30 things to do in Bristol this week, May 23-29 2022

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Ongoing: You Choose Exhibition, Fashion Museum Bath
You Choose, a unique exhibition co-curated by local people, is on display at the Bath Fashion Museum. Groups and individuals who experience fashion from different points of view have created ten brand new displays now on view. You Choose runs alongside the current A History of Fashion in 100 Objects display.

The latest addition to Fashion Museum Bath is based around audience participation | Photo: Fashion Museum Bath

Monday: DA Live 9 – Jamie Yost, Taylor T, Niall McNamee, Crofters Rights
The ninth instalment of De Anima, a monthly live music night where rising musicians from across the spectrum are invited to share their work. This month, it’s the turn of warm, nostalgic folk performer Jamie Yost heading the bill, backed by equally romantic performances from Taylor T and Niall McNamee.

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Now-May 29: Wonder Boy: On Demand, Bristol Old Vic
If you missed its smash hit premiere run at Bristol Old Vic, Wonder Boy, written by Ross Willis and directed by Sally Cookson, is now available on demand to watch wherever you are – for one final week. Filmed in front of a live theatre audience, this moving and “eye-wateringly funny” (★★★★★ Guardian) coming-of-age story delves into the challenges of growing up different in a rigid school system and the power of communication to heal. Starring Raphel Famotibe, Juliet Agnes, Jenny Fitzpatrick and Amanda Lawrence (Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker), Wonder Boy uses integrated creative captioning throughout, and there are also Audio Described and BSL versions available.

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Now-June 19: Me, Myself, I: Artists’ Self Portraits
Featuring work by major artists the exhibition, in particular explores the last fifty years and the ways artists have imagined and presented themselves: from the highly personal and psychological to the controversial and political. Discover the artists who challenged social norms and defied conventions, who questioned identity, gender and representation ahead of their time. Get into the exhibition for free on the Jubilee Bank Holiday (June 2 & 3).

The RWA re-opening exhibition showcases self portraits from top artists | Photo: RWA

Tuesday: Surfbort + Witch Fever LIVE, Strange Brew
An exciting performance as colourful, thrashing skate-punk outfit Surfbort make the trip from Brooklyn to Bristol, no doubt bringing the head-banging vibes. Backed by Manchester punk crew Witch Fever, this one is sure to be energetic and cathartic.

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Wednesday-Saturday: Doc’n’Roll 2022, Watershed
Doc’n’Roll returns to Bristol with a selection of engaging music documentaries on the likes of Talk Talk, Karen Dalton and David McComb (The Triffids).

There will be a range of documentaries showing specially over the four day period – photo: Watershed

Wednesday: Camp Good Times, Dareshack
Female/NB arts collective Dirty Spread host their next exhibition bringing photography, paintings and sculptures all examining the queer identity. Alongside the artwork on display, there will be live music and a host of captivating performances from members of the queer community.

The exhibition will involve art from local artists in the queer community – photo: Dirty Spread Collective | Art by @laurenparry___ on Instagram

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Wednesday: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Marble Factory
Melbourne quintet Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever’s latest release Sideways to New Italy is the summer we’ve all been wishing for – in musical form. Taking driving rhythms and dry wit, the Aussie five-piece have created an album of “masterful guitar-pop” (NME) in their soft punk, indie rock style. With Rolling Stone Magazine announcing their follow-up as “the best guitar record of 2020” you’ll want to catch their performance this May.

Wednesday: The Predicament of Jackson Scott, Loco Klub
The debut production from local writer Josh McGrillen, The Predicament of Jackson Scott is a study into secret-keeping, grief, and how these things combined can bring turmoil to the mind.

The play comes from local Bristolian writer Josh McGrillen – photo: Loco Klub

Wednesday: A Night In, Clifton Community Bookshop
Clifton Community Bookshop hosts a night of wholesome music among the bookshelves. Bring an IPA or two and unwind to the tranquil guitar sounds of Andrew Chalmers as he makes his Bristol debut, alongside other local talent.

