Off the wall....

Wonderful exhibition at the Minories until 24th September. Mark Wilsher has raided the homes of local residents and put together some of the pictures they had on their walls (and sculptures from their gardens) in an amazing set of juxtapositions that ask all sorts of questions about how we identify with images.  I have tried not to give the game away with the above photo, but some of it is laugh-out-loud funny! As you walk in you are greeted with Van Gogh's Sunflowers, except of course it's not, except it sort-of is. And I love the fact that their are no captions to explain the works, so you see what you see, without someone else putting their curatorial mark on it.

Mark Wilshire with two of the owners of a Van Gogh, Dorian and Sheila Kelly. Dorian is explaining how maybe he doesn't want his picture back!

Hard work for Free

Dropped by the Castle on my way to the Minories to see how preparations were going for the amazing-sounding Tankton for Colchester Free Festival. As you can imagine lots of construction work and cables everywhere. Pleased to see the Beer Tent is already in place - the Tea Tent being erected as I watched. Should be brilliant - some tickets still seem to be available - snap them up and I'll see you there! Not sure about the Wall of Shame though...

Many thanks to all those working hard for my entertainment.

Last of the summer..Cider

Almost the last of the summer dancing days for local Morris side Annie's Fantasies. We're disturbing the peace at Dedham Vale Vineyard this Sunday afternoon at their Cider festival - sounds a good excuse! We danced there in the spring and it's such a relaxed venue we were delighted to be invited back. Hope to see you there! The following Sunday we dance at the Big Sunday outside the Waiting Room at 1 o'clock - catch us there. If you're interested in joining us then ask any of the dancers or contact me. We have a free taster session on 11th October.

Respect goes both ways

I shouldn't have been surprised to see a sad facebook post yesterday - the excellent acoustic singer-songwriters Blackdoghat (Ian Nicholson (left) and John Sage) asking if anyone knows a venue where their music won't be drowned by people talking over them. Well I'm sure we all know plenty in the Colchester area - the boys are looking for something in London. I hope to put them on here as soon as I can. But it got me thinking about the relationship between the musicians and the audience. Sure there's space for some banter (plenty at the amazing Young 'Uns gig at Folkeast on Saturday), but ultimately if you're at a gig, even if it's free in the corner of a pub, surely you should at least try to listen. Or at least respect those that are. That way I've found several great bands.
But it goes the other way too - I think musicians should respect the intelligence of the audience by allowing them to listen to the music. Too many musicians (particularly Folk, but it happens in everything from classical to rock) take longer to tell you about the music than sing it! Anyway, at  gigs I enjoyed at the weekend, the Young'uns just walked out on stage and sang Billy Bragg's 'Between the Wars'. No explanation, no intro, the song stood on it's own. And last night Orlando Jopling, Artistic Director of the Roman River Festival, stepped out with his cello and played a Bach  cello suite. No intro, just the notes filling the air of the Beth Chatto Gardens. Magnificent!

With many thanks to Ian, John and Orlando for the photos

Child's play...

Caught the excellent 'Megson' at FolkEast yesterday. Debs Hanna (left) and hubbie Stu play music with energy and humour. Exciting to have them at the Colchester Arts centre with a family show specifically aimed at children aged 0 - 7. Sept 12th, 1.30 pm. Or a show for grown-ups in November - see you there

Inspiration and perspiration in Wivenhoe

This scene at the Sentinel gallery in Wivenhoe could be subtitled 'how much art can you fit in a mini (or other very small car)?' A lot of work going on to put on the new show by Charlotte Bernay (pictured below putting the finishing touches to one of her pieces, before her friend Mark helped try to fix it in place). So when you see her at the opening of the exhibition 'Numberless points' from 11 am. tomorrow 22nd August you'll know the hectic work involved in putting it on. Some artists need to be a dab hand with power tools!

With thanks to Charlotte, Mark, and Pru Green. Exhibition runs until 13th Sept.

Heading East....FolkEast

Colchester has so much going on, but it is also easy to get to some of the biggest events in the country, so this weekend I'm headed to Folkeast at Glemham Hall. Amongst the acts on Saturday will be folk duo Megson who I caught in Ely last month and will be at the Colchester arts centre playing a family-friendly concert Saturday 12th September - great to get the kids into folk music. I'll miss wonderful duo Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker - they're playing on the sunday. Hope to bring them to Colchester next year.

With many thanks to Ely Folk Festival and Harwich Festival (where this photo of Josienne and Ben (on right) was taken. See you there next year.

Roman River flows through Beth Chatto gardens

The tranquil scene in The Beth Chatto Gardens will be enhanced by the most beautiful Cello music this Sunday as Orlando Jopling, artistic director of Roman River Music Festival, drops in to play some Bach cello suites, in a charity pop-up concert. Last few tickets left at bethchatto.co.uk/events/roman-river-festival-concert-with-orlando-jopling.htm

Thanks Chris...

I recognise that look - pleasure that things are going well, but nervousness that something could go wrong! Thanks Chris for organising such a great event - hope more of the beer than you feared got drunk - sorry I couldn't be there Sunday to help drink it. Keep your eyes on local media (eg.itallhappensincolchester or this humble blog) to find more great events in and around our town. Colchester free festival in a couple of weeks. Keep supporting local - though I shall be at Folkeast next weekend! Thanks to Vixation for great music yesterday.

