118 things to do in Bristol in May

ART

April 22-July 17: Art from Elsewhere, Arnolfini
Artists explore the themes of borders, conflict, rituals and resistance through video, photography, installation and painting.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/art-from-elsewhere-bristol

April 29-May 8: The Aftermath Dislocation Principle, Trinity
Jimmy Cauty’s chaotic mini-version of a post-riot city moves from Dismaland to Trinity.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/installation/the-aftermath-dislocation-principle-bristol

May 4-26: Light Years, Southmead Hospital: Concourse
This exhibition documents five years of six-month exposures by Bristol photographer Justin Quinnell.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/light-years-justin-quinnell-bristol

May 3-28: The Story of Scrap, Engine Shed
An exhibition of photographs, this project shows objects’ journey from manufacture to scrap to reuse.
www.engine-shed.co.uk/innovation-showcase/

May 9: Hollow: Public Launch, Royal Fort Gardens
Artist Katie Pateron has spent the last three years gathering 10,000 wood samples for this artwork.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/installation/hollow-kate-paterson-bristol

May 13: Requiem for 114 Radios, Colston Hall cellars
This sound installation blasts 12 voices over 114 radios to create an eerie harmony.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/iain-forsyth-jane-pollard/

May 14-15: Southbank Bristol Arts Trai
Taking over homes and venues, the trail returns for the fourteenth time.
www.southbankbristolarts.co.uk

May 14-15: BS9 Arts Trail
Another neighbourhood arts trail, this one places artists in homes around Stoke Bishop, Henleaze and Westbury-on-Trym.
www.bs9arts.co.uk

May 14-June 12: Briswool, M Shed
A complete model of the city of Bristol – made out of wool. Look for a fuzzy Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Zoo and Banksy mural.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/briswool-bristol

May 21-22: Theatre Skam – Fashion Machine, Arnolfini
Local children stitch, cut, sew and accessorise audience members’ clothes to create wearable art.
www.skam.ca/fashion-machine/

May 21-July 17: Rembrandt’s Self Portrait at the Age of 63, Bristol Museum
In this painting, shown for a limited time as part of the National Gallery Masterpiece tour, the famous artist turns the lens on himself.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/rembrandts-self-portrait-at-the-age-of-63-bristol

May 28: Bristol ArtReach: Street Art Auction and Art Market, Island
This fundraising event for The Bristol Outreach Project supports the homeless in Bristol.
www.theislandbristol.com/event/bristol-artreach-silent-auction/

CLUBS

May 1: Empathy, O2 Academy
Celebrating its 15th birthday, the Bristol club night brings out prog-tastic John Digweed and DJ Nick Warren of Way Out West.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/02-academy/sun-1-may-empathy-15th-birthday-30533

May 6: Cymbalize x FatKidOnFire, Start the Bus
The night is all about hardcore dubstep and headlined by Kaiju along with Bukez Finezt, Korrupt, Jalex Ib and Yuki Ame.
www.startthebusbristol.co.uk

May 7: The Blast presents Phaeleh, Marble Factory
The visionary electronica artist brings his well-crafted sounds back to his home town.
www.marblefactorybristol.com

May 13: Grandmaster Flash, Motion
After 40 years, this classic hip hop legend takes listeners back to the beginning of hip hop.
www.motionbristol.com/event/grandmasterflash/

May 14: Rave On Avon, Stokes Croft
Miss Brisfest? Come take over Stokes Croft to raise money for the Bristol-themed festival by raving at a variety of venues.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/festival/news-5/bristol-festivals/buy-tickets-for-rave-on-avon-at-bristol247

May 20: Wide Eyes, Lakota
Blonde, a pair of Bristol natives, retrun alongside garage veteran MJ Cole and others.
www.wideeyes.tkt.co.uk/

May 28-29: Love Saves the Day, Eastville Park
Artists from around the world take the stage at this festival headlined by Hot Chip and Dizzee Rascal.
www.lovesavestheday.org/ 

COMEDY

May 4: John Kearns, Greenbank
The absurdist stand-up comic and former house of parliament guide returns to Bristol with his trademark ridiculousness.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/john-kearns-greenbank-bristol

May 6: Craig Campbell, Lantern
The hippie-esque Canadian expat creates surreal scenes and tells his signature bizarre anecdotes.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/craig-campbell-dont-look-down-bristol

May 14: Nathan Caton plus guests, Hen & Chicken
Fresh from BBC One’s Live at the Apollo, Caton presents his typical charismatic and intelligent comedy.
www.thecomedybox.co.uk/site/301.asp?catID=1419

