Home on the Range.....

The splendidly-eclectic Colchester Chamber Choir play a rare 'Home' Gig at the Moot Hall, Colchester, this Sunday (26th). The concert features music from the USA. Maybe some Copland? - certainly, but as usual Musical Director Roderick Earle has unearthed some little-known gems to sit alongside more well-known works. Snap up the last few tickets here!

Sadly I won't see you there - It's my mum's 80th Birthday. Happy Birthday mum, Here's a song from the greatest of all American singers, Patsy Cline - Crazy!

Young 'Uns go for it....

One of the best bands in Britain play Colchester Arts Centre on Monday...so why isn't it sold out?

The Young 'Uns enjoy a joke - photo courtesy Young 'Uns website

Must be because the fabulous Young 'Uns are 'Folk' . You know, old blokes with beards banging on about lovers and battles lost long ago, Maddy Prior and Steeleye Span. But there has been a huge change in recent years, with bands such as Mumford and Sons and Bellowhead, and great writers and artists such as Seth Lakeman and Laura Marling. And much more stagecraft, an understanding that the audience wants a show. The Young 'Uns have all that is best in modern Folk - come along and find out - see you there!

Click here for a clip of the Young 'Uns live recently - Dark Water from the new 'Strangers' album

Song - Wham! - Young Guns go for it! - we were all Young 'Uns then (actually, the members of Young 'Uns weren't even born).

Come again?.....

Don't forget there's still plenty more exciting music to come from the Roman River Festival.   The Festival is named after the Roman River that rises near Great Tey (the enjoyable long-distance path the Essex Way crosses the stream here), runs past Copford and Gosbecks, before joining the Colne Estuary at Fingringhoe. It was in the latter village that the festival started. For those who read my previous post, I'm sorry that some of the links didn't work. So here's the same song again, only this time with the video. John Lennon sings 'Come Together' originally recorded on the Beatles 'Abbey Road' album.

Gwyneth Herbert performs  - catch her at the Arts Centre tomorrow

The author prepares to walk the Essex Way (!)

And click here for a trailer for Wednesday's gig at the Arts Centre, featuring Gwyneth Herbert in a special preview of her project 'Letters I Haven't Written', including video work from Will Duke, and singing from local schoolchildren. Sounds crowded!  Book at the Arts Centre box office or on-line at Roman River Festival. See you there!

Come Together......

What is the Roman River Festival? - it's simply world-class artists performing in intimate venues in and around Colchester. Is it Classical music? - well, yes there's violins and sopranos, but there's also contemporary dance, new music, film, and even swimming.

International star Harriet Mackenzie plays for an audience of 100 in Abberton Today

It's worth checking out the website for tickets at short notice - I was lucky to grab the last ticket for the concert in Abberton Church today. Totally beautiful, huge thanks to Harriet and Deborah Pritchard, an exciting composer who sees music as colours.... As I've said before, you are listening to artists that have graced famous stages throughout the World, in intimate and atmospheric venues, and you can get to discuss the music with them. You don't even need to buy a train ticket.
It's so exciting to see the Roman River Festival grow to be an all-singing, all dancing (literally) arts festival. Artistic Director Orlando Jopling (who is principal conductor at the Royal Orchestral Society and is also an outstanding Cellist) and his team have worked hard to make this a truly diverse festival for all of Colchester. Yes, many of the venues are churches (but have you been in them?) but also he has collaborated across the arts scene in town to bring such delights as the new music gig at the Arts Centre next Wednesday, with Gwyneth Herbert and Will Duke. See You there!

Music - The Beatles Come Together from the Abbey Road album. Not about what you think!

My transport to today's gig - that's the beauty of a local festival!

My wife's bike - no one seems to want to nick a woman's bike with a basket on the front!

No (re)doubt about it.......

Sunset in Harwich - perfect for beer-drinking

Annie's dance at Halesworth

Nice beer festival at the Napoleonic Redoubt Fort in Harwich tomorrow - and if you are there about 5 pm then Colchester's own clog-dancers, Annie's Fantasies, will be dancing. A fascinating building, beer from the excellent Harwich Town brewery (among others), and entertainment. Easy to get there by train from Colchester - 47 minutes past each hour, change at Manningtree. See you there!

