Thousands flock to firstsite

Hundreds of Colcestrians set their alarm clocks on Sunday 25th September for the grand civic opening of firstsite's spectacular new building, gathering in the morning sunshine at 10am outside our vast glass-fronted entrance space as the excitement mounted.

Colchester Borough Council Chief Executive Adrian Pritchard started the proceedings, announcing: ‘firstsite is a welcome addition to the already fabulous attractions of the Roman Wall, Mercury Theatre and our world-renowned Castle. It is a building that can educate and stimulate our young people; and a building where businesses can hold their conferences or meetings. But above all, firstsite is a place for families and communities to enjoy - whether you just want a cup of coffee, an hour enjoying and wondering about the contemporary art on show, lunch while out shopping... or just a quiet period to yourself.'

He was followed by the Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Helen Chuah, who added: ‘This beautiful golden building will attract visitors to the town from near and far, and on my mayoral engagements and civic visits, the hot topic of conversation - after Dale Farm - is firstsite! People cannot wait for its doors to be opened to the public. firstsite will certainly enrich the cultural lives of everyone in Colchester and the region.'

Mayor Chuah then declared the building officially open, slicing through a giant red ribbon with the help of children from St Helena School, who helped with the Heritage Lottery Funded project to restore the Berryfield Roman Mosaic, firstsite's only permanent exhibit.

The day went on to be busier and busier with more than 3000 people visiting firstsite in just 6 hours to see the inaugural exhibition Camulodunum, get involved with creative family activities in the on the D-shaped lawn, sample lunch in the new café restaurant MUSA, sun themselves on the terrace, and browse the shop for gifts and souvenirs before preparations took place for a celebratory music event. Firstsite's facebook site and Twitter were alive with positive comments from locals and visitors alike.

The evening event was a musical collaboration called Colchester Round by four very different groups of Colchester musicians. The project, organised for firstsite by international art stars Grennan & Sperandio, saw Colchester's The Band of the Parachute Regiment, heavy metal outfit Sanctorum, mediaeval shawm band Colchester Waits and world music ensemble Quire perform a stunning combination of 14 songs in their own musical style, resulting in a new set of versions that take an unexpected direction.

Three sold-out performances enjoyed a rapturous reception. The evening began with the 60-strong Quire in firstsite's dramatic Entrance space; the audience then regrouped in the state-of-the-art auditorium for Sanctorum's unique interpretations - earplugs optional! Last stop was the Mosaic space in the heart of firstsite, where Colchester Waits, accompanied by Colchester Historical Dance in full mediaeval attire, gave us their take on the compositions. Grand finale was the Band of the Parachute Regiment marching through firstsite's spectacular curved promenade towards the audience, performing their own triumphal arrangement of the selected tunes.

Firstsite's first week has seen daily visitor averages of 1500 and an upsurge in bookings for its conference and meeting spaces.