- 31 May -30 June 2024
- Fiction
- Online
- Partner Event
The Manningtree Witches
Appetite Book Club and Essex Book Festival are very excited to host this online event with debut author A.K. Blakemore. In The Manningtree Witches fear and destruction take root in the lives of the local women when the Witchfinder General comes to town in this dark and thrilling debut. A.K Blakemore gives a striking account of the everyday mechanics of misogyny, power and privilege—and a masterfully crafted, ferociously compelling story. Read more
- Essex Writers House
- Partner Event
ESTUARY 2021
23 Days of Art, Music, Literature and Film Estuary 2021 is the second edition of the large-scale arts festival that celebrates the lives, landscapes and histories of the spectacular Thames Estuary. Taking place on the river itself, and along the 83 miles of South Essex and North Kent coastline, contemporary artworks, discussion and events explore and respond to powerful themes resonant to the estuary. Artworks set in the landscape, online and within Covid-safe venues, explore the estuary through the lens… Read more
- Essex Writers House
- Partner Event
ESSEX WRITERS HOUSE 2021
June - August Essex Writers’ House pop-up festival in partnership with Essex Book Festival is back for 2021. We are bringing you a range of inspiring online and uplifting outdoor events with opportunities to raise the spirits and reconnect through writing and words. Anchored to the grade II listed Chalkwell Hall in Chalkwell Park - Essex Writers’ House is an opportunity to meet new people, share ideas, get inspired and explore the power of creative writing on the road to… Read more
- Essex Writers House
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
- Outside
- Partner Event
Fens, Forest and Field Bike Ride
Join Ken Worpole on a gentle cycle across ‘the Fanns’, exploring hidden gems and local stories that uncover the history of this unique landscape. Starting and finishing in Rainham, a maximum of 12 miles. More Info: : www.essexwritershouse.com Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- Partner Event
Beach of Dreams, 500 Miles 500 people, 500 Dreams,500 Silks
A collaborative walk from Lowerstoft to Tilbury. Beach of Dreamsis an epic journey to discover hidden gems of the East of England Coast line, inviting collaboration from communities and artists along the way in Suffolk, Essex, Southend and Thurrock. Kinetika’s Artistic Director, Ali Pretty, and Guardian journalist Kevin Rushby are walking the entire route, joined by artists, writers, scientists, and local residents. Together, guided by strong environmental themes and the challenges of our current time, they will consider the question… Read more
- Partner Event
Zoom readings by Patrician Press Authors
Join Patrician Press whose Authors are sharing readings from Chaos Poetry Anthology, Rebel Alliance Short Story Anthology and Now This - reflections on our arts and cultures. Please contact patricia@patricianpress.com for more details and Zoom log in link below . Here are the Zoom details. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78951253012?pwd=UlZlZzRBQkk3OCtjM0lkN1NxZWlKdz09 Meeting ID: 789 5125 3012 Passcode: patpress THIS IS A PARTNER EVENT AND SO ANY ENQUIRIES NEED TO BE DIRECTED TO PATRICIAN PRESS Read more
- In person
- Partner Event
- Spoken Word
Spoken Word at Hedingham Castle
One of the UK’s most feted spoken word artists, Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa, will be performing a range of poems from her forthcoming collection ‘The Inheritance’, to be published by Out-Spoken Press in 2022/23. Her poems have been cultivated from her ground-breaking technique, where she incorporates both dance and body language into her performance. She has been showered with numerous accolades, including the 2020 New Voice in Poetry Prize by Culture Recordings, the 2019 BBC Edinburgh Fringe Slam Championship and the… Read more
- Discussion
- In person
- Partner Event
“Let’s Talk About Sex”
1 Aug @ 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Writers Rowan Pelling, Daisy Buchanan and Jonnie Bayfield compare notes on how behaviour and attitudes towards sex and relationships have changed because of mass media, technology, social media and economic forces. Each panelist brings their unique perspective on the subject, illuminating the dilemmas of dating and loving in today’s society. Pelling is well known for editing the Erotic Review and launching the Amorist, Buchanan is author of The Times’ best-selling novel Insatiable:… Read more
- In person
- Partner Event
Fens, Forests & Fields: stories from a unique Essex landscape
We invite you to join us as we celebrate the Land of the Fanns and Kinetika's Community Mapping Project. Hear from the team who made it all possible - how the stories were collected, how the flags were designed and painted during lockdown, members of the local community who filmed their stories, the costumes created and the walks which took place to explore this wonderful landscape we live in. All of this comes together in a fascinating new book; Fens,… Read more