Lounging on the er..... Lawn

We'll, hats off to all for the 'Lounging on the lawn' ' festival this weekend. Good beer, cider, and music. And Colchester weather - dry and sunny. first the beers (well, it is a beer festival) - Mersea - solid, well-made, nice pints. Colchester Brewery top quality - every beer is far too drinkable. Pitfield - funky - Woodbine racer usually cloudy and very complex - wine-drinkers'  beer!
Music hit and miss - but don't miss our local rising stars Chloe Hawes and Josh Smith who also play tomorrow. Thrilled to meet these young musicians working hard to entertain us. Nice self-penned numbers... and mandolin tuning! Please catch them tomorrow at facebook.com/loungingonthelawn

Thanks to Chloe Hawes and Josh Smith for music and image. PS Mrs blogger recommends the User friendly cider (though the Carters is nice too)

Secret venues - part 2

30 Years in Colchester and I didn't know this spot (no doubt some people walk past it every day). So I think this is where I'll be Lounging on the Lawn tomorrow drinking good beer and listening to local music. See you there...

Secret venues - part 1

This intimate corner of the Beth Chatto Gardens will be filled with 50 people on Saturday 23rd August for a pop-up concert by Roman River Festival musical director and top cellist Orlando Jopling.  From 6 pm he will play Bach cello suites. All proceeds to RRM and Beth Chatto charities, aimed at inspiring the next generation. Both Classical music and gardens need to attract youngsters! Last few tickets from Beth Chatto website. Hope to see you there.

Hard Work and Harmonies

Sorry for the lack of blogs the last few days - I've been down to Broadstairs for the Folk Festival weekend. As you can see the beer flowed, but I still managed to take in acts old and new ..two of which I hope to bring to Colchester. One of  the acts I stumbled across in a pub in Broadstairs last year - I went in to shelter from the rain (and maybe find some refreshment) and this duo were playing, lovely harmonies and well thought-out guitar work, not just your usual strumming. And catchy songs. Of course I bought the CD (if it's not too objectionable always buy the cd, it's the only way these performers can even cover their costs) and it has been on my playlist ever since. Walked past a bar this year, decided I needed some refreshment so popped in for a beer. Lo and behold, there was Blackdoghat again - the very same! So big thanks to Ian Nicholson (left) and John Sage (right) for making my weekend. They are at the Southend Beerfestival Saturday - catch them if you can.

Bragging rights....

What a great experience at Snape Proms on Wednesday. I obeyed all my own rules - talk to other fans, get close to the stage (but watch out for security), and if you're cheeky and ask nicely you can get away with all sorts of things. So I was chatting to a lady from Norwich who had seen Billy Bragg 31 times (as I joked, so that's 31-0 to you at the moment), when the tour manager brought out the set list to tape on the stage. Ooh, says us, can we see? sure says he. Can we get a picture? - of course says he. So here's the setlist that  Billy Bragg played at Snape. Anyone that can get the full names of all these tunes...should get out more! And there are some trick ones (Shirley is not the true name of a Bragg song). Between the Wars and (A) New England  the easy ones.
Don't forget there are other great Gigs at Snape all through August - I hope to make Ward Thomas, great Country music from young twins, next Tuesday. Go gals! I first saw them at the wonderful Little Rabbit Barn in Ardleigh - so it's worth checking what's coming up there, intimate concerts with great sound and a good atmosphere. Guest list for this Saturday looks full (you can always try pleading with Jonathan), but dates in Sept, Oct and November all look good - see you there!

Little Rabbit Barn in it's everyday mode - a carport! 48 hours later it will be ready to rock! Many thanks to Jonathan, Lyn, my new friend from Norwich, Billy Bragg's friendly and helpful Tour manager, and the Great Billy himself. Are there any other artists whose gigs have to finish in time for them to watch Newsnight?

Wearing badges is not enough... in days like these

Don't forget in you rush to London for entertainment that there's great stuff on in East Anglia - even Ipswich dare I say it! I can't wait until Wednesday when I'm off to the Snape Proms to see one of my musical heroes, Billy Bragg (yes, that is an original copy of his single Levi Stubbs Tears, which I paid 1.99 for in 1986).Snape proms has a fairly eclectic mix of music (I also recommend Ward Thomas next week) but our Billy is pretty off the wall for the good Britten-loving Tories of Suffolk. Either every socialist in East Anglia will be there, or some Suffolk ladies-that-lunch are in for a surprise! Anyway, it's sold out, so more people have heard of him than I thought! The 'proms' tickets, by the way, are a joke - you're meant to sit genteely on the floor - for a rock gig?!

How Bazaar...

What a wonderfully chilled Colchester afternoon. Nice beer and cider at the Queen Street Brewhouse, then some morris Dancing, then lunch at the Waiting room Bazaar, (and more beer). Wonderful Vegan raw Pizza (yes, that's what I thought too - but just try it - fantastic) from Organic Alex. He's so new (and rightly focuses on the food)  that he hasn't got his social media sorted yet, but he hopes to have it up and running this week - look for him on Facebook or at organicalex.com. Seems this event happens every first Sunday of the month - check it out (though I can't guarantee morris dancing every time - it was just a random coincidence - though if you'd like us to dance - see Annie's Fantasies ). Then back home for a wonderful bbq burger from my good friends at Primrose pork - visit their farm shop or at Wivenhoe Farmer's market - every 2nd Saturday of the month. So much good food out there -vegan or real meat from passionate farmers - take your pick (why not both?!).

Get on your red shoes...

I'm planning a gentle weekend in Colchester - I'll pop in to the Vegan Fair at the Waiting Room today for lunch, then tomorrow I'll be with the wonderful local dancers Annie's Fantasies outside our friends Hunt and Darton at Firstsite - 1 pm - see you there!