29 things to do in Bristol this week, October 23-29 2023

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Monday-Wednesday: Coco, Watershed
Hitting Watershed in time for Half Term, Coco is everything we need this spooky season. The little town of Santa Cecilia is preparing for the festivities of the Day of the Dead – a Mexican holiday that celebrates and honours a family’s ancestors, when the veil between the Land of the Living and the Dead is at its thinnest…

Monday-Friday: Half term mural painting, Prior Shop
Following on from the Aardman mural in the city centre from just over a week back, Prior Shop in Cabot Circus have been tasked with creating a sister mural to be displayed in the shopping centre. Designed by local artist Laura from Do It Later Illustration, the colouring in has been left down to you.

Aardman Mural Cabot Circus – photo: Prior Shop

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Monday-Sunday: Academician Candidates Exhibition, RWA
It’s your last chance to catch this year’s Academician Candidates Exhibition. Closing on Sunday 29 October, this diverse and exciting exhibition showcases work from the year’s shortlisted Academician candidates: Pennie Elfick, Jessa Fairbrother, Jemma Gunning, Dave King, Debbie Lee, Ben Rowe, Sadie Tierney, Clare Thatcher, Tom Waugh and Sue Williams. Discover the work of these up-and-coming artists for yourself!

Academician Candidates Exhibition – photo: RWA

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Monday & Tuesday: Ballet Theatre UK presents – The Wizard of Oz, Redgrave Theatre
Join Ballet Theatre UK as we follow the yellow brick road and discover all the wonders of Oz. Enjoy Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion (and yes Toto too) as they seek the Wonderful Wizard to find that there’s no place like home! The Wizard of Oz is a two act, full-length, ballet adaptation of the iconic tale by L. Frank Baum, told through the magic of classical dance.

Wizard of Oz – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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Tuesday: Bristol Beacon presents: Hidden Orchestra, The Fleece
Hidden Orchestra is an imagined orchestra compiled in multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Joe Acheson’s studio using many separate recordings of guest musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds, combined with field recordings, bass, and intricate layers of drums. The music is a melting-pot of Joe’s extremely varied musical experiences and influences from an array of genres, and has been described as electronic music made with acoustic instruments and natural sounds. Music built on contrasts, at once anxious and calming, dark and light, fast and slow – full of abstract emotion which is open to the listener’s interpretation. Support comes from electronic trip-hop duo Arms and Sleepers.

Hidden Orchestra – photo: Bristol Beacon

Tuesday: Subversion Bristol: Art Exhibition, Strange Brew
Showcasing young Bristol creatives that are pushing Bristol’s artistic scene forward, Tuesday evening sees painters, photographers, videographers and much more descend onto the arts venue, accompanied by some of the city’s most exciting up and coming DJs, live t-shirt screen printing and more.

Subversion Bristol – photo: Strange Brew/Subversion

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Wednesday-Friday: The Three Little Pigs, Redgrave Theatre
Once upon a time, in a muddy field by the sea, there lived Three Little Pigs. Join our three pigs as they excitedly leave the family sty in search of new adventures! Will they make a pig’s ear out of it, or will they raise the roof? It’ll take brains, bravery and curly-tails to build bridges and forge friendships with each other and those they meet along the way.

The Three Little Pigs – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Wednesday: Halloween cupcake decorating, Sparks Bristol
The old M&S come art gallery/creative space hosts a half term family cake decorating workshop. All materials will be provided within the ticket price, and the cupcakes are 100% vegan.

Sparks Bristol – photo: Martin Booth

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Wednesday: Autumn Early Years Day, RWA
Come and get creative at our Autumn Early Years Day. Join us this Wednesday for some drop-in activities for 2-4-year-olds throughout the afternoon in our Family Activity Space. Have a go at making a spikey hedgehog, a friendly fox, a leafy crown or just explore materials by feel and smell.  Find us in the Family Activity Space on the Lower Ground Floor of the RWA.

Autumn Early Years Day – photo: RWA

Thursday: Mark William Lewis + Pretty V + Florence Sinclair, Strange Brew
For fans of alternative, indie, abstract hip-hop/rap, Mark William Lewis brings the sought after, King Krule-esque almost shoegaze meets melancholic artistry that seems to be so hard to pin down. He’ll be joined by an array of some equally talented, exciting talent from the experimental hip-hop field.

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Friday: Pumpkin picking extravaganza, Avon Valley Wildlife Park
Authentic homegrown PYO patch and speciality squash market.  Pop up bar, street food. Live music at night.

