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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:20261026T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T170000
DTSTAMP:20261015T135704Z
CREATED:20261015T135704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135704Z
UID:135405-1793030400-1793034000@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manic Macbeth
DESCRIPTION:Murder\, superstition and madness haunt this terrifying tale. a perfect story for a 6 – 12 year old. When Macbeth returns from battle he meets 3 witches who promise him he’ll be king\, but what will he have to do to get the crown? The classic tale cut down to size with a twist\, all the actors will be volunteers invited onto stage from the audience as storyteller Eden expertly weaves the tale of witch’s spells\, bloody battles and ghostly hauntings\, while guiding the new actors to the unavoidable fatal ending. with all the jokes Shakespeare forgot.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room). \nAge Suitability: All Ages \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/manic-macbeth-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/09-07-2026-112056-1319.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T194500
DTSTAMP:20261015T135704Z
CREATED:20261015T135704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135704Z
UID:135407-1793041200-1793043900@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Birth Plan
DESCRIPTION:Birth Plan is C’s experience of birth and parenthood\, relayed between increasingly frequent contractions. In her lucid phases\, C unfolds the tragi-comic story of how she ended up labouring alone. \nAs the arrival of her newborn draws ever closer\, C voices doubts about her family relationships\, her fitness to be a parent and questions why she ever chose this path. She reveals her longing for a deeper bond with her husband\, her family\, her children – but unwittingly discloses a truth; that being a mum is all too frequently a lonely occupation. \nSharmila Peake is an actor and theatremaker from Essex. Birth Plan is her new one-woman show\, debuting at Colchester Fringe 2026.  \n“Every moment Sharmila is on the stage is worth the admission fee alone!” Tim Young on Kitty\, Black Brook Theatre \n“Sharmila Peake delivers a wonderful Hamlet\, insecure\, confident\, questioning” Paul T. Davies\, Keep Colchester Cool \n“Birth Plan is witty\, insightful\, and charming. Sharmila Peake shines a light on the perils and loneliness of both the labour process and motherhood as a whole. This is a story that needs to be told.” Deanna Strasse\, author of The Cafe Mocha Murders\, Dead Doves and Lemons & Pseudonym						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room). \nAge Suitability: 16yrs + \nSensitive Content: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes\, Strobe Lighting (Very Quick Strobe)\, 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/birth-plan-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/08-31-2026-222115-6591-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T195000
DTSTAMP:20260923T145819Z
CREATED:20260923T145819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T145819Z
UID:134330-1793041200-1793044200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Pseudonym
DESCRIPTION:“Bridget is my pseudonym\nMy thinly-veiled attempt to make sense\nTo add structure\,\nDramatic structure\,\nA beginning\, middle\, and end-\nTo a thing that has none” \nA semi-autobiographical poetic one-woman show by award-winning playwright Deanna Strasse. \n“Bridget” looks back on her life\, contemplating the messy tapestry of experiences that have led her here. She confronts her struggles with body dysmorphia\, creative complacency\, parasocial relationships\, and the brazen decision to move to the UK following a mental breakdown. A raw and intimate look at self-discovery\, identity\, and the art of becoming. \n“Ms. Strasse is a wordsmith. She grabs the language and does not let it go.” — Krane Reviews \n“I didn’t expect to cry. The switch between the fun and the painful was masterful.” — Lakeside Theatre audience member \n“It’s funny\, heartfelt\, warm and fuzzy\, cheeky\, and oh so beautiful.” — Lakeside Theatre audience member \n“Deanna really drew me in…I couldn’t take my eyes off her.” — Brighton Fringe audience member \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/pseudonym-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/08-25-2026-233614-7262-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T200000
DTSTAMP:20260924T094452Z
CREATED:20260924T094452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T094452Z
UID:134515-1793041200-1793044800@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:The Toilet Monologues – Number Two
DESCRIPTION:From the writer and producers of last year’s sell-out show\, Wonky Hearts Collective present a brand new collection of monologues \nFour new women. Four new toilets. Four new stories. In the most private of public spaces the masks drop and from behind the cubicle doors the women reveal their innermost thoughts. \nOnce again\, the stories will be bold\, tender and unflinching\, exploring challenging themes with warmth\, wit and humour. \nThis is theatre that isn’t afraid to get messy\, funny\, awkward and real. Just like life. \nWinner of ‘Spirit of the Fringe Award’ 2025 \nPlease note: The end time shown is an estimate. Please check with the venue for confirmation.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/the-toilet-monologues-number-two-3/
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-15.07.29-Inlh5qIH2gyyD5zt-3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T200000
DTSTAMP:20261015T135550Z
CREATED:20261015T135550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135550Z
UID:135541-1793041200-1793044800@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Not: Private Lives
DESCRIPTION:Thirty years after an infamous weekend on the French Riviera\, theatre’s most famously dysfunctional marriages collide in the frozen peaks of St. Moritz. The daughter of a notoriously toxic\, upper-class couple is set to marry a French millionaire at an elite alpine ski resort where appearances are everything and chaos… is inevitable.This razor-sharp theatrical parody acts as an unofficial\, fast-paced sequel to a classic 1930s comedy of bad manners\, thrusting iconic archetypes into the dawn of the swinging sixties.The fragile peace is shattered when the bride’s father’s fiery ex-wife gatecrashes the festivities. Armed with an explosive\, decades-old secret\, she is determined to throw the high-society wedding into absolute freefall. A fiercely manipulative concierge and a razor-tongued grandmother add fuel to the fire\, turning public embarrassment into an art form. This is NOT: Private Lives.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Main). \nAge Suitability: 12yrs+ \nSensitive Content: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes\, Scenes of a Sexual Nature \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/not-private-lives/
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/09-03-2026-214050-9422-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T200000
DTSTAMP:20261015T135704Z
CREATED:20261015T135704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135704Z
UID:135409-1793041200-1793044800@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:The Bardtender
DESCRIPTION:Chris Sainton-Clark is the Bardtender. Join him for an hour of witty\, highly lyrical comedy observational tales of bar work\, british pub culture and beyond. Since embarking on his journey as a storyteller\, Chris has played Glastonbury Festival\, won 12 theatre awards\, and sold out his Pub Tales tour in New Zealand. He blends comedy\, rhythmic guitar patterns and spoken word together to create a truly unique sound\, that draws on something entirely relatable to anyone who’s ever stepped foot in a pub. \nFIVE STARS – ‘Chris’ performance style is electric—he’s a natural storyteller who knows exactly how to work a room\, building energy and anticipation before delivering perfectly timed punchlines.’ – Colchester Gazette						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Coda. \nAge Suitability: 14yrs+ \nSensitive Content: Strong Language/Swearing \nTicket Price: £13 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/the-bardtender-2/
LOCATION:CODA \,63\, High Street\, Colchester\, CODA \,63\, High Street\, Colchester
CATEGORIES:Comedy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/08-28-2026-171909-1963-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T230000
DTSTAMP:20260917T071254Z
CREATED:20260917T071254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T071254Z
UID:133287-1793044800-1793055600@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Counter's Creek
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £16/£15 concs\nDoors 7.30pm\, show 8pm\nThis gig is for a seated audience\n\nCounter's Creek is an acoustic folk band based in London who make original music inspired by the folk music of the British Isles and beyond. Jigs\, reels\, grooves from Eastern Europe & West Africa\, catchy melodies with closely interwoven harmonies allied to a real sense of swing and dance energy.  \nWhistle player Jonathan Taylor has worked in many different musical genres: best known as a jazz  pianist who's played with artists such as Pee Wee Ellis\, Fred Wesley\, Ruby Turner and various British jazz luminaries\, he's also co-founder of Tango Siempre\, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and arranged music for Robert Wyatt. \nSinger Ben Cox studied Jazz at Guildhall School of Music & Drama\, has played at major Jazz festivals with The Ben Cox Band\, is currently musical director of four choirs in London and is an accomplished whistle/flute/harmonium player. \nFiddler Tom Newell is known for his work with Effra who perform regularly at UK folk festivals as well as The Ceilidh Liberation Front\, Alex Mendham & His Orchestra and pop acts including Muse\, One Direction and Lana Del Rey. He also plays banjo and mandolin (not to mention charango and mouth harp). \nGuitarist Moss Freed plays with jazz/folk group Flekd\, the Spike Orchestra\, has recorded for John Zorn’s Tzadik label and has recently completed a PhD at Hull University… \nFour musicians from different backgrounds\, united by a love of acoustic folk music\, great tunes and earthy dance grooves. \nThe name Counter's Creek refers to one of London's old rivers that used to flow from Kensal Green into the Thames. It has gradually disappeared over the last two centuries\, first converted into a canal after which parts of it were filled in. These rivers still exist in some form underneath London’s busy streets and like the new weird and wonderful musical projects in the city\, bubble up to the surface every now and then… \n\nhttps://www.counterscreekmusic.com/\n\nSupport: Sinead Orme\n\nSinéad is an Irish singer-songwriter who lives in Wivenhoe. She has played for us before a number of times and her recently released CD ‘Spindrift’ demonstrates her virtuosity as a singer-songwriter.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/counters-creek/
LOCATION:Colchester Arts Centre\, Church Street\, Colchester\, CO1 1NF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Music
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T212000
DTSTAMP:20261015T135704Z
CREATED:20261015T135704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135704Z
UID:135411-1793046600-1793049600@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:#SHORN
DESCRIPTION:#SHORN presented by the highly talented Elsa McTaggart. Celebrating 15 years of touring and five-star Fringe performances\, this show features original song\, eclectic musical styles\, loop-pedal and spoken anecdotes. Drawing on a lifetime of music-making\, Elsa performs with warmth\, humour and artistry. #SHORN signifies a coming of age\, shedding the old and embracing the new. This is a rare opportunity to see Elsa at her most unique and vulnerable state as she invites audiences to share in a captivating celebration of creativity\, passion and the transformative power of music.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Main). \nAge Suitability: All Ages \nSensitive Content: None \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/shorn-3/
LOCATION:Headgate Theatre\, 14 Chapel Street North\, Colchester\, CO2 7AT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Music
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T212500
DTSTAMP:20260923T145612Z
CREATED:20260923T145612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T145612Z
UID:134348-1793046600-1793049900@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/
LOCATION:Three Wise Monkeys\, 60 High Street\, Colchester\, CO1 1DN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Performance
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T213000
DTSTAMP:20260924T095052Z
CREATED:20260924T095019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T095052Z
UID:134524-1793046600-1793050200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:A Canadian Explains Eurovision to Brits
DESCRIPTION:With one foot in stand‑up comedy\, the other in TED‑style presentation\, this one‑person musical ride dives into Eurovision’s history\, queer joy\, fandom culture\, and identity. Expect big music\, big humour and heartfelt reflections woven through slides and song. \n★★★★ – Edmonton Journal\, ★★★★★ – Hamilton Hammer\, 2025 Calgary Fringe Award Winner\, \n“McLean has broken the code to Eurovision and rises like a phoenix to share it with us in this wonderfully heartfelt stand‑up show.” – FringeReview.co.uk \n“Matti skillfully weaves songs through his personal story as a gay man coming out … a wonderful hour of musical performances and anecdotes about self‑discovery.” – The Vibe Hamilton \n“McLean’s delivery often borders on stand‑up\, full of sharp wit and campy charm. But he also allows space for quieter\, moving reflections.” – The Hammer Monthly \nPlease note: The end time shown is an estimate. Please check with the venue for confirmation.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/a-canadian-explains-eurovision-to-brits-5/
LOCATION:The Dragonfly Lounge\, The Dragonfly Lounge
CATEGORIES:Performance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T213000
DTSTAMP:20261015T135520Z
CREATED:20261015T135520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135520Z
UID:135543-1793046600-1793050200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Zeus Shags Anything – Greek Myths Not For Kids
DESCRIPTION:Some of the most popular Greek Myths nowadays are family friendly stories\, but in truth\, the origins of these tales are much more X rated and scandalous\, hear the full details of what Zeus and the other Gods got up to. Hear about Gods shagging anything that moves\, or even corpses that don’t\, a deal is a deal after all. From the award-winning storyteller Eden\, who brought you the award winning Buckets Of Blood – Fairy Tales Not For Kids\, & Thor’s A Dick – Viking Legends Not For Kids.Audience Participation is a gentle conversation\, no shagging involved.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room). \nAge Suitability: 12yrs+ \nSensitive Content: Audience Participation\, More Information \nMore Information: Please Note: This venue has a No Late Entry Policy. \nTicket Price: £13 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/zeus-shags-anything-greek-myths-not-for-kids-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/09-03-2026-101550-7114-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T203000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T213000
DTSTAMP:20261015T135704Z
CREATED:20261015T135704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135704Z
UID:135413-1793046600-1793050200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Animal Magnetism
DESCRIPTION:Sid Delicious presents the weird and wonderful world of love and sex in the animal kingdom.  \nA scientific lecture meets late night cabaret where you can learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sex in the animal kingdom\, along with some things you’d rather forget! From who’s packing the biggest- and strangest- equipment to the secret war of the sexes happening beneath our mattresses and how outdated Victorian values still shape how we view sex in animals today. Hosted by a fast-talking punk drag king hailed as Colchester’s own ‘Attenborough on bath salts’\, you can get involved in the action and try some of Channel 4’s most rejected game shows- spin the wheel of karma zoo-tra and test your eye at the ever-popular ‘penis or kitchen implement?’*. One thing’s for sure\, you’ll never look at a duck the same way again! \n*Fabulous prizes not included \n“Wonderfully unhinged in every sense of the word.”“Informative. Deranged. Entertaining.” \n-Audience praise for Sid Delicious in ‘Hyperfixations Presentations’ \nAdditional Content Warnings: \nAll nudity and sexual content will be of real animals in a scientific context only. The thesis of the show is the complexities of animal sex\, this subject will be presented in a light-hearted but honest manner with real pictures of animal genitalia that you could expect to find in a biology textbook. There will also be brief discussion of how some animals have adaptations to prevent unwanted fertilisation (e.g. ducks) which may potentially be triggering to those who have experienced sexual violence. A full disclaimer of these details will be included and further warning before these are discussed.						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Coda. \nAge Suitability: 16yrs + \nSensitive Content: Audience Participation\, Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes\, Nudity\, Scenes of a Sexual Nature\, Strong Language/Swearing\, More Information \nMore Information: See show description \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/animal-magnetism-2/
LOCATION:CODA \,63\, High Street\, Colchester\, CODA \,63\, High Street\, Colchester
CATEGORIES:Comedy
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T220000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T230000
DTSTAMP:20261015T135704Z
CREATED:20261015T135704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T135704Z
UID:135415-1793052000-1793055600@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:DENTATA
DESCRIPTION:New work from an award-winning idiot. Join Beth Anne (a woman!)\, a middle-aged beauty queen (almost!)\, who has spent her life shape shifting into what she thinks others want\, only to realize she doesn’t know herself at all. \nShe looks for her reflection in Medusa\, the Sirens of The Odyssey\, and the Weird Sisters of Macbeth. These misunderstood women (women!) pull her through the wreckage of her past\, forcing her to confront the stories she’s been told about what it means to be beautiful\, desirable\, good\, and worthy. \nIn a wild\, theatrical unraveling\, Beth Anne is ripped open and reborn as something powerful\, ferocious\, and entirely her own. \nDirected by Jess Lazar (Funny or Die\, Hulu) and co-birthed by SITI Company’s Lucy Smith. Written and starring award-winning Julia VanderVeen. \n****.5 “A genuinely out-of-this-world\, next-level performer…Miss this at your peril.” -The Reviews Hub“Hypnotic trembling rage with a wink. A war cry dressed in a clown’s costume.” – SceneMag UK**** “VanderVeen is simply amazing.” – EatMoreArtVegasShortlisted Cabaret Award Brighton						 \nColchester Fringe Festival. Performance venue: Headgate Theatre (Main). \nAge Suitability: 18yrs+ \nSensitive Content: Audience Participation\, Nudity\, Scenes of a Sexual Nature\, Strobe Lighting (Very Quick Strobe)\, Flashing Lights\, Strong Language/Swearing \nTicket Price: £9 \nBooking information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/dentata/
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/08-29-2026-132316-2131-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T220000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261027T000000
DTSTAMP:20260923T084348Z
CREATED:20260923T084348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T084348Z
UID:134089-1793052000-1793059200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Celebrate ACOTAR 6: A Night in Prythian. Midnight Book Launch
DESCRIPTION:The price of the event will include a copy of the book.\nMonday 26th October 2026\, 10pm-midnight \nDressing up is encouraged but not compulsory –  with a prize for the best outfit \nHello Darling\, \nAfter five long years of waiting\, it is finally time to return to Prythian with the 6th ACOTAR book. \n If you attend our event you will be some of the first people in the country to get your hands on the much anticipated ACOTAR 6 book and have the chance to have fun with other SJM fans.\n \nAs you know\, we’ve been consulting our cauldron and are happy to say the event will be on October 26th and start at 10pm with faerie wine to keep you going till midnight when we can officially start selling the book which is included in your ticket price. Sarah J Maas will NOT be attending this event.\n \nWe cannot promise any Bat Boys\, but we can guarantee drinks made from Tamlin’s Tears Cocktails\, games\, crafts\, dressing up & fun across two wheelchair accessible venues. \nSo grab your cloaks made of night and stars and get ready to celebrate and socialise with your fellow SJM fans and discuss which Shadow Daddy is better!  \nUntil then\, sit down with a nice cup of Surriel tea and enjoy re-reading the first 5 books. \n \nCauldron Blessed\,\n \nThe High Fae at Red Lion Books \nThe event will be October 26th 10pm – 12am and your ticket price (£30) includes a hardback first edition of ACOTAR 6 \nThere is a ticket only option \nVisit the Night Court with us for fun\, games and fae. \n*Sarah J. Maas will not be attending this event.*\nLIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE \nBook launch as the clock strikes midnight.  Celebrate the release of the much anticipated 6th book in Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR Series with Red Lion Books \n*Sarah J. Maas will not be attending this event.*
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/celebrate-acotar-6-a-night-in-prythian-midnight-book-launch/
LOCATION:Red Lion Books\, 25 High Street\, Colchester
CATEGORIES:Talks
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