Have you been inspired by Basingstoke Festival or feeling creative?

Is there an inner artist waiting to be unleashed or a voice waiting to be heard? Have you always wanted to pick up a paint brush? We’ve pulled together a list of the choirs, drama groups and art classes in Basingstoke and Deane specifically designed for beginners or those that have a past hobby and want to get back involved. Why not take a look and unleash your creative side.

Arts and craft classes 

Rachel Davis, one of the Streets Alive artists, runs a weekly guided painting and drawing group at Westside Community Centre on Mondays with availability in the afternoon session. Find her at Oakridge West Community Centre on a Wednesday morning (10am to 12.30pm) for a community art session. All ages and abilities welcome and this is a pay as you go session. Drop a line to racheldavis.artist@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. 

Liam Kelleher, another Streets Alive artist, runs Azure Art Academy. These 10-week art courses are suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists. The next courses start in September. The courses cover a range of different techniques, from how to hold a pencil and the fundamentals of drawing, to painting in the style of a famous artist. They also cover a wide range of subjects and mediums such as watercolour, acrylic and charcoal. If a 10-week course is a bit long for you then take a look at one-day workshops or Wine and Paint evenings.

Creative Art Classes in Basingstoke run art classes for adults and students who are absolute beginners to improvers. They teach students the basics as well as lots of different techniques using mediums such as graphite pencils, charcoal, watercolour, acrylic, gouache, soft pastels…. a different project each week. Each lesson begins with a demonstration from their tutor, and then students are given plenty of one-to-one tuition during the session. The classes are held at Viables Community Centre.

If you fancy trying jewellery making, then both Hampshire School of Jewellery and Bumble and Bee run classes suitable for beginners.

For a more informal craft evening take a look at Knit and Knatter at Tadley Library, a free group that meets every fortnight on a Friday 10am to 12noon. You’ll need to take your own wool, needles and patterns but new knitters of all ages are welcomed.

Photography 

Kingsclere Photography is a friendly, small camera club, for all skill levels who meet for fun and to improve their photography skills. They meet on the first Wednesday of every month.  

Choirs

Sing for Fun rehearses at Proteus Creation Space on Mondays. No need to audition to join, it’s just about having fun. If you are new to Sing For Fun you can book a free taster session to see what they’re all about! Keep an eye on their website for details of the new term.

Hampshire Harmony meets on a Monday at Everest Community Academy. If you are interested in joining you can pop along to one of their rehearsals to give it a try.

If you fancy joining a choir who regularly perform at The Anvil. Basingstoke Choral Society rehearse on most Wednesdays at The Vyne School between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Simply contact them through their website and head along to a rehearsal to find out more. 

Do you love to sing? Sing Now Choir is a friendly group who meet every Wednesday at Popley Fields Community Centre. Why not book a free taster session and try it out for yourself?

For men there is the Basingstoke Male Voice Choir who sing traditional and modern pieces. The group's aim is to enjoy signing and to raise money for great charitable causes. They meet every Wednesday at 7pm.

Amateur dramatics

If you’ve always fancied treading the boards then Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) welcomes new members. You’ll need to audition. Find out more on the BATS website. Overton Dramatic Society is a small, friendly society based in Overton that produces at least two shows per year. If you want to find out how to get involved, then get in touch via their website.

Adult community theatre workshop, The Proteansfocus on making and performing live theatre, in a friendly and sociable community. Members are also invited to watch all of Proteus professional performances. The group meet regularly on Wednesday evenings from 7.30am to 9:30pm.

Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society is an organisation of people who are passionate about producing high quaility community theatre. Roles include stage, acting, singing, and dancing. They are always looking for volunteers in other areas, such as scenery, props, costumes, and make-up.  

Dance

If you love to dance, then Basingstoke Academy of Dancing has a range of dance classes available for all ages. Based in Houndsmills, they teach classes in Ballet, street dance, musical theatre, Modern, Acrobatic Arts and Tap.

Fiesta Dance School offers different styles of adult dance classes including Latin American, Salsa and Ballroom. They cater to all dance levels of ability and focus on the fun and enjoyment of dance.  

David Smith Dance offers dance classes of difference skill levels in Old Basing. From Classic American line dancing to Latin Line dancing, dip your toes into the world of line dancing or brush up on your skills. Fun and great for fitness, why not give it a go!

According to Happy Feet Dance Academy ‘no one is ever too old to learn to dance’. They’ve been running adult tap and jazz classes for 25 years and welcome newcomers and those looking to refresh earlier dancing skills.  Their adult classes offer a welcoming and friendly environment and public performances and show participation is entirely optional.

Ceroc Newbury – Kingsclere meets at the Fieldgate Centre on Thursday evenings. The session starts at 7.30pm with a beginner induction before the beginners’ lesson starts at 7.45pm.

Inspired by Strictly? Alchemy Dance Company runs beginner Salsa classes at Oakridge Hall. Their next six week course starts on Thursday 18 July 2024, 7.30pm until 8.30pm. 

Know of any other classes or courses we can include? Please email us at hello@basingstoke.co.uk.

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. Whilst the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.

Updated July 2024