You may not know it, but Imperial isn’t just about PDEs and inter-union politics – we do culture too. Running from the 11th to the 15th of February, ArtsFest is an incomparable opportunity to experience Imperial’s assorted artistic endeavours.
Monday
The week opens in style, with the SCR transformed into the laid back Jazz Lounge. Promising “sexy singing and cool beats”, as well as free cheese and crackers, the event opens at 18:30. The evening gets more rowdy at 20:45, with Barn Dancing in the UCH, music provided by the ever-amazing Imperial Idols, Jacob and the Hillbillies.
Tuesday
For the more refined (not that Barncing isn’t genteel), 18:00 gives us a Chamber Music Concert in the Read Lecture Theatre, Sherfield Level 5. This event features a number of Imperial’s smaller ensembles, and is hosted by the Chamber Music Society. This is followed up an hour later in the Blythe Gallery with a cheese and wine reception, celebrating the launch of LeoSoc (fine art) and PhotoSoc’s (um…photography) all-week joint exhibition.
Wednesday
Come along to the Tanaka foyer on Wednesday lunchtime to one of ArtsFest’s signature events: the Charity Concert. Featuring a collaboration between Imperial’s outstanding Symphony Orchestra and Choir, this event will include a collection to raise money for Theatre Crossroads, a UK charity that aims to educate through physical activity and performing arts. Later that afternoon (16:30 in the Read LT to be precise), spend the most worthwhile hour you’ve ever spent in a lecture theatre with Roderick Swanston’s talk “Music and the Invention of a Nation”.
Thursday
Bring your significant other along to dB’s on Thursday evening from 20:00 for a performance by the famous Big Band. Alternatively, should you not have a significant other, come and find one to a backdrop of swinging tunes.
Friday
The climax of the week: the ArtsFest 2008 Finale Concert, 19:30 in the Great Hall. Tickets are £4, including a free t-shirt, and the night will feature performances by a range of groups including Dance Company, Sinfonietta, WindBand, Wu Shu and Funkology. As well the t-shirt, tickets get free entry to the rampageous Afterparty, which (based on previous, ahem, experience) will continue long and late into the night.
All week
The above is just a taster of all the performances taking place in and around College during the week. Keep an eye out each lunchtime for groups large and small busking in various spaces, and from Tuesday onwards pop into the Blyth Gallery for the PhotoSoc/LeoSoc exhibition.
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