21 things to do in Bristol this week, November 21-27

Monday: England v Iran – Giant Screen World Cup, The Fleece
Kick off the world cup festivities with The Fleece, as England Take on Iran. Enjoy their giant screen and soak in the atmosphere, surrounded by fans crossing their fingers that it might just be coming home.

Enjoy kicking off the world cup season at The Fleece – Photo: The Fleece

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Now-January 8: 169 Annual Open, RWA
The RWA’s renowned Annual Open Exhibition has returned! Visit the #RWA169 @rwabristol for a delightful smorgasbord of the most exciting artists from around the country and beyond. All artwork is for sale and available to purchase though the RWA online shop. Worth remembering if you’re looking for a unique gift idea.

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

Tuesday: The Science of Dreams with Dr Jonathan Iliff, Hen & Chicken
Join esteemed neuroscientist Dr. Jonathan Iliff as he examines the science of dreams, from what they mean to how we can have an impact on them – if at all.

Brought to you by Seed Talks, Dr. Jonathan Iliff comes to the Hen & Chicken this week, to discuss the meaning behind dreams – Photo: Hen & Chicken/Seed Talks

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November-December: Christmas Spiegeltent, Harbourside
Bristol’s most unique pop-up venue, Christmas at the Spiegeltent, returns for its 10th Anniversary! Bringing a smorgasbord of events ranging from family friendly events to cabarets to club nights you can find something for everybody.

The Spiegeltent is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year – Photo: Christmas Spiegeltent

Wednesday: Meditation for beginners, Bristol Buddhist Centre
If you’ve always wanted to dive into the practice of meditation, but have never known where to start or have found standard classes too intimidating, then look no further than the Bristol Buddhist Centre on Gloucester Road, who are hosting a session specifically for those who’ve no experience with the art.

The Gloucester Road centre is a hub for meditation and other Buddhist practices in North Bristol – Photo: Bristol Buddhist Centre

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Submissions close December 5: RWA Photo Open
Calling all photographers and photographic artists! Submissions are now open for the RWA Photo Open Exhibition! Entry is open to everyone – professional or amateur, established or emerging talent. A unique opportunity to show and sell your work alongside world renowned photographers in this prestigious and beautiful art gallery. There’s over £3000 worth of prizes on offer and a chance to have a solo show in the RWA.

Submissions are now open for anyone to apply for the next RWA photo open – Photo: RWA

Thursday: Blazing Saddles (Bristol Film Festival), Averys Wine Merchants
Situated in the historic Averys Wine Merchants just off Park Street, Bristol Film Festival are hosting screenings of various classic flicks, paired with equally classic wines. This week, it’s the unforgettable Mel Brooks’ western satire Blazing Saddles, so bring your stirrups.

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Thursday: Bristol Beacon Presents: Wayne Snow, Exchange
Wayne Snow’s music exudes an enchanting, vibrant warmth. Channelling the sounds of his Nigerian upbringing, Snow crafts a rich and sultry blend of sun-kissed soul and expansive jazz drawing on influences such as Fela Kuti and Sade alongside his love for Afrofuturism. Since his relocation to Berlin in 2013, Snow has “become central to the city’s burgeoning future jazz and neo-soul scene” (XLR8R). A frequent collaborator with producer Max Graef, Snow’s debut album ‘Freedom TV’ purveys a self-assured creative voice. His reflective new album ‘Figurine’ sees Snow further develop his artistic vision in his most personal work to date.

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Friday-December 2: BOVTS Presents: Robin Hood & Mariam, Redgrave Theatre
Deep in Sherwood Forest, swashbuckling power couple Robin Hood and Marian are taking from the rich to give to the poor. Along with their band of outlaws, they have one goal: to outsmart the fearsome Sheriff of Nottingham and greedy Prince John.

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

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Friday: Lunchtime Talk: Creating Narratives in Digital Theatre, Watershed
In this free Lunchtime Talk (in person at Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio and streaming live on YouTube) artists Natalie Reckert and Mark Morreau talk about their work creating narratives on stage where the visuals, the spoken word and the performance are equally important. With British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation throughout.

The talk is part of the Watershed’s Lunchtime Talks series – Photo: Watershed

Friday: Community Christmas Market, Easton Community Centre
Organised by and for creatives and sellers from refugee and migrant backgrounds, the Easton Community Centre’s Christmas market will have fantastic food from across the globe, along with great opportunities to buy some beautiful handmade gifts for friends and family.

