28 things to do in Bristol this week, October 16-22 2023

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Now-January 14 2024: 170 Annual Open, RWA
Your art collection starts here! The 170 Annual Open Exhibition is not only a celebration of today’s most exciting art, it’s also a selling exhibition. Art sales support both the RWA, a registered charity, and the artist. Artworks can be purchased in full or through Own Art, which makes buying art easy and affordable by letting you spread the cost of your purchase over 10 months with an interest-free loan. Don’t miss out on that perfect piece, come along to the RWA today or have a browse online.

170 Annual Open – photo: RWA

Monday: CDR x Saffron Artist Talk w/ Grove, Dareshack
The trailblazing artist, who performed at our Ashton Court Mansion party back in March, comes to the Wine Street creative space/venue for an in-depth interview and conversation on their creative process, and their career journey so far.

Grove – photo: Khali Ackford

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Monday-Thursday: Solo exhibition by Chris Rydlewski: ‘Confluence’, The Mount Without
Award-winning Bristol photographer is publishing the third photobook in “an unanticipated trilogy”. Chris Rydlewski has lived and worked in Bristol (UK) for 45 years. For 35 of those, he worked as a freelance photographer and as a photography lecturer at City of Bristol College. Recently retired Chris is now concentrating on personal projects, mainly based in France, which he and his family have visited regularly for many years. These projects take the form of self-published, limited-edition photobooks. Chris also exhibits his work regularly, both in the UK and France. ‘Confluence’ is his third France-based photobook, making what he calls “an unanticipated trilogy”.

Chris Rydlewski: Confluence – photo: The Mount Without

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Monday: Funny Girls: Halloween Show, Redgrave Theatre
Basil Newby presents the legendary Betty Legs Diamond and the Funny Girls follies in their fabulous Halloween tour. Join Betty and her crypt kicker dancers in her drop-dead gorgeous Halloween show. You’ll howl with laughter and scream with pleasure at this spooky spectacular!

Funny Girls – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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Tuesday: Tuesday Teatime Tour, RWA
Join us for this month’s Tuesday Teatime Tour. We warmly invite older people, especially those living with dementia and their companions, to an exhibition tour of the 170 Annual Open Exhibition followed by tea and cake. Enjoy time in the gallery, where an experienced facilitator will actively encourage reminiscence, creative conversation and looking closely at artworks. Sessions are free, but booking is essential as spaces are limited.

Tuesday Teatime Tour – photo: RWA

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Tuesday: Bristol Beacon presents: Martin Hayes (Solo), Redgrave Theatre
Martin Hayes is regarded as one of the most significant talents to emerge in the world of Irish traditional music. His unique sound, his mastery of his chosen instrument – the violin – his acknowledgement of the past and his shaping of the future of the music, combine to create a formidable artistic intelligence. Drawing inspiration from many musical genres but remaining grounded in the music he grew up with in East County Clare, he has a unique ability to place the tradition within a wider contemporary context, creating a unique and insightful interpretation of Irish music. Very limited availability remains.

Martin Hayes – photo: Bristol Beacon

Tuesday: I Am Not Your Negro, The Cube Cinema
The modern American political writer James Baldwin gained acclaim in the mid 20th century with his powerful work in various written forms, highlighting the racial and sexual inequities prevalent at the time. The Cube is screening a documentary on the life and works of the influential figure, followed by an open discussion.

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Wednesday: Festival of the Future City: Why architecture is too important to leave to architects, Watershed
Architect Reinier de Graaf believes that architecture has become too important to leave to architects. No longer is it enough to judge a building solely by its appearance: it must be measured, and certified. How do we measure a ‘green building’ and who gets to decide what these measurements should be?

Bristol Ideas Architecture – photo: Bristol Ideas

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Wednesday: Women Make Horror, Watershed
Bristol-based horror film writer-director Melanie Light hosts a night of short horror films directed by a selection of talented women from around the world. Join her and her cohort of fiends for a ghoulish night of feminist horror films ranging from revenge to possessions to mutations!

Bad Acid, Women Make Horror – photo: Watershed

Wednesday: State of the City 2023, Wills Memorial Building
The annual address will be led for the eighth year running by Marvin Rees in the prestigious building atop Park Street. Part of Bristol Ideas 2023, he’ll be joined by the University of Bristol’s Vice Chancellor Evelyn Welch, city poet Kat Lyons and the Bristol Youth Mayors.

Marvin Rees State of the City Address – photo: Marvin Rees Twitter

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Thursday: Festival of the Future City: How does Bristol move on from Colston?, Watershed
In 2000, two filmmakers created a landmark documentary about Bristol and its history of slave trading. Two decades later, the Colston statue was pulled down. Did so little change in those 20 years, and what do we do about acknowledging and commemorating enslaved people going forwards?

Colston Statue – photo: Bristol Ideas

Thursday: Noise Juice by MUOVIPUSSI, Unit 15
Thursday certainly promises to be a unique spectacle, as Finnish theatre company Muovipussi make their debut in the UK. Expect a unique blend of theatre, circus, music and magic, blended together seamlessly with an equally unique mixture of noise, visuals and slightly off putting (in a good way) prosthetics. Confused? Good.

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Friday: Carl Hutchinson: Watch Till The End, Hen & Chicken
Carl Hutchinson is back with a brand new show for 2023. After a mammoth 87 date run in 2022, Carl capitalised and got right to work to produce his best show yet. If you’ve seen the Geordie in action before you know exactly what type of amazing night you’re in for. If you haven’t seen Carl, prepare to be dazzled by the UK comedy scene’s best kept secret.

