Things To Do / Sponsored
21 things to do in Bristol this week, July 17-23 2023
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Monday-Thursday: While We Watched, Watershed
Ravish Kumar is the broadcaster risking his life to tell the truth about India today in Vinay Shukla’s new feature documentary While We Watched.
While We Watched – photo: Watershed
Monday: GHY-3, Centrespace Gallery
A brand new experiential exhibition from artist Jamie House, exploring the relationship between scientific studying and artistic experimentation by inspecting the seemingly hidden similarities between the communication methods of insects and space satellites.
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is needed now More than ever
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Now-September 3: Find Shaun the Sheep at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm!
Download the free Hide & Sheep AR trail app and find Shaun the Sheep around the Zoo. Included free with admission.
Noah’s Ark x Aardman AR experience – photo: Noah’s Ark
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Now-August 13: Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City, RWA
Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City, is an Arts Council Collection touring exhibition, curated by artist and activist Lubaina Himid CBE. This thought-provoking, multidisciplinary show, presents over 60 artworks from leading female artists, including several Bristol-based artists, all exploring views of city living through women’s eyes. Addressing themes ranging from safety and navigation to concepts of belonging, power and fun, freedom and discovery. Join some of today’s most exciting female artists and reflect on what the city means to you.
Found Cities Lost Objects at RWA – photo: RWA
Tuesday: Stand up paddleboarding taster, The Cottage Inn
For those who are new to or have yet to experience paddleboarding, this Tuesday presents the perfect time for you to give it a go. Taking you through the basics and making sure you’re comfortable, your instructor will then take you on a short tour of the harbour area.
The workshop is ran by SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) Bristol – photo: Yuup
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Open throughout July: Beyond Submergence, Propyard
Wondering what a 20,000sq. ft. immersive experience looks like? Step into Beyond Submergence this summer, a world-first exhibition of light & sound by Squidsoup, brought to Bristol by the team behind Four Tet’s immersive live performances dubbed ‘the best live show in the world’ by Mixmag. Take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, discover the host of events taking place in the exhibition space and find out how to book via the link above.
Beyond Submergence, Propyard, 2023 – photo: Chris Cooper/Shotaway
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Wednesday: New moon sound bath: Annette & Rounik, The Mount Without
Relax, release & reconnect through healing vibrations with magical gong practitioner, Annette, and singing bowl sensation, Rounik.
Come and join Annette and Rounik for a nourishing and relaxing New Moon Sound Bath in the breath-taking Bristol venue, The Mount Without. Sound healing is a wonderfully restorative and relaxing experience, nourishing us on so many levels. It can also be the catalyst for timely change, shifts and further awakening.
Annette and Rounik weave high vibrations into a heart-felt space using ancient, healing instruments such as chakra singing bowls, gongs, monochords, special chimes, Light Language vocals and other sacred sounds.
We welcome you to embrace the healing vibrations on a cellular level, to open to new directions in your life and to set intentions for your inner changes and shifts. The new moon is an opportune time to realise and release that which no longer serves us. In making space for the new, we can plant the seeds of our intentions for what we wish to welcome into life.
Every attendee will receive a unique gift bag and enjoy vegan, organic chocolate as a special treat to round off our sound journey together!
Sound bath at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without
Wednesday: Namesbliss + Danny Chaska + yung toro + Teddy Good, Crofters Rights
An exciting lineup of up and coming underground hip hop artists to soundtrack your Wednesday evening. Namesbliss is becoming known far and wide for his soul drenched, jazzy tracks that have a distinct ‘90s feel.
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Thursday: Double Deckers Comedy Series with Ian Stone and Nabil Abdulrashid, Hen & Chicken
The Double Deckers Comedy Series is an opportunity to see brand new hour-long stand up shows which are bound for the Edinburgh Fringe in August – the world’s largest arts festival. Each double bill preview features two established acts from the UK circuit who are at the top of their game.
