News

Coronavirus

Cornerstone and The Beacon are here for you #AtHome

Update from district council

Released on April 9, 2020

Arts and entertainment in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse have gone online! If you’re struggling to keep the kids entertained, or you’re fed up with endlessly scrolling through uninspiring choices on video streaming services, Cornerstone Arts Centre and The Beacon are here to help.

South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse district councils’ Arts Development team has pulled together a host of free, entertaining and exciting online content to keep boredom at bay.

Cornerstone – keeping you entertained

Cornerstone is providing a full #CornerstoneAtHome schedule of great theatre, music and comedy shows all streamed online for free.

Family fun with daily story time – join facebook.com/CornerstoneDidcot at 4pm each day for the latest instalment of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, read by Jessie Coller (Cornerstone Arts Centre’s Arts Development Officer), or watch each session in your own time.

Also, on facebook.com/CornerstoneDidcot, find out about special National Theatre shows available to watch for free for a limited period on YouTube, including One Man Two Guvnors and Jane Eyre.

If it’s classes that you’re after, make sure you visit cornerstone-arts.org to find out how you can get involved with online video sessions – over the coming weeks you can try your hand at classes from theatre to photography. Alongside this they will be offering everyone the chance to check out some truly unique specially commissioned interactive content – don’t miss out!

While you’re on Cornerstone’s website don’t forget to look at some of the great online art that our Arts Development team is showcasing – such as the virtual gallery of Sudden Portals, William Cotterill’s latest paintings, objects and prints.

The Beacon – there for the local community

Visit beaconwantage.co.uk and facebook.com/TheBeaconWantage for #BeaconAtHome, including world class theatre online and some special performances from our favourite local acts. There will also be new online classes and groups for you and your family to enjoy from home courtesy of their regular hirers.

Check out the gallery at beaconwantage.co.uk of the famous Rainbow illustrations, made by children in the local area this display is guaranteed to put a smile on people’s faces.

Popular covers band, The Zoots were scheduled to play The Beacon on Saturday 18 April – instead, Jamie from the band will now be performing a special 60s and 70s live acoustic set from his garage on The Zoots Facebook page at 7.30pm: www.facebook.com/thezoots – fans can requests songs in advance.

You can also find out about the online classes and content provided by local groups, and resources and information about providing practical help in the community.

Despite the uncertainty of this period it has given our district Arts community an opportunity to work together. Starting with the #MakeALeaf project in partnership with Didcot Garden Town asking us all to create leaves in whatever form, the size of your hand at most to be hung on a display tree in Cornerstone Arts Centre when we are out of lockdown. Initiating creative projects to unite us all and provide social interaction across both the districts when we need it most.

Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Community Services at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Our venues and arts development service are working together to provide advice and support to our artistic community, to profile the amazing creativity that is now happening behind closed doors, and to bring our community closer together through our online #AtHome art and entertainment.

Cllr Helen Pighills, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Our community venues and arts service have a vital role to play to encourage creativity, keep us entertained, and provide a much-needed distraction via #BeaconAtHome and #CornerstoneAtHome.  We promise we will continue to do our best to provide arts, entertainment and community spirit for people across the South and Vale communities.”

Social Media Links:

Hashtag: #CornerstoneAtHome & #TheBeaconAtHome

Websites: cornerstone.arts-org, Beaconwantage.co.uk/

Facebook: CornerstoneDidcot

Twitter: @CornerstoneFUN

Instagram: cornerstoneartscentre