May 15: Hal Cruttenden, Tobacco Factory Theatre
The host of Live At The Apollo performs his show, Straight Outta Cruttenden, with rants about the evils of modern times.
www.thecomedybox.co.uk/site/301.asp?catID=1374

May 16: Bill Bailey: Limboland, Hippodrome
Bill Bailey compares our expectations with our realities with his signature keen eye and sharp wit.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/bill-bailey-limboland-bristol-hippodrome

May 20: The Best in UK Stand Up, Lantern
Carey Marx and Zoe Lyons of the UK comedy circuit form this double-header comedy show.
www.thecomedybox.co.uk/site/301.asp?catID=1399

May 21: Glenn Wool: Creator, I Am But A Pawn, Hen & Chicken
The Canadian returns to Europe to perform his brand-new show.
http://www.thecomedybox.co.uk/site/301.asp?catID=1420&ct=date

May 21-22: Nautilus, Wardrobe Theatre
Award-winning, acclaimed idiot Trygve Wakenshaw makes his Bristol debut with a 75-minute tour de force.
www.thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/nautilus/

May 26-28: Mark Watson: I’m Not Here, Tobacco Factory Theatre
The TV star and award-winning comedian returns with a follow-up show to his successful Flaws.
www.thecomedybox.co.uk/site/301.asp?mode=main&catID=1364

May 29: Oppo Comedy, Portcullis
This monthly stand-up night in Clifton Village will be headlined by Paul McCaffrey.
www.facebook.com/OppoComedy/

EVENTS

May 1: Bristol’s Morris Men, Castle Park and Bristol Folk Festival
The traditional Morris men perform at dawn at Castle Park and move on to the Folk Festival.
www.bristolmorrismen.co.uk/fixtures.php

May 4: Chris Packham, Waterstones (Galleries)
TV nature star Packham talks about his childhood treasures, such as fox skulls, birds’ eggs and more.
www.waterstones.com/events/chris-packham/bristol-galleries

May 7: Jack in the Green, various locations
Jack in the Green only emerges once a year and parades through the city to help celebrate the coming of summer.
www.home.freeuk.net/bristoljack/

May 8: Yoga Brunch Club, Forge
A chilled-out afternoon of yoga and laid back tunes, followed by brunch, all in one unique and beautiful space.
www.foozie.co.uk/whats-on-in-bristol/2016/3/20/rwro2gj2arnsaht62rs0ifuojv283x

May 9: Watch Mercury pass in front of the sun, Millennium Square
BBC Sky at Night magazine will host a gathering to watch the innermost of the inner planets, Mercury, pass in front of the sun.
www.at-bristol.org.uk/event/transit-mercury

May 10: Breakin’ Convention 2016, Colston Hall
Hip hop dance gets its own festival with dance crews from arond the world performing live alongside local acts and artists. 
www.breakinconvention.com/

May 15: Great Bristol 10K
Runners tackle the 10k beginning and ending on Anchor road ahead of the Great Bristol Half Marathon.
www.greatrun.org/great-bristol-10k

May 20: Contemporary Poets and Utopia, At-Bristol
The Festival of Ideas brings 15 poets to read their written work discussing the meaning of “Utopia”.
www.ideasfestival.co.uk/events/contemporary-poets-and-utopia/

May 22: Alice Roberts: Human Journey, Tobacco Factory Theatre
The anatomist/author/broadcaster examines what makes us human through an exploration of our bodies.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/alice-roberts-human-journey/

May 26: Andrew Hurley, Spike Island
The novelist reads from his award-winning debut book The Lonely.
www.spikeisland.org.uk/events/talks/novel-writers-andrew-michael-hurley/

FESTIVALS

April 30-May 1: Bristol Folk Festival
Folkies like Lukas Drinkwater and Tobais Ben Jacobs perform at St George’s, the Folk House and other venues.
www.bristolfolkfestival.co.uk

May 1-31: Bristol Walk Fest
The month-long walking festival sends ramblers strolling over 170 walks in and around Bristol.
www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/bristol-walking-festival

May 6: Best of Be Festival, Circomedia
The Birmingham-based festival stops in Bristol during its UK tour with unusual productions of theatre, dance and circus.
www.circomedia.com/whats-on.html

May 7: Bristol Whisky Festival, Colston Hall
The biggest whisky-related event in the South West serves up more than 100 different whiskies from around the world.
www.thewhiskylounge.com/event/bristol-whisky-festival-2016/

May 12-15: Bristol New Music
Unusual music and high-brow art collide in this cutting-edge mini-festival of high concept instrumentalism and quirky sound installations.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/bristol-new-music-2016

