Museums and Galleries

1. Byard Art

This little gem is a must-visit for any lover of contemporary art, conveniently situated just opposite Kings. It runs a rolling exhibition programme alongside a permanent showcase for the work of official gallery artists.

Where? 14 King’s Parade, CB2 1SJ

What’s on? Right now it’s the gallery’s first all-photography exhibition – Hot Shots - featuring figurative work by David Anthony Hall, Richard Heeps, Noel Myles, Lin Osborn and David Rhys Jones.

2. Fitzwilliam Museum

Behind that austere neoclassical edifice sits an exceptional array of world-class art, and a lovely tea room to boot. Many a happy hour can be spent mooching from Blakean illumination to Picasso painting, onto ancient Egyptian sarcophagi. The oriental ceramics are a personal favourite – though apparently three Qing Dynasty vases were smashed by a clumsy visitor in 2006, so mind your shoelaces are tied.

Where? Trumpington Street (next to Peterhouse)

What’s on? The permanent collection currently sits alongside several exhibitions featuring, for example, Vienna’s Imperial treasures, Redouté’s flower drawings and the development of the African headrest.

3. Kettle’s Yard Gallery

Ring the doorbell and the tone is set for an especially intimate gallery experience. Kettle’s Yard once housed Tate curator Jim Ede; now it remains home to his collection, exhibited just as he left it in the absence of explanatory panels. Visitors are invited to browse Ede’s fantastic library of art books, and the next-door gallery plays host to temporary exhibitions.

Where? Castle Street, CB3 0AQ

What’s on? The house permanently shows an especially strong collection of early twentieth-century work, and in the gallery you’ll find Barbara Riley’s powerful, abstract colour paintings.

4. Wysing Arts Centre

Getting here requires more effort than the average student is used to – you’ll have to take a 30 minute bus ride – but this thriving centre of exhibitions, workshops and studios offers ample reward. Brand-new studio blocks sit alongside listed farm buildings from the seventeenth-century, giving the site a unique feel.

Where? Fox Road, (near) Bourn, Cambridge, CB23 2TX

What’s on? 19th September to 4th November brings in the third of three departments within ‘The Institute of Beyond’ – Wysing Art’s 2011 programme. Six resident artists will occupy Wysing for the six weeks and host a number of public events. Uriel Orlow’s performance lecture Memorie (7.0) (22nd October) looks set to be a highlight; a piece which presents salvaged material of a future film and explores the territory between travelogue, obscure history, and immersive soundscape. Further details here.

 

Student Theatre and Music

1. ADC Theatre

ADC stands for the Amateur Dramatics Club, resident company at Cambridge’s very lively main student theatre. Also home to Footlights, Music Theatre Society and much, much more. Any enthusiastic performer or spectator will soon find themselves here.

Where? Park Street, CB5 8AS

What’s on? The Cambridge American Stage Tour’s production of Macbeth is running from October 4-8th at 7.45pm, and at 23.00 it’s the Cambridge Footlights International Tour Show: Pretty Little Panic. For the full term’s listings, or to purchase tickets, visit the website.

2. Corpus Playroom

According to Stephen Fry, this L-shaped cave is ‘the place where the heart of student drama beats most proudly.’ Now undergoing redevelopment under the new management of the ADC theatre, this treasured studio theatre is certainly in for a big year.

Where? St Edward’s Passage, CB2 3PJ

What’s on? Visit at 21.30 on Mon 10th for A Night with Joe Rubini and the Spooks. 11-15th October brings in a Pinter double-bill with The Lover/ Ashes to Ashes, while the much lauded New Arcadians hope to give you some laughs with Act Casual at 21.30.

3. West Road Concert Hall

A brilliant music venue nested within the Faculty of Music, hosting performances from students to world-class orchestras. Concerts are usually classical, and always enhanced by superb acoustics.

Where? 11 West Road, CB3 9DP

What’s on? Opera-lovers shouldn’t miss the English Touring Opera performing Handel’s Xerxes and Flavio, followed by Purcell’s Fairy Queen, each for one night only on 26-28th October. Student tickets are an absolute bargain at £10 – for more details visit the website.

 

Big Names

1. Cambridge Corn Exchange

Cambridge’s largest venue for professional dance, theatre and comedy. If big names come here on tour, this is where they’ll be playing.

Where? Wheeler Street, CB2 3QB

What’s on? Friendly Fires, Jack Whitehall and Stephen Merchant are all stopping off here in November. For more details go here.

 

 

 

 

The Junction

Club by night, vibrant home to contemporary music, dance and comedy by day, The Junction is well worth a visit if you don’t mind the walk.

Where? Clifton Way, CB1 7GX

What’s on? October’s highlights include Emmy the Great, Miles Kane and The Rifles – for booking and more details go here.