28 things to do in Bristol this week, November 13-19 2023

Monday-Thursday: Festival of Economics 2023, city centre
As part of Bristol Ideas, the 12th annual Festival of Economics will feature debates, talks and live podcasts from some of the leading economists, experts and personalities in the field. Expect everything from Thursday’s Hargreaves Lansdown breakfast session to Tuesday’s discussion on the future of the UKs food system.

Festival of Economics 2021 – photo: Jon Craig photos

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Monday: 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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Now-January 7: Also Artists: A Staff Exhibition, RWA
You are warmly invited to view Also Artists: A Staff Exhibition. This diverse and lively exhibition showcases more than 80 distinctive pieces created by 43 members of the RWA team. It encompasses individuals from various departments, such as the office staff, front-of-house team, freelancers, and Drawing School Tutors. “Also Artists” is dedicated to honouring the unique creative talents of the remarkable individuals who contribute to the daily operation of the RWA. Come along and discover our artwork for yourself.

Also Artists – photo: RWA

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Now-December 10: PRESS: Original prints by RWA Academicians, RWA
Discover PRESS: Original Prints by RWA Academicians, your opportunity to view the work of over 20 RWA Academicians who use print as part of their art practice. Among the artists featured in this exhibition are Peter Randall Page RA, RWA, Emma Stibbon RA, RWA, Sarah Gillespie RWA, Adelaide Damoah RWA and Ian Chamberlain RE RWA. While some use modern printing techniques, others embrace more traditional methods of printmaking and several blend the two. Come along and discover their print works for yourself.

PRESS Original Prints – photo: RWA

Tuesday: Preview: Sherlock Holmes: Hound of the Baskervilles, Arnos Vale Cemetery
With ‘official’ performances beginning on Wednesday, this Tuesday marks the first opportunity to catch Red Rope Theatre’s gothic adaptation of one of the classic Arthur Conan Doyle tales. And, since it’s a preview, you can snag a ticket at a reduced rate (no reviewers allowed!)

The Anglican Chapel is being transformed for this theatrical adaptation of Sherlock Holmes – photo: Martin Booth

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Tuesday: One night in Dublin, Redgrave Theatre
The Wild Murphys will set up Murphy’s Pub at Bristol, guaranteeing one glorious night of high-energy Irish Music and more than a little bit of Craic. The multi-award winning Irish tribute band The Wild Murphys features the very best musicians playing a thrilling mix of traditional and contemporary tunes guaranteed to have your hands clapping and toes tapping all night long.

One night in Dublin – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Wednesday-Sunday: En Masse Festival 2023, various locations
Entering its third year, what began as three evenings of arts and music at various venues across the city has evolved into a five day celebration of experimental electronic music culture with talks, exhibitions, and of course some incredibly exciting lineups from Bristol artists pushing the scene forward.

En Masse 2023 brings a host of top tier experimental music performances, both DJ sets and live – photo: En Masse Festival

Thursday-Sunday: Bristol Beer Festival, City Hall
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) returns to the strange (but somehow fitting) City Hall, showcasing around 80 real ales and 30 ciders and perries for four days of some of the country’s finest producers of the malty golden liquids. Your ticket price includes a £5 voucher to spend at the festival, along with a commemorative glass.

CAMRA Beer Festival 2019 – photo: CAMRA

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Friday: Skin on Skin, Motion
Skin On Skin is headed back to Europe this October and November for their biggest tour yet, featuring all new curated line-ups selected from the Stay On Sight family. After headlining at some of the summer’s best festivals, SOS takes their non-stop energy show back into the club for a strictly limited run that is not to be missed. Support includes Anz, Angelita, Brown Excellence & Rishi.

Skin on Skin – photo: Kolab Studios

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Friday-November 23: Saltburn, Watershed
Academy Award® winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi.

Friday: Roni Size x LTJ Bukem, Marble Factory
The duo can only be described as genuinely pivotal in the turn of the century jungle/drum and bass movement, and they’re currently touring the UK together. You can expect plenty of tunes from the original era of the genre, channelling that floaty sound, laced with intricate drum patterns.

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Saturday: Macramé & sound: Self awareness practice, L’Etoile Studio
Unlearn old patterns through the practice of the art of macramé, contemplate the inner dialogue and enjoy a healing sound bath that will help you drop into a meditative state. The focus of the workshop is the healing process of creative making.

Macrame and sound self awareness – photo: Knots and Stalks

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Saturday: Wall of Bass (Electrikal Soundsystem x Sinai), Motion
This winter, Motion presents an exclusive night of bass featuring the convergence of Electrikal Sound System and Sinai Sound System under one roof for an exclusive quadraphonic stack experience. Get ready for a taste of the best in Sound System Culture. As two sets of quad-stacks come together to create a night of unbeatable bone-shaking bass!

Wall of Bass – photo: Soul Media

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Saturday: Afrika Eye 2023, Watershed
Back for its 17th year, Afrika Eye returns to Watershed on Sat 18 Nov with a rich and eclectic programme of films from and about Africa and the diaspora. Plus, join us in the Café & Bar from 22:00 for an evening of live music from Moroccan Gnawa maestro Mohamed Errebbaa and the sounds of ‘Tagna Groove’.

