97 things to do in Bristol in April 2019

Art / Bath Spa University

Ctrl Alt Delete

Responding to trends in digital art

: Wednesday, Apr 3 2019 - Friday, Apr 12 2019

Art / Native American art

The Young Americans

Showcasing a new generation of Native American artists

: Thursday, Mar 21 2019 - Saturday, Jun 8 2019

Art / Sculpture

RWA Sculpture Open

Celebrating contemporary sculptural practice in all its forms

: Saturday, Mar 16 2019 - Sunday, Jun 2 2019

Art / Ceramics

Ceramics by Robyn Cove

Functional ceramics with a rustic warmth

: Monday, Apr 1 2019 - Thursday, May 30 2019

Art / Caraboo Projects

Javasu

Musing on the 19C fascination with exotic, faraway lands

: Friday, Mar 29 2019 - Sunday, Apr 28 2019

Art / Photography

It’s Called Ffasiwn

Children from the Valleys in fashion costumes

: Wednesday, Mar 27 2019 - Saturday, May 25 2019

Art / Installation

Matt Antoniak: Sasquatch

Paintings derived from scraps of paper from an art store

: Friday, Apr 5 2019 - Sunday, Apr 21 2019

Art / Bristol Guild Gallery

Paint & Clay Three

Quintet of painters and ceramicists

: Saturday, Mar 30 2019 - Saturday, Apr 20 2019

Art / Painting

a walk in the woods

Paintings of the world around us and our place in it

: Friday, Apr 5 2019 - Thursday, Apr 25 2019

Art / Landscape Painting

Cartman, Evans and Kelly

Three fine, accomplished landscape painters

: Saturday, Apr 6 2019 - Saturday, Apr 20 2019

Art / Centrespace

no one’s just zero

Works inspired by rural Ireland and Arctic Norway

: Saturday, Mar 30 2019 - Tuesday, Apr 9 2019

Art / Sean Addicott

Tapesleep

Sound collage formed of acoustic instruments and ambient sound

: Friday, Apr 19 2019 - Tuesday, Apr 23 2019

Art / Bedminster

BV Open Studios 2019

Annual open studios event at the busy Bedminster studios

: Friday, Apr 12 2019 - Sunday, Apr 14 2019

Books & Spoken Word / Politics

Desert Island Books: Dissent

Invited guest speakers recommend books on dissent

Redland Library: Tuesday, Apr 9 2019 7pm

Books & Spoken Word / Music

Celeste Bell and Zoë Howe: Dayglo, The Poly Styrene Story

New book on punk legend

Rough Trade: Wednesday, Apr 10 2019 6pm

Books & Spoken Word / Poetry

Satellite of Love: Alison Brackenbury & Saili Katebe

Popular poetry and spoken word night

The Greenbank: Wednesday, Apr 10 2019 8:30pm

Books & Spoken Word / Disability

Access All Poetry: Stephen Lightbown, Donna Williams, Giles L Turnbull

Popular Bristol poet launches debut collection

Spike Island: Thursday, Apr 11 2019 7:30pm

Books & Spoken Word / Poetry

Lemn Sissay

Leading poet, playwright and broadcaster

Bristol Old Vic: Weston Studio: Friday, Apr 12 2019 8pm

Books & Spoken Word / Poetry

Raise the Bar: Bristol Spoken Word Super Show! (Feat. Gecko)

Superb line up of Bristol poets

Arnolfini: Thursday, Apr 18 2019 7pm

Books & Spoken Word / Storytelling

Blahblahblah: Sean Mahoney

Celebrated poet and storyteller

Bristol Old Vic: Weston Studio: Sunday, Apr 21 2019 7:30pm

Books & Spoken Word / anti-Semitism

Karen Pollock

Using education to combat the rise in anti-Semitism

Wills Memorial Building: Tuesday, Apr 23 2019 6:30pm

Books & Spoken Word / Brexit

Laura Gardiner, Gavin Kelly and Nick Pearce

What Lies Beyond Brexit?

