Led by Tango Journey

Tango is a social dance. All across the country people gather in village halls to socialise and dance to the music of 1930s/40s Buenos Aires.

The course is suitable for beginners and for those that want to refresh the fundamentals of the dance. You will learn how to dance with a partner, with the music and within a group.

You will learn a little about the history and culture of tango and you will be given music and film clips to enjoy at home. Above all you will have fun!

Summer
4 May - 8 Jun exc 25 May and 22 Jun - 27 Jul, exc 15 Jun, 13 Jul
8pm - 9pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course | £40 per 4 week course

•   1 Jun from £12
•   8 Jun from £12
• 5 more dates...

Led by Kayleigh Robinson.

Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.

Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.

You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.

Wed 17 May Glass Painting
Wed 31 May Mindfulness Tissue Paper Collage
Wed 7 Jun Flower Pots
Wed 14 Jun Tie Dye Waist Aprons
Wed 21 Jun Keyrings
Wed 28 Jun Decoupage Shell
Wed 5 Jul Pom Pom Animals
Wed 12 Jul Map Craft

Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.

Suitable for ages 60+ years.

Summer Wed 3 May - 12 July (exc 24 May)

2pm - 3pm
£5 per session, including a cup of tea

These are blended sessions, where you can take part in person at Norden Farm or online via Zoom.

If you need transport to Norden Farm for this session please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.

•   7 Jun from £5
•  14 Jun from £5
• 4 more dates...

Share your thoughts on contemporary fiction with other readers in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

This season our Book Club will be reading

Thur 15 June
Half of a yellow sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
450 pages

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s masterpiece, winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction, is a novel about Africa in a wider sense: about the end of colonialism, ethnic allegiances, class and race – and about the ways in which love can complicate all of these things.

Thur 13 July
The power and the glory by Graham Greene
220 pages

During a vicious persecution of the clergy in Mexico, a worldly priest, the 'whisky priest', is on the run. With the police closing in, his routes of escape are being shut off, his chances getting fewer. But compassion and humanity force him along the road to his destiny, reluctant to abandon those who need him, and those he cares for.

Thur 10 Aug
The God of small things by Arundhati Roy
355 pages

This is the story of Rahel and Estha, twins growing up among the banana jam vats and peppercorns of their blind grandmother’s factory, and amid scenes of political turbulence in Kerala. Armed only with the innocence of youth, they fashion a childhood in the shade of the wreck that is their family: their lonely, lovely mother, their beloved Uncle Chacko (pickle baron, radical Marxist, bottom-pincher) and their sworn enemy, Baby Kochamma (ex-nun, incumbent grand-aunt).

Suitable for 18+ years.

Spaces are limited, early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

Summer
15 Jun, 13 Jul, 10 Aug

7.30pm – 9.30pm
£5 per session (includes a glass of wine or soft drink from the bar)

•  15 Jun from £5
•  13 Jul from £5
• 1 more dates...

Led by Amanda Schenk

Amanda Schenk is the visual artist behind Norden Farm's much-loved (and Instagrammed) glass corridor artwork in the school holidays. Join Amanda for this new drawing course, aimed at helping to create a sense of calm and relaxation through drawing patterns.

Suitable for all abilities, the workshops will focus on building confidence in your drawing abilities - concentrating on the soothing journey of the drawing experience, rather than the finished drawing.

In each session you'll explore how to produce different types of patterns in abstract drawings - looking at different designs each week.

You will need: paper (plain, no smaller than A5), lead pencil, eraser, sharpener, black fine liner or a pen. Optional is a black marker.

Summer
16 May, 20 Jun, 18 Jul
7.30pm - 8.45pm (online only)
£8 per class | £28 per 4 week course
Suitable for ages 18+ years

•  20 Jun from £8
•  18 Jul from £8

Led by Sruthi Nair

This is an introductory Art History course on appreciating and understanding the masterpiece.

What makes a masterpiece?

How have artists inspired and left them in awe?

Over the course of six weeks, you will study symbolism and deeper hidden meanings, encompassing activism and propaganda, in paintings.