Afrika Eye 2023 – photo: Watershed

Saturday: Afrika Eye: Queen of Katwe, Watershed
As part of the annual african arts/film festival, Watershed are screening the incredibly heartfelt true story of a young girl growing up in Ugandan poverty who realises she has a knack for the strategic game of chess – so much so that she could be able to rid her family of their economic woes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4l3-_yub5A

Sunday: Bristol Folk House open day, Bristol Folk House
The Park Street arts space and music venue opens its doors to the public for one day only. Take a look behind the scenes, meeting the team that run the various workshops and classes in the space, and have a crack at a few of them, getting a flavour as to which ones might be for you.

Bristol Folk House open day – photo: Bristol Folk House

And coming soon…

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November 22: Book Launch: Iron, Stone and Steam, SS Great Britain
Join us for an evening in the company of Tim Bryan, Director of the Brunel Institute at the SS Great Britain, as he launches his brand new book, ‘Iron, Stone and Steam: Brunel’s Railway Empire’.

Iron, stone and steam book launch – photo: SS Great Britain

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November 23-January 6: Arabian Nights | Bristol Old Vic’s Festive Blockbuster, Bristol Old Vic
Schere has the quickest wits, greatest courage and most marvellous stories. Now she plans to liberate every young woman in the Kingdom from the greedy, tyrannical King. All through the power of her storytelling. But can she do this alone? And is the first person she has to turn to really her annoying younger sister?

With enchanting songs, captivating puppetry and a story of two heroic sisters at its core, Bristol Old Vic’s joyful, heartfelt production is the perfect treat for all this festive season. Not to be missed.

Arabian Nights – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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November 25: Tropical Tea Party feat. Clap! Clap!, Christmas Spiegeltent
Bristol’s notorious Tropical Tea Party is taking over The Spiegeltent for a night of Tropical Grooves and Global Bass!

Italy’s psychedelic producer extraordinaire Clap! Clap! will be having a rare UK appearance with support from Hippo Sound System and DJs Ru Robinson and Hiphoppapotamus with tropical party selections from Afrobeat to Jungle!

Clap! Clap! at The Spiegeltent – photo: Christmas Spiegeltent

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November 25: Macramé leaves workshop with prosecco, Prior Shop
Create a unique nature-inspired wall hanging to hang with pride on your walls. Macramé is a creative and relaxing craft, which is also a great way of relieving stress. Aggy from Knots and Stalks will teach you how to knot and stabilise a beautiful leaf wall-hanging. All that accompanied with a glass of fizz.

Macrame leaves workshop – photo: Knots and Stalks

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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 1-January 7: Four Seasons | Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic
From the Olivier Award-winning Little Bulb (CBEEBIES’ The Nutcracker) comes a wonderfully festive family show. Roam through snowy forests and twirling leaves on an enchanting journey into the heart of nature. Expect innovative theatre featuring puppetry, dance and clowning fun!

Four Seasons – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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December 2: The Housewarming, Bristol Beacon
After our huge transformation, we’re celebrating the reopening of Bristol Beacon, with a huge FREE day-to-night party, created by Bristol, for Bristol. The Housewarming will showcase the colourful spectrum of Bristol’s creative community. With over 60 acts, from grassroots groups to well-known faces, there’s something for everyone. Every corner of Bristol Beacon will come alive with performances, to celebrate its rebirth with light, sound and of course, music. Like all good housewarming parties, everyone is welcome: friends and neighbours, old and new. The doors are open, so come along – dig out your sequins, grab your dancing shoes, we’d love to see you at our new gaff for a massive Bristol party to remember.

The Bristol Beacon Housewarming – photo: Bristol Beacon

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December 17: Children’s Christmas Carnival: Gaspard The Fox & Peter and the Wolf, St George’s
Alongside the classic Peter and the Wolf, join Gaspard the friendly fox and his furry chums in a warm-hearted adventure on the No.38 bus, past the sights, sounds and smells of the big city. Performed by their creator Zeb Soanes, accompanied by the Bristol Ensemble, this is the perfect way to introduce children to a live orchestra through storytelling.

Zeb Soanes is the presenter of Smooth Classics at Seven on Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station. For over 20 years he was a newsreader and reassuring voice of the Shipping Forecast to millions of listeners on BBC Radio 4. He announced some of the biggest events in recent years from the final result of the Brexit referendum and the election of Donald Trump to the unfolding of the Coronavirus pandemic. He was a regular fixture on The News Quiz, reported for From Our Own Correspondent and presented Saturday Classics on BBC Radio 3. Sunday Times readers voted him their favourite male voice on UK radio. On leaving The BBC, the Director General Tim Davie wrote, ‘I, like millions of the audience will miss you! Your voice has been a lyrical, clear and reassuring presence — the very heart of Radio 4.’

Gaspard’s Foxtrot – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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December 21: 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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December 21-23: Rumdoo presents: Once upon a time in Bristol, Christmas Spiegeltent
An exhilarating show fusing high energy circus acts, comedy and live music.

Whether you’re a fan of heart-stopping tricks, laugh-out-loud comedy, or simply crave a night of unforgettable entertainment, this show promises to deliver an experience like no other.

Get ready to be amazed, delighted, and thoroughly entertained!

Once upon a time in Bristol – photo: Christmas Spiegeltent

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January 20: Henleaze Concert Society: Mozart and 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: Soul Media

Read next:

• 50 things to do in Bristol in November 2023
• Acclaimed bipolar comic Harriet Dyer comes to the Alma Theatre
• New Berlin-style sex positive techno party launches in Bristol

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