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!