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?)