COLCHESTER will have another arts festival to add to its calendar when First Thursdays launches this week.

The new monthly festival, which will run on the first Thursday of every month, has been put together by Cameron Abbott-Betts, who is also the organiser of the Colchester Fringe Festival.

The inaugural First Thursday will take place this week on Thursday, November 2, with salsa dance classes, historical tours, and acoustic live sessions all taking place throughout the evening.

From 5pm until 9pm in Red Lion Walk, Musicians Supporting the Homeless will showcase some of the county’s best busking talent, whilst dance instructor Rosy May will offer free dances of the Caribbean classes in various locations across Colchester from 6pm until 9pm.

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At the same time, a Colchester home brewers meet-up will take place at Two Brews, Church Street, where those who have crafted their own beer will congregate to try their latest concoctions.

From 7pm until 8pm, a salsa dance class, which is suitable for all ages, will be held at the Firstsite foyer with the action being led by dance instructor Katy Ermel.

In Firstsite’s Gallery 3, cross stitch classes will run from 7pm until 9.30pm, whilst theatre historian Dorian Kelly will share his incredible knowledge on the history of Victorian theatre and musical performances in Colchester at The Lawrence Walker Gallery  from 7pm to 8pm.

Acoustic live sessions will run from 7pm until 10pm at Patch, Trinity Street, and fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will congregate at Firstsite Café at 7.30pm for the series five finale.

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At the Mercury from 7.30pm, a swing dance spectacular is expected to thrill the crowds, with tickets available via the Mercury website.

Lastly, Chris Cleverley and Rosalind Harniess will perform an American Indie music programme at Colchester Arts Centre from 7.30pm, whilst Colchester History Tours will take visitors around the city to catch a glimpse of its bewitching past, with the tour starting at 7.30pm at the War Memorial.

First Thursdays festival producer, Cameron Abbott-Betts said: “This is a very exciting project that will have something for everyone to enjoy, bringing culture out onto the streets of our city centre in a fun and festive atmosphere.”

More information about the festival is available via: www.creativecolchester.org.uk/first-thursdays.