10 things to do this week in Bristol, July 27-August 2 2020

Monday
Bristol MPs Question Time, Bristol Festival of Ideas Online
As part of the festival’s Future of Democracy series, three of Bristol’s MPs will be taking part in a Q&A event. Thangam Debbonaire, Darren Jones and Karin Smyth will discuss everything from growing child poverty to the future of the economy as automation continues to develop. Chaired by festival director Andrew Kelly, there will be the option for the audience to ask questions.
www.ideasfestival.co.uk/events/bristol-mps-question-time

Tuesday
Workshop: Masters of Photography, Royal Photographic Society (RPS)
The RPS, which has its HQ in Paintworks, hosts a day-long course exploring some of the world’s most influential photographers, including Martin Parr, Edward Weston and Cartier Bresson. Those attending the workshop will also have the opportunity to take part in a socially-distanced project during the online class.
www.rps.org/events/bristol/2020/july/online-masters-of-photography-28-07-20

Wednesday
Beyond statues: How can we make Bristol more equal?, Thangam Debbonaire MP
Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire will host the first in a series of online events discussing actions that the city can take to make itself for equal. The first event will look at the Black Lives Matter movement and begin with a discussion on statues, place names and cultural institutions, before discussing how to achieve meaningful change.

Thangam Debbonaire and guests will discuss the Black Lives Matter movement and making real change. Photo: Phil Riley

Thangam will be joined by Marie-Annick Gournet from the University of Bristol, MAG Consulting, and Teach Diverse, Desmond Brown, the independent chair for the Lammy Review Group, Sakiya Ghalib from Integrate UK, Sado Jirde from BSWN and BCfm’s Pat Hart.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beyond-statues-how-can-we-make-bristol-more-equal

Thursday
Late lunch talk: The remarkable life of Alfred the gorilla, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Hosted by Ray Barnett, head of collections and archives for Bristol Museums, this Zoom discussion will explore the life and legacy of Alfred the gorilla, whose taxidermied form is on display at Bristol Museum. Life and society in post-war Bristol and through to the 1970s will be examined through the eyes of the famed gorilla.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/whats-on/late-lunch-talk-the-remarkable-life-death-and-after-life-of-alfred-the-gorilla

BBFC Watch Party, ROTOR, Bristol Bad Film Club
“One part Terminator, one part Robocop – all shlock,” says the Bristol Bad Film Club of this 1987 movie. Join the group as they watch what Under The Rader called a “no-budget vanity project”, whose main character is part cowboy, part cop, part scientist.
www.bristolbadfilmclub.co.uk/watch-party-r-o-t-o-r-1987-30th-july

Friday
Bristol Future Parks – Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol Future Parks
Working with the National Trust, Bristol Future Parks are looking at how the city’s green spaces could be run in the future. The project aims to find way to protect and improve these public spaces and make them more accessible and enjoyable for all. Bristol Future Parks is inviting people living in Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym to join an online conversation and explore how green spaces in these areas can be used in the future.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol-future-parks-henleaze-stoke-bishop-and-westbury-on-trym

Mx-Ellaneous: Indoors Edition!, Mx-Ellaneous
MX-Ellaneous focuses on drag that isn’t performed by cisgender artists and put transgender and non-binary artists centre stage. Hosted by Mariana Trench and Rose-Mary Spayby, they will be joined by Royale E. Blue, Crystal Mighty, Remy Melee and Manly Mannington for a “delightful digital do”.
www.facebook.com/events/273315420561835

Saturday
Redfest Community Broadcast 2020, BCfm Radio and Redfest Bristol
Normally held in Redfield Park in east Bristol, this year’s festival has gone virtual. 14 hours of live music, starting at 10am and finishing at midnight, will be broadcast by community radio station BCfm. Expect DJs and live music, as well as everything from community talks to slam poetry.
www.redfestbristol.co.uk

The east Bristol festival will go digital for 2020. Photo: Laure Noverraz

Sunday
The Invisible Circus: Phoenix Rising Cabaret, Lakota and The Invisible Circus
“Bleary eyed we emerge, not interested in going back to ‘normal’ but creating new realms within a scene reborn,” say the team behind the Invisible Circus, which will bring the art from to Lakota. There will be acrobatics, flying, surprises and surrealism. There will be three sessions, to help maintain social distancing.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-invisible-circus-phoenix-rising-cabaret

Main photo: Ramona Carraro

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