Trick or treat....

Pumpkins grown at the Beth Chatto Gardens - the real thing - Thanks Emily!

There's no avoiding Haloween... whether you want to get all grumpy ('it's not British, too many noisy kids, it's just to make money etc etc) or embrace it, I think if we get it right and use it to get creative then it can only be good, particularly at the end of the half-term holiday. So it's great to see Colchester make a weekend of it - shame I'm in Glasgow (yes, having a great time thanks). Get along to see the town hall like you've never seen it before!

Song?  'October' from the Album of the same name. U2. Look, they were a great band. Just seeing some Youtube footage of their latest tour, I'd say they're still a great band.

The shock of the New...

Well, what a pleasant surprise, this blog received some correspondence regarding my coverage of the Moot Hall Organ and new compositions written for it. Thanks to Alex for getting in touch.

Turns out the organ is not the only lucky instrument in Colchester - Colchester New Music have a series of very varied events this autumn. So if you're interested in New Music (and after all, all old music was new once, Bach and Scarlatti just as innovative as today's composers), here's a couple of events. Certainly the Gig at the Arts Centre looks worth a punt. One of the most off-the-wall but excellent musical experiences I have enjoyed in the last few years was when an organist played her interpretation of the Shipping Forecast!

  CNM Piano Project 20157:30pm, 4th November 2015, Swinburne Hall, Colchester Institute,
Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3LL
Tickets £5 on the door, or via CMPA Live Box Office:
01206 712999 / creativeartslive@colchester.ac.uk /http://creativeartslive.colchester.ac.uk

Following on from last year's successful event, Colchester piano
teacher Dylan Christopher presents another evening exploring
contemporary piano music for aspirant pianists. Together with
professional guests David Mitchell and Elspeth Manders, and local
piano pupils, Dylan will perform a programme of exciting new solo and
duet pieces of ABRSM Grade 1-5 standard, contributed by composers from
Essex and beyond. The performers - teachers and pupils - will discuss
what it is that makes a contemporary piece educationally and musically
satisfying for learners.

Full details of the programme are herehttp://colchesternewmusic.com/2015/10/03/results-of-piano-project-2015-call-announced

Recordings of last year's pieces can be found here:http://colchesternewmusic.com/listen/piano-project-2014

*** Fretless Architecture: Rich Perks + vLookup Trio

Doors 7:30pm (starts 8pm), Thursday 5th November 2015, Colchester Arts
Centre, Church St. Colchester CO1 1NF
Tickets £7/£6: Box Office 01206 500900 / colchesterartscentre.com

New constructions for solo fretless electric guitar, plus explorations
from avant-garde noise to funk-rock for fretless electic guitar,
trumpet, percussion, effects and live electronics.
As both a guitarist and composer Rich exhibits a keen interest in
anything unusual, progressive and innovative. As well as being an
active gigging musician in the commercial industry, he performs much
contemporary, experimental and improvised music, specialising in
fretless electric guitar.

The vLookup Trio is comprised of Rich Perks (fretless electric
guitar), Andrew Hall (trumpet) and Tom Atherton (percussion). Together
they explore pieces which combine pre-composed material with
improvisation in styles that range from avant-garde noise to
funk-rock, whilst also pushing the sonic possibilities of a trio
instrumentation by incorporating effects and live electronics.

Last year Rich released an international call for scores, in
conjunction with Colchester New Music. His aim was to explore the
possibilities of the fretless electric guitar further; in the hope
that through making relationships with composers, the full potential
of this young and exciting instrument could be discovered and
developed. In this ground-breaking performance, Colchester Arts Centre
hosts the premieres of five works selected from this call, juxtaposed
with vLookup's sonic adventures.http://www.colchesterartscentre.com/events/gigs/rich-perks-vlookup-trio-fretless-architecture/
http://richperks.net

No music today - it hasn't been written yet!

High Land Hard Rain....

Doing serious research here in Scotland!

Just 'cause I'm in Glasgow doesn't mean you're safe from me! By the miracle of Facebook and the busy group that is 'It All Happens in Colchester' I'm constantly informed of exciting things I'm missing. Like...

Stacy Makishi, with thanks to Anthony Roberts

Wonderful Wednesdays at the Colchester arts centre. Sorry I can't be there this week, hope to see you there next week! Just put 'wonderful Wednesdays' into a Facebook search, and go along! Pay what you can.


Song from 'Big Country' - In a Big Country - anthemic 80's pop! From Dunfermline. And no-one told me Stuart Adamson died a while back. Thanks for the memories Stuart.

The Early (music) Bird catches the concert....

There it is! Mark's Tey church viewed from the 11.30 train to London. Please no comments about how fast the Abelio train was going! I've just travelled from my door in Colchester to Partick, in west Glasgow, by public transport. It was, as usual, punctual and comfortable.

