And so this is Christmas...

Abbott's Road Co-op, 08.50, 19th December

Rowhedge church and Christmas tree

Well, I never thought when I started this with the encouragement of Roman River Music (thanks to Victoria, Orlando and all at RRM) that I'd be writing my 126th post, just before Christmas.  So what does your arts-loving blogger get up to in the few days before Christmas?

I know I should be at the Arts Centre, Firstsite, all manner of charity concerts, so much live music in our pubs. But family comes first.. and my wife needs my support at the end of a busy year. So it's putting up the Christmas tree (always bought from Fiveways Fruit farm, Colchester-grown and freshly-cut), shopping, cooking, card-writing, present-wrapping etc. But between Christmas and New Year I shall be out and about, enjoying many local things that we don't always get the time for. Walks, Museums, Cinema, local pubs. I hope you'll do the same. See you there!

Music today..John Lennon, Imagine. Peace to all.

Your intrepid blogger sets off across Friday Woods, 23rd December

Listen up...

Thanks to all who stopped and watched 'Annie's Fantasies' dance this afternoon on the quay in Wivenhoe. Hope you enjoyed it. And thanks to the 'Rose and Crown' - some nice beers on there at the moment.
I still haven't made it to the new exhibitions at Firstsite, but it looks a great place to take the children next week, with activities linked to two major exhibitions.

....though I do worry about where he's going to throw Firstsite!

Song today.... Style Council, Speak like a Child...first a great live version (Weller somehow gives the lyrics a hint of edginess, ok I'm a bit biased having seen every Jam tour from 1979 until the end), but if you want a real laugh watch the official video - Mr. Weller, what were you thinking? Pop music in 1983!

Jingle Bells...In Wivenhoe

If you want something a little different away from Christmas shopping hordes tomorrow (Sunday), come and get some fresh air in Wivenhoe. Annie's Fantasies Clog-dancers will be dancing on the Quay, in front of the Rose and Crown, from 12 noon. And if you must do some shopping, why not pop in to the excellent Sentinel Gallery, packed full of tempting goodies. See you all there. No excuse, if you're travelling from Colchester the main road is open again, and the weather forecast looks good.

Music...too many songs with Bells in the title... how about Chuck Berry, you know the one.

Heads you win at Yuletide

Colchester Market - the place for seasonal fruit and veg



Tasty treats at Guntons

More tasty market treats

Please, in your rush to get all the provisions in for the big day, take time to visit our independent shops and markets. It's much more fun!


And you could stop to enjoy some of the, fun programme of Christmas entertainment at the Headgate theatre this December. From a medieval mystery version of the Nativity, to Frankenstein, with plenty of Christmas carols as well. Why not pop in there sometime over the Christmas period - maybe as a break from shopping! See you there!



Festive flowers at Dillys

Song - Santa Baby - Kylie version. A favourite in the Blogger household.





Party like it's 2015

Snowmen of France can't wait for the First site party!

Who knows what the future will bring, so let's enjoy what we've got! Another wondrous Firstsite opening party, let's make it thousands through the door again. A wonderful mixture of Exhibitions opening, which I shall write about when I return from my pre-Christmas Break here in the Jura and Alsace. But for now - enjoy the party, 11th December from 6 pm. Missing it!

Song today... Lau, First Homecoming - if you missed them at their brilliant gig at the Arts Centre recently - don't miss them next time!

Men and Women of Substance.....

Roderick Earle

Colchester is so lucky to have so many talented people who, when finding an opportunity to enhance our cultural scene, have used skill, determination, and good humour (generally!) to make things happen. Here Roderick Earle watches nervously as Colchester Chamber Choir makes their way through the crowd - while singing!


And below is Angella Horner frsa who  started her own studios and gallery, CO3, now part of Colchester's creative scene.

Angella Horner

And of course Anthony Roberts, who stepped-up when needed at Firstsite(having already helped create the best little Arts Centre in Town!)


My tune today? the great Irma Thomas - Good Things don't come Easy

Anthony Roberts

And Here's my Joker in the pack - Tim Young, Colchester Council portfolio holder for Culture (amongst other things). He has an influence on where grants are spent, and what priorities for the Arts Colchester promotes. So talk to Tim. But please remember, he's doing his bit for Colchester too! (I leave it up to you to decide how ironic the background I chose is!)

Oh (Christmas) Carol!

Ok, we can start thinking of Christmas now, which for me means thinking of others as much as yourself, and I don't just mean buying presents!



All wrapped up at W&G

 The peripatetic Anthony Roberts will be doing a short World tour (ok, as far as Brightlingsea, which is, let's face it, nearly the end of the World) of A Christmas Carol for the Colchester Night Shelter, and other charities.  So go and Give. Also at the Arts Centre. See you there...somewhere!

Song - of course Oh Carol... Neil Sedaka  - please watch this it's amazing! - particularly the audience!

No Christmas in Site...

tasteful at Firstsite

Something interesting happening?

For those fed up with shopping and pantos (or even just the thought of them) It's great to see Firstsite continuing to feature real live art across many media. The Cinema features the very popular live screenings (one of the oddest comments I had about one of my posts was someone complaining that they tried to  see a live Hamlet screening but it was full....So book early!). My eye is also drawn to a charity event on Sunday 20th December from 6 pm, free to anyone under 25 - why not go along?
 And of course there's the opening party for the new exhibitions this Friday (11th December, starting 7 pm)

Song....Talking Heads...the Great Curve ..from the amazing album 'Remain in Light'. Sometimes in researching this blog (oh yes I do!) you find a live video and think...ok, maybe the album track then... but this, wow, what I live act.

An Englishman's home....

Colchester Castle in festive mood

Neither the Castle nor the tree actually originated in England, but we're happy to have them here! I blagged my way into a party there this evening (well, I was sort-of a guest of Colchester Chamber Choir - thanks Amrit!) for the launch of the museum's new brochure. And very glossy it is too.


Baubles and books - Courtesy of the Colchester and Ipswich Museums service

We just don't seem to appreciate the fantastic museum we have in Colchester, housed in a unique (and uniquely historic) building. I reckon I'll be investing in a Castle Pass, so I can pop back during the year. There really is too much to see in one visit. I also believe that if you book the Ice Rink, which is right next to the Castle, you can get discounted entry tickets to the Castle. Sounds like a great day out in town, and if you go on 21st or 22nd. December the Castle is open late (until 7.30).



 It would be rude of me not to include a snap of Colchester Chamber Choir singing in the Castle. Thanks for  the rehearsal music - beautiful - those lucky enough to have tickets for their concert this Sunday at Layer Marney are in for a treat.

Talking of treats, song for today:

The Raconteurs - These Stones Will Shout - Jack White may be a flawed genius, but he is genius.