May 12-22: Mayfest
Contemporary theatre literally takes to the streets and pops up in Bristol homes and venues just in time for the Old Vic’s 250th birthday.
www.mayfestbristol.co.uk

May 13-15: Bristol Foodies Festival, Downs
The seventh festival expects 20,000 visitors to come up to the Downs for drinks masterclasses, street food and more.
www.foodiesfestival.com/Bristol

May 13-15: Bristol Gin Festival, Paintworks
Gin is the new craft beer at this hip assembly of small-scale merchants, live music, food and talks.
www.ginfestival.com

May 21-22: Vegfest, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Europe’s biggest vegan festival celebrates guilt-free food and drinks with music, talks and delicious treats.
www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk/

May 27-29: Shindig Weekender, secret location near Bristol
Beardyman, Dub Pistols and possibly Andrew Weatherall will perform at this mysterious festival.
www.shindig-events.co.uk/

May 28: Dot to Dot
Various indie groups pop into local venues and play their hearts out. What’s not to love?
www.dottodotfestival.co.uk/

FILM

May 1: A History of Electronic Music in Film, Watershed
The annual celebration of music in film, Filmic, looks at electronic scores in movies and examines their influence on the films themselves.
www.afterdark.co/events/bristol/watershed/a-history-of-electronic-music-in-film—john-carpenter-brunches

May 3: Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo early this year with the Cannoli & Gun club’s two-course Mexican meal and the questionable action movie.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/action/cannoli-gun-once-upon-a-time-in-mexico

May 4: Suede – Night Thoughts + Q&A, Watershed
Brett Anderson and co. pitch up with director Roger Sargent to discuss their new collaboration.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/music/suede—night-thoughts-qa

May 8: An Improvised Life + Q&A with Ron Geesin, Watershed
The titular subject of the film will stick around to answer questions after the screening.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/7243/an-improvised-life-plus-qa-with-ron-geesin 

May 9: Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, Cube
This documentary focuses on openly gay photographer Mapplethorpe, who explored male sexuality.
www.cubecinema.com/programme/event/mapplethorpe-look-at-the-pictures,8622/

May 11: Captain America, Wardrobe Theatre
This terrible 1990 movie about the flaxen-haired superhero isn’t to be taken seriously.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/action/bristol-bad-film-club-captain-america

May 12-14: Blind Cinema, Watershed
The audience sit blindfolded and hear whispered descriptions of the film alongside a soundtrack.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/7284/blind-cinema

May 13-26: Everybody Wants Some!!, Watershed & Cube
This sequel to Dazed and Confused focuses on 80s college life and burgeoning adulthood.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/drama/everybody-wants-some

May 18: Conversations About Cinema: Mustang, Watershed
The Oscar-nominated film about female power will be followed by a panel discussion of the movie.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/7307/conversations-about-cinema-mustang

May 24: Nick Cave: 20,000 Days on Earth, Louisiana
Trip out at this movie starring writer/musician Nick Cave about his (fictional) 20,000th day on earth.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/documentary/nick-cave-20000-days-on-earth

May 29-30: Heart of a Dog, Cube
An avant garde exploration of death, Laurie Anderson’s documetnary covers the loss of her husband Lou Reed, her mother and, mostly, her dog.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/documentary/heart-of-a-dog

FOOD & DRINK

April 29-May 7: Bristol Food Connections, various locations
The food festival is a feast for both adults and children with delicious workshops and stalls.
www.bristolfoodconnections.com/

A few festival highlights include:

May 3: It’s a Bristol Ting!, Lakota
Try the diverse foods of Bristol, from lebanese falafel to the city’s best jerk chicken.
www.lakota.co.uk/events-tickets/190-it-s-a-bristol-ting/

May 4: Real economy cooking workshop: sweet snacks without sugar, Avonmouth Community Centre
Stuck on how to whip up a healthy snack? The Avonmouthful Real Food Club and Cook Eat and Travel are here to help. 
www.bristolfoodconnections.com/fringe/real-economy-cooking-workshop-sweet-snacks-without-sugar/

May 5: Radio Americana, Plead the 5th
A three-course dinner of classic American cuisine paired with some of the best storytelling in Bristol courtesy of The Dark Radio.
www.inthedarkradio.org/radio-americana-bristol/

May 6: Bristol Eats Street, Tobacco Factory
The family-friendly street food event’s theme is “shop local – grow edible” and is part of the Food Connections Fringe. 
www.tobaccofactory.com/section.php/45/1/events