Waterstones Bristol Galleries: Wednesday, Apr 24 2019 7pm

Books & Spoken Word / Fiction

Novel Writers: Candice Carty-Williams

Widely anticipated debut novel

Spike Island: Thursday, Apr 25 2019 6:30pm

Books & Spoken Word / Politics

Rachel Reeves

The future of women in politics

Waterstones Bristol Galleries: Thursday, Apr 25 2019 7pm

Books & Spoken Word / Politics

Nick Cohen

Award winning journalist discusses social media's impact on journalism and politics

Waterstones Bristol Galleries: Tuesday, Apr 30 2019 7pm

Circus / Circomedia

Hotel Paradiso

Thrillingly spectacular circus skills

Circomedia: Friday, Apr 12 2019 7:30pm

Circus / Circomedia

As a Tiger in the Jungle

The heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story of three Nepalese performers

: Wednesday, Apr 17 2019 7:30pm & Thursday, Apr 18 2019 7:30pm

Circus / BE Festival

What Does Stuff Do?

TED-Talk-esque performance about the relationships between people and things

: Wednesday, Apr 3 2019 - Saturday, Apr 6 2019

Music / Carnival Music

Cirque Du Soul: The Grand Finale!

A travelling collective energy of colour, magic and dance.

Motion: Friday, Apr 5 2019 10pm

Music / Drum and Bass

DJ Marky & Friends

Sao Paulo based drum and bass DJ

Motion: Saturday, Apr 6 2019 10pm

Music / Electronic

Perpetual: DVS1, Stephanie Sykes, Manni Dee

Perpetual returns with a bill of highly respected DJ's

Motion: Friday, Apr 12 2019 10pm

Music / Electronic

SOLD OUT: Perpetual: Bicep [DJ Set], Kornel Kovacs, Cromby

Two of the most trusted curators of electronic music in the past decade

Motion: Thursday, Apr 18 2019 10pm

Music / Electronic

TVAM

One man electro, psych machine

Thekla: Sunday, Apr 14 2019 7:30pm

Music / Rap

Yasiin Bey performs Mos Def – The Ecstatic

One of rap’s true greats

O2 Academy: Wednesday, Apr 17 2019 7pm

Music / Rap

SOLD OUT: M Huncho

Woozy, trippy rap

Thekla: Tuesday, Apr 23 2019 7pm

Music / Clubs

The Greatest Showman Singalong Club Tour

A circus wonderland and you’ll spend your night singing, dancing and laughing

O2 Academy: Saturday, Apr 13 2019 10pm

Comedy / How Lazy Is He

How Lazy Is He? with Alison Spittle

Fast-rising Irish comic

The Lazy Dog: Thursday, Apr 4 2019 7:45pm

Comedy / Stand-Up

Simon Munnery: The Wreath

Crown prince of surrealism is back

The Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken Studio: Thursday, Apr 4 2019 8pm