The bookshop boasts the perfect space for an intimate gig – photo: Max McCartney

Thursday: In My Own Time: A Portrait of Karen Dalton, Watershed
Frequently noted as an inspiration for artists as wide ranging as Bob Dylan and Adelle, Karen Dalton and her guitar were a great inspiration to those who were in the know amongst the thriving arts and music scene of 1960s New York. Although rarely performing or appearing on video, directors Richard Pete & Robert Yapkowitch have pieced together what little recordings exist from her career, in an attempt to paint a portrait of this mysterious musical figurehead.

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Thursday: The Museum at Night: Grayson’s Art Club, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Accompanying the phenomenal Grayson’s Art Club exhibition, this Museum at Night will be a chance to explore Bristol Museum & Art Gallery after-hours for queer drag cabaret, arty activities, a catwalk and more. Come dressed in your glam rags for an unmissable, interactive evening of fun and creativity.

There will be a multitude of night-time activities taking place at the museum | Photo: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Thursday: John Hegley – Drawings of Dromedaries, The Wardrobe Theatre
Renowned for his silly, almost child-like take on poetry, music and art, John Hegley brings his performance to the Wardrobe Theatre, providing an amalgamation of poetry, stories, drawings, and maybe even dancing.

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Friday-Sunday: Vampyr, Watershed
Celebrate one of cinema’s great nightmares with this 90th anniversary restoration of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s experimental early talkie about a village threatened by malign forces.

Friday: Gloucestershire vs Sussex, Seat Unique Stadium
Glos’ first home game of this season’s T20 Vitality Blast is against Sussex Sharks under the floodlights. During the course of the group stage, Glos will welcome Somerset, Essex Eagles, Hampshire Hawks and last year’s champions, Kent Spitfires, to the Seat Unique Stadium.

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Opens Friday: Roxy Lanes, Union St
Opening May 27, Roxy Lanes boasts a huge variety of games, and massive rock and indie tunes. Including ten pin bowling, duck pin bowling, American pool, batting cages, ice-free curling, shuffleboard, beer pong, basketball and private karaoke rooms. The new location on Union Street also shows live sports.

The newest addition to Bristol’s entertainment scene arrives on May 27 – photo: Roxy Lanes

Friday: Floating World Pictures, The Cube
Experimental improvised sound group Floating World Pictures celebrate the release of their debut album The Twenty-Three Views with a combination of field recordings, synthesis and various other imaginative, playful musical elements.

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Friday: Sister Nancy & Legal Shot Sound, Trinity
Best known for her dancehall classics Bam Bam and One Two, Sister Nancy is one of the first female dancehall DJs, having brought her soundsystem style to venues across the world during her impressive 40-year career. Sister Nancy will be backed by Legal Shot Sound and supported by Dutchie, Joe Yorke and DJ Dad.

Friday: Emotional Intelligence Presents: Alec Falconer, The Island
Having not played in Bristol in three years, Alec Falconer has had plenty of time to grow and hone his craft since his last visit to the city. Now, he returns to underground spot The Island, bringing the funky vibes from across the dance music spectrum, from groovy house to deep electro.

Friday: The Bish Bosh Bash Game Show, Bristol Improv Theatre
Bristol’s own improvised game show returns. The host will be taking suggestions from the audience and interweaving them within the quiz rounds to create a uniquely hilarious, never-before-seen game show experience.

The game show is different every time, based purely on audience suggestions – photo: Lee Pullen

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Saturday: Cedric Burnside, Exchange
2022 Grammy winner Cedric Burnside is a North Mississippi native and a global ambassador of hill country blues, winning his Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album. The grandson of the luminary RL Burnside, Cedric has been forging his own path within blues for almost 30 years. His latest release I Be Trying takes his soulful sound to stark, stripped-down profundity, the fluidity of instrumentation and vocals harnessing a mesmerising and spiritual essence to his songwriting.

