26 things to do in Bristol this week, November 6-12 2023

Monday: Free lunchtime yoga, Bristol Folk House
Mondays can be difficult to get through sometimes. If you work in the centre, make the stresses of the new week fade away with a lunchtime yoga class at the Park Street venue. Just maybe save your lunch until afterwards.

Bristol Folk House – photo: Bristol Folk House

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Monday-Thursday: How To Have Sex, Watershed
Molly Manning Walker’s startlingly frank and stylish UK debut is about a wild teen holiday gone awry, and tackles thorny issues of coercion and consent head on.

How to have sex – photo: Watershed

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Monday-Thursday: Final days of the secret postcard auction, RWA
We’ve invited a select group of artists to create exclusive pieces for this very special event. Each postcard is signed on the back so as not to give the game away, and even though we won’t reveal the makers until after bidding has closed (10 pm on Thursday 9 November), some art enthusiasts might be able to guess the work of certain well-known artists.

RWA secret postcard auction – photo: RWA

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Monday-Thursday: Bottoms, Watershed
After receiving incredible acclaim across the pond earlier this year and featuring a banging soundtrack from Charli XCX, Bottoms is proving to be the high school flick of the year.

Bottoms – photo: Watershed

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Tuesday: Matthew and the Atlas, The Mount Without
Matthew Hegarty (Matthew and the Atlas) has traversed a range of musical territories from classic acoustic folk, to dramatic synth-laden electronica, and urgent guitar led alt-rock. The common thread has been a songwriting style that marries a subtle melodic sensibility with lyrics full of natural imagery and dark emotional heft – all delivered in his striking and distinctive vocal. In the process Hegarty has quietly built a major cult following in Europe and the US. His new album This Place We Live is out in Autumn 2023 on Communion Records.

Matthew and The Atlas – photo: The Mount Without

Tuesday: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Aerospace Bristol
Is there a better place in Bristol to witness the best (sorry) film from the original Star Wars trilogy? Having been involved in the creation of over 60 spacecraft, I think not. And seeing as this year marks the 40th anniversary of the movie, take a seat under Concorde and strap yourself in.

Wednesday: Bristol know show, Wardrobe Theatre
Science experiments, comedy and cabaret? Yes please. These three collide at Old Market’s hidden theatre, where you’ll learn facts about history, art and science, but you’ll be laughing so much that you won’t even notice the knowledge seeping into your mind.

Bristol Know Show – photo: Bristol Know Show

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Wednesday: Viva Vivaldi by candlelight, St George’s
St George’s is transformed into a candlelight auditorium taking us back to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Della Pieta in Venice where Antonio Vivaldi worked and performed many of his compositions.

200 candles will adorn the stage and the Bristol Ensemble along with the Fitzhardinge Consort will perform some of Vivaldi’s greatest works including the stunning Dixit Dominus and concertos for Sopranino Recorder, Two Cellos, Two Trumpets and of course Autumn from the Four Seasons.

Viva Vivaldi by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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Thursday: Autumn After Hours, RWA
Celebrate an incredible season of art at our Autumn After Hours. Hear all about The Art of Collecting, in an exclusive talk by RWA Director Alison Bevan. Meet the Artists behind PRESS: Original Prints by Academicians. View the miniature masterpieces of, and bid on The Secret Postcard Auction in its final hours. Explore our beautiful Grade II* listed building with a drink in hand and live music playing. Enjoy four different exhibitions across all three floors displaying a combined total of over 1,000 artworks!

Autumn After Hours – photo: RWA

Thursday: Artists support evening – Budgets and tax returns, Sparks
As a creative trying to monetise their work, one of the biggest grey areas is trying to figure out financial sensibility. Knowing how to budget the money you earn from your work, and learning how to fill out the dreaded tax return is not something that anybody wants to do, but Sparks hope to make it a little easier with an evening introducing you to the basics of these ideas.

Sparks Bristol is in place of the old M&S building on Broadmead – photo: Artspace Lifespace

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Friday: Josh Jones: Gobsmacked, Hen & Chicken
Brand-new show from everyone’s favourite gobby Manc Princess and Edinburgh Comedy Awards’ Best Newcomer nominee, Josh Jones.

Josh’s recent TV appearances include The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Ch4), Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (Dave), Dating No Filter (Sky), Comedy Central’s Guessable, Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains and Comedy Central Live. Co-host on Dave’s Hard Sell with Darren Harriott and hit podcast Chatting with Cherubs.

