21 things to do in Bristol this week, October 24-30 2022

Monday: In the Dark Presents: Home Grown Audio, the Wardrobe Theatre
Situated in complete darkness in an aim to heighten your senses, the Wardrobe Theatre hosts a listening session comprised of new podcast/radio works from a host of South West producers, documentary makers and storytellers.

The event is open for any audio makers to submit their works – Photo: Home Grown Audio

SPONSORED
Now-January 8: 169 Annual Open Exhibition, RWA
The RWA’s popular Annual Open Exhibition is a showcase of some of the most exciting artists from across the country and beyond. All work is for sale, both in the gallery and online making the exhibition the perfect occasion to discover new artists. Or simply visit and browse hundreds of artworks – a feast for the eyes! A free exhibition exploring the history of the RWA is also on display on the lower ground floor.

The open exhibition happens once a year and is open for anyone to apply – Photo: RWA

Tuesday: Voices of Ukraine, University of Bristol School of Arts
Voices of Ukraine is a documentary following the stories and testimonies of nine Ukrainians, all with different tales of struggle with the ongoing conflict. The screening will be followed by a Zoom Q&A with Iryna Zemlyana, a Ukrainian activist/security specialist.

SPONSORED
Wednesday & Thursday: Tales From Acorn Wood, Redgrave Theatre
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience. Poor old Fox has lost his socks! Are they in the kitchen or inside the clock?

Tales from Acorn Wood is the perfect family adaptation of the popular children’s book – Photo: Redgrave Theatre

Wednesday: State of the City Address, Wills Memorial Building
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees delivers his annual State of the City Address, where he promises to outline the successes and challenges that the city has faced over the past 12 months, and his plans to help tackle the cost of living crisis, housing, and the many other issues we face on a daily basis.

This is the tenth consecutive year of the mayor’s State of the City address – Photo: Bristol City Council

Thursday: Compost: Five different ways to compost your waste, The Station
Nature/allotment writer and regular at The Station Tim Foster hosts an informal talk at the venue, sharing his knowledge on composting, a subject that he knows much about through his many years of experience in organic horticulture and farming.

SPONSORED
Friday & Saturday: Alternate Apocalypse: The Warped Weekender, Trinity Centre
For Alternate Apocalypse’s gruesome fifth anniversary of Halloween, they are going in across the Friday and Saturday of the Halloween weekend! Expect a packed-out lineup over two nights, including Skream, SP:MC, Jossy Mitsu and more.

SPONSORED
Friday: Lunchtime Talk: CARGO Movement, Watershed
In this free Lunchtime Talk Lawrence Hoo will reflect on the incredible journey of CARGO, a global phenomenon, encompassing immersive installations, a brand new curriculum for schools, an AR app that allows people to put their own virtual statues on Bristol’s empty Colston plinth, a series of films and now its own creative studio space. In Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio and streaming live on YouTube, with British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjsRplToycN/

Friday: Bring Down the Haus: Poetry of Heritage & Roots, Bookhaus
Through a series of spoken word and poetry recitals, Bookhaus aims to explore the meaning of the word “heritage”, what it means to possess it, and how we can undo it. Joined by award winning poet Anthony Anaxagorou reading excerpts from his upcoming collection Heritage Aesthetics.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CizX9xIIkNj/?hl=en 

SPONSORED
Friday: Ballet Theatre UK Presents: Beauty & the Beast, Redgrave Theatre
Join Ballet Theatre UK with one of the most enchanting love stories of all time, Beauty and the Beast! Inspired by the original tale, this production tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. 

SPONSORED
Saturday: This is National Wake + DJ Set, Watershed
Think The Clash were rebels? Meet National Wake! Join us for this brilliant documentary on National Wake, South Africa’s first multi-racial punk band (who formed in a time and place where it as illegal for them to play or live together) followed by a Director’s Q&A and DJ set with vintage African grooves.

Saturday: October Sustainable Pop-up Market, Future Leap Gloucester Rd
A celebration of all the fantastic sustainable independent makers and creatives from across the City, Future Leap’s October Pop-up market is situated at their Gloucester Road site. Entry is free, and the market runs from 10am-5pm.