Saturday & Sunday: Upfest

Europe’s largest street art and graffiti festival is returning to Bedminster this year. You may have spotted many already under construction. Following three weeks of street painting, the festival weekend will see hundreds of artist painting live at hubs at Tobacco Factory and Ashton Gate Stadium.

For the first year, the festival will take over Grenville Smyth Park as its main venue with music and live painting across the weekend.

Saturday: Windshake + Garden Party, Crofters Rights
Young up-and-coming Bristol five piece Windshake take to Crofters once again to celebrate the release of their upcoming single “Great Again”. Supported by friends Garden Party and Eve Appleton, expect folky, upbeat rock and roll vibes.

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Saturday: Simon Amstell: Spirit Hole, Redgrave Theatre
With his first stand up tour since the release of internationally acclaimed feature film – ‘Benjamin’ and Netflix Special ‘Set Free’, Simon Amstell brings ‘Spirit Hole’ to a theatre near you.

Saturday: Hardcore Energy 003, Lost Horizon
A hefty lineup from promoters Hardcore Energy at Lost Horizon, bringing the speedy piano breakdowns, stabs and pitched up vocals with hardcore producers both old and new. There’s The House Crew and Origin8 & Propa heading the bill, bringing the authentic old school warehouse energy, and modern hardcore royalty in Samurai Breaks coming up the rear.

Saturday: Habitat, The Galleries
A truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness 50 people running and dancing around a shopping centre, completely naked. As part of Mayfest, you can get a ticket to witness this unique event, or even apply to be one of the dancers.

The unique event is part of Bristol’s contemporary theatre festival, Mayfest | Photo: Mayfest

Sunday: Elevator Sound Sunday Ambient Service, The Love Inn
Every music hardware nerd’s favourite Stokes Croft shop are hosting a meditative evening at the Love Inn, bringing with them some of their favourite pieces of equipment from the store and providing the stretched out, ambient vibes to soothe you from the night before.

Elevator Sound and The Love Inn are almost neighbours, and will be joining forces this Sunday – photo: Miles Arnold

Sunday: Facesiren Workshop, Arnolfini
Ever wanted to make a light-sensitive synthesiser that you can wear on your face? Us too. Bristol-based DIY synthesiser collective PRRRRRT! host a workshop where you completely build your own, from scratch. Don’t worry if you have little to no experience with this either, as there will be experienced tutors on hand to guide you through the process.

The workshops are for people of all skill levels – photo: PRRRRRT!

And coming soon…

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May 30: So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs…?!, Redgrave Theatre
So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs is the hit stage show starring dinosaur aficionado Professor Ben Garrod. Get ready to go on an exciting pre-historic adventure as Ben explores the biggest, deadliest and weirdest predators that ever roamed the planet.

The show will teach you everything and more about dinosaurs – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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May 31-June 5: Family Half Term Activities, RWA
The whole family can get involved in RWA’s family events this half term. You could make beautiful self-portrait prints in the Junior Drawing School Workshops and take part in a drop-in self-led creative workshop creating Identikit portraits in the Family Activity Space over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. Plus, our usual free Scribble and Sketch sessions across Bristol in community venues.

There are many fun family activities that the RWA are running across Bristol this half term – photo: RWA

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June 10-18: Festival of Nature, Bristol & Bath
The UK’s largest celebration of the natural world is back! Join an exciting week packed full of in-person, digital and hybrid events across the region, all aimed at helping people take action for nature.

The festival will take place mid-June, and will cover all things nature | Photo: Bristol Natural History Consortium

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July 2: Black Roots, Trinity Centre
Formed in St Pauls in 1979, Black Roots were one of the pioneering reggae groups in Bristol, and played an integral role in the soundsystem culture that defined the city’s music scene at the time. Their unique brand of roots reggae drew in people seeking to find a voice that spoke out against injustice and alienation.

Main photo: Lee Pullen

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