Things To Do / Sponsored
20 things to do in Bristol this week, May 6-12 2024
Monday: The Score – Exclusive Preview, Strange Brew
The dark, brooding comedy thriller that was filmed on location at the Fairfax St venue gets a special preview screening within the space. The picture lasts about a half hour, and is followed up by a Q&A with cast and crew, and then a DJ set from local mashup expert Kujan.
The Score was filmed on location at Strange Brew – photo: The Score
Tuesday: Fast by the Horns launch, Trinity Centre
The second book from the already award winning 26 year old author Moses Mckenzie takes a look at Bristol in the year 1980, and a young man’s struggle with community tensions, oppression and justice. The author will be discussing the book at Trinity Centre, taking questions, and selling the book.
Moses McKenzie – photo: Gee Photography
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Wednesday: The Hallé, Bristol Beacon
As Sir Mark Elder’s tenure as Hallé Music Director reaches its grand finale, this programme acknowledges a core Hallé tradition of English music. Sir Mark is joined here, as he was in his first season as the Hallé’s Music Director, by Sir Stephen Hough, an undisputed “keyboard colossus” (The Guardian) who performs Brahms’ monumental First Piano Concerto. One of the best-loved and most frequently performed piano concertos in the world, it is an absolute tour de force. This celebration culminates with Butterworth’s orchestral rhapsody A Shropshire Lad, his heartfelt postlude to his songs setting A.E. Housman’s poems, and Elgar’s Enigma Variations. These masterly vignettes of Elgar’s “friends pictured within” is the work that best encapsulates Sir Mark’s magnificent legacy with the Hallé.
The Halle – photo: Bristol Beacon
Wednesday: Deyu plays MF Doom, The Jam Jar
Deyu, the live jazz drenched hip hop band/collective consisting of members of Snazzback, Waldo’s Gift, Binbag Wisdom, RWKUS and more celebrate the discography of one of the late great defining voices and sounds of that old school, gritty, low fi hip hop sound.
Thursday: One Gameshow Please!, The Cube
Split the audience in half and get them to compete in games that make absolutely no sense for prizes that nobody wants – sounds great, right? With all your favourite party games, from “guess that bum” to “are you dead??”, it’s fun for the whole family. You’re also welcome to sit out and watch the chaos ensure, should you prefer.
One Gameshow Please – photo: The Cube
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Friday: Vivaldi Four Seasons wine tasting, 1904 Arts Club
Imagine a cosy and intimate setting, where you can enjoy a glass of wine and listen to the beautiful sounds of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. You’ll be welcomed to the 1904 Arts Club, a hidden gem behind the Red Lodge Museum, with its quirky artefacts and cabaret-style seating. As the candles flicker, you’ll be treated to a live performance of Vivaldi’s masterpiece by the Bristol Ensemble, the city’s leading professional orchestra.
You’ll also get to taste four exquisite Italian wines, carefully selected by Oboe Fine Wines, who are known for their quality, sustainability and biodiversity. They’ll take you on a journey through each wine, and share the stories behind the music and the regions they come from.
Wine tasting with Vivaldi – photo: Bristol Ensemble
Friday-Sunday: Bristol Early Music Festival, All Saints Church
A festival taking place at Clifton’s All Saints Church across the weekend, celebrating music as it was first imagined. Whether it’s a join in singalong to medieval harp music or a six piece operatic troupe you’re after, there’s opportunities aplenty to take a trip back in time.
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Saturday: Wild Isles Live, Bristol Beacon
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the British Isles in this very special ‘behind the scenes’ Wild Isles big screen experience. Featuring highlights from the acclaimed BBC series alongside never-before-seen footage and insight from visionary documentary producer Alastair Fothergill. Join Alastair on a captivating journey through the most curious and breathtaking landscapes of the British Isles – from golden eagles in the Highlands to the weird and wonderful world of our woodland undergrowth.
Wild Isles – photo: Bristol Beacon
Saturday: Stokes Croft Block Party 2024, Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft will be vibrating this weekend, as the massive celebration of Bristol music culture returns to the infamous street. With over 20 stages at various venues up and down the road, it’s a no brainer if you’re after a big party this weekend.
