Basingstoke’s Fairfields Arts Centre has something for everyone.
Music, dancing, art, musical theatre, sewing, ballet, Zumba, yoga, crafts, Bboying (break dance), workshops and so much more are available every single week in the Council Road building.

The youth arms of both Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society and Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society hold workshops there – full details are on batsnextgen.co.uk and baos.org.

Currently hosting the work of Basingstoke Art Club, the gallery space will soon see the return of New Contemporaries and Frockshock. The former, an exhibition of new work by young artists from the region, is curated by Andy Buchanan, Fairfields’ director for 18 years, and is celebrating its tenth year at Fairfields. The latter, a collection of fashion and fashion photography, is in its fifth year.

Two of the young artists who were given studio space and help by Fairfields are also launching their own workshops. Bill Thorpe will instruct over 16s in street art on October 12 from 7pm, showing beginners and those with more experience how to utilise spray paint. He’ll also inform about the history of street art. Ceramicist Katie Smith’s ten-week course will be an introduction to the potter’s wheel. Classes will begin on September 27 and will include hand building using moulds, slab building and coiling, in addition to decorating and glazing. The course fee includes materials.

Other courses on offer include Antonia Dewhurst’s watercolours, a new sewing class on Monday mornings, and art classes for children. Sandy Kendall runs three ever-popular courses – Art for 11-16s on Tuesday afternoons, Children’s Saturday Art Club for seven to 11-year-olds, and Children’s Art on Thursday afternoons for six-11-year-olds.

The packed events programme includes a concert by acoustic guitarist and singer James Mitchell on November 23. Local lad James performs all over the south, and is unmissable live, so get this date in your diary. An Indian Bazaar will take place on Saturday, October 20, displaying the best of handicrafts from the country. And the eagerly-awaited annual Latin Night returns on October 26 with sizzling salsa and an optional free Latin dance class led by instructor Nathalie Cuznor.

A brand-new Christmas Extravaganza is planned for December 7. Celebrate the festive spirit with a six piece live band and two powerful female vocalists performing everyone’s favourite 1970s and 1980s funk, soul and disco, plus the resident DJ. Tickets cost £7.

With 35 activities on offer every week, Fairfields is sure to have something you will like. Find out more online at fairfields.org and on Facebook, or by calling 01256 321621.