The Roman River flows on into Spring..

The Roman River flows towards the Colne estuary at Fingringhoe. Wivenhoe in the background

Don't forget that the good folk at Roman River Music have a great concert at the Mercury this spring - be sure to book well in advance as it will sell out. Well-known violinist Tasmin Little is the star - click here to book. Here's a little taster - Tasmin in NZ - we think of these stars in their posh frocks in the great concert halls, but here's a different side.
Sadly I can't be at the gig (I stupidly booked tickets for Davis Cup tennis in Birmingham that weekend, but I don't feel too sorry). Enjoy!

Give it a spin

'O' 2014, Lina Lapelyte

Listen, I know I bang on about the Contemporary art at Firstsite, but if I was in town this weekend I'd definitely be at the gallery (and Art Exchange) for the curator tour of the fabulous 'Listening' exhibition, curated by Sam  Belinfante. A great opportunity to see the whole exhibition on both sites, and gain insight into it's creation. Be There! Song - Oasis - Be Here Now - they may have disintegrated into bombast and bickering, but boy, I wish I'd seen them!

A Woman in Winter..

At William Loveless Hall

Well, for anyone who still needs a panto fix, It's in Wivenhoe! Wivenhoe Pantomine group present Snow White and the seven vertically-challenged, 20th Jan.  There's also an excellent programme of films on there. Why not pop in to the Greyhound pub, almost opposite, first?

Song? - the Skids, briefly the best band in the UK, a forgotten classic, Woman in Winter. I've mentioned the tragic death of Stuart Adamson before - here he is in better times.

In the House...

Painted shutters at the Queen St. Brewhouse

Good evenings this winter at the Queen St. Brewhouse - I hope to get along in Feb - why not give it a try? - always good beers and ciders on.

PS. I am also alerted to a performance of Haydn's Cello concerto by the 2012 BBC young musician of the year at St Botolphs this saturday. Thanks to Liz Leatherdale _ why not join her mailing list at Colchesterclassics.co.uk?

PPS Wivenhoe farmer's market this Saturday - go along and say hi for me- I'm enjoying fresh food from farmers' stalls here in the Bahamas.

Let's think of a song.... Elvis has left the building! Inspired by an email from Firstsite, who I believe have nicked my idea of an off-the-wall link for each email! Feel free guys, hope it brings in more people, it can only be good! Awesome 'Listening' exhibition by the way!

Monkey Business...

I see the revamped High-street pub 'Three Wise Monkeys' has a programme of acoustic music, some in the downstairs bar, which should make for a nice relaxing evening. Good beer from the Colchester Brewery, but can we have the real cider back please?! Thursday seems to be the night - why not catch the talented Chloe Hawes  and others there next Thursday?

Monkey Business - Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe - wonderful!

And so on.....

Fishing at Firstsite

And so, I finally made it to Firstsite for the 'Listening' exhibition. And I was not disappointed. To me this is what a leading contemporary art gallery should do; something a little bit different, something to make you feel and think. And my feelings went from peace and almost elation, listening to the elegiac sounds of Ragnar Kjartansson's 'Song' accompanied by a mesmeric video, through intrigue and tension, to veritable claustrophobia as all the sounds built up. A wonderful show, and I would encourage you to experience it on a sensory level rather that think too much about it. Allow at least half an hour, more if you've the stamina to listen to/watch all 6 hours of 'Song'. Ragnar Kjartansson was a big hit in London at the back end of last year, and has a major exhibition at the Barbican next summer, so it's great to see his work here in Colchester.

Song 2011, Ragnar Kjartansson

This exhibition is full of allusion, and the title of this article is taken from Lina Lapelyte's 'O',
the physical part of which is shown below.
....and since the exhibition includes the sound of a dying star (a bit cryptic this one, I even had to ask where it was!), today's song in the Beatles classic 'Across the Universe'. Since I hit on this tenuous connection I listened to the lyrics (couldn't get beyond 'Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup' from memory), full of allusion, just right for this exhibition.
Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears.....thanks John.

'O' 2014, Lina Lapelyte

Brewing up....

Nice to see local venues supporting young local acts - good music tonight at the Queen St Brewhouse from Josh Smith and Chloe Hawes, whom I enjoyed at  last summer's 'lounging on the Lawn'. She has a strong voice and confident style, he a bit more ephemeral, both good musicians. It's free, good beer (probably not free) so why not go along. I promise it won't hurt your ears.

Song? - Chloe's ep. Very Nice, though I think she is very much improving all the time.

'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello

Happy new Year to all my readers (hello mum). Today I went to visit some Constables in Ipswich. John Constables. It seems to me a well-kept secret that nestling in the quaint and quirky museum that is Christchurch Mansion is a lovely little art gallery. And thanks to the Colchester and Ipswich museums service it often hosts great exhibitions. None more so than the current display of John Constable's masterpiece 'Salisbury Cathedral', which was bought by the Tate in 2013 in a deal which included regional galleries, including our own. So you can go and enjoy all £23.1 million of it, on your own, no crowds, for free, until 31st January.  I expected to go to see the painting, but what surprised me was the exhibition surrounding it, including other artists with a strong Ipswich connection, and who were influenced by Constable, such as Cedric Morris and Lucian Freud. Great Stuff...well worth the trip. And for refreshment before or afterwards there's a choice of two great pubs just 5-10 minutes walk away - the Dove St. Inn and the Mulberry Tree (great range of real ciders for Mrs Blogger). Unfortunately sold-out theatres (now there's a thing!) prevented me spending the evening in Ipswich as well... some other time.

Mrs. Blogger suggests the following music for today - A Policeman's lot is not a Happy One - Gilbert and Sullivan, Pirates of Penzance. Happy New Year!