Things To Do / Sponsored
31 things to do in Bristol this week, September 18-24 2023
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Monday: The Children of Lir, The Mount Without
Aoife’s family tree is wilting. The clutter and mess of old memories needs tidying away before her childhood home can be sold. Aoife reconnects with her sister’s windower – Lir. Lir brings the children to the house in an attempt for them to reconnect with their mother and her lineage. However, the house seems to respond to Aoife. When the children act up or push her away, it begins to steal them away one by one.
‘The Children of Lir’ is inspired by a dark fairy story from Celtic folklore. Owl on the Roof presents this mythic tale with their signature style of original movement, music and surreal storytelling.
The Children of Lir – photo: The Mount Without
Monday: If You Have The Time, The Vestibules
An exhibition showcasing the latest work from mixed media artist Tom Astley. Mixing themes of surrealism, belonging and mythology, Astley creates mind bending sculptures and imagery that feel at once brand new yet strangely familiar.
If You Have the Time poster – photo: Headfirst
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Monday-Thursday: Brother, Watershed
A film which never shirks the deadly impact of racism, whilst nevertheless celebrating the joy and love that strengthen resistance. Clement Virgo’s stirring drama is a soulful meditation on wounded masculinity, fractured identity and the power of family.
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Open now: Mulligans Bristol
Get ready to par-tee Bristol. Mulligans is here to delight and entertain with 2 x 12 hole Crazy Golf Courses, Shuffleboard, Pool, Electro-Darts, Arcade Games & More!
Mulligans Bristol – photo: Mulligans
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Now-January 14: 170 Annual Open Exhibition, RWA
Discover an enormous range of contemporary artwork across two major exhibitions, the 170 Annual Open Exhibition and the 2023 Academician Candidates Exhibition! Discover over 600 artworks, in all mediums, by artists from all over the world in our Main Galleries. In the Kenny Gallery, you can see what this year’s cohort of shortlisted Academician candidates have been working on in hopes of joining the illustrious group of RWA Academicians!
RWA 170 annual open – photo: RWA
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Monday-Thursday: Fremont, Watershed
A thoughtful and wryly funny look at the immigrant experience, further distinguished by striking black-and-white cinematography.
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Tuesday: Bristol Beacon presents: Erland Cooper, Redgrave Theatre
Hailed as ‘nature’s songwriter’ for his work celebrating themes of the natural world, place, people and time – radical Scottish composer Erland Cooper pushes his connection to the environment even further into unchartered new realms with his latest album, ‘Folded Landscapes’. Cooper, who has always been comfortable merging music with evocative storytelling and conceptual art, now sets his sights on working through a lens of urgent observations surrounding climate change as the focal point for his latest album. Notably, his belief in finding solutions to complex problems between despair and the spirit of hope. Using drastic temperature changes – from sub-zero to hottest on record – he developed this piece for chamber string ensemble, piano, voice, harpsichord, electronics & field recordings. Limited tickets remain.
Erland Cooper – photo: Bristol Beacon
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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
Tuesday & Wednesday: I’m muslamic don’t panic, Tobacco Factory Theatres
A heartwarming story exploring the notion of belonging and understanding your heritage, told through the medium of dance theatre. Bobak, the protagonist, tackles this potentially heavy topic in a lighthearted, playful manner, and through his interactions with others experiencing similar questions gets closer to the truth.
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Wednesday: Hazel Findlay – The Walls Within, Redgrave Theatre
In ‘rockstar’ climbing Hazel Findlay’s new show, she’ll walk you through the biggest internal battles she’s faced in her career and how she’s overcome them. She’ll take stories from her most difficult ascents and wild expeditions, such as her recent climbing trip to Greenland with Alex Honnold, to talk about our psychological ‘walls within’ that we all face, such as imposter syndrome, fear of failure, distraction and motivation.
Hazel Findlay – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Wednesday: Aurora Kusina x The MAZI Project, Kitchen by Kask
The MAZI project aims to provide healthy, sustainable food to Bristol through locally sourced weekly meal boxes, sourced, packed and provided by some of the city’s disenfranchised 16-25 year olds, with an aim to empower them to move forwards. They’ll be teaming up with modern Filipino comfort food restaurant Aurora Kusina to deliver a four course plant based menu to raise money for their projects.
The evening of dining will be taking place at Kitchen by Kask on North Street – photo: Martin Booth
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Wednesday: Strictly stand up with Tom Deacon and guests, Hen & Chicken studio
Compere ROBIN MORGAN introduces headliner TOM DEACON who has not only been performing stand-up professionally for more than 15 years, he has also dabbled in TV and radio presenting having appeared on BBC2, BBC Radio One, The Capital FM breakfast show, plus various football and sport related online and YouTube channels such as Copa90, where his Eurofan escapades have notched up over 8 million views.
