19 things to do in Bristol this week, January 1-7 2024

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Monday-Thursday: Tchaikovsky’s Wife, Watershed
A masterful historical drama from director Kirill Serebrennikov (Petrov’s Flu), exploring the tumultuous relationship between the famous Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and his wife Antonina Miliukova.

Monday: Strange Brew & Friends New Years Day, Strange Brew
Whether you hit the hay straight after the new year’s fireworks or you’re still yet to do so, Strange Brew brings you the housey, synth-poppy vibes to soothe that no doubt sore head, until 2am January 2 when you should definitely go to bed.

Strange Brew NYD – photo: Strange Brew

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Monday-Thursday: Queendom, Watershed
Gena, a queer artist from a small town in Russia, stages radical performances in public that become a new form of art and activism – and put her life in danger.

Tuesday: Fallen Leaves, The Cube
The Finnish master of the often ignored but always appreciated tragicomedy film subgenre strikes again, as The Cube screens the latest flick from Aki Kaurismäki “Fallen Leaves”. The picture delivers the classic deadpan comedy the director is known for, along with a bittersweet thoughtfulness that matches well with the subgenre.

Wednesday: Feel good carnival fitness, Piloxercise Studios
If you’re struggling to get into that “new year, new me” spirit, or perhaps you’re still trying to shake off the blues from seeing in the new year a little too hard, look no further. The Piloxercise Studios in Lawrence hill are hosting a high octane, colourful energetic fitness class that will be sure to blow away those cobwebs.

Carnival Fitness – photo: Piloxercise Studio

Thursday: St. Nicholas Market air raid shelter tour, St Nicholas Market
Explore the hidden underbelly of the Old City indoor marketplace, as you’re taken on Bristol’s only subterranean walking tour through the city’s largest public air raid shelter, discovering an entire millennia of Bristol’s rich history.

St Nicks Market air raid shelter – photo: Martin Booth

Friday: MicroDog ‘24: Heat A, The Thunderbolt
The annual battle of the bands returns to the Totterdown live music venue that has certainly seen its fair share of acts pass through over the years. This year marks the 7th iteration of the competition, and Heat A sees Bristol’s finest metal, rock and punk bands go toe to toe in the hopes of a spot in the final at Thekla.

The Thunderbolt – photo: Mia Vines Booth

Saturday: Monthly Saturday art club, Bristol Loaf (Bristol Beacon)
A month on from the grand reopening of the Bristol Beacon, pay a visit if you’ve yet to see the shiny new refurbished halls for yourself. Their monthly art club takes place at the also newly refurbished Bristol Loaf within their entrance hall, and is a great opportunity to give the children something to do whilst you enjoy a coffee and take in the grand new venue.

The Bristol Loaf at Bristol Beacon – photo: Franklin Franklin

Sunday: Explore Bristol’s quirkiest corners tour, City Centre
If one thing’s for certain, it’s that Bristol24/7 Editor Martin Booth’s love for Bristol will never die. He continues to give his acclaimed walking tours into the new year, showing you around the Old City, showing you the city’s hidden secrets, and grabbing a coffee with him at one of his favourite spots.

The tour is delivered by Bristol24/7’s editor Martin Booth – Photo: Yuup

And coming soon…

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January 18: Kronos Quartet, Bristol Beacon
For 50 years, San Francisco’s GRAMMY-winning Kronos Quartet – David Harrington, John Sherba, Hank Dutt and Paul Wiancko – has challenged and reimagined what a string quartet can be, revolutionising it into a living art form. This special evening will highlight the legacy of innovation of Kronos Quartet with new commissions, signature works from its vast repertoire, and pieces from Kronos’ Fifty for the Future project. Honing in on five decades of material, the programme includes performances of Steve Reich’s Triple Quartet, the UK premiere of new works by Angélique Kidjo and Sun Ra/Terry Riley, as well as music by Sigur Rós, Jlin and Laurie Anderson.