Song  - the wonderful Shirelles - No Doubt About it

A Face in the Crowd

'Evaporar-Se', Federico Fernandez Gartner

Just a few days left to enjoy the BP portraits Exhibition at Firstsite. There's something there for everyone to enjoy (including kids, it was great to see school parties visiting). And the next show, Ed Gold 'Other Worlds' opens Friday evening. Another top-class photographer here in Colchester- see you there!

Song - New Opened Eyes by Tracey Thorn - anyone remember that time in 1982 when she was the best singer you'd ever heard?

New exhibition on it's way! Transforming the white walls into a photographic masterpiece.

'Ale and 'Arty

Annie's Fantasies, Colchester's finest clog-morris dancing side, will be dancing in Colchester on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. On Saturday 3rd June they dance at the Colchester Beer Festival, run by our good friends CAMRA. Dancing about 2.30 pm. Entry to the festival is free to everyone until 3 pm, so why not get along for a lunchtime beer or cider and enjoy watching someone else work?  And on Sunday 4th they are at Roman Road Secret Gardens, again dancing from about 2.30 pm. The weather looks great both days, so why not get out and enjoy what Colchester has to offer on a summer weekend?
Song - Bobby Womack's 'You're Welcome, stop on by' performed by Etta James. Two greats of the music world for the price of one!

Party Animal....

Other political parties are available

Ok, this blog keeps out of politics (except where it concerns the arts, so I've just contradicted that!). But that doesn't mean I'm not concerned with politics. And what I feel most is that democracy brings rights, but also responsibilities. And foremost amongst those is to understand the issues that matter most to you, and to find out where those seeking election stand on those issues. There are many ways of doing that (despite criticism from both right and left, the BBC is a good starting point), but in Colchester we are lucky that our own Mercury Theatre runs a very successful 'Hustings' night. So please go along and get involved. It's on May 17th, and you can book places and put down your questions here. I would see you there, but I am briefly out of the country - the best choice with a Tory landslide on the way....oh, sorry, given the game away now! How about a song to cheer me up? - Roxy Music - Manifesto -I saw the London gig on that tour. Just before the start of the Thatcher years.
Since I've strayed into political reporting, I should state that the Candidates so far standing in Colchester are
Mark Goacher – Green party
Sir Bob Russell – Liberal Democrat party
Will Quince – Conservative party
Cllr Tim Young – Labour party

Worth getting out of bed for....

A great innovation at our wonderful Arts Centre this week - the play 'Prelude to a Coat' that is being performed on Wednesday evening will reappear on Thursday (11th May) at 10.30 in the morning. So if, for example, you've young children at school and can't make it in the evening, you can pop along. Or if you just fancy something different...whatever the excuse, why not give it a go? according to Anthony  'It's a gorgeous, intimate, beautiful, generous hour with a wonderful theatre maker. A show about those decisions we make at the crossroads in our lives.  About quietly waking up one day and finding who we are. About suddenly, finding something in your coat pocket... and thinking ... how the hell did that get there? What's my life become? But in a good way too'.
 It's one of the hugely successful 'Pay what you can' nights (and mornings), so it won't even cost much. See you there!
Song - the hugely underrated Lisbee Stainton who I saw supporting Joan Armatrading - Girl on an unmade bed.

A Classical education....

St Botolph's- is this the only Norman arch in Britain that appears to be constructed of Roman bricks?

The more modern (and less drafty) church where the concerts happen

Colchester is lucky in having many 'Amateur'  music groups, including excellent Choral societies. The concerts they perform are always enjoyable, none more so than those of the Lexden Choral Society, who celebrate 25 years this Saturday with a varied program (well, varied in the context of choral works!) at St. Botolphs in Colchester. Tickets are always reasonably priced, and the church is a comfortable venue, so why not go along?

Song - I was Glad by Parry, sung by the King's College Choir. Enjoy this on Saturday - You'll be glad!

Concerts are always advertised on the Library noticeboard

This Guitar says....

Billy Bragg's guitar awaits

The Headgate theatre is a great intimate venue for live music so why not catch The Guitar Quartet there this Sunday (30th April)? Sadly I'll miss it, but you can book tickets here.

Song - by way of balance, Girls with Guitars by Wynonna Judd.

Chris Allard's guitar awaits at his recent concert in Coggeshall with Colchester Chamber Choir

Springing up....