Pumpkin Patch – photo: Avon Valley Wildlife Park

Friday: Pangea ~ Live & Soundsystem Music Around The Globe, Lost Horizon
The party collective focussing on a fusion of live and soundsystem world music has taken Bristol by storm lately, going from their inaugural party at Lost Horizon to selling out Trinity Centre in under a year. This weekend, they return to where they started, and you can expect the works – an extra special live performance from Malawi based Gasper Nali, a traditional Jamaican folk choir, and plenty of soundsystem rattlers in between.

Pangea presents – photo: Pangea

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Friday: Masood Boomgaard: Self-Help Singh, Hen & Chicken
Self-help Singh is the alter ego of international comedian Masood Boomgaard. Self-help Singh, described as a comedic alternative life coach and de-motivational speaker, first appeared to Boomgaard in a vision after he fell and hit his head while rushing to the bathroom in an attempt to outrun the gastric consequences of bad lamb vindaloo. Boomgaard has since been sharing the “common sense wisdom” and de-motivational teachings of Self-help Singh to millions of people on the internet. The Self-help Singh live show is an hilarious yet thought provoking juxtaposition of stand-up comedy, parody and motivational speaking. During his decade long full time professional comedy career Boomgaard has performed in New York, London, Dubai and during the lockdown, in his father’s garage. He lives in South Africa with his cat…for now.

Masood Boomgaard – photo: The Comedy Box

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Friday: FEAR Scream Park, BS31 1TP
FEAR Scream Park, twice awarded as the UKs best, features 5 scare attractions, street theatre, epic fire and laser shows.

FEAR scream park – photo: FEAR Scream Park

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Saturday: Stand up for the weekend with Tom Ward and guests, Hen & Chicken
Tom Ward is a hugely in-demand comedian and voice-over artist. He has voiced literally thousands of commercials, documentaries, training films etc from excitable salesmen to husky women – he can do them all.

As a comedian Tom has won numerous awards which has catapulted him to acclaimed solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and guest spots on various TV stand-up shows.

His stand-up is amazingly assured and he is a unique and genuinely exciting act, oozing confidence from every pore, with quirky, original sideways looks at sex, singledom and swearing.

“Brings fine jokes and star presence to his smart routines: he’s a star in the making” Time Out, London

“A star in the making” Time Out

“Always keeps you guessing” Chortle

“Staggeringly Impressive” The Herald

“Inspired whimsy” The List

“A very welcome curiosity” The Telegraph

Tom Ward and guests – photo: The Comedy Box

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Saturday: 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

Saturday: Samhain, Bridge Farm
A true once a year opportunity to experience the Halloween of old, with the pagan community of Bridge farm hosting a family friendly evening of fires, dancing, music and tarot reading. What better way to celebrate the ‘thinning of the veil’ between the worlds of human and deity?

Samhain at Bridge Farm – photo: Bridge Farm

Sunday: Songbird sound trail, St George’s
While away your Sunday amongst the calming gardens of St George’s, learning about the various songbirds from across the British Isles. There will be various photos of them dotted around the gardens, with a link to listen to their various songs on the back. That, or you could just take a seat and soak in the atmosphere – up to you…

St George’s Bristol with new extension – photo: Martin Booth

And coming soon…

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October 30: Collage in the crypt workshop, The Mount Without
As part of The Mount Withouts 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 workshop – photo: The Mount Without

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October 31: Head Set, Watershed
Award-winning comedian Victoria Melody brings her latest show to Watershed, following a hugely successful tour at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Head Set follows Melody’s strange journey into finding one’s authentic self while trying to succeed in the mainstream, delving into amateur stand-up culture and trying to make peace with a messy brain.

Head Set – photo: Watershed

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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 7: Matthew & 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 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

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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 14: What is the future of food in the UK?, Watershed
With changing diets, new farming technologies and the increasing impacts of climate change, this is a pivotal time to be working in the food industry. Our panel of experts look ahead to the future of food and the burgeoning global food crisis.

Future of UK food – photo: Bristol Ideas

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November 15: Festival of Economics: Britain and the aftermath of empire, Watershed
In his book Uncommon Wealth: Britain and the Aftermath of Empire, Kojo Koram uncovers the scandal of Britain’s disastrous treatment of independent countries after empire – and how those decisions continue to affect the damage being done in Britain today and to its economy. He is in conversation at this year’s Festival of Economics.

Britain and the aftermath of empire – photo: Bristol Ideas

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November 15: 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 & 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: Avon Valley Wildlife Park

Read next:

• 48 things to do in Bristol in October 2023
• Storytelling giants Crick Crack Club go from strength to strength
• Shakespeare turns spooky for Halloween at St Werburghs City Farm

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