To help you reap the rewards of staying in our lovely city this season, here’s a taste of what’s going on:
1: The Sampled Lives Exhibit
All of September
For those interested in the finer pursuits, the Fitzwilliam Museum is exhibiting its collection of samplers entitled “Sampled Lives” that promises to be interesting as it explores the often untold story of the lives and experiences of girls and women from the mid 17th to the early 20th Century, I’ll certainly be catching it before it closes in October.
2: Oktoberfest
31st August – 3rd September
As many know-it-alls will be happy to inform you, the famous German festival takes place predominantly in September.
Modeled after the Munich original, the world’s largest beer festival or “Volksfest” coming to Cambridge in early September.
When the festival begins it will be the 208th since the original in 1810.
The last Oktoberfest in Munich needed 43 kilometers of cabling to power it (that’s almost 27 miles!).
If you go, be sure to raise a Stein in our name!
3: Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story
7th of September
Moving into the world of musical theatre, Following a sell-out run at the Sydney Opera House, Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story visits Cambridge Corn Exchange on Thursday the 7th September as part of its first ever UK Tour.
4: Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival
9th of September
Dragon boat racing is one of the most ancient Chinese traditions and it’s currently making a real splash in the UK!
Cheer on your favourite crew or form your own as we race towards the goal of supporting Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. It’s furious fun for a worthy cause, you can’t ask for more than that.
5: Codebreakers and Groundbreakers
From the 12th of September
Not to keep tooting the horn of the Fitzwilliam Museum but I am genuinely excited for their “Codebreakers and Groundbreakers” exhibit, comparing the narrative of cracking the enigma in the second world war to cracking Europe’s earliest comprehensible script “Linear B” With its history of academic prowess and proximity to Bletchley Park, you couldn’t ask for a more perfect host of this exhibit than Cambridge.
6: The Biergarten Film Festival
14th-17th of September
From La La Land to Pulp Fiction, there is something for everyone at the first ever Biergarten Film festival. Whether you’re a film buff or just want a cool evening out with your friends this might be the place for you. Situated at the Museum of Technology, it is ideally situated for guests staying in our Vie apartments.
7: The Battle of Britain Air Show
23rd and the 24th of September
Any History fans or aviation enthusiasts should join our MD at Duxford’s Annual Battle of Britain air show.
Watch the legendary Spitfires, Hurricanes, and more (including the only flying Bristol Blenheim) take to the air!
Immerse yourself in the life of 1940 Duxford, home to 19 Squadron and some of the bravest of “The Few”.
Entrance to the Museum is included in the price.
It’s a great day out for the whole family! Whether you’re into WWII, aviation, or simply out for exciting sights and sounds you will never forget the Duxford airshow.
So come and join the many to pay respect to “The Few”.
Advance ticket-only event.– book online.
8: Kite Runner
25th – 30th of September
If you’re more interested in the dramatic side of theatre, the arts is hosting a very limited run of the Kite Runner, a critically acclaimed dramatisation of the best-selling novel straight from the West End, it is sure to be thrilling.
9: Centre for Computing History
Various dates.
I’ll finish with a round-up of the Centre for Computing History’s events, one of our most original and important museums. It is hosting a Retro Video Game night and the Retro Computer Festival 2017, which may or may not interest you. On the 25th of September, however, it is opening an exhibition that is universally interesting.
Entitled “Computing History: Where Did All the Women Go?” it promises to be a celebration of the women who have made remarkable contributions to the field but whose place in its history has been all but ignored in favour of a predominantly male story.
My hope is that this exhibition might go some way in changing the public perception of this issue, but either way I shall definitely be attending.