18 things to do in Bristol this week, June 3-9 2024

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Now-July 22: Hamilton, Bristol Hippodrome
Bristol will have to Wait For It no longer; the multi-award-winning masterpiece by Lin-Manuel Miranda is now open at the Bristol Hippodrome! Hamilton is the winner of 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, 7 Olivier Awards, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Hamilton – photo: Bristol Hippodrome

Monday: Ceramic slab building vase workshop, Wild Clay Studios
The Bedminster clay studio hosts a workshop in the art of ceramic slab pottery, wherein you combine slabs of clay together to create your own, unique design. And don’t worry if you’ve never tried this method before (or even never tried pottery before), the experienced Wild Clay team will be on hand to guide you through the process from start to finish.

Slab ceramic vase – photo: Wild Clay Studios

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Monday-Thursday: A House in Jerusalem, Watershed
A poignant tale exploring memory, trauma, and the longing for home amidst the complexities of relations between Israel and Palestine.

A House in Jerusalem – photo: Watershed

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Tuesday: Allie Bailey – Running Won’t Save You, Redgrave Theatre
Allie Bailey has spent the past decade running Ultramarathons and sinking beers in every corner of the world. In ‘Running Won’t Save You’, she gives a frank, shocking and at times, darkly funny account of what it was like to be a functioning alcoholic and depressive, what Ultrarunning has taught her and what she’s now teaching other people!

Allie Bailey – Running Won’t Save You – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Tuesday: Rhythm & Flavour Cumbia group dance class, Millennium Square
Cumbia is a traditional method of folk dance that originated in Colombia. It is a dance between two people, and involves the pair dancing around each other without any physical contact. If you’re keen to brush up on your cumbia skills, get down to Millenium Square this Tuesday for a group session learning the art.

Cumbia dance class – photo: Rhythm & Flavour

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Wednesday-June 15: Clifton International Festival of Music, Clifton Cathedral & St. Paul’s
Spellbinding sounds from renowned artists, tenor James Gilchrist and mezzo soprano Helen Charlston, and festival favourites, early music vocal group The Erebus Ensemble, plus Bristol Symphony Orchestra. You’ll find masterpieces including Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6 and Faure’s much-loved Requiem.

Clifton International Festival of Music – photo: Clifton International Festival of Music

Wednesday: House of Dunce presents: Truly Open Mic, St Dunstan’s House
The latest venue to grace the Bristol scene, St Dunstan’s House is situated in an old converted church, yards away from South Bristol’s Parson Street station. They are bringing a new open mic night to the Bristol scene, too, taking place bi-weekly on a Wednesday, and is open to performers of all stripes.

Truly Open Mic – photo: House of Dunce

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Wednesday: Kevin Quantum – Momentum 
Explore the exotic space where science and magic meet with the magician-scientist-adventurer, trained by US magic legends Penn & Teller. With over a decade of Edinburgh Fringe sell-outs, performances around Europe and tours of Australia, Kevin embarks on his first ever UK tour with an entrancing collection of unique magic inventions, stunning sleight-of-hand and beautiful (yet deadly) stunts in a show – inspired by science but targeted at humans.

Kevin Quantum Momentum – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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Wednesday-July 6: A Child of Science, Bristol Old Vic
The incredible true story of the creation of IVF starring Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Jamie Glover (Waterloo Road) and Meg Bellamy (The Crown) as the pioneering scientists who made it happen. This thrilling new play also champions the army of women from all over the UK whose immense bravery helped them achieve the impossible.

A Child of Science – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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Wednesday: Cannibal Ox, Bristol Beacon
Celebrating over 20 years of original music, Cannibal Ox return to the UK to perform classic material from their seminal debut album The Cold Vein, as well as new singles from the forthcoming album Aireplane. Consisting of hip hop duo Vast Aire and Double A.B accompanied by DJ Cip-One, Harlem, New York-based rap outfit Cannibal Ox initially made waves with their 2001 debut The Cold Vein, which received critical acclaim for its pivotal role as a major turning point in hip-hop production, as well as the duo’s outstanding vocal performances and lyrical prowess. Their latest single, Star Killer sees the duo joined by Planet Asia, with all three lyrical titans holding nothing back as they work in perfect harmony with producer Cosmiq to create a devastating soundtrack for serious emcees and lovers of hip-hop culture alike. Support comes from The Scribes.

