Featured Events in Oxford in June, 2025 (July Updated)

Join us for a two-day conference exploring how British imperialism mobilised light as a metaphor for enlightenment and control while casting the colonial night as a space of otherness, fear, and disorder. Grounded in visual culture and supported by intersecting representational forms that inform and extend its visual regimes, this event examines how depictions of night shaped and legitimised imperial narratives, and how these narratives were, and continue to be, challenged through decolonial or counter-visual practices. The event will take place in person; however, remote participation may be arranged for attendees based outside the UK or those with exceptional circumstances that prevent in-person attendance. If you wish to attend online, please contact Dr. Manila Castoro at mcastoro@brookes.ac.uk. 26-27 June 2025 - Venue: Clerici Building G.31 – Headington Campus - Oxford Conference Schedule Day 1 – 26 June 11:00 | Arrivals and Coffee 11:20–11:30 | Welcome and Introduction – Manila Castoro 11:30–12:50 | Session 1 • Isabelle Lynch (University of Pennsylvania) — Freezing Polar Night: Magnesium Flash and Orientation at the Lightless Edge • Aayushi Gupta (University of Cambridge) — Calling from the Shadows: Missionary Visual Culture and the Promise of Light in Late-Colonial India • Q&A 12:50–14:00 | Lunch 14:00–15:20 | Session 2 • Nitin Sinha (Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient) — Night and Law: Early Colonialism in Calcutta, 1760s–1820s • Arun Kumar (University of Nottingham) — Sleeping Master; Drowsy Servant: The Violence of Summer Sleep in British India • Q&A 15:20–15:40 | Comfort Break 15:40–17:00 | Session 3 • Louis Kaplan (University of Toronto) — Nachum Tim Gidal’s Night of Meron (May 1935): Moonlight Reflections from Nazi Germany to British Mandate Palestine (Zoom) • Haig Aivazian (Leiden University) — In Defense of Darkness: A History of Palestinian Technology in Words and Numbers • Q&A 17:00–17:30 | Coffee Break 17:30–18:30 | Keynote Artist Talk and Open Conversation Helene Kazan (Oxford Brookes University) — Decolonial Archival Practice: ‘Under Multiple Suns’ and ‘Clear Night’ Day 2 – 27 June 09:30 | Arrivals and Coffee 09:50 | Welcome to Day 2 Speakers will present via Zoom, with session chairs attending in person in Clerici G.31. 10:00–11:20 | Keynote Lecture Niharika Dinkar (Boise State University) — Seeing in the Dark: Imperial Optics and the Nocturnal Flaneur 11:30–13:30 | Session 4 • Nicole Davis (University of Melbourne) — The Light & Dark of Urban Life: Electricity, Gas and Perceptions of Safety in Colonial Melbourne • Ritam Sengupta (O.P. Jindal Global University) — Contesting Urban Sensibilities: Public Lighting and Night Life in Colonial Calcutta, 1850s–1900s • Tatiana de Albuquerque (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro) — Nocturnal Landscape of Rio de Janeiro in the Nineteenth Century by British Eyes • Q&A 13:30–14:30 | Lunch 14:30–15:50 | Session 5 • Patrick Alexander (Oxford Brookes University) — Illuminating the Night: Symbolism in Hong Kong's Neon-Lit Streets • Maria Ridda (University of Kent) — Sacred Games in the Nighttime Narcopolis: Representations of Underworld Mumbai • Q&A 15:50 | Final Remarks Drink Reception Information Source: CoRA Centre of Research in the Arts - Oxford Brookes University | eventbrite