Kronos Quartet – photo: Bristol Beacon

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January 20 2024: Henleaze Concert Society: Mozart and Mendelssohn, Trinity Henleaze URC
Come and enjoy with us two great works performed by the Bristol Ensemble:

• Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A K.581
• Mendelssohn Octet in E flat major Op.20

Mendelssohn’s piece is beautifully uplifting, and Mozart’s is one of the most sublime and well-loved works in the chamber music repertoire for its exquisitely crafted melodic lines.

Mozart and Mendelssohn – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

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January 24: Steve Bates MBE – Wild Tracks, Redgrave Theatre
Paralympic gold medal-winning cyclist Steve Bate MBE shares the incredible journey of riding to ascend the iconic mountain of Kilimanjaro, with fellow Paralympic gold medalist Karen Darke MBE. With a diverse team, Wild Tracks explores themes of challenge, diversity and human potential. A rare opportunity to hear, first-hand, a story of resilience, transformation and human connection.

Steve Bates – Wild Tracks – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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January 25: Pete Firman – TrikTok, Redgrave Theatre
Pete is an award-winning performer who is not to be missed live. Expect an evening of jaw-dropping magic and laugh-out-loud comedy. TrikTok takes Pete’s magic from the small screen to the stage and gives audiences a chance to see his critically acclaimed magical skills in the flesh.

Pete Firman – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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January 25: The Anatomy of the Orchestra: Drone Refractions (Paraorchestra with Charles Hazelwood), Bristol Beacon
In The Anatomy of the Orchestra: Drone Refractions, Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra turn the orchestra inside-out, charting an immersive drone odyssey via some of Minimalism’s forebears and its greatest composers, including Pauline Oliveros and Arvo Part. This unique performance re-casts the orchestra as a living, breathing installation: thirty-four musicians are arrayed throughout the space as they play. The audience is invited to walk or sit amongst them, to get close to the performers and sink into a deep sonic realm as enveloping drones mix with heady lighting design to conjure a hazy, transcendental atmosphere.

Anatomy of the Orchestra – photo: Bristol Beacon

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February 7 & 8: A Family Business, Tobacco Factory Theatres
A show how not to blow up the planet. A Family Business is about diplomats, activists, and a journey to change the world. If these weapons could wipe out all our tomorrows, then why aren’t we all talking about them today?

A Family Business – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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February 14 2024: The Beatles: Love Songs, St George’s
The Bristol Ensemble celebrate Valentine’s Day with the ultimate Beatles special, featuring their best love songs in an hour-long concert that will give you a Valentines Night to remember! Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of St. George’s Bristol, bathed in the romantic glow of candlelight. It doesn’t get more romantic than this!

The Beatles Love Songs – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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February 27: The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Film and live orchestra, St. George’s
Watch the original Hunchback of Notre Dame film with live symphonic score from the Bristol Ensemble at St George’s Bristol. Celebrating 100 years since the film was first released in September 1923. Flicker Alley restored and mastered this edition from a multi-tinted 16mm print struck in 1926 from the original camera negative.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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February 27-March 2: Beautiful Evil Things, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Beautiful Evil Things is a high-energy one-woman show from Ad Infinitum, combining physical storytelling with cut-throat wit. This acerbically comic, thrilling and poignant show “brings tears to your eyes and raises your heart rate” (★★★★ The Guardian).

Beautiful Evil Things – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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March 9 2024: Einaudi meets Richter by candlelight, Trinity Henleaze URC
This will be a hypnotic evening of music performed by the Bristol Ensemble, featuring mesmerising works by Ludovico Einaudi, and Max Richter’s engagingly refreshing reimagining of Vivaldi’s ever-popular Four Seasons:

• Einaudi Divenire; Primavera; Petricor; I Giorni; Full Moon
• Max Richter: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Reimagined

Einaudi meets Richter by candlelight – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

Main photo: Franklin Franklin

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• Bricks announce open call for major public artwork for Temple Quarter’s Welcome Building
• The Jam Jar boosted by Arts Council England grant

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