Colchester Arts Centre
Add to favourites- Telephone 01206 500900
- Box office times Mon–Sat 10.30am–5.30pm; closed Sun.
- Website www.colchesterartscentre.com
The Brit Funk Association
All-Star Brit Funk Supergroup featuring members of Beggar & Co, Hi-Tension, Central Line and ex-members of Light of the World & Incognito.
The Brit-Funk genre started in the late 1970's and was a catch-all phrase coined by Record Mirror Magazine's James Hamilton to describe the distinctive mix of jazz-fusion-funk-disco music being made by UK bands such as Level 42, Light of the World, Freeez, Shakatak, Central Line, Hi-Tension, Morrissey / Mullen, Second Image, Direct Drive, Linx and Incognito.
The Brit-Funk Association is a new project featuring musicians from Beggar & Co, Central Line, Hi-Tension and ex-members of Light of the World and Incognito to perform from each of the band's back catalogue such as "Time", "Somebody (Help Me Out)", "Walking Into Sunshine", "Hi-Tension", "British Hustle", "There's a Reason", "I'm So Happy", "London Town", "Nature Boy", "Everyday" and choice selections of band's that influenced them by acts such as Mass Production, Kool & The Gang, Roy Ayers Ubiquity etc
Sat 29 Jun
Prices to be confirmed
Clearwater Creedence Revival
Selling out at venues all over the world, Clearwater Creedence Revival feature road-hardened players who, collectively have performed with – Stax legend Steve Cropper, Big Country, Denny Laine (Wings, Moody Blues), Eric Haydocks Hollies, Animals And Friends, Alan Silson (Smokie), Wayne Fontana’s Mindbenders and more.
Together, they are the best celebration of the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Fogerty you’re ever likely to see – and a band selling out all over the world, as audiences in Germany, Israel,Russia, Holland, Scandinavia, UK and more will attest! A tribute band like no other.
Thu 25 Jan
£33
Daliso Chaponda: Apocalypse Not Now
The Britain's Got Talent finalist returns with a new hour of observational comedy, reflecting on the hellish year of 2020 and how he made lemonade out of lemons.
Tue 21 May
£19.10
The Devout
Fast becoming The Worlds number one Depeche Mode Tribute Act, The Devout have brought the Depeche Mode experience to another level visually, aurally and musically.
Fri 29 Nov
Prices to be confirmed
Fiona Allen: On the Run
Double Emmy Award winner and star of Smack The Pony is doing her first ever show.
Like most working mums, since her children were born she didn't have a moment for herself. Now free, she has tried new hobbies, new places, even attempting to get fit.
Difficult when your spirit animal is a sloth. With nowhere left to turn she went on the road as a stand-up.
A show about family, marriage, and things that truly annoy her. It's a show for everyone, even those passive-aggressive school mums.
Fri 22 Mar
Prices to be confirmed
Jonny & The Baptists: Dance Like It Never Happened
Jonny and Paddy and back on the road again! Bringing their brand new show 'Dance Like it Never Happened' on tour.
And they've missed you all!
So what is this new hilarious show about? Grief. Its about Grief.
In 2019, we lost another election, our place in Europe and, worst of all, a dearly beloved friend. We are no strangers to grief, but it hurt.
Then in 2020, we all lost the world as we knew it. Our decades-long system of "dealing with emotions" (ignore them, drink heavily and make jokes) finally broke. We finally broke.
In their most honest and personal show yet, Jonny & The Baptists learn to accept and engage with their grief, telling the story of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance through their trademark blend of silly, joyful songs, deadpan stand-up and riotous storytelling.
Finding meaning, humour and beauty in the hardest part of life.
So come and see us, have a laugh and maybe a cry - but definitely a laugh.
Sun 16 Jun
£17.60
Justin Moorhouse: Stretch & Think
Justin is back: still funny, yet middle-aged. A brand-new show that may contain: yoga, getting older, Madonna, shoplifters, labradoodles, middle-aged cyclists, The Menopause, running, hating football fans but loving football, not drinking, funerals, 'Is tapas a rip off?', Captain Tom, Droylsden, the environment, self-improvement, ruining a sexual position, electric car charging spots used by doggers, nursery graduation, horses, Stig lookalikes, home-cooked food but not in your own home, the odd advantages of fundamental religions, the gym, shop-door etiquette. And he's got a new suit. Come, it'll be fun. ★★★★ (Chortle.co.uk).
Sun 3 Mar
£16.50
The Killaz UK
The Killaz UK: Recreating performances of hits such as ‘Mr. Brightside’ and ‘When You Were Young’ and even extended live versions of songs such as ‘Human’ and ‘Smile Like You Mean It’ The Killaz UK ensure the best Killers live tribute experience.
