Residents and young people in Colchester, Tendring, Harlow and Epping Forest are set to enjoy a Summer of Culture full of free events and activities.
A series of events will take place this summer due to support from our Arts and Culture Fund and other funding initiatives.
The family-friendly events feature everything from music festivals to exhibitions and digital workshops.
Here is a rundown of what is coming up:
Harlow and Epping Forest:
Between Monday 25 July and Friday 29 July from 10am to 4pm, award-winning filmmaker Damilola Lemomu is hosting a free storytelling workshop for young people. This will explore what it is like to live and study in Harlow today and help young people gain skills in filmmaking, sound and conducting interviews at The Gibberd Gallery.
Harlow residents will also be able to enjoy a range of free shows, music and workshops in Harlow Town Park. Taking place from Tuesday 2 August to Saturday 6 between 11am – 6pm with the Rhiannon Faith Care House Project, which is celebrating care and community in the town.
The Livewire Theatre Group is also running a number of youth music, dance and drama workshops, while on Saturday 24 September an installation of artwork at the Harvey Centre, Harlow, is being exhibited by the Samuel Padfield Harlow Art Trust children’s project.
Colchester and Tendring:
Running from now and until September, Essex residents can enjoy the free summer exhibition at Firstsite - ‘Slaves of Fashion’ by the Singh Twins.
They can also enjoy the Frinton Summer Festival which will see the Summer Theatre perform eight weeks of plays – including the iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar – in a big top tent on Frinton Greensward.
Other free events and exhibitions running from now until September include an exhibition by local artist James McColl Smith at Jaywick Martello Tower and Victorian Photography on the Beach with Rob Ball Photography at Jaywick Sands on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August.
Brightlingsea Music Festival – which features and supports new and established bands – is taking place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August.
Sharon Rawlinson and the Massive Doodle Artbox, which features a converted horse box, will be visiting cultural events in Tendring throughout the summer, such as the Mistley Kids Club and Clacton Air Show.
Colchester based art and education charity, Signals, is hosting digital workshops for children aged seven and over which will see them build robots and make short animations and video games on several dates throughout the summer.
Find out more about our Arts and Cultural Fund and the events and exhibitions taking place at the Explore Essex website.