A varied evening raising money for the Mayor of Colchester's chosen charities.

The theme for this year focuses on health, happiness and well-being, with this particular event kicking off with a brilliant theatre performance by a talented PDA artist – Nix. She has designed her own show, featuring theatrical performances and inspiring songs, which are guaranteed to give you the chills.

The PDA Play is a one-person, multi-media musical blending movement, parody, dark comedy, poetry, and audience karaoke to explore life with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), an often-misunderstood nervous system disability. Based on lived experience and community stories, it’s an unfiltered journey through burnout, joy, and transformation—raising awareness, demanding change, and celebrating neurodivergent authenticity.

On top of that, we will feature other local young artists who have made their own music (including rap music) and are on the road to huge success. Plus, we will have poetry readings too, and an open poetry mic opportunity for anybody who attends that would like to try their hand at poetry.

Headline acts, after Nix:
- Josef Harley from the Colchester Institute will be singing and rapping songs he has made himself.
- Shulammite Agyem from the Colchester Institute will also be singing her own original tracks.
- The Underdog Crew’s “Battle of the Rants” will feature poems that break down the stigma of neurodiversity one slam at a time.

Finally, we will also have an Open Mic section for all new singers, rappers and
bands, as well as poets, who would like to perform on the night.

If you are keen to do this, please contact: rodneyappleyard@hotmail.com to find out how you can get involved and showcase your talent on the night.
Impressive performers could have a chance to also perform at the Arts Centre and Mercury Theatre at future events. Plus, we are seeking prizes for them too.

The Mayor is Mike Lilley and the Mayoress is Lyn Barton. Their chosen charities,which this event will raise funds for, are:
- The Colchester Foodbank
- Level Best Enterprises
- Open Road
- The Underdog Crew
- The Not Forgotten

This event is a teaser for a number of other bigger variety events the Mayor has planned to be performed in Colchester later in the year.