An eye-opening film featuring nine leading UK scientists and experts updating us on the latest in the climate and nature crisis and how it impacts on our everyday life.

• Extreme weather

• Food security

• Health

• Cost of living

Based on the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster, as covered by ITV, C4 and The Times. Followed by a short open discussion about what it means locally and what we can do

Featuring Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, surprise guests and a wide range of Brits. 

See nebriefing.org for more information on the film screening

Please email to reserve a seat

mcneilj27@outlook.com | limited spaces available, pre booking required

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.

The Ember Sessions

curated folk sessions; intimate; live drawing.

session # 2

Tickets £12

Join the ember mailing list for a discounted ticket price

Access will be via the garden gate entrance at the rear of The Minories (Opposite Firstsite)

£30 per person- including one free drink from the Commons Cafe
Beginner Friendly
Any queries please email hello@croucherli.co.uk
To book, please follow the link below

Access will be via the garden gate entrance at the rear of The Minories (Opposite Firstsite)

Jazz for Gaza

Sat 18th April | 7.30–10.00pm (doors 6.30pm)

Join us for an evening of amazing live jazz, community, and solidarity at a special fundraising gig in support of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The quartet features outstanding international acclaimed musicians:

Chris Allard on guitar www.chrisallard.co.uk (seven albums under his name, member of BBC big band, toured amongst many others with Jacqui Dankworth MBE,Dame Cleo Laine, Sir John Dankworth, Omar Kamal, the BBC Big Band, Jamie Cullum).

Dudley Phillips on bass www.dudleyphillips.com (toured with Mark Knopfler, Bill Withers, recorded with Amy Winehouse, Robert Wyatt, amongst many other projects).

David Holland on keys www.sessionkeysplayer.co.uk on (works across classical, commercial, EDM, jazz and many other genres with 20 years of experience as music producer, editor and composer for international media).

On drums with be local jazz gig & jam organiser Elmer van der Hoek.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly to MAP, a charity providing essential medical care and support to Palestinian communities in need. Through music, we aim to raise both funds and awareness, standing in compassion and unity with those affected by ongoing humanitarian challenges.

Expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere, powerful live music, and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Whether you're a longtime jazz lover or simply want to support a vital cause, your presence will help amplify the impact.

Come for the music, stay for the message — and be part of an evening where art and action come together.

Tickets | £20 or £12 Full Time Education

Book via the link below | Doors open at 7pm

Join us for this monthly lunch club at the Commons Café and community space at the Minories. This informal gathering takes place on the third Wednesday of the month and is an opportunity for casual networking and friendship. Bring friends, or come on your own as a way to meet new people – all welcome.

A variety of vegetarian food and drink will be available to buy at the café.

Please RSVP:

Let us know you’re coming by emailing events@commongroundcolchester.co.uk

POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE

The big C is back in Colchester, and they’re bringing a night of sunshine-soaked soul, indie, jazz and grooves to the oldest art
gallery in England’s oldest recorded city.

Expect sofas on the lawn, rugs underfoot, blankets at dusk and brass echoing against historic walls. One of the city centre’s only green spaces becomes a sanctuary for sound - bringing summer energy into spring.

Locally sourced food and drinks will be available from The Commons Café, the on-site plant-based cooperative.

An evening of homecomings, resilience and immersive live music.

Tickets £20

Porto & Hamza
Debut Colchester Performance

Cyprus-born and Culver Street’s favourite barista, Porto finally steps out from behind the coffee counter and onto centre stage.

After years of soundtracking our mornings, he makes his official Colchester debut alongside his close friend Hamza. Their instrumental acoustic guitar duet blends flamenco and gypsy jazz — rhythmic,
intimate and transportive.

From espresso machine to garden stage — a full-circle Colchester moment.

Amber Burgoyne
Full Band Homecoming

Essex-born, Brighton-based Amber Burgoyne returns home with her full band for the performance we’ve been waiting for.

Fusing soul, jazz and folk, her sound combines smooth acoustic guitar,
sweet saxophone and storytelling lyricism with a voice described as one that “melts your heart.”

Her track My Head Will Be Back Around Noon has surpassed one million streams and featured on Spotify’s Jazz UK playlist. She has performed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Brighton Dome and sold out The Green Door
Store.

