The Top Picks

Fitzwilliam Museum

COLOUR: The Art and Science of Illuminated Manuscripts / Fitzwilliam Museum

The exhibition is unique in showing the technologies which reveal painting techniques and forgeries, and features the immersive installation by Emil Siemeister, The Placebo Macclesfield Psalter.

Until 30th Dec.

Faculty of Classics

RECASTING / Faculty of Classics

The Faculty is famous for its plaster cast museum; this exhibition brings together contemporary pieces within the permanent collection to explore art’s continuing relationship with the classical past.

Until 15th Oct.

Joey Holder/Wysing Arts Centre

JOEY HOLDER – OPHIUX / Wysing Arts Centre

Located out of town in a village called Bourn (a short bus ride), Ophiux explores the relationship between economically-oriented technological progress and “synthetic biology” through science fiction.

Until 20th Nov.

The Calendar

Saturday 1

Cambridge Art Fair
Guildhall

While aimed at buyers, with tickets at £4, it’s a good opportunity to see modern and contemporary art on Market Square. Also open on 2nd October.

Visit: cambridgeartfair.com

Sunday 2

Nina Conti
Corn Exchange

Tickets still available for the comedian’s Cambridge-stop in her In Your Face tour at the Corn Exchange.

Visit: cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

Tuesday 4

Two Man Show
The Junction

Tickets are also still available for local RashDash’s Two Man Show, which takes aim at masculinity and patriarchy.

Visit: junction.co.uk

Wednesday 5

OPEN DECK
Portland Arms
 

The classic gig where you bring your own records and dance along.

Get information at theportlandarms.co.uk (sold out)

Thursday 6

Art on Mars
Fitzwilliam

A chance to see Damien Hirst’s Beagle 2, and the COLOUR exhibition after hours, followed by a lecture with physicist Andrew Coates at the Fitzwilliam. Booking essential.

Chris Newman and Friends
Hidden Rooms

This eclectic group bring jazz, ragtime, blues, gentle ballads and rock and roll to the Hidden Rooms, a little-known cocktail bar on Jesus Lane. £5 in advance, £8 on the door.

Turf
Kuda

As usual, some of the best in dance music, with Dan Shake, who played an impressive Boiler Room set in February, and Byron The Aquarius, who formerly produced for Eminem. The night continues until 4am, and advance tickets quickly sell out.

Gravy Train
Hot Numbers

For something a little more relaxed, but retaining the funk, the Gwydir Street branch hosts a jazz/funk fusion trio, selling craft ales and good wine.

Visit: hotnumberscoffee.co.uk

Friday 7

Afro Tema
Hot Numbers

Local artist originating from Dakar in Senegal fuses reggae and Afro-Latin vibes. With the Steak and Honour food van for dinner.

Visit: hotnumberscoffee.co.uk

Book ahead

ArcSoc 

“The Factory” is the theme for the first ArcSoc of the year. Fortunately there is no need to book – £6 standard or £4 ArcSoc members’ tickets on the door. (9th October)

Festival of Ideas 

Events from “using sound design to foster inclusivity” to “are fluid identities the future?”. Events often get booked up, and tickets are free online. (17 - 30th October)

Akala

MOBO award-winning English rapper and hip-hop artist Akala comes to the Cambridge Junction at the end of the month – advance tickets at £15.50. (31st October)