Things To Do / Sponsored
23 things to do in Bristol this week, July 3-8 2023
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Monday-Sunday: Playable City, Watershed
Come play with six creative art installations across Bristol from 3 – 9 July. From huge inflatable robots in Brandon Hill Park to magical interactive pavements at Watershed. Find out more at Playablecity.com
Playable city – photo: Watershed
Monday: Forest school stay & play (18mths – 5yrs), Urban Escape
A combination of forest school, community garden and play group, the South Bristol outdoor youth centre hosts a day of activities, from a mud kitchen to a teddy bear hunt.
Forest School at Urban Escape – photo: Urban Escape
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Monday & Tuesday: Bristol Pride Presents: Switchboard, Bristol Old Vic
Drawing on archival research, call logs from The Bristol Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (1975–2012), and oral histories about queer nightlife and protest in the 1970s and 80s, radical performance artist Astro-Zenica explores the myriad codes and languages developed by queer people to reach out, hook-up and find community.
Switchboard at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic
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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Tuesday-September 10: Making the city home, RWA
Presenting Making the City Home, an exhibition of textiles by women living in Bristol, showcasing the visual stories of women who have made Bristol their home. Women from Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Pakistan, India, and other countries have worked together to create beautiful textiles that describe how they journey through the city and which places and things are important to them. Refugee Women of Bristol and Dhek Bhal women’s are among the exhibitors.
Making the city home – photo: RWA
Tuesday: Pop-up jewellery quarter, Centrespace Gallery
The independent community gallery based just off Corn Street transforms into a jewellery market, showcasing some of the city’s most talented makers. There will be a bar and snacks available too to keep you refreshed whilst browsing the wares.
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Wednesday: Bristol Pride presents: Drag Queens vs. Zombies & Vampires, The Wardrobe Theatre
An unorthodox double bill screening from the award winning Haus of Dench of two of their most popular productions: Drag Queens Vs Zombies at 7pm, and Drag Queens Vs Vampires at 8.45pm. Strap in for this one, it’s sure to be a wild ride.
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Thursday: The Comedy Box Promotes: Double Deckers Comedy Series with STEVE BUGEJA and SARA BARRON, Hen & Chicken Studio
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.
Steve Bugeja: Self Doubt (I Think)
The creator and star of ITV2’s hit sitcom, Buffering, is working up a new show. He’s appeared on Stand Up Central (Comedy Central), Zoe Ball On Sunday (ITV), Love Island: Aftersun (ITV2) and was the host of BBC Radio 4’s Economics With Subtitles. This year he’s discussing babies, eye tests and the time he went on holiday with 20 women. “Steve’s a charming, likeable stand-up with a set packed with gags” The Sunday Post
Sara Barron: Work in Progress
Sara talks through a passion for eavesdropping, a hatred of the countryside, and also this one awful thing that she did to her very own mom.
“Explosive energy and beautifully crafted, no-nonsense stand-up… a masterful performance. Highly recommended” Sunday Times
Steve Bugeja and Sara Barron at Hen & Chicken – photo: The Comedy Box
Thursday: Pop-up cheese shop and street food, Wiper & True St Werburghs
A weekly celebration of all things cheese at Wiper & True’s St Werburghs site. Expect various seasonal freshly made cheese dishes for sale, along with other street food, a fresh local cheesemonger, and a cheese and beer tasting involving some of the brewery’s delicious creations.
Wiper & True St Werburghs Taproom – photo: Martin Booth
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Thursday: Chakra Healing Circle, The Mount Without
Been feeling a bit meh or perhaps not quite yourself? This workshop is designed to help you retreat from the outside world and help you feel your best from the inside out. Expect tailored breathwork, channelled meditation, journaling and mindful movement to soothe body, mind and soul. During the workshop we will work through each of the chakras utilisting energetic healing, mindfulness and conscious movement to leave you feeling rested, connected and inspired.
Chakra Healing Circle – photo: The Mount Without
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Thursday: Baby Tour, RWA
Join us for this month’s Baby Tour. These are relaxed and informal sessions in a safeand comfortable space for parents with babies (12 months and under). This is an opportunity to explore artworks with the reassuring knowledge that it’s ok for your baby to make baby noises! In this session you and your baby can play with our toys on blankets laid out in the gallery, while you enjoy the art in our current exhibition, Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City, in the RWA main gallery.
Baby Tour at RWA – photo: RWA
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Until Thursday: Asteroid City, Watershed
Hot from its glowing debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the prince of the pastel colour palette Wes Anderson returns with another visually stunning piece of cinema.
Friday: Dance Craze, The Cube
A special screening of the 1981 film, celebrating the dancehalls and madness of the heyday of the ska/two tone movement. Including incredible footage of performances from bands like Madness, The Specials, The Bodysnatchers and more, this one’s a must see for fans of the genre.