Ian Stone Will Make It Better:
Feel like life is getting out of hand? Are you not affronted by what we all have to put up with? Ian Stone Will Make it Better.
“A masterful exponent of self mocking Jewish humour” – The Times
“One of the sharpest comic minds in the country” – Romesh Ranganathan
“All the big questions in life rightfully laughed at. Am I happy? Not often, but for this particular hour, definitely” – Johnny Vegas
Ultimately, Ian is on a mission to solve all the world’s many problems with an hour of finely crafted comedy.
Nabil Abdulrashid: Work in Progress
An hour of developing new material from comedian Nabil Abdulrashid.
As seen on Live at the Apollo, The Stand-Up Sketch Show, and Britain’s Got Talent.
“Refreshingly radical fare, smartly woven into a gag-packed set… a fresh comic voice” Daily Telegraph
“The star by a wide margin… animated by a sardonic intelligence and sharp eye for the absurdities of racial discourse” The Guardian
Double Deckers Comedy at Hen & Chicken – photo: The Comedy Box
Thursday: Amplified Arcade: Fluff, Four Quarters
Part of the weekly live music series at the Park Street arcade. This week sees Fluff bring his high energy punk rock anthems to rattle the arcade machines, fresh off their show at Glastonbury.
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Thursday: Slowski live at the crypt, The Mount Without
Slowski are a newly reformed Bristol-based three-piece. Named after underground Russian sound engineer and creator of Bone Music, Ruslan Bogoslowski. Fusing the melancholic, textural moments of electronic music with the visceral feel of alt-rock and punk, their music holds a calm intensity that ebbs and flows. This will be their first gig since the cusp of Lockdown 1.0. Long-term friend Joey joined in February this year after Elliot and David decided to orchestrate a comeback nobody knew they wanted. The band recently recorded in both Bristol and Wells, and are set to release two new singles this summer while it’s still sizzling.
Arcadia Planitia Five-a-Side Football Team: Fragmented tales retrieved from the outer realms of unknown realities retold through an improvised jam spanning a variety of instruments and genres.
¡Ay Carmela!: Bristol-based indie rock trio, combining a punk edge with jazzy undertones.
Slowski at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without
Thursday: EatDrink24/7 launch celebration, Wapping Wharf
Join Bristol24/7 and the best chefs and restaurants from Wapping Wharf and beyond to celebrate the best of Bristol’s food and drink and launch this year’s EatDrink guide on 20 July.
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Friday: Barbie premiere party & screening, Watershed
To celebrate the release of the long-awaited live action Barbie adaptation, Watershed are hosting an all-pink party right before their first screenings of the flick. There will be a drag Barbie and Ken in attendance, and the party will continue in their bar after the screening.
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Saturday: The Walled Garden Concerts: ‘You Are Here’ Jazz Ensemble ft. Kevin Figes, Belmont Estate
Come to the intimate Walled Garden of the stunning Belmont Estate for a Saturday afternoon of open-air jazz and food. Music comes from new jazz sextet ‘You Are Here’, a group formed by celebrated musician Kevin Figes as a tribute to the late pianist Keith Tippett. While away a summer afternoon with this unique outdoor concert experience.
You are here jazz ensemble – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Saturday: The Quarrymen – In Conversation with Billy Bragg, Redgrave Theatre
A unique chance to hear original members of John Lennon’s original Quarrymen lineup in conversation with none other than singer/songwriter and skiffle aficionado Billy Bragg.
The Quarrymen in conversation with Billy Bragg – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Saturday: Keep Hush Bristol day party, Trinity Centre
A year on from their party for the history books in the Trinity garden space, international party starters Keep Hush return to the scene of the crime for round two. Expect amapiano, UK funky and all other types of dance music destined for the sun.
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Saturday: The Quarrymen Live!, Redgrave Theatre
Don’t miss the exclusive event, as Rod (originally playing banjo and now on guitar) and Colin (drums) are joined on stage by Chas Newby. This promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience – a night to remember for all Beatles fans. A night of music, nostalgia and passion!