Comedy / Guz Khan

Mo Amer & Guz Khan: Persons of Interest

Double-header from two rising comics

Anson Rooms: Saturday, Apr 6 2019 7:30pm

Comedy / Observational comedy

Sean McLoughlin: Hail Mary

Dry, self-deprecating comic now hitting the big time

Tobacco Factory Theatres: Spielman Theatre: Sunday, Apr 7 2019 8pm

Comedy / Grace Petrie

Lefty Scum: Josie Long / Grace Petrie / Jonny and the Baptists

Top lineup of left-leaning comics

Anson Rooms: Tuesday, Apr 9 2019 7pm

Comedy / Chuckle Busters

Ivo Graham / Gein’s Family Giftshop

Erudite comic and dark-hued sketch troupe

The Wardrobe Theatre: Friday, Apr 12 2019 9:45pm

Comedy / Holly Burn

How Lazy Is He? with Holly Burn

Lauded character comic at The Lazy Dog

The Lazy Dog: Thursday, Apr 11 2019 7:45pm

Comedy / Stand-Up

Tommy Tiernan: Paddy Crazy Horse

Charismatic, theatrical and hugely popular Irish comic

Anson Rooms: Friday, Apr 12 2019 8pm

Comedy / Comic songs

Jay Foreman’s Disgusting Songs for Revolting Children

Songs, poems and comedy for kids of all ages

Anson Rooms: Friday, Apr 19 2019 2:30pm

Dance / Dance workshop

Sacred: Pleasure and Shadows workshop

A woman-only dance workshop

Trinity Community Arts: Sunday, Apr 14 2019 2pm

Dance / Ballet

Once Upon A Dance

A range of dance styles from Whitchurch Dance Studio

: Monday, Apr 15 2019 - Saturday, Apr 20 2019

Dance / Ballet

Them/Us by Balletboyz

Balletboyz return to Bristol with two new shows

: Saturday, Apr 27 2019 7:30pm & Sunday, Apr 28 2019 7:30pm

Dance / Bristol Old Vic

Impermanence

A new production from the Bristol-based dancers

Bristol Old Vic: Thursday, Apr 25 2019 7:30pm

Dance / Ballet

Triple Bill by Ballet Black

Returning with their dramatic storytelling ballet

: Tuesday, Apr 23 2019 7:30pm & Wednesday, Apr 24 2019 7:30pm

Dance / Ballet

Impermanence presents… Crystal Zillwood & The House of Strays

A double bill of dance

Bristol Old Vic: Weston Studio: Monday, Apr 15 2019 8pm

Film / Family

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Spielberg's sugary space alien flick

Film / Drama

King of Kings

UK premiere of the new restoration of Cecil B. DeMille's Biblical epic in Bristol Cathedral

Film / Horror

Bristol Bad Film Club: Pieces

A psycho sets out to make a human jigsaw from body parts. As you do.

Film / Comedy

Monty Python’s Life of Brian

Python's brilliant satire on everything from organised religion to left-wing sects

Film / Documentary

Acts of Quiet Resistance

Outdoor screening of doc charting a year in the life of a fella who lives in a horsedrawn wagon

Film / Comedy

Family Plot

Hitchcock's final film launches John Williams score season as part of Filmic 19

Film / Documentary

Minding the Gap

Much acclaimed documentary about skateboarding and friendship, filmed over 12 years

Film / Event Cinema

National Theatre Encore: All About Eve

Gillian Anderson & Lily James star in a new production of the classic tale of jealousy and ambition

Film / Drama

The City Without Jews

First screening outside London of this restored silent classic that predicted the rise of the Nazis

Film / Documentary

Tones, Drones and Arpeggios + intro

Composer Charles Hazlewood introduces his two-part BBC minimalism documentary for Filmic 19

Film / Documentary

A Deal with the Universe

An autobiographical transgender pregnancy documentary

Film / Event Cinema

Royal Shakespeare Company Live: As You Like It

Kimberley Sykes directs a new production of the Bard's riotous romcom

Film / Documentary

Juliette of the Herbs + Q&A

Documentary about pioneering herbalist screened at launch of Seed Sistas' Sensory Herbal Handbook

