Things To Do / Sponsored
26 things to do in Bristol this week, July 1-7 2024
Monday: Unlocking Bristol’s Stories 2, from Bristol Bus Station
A historical city walk taking in plaques, buildings and statues, complemented with stories of campaigns, protests and poetry.
Among topics discussed on the walk will be the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963, Bristol’s role in the campaign to end slavery and the activities of the Romantic poets in the city – image: Bristol Museums
Monday: Bristol24/7 hustings, Bristol Beacon
All of the candidates on the ballot paper for Bristol Central are due to take part in Bristol24/7’s hustings at the Lantern Hall in the Bristol Beacon. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed via the Bristol24/7 YouTube channel from 7pm. If you want to ask a question, please email editor@bristol247.com
Monday’s hustings will be taking place in the Lantern Hall at Bristol Beacon – photo: Martin Booth
Monday-Friday: Better Streets St Paul’s, The Vestibules
This photography and installation exhibition at The Vestibules in City Hall launches a campaign from a group of St Paul’s residents for adequate waste collection systems in their area.
The exhibition will share the experiences and voices of St Paul’s residents about how the rubbish makes them feel and how it affects their lives
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Monday – Saturday: A Child of Science, Bristol Old Vic
The reviews are in! Directed by Matthew Dunster, Gareth Farr’s A Child of Science is an “ingeniously crafted” (★★★★★ The Times), “gripping” (★★★★ The Telegraph), and “powerful” (★★★★ WhatsOnStage) new play with the “urgency of a thriller” (★★★★ The Stage). Tickets are flying. Book today.
A Child of Science – photo: Bristol Old Vic
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Monday-July 12: Queer Vision Festival, Watershed
Queer Vision Film Festival, presented by Bristol Pride is back! Delivering another diverse programme of UK and International LGBT+ films including independently-made feature and short films.
Still from Peafowl, part of Queer Vision 2024
Tuesday: We The Curious reopening
Having been closed since a fire on its roof in April 2022, We The Curious finally reopens its doors, with a weekend of special events planned.
‘We The Curious is about the we. It’s you, me, everyone. Testing the world out, together.’ – photo: Martin Booth
Tuesday: Griffin Dunne in conversation, Watershed
Actor and film producer Griffin Dunne has written about his life and work in his memoir The Friday Afternoon Club and will be discussing it at this special event.
Wednesday & Thursday: Section 28 and Me, Watershed
Section 28 and Me from Tom Marshman promises to be “a playful, honest and heartfelt portrait, exploring queer stories on past invisibility and shame”.
Wednesday & Sunday: TRANS/FORM, Strange Brew
This drag-theatre show from House of Boussé has been made in response to the media mania against the trans community as “a reclamation of our stories, our identities and our bodies”.
TRANS/FORM is “a dissection of drag, dance and rageful storytelling” – photo: House of Boussé
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Thursday: Alogte Oho & his Sounds of Joy, Bristol Beacon
Alogte Oho was close to giving up on his dreams of becoming a successful musician when he was involved in a serious car accident that nearly cost him his life. However, it was during this two-month recovery period that inspiration struck, and the song ‘Mam Yinne Wa’ (God, You Love Me So) was born. Accompanied by his cheerful choir, The Sounds of Joy, Oho takes his listeners on a journey like no other – lilting from low slung reggae based numbers to upbeat songs played in traditional local rhythms.
Thursday: Stand up for Safe Water, Floating Harbour
Frank Water’s flagship fundraising event is returning to the docks for its fifth annual outing. A new format this year will see teams compete in four-a-side standup paddleboarding ball, a water bucket challenge and the classic sprint relay race.
No equipment or experience is needed and fancy dress is actively encouraged – photo: Frank Water
Thursday: Pride Circus Night, Circomedia
A fundraiser specially curated for Bristol Pride in partnership with Circomedia which will celebrate Pride, community and circus with performers from around the globe.
The evening at St Paul’s Church will feature thought-provoking contemporary circus from talented and inspiring LGBT+ performers – photo: Bristol Pride
Thursday: General election
There are several new constituencies in and around Bristol. Could any of them get a ‘Portillo moment’? Bristol24/7 reporters will be at every count in Bristol (including the Horfield by-election which is also happening on Thursday) bringing you the latest news through the night.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm – photo: Betty Woolerton
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Thursday-Saturday: Dead On Our Feet, Bristol Old Vic
In our current climate, what does it mean to rest? And how do we connect with each other? And how much will that cost? And how much do you cost? Time is money – want to spend it with us? Presented by Dimba Damba, Made in Bristol’s 14th collective of early career theatre makers.
Dead on our feet – photo: Bristol Old Vic
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Thursday-Sunday: Bristol Film Festival hosts the Clifton Summer Screenings for a Cinematic outdoor extravaganza
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. The festival is also offering all B247 readers a discount code. For 10% off all film ticket prices please use B247MEMBER.