Stokes Croft Block Party lineup – photo: Lakota
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Saturday: Blown Away, Trinity Henleaze URC
A great programme of music for wind instruments performed by players from the Bristol Ensemble:
- Mozart Serenade for Wind in C minor K.388
- Dvořák Serenade for Winds in D minor Op.44
We’ll hear the powerful and characterful C minor serenade by Mozart, a four movement work full of ingenuity, twists and turns. And also, Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds in D minor, unmistakably Czech, an homage to music-making in Czech palaces and stately homes.
Blown Away – photo: Henleaze Concert Society
Sunday: Cotham Hill Street Party, Cotham Hill
The annual street party has gained a massive, citywide following since its inception in 2010. A collection of the street traders, musicians, performers and artists descend onto the now partly pedestrianised road for a day of family fun, great music and even better food.
Cotham Hill Street Party – photo: Carli Collins
And coming soon…
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May 15: Einaudi meets Max Richter, St. George’s
A hypnotic evening of music featuring mesmerising works by Ludovico Einaudi, together with Max Richter’s engagingly refreshing reimagining of Vivaldi’s ever popular Four Seasons.
Einaudi mets Richter by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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May 17 & 18: The Dan Daw Show, Bristol Old Vic
After having spent a lifetime being an inspiration to others, Dan is finally seizing the moment to inspire himself. The Dan Daw Show is a peep into the shiny and sweaty push pull of living with shame while bursting with pride. This is a show about care, intimacy and resilience, about letting go and reclaiming yourself. All tickets pay what you can.
The Dan Daw Show – photo: Hugo Glendinning
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May 17-26: Mayfest 2024, Various locations
Bristol’s international festival of contemporary theatre and live performance, curated and produced by MAYK, is back with a programme spanning nine days, dozens of performances, events, and parties in some of Bristol’s best-loved venues as well as unexpected sites and locations throughout the city. All tickets are pay what you can.
Mayfest 2024 – photo: Mayfest
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May 18-June 2: SABOTAGE by No Fit State Circus, No Fit State big top
SABOTAGE is another full-on, boisterous, and audaciously fierce performance with the NoFit State signature style. This energising, uplifting and socially relevant contemporary circus production directed by Firenza Guidi will be back in Bristol this May.
Sabotage – photo: No Fit State Circus
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May 26: Six Chick Flicks, Redgrave Theatre
Fresh from a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, this smash hit comedy parodies your favourite chick flicks in one hysterical, fast-paced show. From the deck of the Titanic to the glittery pink halls of Harvard Law, watch as New York City comedians Kerry Ipema and KK Apple transform the stage with songs, dance breaks and pop culture hilarity. If you love chick flicks, you’ll love this show. If you hate chick flicks… you’ll love this show!
Six Chick Flicks – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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May 30: Gloucestershire Vs Essex, Seat Unique Stadium
The 2023 finalists, Essex, visit Bristol for the opening game of the 2024 T20 Blast. The only half-term game of the year this match is sure to be a hit for the family.
Glos v Essex – photo: Gloucestershire Cricket
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June 1-9: Festival of Nature, various locations
Festival of Nature is the UK’s largest celebration of the natural world, taking place 1 – 9 June across Bristol and Bath. Running for over 20 years, Festival of Nature offers people the chance to connect with local wildlife, learn about the natural world, and take positive action for nature.
Festival of Nature – photo: Natural History Consortium
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June 5: Kevin Quantum – Momentum, Redgrave Theatre
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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June 7: Gloucestershire Vs Hampshire, Seat Unique Stadium
One of only two Friday night matches in Bristol this year, Hampshire Hawks visit Bristol, this game is sure to be one of the top cricket socials of the year!
Gloucestershire Vs Hampshire – photo: Glos Cricket
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June 8: Music for a Blue Planet, Trinity Henleaze URC
In collaboration with the Festival of Nature, the Bristol Ensemble will take us on a breathtaking musical exploration of our beautiful planet with music from the BBC series Blue Planet by George Fenton together with Schubert’s enduringly popular Trout Quintet. Written by the young composer at just 22 years of age, this Quintet has a freshness and serenity that has engaged players and audiences for nearly 200 years. This will be the last concert of our season, do come and join us.
Music for a blue planet – photo: Henleaze Concert Society
Main photo: Carli Collins
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