Features / Things to do
79 things to do in Bristol in January
ART
To Jan 7: Still Lives, Grant Bradley Gallery
Oil paintings inspired by found animal skulls and fairy lights.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/still-lives-victoria-laird-bristol?time=1481241600
is needed now More than ever
To Jan 13: Christmas Exhibition, Lime Tree Gallery
Featuring a diverse range of ‘painterly’ paintings by notable contemporary artists.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/christmas-exhibition-lime-tree-gallery-bristol-2016?time=1483401600
To March 19: Strange Worlds: The Vision of Angela Carter, Royal West of England Academy
Celebrating the life, work and influences of the hugely popular novelist, 25 years after her death.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/strange-worlds-the-vision-of-angela-carter-bristol?time=1481587200
To March 5: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016, M Shed
Annual return for the Natural History Museum’s world-renowned competition.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-2016-bristol?time=1478908800
January 4-28: Graeme Robbins: Broken Portraits, Tobacco Factory
Paintings inspired by the decay of objects, faded murals, ageing tapestries and old newspapers.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/graeme-robbins-broken-portraits-bristol?time=1483488000
January 17-March 26: Katja Huth, Here Shop and Gallery
Surrealist paper collages. Katja has spurned the computer and produces her collaged artworks manually.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/katja-huth-bristol?time=1484611200
January 20-March 26: Lubaina Himid: Navigation Charts, Spike Island
Exploring the social and political issues surrounding black history and identity.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/lubaina-himid-navigation-charts-bristol?time=1484870400
January 28-Feb 18: for the love of it, Guild Gallery
Exhibition for three artists united by a passion for creativity.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/art-01/exhibitions/for-the-love-of-it-bristol-guild?time=1485561600
CLUBS
January 1: NYD, Motion
Start 2017 as you mean to go on with Ben Klock, Jackmaster, Steffi, and more.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/music-01/clubs/inmotion-nyd-bristol-live-music?time=1483228800
January 6: In:Session, The Doghouse
Dry January? Jungle January more like.
www.facebook.com/events/1326950894078607/
January 14: Eminent, secret venue
DJ Sprinkles’ three-hour set will free minds as well as bodies.
www.facebook.com/events/833050206829130/
January 20: Boogie Nights and Odo, Motion
House, techno and more with George Fitzgerald, Tom Trago, and Jasper James.
www.motionbristol.com/ticket/?ID=304594
January 27: Rumble in the Jungle, Lakota
Six rooms of drum & bass, ragga-jungle and more.
www.lakota.co.uk/events-tickets/252-rumble-in-the-jungle-big-birthday-bash
January 27: Teachings in Dub, Trinity
Arguably the best reggae soundsystem dances Bristol has to offer.
3ca.org.uk/search?SearchableText=teachings+in+dub&x=0&y=0
January 27: The Blast Winter Carnival, Motion
Devastating arsenal of bass-heavy artillery including Giggs, DJ Maximum and more.
www.theblast.co.uk/event/wintercarnival2017/
COMEDY
January 2: A Bunch of Japes: Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Smoke and Mirrors
Headline slot from the effervescent Kiri P-M, surely Anglesey’s finest comic of this or any other era.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/a-bunch-of-japes-bristol?time=1481500800
January 9: A Bunch of Japes: Rob Mulholland, Smoke and Mirrors
This week at S&M it’s the turn of Rob Mulholland.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/a-bunch-of-japes-bristol?time=1481500800
January 11: Bubble Comedy: Elf Lyons, Grain Barge
Improv-performer-turned comedian Elf Lyons, visits following her knock-out show Pelican at the Edinburgh Fringe.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/bubble-comedy-elf-lyons-bristol?time=1484092800
January 16: A Bunch of Japes: Nick Page, Smoke and Mirrors
Former estate agent and TV property show presenter lights up your Monday night.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/a-bunch-of-japes-bristol?time=1481500800
January 22: Nincompoop, Wardrobe Theatre
The very best new ideas in comedy, clowning, fooling, slapstick, mime, mischief and tomfoolery.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/improvised-comedy/nincompoop-bristol-1475655571?time=1481414400
January 24: Adam Hess/Rhys James, Wardrobe Theatre
Very fine double bill of rising stars, featuring Fosters Award-nominated star of Adam Hess.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/adam-hess-rhys-james-bristol?time=1485216000
EVENTS
To January 2: Merry Fishmas, Bristol Aquarium
Join Charlie the Clownfish and other deep-sea creatures for festive fun.
