Things To Do / Sponsored
22 things to do in Bristol this week, July 31-August 6 2023
SPONSORED
Saturday & Sunday: South Gloucestershire Show, South Glos Showground
The family friendly event welcomes Shetland pony racing, birds of prey, UK’s strongest man, sheep herding, balloon displays, music stage, livestock animals, classic cars, arts & crafts, BMX and dog arenas.
South Glos Show horses – photo: South Gloucestershire Show
SPONSORED
Monday-Sunday: The Virgin Suicides, Watershed
The breakthrough film for Sofia Coppola and a then-teenage Kirsten Dunst, The Virgin Suicides became an almost-instant cult classic courtesy of its dream-like cinematography by Ed Lachman, a chilled soundtrack from Air, and its morbid subject matter, all married to an ethereal, light aesthetic touch.
Monday: Art Monsters launch with Lauren Elkin, Bookhaus
To celebrate the launch of her latest feminist work examining how female artists speak about their lived bodily experiences, author Lauren Elkin will be in conversation at Bookhaus exploring the issues explored in the book. Ticket price includes a glass of wine and £2 off your own copy.
Lauren Elkin: Art Monsters cover – photo: Bookhaus
SPONSORED
Now-September 3: Meet the unicorn artists, RWA
We have gone unicorn mad here at the RWA. We have two amazing unicorns on our forecourt, created by Katie Elkington and Zoe Powers, as part of Bristol’s Unicorn Festival. We also have the artwork Stealing the Unicorn by Beth Carter RWA in our main exhibition, Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City, and some fluffy unicorn toys in our shop. Found Cities, Lost Objects ends on the 13th of August, and the Unicorn Trail ends on the 3rd of September, so come and discover all our unicorns for yourself, before they gallop away!
Unicorns outside the RWA – photo: RWA
SPONSORED
All week: Treasure Hunt Around Knowle – are you clever enough?, Jubilee Pool
Pick up instructions from the Jubilee Pool, Knowle, search for the clues hidden in Knowle’s local businesses, gather the answers then drop back at the Pool with the £2.00 fee. Fun for the family with a chance to win some swimming prizes.
Treasure hunt poster – photo: Jubilee Pool
SPONSORED
Tuesday: Mary Coughlan, Redgrave Theatre
Mary Coughlan is arguably one of Ireland’s greatest female jazz and blues singers, a true artist who has carved out a timeless and highly regarded career and a legion of devoted fans worldwide. Described as “Ireland’s Billie Holiday” Mary has overcome childhood trauma, alcoholism & drug addiction to become a musical force like no other.
Mary Coughlan – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Tuesday: Beer tasting flight and take away pack, Alpha Bottle Shop & taproom
Located in the Imperial Arcade on Bedminster’s East Street, the cosy taproom/purveyor of some of Bristol’s finest brews is hosting a flight of a few of their current favourites, along with the chance to pick out a few cans for yourself to take home.
Alpha Bottle Shop and Taproom – photo: Yuup
SPONSORED
Open July-September: 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 and 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
SPONSORED
Tuesday-Sunday: Finding Nemo, Watershed
A father-son underwater adventure starring Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres and Willem Dafoe. After swimming too far out from the coral reefs, Nemo is captured by a human diver and taken away to the bustling city of Sydney.
SPONSORED
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
Wednesday-Saturday: Bristol Cider Salon, various locations
The West is known for its incredible selection of fermented apple juices. Whilst Saturday plays host to the main Cider Salon celebrations, with 60 ciders on offer at Trinity Centre, the three days beforehand are choc full of talks, tastings and dinners at many of Bristol’s top independent spaces.
View this post on Instagram
Thursday: Together We Make: SHARE, Arnolfini
If you’re creative, you understand the value of collaboration, regardless of the medium. This newly imagined space from Arnolfini allows creators and makers of all shapes and sizes an opportunity to talk about and share their work with others, in an open and safe discussion space.
Share at Arnolfini – photo: Arnolifini
Friday: Bristol Coffee Festival launch party, Dareshack
Whilst the actual event itself doesn’t take place until September, Bristol’s new celebration of all things caffeinated is eager to get the ball rolling, with a launch party at Wine Street’s arts venue/cafe. There will be live music from 6pm ‘til late, plenty of games, and 50 free espresso martinis for the first through the door.
Bristol Coffee Festival Launch Party – photo: Bristol Coffee Festival
Saturday: Bristol City Vs Preston North End, Ashton Gate Stadium
Ashton gate is the field of battle as the robins kick off their ‘23/’24 season with a clash against Lancashire’s Preston North end.
Independent journalism
is needed now More than everKeep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.View this post on Instagram
Sunday: Mini Robot Wars – BBB: Subterranean Showdown 2023, Loco Klub
Robot wars, minus the Craig Charles, plus the underground subterranean tunnels beneath Temple Meads station. Teams from all over come head to head in this battle of the mini machines.
