The University's Highfield Campus is the focus for a range of events showcasing the arts this weekend as part of the launch of the Cultural Olympiad - a “four-year celebration of culture, people and language as the nation looks towards the London Games in 2012”.
The Council says the Cultural Olympiad “will open up opportunities for people across the city to visit remarkable spaces, places and people and get them involved in imaginative, thought-provoking and creative pursuits. Events will be springing up all over Southampton, not just in the city centre.”
A free summer celebration showcases arts on campus on Sunday 26, with cultural activity and family fun with a relaxed party atmosphere at the University of Southampton. Events include a Modern Art Pentathlon and Summer Party at the John Hansard Gallery, theatre workshops with The Nuffield Theatre, world-class jazz at the Turner Sims, dance workshops with Art Asia and film screenings by City Eye.
The John Hansard Gallery at the University of Southampton, Highfield Campus will be hosting an exhibition of Mass Observation, where participants over the age of 60 are invited to attend a drop in workshop. Participants are invited to create archival books recording everyday life today, and encouraged to bring in their own examples of Mass Observation for use in the workshop. (The event is free to attend from 12-3pm.)
The Gallery will be open throughout Sunday, hosting an outdoor Summer Party including food and refreshments from 1.30pm, live music and a Modern Art Pentathlon from 12.15pm - 1.15pm for children and families.
The Nuffield has invited the public to an Open Theatre Day. Hosting workshops (including Bollywood Dance by Rakhi Sood and Art Asia); circus skills and guerrilla theatre movements; a theatre installation room with a `live installation` of the artistic director preparing a production; The Reduced Cinema Experience with City Eye. There will also be lots of free family entertainment across the entire day. (From 11am - 4pm, Free but places must be booked in advance by telephoning the Nuffield Theatre Box Office on 023 8067 1771)
Events are being added to the programme all the time. Stay up to date with full details over at the council's web page here.