Sounds like some entertaining music in the church at Marks Tey this November. Yes, the church that you wizz by out of the right-hand window of the train to  London.  The church you've probably never been in. Well, now's your chance! This is music put on by local people for local people - go and support it.

https://www.facebook.com/colchesterearlymusic

Music - maybe some William Byrd, fine man of Essex (yes, ok, in his later life I know)

Foiled again....

For younger children - the Pumpkin Hunt at Beth Chatto Gardens

This is a (mostly) grown-up column, but I can't help feeling jealous of the children of Colchester this half-term. I really like the look of the 'Phantom' event at Firstsite 30th October, but the best has to be free Fencing taster sessions on 29th October. A great way to burn off some energy, but also a technical sport that occupies the mind as well as the hands. I met Mrs. Blogger at the point of a Foil (I used to coach fencing, a very, very long time ago).


Today's song - Two Swords - The Beat- not really about fencing but a great song from a great album. My Vinyl Junkie phase - 1980!

Drawing on...

Very much enjoyed 'A Letter of Resignation' at the Headgate yesterday - do go if you can.

from left: Wendy Bailey, Angella Horner and Karenza Jackson

Great combination of local talents with our Art Gallery hosting the Big Draw this Sunday. Firstsite have teamed up with artists based at CO3 Gallery, including those shown above, and Colin McAllister, below, to offer sketching sessions during the afternoon.  Give it a go!  - and if you haven't already checked it out, take in the Open Exhibition as well.

Colin McAllister is working (with Michele Webber) on a commission for Timperley's. So hopefully some interesting art on the walls there next year.

 

Song - oh, something about drawing - ah, 'The unsigned Painting' by Rickie Lee Jones from the 1984 album 'The Magazine'. This one inspired by John of Blackdoghat. Thanks John! Cheers!

Live Poet's society

Whales mother and calf by Stephen Henderson

A flying visit to the Sentinel Gallery in Wivenhoe revealed some lovely sculptures and vibrant paintings, all well worth checking-out. Two good opportunities this week to combine the gallery with some poetry, as PoetryWivenhoe has a performance on Thursday at the British Legion on the quay, and Sentinel themselves host one of their very popular poetry evenings on Saturday. If you want to get along to that I suggest you book pronto. Shan't see you there - I'm off to Glasgow for 10 days, but by the wonders of technology this blog will keep writing itself!

 

Figure in Time, and Autumnal Dance, by Lucy Lutyens, and Flowers on Violet by Arabella Shand

Todays song form the album 'The Poet' by Bobby Womack. One of the greatest soul singers, sadly died last year. Enjoy!

Resigned to a good evening...

Drama at No. 10? - No, drama at the Headgate theatre!
Lots of good stuff at the Headgate this month, well, this season to be honest. 'Rent' finishes today - you could still catch it tonight, then next week there's 'A Letter of Resignation'  which sounds great. Your fearless blogger has grabbed an exclusive interview with Mr Macmillan (mysteriously doubling-up as box-office clerk) who said 'I'm considering my position - tickets only £11' I'll be there Wednesday - see you there!


 

Malcolm Kimmance does his best Prime-ministerial look, while manning the box-office!

Today's song from 1963 - The Beatles - Do You Want To Know a secret? - look, this blog may or may not be interesting, but the tunes....just click on the link!

An open and shut case....

The number2 bus by Chris Dobrowolski

So here I am sat in Chelmsford Crown Court waiting... and waiting.... Jury Service! Still, here's the 5 pieces of art in the Firstsite Open I would find 'Guilty' of being enjoyable...but also intelligent...


Man with One Boot by Stephen Landsley

Hellta Skellta by Simon Emery & the Paintbox

West by Finlay Flint

 

Transparency by Deborah Woolridge

So go along and see what you think! And don't forget Firstsite hosts the Colchester Film Festival next week - exciting times!
Song -  O. V Wright - 8 men 4 women - classic soul -  guilty of enjoyment!







Friends and neighbours...

Ron with 'Shell'

I'm delighted to welcome Ron Flaxman to my blog. He was rather lost in Firstsite and looking for the artwork his neighbour has in the Open Exhibition. Ceramic, he said. Took a while to remember her name, but once we had that we were able to use the catalogue (in alphabetical order of first name) and, with the help of a gallery assistant, to find the red pyramid. And there it was, a lovely shell carefully constructed out of ..well...not quite tesserae, but the Roman connection holds I think. Thanks, Ron, for guiding me to this quiet, reflective and beautiful piece.

'Shell' by Barbara Chaplin.

