Partner Activities
QPAC works alongside several partner artists and organisations to offer a wide variety of activities alongside our own programme. See below for details.

SDSD
SDSD is one of Aylesbury’s longest running, biggest and most successful dance schools.
Offering exciting performance opportunities, over 50 classes to choose from (including ballet, tap, modern, and musical theatre), and 100% pass rate in exams, it is the place to dance in Aylesbury.
Taught by Highly qualified and inspirational teachers, in SDSD’s purpose built studio at QPAC, children receive the best possible training to ensure they reach their full potential to an extremely high standard.
Discover more about SDSD by visiting their website.

SING YOUR PAIN AWAY
Group singing for well-being, health and fun!
This free 7 week singing project is open to adults who are in physical or emotional pain and/or are living with a long-term physical or mental health condition. We will be enjoying 7 weeks of happy, uplifting group singing in a welcoming, safe environment with no judgement. No previous singing experience is needed and you don’t need to read music. We will be singing songs from the shows, songs from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, the odd sea shanty, the odd new song and more!
This singing project is part of a larger health and well-being project in conjunction with Buckinghamshire Culture and other organisations which are assessing the health and well-being benefits of the arts. As such, we ask that you only sign up for this project if you don’t already sing in a choir or singing group or, haven’t sung for some time. Project participants will be required to complete a simple questionnaire at the start and end of the project so we can measure the effect that the group singing has had on people’s health and wellbeing.
Starting Friday 9 June 11.30AM – 12.30PM
For more information or to book your place please email jane@singyourpainaway.co.uk

MINDFULNESS BASED ART IN HEALTH WORKSHOPS
Join Belinda Hunt for a series of mindfulness based art in health workshops. These free workshops are designed to offer those suffering anxiety, stress, emotional concerns, dys-regulation or chronic pain the opportunity to engage in a creative process using found objects and recycled materials to support their well-being.
The workshops will provide a safe space to work individually within a small group to explore art materials and to make either a textile doll or a collage scene.
The process of the making promotes well-being and self-regulation; the art object supports containment and felt experience in the moment, that may help the maker to reflect on good memories or experiences to aid their sense of self and increase their resilience and promote calm and well-being.
No prior experience is required or skill in arts or crafts. Materials are provided as well as tuition on how to make.
Creating Dolls Workshop – working with recycled materials: Fri 21 July & Mon 24 July 10.30-12.30pm
Creating a Scenic Artwork – working with collage: Tues 25 July & Fri 28 July 10.30am-12.30pm
For more information and to book your place email belindahunt8@gmail.com

EVENING OF SPIRITUAL CULTURE – HARE KRISHNA FESTIVAL
The Limelight Theatre will be hosting an informative and fun evening full of music, drama and dance on Wednesday 26 July at 7PM.
The event showcases some of the cultural and philosophical elements from spiritual India and the evening ending with light vegetarian refreshments.

KNITTING CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS WITH AMANDA HUTCHERSON
Knitting classes for beginners, relax and have fun while you learn to knit.
Amanda’s super successful beginner/improver knitter classes provide a fantastic opportunity for you to learn to knit or to polish up your basic knitting skills. It is suitable for all those who want to learn to knit or can already knit a little. All techniques required for accomplished knitting will be taught on an individual basis.
All materials and tools will be provided and are included in the price for the class.
For more information and to book your place visit the website here

MONDAY LIFE DRAWING GROUP
Mondays during term time, 10am-2pm
Work from a life model to create paintings and drawings. All welcome.
Please bring your own materials to the class – most materials can be bought from the Queens Park Arts Centre shop at reception.
For more information and to book your place, email grahamjefford@gmail.com.

