Keep Colchester Cool

Punx 4 The Animals
2025-11-29 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London) | 7 Queen Street, Colchester, 7 Queen Street, Colchester
Punx 4 The Animals in aid of Together for Animals happening on Saturday 29th November at Queen St Brewhouse, Colchester. FREE ENTRY but donations are appreciated for the animals 😊 Bands and times: Monkey Foot Down: 8:00-8:40Creature Arcade: 9:00-9:40Change Persona: 10:00-10:40Dude Smell: 11:00-12:00

THE RHYTHM LOFT
2025-11-29 20:00 - 23:00 | Three Wise Monkeys Colchester
Soul Print & Two Left Feet Promotions presents:
`The Rhythm Loft`Top Floor – Three Wise Monkeys, High St, Colchester CO1 1DN
SAT. 29th NOV (8pm > 1am)
Special Guest: MARK ALEXANDER `DJ Fraggle` (Poetic Funk, We Out Here Festival, TWR Radio)
Guest Support: DJ GILLY (All-Times, Twisters, The Venue, Art Centre, Party In the Park, Wai ki-Ki)
Residents: Dave Malone (Friday Night Funk For Saturday Night Groovers, Jazz Social, Feel The Real – Colne Community radio 106.6FM)
Chris White (Shinyl, Liquid Spirit Cotswolds)
Michael Cooper `Mick Liste` (Soul By the Sea)
FUNK, Soul, JAZZ, Deep Boogie, LATIN & Afro Beat
Advance Tickets:EARLY BIRD – £72nd RELEASE – £10ON THE DOOR – £12
We Got Tickets – https://wegottickets.com/event/678759

Live music with SKA Town Syndicate
2025-11-29 20:00 - 22:00 | Ye Olde Albion Pub, High Street, Rowhedge, Colchester, CO5 7ES, GB
Get your skank on with SKA Town Syndicate and dance your cares away!

Mermaid Chunky
2025-11-29 19:30 - 22:30 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Tickets £12 / £10 concessions.Doors open 7.30pm, starts 8pm.This gig is for a standing audience.
“Stunning.” – Clash“A beautifully ritualistic trance.” – The Guardian“The most magical single of the year so far.” – KCRW’s Travis Holcombe
Mermaid Chunky. It’s all in a name, sometimes. The danceable, costumed, curiosity rich duo of artists Freya Tate and Moina Moin are as imaginative as they profess. Or, to get more to the point, as we all need them to be.
Freya and Moina are two visual artists and musicians from Stroud and South London, places where they importantly found communities (Stroud’s SVA and the capital’s Total Refreshment Centre) of like minded people just as willing to chase down an idea to its possibly illogical conclusion. And it is in the collective and the idea of participation that Mermaid Chunky really clicks. This is a party, a collective dance, made all the better with more: people, ideas, layers, kick drums, recorders, saxophones, frogs.
To wit, the album’s first track and first single, “Céilí,” named after a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering and dance, which builds from a simple recorder line into a swelling, warm burst of major chord dance music. Goosebumps or check your pulse.
Further down the rabbit hole, “Chaperone” is almost boardwalk electro, like Fischerspooner on a ferris wheel; “Frogsporn” and “Nature Girl” are mucky, trippy dirges filled with stalactites of synth and squelch; “Tiny Gymnast” is a kaleidoscopic waltz into the night. Hold onto your seats, ladies and gentlemen.
You might be wondering how DFA Records, all the way over in cynical Brooklyn, entered the picture. There was a day a few years ago, sun shining in full Springtime splendor, when James heard something while waiting for a coffee down the street from the office. It sounded simple yet deceptively complex: a dance track, but one where the one – that anchoring first beat in a measure – could be heard a thousand different ways. Frustrated and interested, he Shazamd the song, playing at the shop from an episode of Zakia’s Questing show on NTS, and brought it back to the office, where we all listened to it about fifty times. (The song was “Friends,” from Mermaid Chunky’s VEST EP, released in 2020. It led to an invitation to open for LCD at Brixton Academy in 2022. Mermaid Chunky has also played live alongside The Comet Is Coming, Alabaster Deplume, Snapped Ankles, and many others.)
Thus began our search for Mermaid Chunky. A quest it has been and a quest it will always be.