Cannibal Ox – photo: Bristol Beacon

Thursday: PTS ϟ DJ Ramon Sucesso, AYA, Blood of Aza, Strange Brew
An incredibly off the wall, but equally exciting booking from the always forward thinking PTS. If your algorithm pushes DJ related content to you, you will no doubt have seen the Brazillian DJs hair raising, adrenaline fueled videos showcasing impeccable DJing skill to an almost ridiculous level. He makes his Bristol (and potentially UK?) debut at the Brew – plus it starts at 7pm, so you really have no excuse.

 

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Thursday: Ngaio (LIVE) – Four Quarters EP Launch, Bristol Beacon
Drawing on her cultural background we are introduced to a new sound from NGAIO which blends jazz-infused vocals, Bristol Bass and West African percussion into a clear, clean patchwork quilt that’s both melancholy and uplifting at the same time. A deeply personal and introspective journey, both musically and lyrically, this new music reflects NGAIO’s exploration of identity, cultural heritage, and self-acceptance. This year, she debuts her first self-produced EP, ‘Four Quarters’, and accompanying live show, featuring live vocals and recreations of her productions delivered through Ableton Push. As a mixed-race woman, NGAIO infuses her artistry with personal experiences, enriching her music with poignant storytelling told through spoken word and jazz-infused vocals delivered with passion.

Ngaio – photo: Bristol Beacon

Friday: Mother Ducker! Opening night, St Anne’s House
The opening night of a two day exhibition at the Brislington community hub/arts space sees the 2023/24 cohort of female artists present an exhibition themed around birds. With everything from “bird poo beer painting” to “birds with words poetry”, your guess is honestly as good as mine with this one.

Mother Ducker! – photo: Day School, St Anne’s House

Saturday & Sunday: Clifton & Hotwells Open Gardens, Clifton & Hotwells

Visit the fascinating communcal gardens hidden behind the elegant terraces of Clifton and Hotwells. Visitors will have access to more than 20 communal gardens and squares which are mostly private, with a variety of refreshments and entertainment.

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Saturday-June 13: Riddle of Fire, Watershed
Billed as “the coolest debut from Cannes”, this unique neo-fairytale, beautifully shot on 16mm, is an unforgettable concoction of Romanticism, British folklore, and Westerns.

Riddle of Fire – photo: Watershed

Saturday: The Courts: Launch Festival, The Station
To celebrate the reopening of the newly renovated Bristol old Magistrates Court as an events/work space for creatives, the neighbouring theatre The Station is hosting an entire day of immersive arts and creative experiences, ranging from film screenings to mind bending circus.

The Courts Opening party – photo: Creative Youth Network

Sunday: Creative Foraging – herbal glycerites & flowers, Greenbank Cemetery
Learn about all of the edible (and not so edible) plants that live right on your doorstep in the picturesque and serene Greenbank Cemetery. This three hour workshop will take you around the cemetery, introducing you to the wide array of plants that bloom in the area throughout the summer, and their many medicinal properties.

Greenbank Cemetery – photo: Martin Booth

And coming soon…

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June 12-15: Museum of Austerity, Bristol Old Vic
“Hi-tech meets humanity in this devastatingly powerful look at the impact of Austerity” (★★★★★ The Stage). Museum of Austerity is more than an exhibition; it’s a blend of theatre, history, and humanity. A place to reflect on the past, and reimagine the future.

Museum of Austerity. – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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June 29: Bristol Home Show, Mercure Grand Hotel
If you’re looking to get on the property ladder in Bristol and the South West, this free event is for you. Brought to you by Share to Buy, hosts of the country’s no.1 first time buyer event, the London Home Show. Attend live sessions and receive practical, financial and legal advice!

Bristol Home Show – photo: Share to buy

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July 4-7: Bristol Film Festival hosts the Clifton Summer 
The renowned Clifton Summer Screenings, presented by Bristol Film Festival, makes a triumphant return to the city this year. Taking place from the 4th-7th July 2024 with an expanded event line up and a jam-packed program designed for all ages, this one-of-a-kind event will offer an unforgettable cinematic experience for all.

Clifton summer screenings – photo: Bristol Film Festival

Main photo: Watershed