29 things to do in Bristol this week, December 4-10 2023

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Monday-December 20: Color by Technicolor, Watershed
An expansive season that showcases the mesmerising power of Technicolor, culminating in a site-specific screening of Powell & Pressburger’s erotic melodrama Black Narcissus at a breathtaking converted church in the city centre, The Mount Without.

Color by Technicolor – photo: Watershed

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Now-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

Monday: North St Games Night, Hen & Chicken
The popular games night returns to its spiritual home of the Hen & Chicken on the Southville high street for an evening of meeting like minded gamers and enjoying some of your favourite titles. You’re welcome to bring your own game, and your £2 entry gives you a discount on pizzas and burgers, too.

North Street Games Night – photo: Hen & Chicken

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Monday-Thursday: Eileen, Watershed
A tale of infatuation between two intriguing women before propelling the narrative into violent thriller territory, with Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie.

Eileen – photo: Watershed

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Now-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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Monday: Greg Foat & Gigi Masin, Bristol Beacon
Born from a mutual admiration for one another, the duo’s collaborative album Dolphin marks respected Jazz pianist Greg Foat and ambient legend Gigi Masin’s first landmark recording collaboration together. An exquisitely crafted, silky blend of kosmische, jazz, vintage soundtrack vibes and ambient, guiding you to a balmy sundown place of peace. Utilizing “an electric piano, sounds from my digital library and an old iPad2” (Masin) and “grand Piano, Vibraphone and lots of vintage synthesisers” (Foat), the former’s melancholy melodies meet the latter’s laid back, slo-mo grooves, which pour out like honey. Herbert’s huge unfurling basslines, and taught Pistorius-style fretless are paired with Boyd’s sturdy but swinging drums, whilst warm synths create pastel-colour clouds, through which emerge smokey keys, flute and piano. Both artist’s signature styles are here, but blended with such smooth liquidity that the pairing seems like the most natural no-brainer ever. The record is predominantly a group effort, but due to Foat’s sensitive handling, certain points were left largely unadorned, sans rhythm section, letting Masin’s essence take centre stage.

Greg Foat & Gigi Mason – photo: Bristol Beacon

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Monday-Thursday: Into The Woods, Redgrave Theatre
Bring me these before the chime of midnight in three days time… Kickstart your festive celebrations with Sondheim’s timeless masterpiece, INTO THE WOODS.

Into The Woods – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Tuesday: Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Carol Concert, St George’s
In support of the Lord Mayor’s Children Appeal, children’s choirs from across the city come together in the decadent settings of St George’s to raise money for the annual drive, which helps give over 1,500 children a brighter festive period.

St George’s Bristol – photo: St George’s Bristol

Wednesday: Collector Cave 1st birthday party, Collector Cave
The digger’s favourite record store has cultivated something of a cult following since its reopening in the shop neighbouring the also recently reopened Cloak (Fka Cloak & Dagger), and is celebrating being open for a year in the new location this week. There will be sets from some of the store’s regulars, a live podcast from Mr Belters, and a music quiz for the heads.

Collector Cave moved to Cheltenham Road from Stokes Croft – photo: Collector Cave

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Thursday: Macramé Earrings & Prosecco Workshop, Prior Shop Cabot Circus
Calling all lovers of boho handmade accessories! This macramé earring-making workshop with bubbles is the one for you. Macramé is a creative and relaxing craft focusing on tying strings into knots and is a great way of relieving stress. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you will spend time with a glass of fizz in the workshop room of Prior at Cabot Circus, where your host Aggy from Knots and Stalks will teach you how to knot your own pair of wooden and recycled cotton macramé earrings.

Macramé earrings workshop – photo: Knots & Stalks

Thursday: Merry Synthmas 2023!, Dareshack
Brought to you by electronic hardware collective We All Play Synths, the evening will consist of a series of short 15 minute performances from hardware heads, that you can sign up for if you fancy showing off your skills. The performances will (hopefully) have a festive theme, too – jingle bells on a 303, anyone?

Dareshack shop front – photo: Adda, Dareshack

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Friday-December 30: Christmas at Mum’s, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Returning to Tobacco Factory Theatres, the Sisters invite you for a riotous Christmas at Mum’s. Join them as they crash land home; expect there to be Karaoke (Y Viva España anyone?), a prawn ring and Sister Mary Berry’s festive bangers with all the trimmings. Tickets from £15.

Christmas at Mums – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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Friday: New Regency Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
New Regency Orchestra has been shaking up a storm in the last two years with its mighty twelve-piece horn section, lock-tight five-piece rhythm section and the NRO dancers bringing a new energy and new arrangements to the golden age of mambo and latin jazz. Inspired by New York’s melding of Jazz and Latin from the 50s to the 70s, when the sound of jazz luminaries Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker collided with the Cuban roots of Chano Pozo and Machito, New Regency Orchestra add a contemporary London spin with the city’s best Latin Music and Jazz talent driving each other to greater heights.

New Regency Orchestra – photo: Bristol Beacon

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Friday: Cacao, Sound & Tarot Ceremony, Ashley Vale Wild Goose Space
Are you looking for a wellbeing ritual to bring back your inner peace? Do you find it difficult to carve out time to meditate or contemplate matters important to you? Feel a part of a community and connect to your inner wisdom in this Cacao, Sound & Tarot Ceremony relaxation and meditation session. It’s a safe 1.5-hour evening space at the end of the week to help you find some balance.

