18 things to do in Bristol this week, November 7-13

Monday-November 7: Afrika Eye Festival, Various Locations
Heading into its 16th year, the South West’s largest festival celebrating African cinema returns for 11 days, taking over venues across the city for screenings, street art, dance, food and so much more.

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Monday: Indigo Sparke, The Louisiana
Indigo Sparke excels at richly harmonic and warmly emotive songwriting. On her second full-length album, Hysteria, the Australian musician worked with The National’s Aaron Dessner to create a strikingly reflective collection of songs, fuelled by elegantly ethereal and powerful vocals and accompanied by delicate guitar melodies. Within Sparke’s particular strain of folk, she captures moments of graceful, hushed reverence alongside raw, full-bodied sonic expression. Live, the atmospheric potency of her music makes for a transcendent and enchanting experience.

Tuesday: Bristol Print Social, Estate of the Arts
If you’re in the printmaking world, or have an interest in it, the Bedminster community arts space are hosting the first edition of their print social, where you will get together with like-minded individuals, enjoy pizza and beer, and chat about what you’re up to in your print life.

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Tuesday: Unquiet: Carmen Villain and the Manchester Camerata Ensemble, St George’s
Unquiet is a new music series for the brave and the curious devised by acclaimed conductor and composer Robert Ames and brought to life by the world-renowned Manchester Camerata alongside a rotating cast of artists. For this show, the Manchester Camerata Ensemble will perform alongside rising electronic artist Carmen Villain who presents a world premiere of a commissioned work by the orchestra called ‘Faces’. The programme also contains a new commission from Afrodeutsche and work by Bryce Dessner, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Philip Glass and Mica Levi. Support for the tour will come from Robert Ames’ collaboration with Ben Corrigan, CARBS, who released their self-titled debut album earlier this year.

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Closing This November: Last Chance to see SEE MONSTER, Weston-Super-Mare
Time is running out for you to visit SEE MONSTER. This world first, a decommissioned North Sea platform transformed into one of the UK’s largest art installations, closes in November.

The immersive art installation closes this November – Photo: SEE MONSTER

Wednesday & Thursday: Rob Auton: The Crowd Show, The Wardrobe Theatre
A combination of comedy, spoken word and theatre, critically acclaimed comedian, author and podcaster Rob Auton brings his fresh, unique show to The Wardrobe Theatre. Playing with the idea of crowds, the show has received high praise from across the comedic/theatre spectrum.

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Thursday: Ishmael Ensemble + Special Guests, Trinity Centre
Lead by Pete Cunningham, Ishmael Ensemble blur the lines between experimental jazz and electronic beats. They create stirring, ambient spells; club-ready, percussive workouts; spiralling grooves; and hazy, psychedelic electronica.

Thursday: Life Drawing, Hamilton House
The always popular weekly life drawing session continues in the heart of Stokes Croft. Tickets are cheap, and all equipment is provided, hence why they’re adding more dates, so grab a slot quickly.

The popular sessions are held at least once a week – Photo: Hamilton House

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Friday: Sector 7: “Let’s Go” with Sinai Sound System, Trinity Centre
Sector 7 Sounds has been pushing the envelope on electronic music since its creation in 2013. Led by Boofy, the Bristol-born label will be bringing some of the best artists in the scene to Trinity including Kahn + Neek, Neffa-T Killjoy and Ikonika, who have all helped carve out a hard to define, yet formidable sonic aesthetic.

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Friday-Sunday: Afrika Eye 2022, Watershed
Afrika Eye, the South West’s biggest celebration of African cinema and culture returns to Watershed with a dazzling programme of new and classic films and music.

The South West’s largest celebration of African cinema comes to Watershed this weekend – Photo: Watershed

Friday: Sofar Sounds Secret Concert, Secret Location
Known for putting on fantastic, intimate shows in secret locations across the city, Sofar Sounds are showcasing some more fantastic local musical talent to kick off the weekend.

Saturday: Bristol Railway Path Planting Session, Railway Path Whitehall Zebra Crossing
Get your green fingers out and leave your mark on one of the cities most recognised and loved cycle paths, as non-profit Sustrans host a free planting session, decorating the newly created green spaces that have appeared since the path’s recent refurbishment. Equipment will be available but do bring your own if you want to. It is recommended to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Bristol and Bath Railway Path – photo Ellie Pipe

Sunday: Film Noir UK Presents: Taxi Driver (1954), Arnolfini
What better way to while away a Sunday than relaxing at the Arnolfini, with a rare opportunity to witness one of the seminal pieces of Indian cinema from the mid 20th century. Get a glimpse into 1950s Mumbai, and the lives of those getting by on the edge of its society.

Sunday: Judge Dredd vs Dredd, former IMAX Bristol Aquarium on Anchor Road

Inject your weekend with some action with this superhero double bill at the former IMAX Bristol Aquarium. Shelter from the cold weather by bunkering down to watch Judge Dredd (1995) and Dredd (2012) back-to-back. With the first film starting at 1.30pm and Dredd starting at 4pm, you’ll need to stock up on plenty of snacks.

And coming soon…

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November 13 & 14: The Canterville Ghost, Redgrave Theatre
Four audacious artistes perform Oscar Wilde’s spine-chilling ghost story for your delight and delectation. Interspersed with their own sensational acts, a comedian, a magician, a psychic and their charismatic compere tell the story of Sir Simon de Canterville, who disappeared mysteriously 300 years ago after being accused of murder.

The production aims to keep you in the spooky spirit post-Halloween – Photo: Redgrave Theatre

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November 15-20: Out of Arcadia, Watershed
A season of films and performances exploring our shifting and contradictory relationship to the land. Journey with us through the changing face of the British countryside – moving from images of idyllic pastures through to pagan rituals, industrialised landscapes and raves in rural fields.

Out of Arcadia is a series of films, all sharing the same theme – Photo: Watershed

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November 16: An evening of TerrorTome with Garth Marenghi, Redgrave Theatre
Following the dismal failure of his 80’s TV series Darkplace, horror literature’s greatest living author Garth Marenghi has largely avoided the limelight, but this autumn Marenghi makes a rare public appearance to mark the release of his long-lost multi-volume epic TerrorTome.

The satirical actor/author comes to Redgrave Theatre this November – Photo: Redgrave Theatre

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November 21: England vs Iran, The Full Moon
Get down to Full Moon & Attic Bar for the World Cup. Stokes Crofts’ ‘biggest fan zone’ and ‘Beer Hall with screen and projector’. Opening 10am on November 21 for England vs Iran.

The World Cup is back, and The Full Moon is the place to enjoy it – Photo: The Full Moon

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November 26 & 27, December 3 & 4, December 10 & 11: Made in Bristol Gift Fair, Bristol Beacon
Shop local this Christmas at the exquisitely curated Made in Bristol Gift Fair at Bristol Beacon. Discover up-to 100 artists, over six floors, at three colourful weekenders. Grab yourself a coffee, take a friend and pick up unique gifts for someone you love.

The fair happens annually at Bristol Beacon – photo: Made in Bristol

Main Photo: Estate of the Arts

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• Review: Radium Girls, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic – ‘A genuinely impressive achievement’ 

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