25 things to do in Bristol this week, July 11-17 2022

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Roxy Lanes now taking bookings
Roxy Lanes – which opened in May – boasts a huge variety of games, and massive rock and indie tunes. Including ten pin bowling, duck pin bowling, American pool, batting cages, ice-free curling, shuffleboard, beer pong, basketball and private karaoke rooms. The new location on Union Street also shows live sports.

The latest addition to Bristol’s night time entertainment scene is now open for bookings – photo: Roxy Lanes

Monday: Easton Labs & Experimentalists Session 4, All Hallows Hall
A free event in the heart of Easton where audio-visual enthusiasts and curious minds alike are encouraged to come along and bring sound or light making equipment for an experimental jam session unlike any other.

Anyone is encouraged to come along, even if you just want to see the night in action – photo: Easton Lab and Experimentalists

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Tuesday: A Brighter Future: Improving mental health for children and young adults, Watershed
The growing pressures of social media and the impact of the pandemic are taking a toll on the mental health of children and young adults today. Our panel of researchers will explore ground-breaking solutions with the potential to create a brighter, healthier future for a generation of young people facing more challenges than ever before. Wine and nibbles are included with your free ticket.

The event is part of the University of Bristol’s Research Without Borders festival – photo: University of Bristol

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Until September 11: Anthony Whishaw at 92: A Force of Nature, RWA
Running alongside our summer exhibition #RWAEarth, we’re delighted to be showing an exhibition exploring Anthony Whishaw’s studies of nature and climate over the past 60 years. Visit Anthony Whishaw at 92: A Force of Nature until 11 September with free entry in the Kenny Gallery. Open late on Wednesdays until 8pm.

Whishaw’s work has a strong focus on the natural world – photo: RWA

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From July 15, 21 & 28: Summer Late Series, SS Great Britain
Expect delicious food, local music and a pop-up bar with Bristolian beer from Dawkins Ales.

The series aims to shine a light on local music and great beer – photo: SS Great Britain

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Until September 11: Earth: Digging Deep in British Art 1781-2022, RWA
Now open, our summer exhibition ‘Earth: Digging Deep in British Art 1781-2022‘ invites us to consider our planet in all its abundance, precarity and preciousness. Artists include J. M. W. Turner, John Constable, Graham Sutherland and Laura Knight alongside contemporary artists Richard Long, David Nash, Anya Gallaccio, Yinka Shonibare, and more. Open late on Wednesdays until 8pm.

The exhibition focusses on our exploration of the natural world through art and runs until September – photo: RWA

Tuesday: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans screening, Averys Wine Merchants
As part of Bristol Film Festival’s summer schedule, Averys is hosting a screening of the prime Herzog flick, paired with a suitable wine from the cellars of the same building. There will also be a short talk before the film explaining the wine choice and why it was picked as part of the schedule.

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Wednesday: Reasons to be Hopeful: Working together to tackle the climate crisis, Watershed
The next generation of researchers from the University of Bristol will share their reasons to be hopeful in the face of the climate crisis, from tackling climate injustice to detecting climate-related disasters before they happen. Join us at this interactive event to find out more about the latest developments in tackling climate change and get involved in the discussion. Wine and nibbles are included with your free ticket.

The Research Without Borders festival celebrated the work of UoB Postgraduate researchers – photo: Research Without Borders

Wednesday: Watering Wild Flowers, Marlborough Hill Steps
The newly decorated Marlborough Hill Steps by the BRI have also been newly planted with wildflower seeds. Pay a visit to the steps this Wednesday to be a part of the nourishment of these seedlings, as they grow and bring even more vibrancy to the area.

The steps were painted back in April, and were designed by local artist Farrah Fortnam – photo: Chris Cooper

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Wednesday-Friday: Nile Rodgers & Chic and Belle & Sebastian, The Amphitheatre
This week sees three nights of unmissable live music at The Amphitheatre, Bristol Harbourside. On Wed 13 and Thu 14 Jul we present one of music’s greatest living legends, Nile Rodgers & CHIC. Since co-founding CHIC in 1976, Rodgers has built an unrivalled back catalogue of hits, collaborating widely and demonstrating a musical prowess which knows no bounds. Renowned the world over for their electric outdoor performances at festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella, Nile Rodgers and CHIC are quite simply the ultimate party band.

Then, on Friday, we proudly present indie-pop icons Belle and Sebastian, whose beautiful, sensitive work has provided the soundtrack for love-struck teens and yearning adults for over 25 years. Having played to a sold-out crowd at Bristol Beacon in 2015, this very special Harbourside gig marks Belle and Sebastian’s triumphant return to Bristol and their biggest show in the city to date.

Thursday: OwM Sessions Vol. 5, The Social
Bristol based 140/bass record label OwM Sounds hosts the fifth edition of their events series at The Social on Stokes Croft. Headlined by rising Bristol 140 name Hella, and backed up by even more exciting bass music talent, not to mention riding the wave of their last successful party at the start of May, you can be certain this one will be even bigger.

