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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Keep Colchester Cool
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260711T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261108T170000
DTSTAMP:20260905T083852Z
CREATED:20260905T083852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T083852Z
UID:132220-1783764000-1794157200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Duncan Grant: Worlds Through Desire: From Drawing to Cruising to DMs
DESCRIPTION:Duncan Grant: Worlds Through Desire brings together artworks\, stories and poetry from different generations to explore the ways LGBT+ people have sought friendship\, community and intimacy across changing times and technologies.\n\nAt the centre of the exhibition are drawings and paintings by Duncan Grant\, including work connected to the period he spent on a Suffolk farm with his then partner David Garnett during the First World War.\n\nMore than 35 drawings and paintings by Grant feature alongside contemporary works\, with the exhibition looking at the different places and technologies through which people have found one another\, from galleries\, bars and public spaces to online games\, social media and dating apps.\n\nWorlds Through Desire runs at Firstsite until Sunday 8 November 2026.\n\nAdmission is free and no booking is required.\n\nFirstsite is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 5pm\, Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm\, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. It is closed on Mondays.\n\nPlease note that the exhibition contains nudity. Sexually explicit artworks are displayed in a separate enclosed room restricted to visitors aged 18 and over.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/duncan-grant-worlds-through-desire-from-drawing-to-cruising-to-dms/
LOCATION:Firstsite\, Lewis Gardens\, Colchester\, CO1 1JH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ORGANIZER;CN="Firstsite Colchester":MAILTO:noreply@facebookmail_com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260919T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270117T170000
DTSTAMP:20260905T114354Z
CREATED:20260905T084144Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T114354Z
UID:132222-1789812000-1800205200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Simon Carter: From the Landscape
DESCRIPTION:Essex artist Simon Carter transforms Firstsite’s gallery with From the Landscape\, an immersive exhibition inspired by the Essex coast and countryside.\n\nCarter has spent more than 40 years walking\, drawing and painting the landscape around him. The exhibition brings together more than 30 acrylic paintings and drawings made since 2020\, an early watercolour painted when he was 23\, and three new series created especially for Firstsite.\n\nRather than simply hanging works on gallery walls\, From the Landscape uses painted surfaces\, installation and sound to create an environment visitors can move through. A 19-metre wall carries 500 monochrome painted sketches\, while recordings made by Carter during his daily walks bring sounds from the Essex coast into the gallery.\n\nCarter is based in Frinton and is President of Colchester Art Society. He has previously been Artist-in-Residence at both the University of Essex and Firstsite.\n\nFrom the Landscape runs from Saturday 19 September 2026 until Sunday 17 January 2027.\n\nAdmission is free and no booking is required.\n\nFirstsite is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 5pm\, Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm\, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. It is closed on Mondays.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/simon-carter-from-the-landscape/
LOCATION:Firstsite\, Lewis Gardens\, Colchester\, CO1 1JH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ORGANIZER;CN="Firstsite Colchester":MAILTO:noreply@facebookmail_com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261001T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261031T173000
DTSTAMP:20260917T152705Z
CREATED:20260910T162637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T152705Z
UID:132690-1790845200-1793467800@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:New Face for Leprosy Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:This October\, the New Face for Leprosy exhibition comes to Colchester Library for a free\, month-long public exhibition exploring the lives and experiences of people affected by leprosy. \nThe project was conceived in 2019 by Emeritus Professor Diana Lockwood to challenge some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease. \nWorking with photographer Tom Bradley\, the project visited Lepra’s programmes in India and Bangladesh\, meeting people affected by leprosy and recording their stories as they dealt with the physical\, social and emotional impact of diagnosis. \nBradley’s portraits aim to present the people photographed\, first and foremost\, as individuals\, challenging some of the images traditionally associated with leprosy and showing people living independent\, fulfilling lives. \nAlongside the photography\, the Colchester exhibition will feature artefacts from Lepra’s archives\, looking back at the organisation’s history and its work throughout the 20th century to improve the lives of people affected by leprosy and develop new treatments. \nThe exhibition is free to visit\, and no booking or ticket is required. \nTwo special events will also take place during the exhibition\, including a talk on Lepra’s history on Wednesday 21 October and a children’s storytelling session on Friday 30 October.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/new-face-for-leprosy-exhibition/
