Things To Do / Sponsored
19 things to do in Bristol this week, January 2-8 2023
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Now-January 15: The Snow Queen, Tobacco Factory Theatres
This unforgettable folk tale is full of heart, courage and a lot of laughter. Remember to wrap up warm as we hop on-board a Nordic sleigh, adventure through a mystical land of snow and magic, and even fly through the sky with a bicycling reindeer!
The Snow Queen, Tobacco Factory – photo: Mark Dawson
Monday: New Year Walk & Talk, Millennium Square
See in the new year by meeting some new people – as mental health charities Mental Health Mates and Andy’s Man Club team up for a relaxing, accessible walk around Bristol Harbour, where the goal is not to achieve the best time, but to have good conversations, and potentially make a friend or two.
The walk is a collaboration between Mental Health charities Mental Health Mates & Andy’s Man Club – photo: Mental Health Mates
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Monday-Saturday: The Nutcracker, Bristol Old Vic
This Christmas at Bristol Old Vic, forget Sugar Plum fairies and ballet shoes – this is The Nutcracker like you’ve never seen before! In this piece of “modernised magic” (★★★★★ The Observer), with original music from the creative team behind A Christmas Carol (2019), toys come to life, princesses play the saxophone, and anything is possible. Don’t miss this “entertaining, comical and a little bit bonkers” (★★★★★ What’s Good To Do) family blockbuster.
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Monday-Sunday: 169 Annual Open FINAL WEEK, RWA
It’s the last week to catch the RWA’s Annual Open Exhibition, The Heritage Display and Denis Baxter: An Artist’s Creative Journey! Pop in and see just one exhibition, or have a full day out and be inspired by all three! The Heritage Exhibition finishes 5th Jan and the Annual Open Exhibition and Denis Baxter close on 8th January.
The RWA’s annual open is a great opportunity to bag yourself some hidden gems – photo: Alice Hendy
Tuesday: Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Living Dangerously, Hippodrome
Known for being the first man to reach both poles and cross the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, along with a host of other extraordinary endurance feats, it is safe to say that Sir Ranulph has led quite the life – and it’s not over yet. At the Hippodrome, he holds court this week, telling his story, from his upbringing to his time in the service, to the many challenges he has set himself.
Wednesday: Bead and Booze – January, Bristol Folk House
Run by Issie, Bead and Booze will give you the materials and knowledge needed to create your very own beaded necklace or bracelet amongst the cosy settings of Bristol Folk House. Their bar will also be open, and will remain open for an hour after the session ends, leaving you time to converse with your fellow jewellery makers and compare your craftsmanship.
Bristol Folk House – photo: Bristol Folk House
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Thursday: Seeking Blissful States, The Mount Without
Join Lucy for a transformative evening to welcome and breathe life into the new year. Setting our intentions and working with the anxious and addictive mind through powerful tools of kundalini global yoga and the breath. Fascinated by the altered states we can take ourselves to with yoga, the breath and by stretching. I will finish the practice with the healing sound of Crystal bowls which helps to bring us into a deeper state of relaxation and raise our frequency. I aim to create a safe and welcoming space open to all levels. Please note this class is not suitable for pregnant people.
Kundalini yoga at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without
Thursday: Improv Jam & Social, Bristol Improv Theatre
An evening of variety at Bristol’s top improv venue. Whether you’ve come as an experienced improv-er, you’re looking to try it for the first time or you simply just want to watch, it will surely be an evening full of unexpected laughs and plenty of wit.
Theatre Jam, Bristol Improv Theatre – photo: Lee Pullen
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Friday-January 9: Bristol Salsa Congress 2023, Trinity Centre
Head to Trinity for an unforgettable 3 days of dance, shows and workshops. Amazing instructors will be leading different workshops during the day including: Cross Body Salsa On1&On2, Bachata, Kizomba, Cuban Salsa, Cha Cha, Pachanga, Latin Jazz, Musicality, Boogaloo, Dips and Tricks, Leading and Following Technique. The workshops are designed for all levels – from beginner to advanced.