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Thursday: NikNak – Sankofa Tour, Strange Brew
One of DJ Mag’s ‘Ones to Watch 2022’, award-winning DJ and Turntablist NikNak presents her exciting new project, Sankofa, which explores the narrative of a young black woman, Afrofuturism, and her comic book heroes. With live improvised Turntablism NikNak sculpts immersive soundscapes, with an interplay between visuals and audio creating a unique sonic world to explore. A member of the Eve’s Drop DJ Collective, NikNak is a ground-breaking multidisciplinary artist and became the first Black Turntablist in history to win the illustrious Oram Award in 2020.

Friday: Socialist literature in 21st century Britain, Bookhaus
The Wapping Wharf bookshop is hosting a panel discussion on socialist literature in 21st century Britain with three exciting young writers: Keiran Goddard (Hourglass), Holly Pester (Comic Timing) and Yara Rodrigues Fowler (There are More Things).

Bookhaus regularly hosts individual authors but this is their first panel discussion – photo: Bookhaus

Friday-Sunday: Bristol Harbour Festival, Harbourside
After a two-year hiatus, Bristol Harbour Festival returns, celebrating its 50th iteration with performances across ten stages up and down the harbour. With music from local Bristol rising stars and international touring artists, it’ll be the perfect chance to explore the harbour and enjoy some great music.

Bristol Harbour Festival returns after being cancelled for two years due to COVID – photo: Paul Box

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Opens Friday: The Good Boss, Watershed
Javier Bardem excels as a manipulative corporate boss of a provincial Spanish company in this ruthlessly funny corporate satire from director Fernando León de Aranoa.

Friday: Bruhaha Pop-up taproom, Windmill Hill City Farm
On Friday evenings throughout the summer, Windmill Hill City Farm will be hosting a pop-up taproom in their barn kitchen, serving beers brewed just metres away from where they are being poured on site, some of which are infused with herbs and fruits grown on the farm itself.

All the beer is brewed on site, and the waste is fed to some of the animals on site – photo: Bruhaha

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Friday: City of Bristol Brass, Redgrave Theatre
City of Bristol is a keen advocate and supporter of new music, and as such, is excited to present Eastern Horizons, premiering new music written for the band by up and coming composer Mandy Leung.

The event will be the first opportunity to hear newly composed music – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Saturday:  VOOKOO PARTY, Old Market Assembly
Whilst usually putting on eclectic evenings of bands, solo artists and DJs alike, Vookoo Collective are hosting their first DJ only night at the comfortable Old Market Assembly this weekend. Beginning with selections of funk, soul and world, the night will slowly transition into more housey dance music, with elements of garage and other bass styles interweaved.

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Saturday: Where The Wall ‘Introducing Spray Art’ Spray Session, Hamilton House
Where The Wall bring their award winning Introduction to Spray Art workshop to Hamilton House this weekend. Join the Bristol street art tour beforehand too, if that tickles your fancy, and then be let loose with a huge collection of stencils and spray cans to create your very own masterpiece to take home.

The workshop is a regular occurrence at Hamilton House, and almost always sells out – photo: Where The Wall

Sunday: An Audience with Tez Ilyas, Hen & Chicken
Stand up comedian Tez Ilyas is known for his riotous audience participatory comedy, along with being the writer behind BBC Three’s hit show Man Like Mobeen, and a whole host of other credits. There’ll be a meet & greet just after the show, too, and each ticket includes a signed copy of the comic’s new book.

Sunday: A Boat Trip with Heartwood Chorus, The Tower Belle, Harbourside
Experience the Harbour Festival through a unique lens aboard the Tower Belle. Cruising down the river, you’ll be treated to two sets from Bristol folk choir the Heartwood Chorus. Starting off with their usual folk-based songs, they’ll slowly transition into raucous sea shanties, for which there will be lyric booklets provided if you feel like singing along.

Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth & Co Shipbuilders (Walker Yard) Newcastle built the Tower Belle – photo: Bristol Packet

And coming soon…

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July 18: Ithaka, Watershed
From writer-director Ben Lawrence comes a story that has never been told before – that of Julian Assange beyond the media headlines as told by his family. Followed by a Q&A with Assange’s father John Shipton.

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July 21 – September 3: Bristol Zoo Gardens’ Big Summer Send Off, Bristol Zoo
Meet Wilder, the giant moving gorilla sculpture! Go wild with fun family theatre! Visit your favourite animals! Book now!

This will be your final opportunity to visit the zoo before it closes in September – photo: Bristol Zoo Gardens

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July 21: Beyond Face, Trinity Centre
Join Beyond Face as they host an evening of words in different forms, with a collection of artists who will perform poetry, monologues, spoken word and speeches.

The evening will be a celebration of the spoken word – photo: Trinity Centre

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July 29: Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday, Redgrave Theatre
Join Sarah and her best friend Duck as they plan the ultimate circus soiree to help Scarf Lady celebrate her birthday. Let’s just hope the weather holds out…

The production is perfect for families with young children – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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July 30: Keep Hush Day Party, Trinity Centre
After the iconic scenes at Bristol’s ec2a Keep Hush Live, Dr Dubplate is teaming up with the Keep Hush crew for a massive summer birthday blowout. With a stacked line-up curated by the man himself, Keep Hush’s first open-air day party in Bristol isn’t going to be one to miss.

Main photo: Paul Box

Read more: 46 things to do in July 2022

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