While in the gallery, choosing 5 pieces as my favourites (revealed tomorrow), I overheard someone voicing the obvious point that if you put 700 pieces of art by locals on the walls you are guaranteed that all their friends and family will come. Well...yes.. but at least they're there and maybe... maybe they'll come back.
And the same person also observed that with 700 works you can't focus or hope to make sense of it. But that's the point - a crazy explosion of art that you can't possibly take in as a whole, so you just have to go with the - 'ooh look, I like that' approach. Instant gratification, no interpretation? - seems ideal for the 21st century! Check back tomorrow for my 5 pieces (actually I've just realised I've missed-out the knitted seagull - perhaps a late revision is in order?)... take part via Facebook.

Song - Chilites - We are Neighbours, - super riff and great sentiment - enjoy it Ron!

Dancing to the beat...

Anna Coogan rocks Little Rabbit Barn

Look, I warned you, (and if any of you were there, Hi!) but some of the best local arts gigs are almost hidden. And amongst the best is Little Rabbit Barn - ok you have to get out to the back country sort-of Ardleigh way, but the music is brilliant (forget the Americana tag, it's just great music). Anna Coogan was (as usual) sold out this Saturday. Only two chances left this year - book now!

Local music heros Jonathan Rabett and David Booth

Another thing I love is great contemporary dance - and it visits Colchester too rarely (the BalletBoyz making a welcome appearance from time to time), so don't miss Ballet Black ,with an exciting contemporay programme at the Mercury Tuesday. Click here to book - see you there!

Photo courtesy Ballet Black and the Mercury Theatre

And talking of dance, here's Annie's Fantasies, our local clog-morris side, dancing at our new home at Roman Circus house sunday- we'll be there next sunday as well, 11 a.m., if you'd like to join us come along.

Finding an angle....

Although on holiday, I've been tirelessly seeking out Art for Colchester. So this is the Key Theatre in Peterborough (oh yes, I have sought out exotic places on this holiday...).  Eastern Angles has long been one of the best theatre companies, tirelessly touring East Anglia from their Ipswich base. I caught one of their current touring productions in Peterborough yesterday (the lengths I go to to research this blog for you...). Parkway Dreams is about the development of our New Towns, based on Peterborough (which I find an interesting place , the cathedral a not-so-hidden gem).
Combining Political History, Social history, and personal stories, it is witty and entertaining, if a little overlong.

Of course your hard-hitting blog is keen to get a scoop, so I blagged my way into the Civic reception pre-show, and got this picture of Artistic Director Ivan Cutting (right) with the Deputy mayor of Peterborough, Nazim Khan (left), and Eastern Angles Development and Communications manager Karen Goddard.
This great theatre is at the Mercury Studio 23rd and 24th Oct - catch it!
Eastern Angles are also touring another show 'Jane Wenham the Witch of Walkern' which may be near you next week.
Song ...Strange Town - the Jam - Classic, still got the 7-inch vinyl...

I'm begging you...

Thanks to Firstsite and our musicians Paul and Julia McCann and Terry Craig

Look, I know I've cajouled you to get out there and support live Arts in Colchester, but this one's personal. Mrs. Blogger, the wonderful Linda Mahon-Daly MBBS of this parish, loves to dance. And her Morris dance group Annie's Fantasies, needs new members, No experience necessary as they say...practices on Sundays, and we have an open practice for anyone who would like to try this on 11th October, Roman Circus House. Please share this with everyone.....come and dance!

And today's tune? - I'm Beggin' You - Supertramp - bizarre, but we do dance in red and black...

 
 

 


 Dr Linda Mahon-Daly demonstrates the 'Joe Stilgoe Boogie' in her slippers!  If you want to try this at home get the album from Colchester Classics. Bloody brilliant!



Annie's Fantasies dance with Alive and Kicking at the Sheringham ' Lobster Potties' festival this summer. Great Gig!

Rhyme and Reason

Somewhere near Peterborough

National Poetry Day - Walking the Nene  Valley Way
OK. I tried.

More Essex poetry at the Essex Poetry Festival

Here's another:
Annie's Fantasies dance at the Roman Circus
11 a.m. Sunday we'll be here
If you'd ever thought to come and join us
Come along to keep fit and drink good beer!


No experience necessary

Music - the Fabulous Billy Bragg album 'Talking with the taxman about Poetry - 'Greetings to the New Brunette' though this is shown as 'Shirley' on his set-list these days. Kirsty Maccoll - tragic loss.

Reasons to be cheerful...

Fine beers and Ciders are to be found in every county of England now. Here in Northamptonshire I'm enjoying Saxby's Cider and Great Oakley beer.
Just unwinding after a hectic week, Roman River and all that, Firstsite, Mercury...and they say there's nothing on in Colchester! Well, here's a couple more to try - Film Festivals in local villages - the Village Film Festival, and coming soon the Colchester Film Festival. See you there!