The Girl Power Experience: Colchester 💃🎶 ON SALE NOW 💅
2025-11-29 19:30 - 22:30 | Colchester, United Kingdom, Colchester, United Kingdom
The ultimate singalong concert celebrating the music of iconic female artists from The Spice Girls to Beyoncé and Madonna + many more! 🎤
Tickets ON SALE NOW! 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-girl-power-experience-colchester-tickets-1009129161487?aff=oddtdtcreator
This is a night of non-stop bangers from our epic 8-piece girl band! You’ll be part of the action in this singalong concert so warm up those vocal chords and expect tracks from:
Taylor Swift • Beyoncé • Girls AloudAretha Franklin • TLC• Spice GirlsCyndi Lauper• Madonna• All SaintsAdele• Destiny’s Child• The Pointer SistersSophie Ellis-Bextor• Girls Aloud• RihannaSugababes• Lady GaGa • Britney Spears and more!
Tickets ON SALE NOW! 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-girl-power-experience-colchester-tickets-1009129161487?aff=oddtdtcreator

PUNX 4 THE ANIMALS
2025-11-29 19:00 - 22:00 | Queen St Brewhouse, 7 - 9 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PG, GB
A punk gig in aid of Together for Animals. A Free Entry gig but donations would be appreciated. Bands playing:
Monkey Foot Down: 7:00-7:40
Creature Arcade: 8:00-8:40
Change Persona: 9:00-9:40
Dude Smell: 10:00-11:00

A Twist of ABBA live at Three Wise Monkeys, Colchester
2025-11-29 12:00 - 15:00 | Three Wise Monkeys Colchester
Join us for a afternoon of singing and dancing to all your favourite ABBA hits!

Chris Mayne's Wonderful World of Magic!
2025-11-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
£7/£6 concs/£22 FamilyDoors 11am, Show 11.30amThis show is for a seated audience
Returning to Colchester Arts Centre with a brand new interactive show for the whole family, packed with illusions, colourful tricks, and lots of fun!
With over 25 years of experience performing in the UK and internationally, Chris will take you on an exciting journey through the land of Magic and Wonder!

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop with Lunch
2025-11-29 10:30 - 12:30 | The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub – Colchester, The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub - Colchester
Come and make a fresh Christmas wreath at The Lexden Crown followed by a choice of the following delicious lunch:
Chicken and Mushroom Pie & MashScampi and FriesThai Vegetable Curry & Rice
£52.50pp
All materials provided and no experience required.
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.ukto book via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or via eventbrite or via our website (fees apply)
https://www.thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk/event-details/wreath-making-workshop-with-lunch

Meet Father Christmas
2025-11-29 10:00 - 16:50 | Colchester Castle, Colchester Castle
Colchester Castle’s enchanting grotto returns for 2025! This December, Father Christmas and his Castle helpers will bring Christmas joy to the children of Colchester and hand out some very special festive gifts.
In this enchanting encounter, children can share their Christmas wishes, receive a special gift, and enjoy magical moments.
Don’t miss this chance to add a touch of magic to your festive celebrations and create lasting family memories. Visit Father Christmas in his Castle Grotto, where the spirit of the season comes alive!*
Each child gets to speak to Father Christmas and enjoy this magical start to Christmas!
Babies are welcome to join siblings visiting Father Christmas however only children that have tickets will receive a gift.
We like to keep our magical grotto a surprise, but we appreciate some visitors need to know exactly what to expect for an enjoyable time on the day. The grotto will be created at the start of December. If a member of your party has a sensory impairment and would benefit from familiarising themselves with the space before visiting, please email museums@colchester.gov.uk after booking, and we can share photographs.
*Our grotto is suitable for all ages, but adults must accompany children.
Tickets cost £12 per child, £1 per adult. Please note this does not include admission to the Castle Museum. Please purchase additional tickets to enter the museum.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1487997329089387/?event_time_id=1487997369089383

Modern Classics
2025-11-28 21:00 - 2025-11-29 00:00 | Twisters Bar, 45 North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1PY, GB
DJ Rom Atkin is behind the decks, playing a mix of alternative tracks from the last two decades including Arctic Monkeys, Foals Idles and Kae Tempest as well as the Twisters bangers we all love!
Bar and Beer Garden opens at 5pm, DJ from 9pm.FREE ENTRY!

Last Friday Pub Crawl (November 2025)
2025-11-28 20:00 - 23:00 | The Fox & Fiddler, 1 St Johns Street, Colchester, CO2 7AA, GB
– 8pm – Fox & Fiddler– 9pm – New Inn and/or Fat Cat– 10pm – Ale House
Our regular ‘last Friday’ pub crawls around Colchester.
The route is as follows with approximate times so you can ‘hop on’ or ‘hop off’ during the evening. If a pub isn’t serving real ale on the night, you can always find us in the next pub on the list.

The Comedy Store - Colchester
2025-11-28 20:00 - 23:00 | Colchester Charter Hall, Colchester Charter Hall
Sale Dates and Times:
Public Onsale : Fri, 26 Apr 2024 at 10:00 AM
Priority from O2 : Wed, 24 Apr 2024 at 10:00 AM

The Wandering Hearts: It's Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas
2025-11-28 19:30 - 22:30 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Tickets £26.50.Doors open 7.30pm, starts 8pm.This gig is for a seated audience.
The Wandering Hearts are a three part vocal harmony group that formed in London in 2015. Since the release of their first record Wild Silence (Decca), Tara, Chess and AJ have been at the forefront of the UK Americana, folk and country music scenes as well as touring and performing frequently across the pond in the US. They now have three studio albums released and are working on more! The band received the Bob Harris Emerging Artist award at the UK Americana awards in 2018 after Bob had shown them huge support on his radio show. They toured with country music legend Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives in the UK and were invited to perform with him at The Ryman Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry and Graceland in the United States. This made them the first British band to have their debut at the Ryman and Opry in the same week! The Wandering Hearts have shared bills with artists such as The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Gladys Knight, Celine Dion, Tom Petty, Chris Stapleton, Jack Savoretti and many more.
https://www.thewanderinghearts.com/

MECHROMORPH & GUESTS
2025-11-28 19:00 - 22:00 | Three Wise Monkeys Colchester
TWM is getting leveled with this line up 🔨
Dead Species Presents…..
MECHROMORPH 👽REPULSED 🤮WINTER HOTEL 🔥
Hitting the stage @Three Wise Monkeys Colchester – 28/11/25

MECHROMORPH + REPULSED, WNTER HOTEL @ TWM, COLCHESTER
2025-11-28 19:00 - 22:00 | 60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom, 60 High Street, CO1 1DN Colchester, United Kingdom
Brace yourself as Mechromorph unleash their mechanical fury on Colchester this November for a hometown headliner. The Essex titans of brutality are celebrating a Bloodstock crusade this summer with a vile display of slam for their home county. Joining them are Repulsedand Winter Hotel, completing a lineup that promises an extreme nights of live music as we close off 2025. Whether you’re into Death Metal, Slam, Deathcore, or Beatdown, this is a show that demands your presence — no compromises, no survivors.

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
2025-11-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Patch, 24 Trinity Street, Colchester CO1 1JN, Patch, 24 Trinity Street, Colchester CO1 1JN
Come and make a gorgeous Christmas wreath at Patch!
£42.50 including a soft drink and cake
All materials included and no experience necessary.
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or eventbrite (fees apply)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1459953232419?aff=oddtdtcreator

Davis Angus Live At The Brewhouse
2025-11-27 19:30 - 22:30 | 7 Queen Street, CO1 2PG Colchester, United Kingdom, 7 Queen Street, CO1 2PG Colchester, United Kingdom
David Angus is a bona fide troubadour hailing from the bonny lands of Aberdeen, Scotland. This dexterous singer-songwriter has been weaving sonic tales and serenading the crowds of his hometown since 2012, whether he’s busking on street corners or headlining prestigious venues. With his trusty acoustic guitar as his main companion, David’s music runs the gamut from tender, folksy ballads that tug at the heartstrings to electrifying rock anthems that elicit a primal howl of joy.

The Lexden Crown presents An Old Skool Pen and Paper Quiz with Big Jim
2025-11-27 19:00 - 22:30 | The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub – Colchester, The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub - Colchester
The Lexden Crown presents an Old Skool Pen and Paper QuizIts Time to take it back to the Old Skool, with a Pen and Paper style Quiz.
Big Jims Old Skool Pub Quiz, fun for all, with 5 themed rounds of quiz fun, including both Audio and Picture rounds and the return of the World famous Stealer round, to steal the win on the last question, as well.
£2.50 per person, max 6 people per team.
So grab a pen, round up your friends or family and welcome back that old skool feeling of quizzing on a Thursday Night with Big Jim
Great food and drinks offers avaiable, and it’s pizza night with there great wood fired pizzas, as well as a great bistro pub with a warm atomsphere and lovely people, and an average quizmaster.
Come and test your teams knowledge against Colchesters finest Quiz Teams, enjoy some food, beer and a great atmosphere,whilst getting Quizzical with one of Colchester;s finest Quiz Hosts
See you there My Quizzy Quiz Loving Preps

National Theatre Live: The Fifth Step
2025-11-27 19:00 - 22:00 | Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, GB
Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Responder) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland.
After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.
Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from @sohoplace on London’s West End.

