• Tickets: £10 early-bird | £15 from 14 March
  • Company: The Spin
  • Extras: May contain haze. Please note: all seating is unreserved.
  • Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

The Spin are delighted to be welcoming to the Old Fire Station, the brilliant Californian band (of some 30 years standing!), Charged Particles. For this tour, they are featuring the exceptional tenor saxophonist, Tod Dickow in a set that will celebrate the music of the sax titan, Michael Brecker.

Dickow is a first-call player on the San Francisco scene and is winner of the Outstanding Soloist Award from Downbeat Magazine. Tod’s playing and composing are powerfully influenced by Michael Brecker. But he is unique in having captured the essence of Michael’s spirit on the instrument, making Tod the perfect artist to perform Michael’s compositions with Charged Particles.

The quartet recently released a live recording of Brecker compositions (“Live at the Baked Potato!” on Summit Records) that was named one of the best CDs of 2021 by Jazzwise Magazine, JazzTimes Magazine, the Jazz Journalists Association, the 16th Annual Jazz Critics Poll, and more. Brecker’s biographer, Bill Milkowski, said the recording is “staggering in its authenticity.” Famed trumpeter Randy Brecker (Michael’s brother) said the recording is “smoking and intense from beginning to end.” Downbeat Magazine said it offers “exciting, satisfying stuff”.

Michael Brecker was a beloved innovator on the tenor saxophone whose unique voice and approach to the instrument influenced every saxophonist playing jazz today. Winner of 15 Grammy Awards, he was a prolific composer and leader of a range of different bands, as well as a guest performer with many other ensembles. He was awarded some of the highest honors in jazz, including an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee College of Music and induction into Downbeat Magazine’s Hall of Fame.

Since the Spin re-opened after the Covid lockdown, every gig has sold out! Book now to avoid disappointment – and also to take advantage of our ‘early bird’ offer!

Parking & Access

Parking

There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.

The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.

If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.

Getting here

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.

Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in Oxford

Access

Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

Events in the Theatre

There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).

If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.

Events in the Studio

There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.

Events in the Loft

There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.

The Gallery

There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.