Things To Do / Sponsored
23 things to do in Bristol this week, February 3-9 2025
Monday: Elizabeth Blackwell lecture, City Hall
Oxford University professor Trish Greenhalgh gives the 11th annual Elizabeth Blackwell lecture: ‘Healthcare in the digital age: A new era of inequality?’
Monday: Sol Feo, Louisiana
Bristol-based soul-rock band Sol Feo say their “unique sound fuses heartfelt storytelling with a rich tapestry of blues-inspired psychedelic riffs, cinematic keys and dark-honey vocal harmonies”. With support from Canpano and Traitors.
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Monday-Thursday: Hard Truths, Watershed
Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays Pansy, a woman wracked by fear, tormented by afflictions, and prone to raging tirades against her husband, son, and anyone who looks her way. Meanwhile, her easygoing younger sister (Michele Austin) is a single mother with a life as different from Pansy’s as their clashing temperaments.
Hard Truths – photo: Watershed
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Monday-Thursday: Vermiglio, Watershed
When refugee soldier Pietro arrives in the village of Vermiglio, his presence disrupts the dynamics of a local teacher’s family when he’s drawn to the teacher’s daughter Lucia romantically. As the film unfolds over four seasons marking the end of the war, the couple’s relationship leads to an unexpected fate…
Vermiglio – photo: Watershed
Monday-Friday: Diary of a Ukrainian Madman, Alma Tavern Theatre
“A fabulously surreal reworking of Ukrainian-born Nikolai Gogol’s classic Diary of a Madman, re-imagined for a contemporary Ukraine racked by war, by playwright Liudmyla Tymoshenko.”
“And by the way gentlemen, Putin’s head is bald now because he had scabies as an adult. Do you understand how this changes everything?”
Monday-Sunday: Bristol Light Festival, various venues
There’s only one place to be this week. In fact, make that ten places with light-based artworks spread across the city centre.
It wouldn’t be Bristol Light Festival without the swings on College Green – photo: Andre Pattenden
Tuesday: Jon Udry, Wardrobe Theatre
Award-winning juggler and stand-up comedian Jon Udry spends much of his time these days performing on P&O cruise ships across the world. He returns to his home city with his ‘Having a Ball’ show.
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Tuesday-Sunday: Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Your chance to catch the sixtieth Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition in Bristol. View 100 award-winning images of animals and the natural world, but will you agree with the judges’ choices?
Wildlife photographer of the year – photo: Jose Manuel Grandio
Tuesday-March 23: More Than Memory, RWA
An exhibition of drawings, paintings and sculptures by older people and people living with dementia, as well as those who care for them.
Members of ‘Happy Days’ Memory Cafes, Evergreens Elders and Trymview Hall Care Home residents and RWA’s Teatime Tours regular visitors are all included in the exhibition, alongside paintings from the RWA collection – image: RWA
Thursday-Sunday: Mal De Puerco, The Scrandit
It’s the return of to The Scrandit of Mal De Puerco, promising “down and dirty Mexican street food born out of Bristol. Inspired by skateboarding and the street corners of Mexico City, Oaxaca and Puebla.”
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Saturday: Prague Symphony Orchestra, Bristol Beacon
The orchestra that celebrated its 90th anniversary last year will be performing works by their countryman Dvořák as well as Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. Between this pair, pianist Gabriela Montero will be playing Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto.
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Saturday: Club Blanco, The Prospect Building
Club Blanco present an all-star line up as they take over The Prospect Building’s Crane Room this February 8th. Helena Hauff leads the pack and is joined by Paranoid London (Live), Call Super, Dr Banana b2b The Ghost, R.E.D and head honcho Chez De Milo.
Club Blanco – photo: The Prospect Building
Saturday: Nerina Pallot, St George’s
Nerina Pallot’s cover of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart was used during a key scene in Normal People and has brought her a whole new generation of fans. Her gig at St George’s is the first in a tour where she will play her critically acclaimed album Fires from 2006 in full.
Saturday-May 11: Danielle Dean, Spike Island
Now based in Los Angeles, artist Danielle Dean’s exhibition at Spike Island explores the new town of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire where she grew up. It is centred on Hemel, a new film that blurs fiction and documentary to consider race, class and labour dynamics.
Sunday: Nina Conti, Bristol Hippodrome
Nina promises “an unparalleled, unscripted brand new show that delves deep into who we are, hijacking faces to spark a bold, hysterical reality warp”.
And coming soon…
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February 12: Slapstick festival
The UK’s biggest celebration of vintage screen comedy – SLAPSTICK – returns to Bristol from February 12 to 16 with a 20 th birthday edition offering 35 laugh-out-loud events and a guest list which includes Stephen K Amos, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Ben Elton, Harry Enfield, Graeme Garden, Martin Freeman, Adam Hills, Robin Ince, Lucy Porter and Rick Wakeman (to name just some).
Ben Elton and Pete Lord – photo: Slapstick Festival
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February 12: Anna B Savage, Bristol Beacon
Anna B Savage, renowned for her unique blend of haunting vocals and intricate melodies, is coming to bristol this February. Expect a deeply personal and emotionally rich performance, drawing from her critically acclaimed albums. An unmissable evening of introspective music – tickets are on sale now!
Anna b Savage – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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February 14: ABBA By Candlelight, St George’s
This Valentine’s Day, let the romance of ABBA’s unforgettable tunes set your heart dancing – because love deserves dramatic violins and epic crescendos! In a one-of-a-kind orchestral concert blending ABBA’s iconic pop sound with lush symphonic arrangements, expect hits that’ll have you crying into your champagne one moment and dancing in the aisles the next. The perfect soundtrack to your Valentine’s night!
ABBA by Candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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February 15: The Big Chris Barber Band, Redgrave Theatre
Returning to the Redgrave once again this programme features Barber classics such as Petite Fleur, Bourbon Street Parade and When The Saints Go Marching In. Plus a journey through many of the other genres that the band has explored over the years.
The Big Chris Barber Band – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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February 16: Redgrave Theatre Showcase
Join us for a vibrant evening of live music and spoken word performances at the Redgrave Theatre Showcase. This exciting new event will feature 4 talented musicians and 4 spoken word artists from the local community, offering a platform for fresh voices and original creativity.
Redgrave Theatre Showcase
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February 19: Black Foxxes, Strange Brew
Grunge alt rockers Black Foxxes (and very special guests Lila Tristram and Runners Up) will be playing Strange Brew on February 19th. Tickets are going quickly, book today!
Black Foxxes – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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February 20: Turns, Loops & Glances, Bristol Ensemble
Experience three captivating works for string quartet performed by the Bristol Ensemble at Bristol’s Arnolfini. Featuring Hannah Kendall’s evocative’*Glances/I Don’t Belong Here’, Errollyn Wallen’s powerful ‘Romeo Turn’, and John Adams’ mesmerising ‘Shaker Loops’, this 60-minute performance explores themes of identity, place, and connection through vibrant, contemporary compositions.
BE Contemporary – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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March 1: The Prospect Building presents Junction 2: Adam Beyer
On 1st March 2025, The Prospect Building comes alive with an electrifying lineup, brought to you in collaboration with the renowned Junction 2 festival. Headlined by Swedish techno legend and Drumcode founder Adam Beyer, this one promises an unforgettable journey through hypnotic, high-energy rhythms.
Junction 2: Adam Beyer – photo: The Prospect Building
Main photo: Danielle Dean
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