SPONSORED
August 6 & 7: Lie down & listen… Float on a cloud, The Mount Without
You’ll feel as if you’re floating on a cloud after experiencing ‘Lie down & Listen’ – a blissful Tibetan bowl sound healing and lying down classical concert experiences coming to Bristol this August 6 & 7th.
As you Lie down and Listen on soft mattresses in the stunning Mount Without in Bristol you can gaze up at the ceiling painted with clouds. Afterwards you’ll feel relaxed, blissed out, reenergised and you’ll likely sleep better than ever before.
Lie down and listen – photo: The Mount Without
SPONSORED
Sunday: Found Cities, Lost Objects described tour, RWA
Join us for our Described Gallery Tour for Blind and Partially Sighted Adults, of our current exhibition, Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City. This tour is led by our experienced facilitator, Sarah Kelly, and will focus on a selection of artworks in the exhibition. You will have the opportunity to touch some of the works in the exhibition and hear directly from exhibiting artists about their work. The tour will conclude with refreshments and time for group discussion. You are welcome to bring a companion and/or guide dog.
Described gallery tour – photo: RWA
And coming soon…
SPONSORED
August 9: The Comedy Box presents: Dane Baptiste: Bapsquire (Edinburgh preview), Hen & Chicken
Following his award-nominated tour ‘The Chocolate Chip’; Dane Baptiste returns with a brand new show and mentality.
Most of us are supposed to mellow with age, and Dane shouldn’t be the angry black man the media portrays him to be at times. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. Dane Baptiste is now a grown-ass man. No longer ‘Daneger’, ‘Joke Dza’, ‘ASAP Bap’, or any of his old, bad-boy aliases, Dane now presents a mature comic for comedy palettes. Dane Baptiste is BAPSQUIRE.
“Powerful and persuasive” Fest Magazine
“Masterfully crafted” The Herald
“A striking set” Guardian
“Observational comedy at its finest” The Independent
Dane Baptiste at Hen & Chicken – photo: Comedy Box
SPONSORED
August 19: Bristol Beacon presents: Jake Xerxes Fussell, Strange Brew
Singer, guitarist, and folk music interpreter Jake Xerxes Fussell has distinguished himself as one of his generation’s preeminent interpreters of traditional (and not so traditional) “folk” songs, a practice which he approaches with a refreshingly unfussy lack of nostalgia. By recontextualizing ancient vernacular songs and sources of the American South, he allows them to breathe and speak for themselves and for himself; alternately inhabiting them and allowing them to inhabit him. In all his work, Fussell humanises his material with his own curatorial and interpretive gifts, unmooring stories and melodies from their specific eras and origins and setting them adrift in our own waterways.
SPONSORED
August 22: Breath Led Tuesdays with Lucy Spragge, The Mount Without
A monthly immersion in transformational breathwork and Kundalini Global Yoga in the stunning candle lit setting of the Mount Without.
Breath is a powerful tool we can harness to regulate the nervous system, release stress and tension in the body, and enter a deep state of calm and presence. When we combine breath and posture it allows us to quiet our minds and open our hearts, expanding our energetic field, and accepting ourselves completely as we are. Some breaths will be energetic, some incredibly soft and gentle. Both will allow us to experience complete stillness.
Breath Led Tuesdays – photo: The Mount Without
SPONSORED
August 30: Bristol Beacon presents: The Courettes, Exchange
Armed with a volatile blend of frantic garage rock, doo wop, surf rock and echoes of the girl groups of the 60s, The Courettes are an explosive rock duo hailing from Denmark and Brazil. Described as the musical marriage of The Ronettes and The Ramones (if they met at a wild party at Gold Star Studios’ echo chamber, that is), the duo have become world renowned for their eclectic and cathartic sound, signing to legendary UK label Damaged Goods in 2020 – home to a plethora of legendary acts such as Buzzcocks, Manic Street Preachers and Amyl and the Sniffers. Their third LP, ‘Back In Mono’ was released in autumn 2021 to critical acclaim, with frequent spins from BBC Radio 6, as well as features in Mojo, Classic Rock and Shindig, showcasing the duo’s refined songwriting prowess across 14 tracks of infectious bubblegum punk.
SPONSORED
September 2 & 3: 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 by Norwell Lapley Productions. Packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all the friends from Acorn Wood, this beautiful show from the team that brought you Dear Zoo Live and Dear Santa promises to be the perfect treat for children of all ages.
Tales from Acorn Wood – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Main photo: Ashton Gate Stadium
Read next:
- Kid Crayon curates group exhibition inspired by seminal manga movie ‘Akira’
- Venue of the month: The Canteen
- Kid Carpet and the noisy animals are back for the summer holidays
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