The market is a monthly occurrence at Future Leap, and always shines a light on independent craftspeople – Photo: Future Leap

Saturday: Olga Koch: Just Friends, Tobacco Factory Theatres
The Russian-born stand-up comedian has made appearances across a multitude of British comedy panel TV, from Mock the Week to QI, and this week she brings her inaugural rom-com performance to North Street.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjF1OnGMGgh/

SPONSORED
Saturday: Urban Folk Quartet + Potts Music, Old Market Assembly
UFQ – Yes, this is fiddle-led music that draws heavily from Celtic dance forms and traditional song but from there on in it is unlike any folk band you have ever heard. Ain’t no party like a UFQ party. Support from Potts – Bristol’s own, Expect carefully crafted songs, unforgettable riffs and virtuosic guitar playing all wrapped up in a soaring tenor vocal.

SPONSORED
Saturday & Sunday: ‘VOICES: Art Is Refuge’ installation, M Shed
Celebrating the creative resilience of Bristol-based artists who are migrants and refugees, the VOICES Installation will open in the M Shed Studio 29th-30th October, and then transfers to the Galleries shopping centre and will be open Fridays and Saturdays through November. Free and suitable for all ages, no need to book. Art, music, film and more, a feast for the eyes and ears!

After the exhibition ends at the M Shed, it continues at the galleries – Photo: Global Goals Centre

SPONSORED
October 29-November 10: Online Art Auction: Secret Postcard Auction, RWA (Online)
This week sees the return of the ever-popular RWA Secret Postcard Auction! Get involved for your chance to purchase unique works of art by leading figures from the art and cultural world, while supporting the RWA as a registered charity. Online auction goes live on Saturday 29 October!

The auction is the perfect chance to pick up a fantastic miniature work of art, whilst supporting a good cause – Photo: RWA

Sunday: Bump in the Night, Broadmead to Queen Square
The inaugural Bump in the Night invites Bristol dwellers of all ages to join in and celebrate our city’s historical and cultural heritage through what they promise will be “a spectacular lantern carnival”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjNQjDGMSc6/

Sunday: Bristol Vintage Second-Life Fashion Pop-Up, M Shed
What better way to spend your Sunday than finding a hidden gem or two in Second Life’s Bristol leg of their vintage fashion pop-up. Tickets are £2 if you want to be one of the first in the door, but your entry fee will be taken off your basket total when you go to purchase something fresh.

There are three different entrance slots available, all priced accordingly – Photo: Fabulous Vintage

And coming soon…

SPONSORED
November 1: Injury Reserve, Trinity Centre
Injury Reserve pull inspiration from several styles and eras of hip hop, running everything through their own lens, and putting a distinct and cohesive sound across their references.

SPONSORED
November 3: Aofie O’Donovan, St Thomas the Martyr Church
Irish-American musician Aoife O’Donovan crafts songs imbued with rich humanity and an ethereal grace. With her resonant, velveteen vocals and intricate instrumentation O’Donovan’s songwriting is poetic and poignant, earning her comparison to the likes of Joni Mitchell. On her third album Age of Apathy, released earlier this year, O’Donovan takes her vivid, evocative artistry to new levels. Across the record, her existential reflections are both deeply personal and speak to a universal experience, conveyed via strikingly impressionistic string, guitar and piano melodies that accompany O’Donovan’s emotive vocals.

SPONSORED
November 3: Baduizm, Trinity Centre
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Erykah Badu’s seminal and enduringly influential debut album Baduzim. To celebrate this milestone, rising-star vocalists Ava Joseph and Akin Soul, backed by an all-star ensemble from London’s jazz scene, unite to bring a live vibrancy to these tracks. Expect to hear everything you love about ‘Baduizm’, propelled by the sound and urgency of our time.

SPONSORED
November 4: Hippo Soundsystem Live! + Sam Redmore and the Tropical Sound Clash Allstars, Fiddlers
Bristol’s Best Loved Tropical Tea Party staring the almighty HSS. The Hippo Sound System is a hybrid electronic/live band lead by Bristol’s notorious Samba Junglist, DJ Hiphopapotamus. This is pure sunshine. Genre defying producer and DJ Sam Redmore, backed now by a full live band, presents a truly rare fusion of Disco, Afrobeat, Broken beat, Cumbia and Samba.

SPONSORED
Nov 25 – Dec 2: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Presents: Robin Hood & Marian, Redgrave Theatre
Swashbuckling power couple Robin and Marian are taking from the rich to help the poor. Along with their band of outlaws, they have one goal: to outsmart the fearsome sheriff and greedy prince. An explosive family adventure; sword-fighting, song, acrobatics and more archery than you can aim your arrow at!

The production is brought to you by the students at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – photo: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

Main photo: Watershed

Read more: New Bristol city poet takes on the premature menopause

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: