Things To Do / Sponsored
13 things to do in Bristol this week, August 19-25 2024
Monday: Jess Williamson, Strange Brew
The American folk singer will briefly stop over in Bristol during her UK tour. Canadian singer-songwriter Dana Gavanski is slated to be the opener.
Tuesday: Raising Cary Grant, meet in Millennium Square
Discover the Bristol roots of Archie Leach before he moved to Hollywood to find international fame as Cary Grant.
Chris Yapp plays the debonair Cary Grant in Raising Cary Grant – photo: Zuleika Henry
Wednesday: Commuted, Exchange
Toronto-based multi instrumentalist David Eatock, aka Commuted, is back in Bristol. He will be joined by May Swoon and anti-folk band The Last Whole Earth Catalog.
Thursday: Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Ill Repute
The Be Kind Rewind Cinema Club is hosting a screening of the low-budget cult classic.
Saturday: Wassail Theatre, Bridge Farm
Wassail, a Yeovil-based theatre company, is touring a new outdoor show called Birthday Day: “Three performers and the audience seamlessly entwine to create an annual family party, spanning 70 years.”
The stars of Birthday Day – photo credit: Wassail Theatre
Saturday: Idles, O2 Academy
A very special fundraising event headlined by Idles to raise money for War Child.
The Idles’s latest album, TANGK, came out earlier this year – photo credit: The Idles
Saturday & Sunday: East Bristol Brewery Trail
Across the bank holiday weekend, six of Bristol’s best breweries will once again open their doors.
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Sunday: Massive Attack, Downs
Massive Attack perform their first UK show in five years, joined by an array of guests including Killer Mike and Lankum.
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Tuesday – Sunday: Constable in Bristol, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
2-4-1 tickets this summer to see Constable’s iconic painting The Hay Wain, which is the centrepiece of a bold exhibition of more than 80 artworks that explore landscape.
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Wednesday – September 1: We Are Warriors Redcliffe Cave Tour, In Between Time
We Are Warriors is an immersive sound and light installation set in Bristol’s historic and mysterious Redcliffe Caves. Explore the ambience of 100s of flickering lights nestled in the sandstone walls while a powerful soundscape of 130 women’s voices fills the space. As you enter, add your own light to this evolving tribute to silenced voices everywhere. Standard tickets for the installation are available Thursday – Sunday for people of all ages. On 21st August, We Are Warriors is also offering the unique opportunity to delve deeper into the underground harbourside cave system via small, private Cave Tours. Tickets to these events also include access to the main installation and are available to people aged 12+
We are Warriors – photo: In Between Time
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Saturday-Monday: BBC PROMS 2024: Bristol Beacon
Part of the BBC Proms weekend at Bristol Beacon this August, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are conducted by the legendary Kirill Karabits and joined by star soloist Evelyn Glennie for Jennifer Higdon’s flamboyant Percussion Concerto. For the most authentic Proms experience, grab a standing (‘promming’) ticket for only £8.72 inc bf!
BBC Proms – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Saturday: Old City Sounds returns to Bristol’s Old City, Bristol BID
With performances at iconic venues, a vibrant Kids Zone at St Stephen’s Church, and the Old Duke Jazz Festival on King Street, the event promises something for everyone. From eclectic live music to engaging workshops for children, this free-to-attend festival is a must for music lovers and families this August Bank Holiday.
Old City Sounds – photo: Bristol BID
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Throughout August: Cast Away Family Season, Watershed
Join us for a season of cast away films for the whole family, exploring deserted islands, shipwrecked zoo animals and a whole host of strange and magical cast away tales inspired by the Desert Island Adventure – Kensuke’s Kingdom. From Jumanji to Red Turtle, Madagascar, Scooby Doo and more – we’ve got you covered. Tickets just £5.00.
Castaway family season – photo: Watershed
And coming soon…
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August 27-28: Hoo-Ha! 2024, Bristol Beacon
Hoo-Ha! Festival, Bristol’s biggest annual event made for kids, returns to Bristol Beacon this August for two days of music, dancing and fun for little people and their families. After one year off, Hoo-Ha! is back with a bang for 2024, and bigger than ever before. Expect all areas of Bridgehouse to be packed to the brim with shows, shenanigans and spectacles, as well as shows taking place in Lantern Hall. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to get creative with activities, things to discover, see and do. It’s free entry, no tickets required – so come one, come all to the Hoo-Ha party: a hullaballoo of family fun!
Hoo Ha – photo: Bristol Beacon
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August 29: Beth Nielsen Chapman, Bristol Beacon
Beth Nielsen Chapman is an American singer-songwriter, whose diverse body of work spans fifteen albums and seven #1 hits. Her compositions have been recorded by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, the Indigo Girls, and Keb Mo’ to name a few, with ‘This Kiss’ sung by Faith Hill also garnering her a Grammy nomination in 1999. Also nominated for a Grammy in 2012 for ‘The Mighty Sky’, she was Nashville NAMMY’S 1999 Songwriter of the Year and inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame in 2016. Having survived breast cancer and a brain tumour, her songs take you on a journey through the depth, humour and wonder of life. Her latest album, 2022’s ‘CrazyTown’, was produced by Ray Kennedy and released on Cooking Vinyl.
Beth Nielsen Chapman – photo: Bristol Beacon
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August 30-31: Harvest Home Festival
A two-day, family friendly festival with camping just a few miles from Bristol. Friday entertainment includes a 40ft cinema screen showing The Greatest Showman, plus live music, fairground rides, camp fire, food stalls and bar. Saturday includes live music from six great bands, a magic show and use of Mendip Outdoor’s sporting facilities. Come for the evening or buy a weekend ticket with camping included.
Medip Base camp – photo: Harvest Home Festival
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September 9: Mark Smith – For Valour – The Story of the Victoria Cross’, Redgrave Theatre
Acknowledged as a Worldwide expert on the Victoria Cross, Mark has written five books on ‘The Great War’ and contributed to many other books and magazines. ‘For Valour – The Story of the Victoria Cross’ will give you the opportunity to witness his extensive knowledge live as he explores and details the instigation of the VC, expel some of the myths and presents some of the most breathtaking stories of those men who have been awarded this country’s highest award for bravery.
Mark Smith – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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September 11: Shane Todd – Full House, Redgrave Theatre
Shane Todd is about to hit the road with his biggest ever tour. The host of Tea With Me podcast is fresh off the back of a world tour and a record breaking run of 16 shows at Belfast’s Grand Opera House. Northern Ireland’s (self titled) price of comedy is returning with a brand new laughter packed show.
Shane Todd – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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September 19: Embrace the Green Future: Attend for Free!, Future Leap
Join us at Future Leap’s Festival of Sustainable Business Exhibition at the newly re-opened We The Curious. Discover innovative green solutions, engage with local sustainability leaders, explore interactive exhibits and hear from inspiring speakers including Carla Denyer MP. Free for the public—don’t miss this chance to inspire change and build a sustainable future!
Sustainable exhibition – photo: Future Leap
Main photo: Graham Brown
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