- In person
- Partner Event
A Duty Toward the Land
Talk by Ken Worpole and Tour of Old Hall Community, East Bergholt, Suffolk, Saturday 14 Aug 2021 2 - 4 pm. In his 1953 memoir, Community Farm, the writer and social idealist John Middleton Murry, wrote that 'work on the land is necessary to the life of man in a way no other work can be.' He was associated with a number of 'back to the land' projects on the Essex/Suffolk border in the 1930s and 1940s. In this illustrated… Read more
- Film
- Partner Event
Colchester Film Festival at Firstsite
Colchester Film Festival is hosting a series of guest speaker events and screening an exciting selection of features films giving audiences new insight into the craft of filmmaking and introducing them to new cinema. Read more
- Partner Event
- Performance
Dracula
This critically acclaimed, multi five star awarded hilarious comedy will be presented by Professor Abraham Van Helsing and his three idiotic actors as they stage a life-changing, theatrical production surrounding the true events of Dracula. Read more
- In Conversation
- Partner Event
Sex Matters: Intimacy and Aging
Both Seema Anand (The Art of Seduction) and author Syd Moore (Essex Girls Liberation Front) have challenged stereotypes before. In this conversation they explode the myths around sex in middle age, and empowerment though positive sexuality as we get older. Read more
- Partner Event
Chelmsford Radio Drama Festival
Chelmsford Community Radio are delighted to be hosting the very first Radio Drama Festival for Essex including Radio Drama Listening Sessions, a Community Showcase event in the City Centre and a Radio Drama Day for budding creatives. Read more
- Partner Event
Book Launch: One Midsummer’s Day – Part of EA Festival
Part of EA Festival - The culmination of 16 years of thinking and two years of writing, the book is, on its face, about birds. But really, it is a masterful sum-up of all that is interconnected between nature and man – all perceived during a single day of watching swifts. Read more
- Partner Event
Imagining the Class of ’37
It is 1937 and a class of 12 and 13 year old girls are writing about their lives: cobbled streets and crowded homes; the Coronation festivities and holidays to Blackpool; laughter and fun alongside poverty and hardship. Read more
- Partner Event
Creditors & the Beauty Trap
How can an author turn a doctoral dissertation into a book that will engage a general readership? What can the academic historian steal from mass-market writers? In the era of TikTok, social media, and now ChatGPT, what can a human author do that artificial intelligence can’t? Read more
- Discussion
- Partner Event
Behind The Covers Of Crime at Braintree Library
Celebrate National Crime Reading month by joining Essex-based crime authors Julia Stone, Michael Heath, Rosie Sandler and David Evans for a lively panel discussion on the crime writing process. Read more
- Discussion
- Partner Event
Behind The Covers Of Crime at Great Parndon Library
Celebrate National Crime Reading month by joining Essex-based crime authors Julia Stone, Michael Heath, Rosie Sandler and David Evans for a lively panel discussion on the crime writing process. Read more
- Discussion
- Partner Event
Behind The Covers Of Crime at Clacton Library
Celebrate National Crime Reading month by joining Essex-based crime authors Julia Stone, Michael Heath, Rosie Sandler and David Evans for a lively panel discussion on the crime writing process. Read more
- For Writers
- FREE
- Partner Event
- SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT!! Writing Landscapes Workshop
Authors Samuel Fisher and Justin Hopper are hosting a writing workshop at Wivenhoe Library where participants will be invited to think of the places they cherish and find ways to translate those landscapes into words. Read more
- FREE
- Online
- Partner Event
- Young Essex
Children & Authors’ Literary Fanfare Event
Once again, CALFE Children & Authors' Literary Fanfare 2023 will be presenting: Readings, Storytelling, Poetry, Music and Creatively engaging activities, from children's Authors of culturally diverse heritage, and from countries across the globe! Read more
- Partner Event
No Ordinary Day – A Red Lion Books event
On 17 April 1984 WPC Yvonne Fletcher was shot outside the Libyan embassy in London. As his friend lay dying, PC John Murray made her a promise that he would seek justice. 37 years would pass before he was able to fulfil that undertaking. John Murray will be in conversation with Matt Johnson. Read more
- Restless Brilliance
- Exhibition
- FREE
- Partner Event
Restless Brilliance: The Story of J.A. Baker and The Peregrine
The exhibition explores J.A. Baker’s life, his love of nature and writing, through the archive of his work held by the Albert Sloman Library, University of Essex. It is the first time that this archive has been on public display. Read more
- Guided Walk
- Partner Event
Harlow Sculpture Tour
