21 things to do in Bristol this week, October 17-23 2022

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Now-January 8: 169 Annual Open Exhibition, RWA
The RWA’s 169th Annual Open Exhibition is open! This dynamic and varied exhibition includes artworks from a variety of mediums filling their newly refurbished gallery spaces and is a showcase of some of the most exciting artists from across the country. All work is available for sale making the Annual Open a perfect opportunity to discover a new artist or invest in established names. A free exhibition exploring the history of the RWA is displayed on the lower ground floor. Exhibition open until January 8 2023.

The exhibition happens once a year at the RWA, and runs for 3 months – photo: Alice Hendy

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Clay Club – Self-directed play time, Trylla Shop
A self-directed pottery session in North Street’s Trylla Shop, where you’ll be given the option to either make something new from scratch using the extensive materials in their basement pottery studio or colour in one of your already existing creations using their array of high-quality paints, glazes and topcoats.

Whilst the session is self-directed, there will be an experienced instructor on hand to help with any questions you may have – photo: Yuup

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Monday: Bristol  Beacon Presents: Sean McConnell, The Louisiana
Grammy-nominated Sean McConnell is something of a country music prodigy. Having released his debut album at 15, the Massachusetts-born musician has gone on to write and produce for the likes of Tim McGraw, Meatloaf, and Brothers Osborne as well as continuing to hone his own astutely reflective songwriting. McConnell’s latest album ‘A Horrible Beautiful Dream’ “is filled with song upon song of marvellously written Americana music, backed up by a voice that has the power to soothe the world” (Americana UK). Support comes from Fritillaries.

Tuesday: Queer Tech Bristol, Watershed
The second edition of a new monthly meet at Watershed, offering a space to members of the LGBTQ+ community who also work in tech to meet up, hang out and complete activities that change each month. This month, it’s Hacktoberfest, and you’ll be given a coding challenge that you can work on collaboratively or individually.

Watershed exterior – photo: Toby Farrow

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Tuesday-Saturday: The Spongebob Musical, Redgrave Theatre
The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as Spongebob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes centre stage. The power of optimism really can save the world!

Wednesday: Nurture Lounge, Stanbury Avenue
Designed as a monthly place for mothers and their babies to come and relax in a cosy living room accompanied by some live music, Nurture Lounge takes place in a living room in Fishponds, and there will be free tea and snacks provided.

The evening is an opportunity for new mums to meet one another, and relax in a comfortable environment – Photo: Pregnancy2Baby

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Wednesday: Angel Olsen, Komedia Bath
An indie singer/songwriter who delivers her vulnerable songs with a distinctive warble informed by vintage country, Angel Olsen’s early, spare, acoustic songs grew increasingly lush and dramatic across her first several albums. She has recorded and toured as a backing singer with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & The Cairo Gang, before embarking on her own career.

Thursday: Volt: Circus Scratch Night, Circomedia
For the uninitiated, a scratch night is an evening dedicated to giving performers and other artists an opportunity to share their work with a receptive audience, and receive real time feedback, whilst seeing what else is out there. Circomedia are running one of the country’s only entirely circus-based scratch shows on Thursday, and it’s the perfect opportunity to see a wide range of different circus performances and styles.

The evening will be an opportunity for circus fans to see performances from all corners of the circus spectrum – photo: Circomedia

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Wednesday: Hayseed Dixie, Komedia Bath
The undisputed creators of the musical genre Rockgrass, Hayseed Dixie began on September 2000 and their debut album A Hillbilly Tribute To AC/DC, contains stark-raving hillbilly re-workings of 10 classic AC/DC songs. They have since released a further 17 studio albums of hillbilly re-workings of rock and pop songs along with many satirical original songs.

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Thursday: Bristol Beacon Presents: Lady Nade, St Thomas The Martyr Church
With her eclectic, soulful Americana, Lady Nade continues to go from strength to strength. The Bristol-born musician’s songwriting is poignant and her rich, velveteen vocals offer a soothing serenity. Earlier this year she released her third album ‘Willing’ on which “she flexes her considerable songwriting and performance skills” (Holler Country). Alongside the success of her newest record, Lady Nade is a UK Americana Awards nominee and has garnered support from BBC Radio 2 and been named a “rising star of the Americana scene” by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean. Support comes from Simeon Hammond Dallas.