WOODCARVING WITH JEREMY TURNER
Mondays during term time:
Session 1: 10.30am-12.30pm
Session 2: 1.00pm-3.30pm
“I have been making and carving things in wood since the 1970s and have been hosting the Monday Woodcarvers at QPAC since 2015. With the assistance of several former Monday Woodcarvers I recently completed the Three Post Seat, which is now installed on the bank of the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes, as part of the Gyosei Art Trail.”
“As your tutor I aim to bring out your creativity by inspiring confidence with carving techniques and skill with carving gouge and mallet. I welcome people with no previous experience of working with wood as well as those who want to improve their skills; and also artists and sculptors who wish to extend their practice into a new material. You can work at your own speed on your own personal projects.”
“While I supply the tools and wood for your first session, you may of course bring your own tools and wood.”
To book a session, please contact jeremy.turner155@btinternet.com

SCRIPT SURGERY WITH UNBOUND THEATRE
Last Monday of the month, 7pm-9pm
30 Jan | 27 Feb | 27 Mar | 24 Apr
Calling all script writers!
On the last Monday of each month, our award-winning storytelling project Unbound will be opening its production office for a free informal meeting where writers can share ideas, discuss their scripts, get feedback on their work, and chat to like-minded scribblers!
For more information, email dario@queensparkarts.com

SPORT IN MIND – YOGA FOR MENTAL WELLBEING
Tuesdays during term time
11am-12pm – Free to attend
Fun, casual drop-in standing yoga session for people experiencing mental health problems.
All abilities welcome!
For more information, visit Sport in Mind’s website.

JIGSAW THEATRE COMPANY
Tuesdays during term time
1pm-3.30pm
Jigsaw is a theatre company founded by disabled people for disabled people.
Actors can dance, mime, write, direct and tell jokes as well as act with the company. Other opportunities include creating costumes, scenery, music, lights and sound.
Jigsaw also runs acting, dance and voice workshops for its actors and others, as well as workshop leader training.
Jigsaw offers disabled people the chance to work with others, discover and learn more about what they can do and what they might like to do more of.
Email info@jigsawtheatre.org.uk or Tel: 07866037708 for more details.

BSL BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE LEVEL 1 COURSE
Tuesdays during term time (from 11 October)
7pm-9pm – £10 per session
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn British Sign Language with Marie Biswell from Hand Talking.
Marie is an experienced interpreter, who has appeared at local events such as Parklife Weekend, and projects including our very own pantomime!
For more information, email Marie via handtalkingbsl@gmail.com

SPORT IN MIND – TAI CHI FOR MENTAL WELLBEING
Wednesdays during term time
11am-12pm – Free to attend
A fun, casual, drop-in Tai Chi class for people experiencing mental health problems.
No experience or special equipment needed, just bring yourself. Everyone welcome!
For more information, visit Sport in Mind’s website.

SPACE COLOURING GROUP
Wednesdays during term time
2pm-3.30pm – Free to attend
These times can be difficult and even traumatic, but organizations like Space Aylesbury can offer you support. They support people who are going through relationship difficulties, depression, bereavement, unemployment, mental health problems, loneliness, or any combination of these issues.
This weekly drop-in colouring group is open to anyone who wants to enjoy a peaceful and sociable afternoon doing something creative.
For more information, visit Space’s website.

MUSICAL THEATRE CHOIR
Wednesdays during term time
7.30pm-9pm – £5.50 per session
Musical Theatre Choir – Aylesbury (MTC) is an exciting new choir rehearsing on a weekly basis. Founded in September 2015 by musical director Ashley Turner, MTC focusses on singing pieces from a wide range of musical theatre. MTC has an open to all policy, welcoming members from all backgrounds and ages, 16 and above. You do not need to audition.
At MTC – Aylesbury you can expect to explore a wide variety of musical theatre songs, learning the correct singing technique to support and release your full potential. Ashley founded the choir to share his passion and expertise of musical theatre, exploring old and new, well and less known songs in a relaxed environment, to celebrate a fantastic, interesting and intriguing art form.
To book, contact musicaltheatrechoir@gmail.com

BUCKS ADULT LEARNING – WOODWORK FOR BEGINNERS & IMPROVERS
10-week course (from 16 Jan): 7pm-9pm
This course is for those with a general interest in woodwork and who have a project in mind. It is suitable for all levels of ability and will be taught on an individual basis.
The tutor will provide small group demonstrations and individual support to ensure that learners can work at their own level and at their own pace.
For more information – and to book your place – visit the Bucks Adult Learning website.

CHILTERNS CCC – SOUR CHERRY SOUP
2 March: 7pm-9pm
An interactive creative writing workshop, exploring the sights and sounds of the Chilterns AONB, including memories and stories about the past, present and future and to enhance the community’s contribution to the play, Sour Cherry Soup, touring in June 2023 as part of Chilterns Drama from the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs project.
For more information – and to book your free place – click here.