July Mini Festival

Thur 1 July 7pm

Mark Forde gong workshop + Firewire + Mother Sky + Compere and poetry: Mark Brayley

Our own Poet Laureate Mark Brayley introduces and comperes another amazing evening kicking off with Mark Forde, Gong-master extraordinaire. Not so much a performance as a therapy, he begins with light stretching exercises, and using a variety of gongs ranging from a tiny two-incher to as massive four footer, he creates an environment for deep relaxation, releasing us from negative thoughts, unblocking energy and releasing tensions.

8.30 approx Mark then introduces Julia Usher's innovative and exploratory COMA group Firewire, who will be reaching out into all corners of the building and their own imagination, to present an evening of new music with a variety of contemporary sounds. A Twilight Musical Experience, an evening of mysterious and stimulating music for a summer night

9.30 approx Finally, Mother Sky is a band that originally came from a one-off project by it's members to take the Can track of the same name, rework it, and stretch it out into a half-hour semi-improvised live performance. Since then, the group has had a revolving line up consisting of a pool of musicians who get together and don't so much "improvise", as just set up and start playing; fusing a sound built upon the various member's influences that span decades.

Fri 2 July 7pm

EMS night. Powered by EMS

THE BROKEN DRUMMERS

(Our resident DJs Al & Warren playing a truly eclectic set)

HUFFLE

(Matt will be letting his hair down and playing whatever he wants)

KING DOM

(Dom mixes an eclectic set including a fine selection of Latin beats)

ROLLOX and FIREHEAD

(Daev will unleash some brand new tunes especially for you)

Sat 3 July 5pm

Moving Tone One Heart Sings: The Necessary

The economic nightmare has become a strange new reality. Where do we go from here? As part of Slack Space Colchester's Mini-Fest on 3rd July, Cambridge-based performing arts company Moving Tone presents The Necessary - their whimsical contribution to the global economic policy debate. Performed, appropriately, in the vacant retail unit at 19-29 Queen St. currently occupied by Slack Space, this experimental vocal theatre piece offers post-modern light relief and some gentle advice for posterity. Even more appropriately, entry is free.

Anne L Ryan, principal vocalist and creative director of Moving Tone, says: "Come and see us if you enjoy a performance with a big heart, which engages both your grey cells and your funny bones.."

The Necessary was created by Anne L Ryan and local composer Stuart Russell, who is Secretary of Colchester New Music. It was well-received at its premiere at the Cambridge Festival of Ideas 2009, and will be presented at concerts around the UK during 2010/2011. The programme on 3rd July will start at 5 pm with live electronic music performed by Stuart Russell, from his recent Moonlight and Moths commission for Anglesey Abbey. Moving Tone's performance will include a range of original compositions from its own repertoire, alongside The Necessary itself, to be performed by Anne L Ryan either unaccompanied, in combination with live and pre-recorded instruments, or against the backdrop of a digital soundscape.

Sat 3 July 7pm

Slack Space Comedy Night!

Hazel Humphries presents Up and coming local comedians night + Compere and poetry: Mark Brayley

MC Mark Brayley -10-15min

Dean Tolhurst 10-15min

Janet Lovely -5-10min

MC Mark Brayley 5-10min

Duncan Butler 5-10min

Tony Tackling 5-10min

Hazel Humphreys 10-15min

MC Mark Brayley 5-10min

Kerry Souter - 10 minutes

David Traynier - 15min

Dean Tolhurst "Fun loving surrealism from this young Witham lad"

Janet Lovely "Twisted stories from a very alternative nursery nurse"

Duncan Butler "Anecdotal Humour with some audience participation!"

Tony Tackling "Angry humour... think a latter day Sam Kinison"

Hazel Humphreys "A return to stand up comedy from smutty scouser old enough to know better"

Kerry Souter "Gross & surreal humour"

David Traynier "Wry observational wit, David states that he is 'Just trying to make people laugh without feeling too cheap in the process'!"

Sun 4 July 7.30pm

Artslink meeting

The next meeting of Artslink Colchester will take place at the Slack Space Premises in Queen Street Colchester on Sunday 4th July at 7.30pm. The presentation this month will be given by Angela Dennis who will present

'Sing from the heart', a brief musical journey along the path which she has travelled, leading to the work which she is currently involved in as a Community Musician and Vocal Facilitator. Having heard Angela perform we are certain that this will be a very informative and entertaining evening

The Racket Companie of Musick and Illuminati present “Rats!” a dramatised story of the Black Death and the great plagues of Colchester in 1348 and 1663

My lords, ladies, gentlemen, commoners & lesser orders, the above companie of entertainers doth humbly crave your attention.

Said Companie endeavour to make known that on the Twenty Ninth day of the monthe of JULY, at the time of seven-thirty, we will present for your Delight, Education, Illumination and Edification, a devised performance depicting the BLACK DEATH AND THE GREAT PLAGUE which latterly best the great towne of COLCHESTER. With Music of the period, poetry, dramatick scenes and readings from sources of the period.

With Andrew Stevens, Dorian Kelly, John Leyland, Joe Sales, Imogen Donnelly, Paul Kif and others

In the light of present poverty of means, and in the desire of saving your money this performance will be completely free of charge! However for relief of the poverty of the artists actors and musicians of Colchester and for the continuance of the work of Slack Space, any contribution will be welcome.

