GALLERIES & MUSEUMS

Brünnhilde Sleeps. 1980. By Anselm Kiefer. Credit: @anselm_kiefer

We’ve got our heart set on the 14 February opening of the landmark Anselm Kiefer exhibition at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum: a collection of the German artist’s early works across a diverse collection of paintings, photos, prints, artist books and mixed-media work. Are you a member? Head to the private view on Thur 13 Feb, plus the free talk on the exhibition by the museum’s director Xa Sturgis on 21 Feb. While you’re there, catch the free exhibition of photography by London-based artist Bettina von Zwehl, who has taken inspiration from The Ashmolean’s collections (until 11 May).

Head over to the Christ Church Picture Gallery to catch Secrets of the Sibyls: an exhibition of two intriguing paintings each showing five sibyls (female prophets) by Florentine Renaissance artists Sandro Botticelli and Filippino Lippi (ends 31 March). There’s still time to see the largest-ever solo show of the Bloomsbury Group’s pioneering modernist painter Vanessa Bell at the MK Gallery (until 23 Feb). And the February highlight at Modern Art Oxford is the (free) exhibition Back Toward Oneness: an exhibition of collective works by artist Farwa Moledina in collaboration with community group The Date Palm Tree. It’s on until 9 March.

THEATRE & COMEDY

For a dose of high-energy theatre, Chicago kicks off February wearing fishnets from 24 Feb – 1 March at New Theatre Oxford. Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes is Roxie Hart and Kevin Clifton (Strictly, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) is Billy Flynn. Murder, greed and sex. What more could you want? Over at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Birdsong (11-15 Feb) sees Ben Mitchell in EastEnders, James Esler (Litvinenko) and Charlie Russell (the BBC’s And Then There Were None) take on the tale of love and courage on this epic World War Two drama’s 30th anniversary tour.

Birdsong play culture guide — @birdsongplay

Fresh from the West End, Ghost Stories will have the Milton Keynes Theatre crowd hiding behind their jackets (18-22 Feb). Created by The League of Gentlemen’s Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, co-creator of Derren Brown’s shows, you know this is gonna be a bone-chiller for February. One for Tudor geeks: Martin Shaw tackles the role of Sir Thomas More in A Man For All Seasons at the Oxford Playhouse (18-22 Feb) in a performance lauded by the broadsheet critics. You’ll also love the new production of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, brought to the Chipping Norton Theatre on Sat 22 Feb by the Box Tale Soup theatre company. “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Book here to find out.

Finally, book in some guaranteed belly laughs in February and you won’t regret it – there are still tickets available for comedian Ed Byrne, he of ‘Best Reviewed Stand Up Show’ at Edinburgh 2023, who’s at Aylesbury Waterside on 16 Feb. He’s followed at the same venue by Paddy McGuinness – his show’s on 2 March, but I expect tickets will fly so book soon.

MUSIC

MK venue The Stables is one for an eclectic mix of music and comedy, and legendary Dutch guitarist Jan Akkerman is performing there on 5 Feb and is not to be missed. And while he may be too middle-of-the-road for some, we’re flagging up Jason Donovan‘s Doin’ Fine tour, which hits Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on 25 Feb. It’ll take you through 35 years of his hits from Joseph, Priscilla, Rocky Horror and Grease, to Sealed With a Kiss and Especially for You. Or head to the O2 Oxford to catch Squid – this critically acclaimed art-rock combo will perform their latest album Cowards on Thur 27 Feb.

On the classical music score in February, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing live at Aylesbury Waterside on Sun 23 Feb. Young Korean violinist Inmo Yang joins the orchestra for Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, a timeless masterpiece that has captivated audiences for centuries. For another virtuoso treat, catch 26-year-old violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason playing Mendelssohn and Brahms at Dorchester Abbey on Sat 15 Feb. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the second oldest of the prodigiously talented band of seven Kanneh-Mason siblings including younger brother Sheku, 25, the world-class cellist who played at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding.

