24 things to do in Bristol this week, April 11-17 2022

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Daily-May 2: Funderworld, Downs
Funderworld will once again take place on the Downs, opening daily over the school Easter holidays and the May Day holiday weekend. A huge and spectacular lineup of rides and attractions make Funderworld the UK’s largest mobile theme park.
www.funderworld.com/

The UK’s largest touring funfair comes to the the Downs this Easter holiday – photo: Funderworld

Monday: Chelsea Birkby, The Bristol Fringe
Chelsea Birkby brings her unique, sparkly brand of comedy to the bi-weekly comedy night at The Fringe this Monday. At once innocent and unnerving, Chelsea’s work has garnered critical acclaim across the country, and has led to her being a finalist in many UK comedy awards.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-11&event_id=73355

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Throughout April: Contemporary Art Exhibitions, Spike Island
Visit ‘Pigs and Poison’, a major new commission by LA-based artist Candice Lin which includes paintings, sculpture, VR sets and a monumental medieval catapult. Running concurrently, ‘Nosferasta’ is a Rastafarian vampire film by Adam Khalil and Bayley Sweitzer, starring and co-written by Trinidadian artist and musician, Oba.
www.spikeisland.org.uk/programme/exhibitions/

There will be many contemporary Art exhibitions at Spike Island this April – photo: Spike Island

Tuesday: Donut Filler Jam, Mr Wolfs
The long-standing Tuesday night jam session at the popular St Nick’s late night haunt continues this week, encouraging anyone with a creative bone in their body to sign up, get on stage and show them what you’ve got. Much equipment is provided, but if you’ve got your own stuff, you’re better off bringing it.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-12&event_id=72227 

The popular jam night continues at the St Nick’s venue – photo: Rhys Friery, Mr Wolfs

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April 13-23: A Monster Calls, Bristol Old Vic
After rising to huge critical acclaim in 2018, the Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of Patrick Ness’ piercing novel A Monster Calls is back at Bristol Old Vic. Originally directed by the visionary Sally Cookson (Jane Eyre) and now revamped by Bristol favourite Felix Hayes (Dr Semmelweis), you won’t want to miss this epic tale of love, life and healing. Ages 10+.
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/a-monster-calls

The award-winning family production comes to Bristol Old Vic this week – photo: Bristol Old Vic

Wednesday: The Fall of Colston, PRSC
As part of the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft’s annual School of Activism, this Wednesday will be focussed on the famous toppling of the Colston statue back in June 2020. There will be speakers from different activist groups, along with a collection of people involved in the legal support of the ensuing case itself, and of course, plenty of time for questions and answers.
www.prsc.org.uk/event/the-fall-of-colston/ 

The talk/workshop is part of the PRSC’s annual School of Activism – photo: Rose Morelli

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Wednesday-Saturday: Whitchurch Dance Studio Presents: World Dance Safari
Whitchurch Dance Studio presents ‘World Dance Safari’. “Enjoy an exciting dance journey around the world, meeting some animals along the way.” The show includes Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Street Dance, Song, Drama, and more from students aged 2 1/2 to adults. Proceeds towards Cancer Research UK.
www.redgravetheatre.com/event/2022/04/whitchurch-dance-studio-presents-world-dance-safari/1140/

The event is raising money for Cancer Research UK – image: Redgrave Theatre

Wednesday: Ye Olde Comedy Club, Hey Dude Bar
A new comedy night at the most orange pub in Bristol City Centre, Ye Olde Comedy Club aims to bring you fresh comedy from rising faces in the scene, on one of Bristol’s most historic pub streets.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-20&event_id=73796 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CbFXqnZMMVo/?utm_medium=copy_link

Thursday: Idle Hands w/ Ray Colino, Strange Brew
Bristol’s top record store for new electronic music invites down Kalahari Oyster Cult label owner and chief of One Eye Witness vinyl distro Ray Colino for a night of house and techno on vinyl at the intimate Strange Brew.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-14&event_id=72820 

Thursday: Headless: Body 1 Launch, The Island
New art collective “Headless” launch their first audio-visual exhibition at the central underground Bristol venue this Thursday. Expect a combination of sound, sculpture, digital work and light as you dive into the sensory ocean that awaits you. Their website gives you a good idea of what to expect… I think?
www.headless.life/ 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb-BHQ3okxI/

Thursday & Friday: Hopyard, Propyard
A dozen of Bristol’s best breweries join forces for this new craft beer festival, featuring street food and world-class DJs.
www.propyard.co.uk/events

https://www.facebook.com/propyardbristol/videos/498862631924827/

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Opens Friday: The Northman, Watershed
The hotly anticipated latest from Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse) is an action-thrilled epic that follows a young Viking prince (Alexander Skarsgård) on his quest to avenge his father’s murder.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/11197/the-northman/

Friday: Amity w/ Yushh & Ido Plumes, Dareshack
New venue Dareshack collide with relatively new promoters Amity for a night of undoubtedly bass-driven grooves, with just the right amount of left field to keep you entertained. Proper Bristol stuff here. For fans of Livity Sound, Timedance and the like, this ones for you.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-15&event_id=73742  

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Opens Friday: Benedetta, Watershed
Seasoned provocateur Paul Verhoeven (Elle, Showgirls, Basic Instinct) returns with this extremely fun and deliciously provocative psychosexual melodrama about a lesbian nun in Renaissance Italy.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/11187/benedetta/