Gabriela Eva
Trio Set

Returning to Colchester after her debut UK tour, Gabriela Eva brings her new trio to the garden stage.

A proudly dyslexic singer-songwriter championing neurodiversity and mental health, Gabriela blends indie-pop, alternative soul, folk R&B and subtle Afrobeat influences, all threaded with jazz sensibility.
Expect warm vocals, three-part harmonies and deeply honest songwriting.

Her single Feng Shui surpassed one million streams, and her EP Recovery received support from Radio X, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 6.

N E ONE The Wonderer
Full band

NEONE is a musical alchemist, mixing genres to create unique, signature sounds. His music is an eclectic Jazz-grime fusion, taking
inspiration from Neo-soul. Neone intertwines captivating stories between his instrumental environment and lyrical journey through myth, wonder and life experience. He produces and vocals contagious tracks,
incorporating live musicians to create a wholesome feel. Neone’s recordings come to life on stage, generating a charged but immersive, safe space for self-exploration. Through metaphor, he shares his
vulnerability, he gives listeners an artistic, uplifting approach to confronting inner demons to develop strength and self-love.

Born and raised in Wolverhampton, Neone has been motivated by music and art from a young age. From rapping, producing and keyboards, Neone is a versatile performer, continuing to work closely with many artists
and companies across the UK and worldwide.

You are invited to a night of jazz at the Commons Café!

Organ-guitar trio featuring outstanding internationally acclaimed musicians:

Jim Watson is a pianist, organist, composer and improviser who is currently working with Manu Katche with recent collaborations with Sting, Katie Melua, Kurt Elling, Chrissie Hynde, Incognito, Richard Bona and many others. He recently released a solo album ' Calling you home' which received excellent reviews https://jimwatson.net/.

Chris Allard is a freelance guitarist based in Wivenhoe. He has performed at major venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Pyramids and Great Sphinx (Cairo), the Barbican, Montreux Jazz Festival and Ronnie Scott’s. He has released several albums under his name and has performed and recorded with the likes of Jacqui Dankworth, Dave O’Higgins, Dame Cleo Laine, Sir John Dankworth, Jamie Cullum and regularly tours with the BBC Big Band www.chrisallard.co.uk.

Elmer Van Der Hoek is a local jazz drummer who has been arranging jazz gigs and jam in Colchester for over 15 years.

Beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will be available from the bar.

The band will be playing two sets between 7.30 - 10 pm .

Entrance is via the back door in the wall behind the Minories, just across the Firstsite Art Centre. Doors open 6.30pm.

Tickets: £10 general / £7 for <18 and in full education.

Available via QR code, online via https://good-show.co.uk/events/3532 at the café, or on the door.

The Commons Café at The Minories

74 High St, Colchester CO1 1UE

This class has been postponed to a later date, please check back soon!

Join us for this monthly lunch club at the Commons Café and community space at the Minories. This informal gathering takes place on the third Wednesday of the month and is an opportunity for casual networking and friendship. Bring friends, or come on your own as a way to meet new people – all welcome.

A variety of vegetarian food and drink will be available to buy at the café.

Drop in, no booking required.

8pm - midnight (doors open 7.30pm)

You are invited to this Jazz party with a jam in the Commons cafe. At 8pm A heavy grooving sextet will play two sets swing, funk and Latin
jazz, followed by a jam session at 10pm - all jazz / funk/ latin musicians and singers welcome to join in.

This will be a sociable event where you can mingle, show off on the dance floor or just chill and enjoy the live music with a drink.
The cafe is selling wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.The band features these fine musicians:

Carl Sterling – saxophone, Ian Buzer – trumpet, Tony Gooderham – keys,
Gareth George – guitar, Josh Graham – bass,   Elmer Van Der Hoek –
drums

This talk explores hydrogen’s growing role in the fight against climate change, examining where it fits in the near-term energy transition and how it could reshape the way we power our lives over
the coming century. From decarbonising heavy industry and transport to supporting renewable energy systems, hydrogen promises both opportunity and controversy.

Thomas Liddy, PhD candidate from the University of Nottingham, will introduce the fundamentals of hydrogen, its current and emerging role within the UK energy landscape, and the challenges that lie ahead. The talk will also showcase examples of cutting-edge research across all aspects of this topic.

Admission is free by ticket only.  (SOLD OUT)
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