TALKS

Booklovers, rejoice! Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre is hosting a talk by bestselling author Shon Faye, who’s taking to the stage to discuss her book Love in Exile with writer and comedian Monica Heisey on Thur 6 Feb. Then pedal over to the Elgiva Theatre in Chesham on Mon 24 Feb, because Sir Bradley Wiggins will be spilling the beans on his phenomenal cycling career: he’s the only rider to have won both World and Olympic championships on both track and road, as well as winning the Tour De France. Race to nab tickets here.

FOOD & DRINK

February is the month for romance, and we’re loving the Valentines feasts on offer locally. Play Cupid at the Valentines Supper Club at Peterley Manor Farm on Fri 14 Feb, where you and your beloved can tuck in to a romantic dinner à deux set menu, accompanied by live music, for £150pp. The Plough, Shiplake, is also dropping a love-bomb this month. Its ‘Heart of Glass’ Flight Club dinner on Sat 24 Feb (Blondie fans, take note), is billed as a heart-pounding evening of live music, delicious food and naughty cocktails – plus cabaret by drag performer Luna Cortez. It’s £125pp for a five-course tasting menu and cocktail pairing. Sounds heavenly. Booking details here (over 18s only) and make sure to RSVP by 21 Feb.

And have you tried chef Matt Edmonds’ exquisite cooking at Danesfield House Hotel yet (read our new review)? Well, it’s got date-night sorted and then some in February with its Valentine’s sharing menu on Fri 14 & Sat 15 Feb (£200pp), which comes charged with an extra frisson: £25 off a pre-booked bottle of Taittinger champagne. Swoon! Live in Oxfordshire? The Feathers, Woodstock is serving up romance with a side of fun at its Valentines dinner from Weds 12 – Sun 16 Feb, starting with a cheeky cocktail in The Aviary bar before a five-course tasting menu. Tempted? It’s £159pp to be perfectly shaken and stirred. One more: this one’s on Sat 1 March but tickets are selling devilishly fast. It’s Waddesdon Manor’s murder mystery dinner, which comes packed with plot twists and suspicious suspects over a four-course feast at £150pp. To die for!

WELLBEING

The snowdrops start to peek out of the ground in February, so take a moment to enjoy the white carpet show. Kingston Bagpuize House near Abingdon opens for snowdrop-spotting from Sun 2 Feb, and Waterperry Gardens‘ snowdrop show starts the same weekend. You’ll find plenty more recommendations for gorgeous walks here. Want to plot your way through 2025 with purpose? Then the Chiltern Sound Spa‘s transformation workshop on Sun 9 Feb is the place to be. It’s taking place in Penn Street, in the events pavilion run by Where Inspiration Blooms, so sign up to tap into your intuition, connect with nature and manifest those dreams.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

The Ashmolean Museum opens its loving arms to families this month for the One World Family Festival (Sat 22 – Sun 23 Feb). This year the theme is ‘In Unity – Exploring the Past, Our Planet and Community’, and there will be music, dance and food from across the world, as well as a variety of crafty activities for the kids to try including marbling and calligraphy. You’ll also find arts and crafts at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock along with activities and storytelling. Kids can hop on the miniature railway down to The Walled Garden with its maze and pop-up sheep petting pen.

Banbury Museum in North Oxfordshire is running crafty workshops throughout Feb half term (think lego, seed gardening and fashioning characters from spoons – basically kiddie heaven), while down in South Bucks, The Roald Dahl Museum has a series of claymaking workshops, in addition to the usual storytelling and the Child Heroes series. There’s also a new exhibition at the family friendly MK Museum (read our down low here). It’s launched its brand-new Ancient Gallery, and it’s celebrating all things prehistoric with a week of fun from 17-21 Feb, including Roman and Medieval games and dino-themed cookie decorating. And rain won’t stop play at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park this month: head over for its wild cinema adventure (15-23 Feb) of daily screenings of The Wild Robot in the play barn. They’re included in general admission, so value-add. Enjoy!

Fabulous February! Our pick of what’s on locally this month

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