27 things to do in Bristol this week, April 3-9 2023

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Now-April 23: Connections: Brain Art Competition Winners 2023, RWA
An exhibition of artwork inspired by the brain, in partnership with University of Bristol Neuroscience Festival, Connections, showcases the winning entries from The Brain Art Competition (run by RWA and University of Bristol). All the competition entries, coming from community groups, primary schools and secondary schools, were judged by a panel of artists and neuroscientists. This year’s theme, Connections, inspired some very impressive and thought-provoking pieces of art.

Brain art at the RWA – photo: RWA

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March 31 onwards: God’s Creatures, Watershed
God’s Creatures is the critically acclaimed drama from co-directors Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer starring Emily Watson set on the coast of Ireland.

Monday: The travelling library of the world – Launch Event, Bradley Stoke Library
Collaborating with Active Libraries South Glos, The South Glos Race & Equality Network launches its latest project – the travelling library of the world. Showcasing some of the best literature featuring diverse characters and/or authors, the launch event will include African drumming workshops, book swaps, author signings and plenty more family fun.

The travelling library of the world Launch Event – photo: South Glos Race & Equality Network

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Tuesday-Saturday: 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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Now-April 16: Dine Like a First Class Passenger this Easter, SS Great Britain
Sample traditional Victorian puddings in the lavish surroundings of the SS Great Britain’s First Class Dining Saloon.

Easter Holidays at the SS Great Britain – photo: SS Great Britain

Tuesday & Wednesday: Red Arrows Easter Holidays (Pedal planes), Aerospace Bristol
From April 3 – 16, Aerospace Bristol is holding a host of Red Arrows themed activities for the family, including a flight simulator and a chance to meet a former Red Arrow and hear about his experience. And for two days only, you’ll be able to ride around in your own pedal-powered Red Arrow plane – included free with your admission ticket.

Concorde Filton airfield hangar – photo: Aerospace Bristol

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Tuesday-Thursday: Fantastic Mr. Fox, Watershed
Wes Anderson’s delightfully funny feast for the eyes is family fun at its finest, screening just in time for the Easter Break.

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Wednesday: 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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Wednesday-April 15: If You Fall, Bristol Old Vic
Multi-award-winning Ad Infinitum are back with their humorous and sensitive new show about care, love, and the end of our lives. Filled with acapella singing and their signature style of physical theatre, this intergenerational ensemble cast explore older people’s care in all its complexities, guided by the expert direction of Helena Middleton (The Wardrobe Ensemble).

If You Fall at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic

Wednesday: I Want my Hat Back Trilogy, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Cute family friendly puppetry from the Little Angel Theatre company, presenting their trio of hat themed stories that went viral on YouTube over lockdown. Their handmade cardboard puppets are fun, lighthearted and sure to capture the imaginations of the little ones.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqc3NoOMcYS/

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Wednesday: Full Moon Sound Bath: Annette & Rounik, The Mount Without
Relax, release & reconnect through healing vibrations with magical gong practitioner, Annette, and singing bowl sensation, Rounik.

Come and join Annette and Rounik for this special, Full Moon Sound Bath in the breath-taking Bristol venue, The Mount Without. Sound healing is a wonderfully restorative and relaxing experience, nourishing us on so many levels. It can also be the catalyst for timely change, shifts and further awakening.

Sound bath at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

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Thursday: 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’.

Thursday: Dancing in the Dark Vol. II, The Jam Jar
Bristol-based performer, Kieran R. Leonard will be performing Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 album Born to Run in its entirety to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in honour of his mum who he lost four years ago to an aggressive form of cancer.

Friday: Volly Beer Fest, The Volunteer Tavern
Hidden in a corner just off Old Market, the Volunteer Tavern hosts a four day long beer festival from Thursday 6th to Monday 10th. The weekend celebrations include a tap takeover from Bristol Beer Factory, and the Friday edition promises a party til late, with house and disco vibes from DJ DISCO-NNECTED.