I popped in to the Beth Chatto Gardens this morning to see how everything was looking for this weekend's plant fair.

The beauty of Beth Chatto's Gardens this morning

I can't guarantee it will remain this peaceful this weekend, but there's plenty of car-parking, or you can easily get there from Colchester on the 76 Bus (get of at the stop after the traffic lights in Elmstead Market).
There's loads of activities, plants to buy, and lots more garden-related items. and entry to the fair and Gardens is free this weekend.

Song - Pink Floyd - See Emily Play - in honour of my wonderful ex-colleague at Beth Chatto's, Emily Paston. Hope all the family are well Em!

Green Goddess...

The famous Gravel Garden at Beth Chatto's

'The World's Greatest Living Gardener'...that is Beth Chatto, according to Monty Don. And Beth has spent nearly 60 years creating one inspirational garden - The Beth Chatto Gardens at Elmstead Market, just east of Colchester.

The beauty of the mature planting at Beth Chatto's

This weekend Beth's team hold their first plant fair, and to make it extra-special it's all free! Please pop along to see what my ex-colleagues have created. It is still a family business, and many local people dedicate more than just their working hours to making it special. My old boss, David Ward, is one of the finest plantsmen in the World, having worked with Beth for over 30 years. So why not go along and share their passion for plants. You can get there by number 76 bus from Colchester. See you there!

Song - I dug deep into my vinyl collection to bring you Classic 90's pop from Voice of the Beehive - Perfect Place

Silver lining at Easter

Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker (together on the right) and friends at Harwich Festival

No, this is not some crass blog post about Good Friday. And I'm writing it in something of a hurry because I'm just off to Snape to hear some proper Easter music (Bach, St John Passion, if you must know, but it's sold out - there's always great music at Snape at Easter - check it out). But an email from our own wonderful Arts Centre has alerted me to a gig you must see if you enjoy reflective, even moody, music. This Sunday evening, catch BBC2 Folk Award winners Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker. I was lucky enough to hear them at the Harwich Festival a couple of years ago. Please , if you are one of those that thinks 'I don't like Folk', leave that aside and come and revel in Josienne's perfect voice and beautiful song-writing. See you there!
Song - please click here to hear Josienne and Ben singing 'Silverline' from their stunning album 'Nothing can bring back the Hour'.

To be Someone......

A Handbag?!

Gippeswyk Hall, home to Red Rose Theatre in Ipswich

As a Colchester theatre-goer I have to admit to a little secret - sometimes when there's nothing I fancy in Colchester I slip away to Ipswich. I've seen many friends in the audience of the New Wolsey and the Sir John Mills theatres over the years. And now there is a new bijou space for great theatre, the Avenue, home of Red Rose Chain. I popped up there yesterday to see their super production of Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. It's on until this Sunday (9th April). If you get a chance, go. The small space (120 seats) means the actors can really interact with the audience. It's pacey and perfectly, farcically timed.  And of course there are more funny one-liners than any play you're likely to see. They even squeeze a swing onto the set - looking rather like a famous painting! And I was left pondering on  the 'Influence of a permanent income on Thought'!

It's only a five minute walk from the station so you can easily get there from Colchester by train. Take something to read - 'I never travel without my diary - one should always have something sensational to read' - thank you for that tip Oscar.

Song - can't decide between the original and the cover of  To be Someone....Cover by Noel Gallagher, original by the unbeatable Paul Weller and the Jam. Eloquence versus passion - you choose!

A little old-fashioned (but that's allright)..

A good old-fashioned rec at Old Heath

One of the Gates

My wonderful wife likes some old-fashioned pleasures (no guffaws please) such as reading Colchester's fine weekly newspaper 'The Essex County Standard' every week. She says it's so she can tell which patients have died or been sent to prison. But she does spot interesting events going on in our town. We are lucky to have several active societies with interests such as Nature (Colchester Natural History Society), archaeology (Friends of Colchester Archaeological trust) and local history. The Friends of Colchester Museums and Art Galleries (a bit of a mouthful!) are holding a talk By well-known local historian Andrew Phillips, about the new Recreation Park gates (no, I didn't know either). It's at Lion Walk church, April 11th, 7.30 pm. If you want more info. you can email davidpatrickwalton@gmail.com - but if you've read the Essex County Standard from cover to cover you'll already know that.

