What’s On

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Howlin’ Matt

Friday 19th April 2024 7:30

Howlin’ Mat is every inch the blues man and one of the hardest working solo acts around both in the UK and abroad with gigs in Norway, Morocco, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Poland. He is a nationally acclaimed slide guitarist and cites Elmore James, Muddy Waters and Mississippi Fred McDowell amongst his major influences. No Howlin’ Mat show would be complete without his trademark cigar box guitar for which he has had compliments from the likes of John Paul Jones and Mud Morganfield . Howlin’ Mat is also a skilled story teller. He intertwines tales of life on the road with his music to create an intimate and unique experience for each audience.

Tickets £14/£12…

French & Breton Dance evening with BOF!

Sunday 21st April 2024 7:30pm

Come and join the dance or just to listen to the concert
French ‘bal’ Evening with BOF! -an established East Anglian band with considerable experience in playing traditional French and Breton dance music. and song

Their line-up is:
• Simon Haines diatonic accordions
• Phil Lyons acoustic guitar / bass guitar / vocals
• Gwendal Moële vocals
• Val Woollard bagpipes / flute / recorders / desk bells…

BearFootSoul

Friday 26th April 2024 7:30pm PERFORMANCE IS NOW SOLD OUT

A SECOND DATE HAS BEEN ADDED – SATURDAY 27th April 7.30pm

BearFootSoul is Matt White, a Suffolk-based American native singer / songwriter and top-class entertainer, well-regarded for delivering feverishly gritty, soul-powered vocals and authentically earthy acoustic guitar-driven roots, rock, soul, funk, blues, country and Americana. Audio and video will be recorded live on the evening, capturing what promises to be a musical tapestry of wonder, showcasing songs from Matt’s debut solo album “Gravity & Time”. Special guests include world-class harmonica player Giles King – an absolute must see and hear. Come and join BearFootSoul for an intimate and magical journey of life’s grit, graft, grace and gratitude in the beautiful setting of old St Mary’s Church.
Follow BearFootSoul on Facebook & Instagram: @bearfootsoulSign up for news about upcoming new music releases, live shows and offers at www.bearfootsoul.com

Tickets £14/£12…

An Evening of Words & Music

Wednesday 22nd, Friday 24th & Saturday 25th May 2024 7:30pm

Black & White Productions present an Evening of Words and music featuring Paul Stone, Bill & Stephanie Stoddart and the poetry of Suzanne Hawkes…

Luke Wright’s Silver Jubilee

Thursday 9th May 7:30pm

Over twenty-five years, Luke Wright has built up a reputation for being one of Britain’s most popular live poets. This year he tries to celebrate his jubilee but ends up taking a deep dive into himself, throwing up questions about class, privilege and his adoption. Edinburgh Fringe smash hit.

“A winning combination of honesty, humour, ire and wonder. He is at the peak of his powers.” ★★★★★ The Stage…

Christina Johnston – Springtime Showcase

Friday 10 May 2024, 7:30pm

Christina Johnston with her students present an evening of music ranging from Classical & Opera to musical theatre and contemporary pop…

METSAEMA

Saturday 11th May 2024 7:30 pm

American jazz, Old-Time Texas/Appalachian fiddle music and Classical Ragtime on mandolin, guitar and banjo as well as traditional Eastern and Western European dance music on fiddle and accordion!

Catherine Lima – The Allure of Miss Lee

Friday17th May 2024 7:30pm

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – CATHERINE LIMA SINGS THE SONGS OF PEGGY LEE

The Allure of Miss Lee explores the life and songs of jazz icon, Peggy Lee. From humble beginnings in North Dakota Peggy Lee proved that ambition, drive and sheer hard work paid dividends.

The show charts Peggy Lee’s fascinating rise to fame and helps explain how she maintained her prominence on the music scene for so many years.

Performing some of Peggy Lee’s original arrangements, Catherine is backed by an excellent quartet led by Paul Higgs on piano and trumpet…

DB-Infusion

Saturday 1st June 2024, 7:30PM

Danny Berdichevsky’s Infusion is a dynamic, high-energy instrumental band which blends jazz-rock fusion with elements from Latin, Flamenco, Classical, Middle Eastern and African music to produce a rich, melodic and highly original sound.
DB-Infusion features:
Danny Berdichevsky guitar
Gonzalo Carrera Keys
Alvin Burrell bass
Ollie Usiskin drums…

Martin Newell and the Hosepipe Band

Wednesday 26 June 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

This year’s show, as well as featuring the usual Hosepipe Band / Newell stage favourites will include poems from the Hythe Poetry Project.
Some years ago, Martin Newell was commissioned to cover a number of hoardings at Colchester Hythe Station with poetry and other writings. These still remain on display today. The Hythe port area was the historical ‘engine room’ of Colchester. It is an ancient if somewhat unsung area of the city, which prompted what Martin now considers some of his best work. All the poems in the show will by accompanied by original music composed and played by the Hosepipe Band.

In addition to writing poetry and songs, Martin Newell is a regular columnist for the East Anglian Daily Times and has released several volumes of poetry (often in collaboration with the artist James Dodds)…

Inspiration or experience? How to develop your story idea

Sun 30th June 2024 10am – 4pm

Do you have an idea for a story, but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you’ve begun, but aren’t sure how to continue? This could be the workshop for you!

Orwell Writers will be presenting a fun and informal day for beginners and experienced writers alike.

During the morning we will consider and discuss the basic elements that constitute a good strong story. The first part of the afternoon will be spent writing a short piece to a given prompt. The second part of the afternoon will give the opportunity to read/share work, with focus on discussion and constructive feedback.

Teas/coffees/soft drinks will be available to purchase. Bring your own lunch…