Seating is provided, bring your own wines etc. Access is good, but there are no specific disabled toilets

All are welcome, its ok for older children: please register for a free place by email (see sidebar)

Slack Space Colchester JUNE MINI FEST (3 – 5 June)

Wed 2 June 7pm – Fun introduction to drumming for beginners with Andy Franklin

The evening is a beginners guide to drumming and will last around two to three hours depending on how enthusiastic people are! It will be a chance for people who have always been interested in having a go at playing to find out what it is all about.

The evening is open to all age groups and no experience is needed. Andy will discuss and look at the playing of many styles from around the world and invite people to have a go at playing. Participants will be encouraged to understand the basic mechanics of drumming and that it is a fun, exciting and varied thing to do.

Thur 3 June 7.30pm - Lewis Forde + Hoof + Out of No Where + Animal Noise

Compere and poetry: Mark Brayley.

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Lewis Ford – spoken word
Hoof – Essex punk
Out of No Where – Colchester’s newest Indie band
Animal Noise - Folk rock. Flamenco guitar and baleric beats
Plus poetry and more from our very own Mark Brayley and guests

Fri 4 June 7.30pm - Love Love presents 'A Psychonautical Discordian Extravaganza.’

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Love Love is back in Colchester for the first time in 3 years bringing you 4 hours of deadly serious silly music including:

The Abominable Mr. Tinkler
The Fez!
Phuq
Cleggfu
The Caulfield Beats
Idiosynthesis
Dreadman vs. Bag10

Sat 5 June 3pm - Cover Stories Jazz band

Smooth and sexy afternoon jazz!

Sat 5 June 7.30pm – Lee Ashcroft presents John Callaghan, Modal Roberts, Jim Tozzi and more.

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Dead Air Live presents:

DAL01 An evening of music, comedy and live art including:
John Callaghan
Big in Albania
Kelvin and Crease
Modal Roberts
Rebecca Wigmore
Twocsinak

Sun 6 June 6.30pm – Artslink meeting

Artists networking meeting featuring presentation from artist Paula Vans

The next meeting of Artslink Colchester will be on Sunday 6th June at 6.30pm at Slack Space premises in Queen Street, Colchester. Please try to come along and, as always, bring whoever to wish. The meetings are proving to be popular, interesting and informative. As usual, nibbles will be provided but please bring a bottle of your choice.

This month Paula Vans, an up and coming and exciting young artist, will be giving a presentation on her work prior to her exhibition at the Digby Gallery starting 15th June until 5th July.

Thur – Sat evening events are guest list only. E mail colchesterslackers(at)googlemail.com for inclusion

Transition - Catherine Litton

For full details of every poster upon display across Colchester, and a guide to their location, click here and here (then click on "all sizes" for a closer look)

The exhibition will run from 12 to 29 May and features prominent 'all bright and beautiful' local artist Catherine Litton. Catherine will show paintings and drawings spanning 30 years of work and will be painting a huge new work live in the space for the duration of the show.

Don't miss this opportunity to view a range of amazing work and see the development of one of the area's most respected and loved artists, as well as the chance to see her at work in the space.

You can find more details on Catherine's work on her website

A personal report from Dorian of the "Guerrilla Shakespeare Company":

Guerrilla Shakespeare Company's "Happy Birthday Mr Shakespeare" from Dorian Kelly on Vimeo.

The two recent performance of "Happy Birthday Mr Shakespeare" at The Space in Colchester were very much appreciated by the audience. Shakespeare can be a little daunting, so I was delighted that so many people appeared to enjoy it mightily. All the comments I heard were good and the voluntary donations to Slack Space were generous- for which we thank you. As a multi-purpose venue, Slack Space is if nothing else eclectic and always willing to present something unusual and different. Its a gallery, a dance space, a workshop area, a lecture hall, a theatre, a concert hall and a social space in equal measure, and its size and excellent acoustics made it a perfect small theatre- even if I did have to lug sixty chairs across town!

The group also gave a triumphant performance in London at Shakespeare's own Bankside Rose Theatre (established 1597), with a good house, including several agents and Shakespeare buffs as well as lots of ordinary theatregoers. I was particularly gratified with an open invitation to bring our next show there. We must have been good.

I am now developing the script with a view to it forming part of the official London Olympics 2012 celebrations - if we get the grant which will make that possible!

Any letters of support which the Guerrilla Shakespeare Company can use in our application will be welcome: as indeed will be any suggestions or criticisms. Please feel free to send them to Colchesterslackers@gmail.com with subject line "Shakespeare comments"

May Mini-Fest

Thur 6th May - 7.30pm Never Mind The Politics - This is Crate Music!

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Escape those election night blues and enjoy a relaxed evening listening to an eclectic selection of dusty vinyl that has been dug from the dark depths of a record crate. Expect plenty of bargain bin discoveries, a few long forgotten treasures and plenty of dust bunnies

Fri 7th May - 7.30pm - An Evening With Jeff Scott

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Sat 8th May- 2pm - Fast Folk from The Meddlars

- 7.30pm - University of Essex Classical Music Society Evening

Sun 9th May - 6.30pm - Artslink meeting featuring talk from artist Catherine Litton.

Artslink is an interactive social networking group for artists, encompassing all the arts. Come along, bring a bottle, nibbles will be provided. Meet fellow artists in an informal social environment. Exchange ideas, promote your events, share your skills and experience. This month esteemed local artist Catherine Litton will be giving a presentation of her work

All events are guest list only. Please e mail for inclusion