DIG out that tuxedo or sexy cocktail dress and get into the spirit of the jazz age to celebrate the anniversary of one of the county’s leading arts venues.

This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of the opening of Didcot’s Cornerstone, and the creative types down there are marking the occasion with a blast of swing.

Headlining proceedings tomorrow is singer Alice Francis, who recreates the age of the Great Gatsby with a 1920s-flavoured night of sultry jazz.

“We wanted a stunning gig for our fifth birthday gala evening that wowed all of the senses, something a little different, a lot of fun and something pretty special,” says Arts Director Emma Dolman. “You might say it’s the hottest ticket in town.” Alice calls herself Miss Flapperty, which, we are informed, is derived from the words ‘liberty flapper’ and refers to a woman who knows what she wants - and how to get it. And Alice, a rising star in cool swing circles, certainly knows what she wants.

Modelling herself on the great Josephine Baker, she is part enchantress, part rebel and, together with partner in crime Goldielocks, fuses the past with the cutting-edge present. The look, with her own designed dresses and accessories, is as important as the sound. And, like Caro Emerald (see front and below) she delivers the magic of jazz’s golden age with the help of hi-tech tools and deep bass beats.

One minute femme fatale, the next girl rapper, Alice is the living link between prohibition jazz and 21st century r’n’b – with pop, hip hop, electro and Latino sounds thrown in to flavour the mix.

Expect style, sophistication and double entendre from a woman who knows how to put on the Ritz.

LIVE: Tickets are £15 which includes a glass of fizz plus a piece of Cornerstone birthday cake. Call 01235 515144 or go to cornerstone @southoxon.gov.uk