Essex Poetry Festival at Colchester Library tomorrow (Thurs) 6.30 pm, and continuing - more tomorrow!

Today's music - Reasons to be cheerful part 3 - the late great Ian Dury (and the still-active Blockheads). More reasons to follow...

Thank you for the music...

A heartfelt thanks to all at Roman River Music for encouraging and supporting me to blog the Festival. In particular Victoria and Orlando, who had the strange notion I might be helpful.  You know where I am guys, if I can be of further help, just call. And all the other volunteers who hardly batted an eyelid when I turned-up uninvited. And my new friends in the green shirts, talking of which, how about a caption competition?

What is Brian saying that makes Wendy laugh, and Bob cover his ears?

To Elvis Costello  'Green Shirt' of course

And what did the traffic cone say to the little blue cone? (or vice-versa)

And if anyone read the excellent Roman River Festival programme to the end, what about your 5 books on landscape - perhaps mine are a bit more internal than Orlando's -
Wilderness Tips  - Margaret Atwood
England, England - Julian Barnes
The Big Walks - Ken Wilson and Richard Gilbert
Notes from a small Island  -Bill Bryson
This Luminous Coast - Jules Pretty - highly recommended

How about a RRF 'Fringe' -could call it 'Streams of Consciousness'!

On that note time for another song - The Shirelles 'Stop the Music' - have a good party thurs, sorry can't be there!

Hey ho and up she rises....

Children enjoy the Harwich Festival earlier this summer

Gutted to be missing the Harwich Sea Shanty Festival - just too many things on next weekend. But it's great fun, get the train, they even run Sea Shanty trains with loads of entertainment. And the Harwich Town Brewery is a must, and just by the station - perfect!

Music for today...the Pogues - not quite a shanty, but something to liven up the day!

So long...and thanks for all the fish..

No, sorry, not the end of the blog, but the end of the Roman River Festival. So last chance today, weather set fair, to get out to Stoke-by-Nayland for the concert at 4pm. I think it will be tremendous fun! Sorry I can't be there, I'm off for a well earned break in exotic Northamptonshire. Don't worry, the blog will continue by remote control, and I'll even get the chance to check out more art heading for Colchester.

Stoke-by-Nayland church

Allow time for a walk and a good look at this beautiful church, maybe lunch at the Crown, although I think it will be pretty packed, perhaps something after the concert?

Great show at the Mercury 'The Smallest Show on Earth' - make sure you catch it this week. And you can enjoy the songs on a cd available from Colchester Classics.

This show, like all modern musical theatre, relies on great technical skill, mixing the sound from over 20 sources. Sound design for this show by Andy Johnson, Robert manning the sounddesk Saturday. Many thanks, and to the Mercury management for permission to take this photo. Your blog goes places your  average Arts blog fears to tread!

Music? well, buy the CD mentioned above! but listen to this from, of course, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' Douglas Adams thank you.

C'mon Everybody..

Anna Bolan 'Emma with Book' (top)

No, he's not the Messiah, he's a very hard-working bloke. Anthony Roberts welcomes visitors to the opening party for the Firstsite Open last night.










Benjamin Warner 'Biblically Dark Water'

The whole point of this blog is to accentuate the great, positive energy there is in Colchester, but if I'm honest I wasn't looking forward to this exhibition - so many dreary paintings! But how wrong I was - here's two local young artists, Anna inspired by her art teacher to enter, and Benjamin studying for a BA in Fine Art at Leeds university. I must admit I generally preferred anything that wasn't a flat rectangle constrained by a frame, but that's the whole point, as the programme says the exhibition challenges you to reflect on why you like or don't like a particular work. Why not get involved via #OpenExhibition ?

Very sorry I seem to have lost my note of who's excellent work this is - I shall correct that in a future blog!

And here's my favourite glimpsed last night - a short video of a skateborder outside Firstsite - an obvious metaphor for how Firstsite is rapidly becoming a welcoming place for all the people of Colchester. Get down there and take part!
Music today - a clue in the blog title - C'mon Everybody - Eddie Cochran

Purple patch...

 it is purple in daylight!

Our town proudly holds a Purple Flag. Why not get into town this weekend to see a show, pop to the cinema, or catch some of the Comedy Festival? I'll be at the Mercury to see 'The Smallest Show on Earth' tomorrow - it's great to see this as part of a town-wide Comedy Festival. It seems to me all Arts venues, promoters, and fans should pull together to show what a great and varied scene we have here in Colchester. And of course this in turn supports pubs and restaurants.

With thanks to Liquid nightclub and Roman River Festival

Did anyone visit the SOS bus during Heritage weekend? - another thing Colchester can be proud of

today's tune of course Purple Rain - Prince - but with a difference - that's the Internet today!. Enjoy!