Freshers’ Week

• All week, Freshers’ Week– Each college will have organized a different timetable for freshers’ week, involving a mixture of clubbing, information sessions and socializing. Clubs are also open every night as usual for non-freshers. For those who prefer something else, the Society of Alternative Events is organizing a cinema trip on the 11^th and a G&D’s trip on the 8^th.

Clubs and Societies

• 8^th to 10^th October, Freshers’ Fair – One of the main events of freshers’ week, with over 400 University societies represented, and will offer freshers a chance to ask questions or sign up. On Friday the fair will be open to all students regardless of year. Most societies’ events will then kick off in 1^st week with welcome events for new recruits

Music

• 10^th October, The Oxford Lieder Festival, Schubert concert – The first in a three-week cycle of Schubert’s 650 songs, featuring Sarah Connolly CBE among others. This will be the first UK performance of Schubert’s complete songs. The initial concert will be in the Sheldonian Theatre and ticket prices range from £10 to £42
• 11^th October, Merton Organ Festival – Concert by Daniel Hyde in Merton College Chapel, four pieces of music including Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in F major. Tickets cost £12 and can be bought online

Art

• All week, Art Belongs to the People! – Ongoing exhibition in the Ashmolean of selected works from two renowned German artists, Joseph Beuys (1921–1986) and Jörg Immendorff (1945–2007). The exhibition is open until the end of term, Sunday 7^th December
• All week, Mertonian Treasures in the Bodleian – Ongoing exhibition in the Bodleian of a selection of books and manuscripts, ranging from the earliest observations of Oxford weather to the automata of medieval Arab courts to the world of Middle Earth, marking the 750th anniversary of the foundation of Merton College. Admissions to the exhibition are free and it will remain open until the 2^nd of November

Talks and academic

• 8^th October, Naomi Klein discussion– Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein will discuss her new book, ‘This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs The Climate,’ at the Sheldonian theatre. Tickets cost £15 and must be booked by the day before
• 11^th October, Oxford Book Club Freshers sale– A sale of selected books for freshers, the event will take place at the Java & Co Coffee Shop, allowing participants to also enjoy coffee and homemade cake at the same time. It is possible to reserve some books in advance
• 11^th and 12^th October, Reading Tudor and Stuart Handwriting– organized by the University, the weekend event will provide guidance in reading and transcribing documents of the 16th and 17th centuries written in Secretary Hand. Booking is required

Stand-up comedian Mark Steel will present his live show in Oxford on Monday. Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Drama

• 6^th October, Mark Steel’s in Town – Mark Steel will present his live ‘In Town’ show at the Oxford Playhouse on Monday. A stand-up comedian and writer, Steel is also a regular on ‘Have I Got News For You,’ ‘QI’ and Radio 4’s ‘Newsquiz,’ as well as having a BAFTA-nominated series on Radio 2. Tickets can be bought online for £16 but are almost sold out
• 6^th and 7^th October, Conscientious –  written by Adam Z. Robinson, ‘Conscientious’ is a dramatic thriller which manages two parallel storylines- of a student, and of her grandfather, a conscientious objector in the first world war. Tickets can be bought online for £10
• 8^th to 11^th October, The Angry Brigade – Based on a real terrorist anarchist group from the 1970s, the play follows the formation of a specialist police squad to understand the anarchists and hunt them down, while presenting both sides of 70s anarchism. Ticket prices range from £11 to £27 depending on seat and day

Town

• 9^th to 12^th October, House of Commons Oxford – A four day event organised by citizens, activists and housing professionals concerned with the national housing crisis, and will include both speakers and workshop. Recent reports have found Oxford to be the most unaffordable city in the UK in terms of housing and rent
• 11^th October, Lou Lou’s Oxford Vintage Fair – a large vintage tea party with almost 2,000 people currently attending on Facebook, will include a Vintage tea room and a vintage beauty salon. The fair will take place in Oxford Town Hall, tickets cost £2
• 11^th October, Film Producing on a Microbudget – Led by film producer Bruce Windwood, the interactive workshop will offer practical advice for people wishing to make and market their own film. Costs £120-165 depending on residence, people wishing to take part are advised to book tickets ASAP
• All week, The Riot Club – The controversial film based on Oxford’s Bullingdon Club, released last month, is still screening at our cinemas

Sport

• 6^th October, Oxford University Hockey Club vs. Oxford Brookes– Women’s Hockey teams from the two Universities in Oxford will play on Monday, location TBA
• 11^th October, London Welsh vs. Newcastle Falcons – the Oxford’s local Aviva Premiership team will take on Newcastle at the Kassam Stadium (south of Oxford).
• Various times, University sport trials – Check the website/facebook page of the sport you are interested in to find out when they are to hold trials.

The preview for 1^st week will appear on Saturday the 11^th. If you would like to bring an event to our attention for possible inclusion, please get in touch with [email protected].