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Friday: Teachings in Dub, Trinity Centre
The legendary Leeds soundsystem, Iration Steppas, returns to uplift the masses, this time inviting militant soldier King Alpha to join them in a warrior position. Expect a classic Teachings night of pure energy and vibes from the rootsmen. Featuring Dego Ranks on mic duties, this will be fire start to finish.

Friday: ESO x CNCPT Present: Interplanetary Criminal, Loco Klub
Having recently made it to number one on the UK top-40 charts, it will be no surprise to anyone that Interplanetary Criminal’s latest Bristol booking in the tunnels under the train station will not be one to be missed – roadblock settings.

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Opens Friday: The Banshees of Inisherin, Watershed
Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri) returns with this jewel of a tragicomedy, a shimmering tale of friendship, feuds and Irish identity starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.

Friday-Sunday: Bristol Radical Film Festival 2022, Trinity Centre & The Jam Jar
Taking place across the weekend at both Trinity Centre and The Jam Jar, the festival celebrates “political, activist and experimental filmmaking” and is celebrating its tenth year with a mixture of contemporary films covering current issues, and revisiting some of the successful films from years past.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjlfnD3s_Ju/

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Saturday: Sidney Poitier: The Defiant One Talk + Sidney Documentary Screening, Watershed
A talk from Dr Roger Griffith MBE on the late great actor and activist Sidney Poitier, followed by a screening of a new documentary on his life and legacy.

Saturday: Scribble & Sketch, Greenway Centre
A Saturday morning family session brought to you by the RWA, where families are encouraged to come along together and get creative on a variety of different projects. Entry is free, no booking required, and all materials will be provided.

The morning is part of RWA’s work in communities across Bristol – photo: Alice Hendy

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Sunday: Great Expectations, Redgrave Theatre
The critically acclaimed Pantaloons proudly present an affectionately anarchic adaptation of Charles Dickens’ captivating coming-of-age chronicle.

The adaptation of the classic novel comes to Redgrave Theatre this week – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Sunday: Kundalini Yoga Third Eye Chakra Exploration Workshop, Now Yoga Bristol
A class in the ancient methods of Kundalini Yoga, taught in a studio with a view of the Suspension Bridge near the peaceful Ashton Court. This session in particular will be focussed on the idea of the third eye, and the notion of heightened awareness and intuition of the world, and how you can gain access to that through movement and breathing.

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Sunday: Afrometropolis 2: Shock & Wonder, Trinity Centre
This Black History Month, take part in family-friendly day of activities that will explore the world of Afrofuturism. Hosted by DET Entertainment, Trinity Centre & Edson Burton, Afrometropolis 2.0: Shock & Wonder, is an opportunity to playfully reimagine what it is to be Black through a range of activities inspired by Afrofuturisism. Learn and collaborate with others in a fun and informal environment.

The event is part of Trinity Centre’s celebrations for Black History Month – photo: Trinity Centre

And coming soon…

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October 26: Halloween Family Event: Art by Torchlight, RWA
This Halloween bring the whole family along to RWA and experience the 169 Annual Open Exhibition by torchlight. After exploring the galleries make your way down to the Family Room, transformed into a Halloween grotto. There will be self-led creative activities including sketching a portrait of their resident skeleton, creating Halloween decorations and prizes to be won, including for the best Halloween costume!

There’s a host of spooky activities at RWA for the whole family – photo: RWA

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Nov 25–Dec 2: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Presents: Robin Hood & Marian, Redgrave Theatre
Swashbuckling power couple Robin and Marian are taking from the rich to help the poor. Along with their band of outlaws, they have one goal: to outsmart the fearsome sheriff and greedy prince. An explosive family adventure; sword-fighting, song, acrobatics and more archery than you can aim your arrow at!

The production is brought to you by the students at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – photo: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

Main photo: Yuup

Read next:

• Girls Camera Club to present debut exhibition at Strange Brew
• Bristol’s first female reggae dub sound system 
• Venue of the Month: The Fleece

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