Fri 28 Jun
£22
Let There B/DC - The AC/DC Show
From the promoter of the original line up of AC/DC including Bon Scott on the Power Age Tour in 1978, John Hessenthaler presents Let There B/DC - The AC/DC Show.
What makes AC/DC such an exciting, pulse pounding band and how do we recreate the fire of their live performances
That's the main question we asked ourselves when we fired up the rock and roll train that was to become LET THERE B/DC way back in February 2011.
From the very start we knew it had to be raw, exciting and authentic as possible.
Recapturing the essence of an AC/DC performance was never going to be easy, but countless fans have told us time and time again that weve succeeded and are the closest thing they've ever heard to the real thing.
Our current five man line-up have had AC/DC running through their veins since childhood and our passion for the music injects the venom into every 2 hour plus show that we play.
We deliver all the favourites such as Highway to Hell, Whole Lotta Rosie and Thunderstruck together with rare and seldom heard album tracks such as Walk All Over You, Soul Stripper, Kicked in The Teeth and many many more.
With our 3 longest serving members consisting of Neil (Malcolm Young/Guitar), Paddy (Phil Rudd/Drums) and Steve (Cliff Williams/Bass) making up the engine room, it gives Dave (Angus Young/Guitar) and Andrew (Brian Johnson/Bon Scott/Vocals) room to really fly and take our show to a whole new level.
We pride ourselves on never usually playing the same set list twice, so you never know what you might hear!
Whether you've been a fan from the very beginning or never seen us live before, we go all out in every show to give you a night to remember for a very long time.
Fri 23 Feb
£22
Nick Helm: What Have We Become?
Plosive Live
As the survivors of a global pandemic crawl from their fortified boltholes and begin to rebuild society, what is left of them and who amongst them dares to lead them to the light? Join critically acclaimed and multi award-winning comedian Nick Helm as he embarks on a show so insightful, so honest, so legitimate that it will fix all of society's problems and lead the way to a new plane of existence. This is the future. The future is now. 'A true mastermind' ★★★★★ (EdFestMag.com). 'Terrific' ★★★★ (Times). 'Triumphant' ★★★★ (List).
Audience participation, Contains distressing themes, Strobe lighting, Strong language/swearing
Age category: 16+
Tue 14 May
Prices to be confirmed
Paul Foot: Dissolve
IMWP
Greetings! It's my brand-new show, baybayyy! Ever considered the unique predicament of the soft-shell crab? I have. What about the numerous problems of organising a suburban orgy? The catering, for example. It's an absolute nightmare! The multi award-winning and critically acclaimed comedian presents his 10th solo Edinburgh show prior to extensive tours of the UK, Australia and New Zealand. 'Flat-out hilarious throughout, he remains one of the most original laugh-makers at the Fringe, consistently brilliant… this is live comedy at its most original' ★★★★★ (New European). 'A deranged genius' ★★★★ (Sydney Morning Herald).
Age category: 14+
Sat 20 Apr
Prices to be confirmed
Underground Sounds Presents The Blockheads Christmas Party!
The Blockheads are back in Colchester for a Christmas Party, with special guest performances!
Starting out as the band behind Ian Dury, the Blockheads are a legendary outfit that has grown in stature from the early days of the Stiff tour in 1977, right up to the present day. Backing up Ian Dury's poetic lyrics, this is the band that brought you 'Hit Me with your Rhythm Stick', 'What A Waste', 'Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3)', and 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll', among many others.
Rarely off the road since the demise of Ian Dury in 2000, the Blockheads are still one of the most underrated British bands of all time, with a legion of fans of all ages.
Mon 18 Dec
£33
Viggo Venn: British Comedian
Norwegian clown Viggo Venn moved to this country with one dream: to be a British comedian.
The rest, you already know about. After blowing away the competition in an explosion of hi-vis jackets, balloons, and joyous idiocy, Viggo became the most talked-about new entertainer in the country by winning Britain's Got Talent in June 2023.
Wed 17 Jan
£22
Fri 19 Jan
Sold out
The venue promotes a wide range of contemporary performing arts including comedy theatre and live music covering folk, world, pop and rock as well as children's workshops and farmers' markets. The centre has showcased several big names on their road to stardom including Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton, The Libertines and The Killers.
There is no parking outside the venue in Church Street, except for performers/contractors loading in and out but parking is available on St Mary's Car Park on Balkerne Hill. The nearest railway station is Colchester Town.
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