www.bristolaquarium.co.uk/mc-events/merry-fishmas/
To January 8: Winter Wonderland, The Mall, Cribbs Causeway
With an outdoor ice rink, enchanted castle and a magical train ride.
www.mallcribbs.com/events-and-activities/winter-wonderland-2016
To January 12: Winter Market, Open Studios and Shopzilla, Hamilton House
Grab some unique presents and nibbles as the whole gallery opens up for Christmas.
www.hamiltonhouse.org/events/
January 1: Winter estate walk, Tyntesfield Estate
A refreshing New Years day walk, followed by a pasty and a hot drink.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/7d201172-1e9a-4fd6-b28f-2e8d637a5523/pages/details
January 14: Writeclub, HOURS
Banish the January blues and set resolutions on this all day writing retreat.
www.writeclub.org.uk/Upcoming-events.php
January 15: Champion Tree Walk, Tyntesfield Estate
Informational walk with dendrologist and tree registrar Chris Watts.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/1711a557-4696-4153-b141-f4dc735af830/pages/details
January 15: Potato Day & Seed Fair, Windmill Hill City Farm
Plenty of potatoes, veg, and the chance to get gardening advice from the experts.
www.potato-days.net
January 17: Revolutionary Ride: An evening with Lois Pryce, Stanfords bookshop
The local author and adventurer talks about her 3,000 mile motorcycle journey across Iran.
http://www.stanfords.co.uk/revolutionary-ride-an-evening-with-lois-pryce
January 21: Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair, The Passenger Shed
Purveyors of nostalgia, bringing vintage clothes, a kitsch tea party and more.
www.thevintagefair.com
January 26: Get Connected Bristol expo, Ashton Gate
Showcasing local and regional businesses.
www.eventbrite.com/e/get-connected-bristol-expo-26th-january-2017-10am-4pm-tickets-25864134322
FESTIVALS
January 20-22: New Year New Noise 4, Arnolfini
Howling Owl’s annual weekender returns after a triumphant outing in 2016.
www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/howling-owl-new-year-new-noise-4/view
January 18-22: Slapstick Festival 2017, Colston Hall
Appearances from Lucy Porter, Shazia Mirza, Marcus Brigstocke and more.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/comedy-01/standup/slapstick-festival-2017-1481721484-bristol?time=1484784000
FILM
January 5: Branagh Theatre Encore: The Entertainer, Curzon
A play about the personal tragedy of music star Archie Rice, set against the backdrop of post-colonial decline.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/event-cinema/branagh-theatre-encore-the-entertainer?time=1483574400
January 7: Metropolitan Opera Live: Nabucco, Various venues
Verdi’s third, reputation-defining opera gives it some serious choral welly.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/event-cinema/metropolitan-opera-live-nabucco?time=1483747200
January 11: Royal Shakespeare Company Live: The Tempest, Various venues
The tale of bookish Prospero’s exile and revenge on his dastardly brother Antonio.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/event-cinema/royal-shakespeare-company-live-the-tempest?time=1484092800
January 12 & 15: National Theatre Encore: No Man’s Land, Various venues
Preposterous yarns and psychological power games from two ageing writers.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/event-cinema/national-theatre-live-no-mans-land?time=1484179200
January 13: Bristol Film Festival: The Hangover, Averys
Watch The Hangover while working on a hangover of your very own in Averys’ historic wine cellar.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/comedy/bristol-film-festival-the-hangover
January 13: La La Land, Various venues
Starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone with imaginative set-pieces and toe-tapping songs.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/musical/la-la-land
January 20: Slapstick Silent Comedy Gala 2017, Colston Hall
Rory Bremner hosts a restoration of the original campus comedy, Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/comedy/slapstick-silent-comedy-gala-2017?time=1484870400
January 21: Metropolitan Opera Live: Romeo et Juliette, Various venues
