Oxford has produced more than its fair share of top flight bands, spawning such giants as Radiohead and Supergrass. But for serious dance music lovers, the city has long been the equivalent of a clubbing wasteland.

Clubbers at The Miss Moneypennies event at Witney FC's Marriotts Stadium earlier this year

Compared to almost every other city in the country, Oxford stands alone in its lack of a great dance venue. With the notable exception of a handful of bars, such as Thirst and Love, the city's nightlife remains anchored in the past.

But one pair of local dance enthusiasts have set out to change that. Music lovers Roz Denson and Stephen Clarke have made it their mission to attract to the county some of the biggest names in UK clubbing. Seven years ago the couple formed Tongue and Cheek Promotions, with the aim of providing Oxfordshire's nightlife-lovers with a choice of high quality parties and music events.

In the past six months alone, the pair, along with Botley-based Firetraxx Records, have been responsible for bringing big-name DJs Lisa Pin Up, AJ Gibson, Lee Dagger, and the Dreem Teem's DJ Spoony and Mikee B to the county, and for attracting glamourous superclub Miss Moneypennies to the unlikely setting of Witney Football Club's Marriotts Stadium.

Now Oxford clubbers can look forward another slice of Bank Holiday Action, courtesy of a new collaboration between Tongue and Cheek and one of the the South's largest dance nights - Slinky.

As part of its national tour, the Dorset-based club will stage a one-off appearance at The Coven. And while the charms of Oxpens Road may be a far cry from the club's usual home at the Bournemouth Opera House, this Sunday's event could prove unmissable.

It features uplifting progressive and trance sets by Slinky residents Tim Lyall and Matt Cassar, with spots by Tongue and Cheek's Paul B, Kenny Stone and Ed Denson. Keeping things moving in the bar, will be Simple Promotions

DJs Nick Loco and Sean Holbrook, with a cool blend of old-school US house and garage.

Roz said: "It is going to be a good night, with quality dance music. The Coven is the perfect venue as it is underground and perfect for Slinky. A lot of people think it is dingy, but it is the only place you can put on a proper dance night. It is certainly not a main-stream club, but is attracting some big names, which is quite an achievement. It is dark, but has a great atmosphere which the DJs love."

The night was due to take place at the 1,100 person capacity Marriotts Stadium, but was moved to the more intimate Coven after the venue was damaged by fire last weekend.

Roz added: "Oxford's dance scene is very far behind other places, as it is so restricted. There is a strong University presence, which makes it difficult to get late licenses. And despite the student population, we are developing at a much slower pace. There are a lot of frustrated people who have to travel out of town to dance.

"We love staging big events and are committed to giving Oxfordshire clubbers the same opportunities as people in other cities. We need a superclub which is dance focused as opposed to commercial."

The Slinky UK Tour arrives at The Coven, Oxpens Road, Oxford, on Sunday from 8pm to 2am. Admission is £10.

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