Featured on The Independent’s Best Jokes of the Festival 2022.

“Cheeky, charming and full of charisma” ITalkTelly.com
“Must-see act” Rolling Stone
“Hilarious” Entertainment-Now.com
“Josh is purely about entertaining” One4Review
“No filter and no time for filler” ITalkTelly.com

Josh Jones: Gobsmacked – photo: The Comedy Box

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Friday-Sunday: Asian Arts Agency presents New Soundz Festival, Arnolfini
This event will be the first chance for audiences to experience contemporary music from the South Asian diaspora featuring beatboxer, Jason Singh, sitar virtuoso Roopa Panesar and sarod player and composer, Soumik Datta alongside immersive experiences, talks and workshops in the lead up to Diwali 2023.

New Soundz Festival – photo: Asian Arts Agency

Friday & Saturday: Hoptoberfest 2023, Propyard
It returns. A celebration of craft breweries from across the UK, Hoptoberfest allows you to drink as much (or as little) as you like, with unlimited free beer and cider on tap. The celebration takes place across two days, with Friday’s musical accompaniment coming from Norman Jay MBE, and Saturday’s coming in the form of a special DJ set from IDLES.

Hoptoberfest 2023 – photo: Hoptoberfest/Propyard

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Friday: K Motionz presents 360, Motion
Worried About Henry and Louder team up to bring K-Motionz to Bristol with Crowd Control, his 360 degree experience on November 10th! With support from IC3, Comma Dee, Emily Makis + a secret special guest, T95 b2b Diagnostix, Kaz b2b T-Lex and Demetria.

K Motionz – photo: Motion

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Saturday: Stand up for the weekend with Brendan Dempsey and guests, Hen & Chicken
In a career spanning over thirty years, Brendan Dempsey’s comedy has taken him around the world, the West End stage to the big and small screen – with a four year stint saving monkeys in Ghana inbetween!

From festivals in Montreal, Melbourne, Edinburgh and Kilkenny, to small rooms in Qingdao, China and the Nant-y-Ffinn motel in LLandissilio Wales – audiences of all ages have enjoyed his relaxed delivery of the ruthlessly honest and ridiculous. As an improviser he spent ten years with The Dublin Comedy Improv, co-founded the as imaginatively titled London Comedy Improv and has performed with The Comedy Store Players, Steve Frost’s Impro All Stars and The Second City.

“Very Funny … his jokes snuck up on you and hit you hard” The Comic Bible (USA)
“Comedy Gold – one of the best written shows on the fringe” EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
“Something of a revelation – the six and a half footer played a blinder” SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

Brendan Dempsey – photo: The Comedy Box

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Saturday: In:Motion: Jayda G, Motion
Beloved Canadian GRAMMY nominated producer Jayda G makes her long-awaited return to Bristol on November 11th, alongside the mastermind of feel good, steamy disco-house selections CC:Disco! The formidable pair will be joined by Club Blanco founder and rotary king Chez De Milo & rising star in the scene SPICYIVY! Two stacked rooms await as Manami takes over the Room 2 bringing mainstays Spray + Tai Lokun, as well as emerging local talent Tehmeena.

Jayda G at Motion – photo: Khali Ackford / KōLAB Studios

Saturday: Vegan Sushi Workshop, Coexist Community Kitchen
The Easton community kitchen aims to make cooking great food accessible to all, regardless of ability or dietary requirements. They’re proving that’s what they do best this weekend, with a vegan sushi workshop open to anyone, with multiple tiers of tickets based on how much delicious sushi you’d like to take home with you.

Vegan sushi workshop – photo: Coexist Community Kitchen

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Saturday: We intend to cultivate havoc | Group exhibition, The Mount Without
W.I.T.C.H (We Intend To Cultivate Havoc), is an art encounter and exhibition celebrating the work of a coven of eight, curated by artist, Anouska Gane.

The coven combine to perform a multi-disciplinary, hauntological exploration of folklore and dystopia. Through an encounter with interactive installation, a grotesque banquet, obscure performance, floristry and experimental soundscapes, they will enchant you with themes of Wicca, Cryptobotany, Herbalism and Futurism.

We Intend To Cultivate Havoc – photo: W.I.T.C.H

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Sunday: Miracles – James Phelan, Redgrave Theatre
A completely brand new, five star rated magic show – presented by the star of The Greatest Magician, James Phelan. Following 5 completely sold out nights of his show The Greatest Magician, James Phelan returns with an all new magic show that will leave you spellbound.

