What's on in Essex this summer
A summer of culture has been announced for the county
An exciting range of arts and cultural activities are taking place across Essex this summer, including guided walks, dance performances and music festivals.
The guided walks started in May and continue throughout the summer, led by storyteller James Lawrence.
James or ‘man about country’, recently trekked 250 miles collecting and sharing Essex stories with thousands of people online.
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Essex council says the Summer of Culture celebrates the creative industries, unites the Essex cultural sector brings local communities together.
It is funded by the council’s Arts and Cultural Fund.
Events
- a community theatre performance by Wise Ram Theatre exploring the impact of climate change in Tendring, culminating in a play at Jaywick Martello Tower
- the Flex Youth and Community Group will deliver ‘The African Dance and Song Project’ to engage marginalised young people in Basildon
- a free urban music project featuring workshops for young people at the Minories, Colchester
- a play by Kenny Emerson focusing on men’s mental health that will be performed in Basildon
- ‘Everyday People’ by Find Your Voice CIC, a countywide multisensory music, dance and performance programme for disabled participants
- a series of interactive public sculptures by artist Eloise Pilbeam in Harlow that will act as communal spaces
- the opening of a new rural museum in a railway gatekeeper’s cottage in Ingatestone
- an exhibition in Saffron Walden titled ‘Legendary Essex’ by artist Jessica Pearce featuring tales of Essex folklores
- The Thaxted Festival which will feature free or discounted tickets for children, young people and families for a range of concerts.
Since launching in 2021, the Arts and Cultural Fund has supported over 80 countywide events and worked with more than 15,000 schoolchildren.
It has seen arts and cultural performances take place to audiences of over 500,000 people.
Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for Arts, Heritage and Culture, said: “By partnering with Essex arts and cultural organisations, we’re able to showcase some amazing activities this summer so that as many residents as possible can enjoy activities across the county.
“We have a range of performances that are sure to delight people of all ages. There really is something for everyone in this year’s Summer of Culture.”
Find out more about by visiting https://culture-essex.co.uk/projects/