LOCATION:Colchester Library and Community Hub\, 21 Trinity Square\, Colchester\, CO1 1JB\, GB
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/a-new-face-for-leprosy-exhibition-colchester.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lepra":MAILTO:noreply@facebookmail_com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T083000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261029T163000
DTSTAMP:20260923T084207Z
CREATED:20260923T084207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T084207Z
UID:134166-1790929800-1793291400@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Bridging Dreams: By Sakai International Community Arts
DESCRIPTION:Bridging Dreams By Sakai International Community Arts\n2 to 29 October 2026\nLevel Best Art Gallery\, Colchester \nThis October\, Level Best Art Gallery welcomes Bridging Dreams\, a special international exhibition connecting artists in Sakai City\, Japan\, with the Level Best community in Colchester. \nFounded in Osaka in 2019\, Sakai International Community Arts is an inclusive arts organisation that brings disabled and non-disabled people together through art\, theatre\, and creative workshops. Its talented members work across painting\, calligraphy\, performance and dance. \nFor many of the artists\, travelling overseas is difficult\, but they have long dreamed of sharing their work internationally. Bridging Dreams makes that possible\, allowing their artwork to cross the ocean and create new connections between Japan and the UK. \nThe exhibition celebrates creativity without borders and the growing relationship between Sakai International Community Arts and Level Best Enterprises. \nThis project has been made possible with the generous support of The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation. \n 
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/bridging-dreams-by-sakai-international-community-arts/
LOCATION:Level Best Enterprises\, Level Best Enterprises
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Bridging-Dreams-1024x1024-1.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261010T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270228T000000
DTSTAMP:20260921T160859Z
CREATED:20260921T160740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T160859Z
UID:133879-1791590400-1803772800@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Against the Tide
DESCRIPTION:What does it mean to grow up by the sea today? \nFrom ambition and creativity to isolation and inequality\, explore intimate photographs and firsthand accounts that document what life is really like for young people growing up in coastal Britain. \nAbout the exhibition \nDocumentary photographer Polly Braden and journalist Lisa Bachelor spent more than a year travelling to coastal communities across England\, working closely with young people aged 16–25 using photographs\, film and personal stories to explore their lives. \nCreated as part of The Guardian’s Seascape series\, Against the Tide looks beyond the negative portrayals to reveal a more complicated picture of coastal Britain today. \nAcross Tendring\, Weston-super-Mare\, Scarborough\, Grimsby\, Southend\, Portsmouth\, Whitehaven\, Rhyl and Blackpool\, Polly’s photographs bring us into the lives of a generation growing up in some of the most deprived and often-forgotten places in England. \nAlongside accounts of isolation and lack of opportunity are expressions of resilience\, ambition and hope\, and a clear message: coastal towns are not just sites of decline\, but places of creativity and possibility. \nYoung people involved in this exhibition have created their own photographs\, exchanged ideas with peers and shared their experiences with UK policymakers\, showing how creativity and personal stories together can help inform decisions about coastal communities beyond words and numbers. \nWhat to expect \nDiscover intimate portraits\, honest first-hand accounts and a close-up look at the everyday lives of young people growing up in coastal England. \nPolly’s photographs are paired with the words and experiences of the young people she met\, creating a layered portrait of places that are often overlooked or reduced to stories of decline. \nThese artworks reflect both the challenges and strengths of coastal communities. Young people speak about education\, work\, mental health\, belonging and opportunity. \nThey also share stories of friendship\, creativity\, resilience and pride in where they come from. \nAbout Polly Braden \nPolly Braden is a documentary photographer known for her intimate\, long-term collaborations. \nHer work focuses on overlooked communities and social issues\, and her distinctive style combines quiet observation with deep empathy. \nPolly believes art can do more than tell stories. It gives people a chance to speak for themselves\, encourages empathy and starts conversations about issues that matter. \nWith special thanks to Attwells Solicitors\, Seán Kelly\, and Catherine for their generous contribution towards this exhibition. \n 
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/against-the-tide/