Clifton Summer Screenings – photo: Bristol Film Festival
Friday: Mike Love, Thekla
Hawaii’s Mike Love aims to spread his positive message across the globe with his music of reggae and Rastafari, which also fuses progressive and classic rock, soul, blues, flamenco, jazz and classical.
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Friday: The Big Country Music Show, Redgrave Theatre
Howdy Partners! It’s gonna be a sea of cowboy hats when the BIG country music show rides into town! An amazing band with male and female singers, stunning harmonies and fiddle, it’s two hour extravaganza of classic country music filled with hand-clapping, foot-stomping, boot-scootin’ sing-along classics from the likes of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson and many more!
Big Country music show – photo: Redgrave theatre
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Friday-Sunday: Handa’s Surprise, 1532 Performing Arts Centre
Travel to Kenya and follow in Handa’s footsteps as she journeys to see her best friend Akeyo, in the next village. Handa is taking seven delicious fruits as a surprise – but seven different animals have seven very different ideas… could you resist the sweet-smelling guava? How about a ripe red mango or a tangy purple passion fruit? A blend of physical performance, puppetry, live music and song combine to create an intimate, magical production with audience participation. Come and share in the magical tangerine surprise!
Handas Surprise Flyer without QR – photo: 1532 performing arts centre
Saturday: It Takes a City day party, The Boxing Gym
Headlined by Johnny Clarke, the St Paul’s Carnival experience will be recreated with home-grown veteran and next generation soundsystems. There will also be open air music, crafts, kids’ activities, stalls and food, as well as a masquerade celebration and parade.
Saturday & Sunday: Bristol Tattoo Convention, Ashton Gate Stadium
This year’s event features more than 250 artists as well as a variety of seminars, traders, art and photographic galleries, an outdoor stage with live bands all weekend, and skate and BMX displays.
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Saturday & Sunday: An Evening with David Sedaris, Bristol Beacon
David Sedaris is one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. He is a master of satire and one of today’s most observant writers, in many ways his life has been an open book. Through his essays, diaries and hugely popular BBC Radio series, he has made us consider the absurdities of human nature and modern life: family, travel, relationships, aging, the pandemic, political upheavals and of course roadside trash! By turns misanthropic and poignant, Sedaris deploys his precise prose and keen observational skills to make you laugh, think, and sometimes be deeply moved. David Sedaris returns to read new and unpublished stories, take questions and as is now an integral part of the evening, sign books and meet his audience.
David Sedaris – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Sunday, July 10 & 21: Walking Brunel’s Bristol, SS Great Britain
Join Mr Brunel himself on a walking tour of Bristol. Discover the stories behind some of his greatest works and learn how Brunel’s Bristol projects changed not only the city, but the whole world!
Walking Brunel’s Bristol – photo: SS Great Britain
Sunday: Music river cruise, Welsh Back to Beese’s and back
Enjoy a cruise on the Tower Belle serenaded by Beatles songs performed to Beatles songs and more being performed on the boat by the Fab Twins.
Bristol Packet, the owners of the Tower Belle, are celebrating their 50th birthday in 2024 – photo: Bristol Packet
And coming soon…
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July 12: Watch This Space with Will Gater, Redgrave Theatre
Watch This Space sees astronomer Will Gater bring to the stage the story of the extraordinary things humans see when we look to the stars. Blending spectacular visuals, live demos and inspiring storytelling, Watch This Space will take you on a journey like no other, jumping from our small corner of the Milky Way to some of the most distant objects in the known Universe.
Watch This Space – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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July 20: Supersonic Brick Day, Aerospace Bristol
The huge LEGO® brick event is back at Aerospace Bristol on Saturday 20th July 2024.As well as stepping aboard Concorde and enjoying everything else the museum has to offer, Supersonic Brick Day is your chance to get hands-on with interactive activities – from LEGO® underwater gardens and remote control car racing, to robot wars and great ball contraptions.
Supersonic Brick Day – photo: Aerospace Bristol
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July 27 – August 31: Tartan Titans at Avon Valley
Get ready for the ultimate summer challenge, Bristol! The UK’s longest inflatable assault course is returning to Avon Valley. With over 50 obstacles to tackle, the Tartan Titan is the perfect day out for adventurous friends and colleagues. Don’t miss out – book your tickets now for an unforgettable experience!
Charity fun – photo: Avon Valley adventure & wildlife park
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July 28: Kinds of Kindness, Watershed
Kinds of Kindness is a triptych fable from director Yorgos Lanthimos with an all-star cast including Cannes Best Actor winner Jesse Plemons and Oscar® winner Emma Stone. Plus, exclusive to Watershed and the South West – selected screenings will be presented in 35mm.
Kinds of Kindness – photo: Watershed
Main photo: Ologte Oho
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