Do you ever feel in need of a little culture? Keep telling yourself to go to that play, see that gig but end up just going down the pub instead? Do you just want to leave the partial differential equations to have their own fun for once?
Running from Monday 12th - Friday 16th February, ArtsFest packs a term's worth of art, music, dance and drama into five days. It’s all in College, it’s mostly free and it looks to be one of the most exciting events at Imperial this year.
Monday
Everything kicks off with a mysterious Opening Extravaganza on Monday lunchtime, the details of which are being kept tightly under wraps. The first concert is the "Battle of the Bands" in the Great Hall at 6pm, featuring the WindBand and Big Band’s Little Brother, the wonderfully named Contraband. After this, at 8pm in Huxley 311, we have another chance to see the winners from FilmSoc's December short film festival, followed by a Q&A session with the directors.
Tuesday
Tuesday's performances start with a collaboration in the Tanaka foyer from 12-1pm. Entitled "Loops and Lines", the performance features an exhibition of visual artwork from LeoSoc and PhotoSoc accompanied by minimalist music from the String Ensemble. Tuesday evening gives us arts of a different flavour, with a Jazz and Rock night in dB’s from 7.30pm.
Wednesday
Wednesday is the busiest day of the week, kicking off with the opening of a fine art exhibition in the Blyth Gallery (Sherfield Level 5) that will run for the rest of the week. Wednesday afternoon gives civilians the opportunity to get directly involved and try out some new skills. Dance, fine art and drama workshops will be run in the JCR, UDH and UCH respectively, all from 2-5pm. You don't need any prior experience, just come along and join in as and when you can.
Wednesday evening sees a Charity Concert at 6pm in the Tanaka foyer in aid of the Newman Trust, with performances from Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Big Band and Dance Company. Members of the Big Band will also be performing later, getting a little romantic for the Valentine's Jazz Club. Featuring smaller jazz ensembles, a bar and an amorous ambience, a magical night awaits you and your loved one from 8pm in the MDH Ante Room.
Thursday
Thursday gives more of our smaller ensembles the chance to shine, with a Chamber Concert in the Read Lecture Theatre (Sherfield level 5) from 6pm. After this, the Big Band are swinging once again, as only they can, this time in dB’s from 8pm.
The week reaches a climax at 7.30pm in the Great Hall, with the ArtsFest Finale Concert. This artistic spectacular features performances from Sinfonietta, Capoeira, Wushu, Funkology, ICSM Choir and many more. Tickets are only £3 for students, £6 for others and are available from www.icartsfest.com. You don't just get a wonderful concert: a ticket also gets you free entry to the ArtsFest After Party in dB’s.
All Week
As well as all this, a Centenary Exhibition will be on display throughout the week in the Mech Eng foyer, celebrating 100 years of the Arts at Imperial College. There will also be busking every lunchtime in various locations around College, so keep your eyes and ears peeled.
ArtsFest promises to be one of the best, most exciting events of the year; a fantastic showcase of the Arts at Imperial. It’s an opportunity to find out what goes on, and, who knows, you might even get a bit of culcha.
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