Miracles – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Sunday: Strange Sundays, Strange Brew
A relaxing way to spend a sleepy Sunday, as the front room of Strange Brew opens its doors to makers and sellers from across the city, selling the likes of records, artwork and clothing, and soundtracked to the sounds of Bristol’s most relaxed DJs.

Strange Sundays – photo: Strange Brew

And coming soon…

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November 13: A night of comedy with Grief Encounter, Redgrave Theatre
Get ready for a night of fun and laughter to raise funds for bereaved children and their families.Grief Encounter is hosting its first ever comedy night in Bristol, at The Redgrave Theatre, Bristol. Join us on Monday, 13th November, in aid of bereaved children and young people, to laugh, remember and raise vital funds.

A night of comedy with a grief encounter – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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November 19: The Bristol Fashion Show, The Mount Without
The Bristol Fashion Show team is excited to announce their 2023 Show at The Mount Without. Showcasing the very best of Bristol’s vibrant independent artists. It is a celebration of Bristol’s incredible talents of fashion designers, photographers, hair stylists, make-up artists, models and more.

TBFS believe that Bristol has a lot to offer, and that raw talent needs promotion and exhibiting on the highest stage. We believe in investment in the local people and talent that has built, and continues to thrive in this great city. It is a collaboration of creatives that strives to wow and inspire you.

Our mission is to create a diverse and passionate community in which everyone has a voice. We provide individuals of all ages and backgrounds with the opportunity to showcase their talents and really get involved in an inclusive community spirited event.

The Bristol Fashion Show – photo: The Mount Without

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November 25: Henleaze Concert Society: Romantic Nights, Trinity Henleaze URC
For this second concert of our season, come and enjoy two of Rachmaninov’s cherished works performed by the Bristol Ensemble and soloist Paul Israel:

• Rachmaninov- Piano Concerto No.2 (arr. Iain Farrington)
• Rachmaninov- Symphonic Dances (arr. Iain Farrington)

Romantic nights – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

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November 30: Trip the light fantastic, Bristol Beacon
Witness a space reborn as sound and light collide in spectacular fashion in Trip the Light Fantastic. Produced by Paraorchestra in collaboration with Surgeons Girl, Charles Hazlewood, and Limbic Cinema, this extraordinary experience has been specially commissioned by Bristol Beacon to reconnect us to this newly-transformed space. Two of Bristol’s own – the pioneering Paraorchestra and celebrated electronic composer Surgeons Girl – create electro-orchestral alchemy with a dynamic visual response from AV experts at Limbic Cinema for this landmark opening night. This concert experience will be opened by a new commission from Paraorchestra composer Xia Leon Sloane, Prelude to a Beginning, a sensual and spatial work which will showcase the full extent of Bristol Beacon’s new astonishing natural acoustic. Join us and celebrate this radiant new beginning together – limited availability remains.

Trip The Light Fantastic – photo: Bristol Beacon

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December 21 & 22: Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, St George’s
In this 30-minute festive special from Aardman, Shaun – the world’s favourite sheep – stars in his very own winter’s tale, accompanied by Bristol Ensemble. Shaun’s Christmas excitement turns to dismay when a plan to get bigger stockings for the Flock leads to Timmy going missing. Can Shaun get Timmy back before he becomes someone else’s present? Prepare for an explosive, high-wire ending as everyone learns the true value of Christmas!

The performance also includes a montage looking back at Shaun the Sheep’s origins in ‘Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave’ up to his present day antics. Kat Kleve joins the Bristol Ensemble to present this Christmas special which will include Christmas favourites such as Jingle Bells, Sleigh Ride and Dreaming of a White Christmas.

The Flight Before Christmas – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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January 20: Henleaze Concert Society: Mozart & Mendelssohn, Trinity Henleaze URC
Come and enjoy with us two great works performed by the Bristol Ensemble:

• Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A K.581
• Mendelssohn Octet in E flat major Op.20

Mendelssohn’s piece is beautifully uplifting, and Mozart’s is one of the most sublime and well-loved works in the chamber music repertoire for its exquisitely crafted melodic lines.

Mozart and Mendelssohn – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

Main photo: Khali Ackford/Kolab Studios

Read next:

• 50 things to do in Bristol in November 2023
• My Nu Leng celebrates a decade of music at Coroners Court
• University of Bristol’s annual autumn art lecture series continues

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