Interview: Chloe Uppington on launch of daring new multi-arts venue Colours

Interview: Chloe Uppington on launch of daring new multi-arts venue Colours

We caught up with Head of Events at Mothership Group Chloe Uppington to talk about Colours the new multi-arts bar and club putting the colour back into Shoreditch.

Colours | 2-4 Hoxton Square

Tell us about your new venue Colours? What makes it different?

A one trick pony Colours is not. Colourful by name and nature, we’re a multi-arts venue, so you can come to us for a daytime workspace and lunch, a body-positive life-drawing session or live podcast in the evening, followed by a live gig or clubnight until late at night.

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Insane ceiling installation

We’re basically a hub for all things and people creative, colourful and fun in East London. There’s an increasing amount of chain bars and restaurants in Shoreditch, so we’re hoping to provide young people with an island of realness in the midst of this homogenisation.  

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Gorgeous decor

What would be the events highlights at Colours we should save the date for?

There are so many it’s hard to pick! But if I had to, our first Saturday night open (14 Sept) will be with Hungama, a Queer Bollywood dance party. Meaning ‘Chaos’ and described as an Indian Studio 54, HUNGAMA is East London’s Queer Bollywood Hip Hop. Fusing Bollywood, Hip Hop, R&B and club bangers all over London. Hungama provides a space for Queer South Asians to come together  through club culture and express and cultivate their creativity throughout all aspects of their life.

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Gyal Flex Yoga – Sanchia, Victoria Chamro – Hospo Yoga, Jo Corrall – This Is A Vagina, Amanda Litherland – Aural Pleasure, Sex+ Zine – Kim Loliya, Queer Experiments –  Ingo Cando / Benjamin Butch, Shotgun Carousel – Laura Chambers, Tarot Reader – Suhaiyla Shakuwra, Neon Naked Life Drawing – Sarahjanewhite, Ruby Rare, Fred Butler, Anti Diet Riot Club

An easy one for your diaries – every Friday night from 13 Sept will host our ‘New Age’ clubnight with a pop-up gospel chorus singing live hip-hop and RnB covers during the night – something totally different for the east London club scene! For something more chill, Tuesday 17 September will be the first of our sober PJ parties, with free retro snacks – capri suns, curly fries and more, plus unicorn onesies to dress up in. The first film screening will be 10 Things I Hate About You. 

Who or what inspires you to program for venues like Colours?

We’re inspired by anything and everything. Our creative team is constantly on the lookout at festivals in the UK and abroad for new event partners artists or musicians.

From Primavera to Boomtown and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, they’re often great melting pots of creative people.

What advice would you give to promoters wanting to work with your venues?

Send us snacks! (joking). Come to us with a fully formed pitch and strong concept of who you are. The more unique the better!  

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The creatives behind some of London’s most unique nights out

What are your favourite London haunts? (to party, to eat, to be entertained)

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Moth Club

To party, we love Moth Club, Corsica StudiosThe Chateau in Camberwell, and Queen of Hoxton and The Book Club in Shoreditch.

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Gloria

For dinner we’re obsessed with Gloria the new fabulous yellow Italian restaurant in Shoreditch, and you can’t beat VFD for amazing queer performance entertainment.