Upcoming
Events
EMF at the Commons
Join us for a unique gig taking place at The Commons. Earth Mother Fucker will bring their full sonic assault to a very small room with support by agit-chanter Artificially Yours and DJ Croft.
Early start so get there for 19.30pm
Tickets £8.80
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play
session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to
Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess
sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays
4.30-9.00pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off
Priory Street) CO1 2QG
EMOM: Electronic Music Open Mic!
Clip and the Colchester Electronic Collective Presents
EMOM: Electronic Music Open Mic
Eight acts from across the spectrum of electronic music genres play
short sets of original music. Food and drink will be available for purchase on the night.
All ages are welcome.
Colchester Digital
Join Colchester Digital for an evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Tickets are free, but please sign up. The bar is open with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Colchester Digital is a Meetup group for individuals and businesses in and around the Colchester area. We welcome everyone working or interested in the Creative or Tech industries.
Colchester Digital meets regularly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. We come together to share knowledge, experience, and information, and where possible, to collaborate on a wider scale.
6.30-7.00 Arrive, chat, grab a slice of pizza and drink
6.55-7.00 Welcome and quick intros
7.00-8.00 Talks and presentations by invited guest speakers
8.00-8.30 Final bit of networking before we wrap
Halloween @ The Minories
Our friends at the Minories will be transforming the city's oldest art gallery into a spooky scene straight out of a gothic nightmare, giving you the chance to explore rarely seen places in the building. Experience the Minories as never before.
A spooky host of fun is on offer, including:
- opening and closing rituals
- live music in the Ballroom AND Gothic Folly
- Ghost hunts
- Pumpkin carving
- Storytelling
- And more
Tickets from £30
For more information and to book
Alternative Fireworks Night 2025
An immersive indoor and outdoor light and sound experience, designed to be explored at your own pace. There will be delicious, locally sourced hot food and drinks available for purchase from The Commons Cafe. Some parts of this event take place outside; Please dress appropriately.
What to expect:
An eco (and ear)-friendly alternative to traditional fireworks, with no loud or unpredictable noises.
Ambient light and sound experience in the garden created by Light Artist Extraordinaire 'The Octopus' and DJ Dansette Dave.
Long-exposure photography drop-in sessions throughout the evening with the Light Monkey.
Interactive LED lights/ microbit programming drop-in workshop with Signals Media Arts Centre.
Drop-in workshops with light-themed music-making activities with Frazer Merrick and CLIP.
There will be a quiet space provided at this event for those who equire it to use.
Tickets: Free Entry but booking encouraged
For more info visit: https://www.theminories.org/event/alternative-fireworks-night-2025
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Bread & Butter Vegan Market
A new vegan market night taking place at the Commons every first Thursday of the month, featuring local vegan vendors, community connections, drinks and street food. Free entry, kid-friendly areas.
Groove Jazz Gig & Jam
Join us for an evening of live jazz in The Commons.
Tickets: £10 general / £7 for under-18s and students
This hard-grooving sextet will kick off at 6 pm, playing two sets of swing, funk, and Latin jazz — there will be a space to dance. From 8pm, we’ll open the stage for a jam session — all jazz/funk/ latin musicians and singers welcome to join in!
Expect a relaxed, social evening where you can dance, chat, mingle, or enjoy great live music. The café is fully licensed and will serve snacks.
The band:
Frank Sebastian Weatherley – saxophone
Ian Buzer – trumpet
Tony Gooderham – keys
Andy Watson – guitar
Josh Graham – bass
Elmer Van Der Hoek – drums
Entry is through the back door in the wall behind The Minories, opposite the Firstsite gallery.
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Colchester Café Scientifique: Not Just For Sailors Any More: The Untold History of Tattooing
Tattooing, we've been told again and again recently, is coming of age- finally coming out of the murky shadows of the deviant underworld to leave its mark on the most well-heeled. Tattoos are now to be seen on catwalks, on trading floors and around the chicest tables.
The popular media has been reporting the arrival of tattooing in high society for nearly one hundred and fifty years. Indeed, in 1926, Vanity Fair reported that “tattooing has passed from the savage to the sailor, from the sailor to the landsman, and is now to be found beneath many a tailored shirt”.
In this talk, Dr. Matt Lodder Senior Lecturer in Art History and Theory at the University of Essex will discuss the long history of professional tattooing in the Western world, and ask why this ancient art always seems to feel so confusingly new.
Colchester Café Scientifique started in 2010 and is a place where, for the price of a cup of tea or coffee, people can learn about and discuss scientific issues. The speakers give their time free of charge.
Admission is free by ticket only.
They are issued on a first come first served basis from
Access will be via the garden gate entrance at the rear.
