A FESTIVAL bringing free events to the people of Colchester has confirmed it will be continuing through March.
Colchester Creative Partnership will be continuing its First Thursdays Festival this week featuring another programme of brilliant arts and performance events for the public to enjoy.
The festival celebrates Colchester's vibrant cultural scene by helping members of the public attend unique events at multiple venues on the same night.
It has been confirmed the festival will be coming back on March 7.
With an evening of public performances and creative experiences, the programme features visual art, poetry and spoken word, theatre, writing, dance, music, sound and light installations.
Cameron Abbott-Betts, producer of First Thursdays, said “Feedback from the public, artists and host venues since February has been very positive.
"There’s the feeling that First Thursdays is not only a way of helping our local creative industries to thrive, but also helping Colchester’s hospitality industry and visitor economy, through increased public footfall.
Booking tickets is required for all events, with the majority of activities free of charge.
Cameron continued: “With free events, you never quite know if audiences will turn up as they don't have much to lose.
"However, in February at least 74 per cent of those ticketholders turned up as planned.
"Additionally, we had many walk-ins, meaning most venues were at full capacity."
The festival is beneficial for both attendees and hosts as businesses saw an increase in profits whilst customers enjoyed a cheap night out.
He said: “Audiences at last month’s events ranged from age 17-75, and one of our venues reported an increase in food and drink sales of 38 per cent compared to standard nights.
"Another venue reported that many of their attendees were people that hadn't engaged with their events before.”
There will be all sorts of events at some brilliant locations such as Firstsite, Colchester Arts Centre, The Minories and Coda.
This includes a Thursday Jam at Coda, Emotional Madness with Mary-Ann & Mates at Colchester Arts Centre and The Importance of Being Earnest at The Mercury.
At CODA
The Thursday Jam. 8 pm – midnight.
Play an instrument? Fancy channelling your inner rockstar? Turn up and jam with other musicians.
At Colchester Arts Centre
Emotional Madness with Mary-Ann & Mates. 8 – 11 pm. £3.
Spoken word/poetry performance and fundraiser hosted by Mary-Ann Ambrose. A roller coaster of emotions, fun and sadness. There will also be a charity raffle in aid of NEXT CHAPTER.
At Colchester Makerspace
Makerspace social. 6.30 – 8.30 pm.
Thinking of becoming a member and want to know more? Already a member and want to catch up with the others? Hear a short introduction, meet our members and associate artists, and hear a show-and-tell from our Maker of the Month.
At Colchester Mercury
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (theatre). 7.30 pm. From £15.50.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest comedies ever written. Zings with contemporary relevance, subversively satirising the snobbery and hypocrisy of extreme wealth and excess.
At The Headgate Theatre
Arcadia, 6 - 8 pm (in 15-minute slots) by Frazer Merrick.
Explore the hidden electromagnetic soundtrack of Essex’s coastal arcades with a saturated lighting display that transmits audio via light to the audience’s handheld listening device. It's an installation that brings a sense of wonder, fascination and carnivalesque excitement to audiences.
Revealing the Mask by Vamos Theatre Company, 2 – 4 pm. £15.
A creative, high energy and inspiring workshop in the basics of full mask theatre and performance. Through exercises and shared exploration, you learn mask characterisation, mask physicality, and techniques such as clocking, stillness and isolation, helping to build confidence and understanding.
At Firstsite Cafe
First Time Poets, 6– 8.30 pm. For new writers, collaborative poem writing workshop by Wendy James & Elelia Ferro, inspired by the current exhibitions at Firstsite.
At Firstsite Studio
It’s About Your Son, 6 – 7 pm by Little Two Theatre Company.
“They're all good boys, until they're not..." Can two grieving mothers put blame and guilt aside as they attempt to create something positive in the memories of their children together? A thought-provoking debut show exploring the impact of knife crime on individuals, families, and communities.
Decree of Nullity, 8.30 – 9.30 pm by Emma Kopf.
A theatre performance set in 1855 about Effie Ruskin, who boards a train heading to Scotland. Her husband thought it would be a three-month separation. It ends up being a legal battle, when in a letter he receives her wedding ring, the keys to their home and a citation to court.
At Level Best
SENtre Essex SENsory Sounds. 5 – 5.45 pm and 6.30 - 7.15 pm.
Join Meggie for these fun sounds, singing technique and music sessions. Designed to be bespoke for adults with special educational needs, but everyone is welcome.
At The Minories
Modern Tendring Vernacular, 8 – 8.30 pm.
Sound artist Stuart Bowditch will gather found and donated sounds from the Tendring District during January and February and use them as source sounds for an improvised, experimental electronic performance.
At PATCH Colchester
Mudras, Movement & Mark Making, 7.30 - 9.30 pm.
An evening of classical Indian Dance and simultaneous Experimental Live Drawing. Presented by dancer Jaymini Bedia and visual artist Mary Pullen Deacon, this event promises unique and entertaining performance with the invitation to participate - dance and draw!
At Signals
Colchester Neuronarratives workshop, 5 –7 pm.
A workshop for people with unique world views and from underrepresented communities, led by local industry professionals (writer/musician) Nix Nugent and (multi-disciplinary artist) Hannah Aria. Explore Colchester’s places, spaces and landmarks through YOUR perspective. Help to make a collective large-scale piece of artwork which we are hoping to display in the city.
For more information and to book tickets go to creativecolchester.org.uk/first-thursdays.
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