Upcoming
Events
Don't Fight The Land That Feeds You - Film Screening
Exclusive local film screening event at The Commons
EMOM - Electronic Music Open Mic
Colchester EMOM 2nd Brithday Party at The Commons Café.
Live music performance, DJs and Cakes..
Free entry, drinks & snacks available from the café.
Easter Jazz Groove Gig & Jam
Sat 19th April 8pm Easter Groove Jazz party with jam in the Commons cafe at the back of the Minories in Colchester. Our sextet will play danceable swing, funk and latin jazz grooves to which you can salsa, tango, swing, headbang or freestyle; This time we will ensure a dedicated dance floor! The band are Frank Sebastian on sax, Ian Buzer on trumpet, Tony Gooderham on keys, Gareth George on guitar, Tony Sandeman on bass and Elmer Van Der Hoek on drums.
This will be a sociable event where you can mingle, chat, dance or you just chill and enjoy the music.
The cafe is selling wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
The band will play two sets 8-10pm before opening the stage for other musicians, including singers, to take part in the jam until midnight. Doors open 7.30pm.
Book Here: https://good-show.co.uk/events/211
Sunset Sounds
Join us for the first in a new series of events hosted by The Commons in The Minories secret walled garden. Sunset Sounds will see musicians & DJ's performing under the iconic folly in the garden. Expect Live music, local bites, and late-night vibes...
For Session 1, Colchester based, internationally recognised DJ Just Craig will be bringing the soothing sounds of R&B and Hip Hop with splashes of Afrobeats & Amapiano... it's summer nights, reimagined! Bantu Bowls: local ingredient inspired streetfood will be served from 6:30pm. We've got soft drinks as well as wine, beer & cider, organic coffee & locally baked sweet treats. This is a family friendly event, all welcome in our safe space community venue.
There is a backup plan to ensure that this event takes place inside the venue if necesarry due to weather conditions.
Twilight in the garden
Extended opening hours as we stay open right through until 9pm. Local steel food bites served from 6pm. Chilled garden playlist and drinks.
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)
Café Scientifique
Understanding Infant Crying, Sleeping, and Feeding:
Every parent experiences challenges with their baby’s crying, sleeping, and feeding. But what’s normal, and when should you be concerned?
Dr. Ayten Bilgin from the Department of Psychology at the University of Essex will explore how babies develop these essential skills, what happens when they struggle, and what it could mean for their future.
She will discuss common regulatory problems, why some infants have more difficulties than others, and how early challenges can impact later emotional and behavioural development. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, professional, or just wonder how babies work, this talk offers practical insights for everyone!
Doors open at 6:30pm until 9:00pm
Admission is Free by Ticket only
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
Sofar Sounds
Creating space where music and arts matter. Sofar brings artists and audiences together through unique live music experiences in surprising spaces.
Free Energy Advice
Join Martina & Chris from Community Energy Colchester CIC to discuss reducing your bills & saving energy.
Art of the Roadz presents: Felc and Friends
A showcase of local rappers organised by Felc.
FREE ENTRY
The Commons & The Minories CLOSED
The Minors building, including The Commons Café will be closed for the winter break. Reopening on Thursday 9th January from 10am-4pm.
Xmas Jazz Party
Xmas Jazz party with jam in the Commons cafe at the back of the Minories in Colchester. The power septet 'Fuzz' will start off the evening playing danceable swing, funk and latin jazz grooves. The band consists of Frank Sebastian on sax, Cameron Scott on euphonium & trombone, Ian Buzer on trumpet, Tony Gooderham on keys, Gareth George on guitar, Joshua Graham on bass, Adrian Wiggins on percussion and Elmer Van Der Hoek on drums.
This will be a sociable event where you can mingle, show off on the dance floor or you just chill and enjoy the music with a festive drink. The cafe is selling wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
The band will play two sets 8-10pm before opening the stage for other musicians, including singers, to take part in the jam until midnight.
Tickets are £10; for <18y and students £7. These are available via the QR-code or this link https://good-show.co.uk/events/1611, at the café or on the door. Entrance is via the back door in the wall behind the Minories, just across the Firstsite Art Centre. Doors open 7.30pm.
The Commons Community Kitchen and Café at The Minories
74 High St, Colchester CO1 1UE
Christmas Bread Making with Giovanni
Join Giovanni for a special, festive bread making workshop. full details & contact: giothebakingteacher@gmail.com
Free 'Home Energy Assistance Advice' Every Thursday at The Commons
What to expect from the Home Energy Assistance sessions organised by Community Energy Colchester (a local non-profit social enterprise).