The Quarrymen Live – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Sunday: Wine & cheese flight, KASK
Close out your weekend amongst the cosy settings of Kask on North Street. Surrounded by fellow wine lovers, you will be taken on a journey through three of the specially selected sustainable wines, each paired with their own local cheeses.
Kask North Street wine bar – photo: Yuup
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Sunday: The Walled Garden Concerts: BSO String Ensemble – Music of Reflection, Belmont Estate
Enjoy a second open air concert at Belmont Estate, located just a stone’s throw from Bristol in the North Somerset countryside. Travel through 450 years of classical music as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra String Ensemble fills the summer air with a selection of exquisite pieces from JS Bach and Corelli to Arvo Pärt and Jessie Montgomery. Discover Belmont Estate’s idyllic setting and soak up the atmosphere with wood-fired pizza and BBQ, plus plenty of wine, local organic cider, soft drinks and Bristol-brewed beers.
BSO String Ensemble – photo: Bristol Beacon
And coming soon…
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July 24 & 31: Happy Mondays Happy Families, RWA
We have two Happy Mondays Happy Families sessions coming up in the next few weeks. These sensory, explorative workshops are specifically designed for families with children with SEN+D. Taking place on Mondays when the galleries are closed to the general public, families can come and explore and play with an experienced facilitator in a quiet, calm, and welcoming space. You’re invited to participate in an art workshop with or without making artwork. Children can decide whether they wish to explore feelings and ideas or just take pleasure in sounds, smells and sights. Join us on Monday 24 July, and/or Monday 31 July, both running from 10 am – 12.30 pm.
Happy Mondays Happy Families – photo: RWA
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July 26-30: Cinema Rediscovered Festival, Watershed
Cinema Rediscovered – the UK’s leading festival of classic cinema and film restorations – returns to Watershed for its 7th annual edition, featuring big screen experiences of brand-new film restorations, rediscoveries and film on film rarities from around the world, alongside a multitude of starting points for lively conversation. Book your tickets now.
Cinema Rediscovered Festival – photo: Watershed
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July 27: Double Deckers Comedy Series with Scott Bennett and Jason John Whitehead, Hen & Chicken
The Double Deckers Comedy Series is an opportunity to see brand new hour-long stand up shows. Both are work-in-progress shows. Each double bill preview features two established acts from the UK circuit who are at the top of their game.
Scott Bennett: Stuff
A show about stuff, society and design. Star of Live at the Apollo (BBC One) The News Quiz (radio 4) Comedians comedian 2020 and Best Club Comedian Nominee by Chortle 2022.
“Without doubt live comedy’s best kept secret” The Evening Standard
Jason John Whitehead: White Noise
The LA-based comedian (The Jim Jefferies Show, Comedy Central) is back slinging jokes in the country that he used to call home. White Noise promises to be another fun show filled with self-deprecation and the skewering of social norms.
“Blistering, hysterical… the audience lap up every word” Metro
Double Deckers comedy at Hen & Chicken – photo: Comedy Box
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September 21-23: Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Soho, Tobacco Factory Theatres
JUST ANNOUNCED! MAGGIE COMES TO BRISTOL IN HER SMASH HIT DRAG EXTRAVAGANZA!
★★★★ “Gloriously camp with a political punch” – The Times
★★★★ “Definitely not for Thatcherites. Everyone else? Most definitely.” – Mail on Sunday
Following four sell-out runs at Edinburgh Fringe, a UK tour and West End season, the Iron Lady is back and more fabulous than ever in this big gay odyssey about LGBT rights, the 80s, and disco!
Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres
Main photo: Chris Cooper/Shotaway
Read next:
- Jem Southam’s historic photos of Bristol harbour on show at Society Cafe
- Social scaffolding art collective bring South West tour to Bristol
- Free DJ taster workshops announced for people of South Asian heritage
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