t signed [...]
Throwing Buns via Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/hedgewytch/sets/72157630696931498 Throwing Buns is an awesome little cafe in the shadow of the Market Hall in Abingdon. I recommend their Sunday breakfast. With Muffins. Chat to the lovely Phil and the girls and enjoy the charming and comfortable atmosphere. http://throwingbuns.com Tweet
