21 things to do in Bristol this week, February 13-19 2023

Monday: The Crochet Cafe, Cloak & Dagger
Open to all levels of experience, the Cloak & Dagger invites you down to have a go at crocheting amongst their newly updated cosy bar space. The ticket price includes all the equipment and materials you will need, along with a tutor walking you through the process, and a complimentary vegan curry that changes each session.

Cloak and Dagger – Photo: Miles Arnold

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Now-May 1: Jem Southam: A bend in the river, RWA
Immerse yourself in the hauntingly beautiful work of Bristol-born photographer Jem Southam. ‘A Bend in the River’ displays photographs taken over five years of a location in the South West of England, capturing the ever-changing surface of the water, passing clouds, trees waving in the breeze, ducks gliding across the river and swans flying to roost. Your ticket also includes entry into the RWA’s Photo Open celebrating a wide range of photographic approaches. The RWA’s Season of Photography is sponsored by MPB.

Jem Southam: A bend in the river – photo: RWA

Tuesday: VLMV, Rough Trade
Rough Trade brings the hard to pin down ambient post-rock sounds of VLMV to their events space for a rare intimate show from the artist. Expect heady, dream-like frequencies with a relatively sharp edge.

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Now-May 1: RWA Photo Open, RWA
The RWA Photo Open celebrates contemporary photographic practice in all its forms. Over 150 works were selected from hundreds of submissions. The exhibition showcases the sheer quality and range of photographic work being produced by photographers and artists across the UK and abroad today. Your ticket for the Photo Open also gets you entry to Jem Southam’s A Bend in the River, a beautifully observed series of photographs documenting the changes in the environment.

RWA photo open – photo: RWA

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All week: Half term at Bristol Old Vic
At Bristol Old Vic, there’s plenty of half-term family-fun to keep the children entertained. The Wardrobe Ensemble presents a musical adaptation of the Judith Kerr favourite, Mog the Forgetful Cat (14–18 Feb), and for older children (ages 7+), Aakash Odedra dance theatre company brings Little Murmur to The Weston Studio (16–18 Feb), which tells of the trials and tribulations of living with dyslexia.

Half term at Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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Wednesday-February 23: Marcel the shell with shoes on, Watershed
Soulful, whimsical and intricately crafted, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is the feature adaptation of Dean Fleischer Camp and Jenny Slate’s popular series of short films and New York Times-bestselling books, marking the highly-anticipated big screen debut that’s fun for all the family.

Wednesday: This is Spinal Tap, Bristol Aquarium former IMAX
The staple mockumentary, and arguably the film that popularised the sub-genre, gets a special screening at the former IMAX cinema located deep within the Bristol Aquarium.

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Wednesday-Sunday: Slapstick Festival, Watershed
Celebrating its 19th year, the annual Slapstick Festival offers a chance to see some essential comedies from cinema’s silent era, specially selected from archives across the world and paired with live musical accompaniment.

Slapstick Festival 2023 comes to Watershed – photo: Watershed

Thursday: Ray Bradshaw: Deaf Com 1, Hen & Chicken
The internationally-renowned comedian brings his unique performance to the Hen & Chickens studio space. Known for being the first comedian to present all of his shows in both English and British Sign Language simultaneously, he has received acclaim from critics and fans alike.

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Friday: The amazing bubbleman, Redgrave Theatre
Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. An Edinburgh Fringe favourite, he has sold out there for the last twelve years. Louis explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized.

The amazing bubbleman at Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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Friday-February 25: Emilia, Circomedia
It’s 1611 and, at the age of 42, Emilia Bassano becomes the first woman to have her poetry published in England. For centuries, history has overlooked this achievement in favour of her male contemporaries. Until 400 years later, that is. Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s triple Olivier Award-winning comedy storms into Bristol next February. A concoction of historical inspiration and imagination, this period romp charts our heroine’s journey from young courtier to a radical writer, well-versed in pushing the boundaries of a stiff society.

With direction from the highly acclaimed Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls, The Old Vic; Peter Pan, National Theatre), this galvanising and riotous production vividly transforms Emilia’s life from page to stage, whilst giving voice to generations of silenced and exploited communities.

Emilia (2023) – photo: Bristol School of Acting

Friday: Ec2a Presents… 002, Secret Warehouse
After their first sell-out show at the very same “Secret Warehouse” that definitely has another name, leading Bristol and UK dance label Ec2a put on a stacked lineup of UK talent, headed by scene leader Soul Mass Transit System.

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Friday: A celebration of Father Ted with Joe Rooney, Redgrave Theatre
Join us in celebrating one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, as we welcome renowned stand-up Joe Rooney for a night of all things Father Ted! A hosted screening of the classic episode, a Q&A, a sandwich-making session, an all-inclusive ‘Lovely Girls Competition’ and a dancing priests competition – and the evening wouldn’t be complete without a sing-along to My Lovely Horse!