Saturday: Pride Day, Clifton Downs
Bristol has been alive with vibrant pride celebrations for the past few weeks. Now, it all culminates on the Clifton Downs for a day of amazing music in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. With over 100 acts over five stages, the day of partying is headlined by Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters and Natalie Imbruglia.
Pride Day at the Downs, Bristol Pride 2019 – photo: Bhagesh Sachania
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December 1-January 21: Oliver Twist, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Christmas at Tobacco Factory Theatres has been announced! A brighter, bigger-hearted production you will not find, as TFT brings a festive adaptation of Oliver Twist to Bristol with a belly full of cheer as they celebrate their 21st Anniversary year. You will leave the theatre shouting for more! 20% off if you book before 31 July.
Oliver Twist is part of Tobacco Factory Theatre’s Christmas offering – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres
Sunday: Summer Dereliction Tours 2023, Ashton Court Mansion
Ever wondered what the inside of Ashton Court’s decadent manor house looks like? If you missed the chance to explore the mansion at our party there in March, now’s your chance, as their “Friends of Ashton Court Mansion” volunteers.
Ashton Court Mansion – photo: Betty Woolerton
And coming soon…
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July 13: The Comedy Box Promotes: Double Deckers Comedy Series with STUART GOLDSMITH and PIERRE NOVELLIE, Hen & Chicken Studio
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.
Stuart Goldsmith: Spoilers (Work in Progress)
Stuart Goldsmith takes on the climate crisis and works out how to feel OK about it. Open-hearted, honest, and intelligent comedy from the Host of The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast. “Truly a comedy masterclass… Endlessly inventive” The List
Pierre Novellie: Why Are You Laughing?
Critically acclaimed stand up Pierre Novellie is working up a new show. It’s observational comedy for people who think they don’t like observational comedy. A mixture of high-brow and low-brow references from five-star receiving, award-winning, hit-podcasting, Frank Skinner-supporting Pierre Novellie.
Stuart Goldsmith and Pierre Novellie at Hen & Chicken Studio – photo: The Comedy Box
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July 13-15: Tenants, Bristol Old Vic
There’s something in the walls. Honing in on the impacts of the ongoing rental crisis, THIS/THAT’s debut piece explores housing anxiety, capitalist absurdity and the mouldy miscellany of mycelia.
Tenants at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic
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July 14-16: The snail and the whale, Redgrave Theatre
Tall stories present this amazing story of an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father as they reimagine the story of a tiny snail’s incredible trip around the world, inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture book. Tickets: £15.25 / Children £13.25 Age recommendation 4+
The snail and the whale at Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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July 15: Bristol Beacon Presents: Tinariwen, SWX
Formed in 1979 on the borders of Mali and Algeria, Tinariwen are world renowned as pioneers of the assouf style (“nostalgia” in tamashek). They address Tuareg people’s preoccupations in songs that mix traditional West African and Arab music with blues, folk and other influences. Tinariwen singlehandedly invented a guitar style that has captured the world’s imagination. They call it ishumar or assouf. The rest of the planet has come to know it as the Tuareg blues. Its music that is imbued with sorrow and longing but it’s also music for forgetting our cares and for dancing. Since gaining international recognition in the early 2000s, they have played more than 1100 shows around the world and released nine studio albums, three of them nominated for a Grammy, including Tassili, which won the award for Best World Music album in 2012.
Tinariwen at SWX – photo: SWX
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July 15: Bristol Beacon Presents: The White Buffalo, O2 Academy Bristol
Oregon-born, Southern California-raised singer, songwriter and guitarist The White Buffalo – aka Jake Smith is embarking on a voyage of discovery. However, committing to the less travelled path in the name of reinvention is no easy feat – that’s where the new LP, ‘Year Of The Dark Horse’ comes in. Over the years, Jake has built a second-to-none reputation for the emotional weight of his music, and here this core element dramatically underpins a body of work that allows the imagination of the listener to play an important part throughout, building on a tale of debauchery (of the drunken variety) and blame, of love and loss, a life lived against the odds, the whole thing set in one lunar year, following our anti-hero through the highs and lows of the seasons.
The White Buffallo – photo: Bristol Beacon
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July 17: Lady Bunny, Redgrave Theatre
After a sold out tour in 2022, the leggy and fabulous Lady Bunny returns to the UK. The good time Sally of salacious song and story will tantalise and titillate you… she may even traumatise you. Either way, Lady Bunny is going to show you a good time. Tickets: £20.75 Age recommendation 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian).
Lady Bunny at Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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July 18: Breath Led Tuesday 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
Main photo: Bristol Pride
Read next:
- In photos: Squidsoup’s ‘Beyond Submergence’ at Propyard
- Windmill Hill City Farm’s new garden theatre announces summer programme
- Motion becomes first Bristol venue to be awarded SAVI licence
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