Bartlett Sher’s production of Charles Gounod’s lush bash at the Bard comes to the Met.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/event-cinema/metropolitan-opera-live-romeo-et-juliette?time=1484956800
January 22: Bolshoi Ballet Live: The Sleeping Beauty, Various venues
Evergreen classical ballet boasting Tchaikovsky’s greatest score and lavish sets and costumes.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/event-cinema/bolshoi-ballet-live-the-sleeping-beauty?time=1485043200
January 26: Bristol Bad Film Club: Iced, Bierkeller
‘Hot blooded couples fall prey to a cold blooded maniac’.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/horror/bristol-bad-film-club-iced?time=1485388800
January 31: Royal Opera House Live: Il Trovatore, Various venues
Opera doesn’t get any bigger, grander or – frankly – dafter than this.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/film-01/event-cinema/royal-opera-house-live-il-trovatore?time=1485820800
FOOD & DRINK
January 1: New Year’s Day Silent Disco, Bambalan
Alongside the silent disco, there will be cocktails, three live DJs and a Middle Eastern inspired buffet.
www.bambalan.co.uk/latest-news/new-years-day-silent-disco/
January 14: Bowie Brunch, Bristol Spirit
The launch event at this new Redfield bar first event will celebrate the life and work of David Bowie.
www.espensenspirit.com/pages/bristol-spirit
January 21: Vegan tour, Bristol Food Tour
A walking tour through Bristol with stop-offs to sample some of the city’s best vegan food offering.
www.facebook.com/thebristolfoodtour
January 25: Burns Night
Raise a dram or two of the finest whisky in celebration of Robert Burns and eat haggis, neeps and tatties.
January 27-29: DIPA Weekend, Moor Beer
Showcasing some of the best double IPAs available from across the UK and the USA.
www.moorbeer.co.uk/events
January 28: Bristol Brewery Tour
Hop aboard Bristol Brewery Tours’ private ferry for an unique afternoon of craft beer tasting.
www.bristolbrewerytours.com
MUSIC
January 2 – 30, Free For All, Stag & Hounds
With 150 acts including Run Logan Run, Lonely Tourist, Three Kings High and Amy Grindhouse.
www.freeforallfestival.net/
January 12: Meshuggah, Academy
Highly influential extreme metallers from Sweden.
www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybristol/events/845591/meshuggah-tickets
January 13: Camera / The Carbon Manual / Taos Humm, The Cube
Tense, driving Berlin synth-rockers Camera update ‘70s krautrock with contemporary sounds.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/music-01/leftfield-experimental/camera-support-bristol-live-music?time=1484265600
January 14: An Evening of Music in Aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, The Louisiana
West country artists get together in support of a crucial charity.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/music-01/rock/monarks-the-happy-few-lady-nade-more-bristol-live-music?time=1484352000
January 17: Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, St George’s
Featuring highlights from their travels across America and the diverse back catalogue of both artists.
www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/event/billy-bragg-joe-henry/
January 19: Dream Wife, Crofters Rights
Dream Wife are about as fun as guitar pop gets in 2016.
www.facebook.com/events/1204822379609929
January 19: The White Buffalo, Trinity
Jake Smith is one of the leading alt-country/ Americana artists of his generation.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/the-white-buffalo-3/
January 19: Beth Rowley, The Lantern
Originally from Bristol, Brit nominated Beth Rowley performs rich, soulful vocals.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/beth-rowley-3/
January 21: Band of Burns, Trinity
Eleven of the UK’s top folkies celebrate the life and works of Rabbie Burns.
www.3ca.org.uk/whats-on/2017/band-of-burns
January 23: King Creosote, Colston Hall
A fiercely independent singer-songwriter from Fife.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/king-creosote/
January 24: St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Colston Hall
One of the world’s great orchestras with acclaimed pianist Nikolai Lugansky in tow.
