DRAG queens and an “acid house aviary” will be taking over Colchester town centre as part of a unique celebration of the arts in the town.
To mark May Day on May 1, Colchester Fringe is hosting its first event, the Mayday Shop Window Takeover, bringing a mix of magic, dance, music and silliness to the town.
Lion Walk Shopping Centre will host a window of glittery drag fun hosted by Colchester’s own drag superstar Shar Cooterie.
She’ll be belting out some pop hits and family-friendly naughtiness.
Next door, West End dancer and Colchester choreographer Jonathon Prestney will present a series of contemporary dances with his Movement Space group.
Shar Cooterie
While at Lion Walk’s secret garden an “acid house aviary” will be unleashed as cabaret star Miss High Leg Kick presents Bird Rave - described as Springwatch meets Cafe Del Mar.
Over at Culver Square shopping centre both madcap magician Seska and Colchester experimental youth music group CLIP will perform for crowds.
Musicians will also be in the town centre to entertain crowds and performing at Lion Walk’s open air bar.
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Colchester Fringe is a new festival company created by arts professionals Cameron Abbott-Betts and Steve Goatman.
The first performances were set to take place in the town last year, before coronavirus got in the way.
Cameron Abbott-Betts and Steve Goatman
Cameron said: “I am thrilled that Steve and I have found a way to bring a little bit of our fringe spirit to the town in these dark and unpredictable times.
“Just as many other event organisers in our position, over the last year we have knock-back after knock-back so I am overjoyed that we are able to support local artists present their work to audiences.”
The Mayday Shop Window Takeover is the first of many projects the duo hope to bring to Colchester in the near future.
Steve said: “We’ve wanted to start a fringe festival here for years, so it’s great to get off the ground with this shop window takeover.
“We’ve designed this event to work under Covid regulations, and there’ll be social distancing and safety measures in place to protect audiences and artists alike.”
“It’s been an exciting challenge to organise and we’re hoping to bring a ray of sunshine to the town.”
Funding has come from Arts Council England and Colchester Council.
Visit www.colchesterfringe.com for more information.
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