Lights, camera, action ... Yes, its that time again - Artweeks.

It's the annual showcase for art in the county, with 1,000 artists opening their doors to the public.

From street festivals to tours and workshops, by children to world renowned artists, whatever your artistic penchant, Artweeks is guaranteed to have it.

And whole communities are getting together to celebrate their artistic talents. Summertown kicks off the City Artweeks this year with the highly anticipated street festival - a whole Saturday of live music and street entertainment.

Five bands will be performing on a covered stage throughout the day including Cooper Black, King and a very dynamic young band called Disclosure, who debuted here last year.

In addition to the main stage, there will be Brazilian capoeira dancing, jugglers and jazz, art for kids and delicious food for all.

This year the festival will be located in South Parade only which will be closed to traffic, so there will be a real street party atmosphere.

From midday, artists in the area will open their homes and studios, and Summertown will be awash with music, art and fun.

In Appleton, a similar air of celebration will prevail. Painting, pottery, jewellery, ceramics, woodturning, photography and embroidery will be on show by professional and amateur artists in an ancient barn, alongside work by more than 200 children.

Organiser Jo Golding says: "The enthusiasm this has created is wonderful, loads of non-artists in the village are offering their help and support and this whole event has a real community spirit about it that I hadn't expected."

Either way, Artweeks Oxfordshire is the largest open studios festival in the UK, attracting around 70,000 visitors a year, so get your brochure and start checking Artweeks out.

The Artweeks Guide contains details of every artist, exhibition and event, and can be downloaded at www.artweeks.org Meanwhile, here's where things are happening and when: This week until May 11: South Oxfordshire Saturday May 10-Sunday May 18: North Oxfordshire Saturday May 17-Monday May 26: Oxford City Summertown Street Festival: May 17 Appleton Art: May 9-11

3:37pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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