Cacao Ceremony – photo: Knots & Stalks

Friday: Fairytale of Bristol – Christmas with a twist, Loco Klub
A Christmas party with a twist, as the tunnels of Loco Klub are transformed into “Santirini’s” – a secret underground speakeasy, full of interesting characters, outlandish cocktails, and fantastic food. This immersive theatrical experience sold out last year, so get booking now to avoid disappointment.

FairyTale of Bristol – photo: Invisible Circus

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Friday: A Late Night Tap Room Disco, The Cider Box
Join us at Bristol’s Cider Tap Room for a lights down intimate disco featuring Bristol hero Daisy Moon, knocking out the bangers under a cute railway arch in BS2. Free mulled cider on entry + a nicely stocked bar with craft ciders, beers from Arbor, nice wines and a frozen margarita machine- perfect for deepest December.

Daisy Moon – photo: The Cider Box

Saturday: DASEPLATE & friends, Greenworks
Sell out warning on this one. If you’re into your real gritty dubstep, grime and bassline, there really should only be one place on your radar this weekend. Get yourself down to the Brislington industrial estate as the Nottingham MC music powerhouse delivers the finest wheel ups to one of the city’s only venues with no noise restrictions.

Sunday: Home of vibrations: SATURATE, Lost Horizon
A Sunday celebration of all the best vibrations on the groovy end of the sonic spectrum. Featuring art exhibitions from local artists Holly Mingo and Mèlanffro, and soundtracked by some of Bristol’s jazziest selectors, the evening looks to be a community rich celebration of connection.

Home of Vibrations – photo: Saturate Radio/Headfirst

And coming soon…

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December 14-January 6: The Selfish Giant, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Inspired by the touching children’s story ‘The Selfish Giant’ by Oscar Wilde, Bristol’s two leading family theatre experts are combining forces at Tobacco Factory Theatres to explore an unusual friendship, and how even the grumpiest giant’s heart can melt when Spring finally comes. Tickets from £11.

The Selfish Giant – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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December 15-31: Rapunzel, Redgrave Theatre
Get ready for a hair raising adventure about the girl with the magical golden hair as Polka Dot Pantomimes and the Redgrave Theatre proudly present Rapunzel – A Tangled Tale!

Rapunzel – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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December 15: Worm Disco Club party, The Cider Box
A chinwag & boogie for all Worm Disco Club friends and followers! The worms diggin’ deep going b2b2b all night. PLUS: Mulled Cider, Cheese & Pineapple sticks, Mince Pies, ‘Pass The Parcel’ & 100% Vinyl bangers guaranteed!

Worm Disco Club – photo: The Cider Box

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December 16: Bristol Choral Society: Messiah, Bristol Beacon
Christmas starts here!  The newly refurbished Bristol Beacon is opening very soon in December, and one of the first classical concerts you can enjoy there is Bristol Choral Society’s Messiah.  From the first thrilling chord, just soak up the music most of us know and love – or come to listen for the first time!

Bristol Choral Society: Messiah – photo: BCS

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December 17: Children’s Christmas Carnival: Gaspard The Fox & Peter & 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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December 22: Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles – A Gameshow For Awful Children, Christmas Spiegeltent
Acclaimed Gallic comedian Marcel Lucont presents a wild game show in which kids get to be pests, politicians and Pétomane’s to be crowned the Most Awful Child.

“A real highlight of Edinburgh Fringe for the entire Horne family. Très funny” – Alex Horne, Taskmaster
“Fresh, accessible and hilarious” – The Guardian

A Gameshow for Awful Children – photo: Christmas Spiegeltent

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December 31: In:Motion NYE: Groove Armada (DJ Set), Motion
One of the planet’s best loved dance acts, Groove Armada, will see in the year with a massive New Year’s Eve party, alongside a stellar lineup of special guests! With legendary hits like ‘Superstylin’’, ‘I See You Baby’ and ‘At the River’, the renowned duo have secured their place in the hallowed halls of dance music history, delivering timeless classics time and time again. They will be joined by global dance music star Hannah Wants, Lulah Francs & more.

Groove Armada NYE – photo: Motion

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December 31: Hospitality Bristol x [THE BLAST] NYE, Motion
Global Drum & Bass trail blazers Hospitality join forces with Bristol’s favourite party starters The Blast for this year’s hottest NYE DNB celebration.

Taking over the legendary Motion Bristol to transport you into 2024 in style with an incredible lineup of big name Drum & Bass favourites.

Hospitality NYE – photo: Kolab Studios

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December 31: Document NYE: Crazy P & more, Document
Join us this New Years Eve at Document for an evening of disco delights and mesmerising mirror balls to welcome in 2024! We’ll be joined by the legendary Crazy P Soundsystem, who have made their mark as one of the world’s best loved dance music acts with a career spanning over 20 years.

Document NYE – photo: Chris Cooper/ ShotAway/ www.ShotAway.com/ #shotawaydotcom

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January 20 2024: 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

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March 9 2024: Einaudi meets Richter by candlelight, Trinity Henleaze URC
This will be a hypnotic evening of music performed by the Bristol Ensemble, featuring mesmerising works by Ludovico Einaudi, and Max Richter’s engagingly refreshing reimagining of Vivaldi’s ever-popular Four Seasons:

• Einaudi Divenire; Primavera; Petricor; I Giorni; Full Moon
• Max Richter: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Reimagined

Einaudi meets Richter by candlelight – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

Main photo: Knots & Stalks

Read next:

• 59 things to do in Bristol in December 2023
• Bristol’s month in jazz – December 2023
• Bristol’s best Christmas shows 2023

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