25 things to do in Bristol this week, March 25-31 2024

Monday: Tequila Tasting, Old Castle Green
One heck of a way to kick off the week. Head to the pub ever so slightly hidden down an Old Market side street for an unconventional flight of a variety of different tequilas. Learn about the distilling process and about the depth of flavour in the often forgotten about spirit.

The Old Castle Green – photo: Betty Woolerton

Monday: An evening with Russell Jones, Waterstones Galleries
Russell Jones’ latest book, Four Chancellors and a Funeral, delivers more of his signature scathing wit, combining a detailed contemporary record with acerbic commentary, all leavened by jokes at the seemingly endless maelstrom of Conservative failures, nincompoops and hypocrisies. Russell with be in conversation with Bristol24/7 Editor Martin Booth.

Tuesday: Copa 71, The Cube
The untold story of the unofficial 1971 women’s football World Cup that took place in Mexico and was witnessed by over 100,000 fans, but was dismissed at the time by football associations across the world. A new documentary tells the uplifting story in its entirety.

Wednesday: The Mazi Project BBQ and acoustic gig, Left Handed Giant Taproom
You know that summer is on its way when Left Handed Giant gets the BBQ out at their St Philips Taproom. In celebration of three years of The MAZI Project, an initiative tackling food poverty and empowering marginalised young people through cooking, you can expect a serious Greek BBQ feast.

Launch of EatDrink247 2022 at Left Handed Giant’s St Philip’s taproom – photo Ellie Pipe

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Wednesday: Sam Lee, Bristol Beacon 
Mercury Prize nominated folk singer Sam Lee presents music from his new album Songdreaming. Sam Lee plays a unique role in the British music scene. A highly inventive and original singer, folk song interpreter, passionate conservationist, and live event creator, Sam’s creative influence continually disrupts the mould of folk music. March 2024 sees the release of Sam Lee’s fourth studio album, ‘Songdreaming’. His highly-praised previous release, 2020’s Old Wow, was described as ‘A dazzling fusion of nature and song’ (The Observer). Sam’s music has its roots in traditional folk song, but imagines it anew, creating a sound rich in melody and invention. His lyrics focus on the perilous state of the natural world, something that has informed his work since his debut.

Sam Lee – photo: Bristol Beacon

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Until at least Thursday: Drive-Away Dolls, Watershed
Director Ethan Coen’s comedy caper follows Jamie, a free spirit bemoaning her breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian who desperately needs to loosen up.

Until June 2: We Are Warriors, Redcliffe Caves
An immersive sound and light installation among the already eerie Redcliffe Caves. Using recordings from 130 women and girls aged 8-80, the exhibition aims to pay tribute to female voices that have been silenced in the past. You can even add your own light to the exhibition on entry to pay your own respects.

We Are Warriors – photo: We Are Warriors

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Until at least Thursday: The New Boy, Watershed
Director Warwick Thornton’s (Sweet Country) latest drama, set in 1940s Australia, depicts the mesmeric story of a 9-year-old Aboriginal orphan boy whose presence disturbs the delicately balanced world of a remote monastery run by a renegade nun (Cate Blanchett).

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Friday-April 13: The Passion of Living Spit, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Get ready to witness the most divine comedy of all time! Join Bristol’s much-loved Living Spit as they return with a hilarious theatrical journey through the life and unfortunate death of the bearded, ethnically ambiguous offspring of God, Jesus H. Christ.

The Passion of Living Spit – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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Friday: Mr Ben and the Bens, The Louisiana
Velvet Echoes proudly presents a spellbinding performance by Mr Ben and the Bens, accompanied by the infectious Garage Rock groovers Savage Mansion at the iconic Louisiana. Join us for a night filled with captivating melodies and energetic beats, making this gig a must-see.

Mr Ben and The Bens – photo: Velvet Echoes Records

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Friday: Hans Rey – Mishaps & Mayhem, Redgrave Theatre
Mountain Bike pioneer, adventurer, former Trials World Champion, Hans ‘No Way’ Rey. Hans will reveal the crazy and whacky that accompanied him on some of his adventures. Behind the scenes stories of his greatest stunts and adventures and how it felt to be lost, haunted, stalked and rescued. You know what they say, an adventure isn’t an adventure until things go wrong.

Hans Rey – photo: Redgrave Theatre

Friday & Saturday: Deep Medi + Teachings in Dub weekender, Trinity Centre
For soundsystem enthusiasts, it seems there’s never a shortage of ginormous dub soundsystem parties in Bristol – but this one is certainly special. Two whole days of bass power from Sinai, with the Friday focusing on grimey 140, and the Saturday on weighty dub sounds.

Deep Medi x Teachings in Dub weekender – photo: Trinity Centre

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Friday: Horace Andy & Dub Asante feat. Matic Horns, Bristol Beacon
Known for his distinctive falsetto vocal style, Horace Hinds aka Horace Andy aka Sleepy sang on many classic productions for reggae producers like Coxsone Dodd, Phil Pratt, King Tubby, Lloyd ‘Bullwackie’ Barnes, Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, and Prince Jammy to name a few. Horace Andy first found mainstream success in the early ’70s when he started to record for Coxsone Dodd, resulting in Studio One classics such as Skylarking, Every Tongue Shall Tell, and Mr. Bassie. He then  found a new generation of fans in the 1990s, thanks to his work with trip hop pioneers Massive Attack. Whether recording in Kingston or in numerous locations around the world, Horace has kept his sleepy choirboy delivery and conscious roots intact, maintaining his reputation as a favoured vocalist amongst reggae fans.

Horace Andy – photo: Bristol Beacon

Saturday: 23 Degrees: Oldboy (All Night Long), Crofters Rights
The Sheffield born garage and grime producer has been at the top of every DJs hit list since he broke through into the burgeoning new UK garage scene. With a USA tour under his belt, he’s showing no signs of stopping any time soon. An Oldboy all night long will no doubt be more eclectic than you might first expect – not one to miss.

Sunday: Drum & Bass on the Bike
It’s the fourth annual outing for Drum & Bass on the Bike in Bristol, with DJ Dom Whiting set to once again be the Pied Piper on a packed cycle ride around the city.

Sunday: The Fantasy Orchestra presents Tropicália, Lost Horizon
A vibrant Sunday evening, soundtracked by the colourful rhythms of Tropicália, a sound created in Brazil in the late 60s/early 70s. Fusing traditional Brazilian music with modern rock and pop sounds, the 50 piece orchestra will keep you dancing to see out the weekend.

Tropicalia – photo: Lost Horizon

And coming soon…

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April 3-6: Kickmouse Mysterium, Tobacco Factory Theatres
A magical comedy fable, of few words, about perseverance and achievement – designed for little ones and their grown-ups. Funny, fast paced, stylish, ‘clowning’, set in a ‘home-made’, magical, world full of contraptions, illusions and mystifying objects.

KickMouse Mysterium – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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April 3-6: No More Mr Nice Guy, Bristol Old Vic
From the company behind Olivier-Award nominated For Black Boys…, comes an exciting new piece of gig-theatre which explores what it means to be a Black-British man fighting for a dream. Featuring an eclectic mix of rap, R&B and spoken word performed alongside a live band.

No More Mr Nice Guy – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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April 7: Dreamcoat Stars, Redgrave Theatre
Dreamcoat Stars is back due to popular demand, for their 3rd UK tour. Bringing incredible live musical entertainment to the nation! Experience the UK’s biggest and best night of musical smash-hits in this star-studded concert featuring brand-new songs and arrangements.

Dreamcoat Stars – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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April 9-13: Doubt, a Parable, Alma Tavern & Theatre
“What do we do when we’re not sure?” A lean, potent drama of suspicion and manipulation. Set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, the severe Principal sets about uncovering truth where there may be none, when she accuses the Priest of the most serious of crimes.

Doubt: A Parable – photo: Alma Tavern & Theatre

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April 16-27: The Last Show Before we Die, Bristol Old Vic
Ell and Mary have been dead for three years, but now the creators of HOTTER and FITTER have come back to life (and the stage) with one question on their minds: how do you know when it’s the end? “Vividly, viscerally alive” ★★★★★ The Guardian

The Last Show Before we Die – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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May 3: The Breath, Bristol Cathedral
Softly-spoken guitar whizz Stuart McCallum (Cinematic Orchestra) and larger-than-life singer/flautist Ríoghnach Connolly (BBC Folk Singer Of The Year) are something very special indeed. Catch their opening concert at Bristol Cathedral.

‘The jaw-droppingly stunning, woozy voice of Ríoghnach Connolly” The Guardian

‘Quietly, inexorably, The Breath have become one of the most exciting folk acts’ – The Financial Times *****

The Breath – photo: Bristol Folk Festival

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May 4: Spiers & Boden + Frankie Archer, St. George’s
Founders of Bellowhead and undisputed ‘dons of folk’ (The Observer), John Spiers & Jon Boden headline Saturday of Bristol Folk Festival. These master musicians are joined by Northumbrian artist Frankie Archer. Fresh from Jools Holland she shakes up genres and traditions, championing women, challenging perspectives and calling for a fairer future, all to a mix of synths, samples, fiddle and voice.

Spiers & Boden – photo: Bristol Folk Festival

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May 10: Vivaldi Four Seasons: Wine Tasting by Candlelight, 1904 Arts Club
You’ll be welcomed to the 1904 Arts Club, a hidden gem behind the Red Lodge Museum, with its quirky artefacts and cabaret-style seating. As the candles flicker, you’ll be treated to a live performance of Vivaldi’s masterpiece by the Bristol Ensemble, the city’s leading professional orchestra.

You’ll also get to taste four exquisite Italian wines, carefully selected by Oboe Fine Wines, who are known for their quality, sustainability and biodiversity. They’ll take you on a journey through each wine, and share the stories behind the music and the regions they come from.

Wine tasting with Vivaldi – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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May 11: Blown Away, Trinity Henleaze URC
A great programme of music for wind instruments performed by players from the Bristol Ensemble:

• Mozart Serenade for Wind in C minor K.388
• Dvořák Serenade for Winds in D minor Op.44

We’ll hear the powerful and characterful C minor serenade by Mozart, a four movement work full of ingenuity, twists and turns. And also, Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds in D minor, unmistakably Czech, an homage to music-making in Czech palaces and stately homes.

Blown Away – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

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May 15: Einaudi meets Max Richter, St. George’s
A hypnotic evening of music featuring mesmerising works by Ludovico Einaudi, together with Max Richter’s engagingly refreshing reimagining of Vivaldi’s ever popular Four Seasons.

Einaudi mets Richter by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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June 8: Summer Serenade, Trinity Henleaze URC
For this last concert of our season, the Bristol Ensemble will perform Schubert’s Trout Quintet and other pieces of light classical music.

Schubert’s enduringly popular Trout Quintet was written by the young composer at just 22 years of age.  It has a freshness and serenity that has engaged players and audiences for nearly 200 years.  Together with other pieces of light classical music, this will be a perfect programme for a Summer’s evening.

Summer Serenade – photo: Henleaze Concert Society

Main photo: Jon Craig

Read next:

• Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival announces lineup for 2024
• Sidney & Eden hosts regular spoken word open mic for writers
• Living Spit prepare for first new show since losing founding member to cancer

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