book a workshop

the base workshop calendar

activity information

DROP IN

Staffed lounge access with access to the AV suite, band room and production room (with DJ decks).

Crafting Corner

CREATIVE

Come down to the BASE to try out some craft activities or bring your own projects to work on!

Piano of PRide

community

If you are an LGBTQ+ young person aged 13-18, come and join us this summer to take part in our Piano of Pride project. A collaborative session between the LGBTQ+ Youth Service and The BASE Guildhall, we aim to create a lasting legacy of Portsmouth hosting UK Pride 2025 by transforming our piano with expressions of joy and pride.

This a free event with lunch provided, if interested in coming you must register by emailing [email protected] or by texting 07385463100.

AGE GROUP:
13-18

DATE AND TIMES:

Wednesday 13 August 2025 11am – 4:00pm

Build a Band presents Song In A Day

MUSIC

Make a song. Make some noise. Make new mates. All in one day.

Are you a young musician who loves to play, sing, or create? Join us for a one-day workshop where you’ll team up with others to write, jam, and perform an original song or cover — all in just a few hours!

You’ll need to already know how to play your instrument or be confident singing. Bring your own gear, or use what we’ve got — then dive into group music-making, try out new ideas, and build a track together from scratch. By the end of the day, you’ll be performing your song live! Let’s make some noise — your song starts here.

AGE GROUP:
13-25

DATE AND TIMES:

Thursday 14 August 1:00pm – 6:00pm

LOOKUP PORTSMOUTH X THE BASE GUILDHALL Mural PROJECT WORKSHOPS

Creative

The BASE Guildhall has teamed up with LOOKUP Portsmouth to deliver a two-day workshop where you’ll learn all about mural creation — and even get the chance to spray paint one of our walls at The BASE Guildhall!

Over the course of the two days, you’ll explore key mural techniques, see local murals in the area, develop your design ideas, and put your skills into action with hands-on spray painting.

AGE GROUP:
11-25

DATES AND TIMES:

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO ATTEND BOTH WORKSHOP DAYS

Saturday 16 August 10:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday 23 August 10:30am – 4:30pm

Music PRODUCTION wORKSHOP

MUSIC

Learn to use the production facilities at The BASE Guildhall.

Details coming soon…

AGE GROUP:
11-25

DATE:

Monday 18 August

Supported Recording Session

MUSIC

Got a track ready to record but don’t know how? Let’s make it happen.

Whether you’re a band, rapper or musician, this is your chance to get help recording your first demo so you learn how recording works for next time. These are an opportunity to get professional support to learn how to record at The BASE Guildhall.

Step into our fully equipped band room and production studio to help you understand how to record a track of your choice.
Work one-to-one with an experienced producer/sound engineer to shape and refine your sound.
Leave with a copy of your recording so you can listen back and develop your track further after your session.

Each band or musician is only allowed one session so please do not book more than one.

AGE GROUP:
11-25

DATE:

Tuesday 19 August 11:00am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:45pm (2 hour sessions)

Artists Trip to Brighton

SUMMER TRIPS

Join us for a vibrant day in Brighton. Meeting at Portsmouth & Southsea Station, we’ll travel to Brighton by train. We’ll start with a guided tour of the Royal Pavilion – a royal palace inspired by Indian architecture and filled with rich history and stunning interiors. After lunch in the Pavilion Gardens, we’ll head to Brighton Museum for a Tie Dye Workshop. Led by artists, you’ll design and dye your own tote bag or pencil case using bold colours and creative techniques. It’s a hands-on, expressive session perfect for anyone looking to explore textile art.

Free for young people aged 13-16 – your tickets, travel and lunch are all included.

A full schedule will be sent closer to the trip.

Explore the galleries and museums, make new friends, and take home your own masterpiece!

Spaces are limited – sign up now!

AGE GROUP:
13-16

DATE AND TIMES:

Tuesday 19 August 9:00am – 7:00pm

PLAYBACK

music

A night to show off your work-in-progress tracks.

PLAYBACK is an evening to test out your latest track, give and receive feedback and meet new people. Whether you just need advice on the ending, the mix, or the lyrics, or if it’s a rough idea and you don’t know where to take it… Meet with like-minded musicians and receive constructive feedback on how to take your music to the next level, and share your knowledge in return.

Just get in touch with us via [email protected] or our Instagram, and send us your track (a soundcloud link/google drive is best), or bring it on the night. Let us know what kind of feedback you want, and what you don’t! Feedback will be friendly and constructive from the group, and then, even better, talk to people afterwards, and get into the weeds of snare selection and panning.

The evening is hosted by The BASE Guildhall and Liam Quinn. Liam is a composer and sound designer working music for media with 15 years of experience.