Saturday: If I Can’t See You, Revel Puck Circus Tent
April sees the Revel Puck Circus come to St. Paul’s, delivering a range of different fantastical circus performances throughout the month. One such performance is If I Can’t See You, a story about a woman and her floating sofa, attempting to retell the story of isolation we all know too well from the past two years, but in a circus fashion.
www.livingroomcircus.com/ 

The show focusses on the isolation that we have all experienced in recent years – photo: Living Room Circus

Saturday: International Photography Exhibition Opening Weekend, Paintworks
This Saturday marks the opening weekend of the Royal Photographic Society’s International Photography Exhibition. There’ll be free talks from industry leaders, live tintype portrait sessions and the opportunity to purchase zines and prints from some of the biggest names in photography.
www.rps.org/ipe163

The weekend promises to present top photographers and their work – photo: Royal Photographic Society

Saturday: Bristol Encontro Presents Tambor
Celebrate Afro-Brazilian culture through drumming, movement, and song. Described as an Encontro, or meeting, Tambor will provide a feast of live performances and workshops, including samba, maracatu, Afoxé, reggae-samba, capoeira music and much more.
www.trinitybristol.org.uk/whats-on/2022/tambor

Tambor promises to be lively, energetic and full of colour and flavour – photo: Trinity

Saturday: Loose Lips x Earful of Wax, Crofters Rights
Nationwide, seasoned promoters Loose Lips team up with London-based independent vinyl dance music store/platform Earful of Wax for a night of well-curated headliners backed up by some serious rising local talent. Em + Stav top the bill, and there’s an appearance from Syz to kick things off.
www.croftersrights.co.uk/events#events/e73427 

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Saturday: Calan, Bristol Folk House
Bringing infectious rhythms and high voltage routines, Wales’ greatest folk supergroup Calan return to Bristol with fiddles, accordions, guitars and performances full of raw excitement. With their beautiful songs, soaring harmonies and some virtuoso step dancing, Calan have been winning fans across the country and overseas for over a decade.
www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/calan/

Calan bring their unique folk sound to Bristol’s folk house – photo: Bristol Beacon

Sunday: Story Slam: Breakfast, The Wardrobe Theatre
The most important meal of the day is experienced differently by everyone. Now’s your chance to hear (and talk) about those experiences, as The Wardrobe Theatre hosts its monthly group story-telling session, and this month, the theme is Breakfast. So put the kettle on, the toast in, and open those ears.
www.storyslam.co.uk/live/17/4/2022/story-slam-breakfast 

The theme of this month’s slam is “breakfast” – photo: Wardrobe Theatre

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Sunday: Alternate10 w/ Children of Zeus, Lenzman, Akemi Fox, Satl, Bristol Beacon
Presented by Alternate, we are excited to host Children of Zeus at Bristol Beacon again, four years since their last performance in Bristol. The meteoric rise of this Manchester duo has been unstoppable following the release of the critically acclaimed ‘Travel Light’ and ‘Balance’ LPs. Support comes from The North Quarter’s label boss Lenzman, with the rich vocal and production talents of Akemi Fox and Satl.
www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/alternate10-w-children-of-zeus-lenzman-akemi-fox-satl/

The Manchester duo return to Bristol for the first time in four years – photo: Bristol Beacon

And coming soon…

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April 19: Alex Cameron, Trinity Centre
Australian musician, singer, and songwriter, Alex Cameron is best known for his solo career, in which he initially adopted the persona of a failed entertainer. The indie pop-rocker began his career with electronic music group Seekae, before going solo and independently releasing his debut album “Jumping the Shark” in 2016.
www.trinitybristol.org.uk/whats-on/2022/alex-cameron

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April 19-23: Titanic: The Musical, Redgrave Theatre
Come aboard the ship of dreams and be plunging into an unforgettable performance of glamour, chaos and heroism in this heart-stopping and riveting ride through the final moments of Titanic’s fateful journey.
www.redgravetheatre.com/event/2022/04/st-mary-s-players-presents-titanic-the-musical/1156/

The musical tells the story of one of the most famous shipwrecks in history – image: Redgrave Theatre

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April 29-May 2: Open Studios, Spike Island
Explore behind-the-scenes of the former Brooke Bond tea-packing factory, home to over 70 artists’ studios, Spike Print Studio, UWE Fine Art students, as well as designers, writers, filmmakers, animators and photographers. Meet artists in their studios and see their working practices, get involved in family-friendly activities and browse art works for sale, and enjoy delicious local street food and drinks.
www.spikeisland.org.uk/programme/events/open-studios-2022/

Spike Island opens their studios to the public this April – photo: Lisa Whiting

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June 22-27: Bristol Sounds, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Bristol’s much-loved open-air series of concerts returns to Canons Marsh Amphitheatre on Bristol’s harbourside from 22nd-27th June this year with an eclectic line-up of must-see artists including Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds, Paolo Nutini, Elbow, Jungle, First Aid Kit and The War on Drugs.
bit.ly/bristolsounds2022

Canons Marsh Amphitheatre welcomes a host of big musical names this summer | Photo: Bristol Sounds

Main Photo: Living Room Circus

Read more: 25 family things to do this Easter holidays, April 8-24 2022

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