27 things to do in Bristol this week, March 27 – April 2 2023

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Monday-Thursday: 1976, Watershed
1976, the debut feature from Manuela Martelli explores one woman’s struggle with misogyny and corruption in Chile under Pinochet.

Monday: Leigh Woods 11K, Leigh Woods
Start the week with a bracing 10/11K run through the picturesque Leigh Woods. You’ll start and end in the car park, and the trail will take you through the woods, along the river and up and down some hills around the area.

Leigh Woods in the summer sun – photo: Martin Booth

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Monday-April 6: The Five Devils, Watershed
Vicky, is a solitary little girl, with a magical gift: she can reproduce any scent she likes, and collects them in a series of carefully labelled jars.

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Tuesday: 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 Led Tuesdays at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

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Open now: Hort’s Townhouse, Broad Street
Wine, dine and unwind at the new Hort’s Townhouse, complete with 19 boutique bedrooms and all-day menus championing seasonal British produce.

Hort’s Townhouse interior – photo: Hort’s

Tuesday: The Bristol Commons Launch, Trinity Centre
Starting at 9.30am, the Trinity Centre hosts a day of talks, workshops and film screenings in an effort to make the case for community power and land ownership. Brought to you by Coexist, the day aims to bring together collectives and groups from across the city, all with a shared purpose and mission.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp25ewkNqMM/

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Various Dates: Free Exhibitions, RWA
The RWA presents 3 free exhibitions and activities as part of its Season of Photography; The Photo Open, A Bend in the River by Jem Southam and Underexposed, by Alice Hendy.

Jem Southam: A Bend in the river – photo: RWA

Wednesday: ChatGPT for writers – Friend or Foe?, Simpleweb
The topic of the moment that threatens the very future of writers, designers and creatives in general – or does it? The technology development/research centre on Bedminster Parade hosts a talk, debate and discussion on the new AI, whether it’s really the danger to creators that it’s made out to be, and how we can actually use it to our advantage.

The simpleweb building is located on Bedminster Parade, just opposite Asda – photo: Martin Booth

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Now-April 23: PhotoLab, RWA
Fancy creating your own photographic work? The Lower Ground Floor is home to PhotoLab, an interactive exhibition where you’ll be encouraged to take part, play and explore.  The RWA’s Season of Photography is sponsored by MPB.

PhotoLab – photo: RWA

Thursday: People’s Art Fair: Opening Night, PRSC
For 10 days from March 30-April 9, The PRSC comes alive with some of Bristol’s best independent art in all its forms, from sculpture to poetry, There will be performances from local artists throughout the week, but this Thursday marks the opening night, accompanied by drinks, music and creative activities to get stuck into.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqF8hWYsb0F/

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Thursday-Saturday: Patience, Redgrave Theatre
All the well-born ladies in the village are in love with the ‘fleshly’ poet, Bunthorne. Bunthorne enjoys the ladies’ attention, but he is in love with Patience, the simple village milkmaid who cares nothing for poetry. When a rival ‘idyllic’ poet enters the fray, Patience’s world is turned topsy-turvy and she learns that true love must be completely unselfish!

Patience at the Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Friday: Space Lab w/ Adam Pits, The Love Inn
The modern trance pioneer takes to The Love Inn for the first in an instalment of showcases of his own imprint, pushing the ethereal, spacey 90s techno/trance sound. He’ll be backed up by friends of the label Remotif and Inner Zone – expect alien-like frequencies and thumping bass.

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Friday: Two Belly & Ubuntu Food, The Mount Without
Two  Belly and Ubuntu Food invite you to The Mount Without for a collaborative evening of wine & cheese with live fire cooking.

Ubuntu Food is a Bristol based fire cooking collective curating unique experiences centred around food and fire. “Eating with us is a celebration of our relationship with nature and our community. We work with intention, creating space for people to come together and exchange on our table”. Bringing you a seasonal immersive experience, Ubuntu will be spinning their magic cooking over fire and creating delicious tapas style dishes as we talk you through tasty wine & cheese pairings.

Two Belly x Ubuntu Food at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

Saturday: April Fools Day Party, Lost Horizon
Burgeoning underground radio station Kafka Radio host their second event, showcasing some of their most exciting residents. This time, it’s a day party in the (hopefully) sunny Lost Horizon courtyard, soundtracked to techno, garage and jungle.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp29y3EIk8L/

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Saturday-September 1: Noah’s Ark x Shaun The Sheep Augmented Reality
Launching on the 1st April, the Hide & Sheep trail is a fun filled activity for the whole family. Simply download the free app and find the 11 Shaun the Sheep markers around the zoo. Included free with Noah’s Ark Zoo admission from 1st April – 3rd September 2023.

Noah’s Ark x Aardman AR experience – photo: Noah’s Ark

Sunday: The Giants’ Easter egg hunt, Clifton Observatory
From this Sunday-April 17, the Easter festivities commence at the observatory by the suspension bridge. There will be eggs hidden in locations in and around the building, so bring the kids, grab a worksheet and get hunting.

Clifton observatory – photo: Sarah Scorey

And coming soon…

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April 1: Stand up for the weekend with Jarred Christmas & guests, Hen & Chicken
New Zealander Jarred Christmas has a unique style that deftly mixes gags with storytelling. He has a dynamic onstage persona and the ability to improvise and roll with anything that’s thrown his way, making his comedy sizzle with originality.

