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Colchester anti-racism groups launch series of music gigs to engage residents
Summary
Colchester Unite Against Racism and Stand Up to Racism Colchester have launched a 'Love Music, Hate Racism' gig series beginning Feb 27 with a fundraiser at The Minories Arts Centre; a March 14 event at Colchester Arts Centre and further dates are planned.
Content
Colchester Unite Against Racism (CUAR) and Stand Up to Racism Colchester have launched a series of events called "Love Music, Hate Racism" to engage local residents. The organisers say the series aims to unite the community through music and dance in response to rising local and national far-right and racist politics. The first event is a fundraiser titled Love Jazz, Hate Racism on February 27 at The Commons Café in The Minories Arts Centre on the High Street. The programme combines local and regional performers across several genres.
Key details:
- Organisers are Colchester Unite Against Racism (CUAR) and Stand Up to Racism Colchester.
- The series opens on February 27 with a fundraiser, Love Jazz, Hate Racism, at The Commons Café, The Minories Arts Centre.
- Performers for the Feb 27 show include Jazz Rage Against Racism (led by Elmer van der Hoek), Pads and Strings (led by Neil Bateman), and a group of young refugees from North Africa performing traditional Moroccan music.
- A March 14 event at Colchester Arts Centre will feature The Honkus Rompus, indie rock set by Vix and The Bleeding Hearts, local rappers FELC, KinoZolte & ZoneSL, and DJ sets by Chelle and Project Lando.
- A spokesperson said the series aims to bring people together through music and dance against divisive far-right and racist politics, and organisers said more gigs will be announced.
Summary:
The gig series uses live music as a way to encourage local participation and to express anti-racism and anti-far-right sentiment. It begins on February 27 and continues with a March 14 show, with further dates to be announced. Organisers describe the events as combining enjoyment with community unity in the face of political divisiveness.
