EVERYTHING from Finnish accordionists to Brazilian singer songwriters are on offer as part of Oxford Contemporary Music's spring programme.

The season starts with Charlie Dark performing African Beats at the Oxford Academy, in Cowley Road, on Friday, March 14, the first of a series of concerts in different locations, continuing until June.

Oxford Contemporary Music general manager Scott Cridland-Smith said: "It's a really diverse line-up, as always.

"One of the events we're really looking forward to is the Born in a Barn series, where Kimmo Pohjonen will be going to a farm and using the machinery and the farm to create a music piece which will be really interesting."

Mr Cridland-Smith said a performance by Cibelle, a singer, composer, poet and video artist from Sao Paulo, was also set to be a highlight and described the Brazilian as "mesmerising".

He said: "I'm really excited about it, it's again pushing musical boundaries and being as inventive as possible, while making it available to anyone to come along and enjoy.

"One thing I'm hoping is that we can change some of the preconceptions of contemporary music in Oxford, which sometimes has a stuffy image.

"I come from an urban background and I have come to really love the music and it is one of those things where I would really urge people to come and give us a try and they will be pleasantly surprised."

Cibelle will be performing at the Oxford Academy on Wednesday, April 9, while Kimmo Pohjonen will be performing his Earth Machine Music at North Aston Farm, in the village near Deddington, on Saturday, May 17.

Kimmo's performance will be accompanied by a farm walk and a "tastes of the farm" ritual and Mr Cridland-Smith said it promised to be a family-friendly affair.

Families are also expected to flock to Oxford University's Harcourt Arboretum for the Pandaemonium Picnic, featuring what the organisers are calling "midsummer music, magic and mayhem".

And the popular Slounge events, featuring live music, DJs, art, poetry and film at the Vaults Cafe, in Radcliffe Square, are set to continue, with two events in May.

Mr Cridland-Smith added: "It sounds corny but there's something for everyone."

For full details of the spring series, see ocmevents.org or call 01865 488369