It is Tom’s versatile and charming persona which has led him to be a part of so many incredible things in the presenting world.
Of course, Tom’s versatility and charm and off-beat humour have led to his acclaim in the stand-up world too, culminating in him recording his stand-up special “Rapture” at the New Zealand Comedy Festival.
“With looks, confidence, charm and great material; expect other comics to lynch him” Sunday Times
“A mighty fine comic” said the Guardian.
Tom Deacon and guests – photo: The Comedy Box
Thursday & Friday: Casting Off, Circomedia
Winner of three awards at various fringe festivals, including an award for Best Circus at Edinburgh Fringe, Casting Off is an intergenerational show starring a daughter, a mother and a grandmother that is both empowering and hilarious.
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Friday: Belters x Lily Huu: Queens of Bristol, The Crown
The Bristol label specialising in party music and all things silly teams up with one of Bristol’s most exciting rising DJs Lily Huu, as she curates a lineup of some of her favourite up and coming female Bristol DJs – expect everything from shellout jungle to bassy 140, garage and beyond.
Queens of Bristol – photo: Headfirst
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Saturday: Stand up for the weekend with Carey Marx and guests, Hen & Chicken studio
Carey Marx is an unapologetic gagsmith. The jokes are short and sharp, often uncomfortably so, as any morality is sacrificed on the altar of quick laughs. And there’s no better way of guaranteeing a reaction than storming headlong into decidedly dodgy territory.
There’s plenty here for the connoisseur of comedy writing. The lines are efficient, original and potent – and rarely fail to blindside the audience.
And they come at a blistering rate, thanks to a hugely economical delivery. He doesn’t go out of the way to befriend an audience, yet there is a subtle charm and intelligence to him, even when the material is blatantly offensive.
“Anecdotally debauched … But if his lines are frequently sick, they’re elegantly written, too, and there’s a childlike glee to his naughtiness.” The Herald
Carey Marx and guests – photo: Hen & Chicken
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Saturday: Jason Byrne – Bionic Man, Redgrave Theatre
We can rebuild him! Jason is, officially Bionic, “ironically’ of course, as Jason, the accident-prone, general unfortunate gobshite (to no want of his own) is now, half man, half machine.
Jason Byrne, Bionic Man – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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Saturday: Reggae Brunch (Bristol Beacon Amplified Tour), Filwood Community Centre
The Amplified tour is bringing fun, free, family concerts to community centres around Bristol this summer. Our next stop is Filwood Community Centre for a Reggae Brunch featuring The Bristol Reggae Brunch Band featuring members of The Bristol Reggae Orchestra! We’ll also be joined by the Graft graffiti team – take part in a workshop and get creative making colourful gig posters.
This is a free entry event – for full info please see our website.
Bristol Beacon Amplified Tour, Reggae Brunch – photo: Bristol Beacon
Saturday: Farm Fair 2023, St Werburghs City Farm
Having been on hiatus since 2019, the St Werburghs City Farm Fair makes a return this year, attracting thousands of visitors into the area’s quaint, village-like streets for a day of fantastic live music, local traders, a samba procession through the streets and lots more.
2023 St Werburghs City Farm Fair poster – photo: Farm Fair 2023
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Saturday: Classics by candlelight, 1904 Arts Club
Be bathed in the warming glow of a candlelight concert! Step into the hidden gem of the 1904 Arts Club, Clifton, and experience a beautiful evening of classical music surrounded by stunning candlelight in one of the most unique, quirky spaces in Bristol.
The 1904 arts club is a unique ‘tithe barn’ styled performance hall hidden away behind the Red Lodge Museum just off Park Street. This space is full of quirky artefacts and is the perfect backdrop for a relaxing evening of stunning music to candlelight.
Arranged for string quartet, flute and piano, the programme includes compositions from Mozart, Bach, Handel, Gambarini & Haydn. Be delighted by new arrangements of well-known pieces in a huge range of musical styles! Baroque and classical era works have been honed in arrangements that give familiar music a new lease of life.
Enjoy a glass or two of your favourite drink accompanied by a light snack from the bar before the concert and during the interval.
Classics by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble
Sunday: The Bristol 48hr puppet film challenge, The Cube Cinema
For the past year, puppeteers from up and down the country have been scrambling to create their best possible puppet movie within a 48 hour timeframe. Now, the community cinema just off Stokes Croft hosts the finale screening of some of the best entries to the competition.
48 hr puppet challenge – photo: Puppet Place
And coming soon…
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September 27: Gitkin live, Art Club
Velvet echoes and extra terrestrial promotions present rhythmic world music artist Gitkin with support from Brighton based surf rockers Hutch.
This world renowned psychedelic Groover hailing from Brooklyn is ready to entice Bristol with his blend of enchantingly rhythmic psychedelic music.
Gitkin at Art Club – photo: Velvet Echoes Records
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September 29: Futures Festival: Back to the Future, Filwood Community Centre
Free event (as part of FUTURES festival) exploring Knowle West’s history and future. Activities include hearing community voices, discussing ideas for Filwood, watching film trailers of the Broadway gone by, and a Back to the Future film screening. Part of the City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme.
Back to the future – photo: Futures Festival
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September 29: Alexander O’Neal (full live band) + support from Laid Blak (full live band)
After nearly five decades in the business it is with great excitement that legendary singer Alexander O’Neal heads out on his Time to Say Goodbye: Farewell World Tour. The beloved soul star is hitting the road one final time with this show being his final Bristol appearance, with a full live band.
Bristol band Laid Blak are also included on the heavyweight lineup. photo: Alternate PR
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September 29: Futures Festival: Up Late, SS Great Britain
Experience a free, family-friendly late opening at Brunel’s historic S.S. Great Britain. Dive into interactive exhibits showcasing innovative research and enjoy live accounts from researchers. Ideal for ages 8-12, but open to all. Advance booking required.
Up Late at SS Great Britain – photo: Futures Festival
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October 7: In:Motion: TSHA, Prospa & more, Motion
In:Motion are proud to present one of the most exciting talents to come out of the UK in recent years, TSHA. Known for her flawless productions and diverse DJ sets, she has cemented herself as a household name in electronic music. Joining her will be Prospa, an electronic duo who’s reimagining of classic dance sounds has accelerated their rise. More acts to be announced soon.
TSHA comes to Motion this October – photo: Alastair Brookes
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October 7: Henleaze Concert Society: Glories of the Baroque, Trinity Henleaze URC
For this first concert of our season, come and join the Bristol Ensemble for a programme of Baroque favourites:
- Handel- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
- Vivaldi- Trio Sonata in D minor ‘La Follia’
- Bach- Brandenburg Concerto No.1 in F major, BWV 1046
- Handel- Water Music
Glories of the baroque – photo: Henleaze Concert Society
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October 14: Mozart by candlelight, Bristol Cathedral
Mozart’s infamous Requiem in D minor is a masterpiece shrouded in mystery, making it all the more fascinating, compelling and emotionally stirring. The story of the creation of the work involves a shady commission and a blanket of deceit.
It all began in July 1791, when a stranger turned up at Mozart’s door with a commission to write a requiem. Mozart accepted and obsessively threw himself into the piece and worked on almost nothing else for several months. However, by this time, his health was deteriorating and he was unable to finish what he started. Mozart wasn’t sound of mind when he received the commission and believed he’d been cursed to write the piece as a swansong because he knew he would shortly die. Was he writing his own Requiem?
Experience this extraordinary work in the majestic setting of a candlelit Bristol Cathedral, with over 400 candles recreating the original performance in Vienna 230 years ago on January 2, 1793.
Mozart by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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October 14: In:Motion & Percolate x Steel City Dance Discs, Marble Factory
On October 14, In:Motion team up with London party starters Percolate and Steel City Dance Discs to bring you a stacked line up featuring SCDD head honcho Mall Grab, plus KETTAMA, Effy and more. Expect heavy duty house and techno selections and high-energy from start to finish.
Mall Grab – photo: Alastair Brookes
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October 18: Children of Zeus + Support from Eva Lazarus, King Original and Hold Tight Records, Central Warehouse
Manchester’s kings of neo-soul Children of Zeus return to Bristol for a headline midweek concert, alongside Bristol’s stage queen Eva Lazarus, East London’s King Original (Footsie, Sir Spyro & Jah Model), Hold Tight Records and upcoming afrobeats selectress Leiko, in Bristol’s newly licensed ‘Central Warehouse’ event space.
Children of Zeus – photo: Central Warehouse
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October 21: Down Stokes Music Festival, Crofters Rights
Velvet Echoes and Conscious sounds present Down Stokes. A festival celebrating independent music venues in Stokes Croft. Live visuals, Psych rock, Fuzz, Shoegaze, synth wave and more.
Down Stokes Festival – photo: Velvet Echoes Records
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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
Main photo: Alastair Brookes, In:Motion
Read next:
- Trinity Centre hosts book launch for former Pulp drummer Nick Banks
- Storytale Festival returns for its fifth chapter
- The Cube to host new musical exploring life with ADHD
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