For directions, see:- https://what3words.com/formed.handle.sits
For details of previous meetings, visit cafescientifique.org
Visit the Facebook Page:- www.facebook.com/cafescientifiquecolchester
West African Drumming with Hassan
Hassan of "Drumz Kool" has been playing and teaching West African Percussion for nearly 20 years. He has been taught by Famoudu Konaté, the top most master of this art form from Guinea, West Africa.
For a better understanding of exactly what Hassan does please see "Drumz Kool" on youtube.
Fee - £15 per person (cash only)
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
India Flatbread Making Workshop with Hetal
Learn the art of Indian Flatbread from scratch with Hetal from Good Food Karma. In this session you will learn:
How to mix and bind the perfect dough
Rolling techniques for soft chapattis, fluffy puris and layered parathas
Cooking tips for fluffiness and flavour
Fun, hands-on experience in a cosy café setting!
No experience needed. Perfect your skills with expert guidance.
Price: £35 (all material included)
To book: contact 0748267636 / commongroundcolchester@gmail.com
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Colchester Digital
Join Colchester Digital for an evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Tickets are free, but please sign up. The bar is open with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Colchester Digital is a Meetup group for individuals and businesses in and around the Colchester area. We welcome everyone working or interested in the creative or Tech industries.
Colchester Digital meets regularly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. We come together to share knowledge, experience, and information, and where possible, to collaborate on a wider scale.
6.30-7.00 Arrive, chat, grab a slice of pizza and drink
6.55-7.00 Welcome and quick intros
7.00-8.00 Talks and presentations by invited guest speakers
8.00-8.30 Final bit of networking before we wrap
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Bread & Butter Vegan Market
A new vegan market night taking place at the Commons every first Thursday of the month, featuring local vegan vendors, community connections, drinks and street food. Free entry, kid-friendly areas.
West African Drumming with Hassan
Hassan of "Drumz Kool" has been playing and teaching West African Percussion for nearly 20 years. He has been taught by Famoudu Konaté, the top most master of this art form from Guinea, West Africa.
For a better understanding of exactly what Hassan does please see "Drumz Kool" on youtube.
Fee - £15 per person (cash only)
Colchester Digital
Join Colchester Digital for an evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Tickets are free, but please sign up. The bar is open with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Colchester Digital is a Meetup group for individuals and businesses in and around the Colchester area. We welcome everyone working or interested in the creative or Tech industries.
Colchester Digital meets regularly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. We come together to share knowledge, experience, and information, and where possible, to collaborate on a wider scale.
6.30-7.00 Arrive, chat, grab a slice of pizza and drink
6.55-7.00 Welcome and quick intros
7.00-8.00 Talks and presentations by invited guest speakers
8.00-8.30 Final bit of networking before we wrap
Colchester Digital
Join Colchester Digital for an evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Tickets are free, but please sign up. The bar is open with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Colchester Digital is a Meetup group for individuals and businesses in and around the Colchester area. We welcome everyone working or interested in the creative or Tech industries.
Colchester Digital meets regularly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. We come together to share knowledge, experience, and information, and where possible, to collaborate on a wider scale.
6.30-7.00 Arrive, chat, grab a slice of pizza and drink
6.55-7.00 Welcome and quick intros
7.00-8.00 Talks and presentations by invited guest speakers
8.00-8.30 Final bit of networking before we wrap
Colchester Digital
Join Colchester Digital for an evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Tickets are free, but please sign up. The bar is open with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Colchester Digital is a Meetup group for individuals and businesses in and around the Colchester area. We welcome everyone working or interested in the creative or Tech industries.
Colchester Digital meets regularly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. We come together to share knowledge, experience, and information, and where possible, to collaborate on a wider scale.
6.30-7.00 Arrive, chat, grab a slice of pizza and drink
6.55-7.00 Welcome and quick intros
7.00-8.00 Talks and presentations by invited guest speakers
8.00-8.30 Final bit of networking before we wrap
Roll the Credits: Scream
This October Roll the Credits will be discussing Scream (1996), Wes Craven’s iconic slasher.
Roll the Credits is a monthly horror film discussion club which picks one film each month, watch it individually and then come together to discuss what haunted us most.
Our aim is simple: one film, one conversation, once a month.
So watch Scream in your own time, then join us as we unravel the horror that lingers long after the credits roll.
https://www.instagram.com/_rollthecredits?igsh=MTMyaG9rYWpndTZkbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
India Flatbread Making Workshop with Hetal
Learn the art of Indian Flatbread from scratch with Hetal from Good Food Karma. In this session, you will learn:
How to mix and bind the perfect dough
Rolling techniques for soft chapattis, fluffy puris and layered parathas
Cooking tips for fluffiness and flavour
Fun, hands-on experience in a cosy café setting!
No experience needed. Perfect your skills with expert guidance.
Price: £35 (all materials included)
To book: contact 0748267636 / commongroundcolchester@gmail.com
Meanwhile Garden Cyanotypes
Join artists Angenita Teekens and Kirsta McSkimming to celebrate a new portrait of the Beth Chatto Meanwhile Garden, made in collaboration with the local community. Angenita and Kirsta were awarded funding from Colchester Arts and Culture Events to produce a portrait of the Meanwhile Garden using Cyanotype photography. They ran three workshops in the garden, and participants learned how to make a Cyanotype print by exploring the textures, shapes, seedheads of the plants thriving in the garden.
Free event, no booking required
About the Meanwhile Garden
Colchester’s newest community green space, The Beth Chatto Meanwhile Garden, officially opened in July. It is situated behind the Minories and alongside Firstsite, on a patch of land that used to be the waiting room of the bus station. The planting has transformed an unused brownfield site into a public pocket park for the residents of Colchester to use and enjoy. The transformation began in December 2023, and the garden has been planted on top of rubble. It has been deliberately designed for both ornamental and spontaneous wild plants, a unique combination providing a rich offering for insects and wildlife.
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play
session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to
Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess
sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays
4.30-9.00pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off
Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Pub Night at the Commons
A new weekend night at the Commons, offering a chance to kick back at the end of a busy working week, and enjoy a drink with friends.
Drop in, no booking required.
Finding Common Ground: The Commons’ Social
Join us for the new regular Social at the Commons, ‘Finding Common Ground’.
The Commons is run by Common Ground Colchester, a cooperative with an active and thriving community at its heart. The Café is an important hub not only for our community, but for everyone - it’s where we meet, eat, drink, and make connections. The Social is a chance to meet like-minded people and relax with some food and drink.
Don’t worry if you are shy when socialising or new to networking, community members will be there to meet and greet, and there will be some fun activities to create conversation and help you connect.
There will be a pay bar during the evening, with bar snacks and food to purchase for those feeling peckish. Food offering for October’s Social: Vegetable Curry or Dahl with Rice for £8
Free entry, no booking required, so drop in and bring friends!
Colchester Café Scientifique: How sex determination works in humans: it's more than just chromosomes
Many people have heard that males and females have different chromosomes: XX and XY.
But why do they have different chromosomes, and how does this then lead to male or female development?
In this talk given by Dr. Benjamin Skinner from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Essex we will explore the messy reality of how sex is determined - and how biological sex is not the simple binary we sometimes assume.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Colchester Café Scientifique started in 2010 and is a place where, for the price of a cup of tea or coffee, people can learn about and discuss scientific issues. The speakers give their time free of charge.
Admission is free by ticket only.
They are issued on a first come first served basis from
Access will be via the garden gate entrance at the rear. For directions, see:- https://what3words.com/formed.handle.sits
For details of previous meetings, visit cafescientifique.org
Visit the Facebook Page:- www.facebook.com/cafescientifiquecolchester
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play
session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to
Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess
sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays
4.30-9.00pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off
Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Pattern Up: Celebrating UK Dance Music
Ten Ton Beats a multi genre UK based record label presents An event celebrating UK Dance music all on one dancefloor, Drum and Bass, Bassline House, UK Garage, Grime, Liquid DnB. This is also a celebration of the fact that the UK is a great example of all of the different cultures from all over the world that have settled in the UK bringing their different rhythms and types of music and incorporating it into UK music culture. We have an extremely rich, vibrant and diverse dance music which reflects nations from everywhere. This is why this event proudly supports Colchester Against Racism.
Tickets: £5
West African Drumming with Hassan
Hassan of "Drumz Kool" has been playing and teaching West African Percussion for nearly 20 years. He has been taught by Famoudu Konaté, the top most master of this art form from Guinea, West Africa.
For a better understanding of exactly what Hassan does please see "Drumz Kool" on youtube.
Fee - £15 per person (cash only)
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play
session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to
Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess
sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays
4.30-9.00pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off
Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Autumn Breads making workshop
Come join us at The Commons Community Kitchen and Café at The Minories on October 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM for a fun and interactive workshop on making delicious autumn breads!
Get ready to roll up your sleeves, mix some dough, and bake your way to warm, aromatic loaves perfect for the cozy fall season.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn new bread-making skills and connect with fellow baking enthusiasts.
During the workshop, we will make from scratch the following breads :
Chestnuts and honey Bread
Butternut Squash, herbs and chillies bread
Beetroot Bread
Suitable for all abilities, hot drinks, refreshments and recipes will be included.
Bread & Butter Vegan Market
A new vegan market night taking place at the Commons every first Thursday of the month, featuring local vegan vendors, community connections, drinks and street food. Free entry, kid-friendly areas.