Volly Beer Fest – photo: The Volunteer Tavern

Friday: ÂELLIN + JAUSMĖ, Ashton Court Mansion
An expertly crafted combination of folk and ambient rhythms, the Grade 1 listed Ashton Court Mansion plays host to two groups, one of which is travelling in from Lithuania for the occasion, bringing with them the kanklės – a traditional Lithuanian instrument.

Saturday: American Longform Night, The Bristol Improv Theatre
Longform improv comedy is a specific type of improv, in which participants act out a long scene, much longer than regular improv sessions, where they are fed suggestions by the audience at the start, and sometimes throughout the session. Saturday sees three of Bristol’s top groups in this field take to the Improv Theatre for a jam of the highest calibre.

Sunday: Easter Sunday Lunch, Clifton Observatory
Choose between a two or a three course meal whilst enjoying the picturesque views from the Clifton Observatory. Having teamed up with kitchen Fennel & Twine, you can expect fresh, seasonal flavours – and a free glass of prosecco with your meal.

Clifton observatory – photo: Sarah Scorey

And coming soon…

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April 10: Yoga/Pilates Workshop & Music Therapy, The Mount Without
Join Hayley for a Music-led self care workshop with face yoga, yoga/Pilates fusion & sound bath. Finishing with a nourishing soup.

Yoga and Pilates at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

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April 10: Bank Holiday Monday, RWA
We are excited to welcome you to the RWA this Bank Holiday Monday. Explore an exciting range of free and ticketed exhibitions with the whole family this Easter. Play, learn and create in our Family Activity Space. Relax, and treat yourself to something delicious in our café, Spicer and Cole. Find the perfect gift for you or a loved one in our Gallery Shop. We are open for business.

The RWA is open this Bank Holiday Monday – photo: RWA

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April 11-15: Evita, Redgrave Theatre
Based on the true story of Evan Peron’s meteoric rise from a poor girl in rural Argentina, to the most powerful woman in South America, Evita is a breath-taking, blockbuster musical like no other.

Evita at the Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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April 16: The Comedy Box Promotes: IVO GRAHAM: MY FUTURE MY CLUTTER, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Bumbling wordsmith and tripe factory Ivo Graham returns to discuss three years of heavy duty pranking/ parenting/ procrastinating since Dave’s 2019 nominations for Best Comedy Show and Joke of the Fringe (“I’ve got an Eton College advent calendar, where all the doors are opened by my father’s contacts”).

As seen/heard on Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, and Have I Got News For You.

“Suddenly has star-in-the-making coming off him like steam” Daily Telegraph.

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April 20: The Comedy Box Promotes: SOOZ KEMPNER: PLAYSTATION, Hen & Chicken Studio
The Twitter sensation and BBC Radio 4 regular takes to the road in her debut UK tour, following a totally sold-out Edinburgh Festival residency which played to critical acclaim.

Throughout lockdown Sooz Kempner made a variety of online content including livestreams via Twitch and viral political videos which built a huge international following, and received press in The Guardian, The Independent and The Metro, as well as in the LA Times and Chicago Tribune across the Atlantic.

“Incredible… it shouldn’t work but it really, really does” The Independent

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April 24-May 5: One Man and his Cow, Bristol Old Vic
Living Spit returns this April with more musical mayhem! Written and performed by “the Morecambe and Wise of Weston-Super-Mare” (The Daily Telegraph), the show features a multitude of agricultural antics and farmyard frolics, told with homespun charm, wit and, of course, live music. “Like King Lear. But with a cow.”

One Man and His Cow at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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April 28-May 1: City Nature Challenge, 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: Tubular Bells: 50th Anniversary, 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 chamber orchestral arrangement of the album, fleshing out the now iconic melodies with a bank of strings.

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May 20: Samuel Wesley by Candlelight, John Wesley’s New Room
The Bristol Ensemble return to John Wesley’s New Room with a candlelit evening of compositions from Samuel Wesley. Known as the ‘English Mozart’, Samuel Wesley was the nephew of John Wesley and his early musical education took place in Bristol.

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June 9-18: Festival of Nature, Millennium 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: Bristol Old Vic

Read next: 

• 52 things to do in Bristol in April 2023
• Jayde Adams to perform four homecoming shows at Bristol Old Vic
• Shall Not Fade Festival announces 2023 lineup

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