Food & Drink / Beer

Spring Happening

The first special event of 2019 at the brewery

Lost & Grounded: Saturday, Apr 13 2019 1pm

Food & Drink / Oysters

Source Oyster Festival 2019

Now in its 10th year

: Wednesday, Apr 3 2019 - Saturday, Apr 6 2019

Food & Drink / Street Food

House of Veg

Bristol’s new vegan street feast and market

The Pennywell Project: Saturday, Apr 13 2019 12pm

Food & Drink / cheese

Spring tasting

Two Belly’s second seasonal tasting

Two Belly: Thursday, Apr 11 2019 7pm

Food & Drink / Supper Club

Sunday Supra supper club

A celebration of Georgian food, wine and culture

Friendly Records Bar: Sunday, Apr 14 2019 3pm

Food & Drink / Markets

Spring Market

Local artisans and growers showcase their wares

Hart’s Bakery: Saturday, Apr 27 2019 8am

Food & Drink / Barbecue

Food Fire Earth

Genevieve Taylor and Jo Ingleby once again join forces

Yurt Lush: Thursday, Apr 18 2019 7pm

Music / Indie

Keuning

Lead guitarist of The Killers

Thekla: Monday, Apr 1 2019 7pm

Music / Electronic

Art School Girlfriend

A balance of calm and chaos

Louisiana: Tuesday, Apr 2 2019 7pm

Music / Pop

CHERRY GLAZERR

Off-kilter noise pop

Thekla: Thursday, Apr 4 2019 7pm

Music / Punk Rock

Amyl and The Sniffers

Australian rock

Louisiana: Thursday, Apr 4 2019 7pm

Music / Classical

The Spindle Ensemble

Hovering somewhere between jazz, folk and classical

St George’s: Saturday, Apr 6 2019 1:30pm

Music / Alternative

Sleaford Mods

Politically charged and thought-provoking punk band

O2 Academy: Saturday, Apr 6 2019 7pm

Music / Electronic

SOLD OUT: James Blake

James Blake has risen to become a vital producer and songwriter

O2 Academy: Wednesday, Apr 10 2019 7pm

Music / Pop

Etta Bond

Bond is opinionated, forceful and she has a point to make

Thekla: Tuesday, Apr 9 2019 7pm

Music / Folk

Lucy Rose

Indie folk songs full of heart and soul

St George’s: Wednesday, Apr 10 2019 7:30pm

Music / Electronic

These New Puritans

From neoclassical and electronica to synth-pop and art rock

Thekla: Friday, Apr 19 2019 7pm

Music / Alt-Pop

Stella Donnelly

Evocative and hard hitting pop

Thekla: Wednesday, Apr 24 2019 7pm

Theatre / Dinosaurs

The Jurassic Parks

Acclaimed megalithic mayhem from Superbolt

: Tuesday, Apr 2 2019 - Saturday, Apr 13 2019

Theatre / Donald Trump

Beauty is Pain

New play explores Trump's involvement with Miss USA beauty pageants

: Thursday, Apr 4 2019 7pm & Friday, Apr 5 2019 7pm

Theatre / Children's Theatre

Stella & The Starshiners

Open Attic's new show for ages 3-8

: Saturday, Apr 6 2019 - Wednesday, Apr 10 2019

Theatre / Headlong Futures

Acts of Resistance

Brand new play from four communities across England

: Sunday, Apr 7 2019 6pm & Monday, Apr 8 2019 2pm

Theatre / Laura Lomas

Chaos

New youth play explores connections and our search for meaning

: Sunday, Apr 7 2019 - Monday, Apr 8 2019

Theatre / Atomic Rhubarb

Queer Monster

Drag story from locals Atomic Rhubarb

: Tuesday, Apr 9 2019 - Thursday, Apr 11 2019

Theatre / Opera

WNO: Un ballo in maschera

Verdi's opera based on a real-life assassination

Hippodrome: Wednesday, Apr 10 2019 7:30pm

Theatre / Children's Theatre

Shh…Bang!

Dance-theatre for children and adults

: Thursday, Apr 11 2019 - Tuesday, Apr 16 2019

Theatre / Chris Lewis

The Long Walk Back

True tale of a sporting star’s catastrophic fall from grace

: Tuesday, Apr 16 2019 7:30pm & Wednesday, Apr 17 2019 7:30pm

Theatre / Anna Girvan

Our Country’s Good

The true story of Australia's first convict colony

: Wednesday, Apr 17 2019 - Saturday, May 11 2019

Theatre / 1980s

Rock of Ages

Eighties-hits-fuelled musical

: Tuesday, Apr 16 2019 - Saturday, Apr 20 2019

Theatre / 1980s

Road

Kelvin Players with Jim Cartwright's portrait of 80s working-class life

: Tuesday, Apr 23 2019 - Saturday, Apr 27 2019

Theatre / Extremism

The Believers are but Brothers

Exploring online extremism, anonymity and hate speech

: Tuesday, Apr 23 2019 - Saturday, Apr 27 2019

Theatre / Bristol Ferment

Young Ferment

New ideas from BOV Young Company up on stage

: Thursday, Apr 25 2019 - Saturday, Apr 27 2019

Theatre / Comedy

Endless featuring N:Dless

Witty. moving coming-of-middle-age music story

: Thursday, Apr 25 2019 7:30pm & Friday, Apr 26 2019 7:30pm

Theatre / Bristol Improv Theatre

Degrees of Error present Fairytale Ending

Latest from the brilliant Bristol improv troupe

: Friday, Apr 26 2019 8pm & Saturday, Apr 27 2019 8pm