Sushi Making Workshop with Eko
Learn the art of sushi rolling in a fun, hands on workshop with Eko!
Contact eikobattersby@hotmail.com direct for booking & enquiries.
Workshop taking place in The Girling Room at The Minories & the kitchen at The Commons.
Boys & Men's Beats and Eats.
Join us for a FREE Community Event in Colchester.
Connect and Celebrate with live music, diverse food, and fashion showcases.
Open to all ages
What to expect
- Music by Manthiong'o
- Breakdance by Isaac
- Kids play and face painting
- DJ Live mixing
- Poetry
- Open Mic
Purchase food and drinks at the cafe and stalls:
- Nyama Choma ,Ugali / Mokimo / Kachumbari- Jolof Rice
- Seasonal vegetarian food
- Sourdough Sandwiches
- Cakes
- BBQ
Folk Singaround with East Anglian Folklore Centre.
As we bid farewell to the Summertime and welcome the Autumn months, come together with our community to raise our voices and sing together!
We welcome you to join the first Singaround in The Commons Cafe, organised to raise funds for the East Anglian Folklore Centre to help keep them open and able to continue the beautiful community space they have created over the past year. Please do let us know you're coming and, if you can, include a donation, any amount is greatly appreciated!
Find out more about the East Anglian Folklore Centre and why they need to fundraise here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/east-anglian-folklore-centre
There will be drinks available to purchase from The Commons Cafe and some of the books from the East Anglian Folklore Centre's extensive library will be available to peruse. We're holding onto half a hope we might be able to sing in the beautiful Minories garden if the early Autumn weather is kind to us, but if not, we will can stay warm in the cosy comfort of The Commons.
Never been to a Singaround before?
Find out what to expect:
What is a Singaround? A Singaround is an event where folks get together to sing!Usually one person will lead a song and those who know it will join in particularly during choruses. Often the songs are from the "folk tradition", but we welcome any songs people may want to share.
Do I have to sing? No! No one will be obliged to sing but we will make sure that everyone who wants to is given the space to.You also don't need to be a "good" singer to join in or even lead a song.You are still welcome to join even if you don't want to sing and just enjoy the uplifting atmosphere and refreshments from The Commons.
What if I don't know any folk songs? There will be a song book with popular Singaround folk songs for those who don't know the songs or might want a reminder of some classics. You will also likely find you will pick up the chorus or hook of a song after hearing it once or twice and we able to join in.And we aren't strict on what a folk song is or isn't! You are welcome to share any song you think people may enjoy singing together.If you are singing an original song or one most people may not be familiar with we would encourage you to perhaps share the chorus with everyone first so they can join in.Please be conscious of remaining inclusive to everyone and avoid songs with offensive language.
Do I have to stay the whole time? We hope you can! But if you need to leave early or come late that's not a problem. If you come late it might be good to check the song you want to sing hasn't already been done
Introduction to Cacao and Mayan Cosmologies with Hannah Stephenson
Introduction to Cacao and Mayan
Cosmologies with Hannah Stephenson
Discover the ancient wisdom of cacao, journeying from bean to bar through the ecosystem. Learn how to prepare cacao and incorporate this heart medicine into your daily rituals. Connect with cacao through the lens of the Mayan Cosmology and learn how these communities work alongside the elements; earth, water, fire, and air to guide deeper heart healing.
This workshop is open to anyone curious about the transformative benefits and energetic qualities of cacao, as well as those interested in mindfulness, intention-setting, and cultivating deeper connections with self and community.
Fee: £13.70
India Flatbread making workshop with Hetal
Chapatti Puri and Parartha Workshop
Learn the art of Indian Flatbread from scratch
Workshop by Hetal from Good Food Karma
Fee: £35
EMOM
Eight acts from across the spectrum of electronic music genres play short sets of original music.
Food and drink will be available for purchase on the night.
All ages are welcome.
Sunset Sounds with Project Lando +Korena Kitchen Summer Pop-up Dinner
DJ Project Lando headlines this show with a liquid set played
under the folly in The Minories walled garden.
Drinks from The Commons Café.
£5 – £15
Colchester Digital
Hosted by Creative Coop
https://creativecolchester.org.uk/directory/creative-coop/
Art of the Roadz presents: Outdoor Festival and Market (Free)
A showcase of local rappers organised by Felc.
FREE ENTRY
Bantu Bowls
Bantu Bowls:
Local Farm Pop-up with Afro-Caribbean inspired food and music
Fee: £15
Basic Bread Making Workshop
Giovanni : Freelance Baking Teacher, Bread Baker, Pizza Chef. Ambassador The Real Bread CampaignHe offers a wide range of classes suitable for all abilities in different venues across Essex, Suffolk & London areas. Join to start your baking journey !
Booking essential via
giothebakingteacher@gmail.com