* The list of speakers who have addressed the Oxford Union reads like a text book of world history.
Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, Yasser Arafat, Albert Einstein, and Malcolm X have all addressed the internation-ally-famous debating chamber. Now they are to be joined by another illustrious name — former My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way.
The New Jersey artist, who played a gig at the O2 Academy Oxford just two months ago, is making a name for himself not only as a solo artist, but as a comic book writer. And he will share his philosophy tonight.
The Union has also invited the rather different singer-songwriter, Nick Jonas — frontman of the Jonas Brothers — to appear at the chamber on an as yet unconfirmed date in the sixth week of term. More details at oxford-union.org
* When it comes to disc-ussion of influential films, the genre of teen movies is often over-looked. But the coming of age flick has a noble heritage, going right back to Elvis, and beyond. A new documentary film exploring the cultural phenomenon of the teen movie and its portrayal of adolescence will be screened on Tuesday at the Phoenix Picture House. Called Beyond Clueless, it has been produced by former Greyfriars, Oxford, alumna Catherine Bray, and features a soundtrack by Summer Camp.
To celebrate the movie, Oxford music promoters PinDrop are curating a night of music at Modern Art Oxford, with a clutch of local bands each contributing their own versions of songs which have appeared in a variety of teen movies.
Expect quirky takes on familiar tunes from Salvation Bill, Be Good, We Aeronauts, Julia Meijer, Flights of Helios and Waltz in the Shallow End.
Promoter, and Flights of Helios keys man, Sebastian Reynolds told us: “It’s an important part of modern culture and this is an interesting way to explore it. Plus, it’s always nice seeing bands do something a little bit different from their usual set.”
The Beyond Clueless afterparty takes place at Modern Art Oxford on Tuesday, from 8pm. Tickets are £5 (£3 concs) from modernartoxford.org.uk
Beyond Clueless will be screened at 6pm the same evening, at the Phoenix Picture House.
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