May 6: Great Brandon Bake Off, St Stephen’s Church
Brandon Trust catering trainees test their baking skills. The winners’ cakes will be available for the public to purchase.
www.bristolfoodconnections.com/fringe/great-brandon-bake-off/

May 7: Hindu Temple, 163A Church Road
The Hindu Temple invites people to come in and learn more about Hinduism and enjoy some delicious vegetarian food.
www.bristolfoodconnections.com/community/hindu-temple/

May 7: Beats, Moor Beer Tap
Burger Theory, Feastie Boys, Wild & Rustic and Pizza Monkey will be on hand with noshes and the first 50 people through the door get free beer.
www.moorbeer.co.uk/events/

MUSIC

May 2: Rozi Plain, Wardrobe Theatre
Intimate sit-down session brings the popular, witty bohemian artist to the Bristol stage. 
www.thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/rozi-plain/

May 8: The Last Train Track presents John Metcalfe & Daniel Bachman, Lantern
The monthly immersive night in music, visuals and storytelling’s third installment brings two very different musicians to the stage.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/tltt-presents-john-metcalfe-daniel-bachman/

May 8: Trinity Garden Party, Trinity Centre
This annual free party celebrates four decades of music at the Trinity Centre.
www.3ca.org.uk

May 9: Patrick Wolf, Lantern
Well-regarded pop songwriter Patrick Wolf, known for his six lauded albums, plays his new music with a theatrical flair.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/patrick-wolf/

May 11: Pete Doherty, O2 Academy
Following sell-our shows with his band The Libertines, the musician performs a handful of shows.
www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybristol/events/814240/peter-doherty-tickets

May 12: Beyond the Barline XI, St George’s
Jonathan James and David Bednall examine American music’s deviation from European norms in the 20th century.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/music-01/classical/beyond-the-barline-1445961441

May 12: The Burning Hell, Start the Bus
Ontario natives bring clever avant-garde indie rock to Bristol as they get ready to release their seventh album.
www.seetickets.com/event/the-burning-hell-my-name-is-ian-quiet-marauder/start-the-bus/947476

May 12: Arven Henriksen – Places of Worship, St George’s
Henriksen’s performance will be offset by a film showing live on St George’s walls.
www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/event/arve-henriksen-place-of-worship/

May 12: Ebo Taylor & Jimi Tenor, Fleece
Taylor, a Ghanaian celebrity from the late 1950s, finally achieved international success in 2010.
www.thefleece.co.uk/events/ebo-taylor-jimi-tenor/

May 13: Kronos Quartet, Colston Hall
The Grammy Award-winning quartet return to celebrate the work of minimalist Terry Riley.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/kronos-quartet/

May 14: Max Richter Ensemble, Colston Hall
As part of Bristol New Music, the group will perform From Sleep, Richter’s “personal lullaby for a frenetic world”.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/max-richter-ensemble/

May 14: Immix Ensemble & Vessel, Lantern
As part of the Bristol New Music Festival, the Liverpool-based group join forces with Bristolian Vessel.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/immix-ensemble-vessel/

May 15: Concaneda sing Ansien by John Bence, St George’s
The Bristol-born Bence long dreamed of collaborating with Cambridge’s choir. A dream come true.
www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/event/concanenda-sing-ansien-by-john-bence/

May 16: White Wine, Start the Bus
The three piece band make a pit stop in Bristol to perform new record Who Cares What the Laser Says.
www.seetickets.com/event/white-wine-sly-palms/start-the-bus/980571

May 19: Yuck, Exchange
The high-energy garage-pop band blasts the hits from their latest album, Stranger Things.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/music-01/indiealternative/yuck

May 20: The Icicle Works, Fleece
Neo-psychedlic 80s rockers blend stadium-ready guitar with heavy rhythm.
www.thefleece.co.uk/events/the-icicle-works/

May 25: Kikagaku Moyo, Cube
Sitar-led psychedelic rockers nod at Can, Hendrix, Acid Mothers Temple and Incredible String Bands.
www.cubecinema.com/programme/event/kikagaku-moyo,8530/

May 26: Seafret, Thekla
After meeting at an open mic night, Seafret, a collaboration between small town musicians, formed their catchy and charming sound.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/music-01/acoustic/seafret-1461706476

May 28: Slow Club, Lantern
This duo have supported Florence and the Machine, KT Tunstall and Mumford and Sons on tour.
www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/mayfest-igor-moreno-idiot-syncrasy-1

May 29: ArcTanGent Warm-Up, Stag & Hounds
The leading festival of math-rock, post-rock and more-rock warms up with Valerian Swing, Kusanagi and Falls.
www.stagandhoundsbristol.co.uk/listings.html

THEATRE

April 26-May 7: The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary!, Old Vic
Touring theatre company Peepolykus presents their adaptation of the revolutionary French novel.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/comedy/the-massive-tragedy-of-madame-bovary-bristol

May 4-7: The Love I Feel is Red, Zion
This in-house production by writer/poet Sabrina Mahfouz explores abortion in the 21st century.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/new-writing/the-love-i-feel-is-red-bristol

May 8 & 15: Mr Gotalot’s Shop: The Great British Cheese Off!, Kelvin Players Studio Theatre
This original children’s play sees an unexpected customer in the magical Gotalot Shop looking for the best cheese in the world.
www.monkeytrouserstheatre.com

May 9-14: Derren Brown: Miracle, Hippodrome
The psychological illusionist has hinted this could be his last UK live stage show for the foreseeable future.
www.atgtickets.com/shows/derren-brown-miracle/bristol-hippodrome/

May 11: The Fabulous Bacon Boys, Factory Theatre Bar
Comedy duo Living Spirit reimagine Three Little Pigs, told entirely in rhyme.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/fabulous-bacon-boys/

May 12-13 & 18-19: salt., Arnolfini
This Mayfest production tracks two artists on a cargo ship retracing a route of the Transatlantic Slave Triangle.
www.mayfestbristol.co.uk/mayfest2016/salt-2/

May 12-14: Chekhov’s First Play, Old Vic
Literally Chekhov’s first play, the piece is a mess and was considered unstageable… until now.
www.mayfestbristol.co.uk/mayfest2016/3960/

May 12-14: Radiant Vermin, Tobacco Factory Theatre
A dark and entrancing play about a couple offered a way out of the housing crisis.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/radiant-vermin/

May 13: DollyWould, Wardrobe Theatre
The new show by Sh!t theatre mix performance art with theatre in this political, personal and perverted drama.
www.thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/mayfest-2016-dolly-would/

May 14-15: Igor & Moreno – Idiot-Syncrasy, Arnolfini
The dance artists collected dance from around the world and plan to reclaim the theatre as a place of assembly.
www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/mayfest-igor-moreno-idiot-syncrasy-1

May 15-18: Of Riders and Running Horses, Queen Charlotte Street Car Park
This Still House show, part of Mayfest, features six dancers and a live band in their car park performance.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/sitespecific/mayfest-of-riders-and-running-horses

May 16-21: Fake It ‘Til You Make It, Tobacco Factory Theatre
This Mayfest show tackles clinical depression, love and manhood.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/fake-til-make/

May 17-18: The Complete Deaths of Shakespeare, Old Vic
The troupe Spymonkey and Tim Crouch perform all 74 (or 75) onstage deaths in Shakespeare.
www.mayfestbristol.co.uk/mayfest2016/the-complete-deaths/

May 20-21: Opening Skinner’s Box, Old Vic
Scientists attempt to explain the human experience by revisiting ten great psychological experiments in this Mayfest production.
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/skinnersbox.html

May 20-22: It Folds, Old Vic Studio
This dream-like reverie studies death, grief, beauty and humanity.
www.mayfestbristol.co.uk/mayfest2016/it-folds/

May 23: Menopause: the Musical, Hippodrome
A sharp-witted travelling troupe of household names throw one-liners at each other about hot flushes, mood swings and forgetfulness.
www.atgtickets.com/shows/menopause-the-musical/

May 25-27: Girls Like That, Wardrobe Theatre
Vocational students from Bristol’s The Big Act stage a play challenging social norms around girls, boys, feminism and friendship.
www.thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/girls-like-that/

May 25-28: Horrible History, Hippodrome
The past comes back with Incredible Invaders and Groovy Greeks as actors mix with 3D Bogglevision special effects.
www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

May 27: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Old Vic
Married artists in Russia survive life amidst social chaos in the early 20th century.
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/flyinglovers.html

May 31-June 2: The Magic Doors, Tobacco Factory
For the kids, this inventive theatre production combines dance, theatre and animation.
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/the-magic-doors/

Read more: 31 festivals happening in May

On May 28, Bristol Old Vic will celebrate its 250th birthday by giving away a full house of tickets to see The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk. And Bristol24/7 readers can win 40 pairs of tickets to the event. To enter, sign up to our newsletter below. Then email competitions@bristol247.com with the subject line Old Vic 250, your name and contact details. Enter by midday on Friday, May 8. Winners will be drawn out of a hat.