LOCATION:Firstsite\, Lewis Gardens\, Colchester\, CO1 1JH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/PollyBraden_Millicent_2025-07162025_Against_the_tide__PollyBraden_B0014464-Millicent_-small.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261010T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270228T000000
DTSTAMP:20261015T145345Z
CREATED:20261015T145345Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T145345Z
UID:135711-1791590400-1803772800@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Polly Braden: Against the Tide
DESCRIPTION:What does it mean to grow up by the sea today? \nFrom ambition and creativity to isolation and inequality\, explore intimate photographs and first-hand accounts documenting what life is really like for young people growing up in coastal Britain. \n  \nAbout the exhibition \nDocumentary photographer Polly Braden and journalist Lisa Bachelor spent more than a year travelling to coastal communities across England\, working closely with young people aged 16–25 using photographs\, film and personal stories to explore their lives. \nCreated as part of The Guardian’s Seascape series\, Against the Tide looks beyond the negative portrayals to reveal a more complicated picture of coastal Britain today. \nAcross Tendring\, Weston-super-Mare\, Scarborough\, Grimsby\, Southend\, Portsmouth\, Whitehaven\, Rhyl and Blackpool\, Polly’s photographs bring us into the lives of a generation growing up in some of the most deprived and often forgotten places across England. \nAlongside accounts of isolation and lack of opportunity are expressions of resilience\, ambition and hope\, and a clear message: coastal towns are not just sites of decline\, but places of creativity and possibility. \nYoung people involved in this exhibition have created their own photographs\, exchanged ideas with peers and shared their experiences with UK policymakers\, showing how creativity and personal stories together can help inform decisions about coastal communities beyond words and numbers. \nPolly Braden: Against the Tide originated at Arnolfini\, Bristol\, in collaboration with Polly Braden. \n  \nWhat to expect \nDiscover intimate portraits\, honest first-hand accounts and a close-up look at the everyday lives of young people growing up in coastal England. \nPolly’s photographs are paired with the words and experiences of the young people she met\, creating a layered portrait of places that are often overlooked or reduced to stories of decline. \nThese artworks reflect both the challenges and strengths of coastal communities. Young people speak about education\, work\, mental health\, belonging and opportunity. \nThey also share stories of friendship\, creativity\, resilience and pride in where they come from. \nAbout Polly Braden \nPolly Braden is a documentary photographer known for her intimate\, long-term collaborations. \nHer work focuses on overlooked communities and social issues\, and her distinctive style combines quiet observation with deep empathy. \nPolly believes art can do more than tell stories. It gives people a chance to speak for themselves\, encourages empathy and starts conversations about issues that matter. \nWith special thanks to Attwells Solicitors\, Seán Kelly\, and Catherine for their generous contribution towards this exhibition.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/polly-braden-against-the-tide/
LOCATION:Firstsite\, Lewis Gardens\, Colchester\, CO1 1JH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/PollyBraden_Millicent_2025-07162025_Against_the_tide__PollyBraden_B0014464-Millicent_-small-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261010T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20270228T160000
DTSTAMP:20260905T130039Z
CREATED:20260905T130039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T130039Z
UID:132225-1791626400-1803830400@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Out of Line: Banksy and the Art of Dissent
DESCRIPTION:Out of Line: Banksy and the Art of Dissent brings a major exhibition of street and urban contemporary art to The Minories in Colchester. \nThe exhibition features 28 original artworks by Banksy alongside significant works by more than 20 other artists from the international street art and urban contemporary art movement. Every Banksy work included is either an original artwork or an artist-certified print. \nThe majority of the works have been lent by John Brandler of Brandler Galleries in Brentwood. \nOut of Line runs at The Minories from Saturday 10 October 2026 until Sunday 28 February 2027. \nTickets are £12.50 for adults\, with concessions from £7. \nThe exhibition is supported by Colchester City Council and Sonia & Giles Coode-Adams.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/out-of-line-banksy-and-the-art-of-dissent/
LOCATION:The Minories\, 74 High Street\, Colchester CO1 1UE\, The Minories\, 74 High Street\, Colchester CO1 1UE
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
ORGANIZER;CN="The Minories":MAILTO:noreply@facebookmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T130000
DTSTAMP:20260929T150512Z
CREATED:20260929T150512Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T150512Z
UID:134840-1792670400-1792674000@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Lunchtime Recital: Orlando Jopling & Ellie Corr
DESCRIPTION:An electrifying lunchtime programme featuring Mozart\, Ravel\, Rebecca Clarke\, and Halvorsen’s dazzling Passacaglia. \nRoman River Festival 2026. Booking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/lunchtime-recital-orlando-jopling-ellie-corr/
LOCATION:Old Library\, Town Hall\, Colchester\, Old Library\, Town Hall\, Colchester
CATEGORIES:Music
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T150000
DTSTAMP:20260923T132458Z
CREATED:20260923T132458Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T132458Z
UID:134268-1792674000-1792681200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Women's War Poetry - Talk and Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a talk by the Chair of the Dorothy L Sayers Society\, Seona Ford\, “Under-rated”: Dorothy L Sayers and other women war poets in World War 1 and World War 2\, followed by a poetry writing workshop! This event is free but booking is required. Suitable for ages 14+
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/womens-war-poetry-talk-and-workshop/
LOCATION:Colchester Library and Community Hub\, 21 Trinity Square\, Colchester\, CO1 1JB\, GB
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/1789032094-170.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T144500
DTSTAMP:20261015T111632Z
CREATED:20261015T111632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T111632Z
UID:135316-1792677600-1792680300@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Hello Beach
DESCRIPTION:Following the hugely successful Hello Birds in 2025\, Bran and Tor are back and joined by new friend Piper for a day out at the beach. Who will we meet on our seaside picnic? An interactive multi-sensory storytelling show for 0-2 years\, featuring puppetry\, singing and key-word signing. Written by Jasmine Cole. Directed by Connie Crosby. Music and Lyrics by Connie Crosby and Hannah Platts. Key-Word Signing supported by Arthur’s Club.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Studio). \nAge Suitability: 0yrs + \nSensitive Content: Audience Participation \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/hello-beach-2/
LOCATION:Headgate Theatre\, 14 Chapel Street North\, Colchester\, CO2 7AT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Kids & Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/09-01-2026-164910-6403.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTSTAMP:20260921T160045Z
CREATED:20260921T155956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T160045Z
UID:133864-1792688400-1792695600@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:YAK | Young Art Kommunity
DESCRIPTION:About YAK: \nDevelop your approach to and understanding of art with other young people. \nYoung Art Kommunity (YAK) is Firstsite’s young-people peer-led group which organises events and activities within the gallery and in the wider community. \nLearn about our latest exhibition YAK: Culture of Curiosities \nOur aims are: \n\nTo develop young people’s artistic practice through mentoring and gaining Arts Awards\nTo showcase young people’s cultural activity and contribute to Firstsite’s artistic programme\nTo develop new partnerships with youth and community organisations\nTo provide employment and volunteering opportunities for young people\n\nThis group offers a supportive environment that can help young people gain experience\, build confidence\, and learn new skills through volunteering\, leading workshops\, training opportunities\, and artistic development. \nYAK is open to anyone aged 15 – 25. \nYAK sessions take place on every term-time Thursday 5-7pm.  \nWith special thanks to  Mitsubishi Pencil  for their ongoing support through providing arts supplies for YAK. \n 
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/yak-young-art-kommunity-5/
LOCATION:Firstsite\, Lewis Gardens\, Colchester\, CO1 1JH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Kids & Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Yak-1-7.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T213000
DTSTAMP:20261015T101848Z
CREATED:20261015T101848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T101848Z
UID:135307-1792693800-1792704600@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Naz Shah MP in conversation with Pam Cox MP
DESCRIPTION:Join Naz Shah MP in conversation with Pam Cox MP as she discusses her powerful memoir\, Honoured: Survival\, Strength and My Path to Politics. \n\n\n\n\nLabour MP for Bradford West since 2015\, Naz has been a prominent advocate for women and girls\, mental health\, community cohesion\, racial equality\, and British Muslim communities\, and has served in a number of Labour frontbench roles. \nBefore entering Parliament\, Naz worked in public service and community leadership\, including as an NHS commissioner and Chair of the Bradford mental health charity Sharing Voices\, while campaigning for victims of domestic abuse and for justice in her mother’s case. \nDrawing on her own experiences of domestic abuse\, forced marriage\, and family trauma\, Honoured is a remarkable story of resilience\, faith\, and determination. The discussion will explore Naz’s journey to Parliament and the importance of speaking out against abuse and inequality. \nPurchase Honoured by Naz Shah in advance from Red Lion Books for £19 via Honoured | Naz Shah – Red Lion Books or buy a copy at the event for £22.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/naz-shah-mp-in-conversation-with-pam-cox-mp/
LOCATION:The Old Library\, 65 West Stockwell Street\, Colchester CO1 1HE\, The Old Library\, 65 West Stockwell Street\, Colchester CO1 1HE
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Naz-Shah.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T195500
DTSTAMP:20261015T135552Z
CREATED:20261015T135552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135552Z
UID:135503-1792695600-1792698900@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:One Man King Arthur
DESCRIPTION:A old legend as never before seen in this outlandishly entertaining one man epic. The lone performer creates sound\, stage\, set\, props\, lights and characters to breath new life into the Arthurian tales. Created by the team behind the off-broadway 5-star hit BEOWULF! \nKing Arthur\, Merlin\, Lancelot & Guinevere. Many tales\, adventures & sagas. One man to tell them all. Autojeu Theatre\, with their signature brand of physically comic storytelling\, bring the Legend of King Arthur as you have never seen it before. A young boy navigates his destiny in uniting a divided Britannia with honesty\, honour and integrity. Supported by his faithful knights and moral compass Merlin. \nAsk ev’ry person if he’s heard the story; And tell it strong and clear if he has not. That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory called Camelot. \nSelected show reviews: \n“This performer knows his craft\, as with a battalion of varying voices\, minimal nuances\, gentle gestures or enormous sweeps of his arms he createscharacters who carry his spell bound audience effortlessly\, and always with humour\, through a story that will never die: the tale of the first King ofBritain\, his fight for justice and the search for the Holy Grail.”FRINGE BUZZ: North Devon \n“a retelling of the Arthurian legends\, bringing the old tales to live in a physical performance truly enjoyable for all ages”FRINGE BUZZ: North Devon \nSelected reviews from previous Autojeu Shows: \n“Pythonesque in their approach\, mercurial in their depictions\, irreverent in their storytelling\, skilled in their craft”BEOWULF – FRONT ROW CENTRE: New York \n“… the energy is turbo powered throughout… This show has all the ingredients to bring the house down.”AESOPS FABLES – FRINGEREVIEW.CO.UK: Barnstaple \n“…despite some dazzling other shows at Prague Fringe this year\, this is easily one of the best.”BEOWULF – PRAGUE POST: Prague \n“a circus of caricatures and buffoonery executed with a captivating blend of mime and deft physical prowess. “How To Cl						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room). \nAge Suitability: 8yrs+ \nSensitive Content: None\, More Information \nMore Information: Please Note: This venue has a No Late Entry Policy. \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/one-man-king-arthur/
LOCATION:Headgate Theatre\, 14 Chapel Street North\, Colchester\, CO2 7AT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-29-2026-235123-4652-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T200000
DTSTAMP:20260923T145819Z
CREATED:20260923T145819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T145819Z
UID:134306-1792695600-1792699200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Embarrassed Naked Female (this show contains nudity)
DESCRIPTION:“It’s the strangest feeling to be laughing out loud but feeling a burning rage bubbling inside me.” ★★★★ Perth Happenings \nThe most thrilling play you’ll see\, and it’s just a lectern and a slide show. This multi-award-winning lecture-performance takes you on a wild ride as it investigates consent in the digital age with wit\, dark humour and a growing amount of spite. \nIn 2020\, during the Covid lockdown\, just like many artists did at the time\, I made several of my shows temporarily available online. A video of my solo show “The Sensemaker” quickly became highly sought-after in certain corners of the internet – all because of the five minutes of nudity it contains. Years later\, I’m still having to take it down from various adult forums where it keeps resurfacing without my consent. \n“Embarrassed Naked Female (this show contains nudity)” is a lecture-performance built like a forensic thriller: a deep dive into the rabbit hole of internet communities and my bizarre encounters with the men in them. \nThere is power in watching without being seen. I don’t think they expected me to watch them back… \n★★★★★ “One of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen” FringeFeed \n★★★★★ “Intelligence\, wit\, and immaculate poise in equal measure.” FringeReview \n★★★★★ “It doesn’t matter who you are\, you need to see this show” Upside Adelaide \n★★★★½ “As informative as a TED Talk\, playing like a thrilling game of cat and mouse” Winnipeg Free Press \n★★★★½ “I applaud anyone who can take dark and disturbing material and craft it into a witty and comical story.” Fourth Wall Media \nWinner – Outstanding Production\, On The Edge Fringe 2026\nWinner – Outstanding Performer\, Dunedin Fringe 2026\nWinner – Weekly Award for Theatre\, FRINGE WORLD Perth 2026\nWinner – Virtuoso Award\, Stockholm Fringe 2025\nWinner – Hot Potato Award\, Gothenburg Fringe 2025\nNominated – Best in Fringe\, New Zealand Fringe 2026\nNominated – Theatre Award & Beyond Words Award\, Dunedin Fringe 2026 \nConcept and writing: Elsa Couvreur
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/embarrassed-naked-female-this-show-contains-nudity-3/
LOCATION:Three Wise Monkeys\, 60 High Street\, Colchester\, CO1 1DN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-31-2026-174754-5553.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T200000
DTSTAMP:20261015T111632Z
CREATED:20261015T111632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T111632Z
UID:135318-1792695600-1792699200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Bag For Life
DESCRIPTION:Welcome to Sandy’s Superstore! Where dreams and bargains are discovered in the aisles. Follow the story of Sandy’s staff and\, under the watchful eye of Security Steve\, experience the chaos\, laughter and exceptional customer service at every checkout. Or wince at snooty Manager KT as she takes on the stress of running the store during its 25th Anniversary. See the highs and lows of the colleagues at the checkouts\, each discovering what their bag for life really is. \nFollowing their award winning production of ‘I Deleted Hinge for Deliveroo’\, Taa Very Much Theatre Company presents a highly anticipated farcical comedy guaranteed to have you wetting yourself with laughter.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Main). \nAge Suitability: 12yrs+ \nSensitive Content: Audience Participation\, Strong Language/Swearing \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/bag-for-life-2/
LOCATION:Headgate Theatre\, 14 Chapel Street North\, Colchester\, CO2 7AT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-30-2026-081635-9094.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T200000
DTSTAMP:20261015T111632Z
CREATED:20261015T111632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T111632Z
UID:135320-1792695600-1792699200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Ben Macpherson Does Poems at Adults
DESCRIPTION:Adults often have ears. Ben Macpherson has poems. It’s time to put those together with you in the driving seat. You’re in complete control of this spoken word cabaret. The audience pick from 30 vibes\, be that silly\, sordid\, sad or sweet and that sets the set list. With poems covering everything from the world’s best cheese to the intimate lives of cartoon characters\, Ben Macpherson has the poem for you. Blending friendly chat with style and genre\, Ben is a verbal tour de force\, bound to leave you laughing\, crying and so much more.  \nWhat others have said“Absolutely Delightful” – Hollie McNish “Dazzlingly\, Dizzyingly Brilliant” – Brian Bilston “Full of Humour and Drive” – Michael Rosen“Ben Macpherson is a joy” Caroline Bird “Ben’s brimful of wit and panache” – Michael Pedersen“Very Funny Poems” – Luke Wright \nAudience Reviews” I loved this show – Clever\, witty\, sometimes reflective – I loved all the observation\, in particular the Wine Man.  If you are looking for a show of quality – then you couldn’t go wrong with this – brilliant. Five stars from me.” – Susan \n“I had a blast watching Macpherson’s show\, it’s a marvel to see an artist pour so much love into their craft. I loved the concept of choosing poems off the wall\, and I loved their variety even more. Lovers of spoken word\, please go and witness it yourselves!” – Panos \n“With an eloquent voice and a sensitivity that lingered long after the final line\, Ben delivered poems that tickled the funny bone\, tugged at the heartstrings\, and teased at places best left unmentioned in polite reviews. His natural charm and easy rapport with the audience created a joyous\, engaging atmosphere. Smashing. 5/5” – Anonymous						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Patch. \nAge Suitability: 16yrs + \nSensitive Content: Audience Participation\, Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes\, Strong Language/Swearing \nTicket Price: £13 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/ben-macpherson-does-poems-at-adults-2/
LOCATION:Patch\, 24 Trinity Street\, Colchester\, CO1 1JN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/09-01-2026-153716-8693.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T214500
DTSTAMP:20261005T155254Z
CREATED:20261005T155254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T155254Z
UID:135094-1792695600-1792705500@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Fallen Angels by Noël Coward
DESCRIPTION:Sparkling\, dizzying\, and deliciously potent\, Fallen Angels\, Noël Coward’s champagne-fresh comedy of bad manners\, shocked and delighted audiences at its 1925 premiere. \nTwo upper-class wives\, their husbands away for the day\, share a few toasts to their pre-marital dalliances – with the same man\, who just may be en route from France to visit. \nOld rivalries and past scandals bubble to the surface in this intoxicating romp from one of theatre’s comedy masters. \nStarring Golden Globe-winner Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You) and Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara (The King and I)\, with Tracee Chimo\, Mark Consuelos (making his Broadway debut)\, Christopher Fitzgerald and Aasif Mandvi\, this new Roundabout Theatre and Tony Award-winning production of ‘pure escapist fun’ (The New York Times) was filmed live on stage at Broadway’s Todd Haimes Theatre and now comes to the big screen. \n*Timings subject to change.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/fallen-angels-by-noel-coward/
LOCATION:Firstsite\, Lewis Gardens\, Colchester\, CO1 1JH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Film
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/FALLEN-ANGELS-Main-Image-683x1024-1.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T220000
DTSTAMP:20261015T180652Z
CREATED:20261015T180652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T180652Z
UID:135746-1792695600-1792706400@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Rollover Quiz
DESCRIPTION:Fancy winning up to £500? 💰 Play our rollover quiz – if nobody wins\, the cash rolls over!
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/rollover-quiz-2/
LOCATION:SU Bar – Essex University Students Union\, Essex University Students Union\, Wivenhoe Park\, Colchester\, CO4 3SQ
CATEGORIES:Quiz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Rollover-Quiz-whats-on-header-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T230000
DTSTAMP:20261019T151404Z
CREATED:20261019T151404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T151404Z
UID:135839-1792695600-1792710000@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Open Mic Night
DESCRIPTION:Coda's weekly Open Mic Night. A cosy live music hub bursting with opportunity to showcase talent. Hosted by Rosalind Harniess
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/open-mic-night-7/
LOCATION:CODA \,63\, High Street\, Colchester\, CODA \,63\, High Street\, Colchester
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/45e16b_8c7f60e3229c41498cc34d115ecb30e0mv2-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T235900
DTSTAMP:20261019T151404Z
CREATED:20261019T151404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T151404Z
UID:135841-1792699200-1792713540@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Jam Night
DESCRIPTION:Coda's weekly Thursday Jam\, a welcoming space for musicians to connect and perform. Hosted by Jim Reynolds.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/jam-night/
LOCATION:CODA \,63\, High Street\, Colchester\, CODA \,63\, High Street\, Colchester
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/45e16b_2b7431413f4f42b3b35b3757354dda4dmv2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T212000
DTSTAMP:20261015T111632Z
CREATED:20261015T111632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T111632Z
UID:135322-1792701000-1792704000@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Gifted and Talented
DESCRIPTION:Bea was a gifted child. Her reading age was three years ahead\, her poem published in the local newspaper. A future she was sure was already secured. Now she’s 25\, unemployed and lying awake at 2AM\, wondering what went wrong. \nAs Bea struggles to keep up with a world that demands constant productivity\, she starts to wonder whether she’ll ever find her place in it. From job applications to sleepless nights\, Bea finds herself caught between who she was told she would become and who she actually is. \nFunny\, vulnerable and painfully honest\, Gifted and Talented asks what happens when you grow up believing you can achieve anything\, only to discover that adulthood isn’t quite what you were promised. \nGifted and Talented is a darkly funny one woman play exploring ADHD\, modern adulthood and the fear of falling behind.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room). \nAge Suitability: 12yrs+ \nSensitive Content: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes\, Strong Language/Swearing\, More Information \nMore Information: Please Note: This venue has a No Late Entry Policy. \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/gifted-and-talented/
LOCATION:Headgate Theatre\, 14 Chapel Street North\, Colchester\, CO2 7AT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Comedy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-26-2026-224416-2361.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T212500
DTSTAMP:20260923T145819Z
CREATED:20260923T145819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T145819Z
UID:134338-1792701000-1792704300@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Hail Mary\, None of the Grace
DESCRIPTION:Colchester Fringe debut of dark comedy following hit Edinburgh Fringe run! \nMary Kennedy\, yes one of those Kennedys\, third cousins twice removed; all of the tragedy\, none of the money stars in Hail Mary\, None of the Grace. No Irish Catholic story is complete without a mention of a good Irish funeral! Join Mary as she lays her mother to rest. Through her mother’s dying\, Mary learned how to live. Hail Mary\, None of the Grace is a rollercoaster of awakenings for Kennedy\, which has created the woman she is today. \n*Please note there is no lift to access the top floor of Three Wise Monkeys. There are five flights of hand-railed stairs to reach the top floor with rest opportunities between each flight. Also\, their licensing does not allow anyone under the age of 18 years of age to be in the venue past 9pm. Please consider this when booking.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/hail-mary-none-of-the-grace-4/
LOCATION:Three Wise Monkeys\, 60 High Street\, Colchester\, CO1 1DN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-31-2026-002908-9773.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T212500
DTSTAMP:20261015T135552Z
CREATED:20261015T135552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135552Z
UID:135505-1792701000-1792704300@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Progress In Work
DESCRIPTION:Paging all comedy lovers! Sister Brandy Bex is scrubbing in for three wild nights at Colchester Fringe. Expect riotous tales from the hospital floor – dating doctors\, dodging disaster\, and a generous dose of chaos. Outrageous stories\, parody songs\, and shameless camp spectacle. It’s a cheeky\, over-the-top peek behind the curtain – totally daft\, delightfully unhinged\, and absolutely hilarious. Nursing’s never been so wild!  \nPamela Anderson meets Pam Ayres… Brandy Bex is a real NHS hero\, a siren with a sample pot and a most charismatic host for your time on ward one. ★★★★ Reviews Hub						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: The Dragonfly Lounge. \nAge Suitability: 18yrs+ \nSensitive Content: Audience Participation \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/progress-in-work-3/
LOCATION:The Dragonfly Lounge\, The Dragonfly Lounge
CATEGORIES:Comedy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-29-2026-010152-5252.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T213000
DTSTAMP:20260924T094111Z
CREATED:20260924T094111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T094111Z
UID:134504-1792701000-1792704600@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Brandy Bex: Progress In Work
DESCRIPTION:Paging all comedy lovers! Sister Brandy Bex is scrubbing in for three wild nights at Colchester Fringe. Expect riotous tales from the hospital floor – dating doctors\, dodging disaster\, and a generous dose of chaos. Outrageous stories\, parody songs\, and shameless camp spectacle. It’s a cheeky\, over-the-top peek behind the curtain – totally daft\, delightfully unhinged\, and absolutely hilarious. Nursing’s never been so wild! \nPamela Anderson meets Pam Ayres… Brandy Bex is a real NHS hero\, a siren with a sample pot and a most charismatic host for your time on ward one. ★★★★ Reviews Hub \nPlease note: The end time shown is an estimate. Please check with the venue for confirmation.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/brandy-bex-progress-in-work-2/
LOCATION:The Dragonfly Lounge\, The Dragonfly Lounge
CATEGORIES:Performance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/screenshot-2026-09-19-at-15.07.02-obu8bINJHbWtkslU-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T213000
DTSTAMP:20261015T135552Z
CREATED:20261015T135552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135552Z
UID:135507-1792701000-1792704600@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Turing’s Law
DESCRIPTION:In the 1950s\, gay men travelled to liberal European cities in search of freedoms that were denied to them at home. Places where they could explore their sexuality\, find companionship and immerse themselves in homosocial worlds beyond the reach of British convention.Alan Turing was one of those men.Quietly rebellious and ahead of his time\, Turing was a man who mathematically questioned the laws of nature while his own nature was criminalised. Gay\, sexually curious\, hungry for connection and unafraid to demand that the people around him accept him for who he was. He wanted sex\, he wanted love\, and\, beneath it all\, he longed for a permanent relationship.Turing’s Law shines a light on the Turing history has hidden in the shadows.This is the story of two men spending an afternoon together in Greece. An encounter that becomes both sexual and intellectual and exposes attitudes that challenge the conventions of their time.Alan is messy\, unpredictable\, charming\, bold\, funny\, opinionated and provocative. He is not the stuttering\, isolated mathematical stereotype who avoided human contact in favour of machines. Nor is he simply the polished wartime hero immortalised on the £50 note.He is a real man: gay\, complicated\, contradictory and fiercely himself. The man who would become a national hero.In a villa in Greece\, Alan spends an afternoon with ‘Man’. Unable to reveal the classified knowledge of what he built during the war\, he is forced to navigate a growing dissonance between what he knows and what he can say.For a man who spent his life questioning rules\, challenging authority and refusing to accept easy answers\, Alan now finds himself caught on the horns of a dilemma.What can he reveal? What must remain hidden? And what happens when the private man behind the national hero is finally given a voice?Turing’s Law is the unspoken history of a national hero and an invitation to meet the man history has hidden.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Main). \nAge Suitability: 16yrs + \nSensitive Content: Scenes of a Sexual Nature\, Strong Language/Swearing \nTicket Price: £13 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/turings-law-3/
LOCATION:Headgate Theatre\, 14 Chapel Street North\, Colchester\, CO2 7AT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-30-2026-210157-9623.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T220000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T230000
DTSTAMP:20261015T111631Z
CREATED:20261015T111631Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T111631Z
UID:135324-1792706400-1792710000@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Are You Lovin’ It?
DESCRIPTION:A global fringe hit Are You Lovin’ It?\, which has won 17 awards in 6 countries\, takes youon a surreal\, hilarious journey through the wild world of WacDonalds. Meet a Japanesebusinessman\, Trump\, and Krazy Kitty in this absurd\, side-splitting comedy you won’twant to miss!This satirical-physical comedy with Japanese game show & anime flavor has beendescribed as Fast-Food Capitalism and is a perfect reflection of the world TODAY. \nThis kooky\, edgy\, cartoon-like show may be the strangest show I’ve ever seen at theFringe. ★★★★★ -Edmonton Journal \nMadcap\, off-beat\, but bitingly savage in its satirical approach\, demonstrating AmericanGlobalization. ★★★★★ -Paul T Davies\, Britishtheatre.com \nThis piece is so uniquely original and the performers so engaging that you probablywon’t see anything else like it. -Gigcity.ca \nJapanese Dadaist clowns -12thnight.ca \nThe savagely surreal satire of Fast. Food Capitalism. -Orlando Weekly \nThe most in-your-face\, Outrageous\, political and subversive show. -Orlando Sentinel						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Main). \nAge Suitability: 12yrs+ \nSensitive Content: Audience Participation \nTicket Price: £13 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/are-you-lovin-it/
LOCATION:Headgate Theatre\, 14 Chapel Street North\, Colchester\, CO2 7AT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Comedy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-29-2026-130502-1576.jpg
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END:VCALENDAR