The Genius Myth The tortured poet. The rebellious scientist. The monstrous artist. The tech disruptor. You can tell what a society values by who it labels as a genius. You can also tell who it excludes, who it enables, and what it is prepared to tolerate. Taking us from the Renaissance Florence of Leonardo da Vinci to the Floridian rocket launches of Elon Musk's SpaceX, Helen Lewis unravels a word that we all use - without really questioning what it means. Along the way, she uncovers the secret of the Beatles' success, asks how biographers should solve the Austen Problem, and reveals why Stephen Hawking thought IQ tests were for losers (before taking one herself). And she asks if the modern idea of genius - a class of special people - is distorting our view of the world. Helen Lewis Helen Lewis is a British journalist who works as a Staff Writer at the Atlantic Magazine. She is a regular on the Private Eye podcast, Page 94, and is the co-host of Strong Message Here with Armando Iannucci on BBC Radio 4. Her history of Feminism, 'Difficult Women' was a Sunday Times bestseller. Information Source: Blackwell's, Broad Street Oxford | eventbrite

Ryan Law & The Shelter LIVE! Come sing along with us at The Bullingdon! Bringing Americana and Rock to Oxford with a mix of originals and covers. New and old friends invited. All ages welcome! Information Source: The Shelter | eventbrite

Welcome to our Freestyle Hip Hop Classes! Are you ready to groove to the beat and learn some sick dance moves? Join us starting on Fri June 27 2025 at 6:30PM at the Old Fire Station. Get ready to break it down and express yourself through freestyle hip hop dancing. No experience necessary, just bring your energy and enthusiasm! Let's have a blast and dance the day away together. See you there! Discount-20% OFF if you book before 13th of June!! Information Source: Vibe District Oxford | eventbrite

Gain early access to the exhibition and join featured artists in a discussion of the themes explored in their work, and Movements for Staying Alive.With a panel discussion kicking off at 5pm and access to the galleries from 6pm, you'll be the first people to view these exciting new installations. Please note that tickets for the Preview Party must be booked separately here. Information Source: Modern Art Oxford | eventbrite

Dr Lynn Robson, Fellow in English Literature at Regent’s Park College and Dr Janet Dickinson, Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education and Research Member of Kellogg College will discuss Hilary Mantel’s iconic trilogy. Welcome to the debate! Who tells the best story – history, or literature? Prior to the discussion, there will be a special opportunity to view Christ Church’s 500th anniversary exhibition, ‘The Cardinal’s College’. Booking essential. Please note that the Upper Library has no step-free access. Ticket prices: £12, £10 (concessions) £5 (students) Information Source: Christ Church Library | eventbrite

Oxford Archers run Beginners' Courses throughout the year. If you are a beginner with no archery experience, you will need to complete a beginner's course before you can join the club. Our Group Beginner's Course will coach you to the level of competence required to join an archery club. Click here for further information. PLEASE NOTE: The dates and times for the July 2025 Beginner's Course are as follows: Saturday 28th June,10am-12 o'clock Saturday 5th July, 10am-12 o'clock Sunday 6th July, 10am-12 o'clock The sessions take place at our field at the Rugby Club in North Hinksey, outdoors. What Three Words location: ///clash.sticky.bunny YOU WILL NEED TO ATTEND ALL THREE LESSONS TO GAIN YOUR PASS CERTIFICATE. JUNIORS must be accompanied by parents, or parentally approved guardians, at all times. The fee for the course is £60 per adult and £40 per junior (under 18). Please note that there will be a small administrative charge for the online booking. You can pay online by debit card. We are not able to offer refunds on cancellations less than 1 week before the start of the course. Information Source: Oxford Archers | eventbrite

What is the Missing Soul Series?Events are normally passive for an audience, but Virgo Events aim to connect on a soul-to-soul level uniting through the power of the arts. Interactive, community-oriented, and three uniquely exclusive events focusing on different art forms respectively: poetry, comedy, and film. Do not expect to be a passive audience member by registering! What can you expect from Missing Soul #1?Come and connect with fellow members of the local communityWatch poetic performances by performers of varying levels of professionalismWrite your own poems and express your creativity in an Open Mic Have meaningful conversations and experiences that transcend the superficiality of small talk Join us for an evening of connecting through Missing Soul #1: Poetry. Don't forget to Register for Missing Soul #2 & #3 too. Follow the link through Eventbrite! Information Source: Virgo Events | eventbrite