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Top act to launch arts centre
6:55am Tuesday 8th July 2008
The curtain will go up at Didcot's long-awaited Cornerstone Arts Centre at the end of next month.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will headline the opening night on Friday, August 29.
The eight-strong group have performed at sell-out concerts across the world, collaborating with bands including Madness and Kaiser Chiefs.
advertisement The £7.4m venue is almost complete and South Oxfordshire District Council has already scheduled a full programme of events for the autumn season.
Arts centre manager Emma Dolman said: "We are delighted to have attracted such a famous, fun and inspirational act to perform on our opening night.
"The orchestra will be the first of many top class acts to grace the stage at this brilliant new arts venue, which will offer a fun, inspiring and professional environment for local people to enjoy a wide variety of creative and cultural activities."
On Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31, the launch festival will continue with an outdoor theatre performance telling the story of Didcot's past, present and future.
The centre, at the junction of Orchard Street and Station Road, was designed by architects Ellis Williams, creators of the renowned Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead.
Bill Service, the council's cabinet member for leisure, said: "Local people will have seen Cornerstone taking shape over recent months with its contemporary design and colourful cladding. The council is so proud of the building and what it will mean for Didcot."
Tickets for the opening night cost £17.50. Call 01491 823823.
Your Say YourOxfordshire
Jerry, France says...
1:58pm Tue 8 Jul 08
David wrote:SODC acquired a windfall sum of many millions when it sold its social housing stock to SOHA, most of that money was raised from housing in Didcot, so it seems only fair that some of that money was reinvested in invigorating Didcots Town Centre. Ask what VWHDC did with its windfall.
SODC can fund a £7.4million arts centre in Didcot so why couldn\'t VHDC save the Former St Mary\'s School purpose-built arts and music blocks that were demolished by the developers, since the purchase cost should have been substantially lower, rather than find a suitable site and build something new, completion time unknown, given the current economic climate. Shame on the councils and developer. However, I applaud Didcot and hope that its residents in and around will support such facilities, that its neighbours are denied.
Paul, didcot says...
12:55pm Fri 11 Jul 08
The building looks like a warehouse on southmead. Pull it down, lets have a nice garden area- so we can ALL enjoy the space.
Martine, DIDCOT says...
1:01pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Who are they hoping to attract with an act like that? Little old ladies or church goers? Certainly not the majority of Didcot. What a let down.
Alan, Didcot says...
9:17pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Maria, Didcot says...
1:06pm Tue 15 Jul 08
philippa, wantage says...
9:02pm Wed 16 Jul 08
Sad old moaners commenting on the opening act though... check them out on the web - they are really good and not old giffers music.
See you on the 29th
ann rapstoff, says...
12:02pm Sat 19 Jul 08
But at last Didcot is being pulled into the 21st century by a building to be proud of, a building designed by the architects that were involved in the Baltic in Newcastle, what about that then, wow!
As for the Ukele Orchestra, a little education is needed to realise we are now living in a post modern society where everything goes the ukele has made a comeback and is strong in many areas of contemporary society here is someone I know who is touring with her ukele http://www.myspace.c
om/eilidhceilidh
and learn more about the subversive ukele orchestra here http://www.ukuleleor
chestra.com/main/Sho
wPage.aspx?PageID=1&
SessionKey=
old ladies and church goers all welcome plus all sections of the community I don't care just get out there and lean about the arts and culture and enjoy
best wishes and see ya there Ann Rapstoff
Paul of Thame, Thame says...
5:43pm Mon 28 Jul 08
Make sure you get a ticket its your Arts Centre
quote
quote
Uke Lover, The World says...
10:52am Sat 2 Aug 08
Les Wild, Poole says...
12:47pm Tue 5 Aug 08
John Buchan, Didcot says...
1:10pm Wed 13 Aug 08
Your sayYourOxfordshire
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David, wantage says...
1:14pm Tue 8 Jul 08
However, I applaud Didcot and hope that its residents in and around will support such facilities, that its neighbours are denied.