It's the weekend! Nine things happening in the Colchester area

• MUSIC Nina Ferro and the Crissy Lee Quartet, MICA Centre, High Street, West Mersea

When: Tonight, doors 7pm, gig starts 8pm

How much: £15 and £12 for MICA members

Contact: 01206 384656

ANOTHER coup for veteran drummer Crissy Lee and her Quartet as singer Nina Ferro makes a special guest appearance before returning to Australia for good.

Nina has performed with the likes of Tony Bennet, shared the bill with Elvis Costello and in 2014 went on a tour with Neil Sedaka, and with Crissy's Quartet of accomplished musicians this is a concert not to be missed.

• THEATRE Wind in the Willows, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester

When: Various times until August 21

How much: £22.50 to £10 plus concessions

Contact: 01206 573948

A SMASH hit summer treat for all the family jam packed with great music, some very funny performances and some very clever theatrical tricks.

Look out for the suitcase that turns into a boat and the court scene, which is an absolute hoot!

• ART Colchester Art Society 70th anniversary open exhibition, The Minories, High Street, Colchester

When: Tomorrow until August 27, 10am to 5pm

Contact: 01206 712437

BACK at their spiritual home, the annual open exhibition should once again be full to bursting with the very best art the local community can offer up.

This year it coincides with a wonderful small show across the road at Firstsite made-up of such society luminaries as John Nash and Joyce Pallot.

• TALK An Evening with Barry Fry and Ron Atkinson, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester

When: Tonight 7.30pm

How much: £20

Contact: 01206 573948

JUST as the football season starts to wind up for another year, two of the biggest noises in the game arrive at the Mercury for an evening of anecdotes, punditry and of course a little bit of controversy no doubt.

• SHOW Four Colnes Show, Earls Colne Recreation Club, Halstead Road, Earls Colne

When: Tomorrow from 1pm

How much: Adults, £2, children 50p

FOLLOWING last week's Five Parishes Show, the horticultural fun continues for the Colnes, Earls, Wakes, White and Engaine if you were wondering.

As always there will be plenty of attractions to keep both young and old amused as well as the competition tent with fruit, flowers, cakes and jams all vying for the top prize.

• FESTIVAL Lounging on the Lawn, around the Castle Bailey, Castle Park, Colchester

Chloe Hawes and Josh Smith at last year's festival

When: Tomorrow and Sunday, 11am to 6pm

How much: £3 for adults, accompanied children free

A WEEKEND of music supporting the brilliant Robin Cancer Trust, which will get the gate receipts, and also Cara, the Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse, which will get a percentage of the beer sales.

Organiser Chris Ledbury will perform along with One Shot Betty, Philip Oscar, the Hat Check Honeys, Maria Eracleous, The Shrinks, Chloe Hawes and Tea For Two.

There will be a special children’s area run by workshop leader and printer, Tom Armstrong.

• CRAFTS Summer Festival of Crafts, Foundry Court, Colchester Road, Manningtree

​When: Tomorrow and Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Free entry

STALLS will include beauty products, wood crafts, food and plenty more. The event will raise money for Echo - the Evelina Children’s Hospital, which helps young people with heart conditions.

• OUTDOORS High Woods History Trail, High Woods Country Park, Turner Road, Colchester

When: Sunday 2pm to 4pm, meet at the visitor centre

Contact: 01206 282920

DISCOVER the history of the landscape of High Woods. Take a walk with the ranger and learn about the people and events that have shaped the park. Discover how the woods have been managed in the past and in the present.

• MUSIC AND POETRY SlackFolk at Piatto Café, Priory Walk, Colchester

Park n Ride at SlackFolk

When: Tomorrow 2.15pm to 4pm

Free entry

FEATURING music from folk duo Shorelark, The Four Blokes Trio, Imogen and Paul Riley, Davos Williams, Dave Rado and poetry from Cambridge author and poet, J. S. Watts.