Wivenhoe Funny Farm 7.30pm start!
2025-11-27 19:00 - 21:30 | Wivenhoe Bowls Club, Woodland Way, Colchester, CO79, GB
Booking info at bottom of this post.
Thursday 27th November 7.30pm to 9.30pm – back at Wivenhoe Bowls Club – doors 7pm (please use Woodland Way entrance)
Top notch live stand-up comedy from Paul Ricketts“material is smart as well as funny” THE SCOTSMAN
“weird and wonderful… should be given his own TV show” THE STAGE“distinctive and extraordinary” FRINGE GURU
“highly accomplished” TIME OUT “excels as a natural story-teller” THREE WEEKS“pretty f**king good” GREG DAVIES
Support:
Tamsin Sarkany as Amelia CrotchettMusical Comedy Awards finalist 2023, “highly skilled… ingenious” – Chortle
and Becky Mathieson
MC Hazel Humphreys​
Please read!ALL BOOKINGS NEED TO BE CONFIRMED VIA HAZEL – email – FUNNYFARMCOMEDY@GMAIL.COM
PLEASE PAY IN ADVANCE unless agreed with us.
We will be asking for donations to help pay acts for reservations. Recommended £8.50 donation per seat booked (£7 concessions) but whatever you can manage.
This is an indoor gig at Wivenhoe Bowls Club starting 7.30pm (doors 7pm), there is limited seating available. Please book tables.
We will be requesting donations for table reservations in order to help us pay our professional acts. This would be preferable via BACs in advance.
This is a cracking comedy line-up with pro comics and the Funny Farm needs the audience’s help in covering the costs.
I’ve been asked by the Bowls Club to ask people to not form large queues at the bar and if possible return empty glasses at the end of the night. Done x

Life Drawing - Thursday, 27th November 2025
2025-11-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Straight Road Community Centre, Straight Road Community Centre
We are a local life drawing group in Colchester. We meet up for untutored drawings with professional models from all backgrounds.
All abilities are welcome. Just drop in, draw and pay £10 cash for the session.
Drawing boards, easels, papers, charcoal and pencils are provided for free or bring your materials.
Accessible venue.
Location: Straight Road Community Centre329 Straight Road, Colchester, CO3 9EF

UnderDog Crew Annual Showcase
2025-11-27 17:30 - 20:30 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
FILMTickets £10.Doors open 5.30pm, starts 6pm.This show is for a seated audience.
Join us at Colchester Arts Centre for the Underdog Crew Annual Showcase! Supporting Autism and ADHD through breaking down creative barriers and celebrating the brilliance within neuro diversity.
Get ready for a night of pure inspiration as our members and special guests poke a thumb in the eye of stigma and showcase another year of neurodiverse creative brilliance weaved around the UK Premiere of the latest episodes of the studio’s multi award winning teen drama series, ‘The Slip’.
Featuring:
UK Premiere screening of ‘The Slip’ episodes 3 and 4. Premiere screening of Colchester City ‘Teen Voices’ poetry rants. Special guest neurodiverse motivational speakers, followed by ‘I AM Foxy’ mini-doc. “SENtrepreneur’ panel discussion: ‘breaking stigma and getting ahead in life’. Live vocal perfomances by: Nicola ‘NIX’ Nugent. ‘Deeply Dolly’. The amazing Nicola Kelleher performing as Dolly Parton. ‘Marie Cole Hart’ . The Soulful songird. .. and special performance from Underdog Crew members Biba Watts and Assunta Jones.
This event is to raise funds for ‘The Underdog Crew CIC’ as part of their selection as Colchester Mayor’s charity for 2025.
KEY EVENT FEATURE: a ‘Vegas Tombola’, with some amazing prizes and experiences donated by local sponsors, including guest acting roles in ‘The Slip’ episode 5 and VIP on-set experiences.
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event that celebrates the underdogs who shine brightest despite many adverseries and limitations. Grab your tickets now and come support NEURODIVERSITY in our city!