The gates were designed by Tim Ward with ideas supplied by local primary schools. Accompanying descriptive plaques (written by Andrew Phillips) give some of the fascinating history.

Song - Good Old-fashioned Lover Boy - Queen. Saw them in '78, when I was a young old-fashioned lover boy! Brian May in his pomp - how many Rock Guitar legends went on to be Astrophysicists?

You say you want a revolution..

Wallpaper as revolutionary instrument - with thanks to William Morris and David Mabb

I've now had time to enjoy the exhibition #worldsupsidedown at Firstsite, and there's plenty to enjoy - and think upon. It's easy to forget that the decorative 'Arts and Crafts' designs of William Morris sprang at least in part from his socialist ideals (believing that medieval craftsmen were somehow more 'free' than 19th Century factory workers). Something we should all consider today - just who is making those very cheap Primark (note: other cheap clothing brands are available) clothes? - and is it economically and environmentally sustainable?

With thanks to Firstsite

...and that links nicely to an astounding film on show, 'Man with a Movie Camera', a Russian film from 1929 by Dziga Vertov, edited by his wife Elizaveta Svilova. It shows scenes of life in several Russian towns and cities, and is driven by the most modern-looking of techniques - slow-motion, freeze-frames, jump-cuts, extreme close-ups, tracking shots - all the visual tricks that make our modern cinema so exciting. If you've got even a few minutes it's worth catching - you might end up watching for longer than you intended - I did!
Song - A Rush and a Push and the land is ours - A Smiths song kept alive by lyricist Morrissey (music was of course by Johnny Marr - the band had split up by the time the album 'Strangeways Here We Come' was released in 1987).

Exit, pursued by a bear....

Maybe a more frightening bear....

Mercury, winged messenger to the gods, brings world-class theatre to you!

It's ironic, but arguably the most famous line from Shakespeare's 'Winter's Tale' is never spoken - 'Exit, pursued by a bear' is a stage direction. But who exits? and why a bear? - you'll have to go along to the Mercury this week to find out. World-famous experts in the modern interpretation of Shakespeare, Cheek by Jowl, are performing the play prior to a run at the Barbican in London. So instead of an expensive trip to London, one of the world's best theatre companies comes to you. And you can get tickets for just £12.

Book tickets here - they're sure to sell fast as word spreads. See you there!

Song - The Shepherdess' song - don't seem to be many sheep though. But then I am a snapper-up of unconsidered trifles.

Energy from Fusion...in Coggeshall

Colchester Chamber Choir in a previous fusion project - with nature at the Beth Chatto Gardens

When a Classical orchestra, choir, or festival advertise a 'fusion' between Classical music and some other genre I'm nervous - another attempt to 'sex up' some classical repertoire with someone playing, oh, something like Jazz Guitar. But what do we have here? - the next Colchester Chamber Choir gig on March 19th features their usual impeccable and superbly researched choral repertoire, this time based on the 'Song of Songs', with guitar improvisations from Jazz king Chris Allard. The advertising even uses the word 'Fusion' -scary stuff.
This caused me to muse on my prejudices. I am fond of claiming eclectic tastes - and here's two eclectic things for the price of one! And I don't believe in the boundaries between musical genres. And certainly I don't believe in the old classical snob view that Classical music is 'proper' music (implying all other forms are lesser in some way).  And then I realised that one of the most enjoyable concerts for me last year was a duet of Jazz Trumpeter and Classical harpist! (at Birmingham Town Hall - a great place to hear music if you're ever in that area).

So why not make your way to Coggeshall (booking tickets here first of course) on Sunday 19th March? It will be interesting. It might be fun. It may be amazing. Starts 7 pm - See you there!

Song - Here's a taste of Chris Allard, albeit in a slightly different context, in a duet with Jacqui Dankworth - 'One Friend'.  Chris will have many singing friends on Sunday, including Tenor Christopher Huggon, who is training with The Sixteen.

Multiple Choice

Bang up to date at Firstsite - with thanks to Zhang Enli

Not one but three (and a half) new Shows at Firstsite - So no excuse for not finding something interesting! The canvases and painting along the curved wall by Zhang Enli are to my mind plodding, but you might think differently - go see!

....and the 'WunderKammer' of items from Colchester and Ipswich Museums is not helped by unimaginative curation  - but you might enjoy the artefacts.

For me the most interesting exhibition was #WorldsUpsideDown, about how the changing use of media has influenced revolutions around the world.... only on until 2nd April. It's not just riots and dictators - there's even Morris wallpaper!

with thanks to Zhang Enli and Firstsite

Song - The Great Curve - Talking Heads.

ooh-la-la...in Harwich

A nice sunset walk in Harwich before the film

Good to see work underway on the development in town that will see Colchester gaining a new Curzon cinema, but in the meantime we still have good choices for cinema-goers, aside from the good old Odeon. There's an interesting weekly program in Wivenhoe, but best of all is the splendid 1911 Electric Palace Cinema in Harwich.

More than one shilling I'm afraid

A Nice pint in the Alma pub beforehand, then a stroll to the Cinema. I recommend getting there in good time to enjoy one of their delicious ice-creams. I enjoyed La-La Land - a great film. I don't understand the people who normally would consider themselves open-minded and interested in the arts saying 'I don't like musicals', or 'there's not much of a story', or 'they can't sing and dance that well' . One - it's a great Film, as well as a musical - enjoy the sweeping camera, the colour, the acting. Two - not all films have to have a aching, arching, usually depressing story, and Three - well, pay attention! - that's the point! - it's partly about the dream of Hollywood in all our lives. Anyway, I loved it, you are at liberty to not love it, but please give it a chance.
Song - sorry, has to be A Lovely Night - La La Land. One shot - cinematic brilliance.

On the Beat in Constable country

A trip to visit friends in Wales was cancelled at the last minute, so what to do instead last weekend? Turning to my inbox I found the weekly email from Liz Leatherdale, Colchester Classics, which gives details of local concerts. (Why not sign-up to her newsletter?) The Vanburgh Quartet, East Bergholt, 4 pm. Sunday. Perfect! - time for a nice lunch at the Sun Inn, Dedham, then a stroll over the fields into darkest Suffolk for the concert. Torch for the walk back (it really was darkest Suffolk by then).

The 1531 temporary bell-cage.

I love it when a plan comes together - particularly a last-minute one. East Bergholt church is an interesting structure, particularly the 'Bell Cage' - a temporary structure erected in 1531 - and still in use today.
The Stour Valley Arts and Music Society is in to an impressive 66th season, and they are obviously well-organised, as the 67th season, starting next October, is already planned. There's still a couple of concerts left this season - check out their website for details.

Song - sadly I have used Blondie's 'Eat to the Beat' before (Feb 16th 2016 if you want too hear it). how about Aztec Camera - Walk out to Winter - soon be Spring though! (Yes, Roddy Frame is still alive!)

I would have posted a picture of my lovely food - but I'd eaten it all before I remembered!

Batter(ed) In Wivenhoe!

Some pancake ingredients

Visiting local farmers' markets you get to meet all sorts of people working hard at community events. They have to work hard to get their products sold - no marketing or advertising budget for small farmers, bakers etc! I had a great chat to one half of the Norwegian Bakers at Wivenhoe Farmers' Market last week (the non-Norwegian half I guess), who has great ideas to get involved with all sorts of events, including a Pancake Day event from 6 pm. next Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday). details below.

So If you're in Wivenhoe - some nice waffles for  supper look essential! The Norwegian bakers will also be at the Minories Bazaar on Saturday 4th March - see you there!
Song - well, I didn't know that 'Pancake' is a hip-hop dance move, but I do now! - if you want to try it watch this (of course you may already be an expert). A beautiful dance  I found is Pillows and Pancakes - song by Miguel Jontel, dance by Isiah Munoz

Gee what a show...at last!

Fine words at Firstsite, with thanks to the gallery and Gee Vaucher

What with one thing and another I hadn't made it to Firstsite to see the Gee Vaucher show until today. So you've just got Saturday and Sunday to take in this important show. It made me laugh, it made me think, it made me angry (all this anger from the Seventies, and yet here in 2017 we're just going in so much the wrong direction, making all the same mistakes and some), but it didn't make me feel.
If you go on Saturday you get the bonus of the counterculture fair 'Cultural Traffic' and the popular and very tasty Syrian Café. See you there!

Song: Crass - Punk is Dead - discuss.....(did the very act of creation kill it?)