Come take a unique guided tour with Peter Aylmer and explore the sculptures of Harlow and find out about the planning principles that Sir Frederick Gibberd brought to the town. Includes a visit to the Gibberd Gallery where you can view the exhibition ‘New Town New Art’. Read more
- Partner Event
- Workshop
Design Your Own Tote Bag
Design your own tote bag, and learn the basic principles of screen printing. You will come away with a bag that celebrates the character(s) of Essex and its diverse communities. You will be inspired by the people, heritage, and social history of the county, and use our screen printing equipment to transfer your design onto fabric. Read more
- Partner Event
- Workshop
Experience the Beauty of Lino Cutting
Experience the beauty of lino cutting, we will guide you through the process of creating your own print inspired by the county's biodiversity. Whether you choose to depict a bird, a flower, a fox, or something else you will learn how to carve your design into the linoleum surface and then print it onto paper or fabric using our proofing press. Read more
- Guided Walk
- FREE
- Partner Event
A Peasant’s Pilgrimage
This six-mile walk, organised in partnership with Kinetika’s T100 Festival, commemorates the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt’s links to Fobbing, as Thurrock’s walking, talking and making festival T100 Goes Wild for 2024. Read more
- FREE
- Partner Event
- Performance
- Poetry
How We Live In Essex: Live Poetry Performance
Lelia Ferro's poetry performed by professional actors at the atmospheric Martello Tower. Witness the poetry coming to life in a unique collaboration between Lelia Ferro, theatre director Sofia Bagge and fantastic actors. Read more
- Open Mic
- FREE
- Partner Event
- Performance
- Poetry
How We Live In Essex: Exhibition Finale – Spoken Word Evening
Come and celebrate an evening of spoken word at the Jaywick Martello Tower by reading a poem of your own, or simply enjoying an evening of poetry . No need to book, just turn up and give your name! Read more
- Restless Brilliance
- Guided Walk
- FREE
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- Partner Event
- SOLD OUT!
A Walk in J.A. Baker Country – Sold Out
Join us for a walk through ‘Baker Country’ visiting sites listed in J.A. Baker’s diaries and identified in his seminal work The Peregrine (1967). Read more
- Opera
- Partner Event
Rapture
World premiere: Duffy’s Rapture follows the narrator as they fall in love and then lose their beloved. Noah Max’s setting rearranges the story, starting with what has been lost before working back to the height of love, almost in a dream: “You pass the moon to me, like a loving cup. I roll you the sun.” Read more
- Partner Event
- Performance
- Young Essex
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-along songs and clumsy chaos. Don’t miss this stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem... expect to be surprised! Read more
- Partner Event
- Workshop
Create a Limited Edition Risograph Print
Create a limited edition Risograph print inspired by the Essex landscape, from the waterways and woodlands to the coast and the cities. You will learn how to cut and paste shapes and colours to make your own collage, and then print it using this addictive DIY printing process. You will love the vivid colours and stunning imperfections of your artwork. Read more
- Partner Event
- Performance
A Monster Calls
There’s a yew tree at the bottom of Conor’s garden, and in it there is a Monster. An elemental force, one night it appears at his window and tells him “I will tell you three stories from when I walked the earth… and when I have finished my three stories, you will tell me a fourth. And it will be the truth.” Read more
- Podcast
- Manifesto For Essex
- Partner Event
Essex Podcast Festival – An Audience with Manifesto for Essex
This event is part of the Essex Podcast Festival, featuring a jam packed line-up of Essex inspired podcasts staged in front of a live audience. The discussion will be chaired by Marina Cusi who is joined by two outstanding young people who have been part of our Writing and Talking National Saturday Club. e who have been part of their Writing and Talking National Saturday Club based at ARU. We will also be welcoming Steve Mortimer to the panel. Read more
- FREE
- Online
- Partner Event
- Young Essex
The Children & Authors’ Literary Fanfare – BHM 2024
Get ready for a virtual celebration of all things books and storytelling, featuring an array of engaging activities led by CALFE authors, publishers, and creatives of culturally diverse books. For 4-11 year olds, don't miss out on this exciting opportunity for children to connect with fellow book lovers, and discover new stories. Read more
- FREE
- Partner Event
- Young Essex
CALFE 2024: A Galaxy of Culture and Curious Adventures
The Children & Authors’ Literary Fanfare Events (CALFE) Festival is back with an exciting line-up of multicultural, literary-inspired activities celebrating Black History Month 2024. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire creativity and cultural curiosity in children aged 4-11. Read more