Saturday: Introduction to Object Theatre, Puppet Place
A three hour workshop at the puppetry hub in the Spike Island area, where you’ll be guided through the basics of object theatre, from what it is in essence, to how you can use and include it in your own work. There will be solo and group exercises throughout the workshop, which will culminate in the creation of short scenes using your newfound knowledge.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnPTHHqo4Yq/

Sunday: A scramble/traverse of the Avon Gorge, Sea Walls View Point
For those feeling up for a challenge this weekend, blow away the cobwebs with a no doubt bracing scramble up the side of the Avon Gorge. You’ll start on the downs, and after a 2.5km journey you’ll end up at the Lookout Lectern by the suspension bridge.

Avon Gorge – photo: Martin Booth

And coming soon…

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February 23: An Imbroglios murder mystery night, The Mount Without
Prepare yourself for an interactive, immersive themed party  wherein YOU are cast as one of 35 VIPs to this exclusive party. The  mysterious Baroness and her fiancé have invited you to a  fundraising event for the Charity “Give Blood”, but not all is as it may seem…

Drag queen Mariana Trench will be playing the role of your host  “The Baroness”.  Expect over the course of the night, Prizes to be won, Secret Tasks  to complete, clues to find, and mysteries to be solved.

Imbroglios murder mystery party at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

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February 24: Fergus McCreadie Trio, The Mount Without
Fergus McCreadie is one of the most exciting young Pianists on the world stage. With his  unique blend of Jazz and Scottish folk music inspired by his country’s sublime  landscapes, Fergus captures hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. His most recent  album ‘Forest Floor’ saw him earn a Mercury Prize nomination, it won Scottish Album of  the Year and he was also awarded ‘Instrumentalist Of The Year’ by Jazz FM. Fergus plays  with jaw-dropping dexterity, a future star in the making. With his trio he is joined by  David Bowden on Double Bass and Stephen Henderson on Drums.

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February 28: Bristol Beacon Presents: Kerala Dust, Strange Brew
Kerala Dust creates a distinct fusion of Americana and blues with brooding electronica. The trio’s sound reflects the vast range of influences they draw from, taking in Tom Waits, CAN and The Velvet Underground alongside heady club music. The band, who are now based between Berlin and Zurich, released their debut album ‘Light, West’ towards the end of 2020. The record showcases Kerala Dust’s hypnotic sound, imbued with sprawling psych-rock and woozy electronic beats. Live, Kerala Dust’s eclectic, experimental approach makes for a mesmerising and vibrant experience.

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March 1: She drew the gun, Strange Brew
At first glance Louisa Roach’s fuzzy psych-pop project may suggest that the Wirral born songwriter is another ‘Cosmic Scouser’ but then you’re drawn into the spirit of rebellion, songs that rally against injustice and food banks and celebrate outsiderdom. Roach was late to music, releasing her first LP ‘Memories of the future’ after a decade of motherhood and studying at college. The second LP ‘ Revolution of Mind’, released October 2018, continued the fine work laid out on her 2016 debut. Announced in the top 10 albums of 2018 by BBC Radio 6 Music, the record was one of the runaway indie successes of the year. To coincide with the new LP ‘Memories of the Revolution’, She Drew the Gun have also announced the ‘Music & Poetry Tour’ – a run of stripped-back performances showcasing Roach’s raw talent in its most minimalist form yet.

March 10: Bristol24/7 Mansion Takeover, Ashton Court Mansion
A collection of the finest of Bristol’s thriving music scene, and to celebrate the return of our printed magazine, we’re throwing a big party at the decadent Ashton Court Mansion. Expect performances from Ishmael Ensemble and Grove, and DJ sets from dubstep don Pinch and jungle legend Randall plus some of Bristol’s up and coming selectors sadsugar, Muna and Izmini. This one certainly won’t be one to miss.

Bristol24/7 Mansion Takeover Poster – photo: Bristol24/7

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March 10-18: This House, Tobacco Factory Theatres (BOVTS)
UK politics is in crisis and the country is in economic peril. Fights break out in the Houses of Parliament and the government whips can barely contain the chaos. Sound familiar? Well this time, it’s 1974 and in this not so distant past, Westminster is at war with itself again.

A hung parliament and the tiniest of margins mean that those in power will do everything to just keep going. Even if that means wheeling in someone on their last legs or direct from the maternity ward.  In a time where every vote counts, James Graham’s explosive and biting political comedy-thriller This House- which premiered at the National Theatre in 2021 – introduced us to the farcical and fanatical world of 1970s Westminster. Just how far will these parties go for political survival?

This House, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – photo: BOVTS

Read next:

• Bristol24/7 Ashton Court Mansion takeover
• Review: Easy Life, Trinity – ‘Their energy was completely infectious’
• Get To Know: Brazen Records

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