The community centre hosts it’s Christmas market this week – Photo: Betty Woolerton

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Opens Friday: Bones and All, Watershed
After his most recent remake of Suspiria in 2018, director Luca Guadagnino returns to the horror genre with a coming-of-age story about two cannibals (Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet) that is good enough to eat.

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Saturday: Amy True + Wavysof, Old Market Assembly
A true wordsmith, Amy’s steady stream of conscious, iconoclastic verse sits in visceral harmony amongst soulful melodic hooks and rich jazz motifs as she punches out poetry with unapologetic flare.
Wavysof: Undeniable story-telling ability, underground melodic sounds and the incredible honesty and relatability within her lyrics. Messages of love and truth ring out from her powerful, soulful voice. Feels like being punched in the heart repeatedly. Rising Star right here.

Saturday & Sunday: North Bristol Artists’ Trail, North Bristol
A weekend-long celebration across North Bristol, where over 50 artists living in the area have opened up their homes/studios for you to come and browse their work, and hopefully bag a piece or two. There’s even a handy map on their website, so you can ensure you don’t miss any of the spots on the journey.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_Y859s0ua/

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Saturday: The Donkey’s Tale, Redgrave Theatre
A starry night, three kings and a very famous baby… Donkey, Dog and Camel meet once a year to tell their favourite story. Dog remembers his time with the shepherds; Camel, his time with the Wise Men. But most of all, this is The Donkey’s Tale…

A Donkey’s Tale comes to Redgrave Theatre this week – Photo: Redgrave Theatre

Sunday: Supermarket Slayride, Forever Pedalling
Help stock up local food banks whilst riding a fantastic Bristol cycling route this Sunday, with Forever Pedalling’s Christmas bike trail. You can choose between a shorter or a longer route, and can even pay a little extra for a wicked pizza party once you cross the line.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjzU5ycortY/

And coming soon…

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November 29: Oscar Jerome, Trinity Centre
Oscar Jerome brings an intoxicating blend of jazz, hip hop, and neo-soul to Trinity. This jazzy musician has been honing his skills with Kokoroko and collaborations with other jazz Moses Boyd and Shabaka Hutchings.

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December 2-January 8: Belle and Sebastien, Bristol Old Vic
This Christmas join Travelling Light Theatre Company and Bristol Old Vic for a classic family tale based on the children’s story by Cécile Aubry. Belle and Sebastien – it follows two kindred spirits as they adventure into the wild to escape and discover themselves. For ages 4+.

Belle and Sebastien is Bristol Old Vic’s Christmas production this year – Photo: Bristol Old Vic

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December 7: Bristol Beacon Presents: Heartless Bastards, Exchange
Helmed by Erika Wennerstrom, Heartless Bastards are a “roots-rock band” (Rolling Stone). At the centre of the Austin-based group’s sound sits Wennerstrom’s distinct voice, “exquisitely engaging in its world-weary twang” (Pitchfork). Following on from their 2015 album ‘Restless Ones’, which established “Heartless Bastards as a straightforward arena-rock band” (Pitchfork), their new record ‘A Beautiful Life’ further expands the band’s sound palette. Encompassing elements of French pop, Celtic folk, post-punk and space rock, ‘A Beautiful Life’ showcases Wennerstrom’s reflective, radiant songwriting. Alongside longtime Heartless Bastards bassist Jesse Ebaugh, the album features members of My Morning Jacket, Okkervil River, and White Denim.

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December 17: DEEP MEDi, Trinity Centre
British dubstep label DEEP MEDi bring the bass to Trinity Centre for the dance of the year – keep your eyes peeled for the line-up but as ever with MEDi expect some of the finest DJs in the 140/dubstep scene.

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December 31: Alfresco Disco: Light Box NYE, Secret Location
Alfresco Disco is the collective responsible for some of Bristol’s most audacious events. For this NYE they’ve secured the keys to an amazing disused factory in central Bristol – expect multiple soundsystems across a stunning industrial playground. As always, the line-up will remain under wraps until the day – previous guests have included Axel Boman, Shanti Celeste, Eats Everything, Marshall Jefferson and DJ Die.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkN1AEujYSC/

Main Photo: Old Market Assembly

Read more: Belle and Sebastien: A Christmas show for children and young families

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