www.colstonhall.org/shows/st-petersburg-philharmonic-orchestra-eastern-promises/
January 26: Yama Warashi / Kayla Painter, Exchange
Superb double bill of maverick musical imaginations.
www.exchangebristol.com/whats-on/events/26-jan-17-yama-warashi-exchange/
January 29: Oathbreaker, The Fleece
Blackened heaviness from Ghent, Belgium drawing on metal and hardcore punk.
www.thefleece.co.uk/events/oathbreaker/
SPORT
To January 3: Ice Rink, Millennium Square
A fun way to get active, for all ages and abilities.
www.at-bristol.org.uk/event/millennium-square-ice-rink
January 2: Walk in the woods, Leigh Woods
A nature walk for the whole family.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-fun-walk-in-the-woods-tickets-30225066989?aff=es2
January 13: Run4life: Zero to 35 minutes, Manor Woods Valley
The start of a 12 week running course for complete beginners, building up to a 5k run.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/run4life-zero-to-35-minutes-couch-to-5k-beginner-running-course-manor-wood-mornings-january-2017-tickets-29640498529?aff=es2
January 14: Post Christmas Bootcamp, Totterdown Baptist Church
Six week fitness class catered to all capabilities.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/post-christmas-bootcamp-tickets-28820314336?aff=es2
January 28: Warmley Forest Park 5/10k, Warmely Forest Park
An off-road, winter run for all standards of runner.
http://www.aspirerunningevents.co.uk/warmleyforset2017.html
THEATRE
To January 8: Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain, The Lantern
A nautical playground is the stage for this favourite children’s tale by Edward Ardizzone.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/family/little-tim-and-the-brave-sea-captain-bristol?time=1480636800
To January 8: Mistletoes & Whiney Countdown to Christmas, Wardrobe Theatre
Fun new festive show for ages 3-8 years and their families.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/family/mistletoes-whiney-countdown-to-christmas-bristol?time=1481414400
To January 15: The Snow Queen, Bristol Old Vic
This coming-of-age tale celebrates the things that make us different and the value of true friendship.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/family/the-snow-queen-bristol?time=1480636800
To January 21: Rocky: A Horror Show, Wardrobe Theatre
Madcap merging of Sylvester Stallone’s breakthrough classic with Richard O’Brien’s musical masterpiece.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/comedy/rocky-a-horror-show-bristol?time=1480550400
To January 22: Cinderella: a Fairytale, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Tobacco Factory Theatres and Travelling Light bring back their hit 2011 Christmas show.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/family/cinderella-a-fairytale-bristol?time=1480636800
January 10-12: Pussy, Arnolfini
Operetta adaptation of Angela Carter’s Puss in Boots.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/comedy/pussy-bristol?time=1484006400
January 10-13: The Love of the Nightingale, Bierkeller
Challenging perceptions of consent, gender and sexuality.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/sitespecific/the-love-of-the-nightingale-bristol?time=1484006400
January 23-28: Pink Mist, Bristol Old Vic
Verse-drama following three Bristol soldiers on their return from Afghanistan.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/new-writing/pink-mist-bristol-old-vic-2017?time=1485129600
January 25-28: The Depraved Appetite of Tarrare the Freak, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Bristol-based Wattle and Daub reprise their “monstrous puppet chamber opera”.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/puppetry/the-depraved-appetite-of-tarrare-the-freak-bristol?time=1485302400
January 25-Feb 4: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hippodrome
UK tour for the box-office-record-breaking production of Ian Fleming’s tale.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/family/chitty-chitty-bang-bang-1481723053-bristol?time=1485302400
January 26-27 and Jan 31-Feb 2: Ferment Fortnight, Bristol Old Vic / Wardrobe Theatre
Presenting new work are Chris Fogg, The Devil’s Violin, Vanessa Kisuule, Adam Kammerling and more.
b247.staging.proword.press/channel/whats-on/theatre-01/new-writing/ferment-fortnight-bristol-old-vic-2017?time=1485820800