AGE GROUP:
13+

DATE AND TIMES:

Wednesday 20 August 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Musical Theatre trip to Chichester

SUMMER TRIPS

Join us for a day of golden-age musical magic as we head to Chichester Festival Theatre to see Top Hat – a dazzling stage adaptation of the classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film. Expect a classic, tap-dancing musical from one of the UK’s leading theatres. Whether you’re a theatre lover or new to musicals, this is a perfect chance to experience live performance at its best. CFT have one of the best youth ticket schemes in the country, come and find out why you should sign up!

Free for young people aged 11-25 – your tickets, travel and lunch are all included. Spaces are limited – sign up now!

A full schedule will be sent closer to the trip.

AGE GROUP:
11-25

DATE AND TIMES:

Friday 22 August 11:30am – 6:40pm

HAF Creative Calm

creative

Come down to The BASE Guildhall to explore how to create calm for yourself and others through creativity. There’ll be yoga, arts and crafts, and plenty of other creative activities to explore in a friendly and accessible space. Are you creative to feel calm or calm to be creative? Or maybe both? Come and find out!

AGE GROUP:
11-16

DATES AND TIMES:

Sunday 24 August 11:30 – 15:00

open decks

music

Listen, share new music and meet other electronic bass music lovers…

These sessions are hosted by Villainous DnB. Based in Portsmouth, Villainous DnB is a record label and music collective led by Vylan and Psyclone; curating the most exciting new selections in underground Drum and Bass and showcasing underappreciated talent in the scene.

DATES AND TIMES:

Every 3rd Weekend of the month – 2.30pm – 5.00pm

learn to dj

music

1 to 1 lessons for anyone wanting to learn to DJ, whether you’ve never touched the decks before or need some trouble shooting, this is the drop in for you.

AGE GROUP:
11-25

DATES AND TIMES:

Fortnightly on Saturday/Sunday 11am, 12pm & 1pm

Your BASEPLAN (drop in)

creative

Thinking about a creative future? Whatever your dreams are, Your BASEplan is set up to advocate and support your future in the creative and cultural industries.

Maybe you already know what you want to do creatively; but are unsure how to begin? Or you have already begun; but are not sure what comes next?

No matter what stage you are at Your BASEplan is a flexible drop-in opportunity for any young person aged 11-30. Come to The Base Guildhall and find the support of creative professionals, to work through your aspirations in search of practical plans.

Sessions will offer you scope to:

Talk through your ideas and goals
Ask and answer your questions about creative careers
Understand what creative careers really look like
Advance in an area you are already developing
Get advice from someone who’s working in the industry
Start/continue shaping your own path with professional guidance

DATES AND TIMES: (Drop in)

Every Wednesday

HIP HOP CYPHERS WITH MUSIC FUSION

music

Freestyles, Cyphers, Beats, Music Production. Artist support and development. Meet, connect, collaborate & create. Bring projects you’re working on or just come along to try something new.

AGE GROUP:
14-25

DATES AND TIMES:

Tuesday 5.45pm – 7.45pm

1 to 1 drumming Lessons

MUSIC

30 minute 1 to 1 drumming lessons for anyone aged 11-25. These sessions are for any level whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your skills!

AGE GROUP:
11-25

DATES AND TIMES:

Wednesday 5:30pm, 6:00pm, 6:30pm & 7:00pm

BUILD A BAND (Returns in September)

music

Meet other young musicians and improve your band craft, supported by experienced musicians. These sessions are for anyone looking to find their sound– existing bands and those looking for a line-up! Mentoring, advice and help finding those next steps towards finding your sound.

AGE GROUP:
13-21

DATES AND TIMES:

Returns in September, Friday 5.30pm – 7.30pm

THE BASE SPOKEN

poetry

Calling all poetry lovers! The BASE Spoken is a new poetry and spoken word night in Portsmouth for anyone aged 11 and up. Run in partnership by Portsmouth Poetry Party, 432 NO-MADS and The BASE Guildhall, this event will unite emerging and established poets in a safe and collaborative space to share and discuss new writing. Come down and experience a cosy new creative event.

AGE GROUP:
11+

DATES AND TIMES:

Sunday 5 October 2025 4pm

book a workshop

the base workshop calendar

activity information

DROP IN

Crafting Corner

CREATIVE

Piano of PRide

community

Build a Band presents Song In A Day

MUSIC

LOOKUP PORTSMOUTH X THE BASE GUILDHALL Mural PROJECT WORKSHOPS

Creative

Music PRODUCTION wORKSHOP

MUSIC

Supported Recording Session

MUSIC

Artists Trip to Brighton

SUMMER TRIPS

PLAYBACK

music

Musical Theatre trip to Chichester

SUMMER TRIPS

HAF Creative Calm

creative

open decks

music

learn to dj

music

Your BASEPLAN (drop in)

creative

HIP HOP CYPHERS WITH MUSIC FUSION

music

1 to 1 drumming Lessons

MUSIC

BUILD A BAND (Returns in September)

music

THE BASE SPOKEN

poetry

Thank you to our funders and partners: