BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Keep Colchester Cool - ECPv6.18.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Keep Colchester Cool
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Keep Colchester Cool
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/London
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20250330T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20251026T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20260329T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20261025T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20270328T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20271031T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20280326T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20281029T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
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: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:20261103T083000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261128T163000
DTSTAMP:20260910T181030Z
CREATED:20260910T181030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T181030Z
UID:132704-1793694600-1795883400@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Art Show by Nick Mair with Stella Davis
DESCRIPTION:Nick Mair returns to Level Best Art Gallery in Colchester this November for his second exhibition at the gallery\, showing work created in collaboration with Stella Davis. \nNick chooses the subjects for the pictures\, generally drawing inspiration from natural history\, before working with Stella to interpret them through painting. The pair work together once a month at the L’Arche Community in Ipswich\, where Nick lives. \nThe exhibition reflects their collaborative approach\, with each bringing something to the work that\, as Level Best explains\, neither could create alone. \nThe exhibition runs at Level Best Art Gallery from Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 28th November 2026.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/art-show-by-nick-mair-with-stella-davis/
LOCATION:Level Best Enterprises\, Level Best Enterprises
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261107T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261108T140000
DTSTAMP:20261023T131313Z
CREATED:20261023T131313Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261023T131313Z
UID:135963-1794052800-1794146400@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Woman Scorned: Boudica Rewritten
DESCRIPTION:A museum tour like no other\, prepare to slip through time and be plunged into a world of rebellion\, divided loyalties and dangerous secrets. Journey through Colchester Castle Museum and its grounds alongside Roman occupiers\, defiant daughters\, rival queens and mysterious Druids as the story of Boudica\, the Iceni queen who fought an empire\, comes to life around you. \nFollow different storylines\, uncover hidden messages and become part of an immersive heritage performance that asks who gets remembered\, who gets silenced—and who gets to tell the story. \nRecommended viewing age\, 8yrs+. A ticket to these performances also includes entry to the Castle and museum. Please note\, some of this performance will take place outside\, so please dress accordingly for the weather. An accessible route is available; please contact the Box Office for further information.
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/woman-scorned-boudica-rewritten/
LOCATION:Lakeside Theatre\, University of Essex\, Wivenhoe Park\, Colchester\, CO4 3SQ\, GB
CATEGORIES:Theatre
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/A-WOMAN-SCORNED_BOUDICCA-REWRITTEN.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261108T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261108T130000
DTSTAMP:20261023T153733Z
CREATED:20261023T153733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261023T153733Z
UID:135989-1794132000-1794142800@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Get Started with Risograph
DESCRIPTION:Risograph printing isoften described as digital screen printing. Think screen printing but with the convenience of a photocopier. \nRiso has a reputation as a DIY publishing process with vivid colours and stunning imperfections. A cheap method to produce zines\, posters and short-run art prints. \nIn this workshop you will work with Associate Artist Heidi Sharp to use old-school cut-and-paste methods to design\, produce and ‘copy’ your very own limited edition art print. \nPerfect as a 101 introduction to the principals of Riso or for those simply wanting to give the craft a go for the first time.  \nAbout the Associate Artist Leading the Session: Heidi studied Fine Art and is inspired by the Pop Art movement and enjoys exploring the themes of social media and consumerism when working more conceptually. Printmaking allows her to tap into these themes given its trait of being able to print such large quantities at a fast pace\, reflecting the mass-produced element of both areas.  \nRegistered Members : Claim 50% discount on non-member price by entering registered email address in the PROMO CODE box at check-out.  \nParticipants must be aged 18+.Materials included in cost.No refunds or ticket transfers.  \nJoin Our Creative Community: Enjoy up to 50% off classes and 24/7 access to our space and equipment. Memberships start at just £15 per month. Learn more: www.makercampus.co.uk/membership  \nNew to Colchester Makerspace? We’re a community workshop with ceramics\, printmaking and a vibrant program of classes. Explore our website: www.makercampus.co.uk  \nSupport Creativity: Donate to our kiln fund and help us keep making amazing things happen: https://gofund.me/1d2f2158
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/get-started-with-risograph/
LOCATION:Trinity Works\,24 Trinity Street\,Colchester\,CO1 1JN\,GB
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/135989_image_615425522_1296735649163257_5064051042045588981_n.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Eventbrite":MAILTO:noreply@facebookmail_com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261108T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261108T220000
DTSTAMP:20260917T073031Z
CREATED:20260917T073031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T073031Z
UID:133323-1794166200-1794175200@keepcolchestercool.co.uk
SUMMARY:Michael Spicer: Hope All's Well
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £24.50.\nDoors open 7pm\, show starts 7.30pm.\nThis show is for a seated audience.\n\nMichael Spicer\, the online sensation who brought you the award-winning viral hit The Room Next Door\, brings another hilarious and brilliantly entertaining satirical stage show packed with sketches\, short films and stories about why we’re witnessing such a gigantic political and global shitshow\, featuring characters from his BBC Radio 4 show ‘No Room’ as well as some old friends too. \nPraise for previous work: \n'huge comedy talent' Radio Times\n**** The Guardian\n**** Daily Mail
URL:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/event/michael-spicer-hope-alls-well/
LOCATION:Colchester Arts Centre\, Church Street\, Colchester\, CO1 1NF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Comedy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://keepcolchestercool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/michael-spicer-hope-alls-well.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR