24 things to do in Bristol this week, April 17-23 2023

Monday: HUM4NS Talks, The Square Club
An inspiring evening of talks from the HUM4NS speakers, talking about challenges they have faced, how they have overcome them, and what they have learned – in an effort to raise the collective consciousness.

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

SPONSORED
Now – May 1: Jem Southam: A Bend In The River, RWA
It’s Photography Season here at the gallery. 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. Included in your ticket is the RWA Photo Open, a celebration of contemporary photographic practice in all its forms from over 100 different artists.

Jem Southam: A Bend In The River – photo: RWA

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Monday: Bristol Beacon Presents: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, The Fleece
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith composes bright, fluid soundscapes on a variety of synthesizers, most notably the Buchla Music Easel. Excited by the endless possibilities of electronic instruments, her music is filled with vivid, expressive melodies along with her warped, ethereal vocals. Although ambient and modern new age circles have embraced Smith’s catalog, her 2022 album ‘Let’s Turn It Into Sound’ favors a more baroque and robust form of avant-pop. Across vibrant and visceral songs, Smith engages an inner community with awe and curiosity, expressing a feeling that words alone cannot. This AV show will combine hypnotising visuals, vertiginous vocal harmonies and cinematic sound design.

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Now – April 30: Aphelion Exhibition: Amy Koenig, The Mount Without
Aphelion is an exploration of the human experience in relation to the vastness of the universe, and how our beliefs are often shaped by that. Why are we here? What is our purpose? What comes after this? These are the questions that both keep me up at night, yet comfort me. This work isn’t about trying to find all the answers, but more so about finding peace in the uncertainties. By seeking out the magic in our everyday surroundings, my aim is to bridge the gap between what is known to be real and what is yet to be discovered.

Aphelion, The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

Tuesday: Growing Food Leaders, Speedwell Allotments
One of the city’s most innovative charities battling food inequality, Edible Bristol are hosting an informative workshop, teaching adults and children alike how to grow their own sustainable, edible produce from home, and how to foster biodiversity in their communities.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqySyMxId6U/

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Wednesday: Bristol Beacon presents: Charlie Cunningham, St George’s
Though often described as a minimalist, Charlie Cunningham’s music is anything but bare bones. Rich with dreamy instrumentals, yearning nylon guitar and cascading, melancholic piano, soothing vocals lead the charge to produce a sound that is equal parts nostalgic as it is unfamiliar and enticing. A true “under the radar” success story, Charlie Cunningham’s delicate and focused compositions have already earned him over half a billion streams as he fast approaches his 500th performance, a headline slot at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, and an ever-expanding international fanbase, which has seen him become a regular fixture in prestigious venues across Europe. New album ‘Frame’ sees the singer-songwriter alluding to a newfound desire for sonic exploration, with Charlie embracing golden era jazz, neo-classical composition and even art rock – all the while maintaining his masterful pared-back and clear-eyed musicality.

Wednesday: Houseplant Care & Re-Potting Class, Fancy Plants
Learn the essentials of how to take proper care of your little green pals, with everything from watering schedules to the do’s and don’ts of re-potting. There will also be the opportunity to grab a drink, and enjoy 10% off all purchases from the store when the workshop is over.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp2NZhWMGZ1/

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Wednesday – Saturday: Made in Dagenham, Redgrave Theatre
Made in Dagenham based on the true story of the 187 women who went on strike and brought the Dagenham Ford factory to a standstill. This landmark moment transformed the lives of people worldwide and triggered the passing of the 1970 Equal Pay Act.

Funny, touching and timeless, Made in Dagenham shows how ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they stand together.

Made in Dagenham at Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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Until at least Thursday: One Fine Morning, Watershed
Léa Seydoux shines in Mia Hansen-Løve’s (Father of My Children, Bergman Island) newest film – a sweet, thoughtful and understated drama about a young Parisian navigating her father’s illness, single parenthood and a potential new love.

SPONSORED
Thursday: The Comedy Box Promotes: SOOZ KEMPNER: PLAYSTATION, Hen & Chicken Studio
The Twitter sensation and BBC Radio 4 regular takes to the road in her debut UK tour, following a totally sold-out Edinburgh Festival residency which played to critical acclaim.

Throughout lockdown Sooz Kempner made a variety of online content including livestreams via Twitch and viral political videos which build a huge international following, and received press in The Guardian, The Independent and The Metro, as well as in the LA Times and Chicago Tribune across the Atlantic.

“Incredible… it shouldn’t work but it really, really does” The Independent

Thursday: Silent Heroines Illustration Workshop, Trinity Centre
An illustration workshop run by and for women, led by Bristol based artist/illustrator Jazz Thompson. The theme will be to explore what being a woman means to you – a question you’ll be able to answer via illustration, collage or a piece of writing.

Trinity Centre – photo: Khali Ackford

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Until Thursday: Rye Lane, Watershed
Rye Lane is a charming take on the modern-day rom-com, based in South London, following two young people as they fall in love while finding themselves in the process.

Friday: Locomotive: Conducta B2B Jeremy Sylvester, Greenworks
Locomotive are a dance crew fast becoming known for putting on lineups of some of the weightiest, most exciting UK Garage lineups in the city, shining a light on legends of the past and future. This Friday, they take to Brislington’s noisiest warehouse for the B2B to end all B2Bs. Expect a perfect fusion of the new and the old school, as NUKG posterboy Conducta joins forces with titan of the original scene Jeremy Sylvester.

Friday: Celebrate Life: Women’s Health & Wellness Day, Penny Brohn
A day of women’s health & wellness at the picturesque Penny Brohn estate. With a focus on menopause, osteoporosis, and cancer awareness, some of the activities that will be on offer include panel discussions, yoga sessions, and of course a goody bag.

Penny Brohn National Centre – photo: Penny Brohn

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Saturday: The Comedy Box Promotes: Stand Up For The Weekend with ANDREW RYAN and GUESTS, Hen & Chicken Studio
Irishman Andrew Ryan is one of the most exciting talents in recent years; he is in demand at the biggest comedy clubs across the UK & Ireland. Andrew’s quintessentially Irish storytelling abilities and cheeky, friendly demeanour make him a natural stand up.

“Ferociously intelligent, Ryan is a great writer. Charming, hilarious and accessible with some really powerful thinking underneath it all.” THE SKINNY

“Utterly brilliant” Time Out, London

SPONSORED
Saturday & Sunday: Earth Day, RWA
Join us for Earth Day weekend to celebrate the work of three local primary schools who will be displaying their artwork on the RWA forecourt as part of The Art Fund’s Wild Escape project. Working with artist Jazz Thompson, young artists from Barton Hill Academy, Dolphin School and Hillcrest Primary School, created collaborative artworks inspired by oil painting, Whiting and Prawns by Robert Organ from the RWA permanent collection. The project aims to unite hundreds of museums and schools in a celebration of UK wildlife and creativity. 22 – 23 April.

Earth Day at the RWA – photo: RWA

Saturday: Yoga with Adorable Puppies, City Centre Yoga Studio
Exactly what it says on the tin, this Saturday Yuup offers its users the chance to partake in a yoga session with an added element of relaxation – there will be a multitude of small puppies joining you during the class, keeping you company and helping you to enjoy yourself even more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpfe2pqtDR7/

Sunday: Bingo Fury Presents…, The Cube
Local singer-songwriter Bingo Fury curates his second musical lineup at the Dove Street tiny cinema. The first one sold out, and he’s got plans to curate many more sold out in the future, so pre booking for this one is advised, as it will no doubt be a showcase of some of Bristol’s most musically talented individuals.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqac52MjAk8/

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Sunday: The Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular, Redgrave Theatre
The music that filled the dancehalls during the Big Band era is brought to life again by The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra UK. The hardest swinging big band in the UK recreates the million sellers of the 40’s and 50’s.

And coming soon…

SPONSORED
April 27: Love Letter to the Moon, The Mount Without
A fundraising concert for Bristol Drugs Project in the stunning setting The Mount Without.
The concert will feature
JIMMY GALVIN / Solo Piano Performance
REVERB / Harp and Voice duo
KETIBU / Acoustic Set
MARK ELY/ Featuring a 20 Piece Choir
COLIN MOODY / Films

Love Letter to the Moon – photo: The Mount Without

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April 28 – May 1: City Nature Challenge, Multiple Locations
Join residents across the West of England in an exciting, collaborative mission to record as much nature as possible between Friday 28th April – Monday 1st May. Over the four-day bank holiday challenge, people across the region will be coming together to share observations of the natural world in gardens, green spaces, and city streets. Family-friendly activity across Bristol and Bath will be taking place, including expert-led wildlife walks and nature recording training.

City Nature Challenge – photo: Natural History Consortium

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May 17: Bristol Ensemble Presents: 50th Anniversary of Tubular Bells, St George’s
Mike Oldfield’s groundbreaking album Tubular Bells was released on 25th May 1973 and to celebrate its 50th Anniversary – almost to the day – Bristol Ensemble performs a stirring chamber orchestral arrangement of the album, fleshing out the now iconic melodies with a bank of strings.

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May 20: Bristol Ensemble Presents: Samuel Wesley by candlelight, John Wesley’s New Room
The Bristol Ensemble return to John Wesley’s New Room with a candlelit evening of compositions from Samuel Wesley. Known as the ‘English Mozart’, Samuel Wesley was the nephew of John Wesley and his early musical education took place in Bristol.

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June 9 – 18: Festival of Nature, Millennium Square
Join the celebration for Festival of Nature’s 20th anniversary with its unmissable programme of vibrant city-centre events, family nature parties, wildlife workshops, walks and talks, film screenings, and spectacular performances across 10 days. Don’t miss out on the festival’s feature Bristol event at Millennium Square and Anchor Square 17th & 18th June – two days of free nature activities, stalls, food and drink, and special guest talks.

Festival of nature – photo: Natural History Consortium

Main photo: Yuup/Fancy Plants

Read next:

• 52 things to do in Bristol in April 2023
• James Acaster announces four night run at Bristol Old Vic
• Massive Attach featured in Windrush top 20

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