The guide: Weekend things to do

In need of some ideas for something to keep you entertained this weekend?

Here are a few suggestions of events taking place in Essex on Friday, 6, Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 November.

Fireworks

Wherever you are, you will not miss the sights and sounds of fireworks

Bang! Whizz! Whoosh!

It is that time once again for bonfires, bangers and baked potatoes as Guy Fawkes night is celebrated with festivals of fireworks.

Organised events will be taking place in the towns and villages across Essex, throughout the week up to and after Thursday, 5 November.

Among them is the first ever public firework display to be held at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey, which was at the forefront of British explosives for over 400 years.

There will be displays at 4.45pm on both Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 November.

BBC Essex will be at several of the events around the county. Find out where by clicking here.

Theatre

The Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff will reverberate to classic show tunes including 'I Could Have Danced All Night', 'Get Me To The Church On Time' and 'On The Street Where You Live' as the musicalMy Fair Lady comes to town.

Presented by the Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society (SODS), the musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's classic playPygamlian, is the group's 210th production and the 75th to take to the stage at the Cliffs.

My Fair Lady runs from Wednesday, 4, to Saturday, 7 November, with evening performances from 7.30 and matinees on the Thursday and Saturday.

For more information, call the Cliffs Pavilion box office on 01702 587575.

Arts & Culture

Many of Lord Peter Wimsey adventures were written in Witham

Two of the greatest names in crime fiction will be celebrated at Witham Library on Saturday, 7 November.

As part of its Crime and Coffee event, members of the Margery Allingham and Dorothy L Sayers societies will be on hand to talk about the Essex-based writers, who brought us the fictional detectives Albert Campion and Lord Peter Wimsey.

The venue at Witham Library is particularly apt, as it is within yards of Sayers' former home in Newland Street.

Also taking part in the event is award-winning author Mike Ripley, the man behind the Angel series of novels.

The event takes place between 10am and noon. For more information, call Witham library on 01376 519625.

Music

Some of the best choirs and choral singers within the Brentwood Diocese come together for one evening at the Brentwood Choirs Festival 2009.

Performances will come from local groups, including the Billericay Choral Society, Bravissima, Brentwood Cathedral Singers, Brentwood Choral Society and Ingatestone Choral.

The festival begins at 7.30 in Brentwood Cathedral on Saturday, 7 November. Tickets cost £10, £2 for children.

For more information head to the Brentwood Cathedral Music website.

History

The Colchester Pageant of 1909 took place in the town's Castle Park

Two events from Colchester's rich cultural history will be reflected and celebrated at Hollytrees Museum on Saturday, 7 November.

As part of its Tea and Talks series, historian Patrick Denney will look back at Buffalo Bill's visit to the town in 1903 and the Colchester Pageant of 1909.

Buffalo Bill's circus performed in front of a 10,000 seat arena and included the renowned sharp shooter Anne Oakley.

Six years later, the Pageant was a week-long celebration of Colchester's long history, which brought together thousands of the town's folk.

The talks begin at 3pm and cost £3.50. They can be booked by calling 01206 282940. For more information, visit the Colchester Museums website.