Wonderful Wednesdays - Covered in Jam: That’s Not My Name
2025-11-26 20:00 - 23:00 | Church St, CO1 1NF Colchester, United Kingdom
Pay what you can affordDoors open 7:30 pm, Show starts 8 pmThis show is for a seated audience
THIS is NOT a show about mental health. THIS is a DISORDER.
We’re just joking…We’re HALF joking…We’re BORDERLINE joking.
Have we rehearsed it? No comment.Have we written it? It depends.Is there a script? Ugh.But it is a comedy, right? A comedy about severe mental illness?!Who would do such a thing?! You. You psychopath. Fair enough.So it’s a PLAY? No it’s not a f*cking play. F*ck off with all the questions, I’m bored.
“Clinically Diagnosed Sociopath” – The Stage
Cast & Crew:
Written and performed by: Sammy TrotmanDirected by: Marceline RixSound & Lighting by: Scott WardProduced by: ASYLUM Arts & Covered in JamSupported by: Harlow Playhouse
Reviews:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Masterpiece of Mess” Broadway Baby★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Unlike anything you’ve seen before” Lost In Theatreland★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Spectacular and Borderline” A Youngish Perspective★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “She Is Sharp” NorthWest End★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Simply Exceptional” Theatre & Tonic★ ★ “Confrontational” Fringe Biscuit

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop with Dinner
2025-11-26 18:30 - 20:30 | The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub – Colchester, The Lexden Crown, Bistro Pub - Colchester
Come and make a fresh Christmas wreath at The Lexden Crown followed by a choice of the following delicious dinner:
Chicken and Mushroom Pie & MashScampi and FriesThai Vegetable Curry & Rice
£52.50pp
All materials provided and no experience required.
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.ukto book via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or via eventbrite or our website (fees apply)
https://www.thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk/event-details/wreath-making-workshop-with-dinner

Wargame Wednesday!
2025-11-26 18:00 - 22:00 | Dice & A Slice, 37 Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PQ, GB
Join us for an evening of Wargaming! Be it Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, Necromunda, Battletech, Kill Team, Warcry or ANY wargame you like!
Bring your armies, some terrain if you have it and get involved!
£5 to play!

Refusal
2025-11-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, GB
Join us in the Lakeside Theatre Main House for the Homegrown production, Refusal, by Elena Botts. Elena is an artist and researcher at the University of Essex.
Across sound, glitch, refuse, moving image, sculpture, performance, and animation, this one-night show offers fragmentation as refusal of normative narrative regimes of spectacle.
This is a participatory gathering: the showcase of an eclectic group of artists is deliberate, in resonance with the exploratory theme, and after the set of performances, informal discussion is welcomed. Though each artist utilizes media differently, with different stories to tell, each also offers an openness towards the unknown vital to this conversation.
Tickets £5.50
Featured artists:Elena Botts, Ellen King, Pat Nininger, Hadiyan Yusuf Kuntoro, aly,willamina cutler-gear, Rachel Garfield, Yun Lu, Lu : Lucille : hebe Brownrigg

Writing Workshop: Plot and structure
2025-11-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Lakeside Theatre, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, GB
Join us for a Writing Workshop Series led by the talented Alice K Stephens, designed to guide you through every step of developing your own fringe theatre show.
Across five sessions in the Lakeside Theatre Studio, Alice will guide you through how to create your own fringe theatre show. From the first idea to the finished product, you’ll explore key aspects of developing a show with practical steps and support.
Free to attend for University of Essex members, though spaces are limited so do book your space each week!
Week 3 – Plot and structure:This week focuses on how to structure your piece with a three-act structure of a beginning, middle, and end. We’ll explore the purpose of each of these stages of the story, using Todorov’s narrative theory as the backbone of this explainer.

Africa’s Dust Under My Feet - Talk by Naomi Saul ARPS ASINWP EFIAP DPAGB APAGB BPE4*
2025-11-25 19:30 - 22:00 | Ireton Road, CO3 3AT Colchester, United Kingdom, Ireton Road, CO3 3AT Colchester, United Kingdom
Naomi invites us to join her on a stunning photographic journey through two of her favourite African destinations: the iconic Maasai Mara and the captivating landscapes of Southern Tanzania. Through her lens, she captures breathtaking images of wildlife thriving in their natural habitats – majestic creatures roaming freely across vast plains and vibrant birds soaring throughopen skies.
(Visitors £5.00)

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
2025-11-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Romano Lounge, Romano Lounge
Come and make a gorgeous Christmas wreath at the Romano Lounge!
£42.50 including a soft drink and cake
All materials included and no experience necessary.
Email info@thecreativeworkshopcompany.co.uk via PayPal or bank transfer (no fees) or eventbrite (fees apply)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1473726047279?aff=oddtdtcreator