Full of passion and charisma, Jarred takes the audience on a hilarious thrill ride of laughs and gasps with an edge of anger that manifests itself in his incredible rants against the small things in our lives.

“Likeable, intelligent and full of unpredictable energy” The Scotsman

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April 4-8: Young Frankenstein, Redgrave Theatre
The monster musical comedy by Mel Brooks, adapts his legendary funny film into a brilliant stage creation. Young Frankenstein has all the panache of the film with a little extra theatrical flair. With songs like ‘Transylvania Mania’ and ‘Puttin on the Ritz’, Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.

Young Frankenstein at the Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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April 5: Bristol Ensemble presents: Bach by candlelight, St George’s
The Well-Tempered Clavier is widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of classical music and second part of the concert features two of Bach’s most famous keyboard concertos along with his famous Air on a G. For this concert St George’s will be transformed into a candlelit auditorium taking us back to St Jakob’s Church in Köthen, Germany, where JS Bach worked and composed many of his compositions.

Bach by candlelight, St George’s – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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April 5: Bristol Beacon Presents: The Wood Burning Savages, The Crofters Rights
Hailing from Derry, Northern Ireland, The Wood Burning Savages exude an incendiary punk-rock spirit to match their name. Their self-released 2018 debut album Stability propelled them into the limelight across the UK and Irish post-punk scene and beyond, winning them the NI Music Prize for Album of the Year and Best Live Act. The four-piece pairs sharp-witted political commentary with growling, ferocious guitar riffs. They have brought this dynamic and raw energy on tour supporting the likes of Snow Patrol and ASH as well as playing Glastonbury Festival. The band’s upcoming UK and Ireland tour will be their first headline run of shows since 2019.

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April 5 & 19: Emergent Purpose: Morning Yoga & Swim Social, Clevedon Marine Lake
Say yes to something new this spring! Emergent Purpose delivers transformational wellbeing experiences to communities and organisations across Bristol. From cold water swimming and ice bath immersions to workplace wellness workshops. Join the growing community of people putting their wellbeing first.

Emergent Purpose Clevedon Marina swim – photo: Emergent Purpose

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April 6: Bristol Beacon Presents: William Crighton, The Louisiana
William Crighton’s work is “earthy and Australian, with a punk ethos and life-affirming anthems” (Stack). The Dubbo, Australia born musician crafts propulsive rock songs imbued with a spirited country twang and delivered with captivating tenacity. Since the release of his self-titled debut in 2016, Crighton has continued to gather momentum, particularly fuelled by his spellbinding live performances. His shows are a family affair with his live band featuring his wife Julieanne and brother Luke. Having toured with The Beachboys, Beans on Toast and Vikki Thorn he heads out on tour in support of his upcoming third record ‘Water and Dust’.

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April 15: Stand up for the weekend with Stuart Goldsmith & guests, Hen & Chicken
Stuart Goldsmith is an internationally award-winning comedian, writer, podcaster and host. With a reputation for smart, accessible stand-up, Stuart’s enthusiasm and natural charm conceal a quick wit and fearlessness honed by his early career as a street performer. Surprisingly candid about his exploits, sexploits and textploits, Stuart likes to get his teeth into love, romance and the downside of getting what you want.

“Goldsmith has a deep talent for keeping the audience’s attention the whole time, slipping effortlessly from one routine into another and never losing a beat…He gets huge laughs” The List

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April 28-May 1: City Nature Challenge, Bristol-wide (multiple locations)
Join residents across the West of England in an exciting, collaborative mission to record as much nature as possible between Friday 28th April – Monday 1st May. Over the four-day bank holiday challenge, people across the region will be coming together to share observations of the natural world in gardens, green spaces, and city streets. Family-friendly activity across Bristol and Bath will be taking place, including expert-led wildlife walks and nature recording training.

City Nature Challenge – photo: Natural History Consortium

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May 17: Bristol Ensemble presents: Tubular Bells – 50th Anniversary Performance, St George’s
Mike Oldfield’s groundbreaking album Tubular Bells was released on 25th May 1973 and to celebrate its 50th Anniversary – almost to the day – Bristol Ensemble performs a stirring new chamber orchestral arrangement of the album, fleshing out the now iconic melodies with a bank of strings, wind, brass and percussion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXatvzWAzLU

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May 18-July 1: The Lion King, Bristol Hippodrome
Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s multi award-winning musical is a unique theatrical experience that you will remember forever. The Lion King, returns to The Bristol Hippodrome for a strictly limited six week run from Thu 18 May – Sat 1 July.

The Lion King at Bristol Hippodrome – photo: The Ambassadors Theatre Group

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June 9-18: Festival of Nature, Millenium Square
Join the celebration for Festival of Nature’s 20th anniversary with its unmissable programme of vibrant city-centre events, family nature parties, wildlife workshops, walks and talks, film screenings, and spectacular performances across 10 days. Don’t miss out on the festival’s feature Bristol event at Millennium Square and Anchor Square 17th & 18th June – two days of free nature activities, stalls, food and drink, and special guest talks.

Festival of nature – photo: Natural History Consortium

Main photo: Cicely Marks

Read next:

• Rave hosted by Lakota on Turbo Island
• Alex Kealy concludes his UK tour of ‘Winner Takes All’ in Bristol
• Roustabout Theatre supercharge the Easter holidays with ‘Dinosaurs and all that rubbish’

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