Studying artists from the Renaissance and Baroque period, we will cover those who have paved the way to modern art movements and interpretations. All of this is taught through activities and discussions.

Tutor Sruthi Nair comes from a History and Art History background, currently teaching Adult learning courses and workshops.

Summer
Fri 5 May - 9 Jun (6 weeks)
11am - 1pm

£120 for 6-weeks

Week 4: Fri 26 May | Global influences in art, with a study on Japanese art.

Week 5: Fri 2 Jun | Read into mythological stories and figures in paintings.

Week 6: Fri 9 Jun | Reviews specific artists and their style.

Over the six weeks we understand art through subject, composition, narrative, perspective and viewpoint. There are short activities and quizzes included in the course.

•   2 Jun from £20
•   9 Jun from £20

Led by Dr Marta Mathea Radwan

Norden Farm’s Daytime Choir is a fun, friendly, non-auditioned choir for everyone. We learn by ear, so you don’t need music experience. Our music ranges from gospel, world and jazz to pop and classical - anything that sounds great and is a joy to sing. Joining us is a great way to meet people and sing your stress away.

Summer
5 May - 9 Jun (6 weeks), 16 Jun - 21 Jul, exc 30 Jun (5 weeks)
drop in 11 Aug and 18 Aug
2pm - 3.30pm
£12 per session | £50 for 5-week course

Suitable for 18+ years

About the tutor
Dr Marta Mathea Radwan is an award-winning vocalist, composer and musical director. Heralding from Poland and with over 30 years' experience in musical performance, Marta conducts choirs around London, including: jazz group Alle Choir London, Offbeat a cappella community choirs in Acton and Richmond, and Singing for Fun groups at Brunel University London.

•   2 Jun from £12
•   9 Jun from £12
• 5 more dates...

Led by Samantha Quy

Have a go at dancing flamenco! Discover the passionate dance of Andalucía, Spain. Create beautiful arm hand movements and fiery foot rhythms in a relaxed and fun learning environment.

Everyone welcome. Mixed level. Bring a bottle of water!

Sam is the flamenco dancer on BBC Strictly Come Dancing. She began dancing professionally in London’s West End, aged eleven. Sam went on to perform internationally and over a decade in productions at London’s Royal Opera House. She performed and choreographed Carmen UK tours, Leeds Castle and Moldova Royal Opera House. Her screen work includes BBC documentary Manet, film and 3D movie Carmen.

Sam is also author of Reading Dance in the Musical and guest artist alongside Darcey Bussell and Akram Khan in BBC Radio 3 Sounds of Dance, with Katy Derham. Scholar of Royal Academy of Dancing and London Contemporary, Sam holds MA Dance (distinction) from Laban and Specialist Arte Flamenco (distinction), Fundacion Heeren, Sevilla. Her teaching awards include: Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Ascend Tutor of Excellence, HAFLS Excellence in Teaching and Grade 1 Outstanding from five UK Boroughs.

Summer
Tues 6 June, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 July
3pm - 4pm.
£12 per session or £50 for 5 week course

•   6 Jun from £12
•  13 Jun from £12
• 3 more dates...

Led by Salina Gatto

Salina is a designer, art director and illustrator who has a strong love for beautiful lettering and calligraphy. She has worked for clients in the fashion and beauty industry in New York and London. Victoria Secret, TK Maxx, New Look, Sweaty Betty, Soap and Glory, Penhaligons and John Lewis to name a few that are on her roster.

Brush lettering is a modern form of calligraphy that can be practiced everyday and even on the go. Just put a brush in your bag and you’re all set.

It is not only a way to make beautiful notes for people to make them feel good but a great way to practice mindfulness.

This workshop includes a personalised take home kit of a notebook, a brush pen and some extra heavyweight paper.

In the 2 hours you have together, you will be tackling exercises of the basic forms of brush calligraphy while being able to add your own personal flairs once you establish the basics.

By the end, you will be able to write your name, self-love quote and or address a letter for someone you love.

Salina is Looking forward to lettering with you all.

Summer
Sat 29 Jul & Sat 5 Aug
11am - 1pm
£35 + £10 collection of cash on the day for materials

•  29 Jul from £35
•   5 Aug from £35