EVERY THURSDAY 1:30pm – 2:30pm
· Cold walls, single glazing, gaps in windows and doors
· Would you like to know how to make your house warmer
· We can offer you a practical DIY no cost or low-cost solution
· Home visits
Using our experience, we can check you are on the correct tariff and we can check your eligibility for Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) or ECO4
Funded by UK Power Networks we can offer a free home energy survey using a thermal camera.
EMOM - Electronic Music Open Mic
Colchester EMOM bring another evening of Electronic Music Open Mic to The Commons Café. Free entry, drinks & snacks available from the café.
Cafe Scientifique
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11th December. The commons café provides the room for free and in return it is important that everyone supports them by making a purchase. Cafe Scientifique was set up to be a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to have a conversation about the latest ideas in science and technology.
As the main Minories entrance will be closed access will be via the garden gate entrance at the rear. For directions see:- https://what3words.com/formed.handle.sits
Doors open at 6:30pm for 7:00pm start. Admission is free by ticket only available from our website These are issued on a first come first served basis.
Theme for this months Cafe Scientifique: Dementia Care Partnerships
Professor Reinhold Scherer from the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering at the University of Essex will discuss his ongoing research into empowering patients and caregivers together.
The relationship between a dementia patient and their primary caregiver is crucial for effective care. Good communication, emotional support, and coordinated care are key benefits of this partnership.
However, healthcare systems often lack strategies to support these vital relationships.
Freedom Sound System
Bopper Ranking returns with his Freedom Sound System, delivering a full night of Roots, Reggae, Dubwise Vybz. Tickets £5.50 OTD.
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 - £10 per person (cash only)
We Are - Free album listening session
Album Listening Session
Support local artists at this free event
Colchester based musicians Toby Doe, Harry Price, Robin May & George Pipe will preview their new album from front to back for the first time to a public audience before its general release late September.
A 9 track album spanning multiple genres, styles and influences. Touching on electrónica, downtempo, jazz, dub, hip-hop, techno, house and ambient
Join us Saturday, 31 August 2024 @ 6pm
Argentine Tango
Argentine Tango
Event by The Joy Of Tango and Common Ground Colchester
Hidden in plain sight on Colchester High Street is a beautiful walled garden. This creates a perfect garden party vibe set for an intimate Milonguito (diminutive Milonga) session.
Join us On Thursday, 29th of August @ 7pm for three hours of traditional TTVTTM tandas from TDJ Graham Harrad!
The floor is parquet and the cafe is serving drinks, tipples and snacks.
Session - £10
Baby and toddler: Summer holiday sessions with Eureka Play
Eureka Play is run by Lisa Eureka who has been providing play activities for local families for 20 years.
There two sessions on the day: 10:00am -10:50am and 11:00am - 12:00pm
EMOM
EMOM -
Ambient Outdoor Edition!
Presented by Clip & the Colchester Electrophonic Collective
We are excited to announce that the next Colchester EMOM will be held in the beautiful garden of The Commons, featuring various ambient acts to complement the (hopefully!) sunny weather and calming vibes.
Eight talented acts from across the diverse spectrum of electronic music genres will play short sets of original music.
The cafe will be open as normal, with a delightful selection of food and drink available for purchase.
Sunday, 25th August - 12:00-16:00
All ages are warmly welcome to join us.
Baby and toddler: Summer holiday sessions with Eureka Play
Eureka Play is run by Lisa Eureka who has been providing play activities for local families for 20 years.
There two sessions on the day: 10:00am -10:50am and 11:00am - 12:00pm
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 - £10 per person (cash only)
Baby and toddler: Summer holiday sessions with Eureka Play
Eureka Play is run by Lisa Eureka who has been providing play activities for local families for 20 years.
There two sessions on the day: 10:00am -10:50am and 11:00am - 12:00pm
Poetry At The Commons
Poetry At Events presents Poetry At the Commons!
Join us for poetry in this wonderful space.
Line up is as follows
Ricci Read,
Mary Dickens,
Lorna Mackinnon,
Max Doyle,
Donny Bleakley,
Open mic at the end.
Music: In the garden
The big C presents in the garden, yet another 4 act evening of music but this time 'in the garden'.
Expect brass beneath the flowers; exploring jazz, soul and a sprinkle of hip hop.
Artists
Stretch Soul Gang
The VV Experience
Gootstavo
Gabriela Eva