It's by no means recent, but Colchester's impressive scene for music, arts, and culture continues to grow.
I've showcased thousands of events through the Keep Colchester Cool project I launched in 2009.
Now, I'll bring the best events to you each week which I recommend checking out.
Here are my five recommendations for music, arts, and culture in Colchester in the week ahead.
Colchester’s original sci-fi and fantasy city-wide event returns for its 12th year on Saturday. Invasion Colchester is back to raise funds for St Helena Hospice, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, and Mind.
Head to the city centre to meet your favourite characters from Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and more.
Dress up, join the fun, snap some photos, and help support these great local causes from 10am - 4pm.
Also on Saturday, Queen Street Brewhouse hosts the third Pick Of The Litter event, a free all-day music showcase curated by Litter of Kings featuring local acts.
Enjoy performances from Simon Craze, Annie Maguire, Chris Wilkinson, Millie Kirkpatrick, Pleasant Peasant, Sinéad Orme, Panama City, Woody Pearce, False Colours, Bethany SIN, and Sketchead.
The event is from 1pm to 11:30pm. Donations to Musicians Supporting The Homeless CIC.
I Hear Voices Theatre Company presents Poets Day on Tuesday, a new double-bill of absurd comedy performed live at Colchester Arts Centre.
Follow the adventures of Don Fletcher Park and Mervin Mule, two once-radical punk poets now navigating life in the quirky village of Wivenhoe and enjoy the episodes “Passport to Wivenhoe” and “Doctor Whom?”.
Any similarity between poets, Essex or punk, is allegedly entirely coincidental.
Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 / £7 concessions.
On Friday, a strong line-up at Three Wise Monkeys with Palomino Kings, The Joe Keeley Band, and The Lamplight Club provides a quality night of Americana, blues, and alternative rock and roll.
Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10.
Also on Friday, James Seabright presents Buffy – Revamped at the Mercury.
A fast-paced, one-man show that condenses all 144 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer into 70 minutes, all from the perspective of Spike.
This parody is perfect for die-hard Buffy fans and newcomers, filled with humour and 90s pop-culture references.
Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £27.
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