Bristol Salsa Congress – photo: Trinity Centre
Friday: Bristol Comedy Cave, Basement 45
A brand new stand-up night in an unexpected venue. Basement 45 tries its hand at the comedy game, with the promise of “TV names, local legends, but above all – expect it to be bloody funny”.
The caves of Basement 45 open themselves up to stand-up comedy – photo: Basement 45
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Opens Friday: Till, Watershed
Chinonye Chukwu’s (Clemency) travels back to the 1950s for her stunning second feature about the true story of Mamie Till’s landmark fight for justice following the abhorrent lynching of her son Emmett in 1955.
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Friday: Lunchtime Talk: Nikesh Shukla – IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT, Watershed
In this Lunchtime Talk (in person at Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio and streaming live on YouTube) novelist and screenwriter Nikesh Shukla will talk about imposter syndrome, artistic failure, the projects that didn’t happen and the ideas that never got finished, and how none of that is bad.
Watershed lunchtime talk – photo: Watershed
Saturday & Sunday: Rosemary Mayer – Ways of Attaching, Spike Island
The opening weekend of Spike Island’s exhibition of Mayer’s work. Having grown up and lived her entire life in New York throughout the 20th century, her work intertwines the many cultural themes that were tackled across the span of her career, and moves between all mediums, from sculpture to artist books.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYhUVJvlTQb/
Sunday: Being Human – Getting Stoned with Australopithecus, Hamilton House
The first in an eight part series of History/Philosophy talks at Hamilton house, where the history of humanity, both evolutionary and cultural, will be explored. There are only 15 slots, too, so get in while you still can.
The series of talks aim to dig into our history, and what it means to ‘be human’ – photo: Being human, Hamilton House
And coming soon…
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Starts January 13: Making Music for Mental Health, Trinity Centre
These weekly sessions will be exploring lots of different ways of making sounds and creating music in a group. This is a space for you to experiment with sounds, express yourself creatively, and connect with others through music. Absolutely no musical experience necessary – instruments will be provided, using our voices and using body percussion, but please feel free to bring instruments along if you want to!
Making music for mental health – photo: Trinity Centre
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January 21: La Voix – Eighth Wonder of the World, Redgrave Theatre
The UK’s Funniest Red Head is coming! The eighth wonder of the world, the diamante diva herself La Voix, is hot footing her way to Bristol with her brand new show as the Countess of Comedy!
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January 22: Kayhan Kalhor & Erdal Erzincan, St George’s Bristol
The ongoing collaborations between Iranian artist Kayhan Kalhor and Erdal Erzincan fuse the respective traditions of Persia and Ottoman Turkey. Each draws on the folk and classical heritage of their homeland, with Grammy Award winner Kalhor being an acclaimed player of the kamancheh, a Persian spiked fiddle, whilst Erzincan is renowned for his mastery of the Turkish baglama, a long-necked lute. Ever since the pair released their album The Wind in 2006 they have continued to collaborate, their vibrant virtuosic explorations of Middle Eastern classical instrumentation creating striking and trance-like arrangements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOAnjA6kzGs
is needed now More than ever
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January 26: An Evening with Nigel Owens MBE, Redgrave Theatre
We are delighted to bring you an evening with one of the World’s top rugby referees, Nigel Owens MBE. Nigel is one of the most engaging and humorous characters in the game of rugby union and it will be an evening not to miss for any sports fan as he recounts stories from his life and career.
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February 3: Federico Albanese, Bristol Beacon Foyer
Federico Albanese’s contemporary-classical compositions are inflected with jazz, avant-pop and electronica. Whilst piano predominates the Berlin-via-Milan multi-instrumentalist’s work, he also employs a wide range of sounds including tape processing, synthesisers, melodica and electric guitar. Albanese’s latest album ‘Before and Now Seems Infinite’ is his debut outing on Universal’s genre-defying Mercury RX imprint and features guest vocals from Marika Hackman and Ghostpoet. It also sees him explore memory via striking and haunting compositions that create poignantly vivid soundscapes.
Main Photo: Claire Haigh
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