Nick Garner’s Music & Ramblings

Spring - or is it summer? - seems to have arrived, but who knows what it is, as it has been hot and cold with wind and rain and parts of the country having hail as well! Still, the blossom is out, the birds are nesting and the bees are gathering the nectar. The grass is now growing also which means the mower is out, although I am being careful of the few flowers I have in my lawn.

It has been a busy time in my house with lots of decorating going on. I am having the whole house done inside and out at present, and as I am writing this my man is doing the last room upstairs. He is also making good any repairs that need doing as he goes along. The biggest problem has been clearing the rooms as I am rather a hoarder, but I have managed so far! Next it is the downstairs and the outside... Hopefully this is the last time it will need doing in my lifetime. It is looking great I must say, as Shorts is very good and neat and tidy - it is just the getting up early every day to let him in that I find a bit of a strain!

We have a load of bank holidays coming up in May. We have the coronation of King Charles this year, which now gives us three in May. I think we need one added in autumn too, as after August we have to wait until Christmas for the next one, what do you think? We would love to know.

The local elections are coming up in the next week as well, and I think it’s essential that we all vote if you want to be able to voice an opinion as to what is happening around us. I tend to look at the individual and not the party - as for me, it is how well the person individually represents us.

I love my local area of Old Moulsham; it has so much to offer with all the independent retailers in the area, the museum and parks, and so much more. It is also mainly a good and safe area to live. I know that where I am the neighbours and myself do look out for each other. I am one of the older residents now having lived in my house for 25 years, and I will see quite a few more to come hopefully! I have no plans to move as I love my house and where I live.

I must get out on my bike now that I have it all sorted and have a good lock. It will not be too much of an effort to ride as it does have a motor on it. The only downside for me being the weight - with the battery and motor it is quite heavy for an old guy like me.

Do remember if you have anything that may be of interest, then let the Moulsham Times know - or maybe we could put in The City Times for you. Find contact details below or on page three of this edition.

Music

Because of the coronation and other events we will not be holding any live shows at the Social Club on the 5th or 12th of May, but we do return with a bang on the 19th May with the mighty Who’s Next along with Age Of Discovery opening the night. All my other shows booked so far are listed in this publication. If you like your folk or folk rock, then the 26th May will be the date for you - the Julie July Band & Dandelion Charn.

We have just had our first show at Hot Box which was great. We had two acts all the way from Finland who wowed all who were there.

Black Frog Presents’ next Hot Box shows will be in June, and we have now confirmed the bass player of Status Quo, John ‘Rhino’ Edwards with his band Rhino’s Revenge. The band includes Leon Cave, drummer of Status Quo, and Craig Joiner of Romeo’s Daughter on guitar. This is Rhino’s album launch tour and tickets are limited and selling fast.

I am amazed at all of the music festivals springing up around us, hence I do not put shows on from mid-July and August - to me there is no point in competing with so much else going on.

I recently went to London to see Elles Bailey which was fun. I did also go to the London Palladium to see Connor Selby and Joe Anderton with Beth Hart. I got to the door to be told the show was sadly cancelled, so went for a drink with Connor and Joe instead. I also got a speeding ticket, which is my own fault of course, although I am normally so careful not to speed.

I have been to see (and play with) the One Tree Hillbillies a couple of times locally. Look out for them playing at the Star & Garter in Moulsham Street on Monday 22nd May from 8.30pm. I also went to Colchester with my guitar to play at the superb open mic at CODA on a Sunday. I must remind myself to do this more often. I am looking forward to this coming month and I am hoping to get out and play

some more, as well as going to see gigs.

There is lots going on all over the place what with the jams and open mics. To find out what is on where and when, I again suggest looking at The City Times’ What’s On pages and maybe search the web too, as there is always so much going on for our enjoyment.

I am of course working on some more shows for both the Social Club and Hot Box. I will let you all know the details as soon as I can. Take a look at the Black Frog Presents adverts in this magazine to see some of the amazing acts that are coming to play at the Chelmsford Social Club and Hot Box.

If you have anything you think that could be of interest to our readers for either publication, then please let us know by emailing editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk - it may be an event or a topic of interest. Or have you done anything unusual or are you planning something? If so, we want to know about it. If you know of someone who may wish to advertise with us, then please ask them to contact ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk and we can send over full details.

You can get tickets for all our shows in Chelmsford from Intense Records, Hopsters and Chelmsford 4Good - please pay cash in person when you buy your tickets. Tickets are also available online from www.wegottickets.com/BlackFrogPresents, or via our ticket hotline at no extra charge - call or text 07508 496 411 and you can then pay the advance price on entry to the show rather than the walk-up price.

For all Black Frog Presents gig updates and information go to www. linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents, or scan the QR code in the poster in this magazine.

It would be fantastic if you could share our magazines The City Times and Moulsham Times for us. We continue to publish both magazines online as well at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia.

Chelmsford’s Street Art Festival, Concrete Canvas, will return this May after securing itself as a key event in the city’s cultural calendar.

Following the huge success of the projects’ inaugural year, Concrete Canvas will once again be transforming blank canvases and giving them a new lease of life with some incredible and inspiring murals.

The festival will run throughout the city centre from Saturday 20th - Saturday 27th May and is set to feature live artwork being carried out by a mix of international and local artists on a variety of building walls, bollards, OpenReach cabinets and CCTV bases. These murals will be in addition to the 2022 pieces and will build upon Chelmsford’s diverse and inspiring Street Art Trail to be enjoyed all year round.

Each artwork location will be allocated to an artist who will then create their mural based on a brief inspired around Chelmsford’s local culture, heritage, nature and various communities. So not only will the new murals brighten up areas of the city centre, but will also help communicate and strengthen Chelmsford’s identity.

Throughout the festival period the local community are encouraged to come along and experience the creation of the artwork in person. The full line-up of artists, locations and installation dates are coming very soon, so be sure to subscribe to the Chelmsford For You newsletter and keep checking the website and socials for updates - or visit the Concrete Canvas HQ inside the Meadows from early May.

The festival will conclude on Saturday 27th May with the Concrete Canvas Street Party, which marks the official launch of this year’s updated Street Art Trail. This is free entry and takes place in the Bond Street Bowl between 10am - 5pm. Alongside live and interactive art, there’ll be a record stall, art stalls, crafts, music, food and more.

BID Manager Sara Tupper says: “Last year’s Concrete Canvas event exceeded all expectations, bringing people to Chelmsford from far and wide, and creating a sense of civic pride within our community. I’m over the moon that we are able to bring it back again this year and build upon its success. We have a wealth of creativity within our city and it is a real privilege that the BID can provide space for that to be explored and nurtured.”

Project Manager Candy Joyce said: “I’m thrilled that we are bringing Concrete Canvas back for its second year. The new sites around the city will be a great addition to the trail of 27 permanent artworks that were created last year. We are once again able to showcase the talent of over 20 local artists who will be creating artworks alongside another stellar line-up of internationally renowned artists.” www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk Facebook & Instagram: @Chelmsfordforyou

Concrete Canvas is brought to you by the city’s Business Improvement District, Chelmsford For You, and supported by Chelmsford City Council.

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