WORKSHOP//Queer Ecology Re-Wylding Parade (with Kirsty Badenoch)

Saturday 17 May 11am - 3pm

Join us for a day of shapeshifting wyldness, as we get creative and celebrate the weirder, wonkier ways of queer folklore!

11:00 - 13:00 Masquerade workshop

13:00 - 13:30 Re-wylding Parade

13:30 - 15:00 Picnic

As part of our month of events celebrating queer folklore, we'll be immersing ourselves in fables and fantasy, telling tall tales of trees, re-connecting with our inner beasts, and temporarily rewilding the streets and parks of Colchester.

From 11am, a magical masquerade workshop will invite you to get creative in our beautiful garden. We'll be sharing mythic tales and introducing traditions of carnival, drag and folklore costumery, to inspire your crafty transformation into a magical, mythical being of the wylds.

At 1pm we'll gather together, a gaggle of wyld beings ready to rewild the town! Our parade will lead slowly through the local streets and parks of Colchester, telling tales, inviting meditations and making monster-clamours as we go.

Finally, we'll end back at the garden for a communal picnic, sharing food, stories and experiences with friends new and old. You'll be invited to explore the garden using cards from "A Common Way: A Walking Tarot of the Wild Ways of the Woods", enacting meditative and playful acts of care for the natural world.

This is a day for everyone – children and pets, grannies and grandpas, fresh-found lovers and the broken-hearted needing a hug, walking trees and tiny forest spirits - all identities and genders, human and more-than-human are welcome. Bring your spirit of adventure, bright clothes and/or a wyld costume if you dare! Art materials will be provided, but feel free to bring any of your own if you like!

These workshops are connected to our celebration of Queer Foklore.

The Minories Garden is a wheelchair accessible space.

We have a limited number of access tickets available for individuals who would like to attend but need support. We also have a discount code for group bookings of 3 people or more. Email us at ZWFzdGFuZ2xpYW5mb2xrbG9yZWNlbnRyZSB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t for details.

Please note: The picnic food is not included in workshop. We are working on a bookable food offer with the wonderful Commons Cafe but you are welcome to bring your own food along.

Also check out other Workshops in Colchester, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Colchester.