“Animated delivery of universally identifiable material all told with an easy, engaging charm.” Chortle

“Unexpected punchlines and occasional slapstick. A very clever mind at work here.” Fringe Review

Carl Hutchinson – photo: The Comedy Box

Friday: no_one: Om Unit, Azu Tiwaline and more, Loco Klub
The Bristol based dub techno stalwart headlines the tunnels under the train station, as Bristol born but UK spanning promoter no_one continues their impressive run of parties, putting on arguably some of the most interesting lineups of the season so far at the city’s best venues – a breath of fresh air.

no_one brings Om Unit to the Loco Klub – photo: Headfirst/no_one

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Saturday: Stand up for the weekend with Garrett Millerick and guests, Hen & Chicken
Garrett Millerick is an acclaimed stand up comedian, writer and director. His unique and versatile style has led to him being in great demand on the alternative and club circuits both in the UK and internationally and he recently made his television debut performing stand-up on the hit US late-night talk show Conan (TBS).

Wickedly funny, he’s the comic that other comics want to be. Thoroughly recommended to those who wish to witness “a virtuoso display of unforgivingly grumpy stand up delivered with fire in his soul” Chortle

“Stand up with an insolent twist” The Guardian

Garrett Millerick and guests – photo: The Comedy Box

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Saturday: Myra Dubois: Be Well, Redgrave Theatre
With her passion for compassion and flair for giving care, the “bust a gut funny” (Graham Norton). Myra DuBois calls out to the disadvantaged, downtrodden and tyrannised of the world with her manifesto for mental health: AdMyrism! But are you ready to receive the call?

Myra DuBois – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Saturday: Coops, Leaf Dog and BVA, Trinity Centre
A religious experience for UK hip-hop heads at the old church on Old Market, as three of Britain’s hottest MCs take to the stage for an evening showcase of the best to do it. With half of the Four Owls in attendance alone, and with each artist being signed to the Titanic High Focus Records, if you’re into your UK rap, this won’t be one to miss.

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Sunday: Bristol Beacon presents: Stornaway, O2 Academy Bristol
Before they soared back with the sky-scraping, heart-filling, life-giving kaleidoscopic wonder that is their fourth album, Dig The Mountain! – Stornoway did not exist. Formed in Oxford in 2005, the decade that followed saw the beloved, nature-celebrating band enjoy a slew of critically acclaimed releases, international tours and various memorable festival appearances. Once the dust had settled, the band decided it was time to tune back into the natural landscape – allowing the project to become dormant after an extended run of farewell shows that concluded in 2017. However, something stirred in 2020 and Brian Briggs found himself inspired by nature and a clear schedule – culminating in a series of collaborative songs written with his former bandmates that would eventually become new Stornoway material. The result is an immersive collection of songs that are both buoyant and windswept – occupying a liminal space between sea and land.

Stornaway – photo: Bristol Beacon

Sunday: What does normal look like?, Strange Brew
A screening of a documentary filmed during the 2020 lockdowns in Bristol, examining the effect that the forced closures had on the city itself and the people within it. The screening will be followed by a live electronic set from experimental artist Kayla Painter in response to the documentary.

What Does Normal Look Like? Poster – photo: Headfirst/Strange Brew/Plaster

And coming soon…

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Until October 27: Black Again! 50 Years of Blaxploitation, Watershed
In celebration of 50 years of Blaxploitation, Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds has partnered with Park Circus to bring Watershed a curated selection of films from the genre this October with Coffy, Black Caesar and Cleopatra Jones.

Cleopatra Jones – photo: Watershed

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October 28: History Of (G)Rave with DJ EZ, Eats Everything & more, Motion
Eats Everything is bringing this MASSIVE lineup to Motion & The Marble Factory for his hometown Halloween show, starring the legendary DJ EZ, alongside Partiboi69, DJ Heartstring, Sim0ne, Kitty Amor and local names Alexisitry, A for Alpha, Ellis Roberts and Finn Faber. If you’ve been to a Motion Halloween show before you’ll know what an occasion this will be… expect terrifying decor and 3 rooms of House and Techno to celebrate spooky season!

Halloween at Motion – photo: Kolab Studios

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October 30: Collage in the Crypt workshop, The Mount Without
As part of The Mount Without’s in house Halloween series and in collaboration with Wolf Wines join local artist Libby Anderson (@libbyandercollage) for an evening of wine and collage making. Participants will have the opportunity to spend hours at play and create their own pieces of art.

Collage in the Crypt – photo: The Mount Without

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November 3: In:Motion x Percolate: Mella Dee, Moxie B2B Shanti Celeste, O’Flynn, Motion
With a love for wobbly, wonky sounds and an audio palette from warehouse parties worldwide, Mella Dee brings the sounds of hardcore, house, techno & everything in between to Motion this November. Joining him is the seasoned Ninja Tune artist O’Flynn, a staple in the British electronic dance scene since his 2015 debut. Plus, we’ve got a double treat from the iconic S.A.S.S supergroup – Bristol’s own legend and Peach Discs founder, Shanti Celeste, alongside beloved NTS radio host, Moxie for a special b2b session.

Motion x percolate – photo: Kolab Studios

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November 10-12: 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

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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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December 17: Children’s Christmas Carnival: Gaspard’s Foxtrot & 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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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: Kolab Studios

Read next:

• 48 things to do in Bristol in October 2023
• Bertel Martin to perform at monthly poetry night at El Rincón
• Watershed to host Bristol 650 showcase and book launch

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