28 things to do in Bristol this week, April 25-May 1 2022

SPONSORED
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 UKs largest travelling amusement park comes to the Clifton Downs this April | Photo: Funderworld

Monday: Circuit Breakers: Josh Pugh, Hen & Chicken
The Hen & Chicken’s monthly comedy night returns with rising star in the UK circuit Josh Pugh, previous winner of the English Comedian of the Year award.
www.henandchicken.com/event/circuit-breakers-4/   

SPONSORED
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 are many contemporary art exhibitions on display at Spike Island this April | Photo: Spike Island

Tuesday: GOYA + Five ‘til Seven, The Gallimaufry
Bristol based cinematic jazz group GOYA grace the Galli, bringing their signature expansive, grand sonic experience to the Gloucester Road venue. They will be joined by Five ‘til Seven, a jazz meets prog rock group making waves in the Bristol scene as of late.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-26&event_id=74017 

Tuesday: Bluescreen: Coming of Age – Birthday Bash, The Cube
Bluescreen is celebrating their 21st birthday with screenings from the archives of Bluescreens gone by, all the way up to the best short films of recent years. What’s more, you can always dip out to the bar and enjoy resident DJs playing all night.
www.cubecinema.com/programme/event/bluescreen-coming-of-age-21st-birthday-bash,12010/ 

The popular short film festival celebrates turning 21 this week | Photo: Bluescreen

SPONSORED
Tuesday: Jose Gonzalez, Marble Factory
With his intimate, elegant song writing José González has captured the hearts of many across the world. Since the release of his first album ‘Veneer’, which featured his acclaimed cover of The Knife’s ‘Heartbeats’, the Swedish musician has “carved out his own niche, imbuing his music with a sense of timelessness” (Pitchfork). His long-awaited new album ‘Local Valley’ “is an exercise in hushed, glacial indie folk, with quiet contemplative vocals over intricately plucked guitars” (Loud & Quiet).
www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/jose-gonzalez/

Wednesday: Folk Tales, Benjamin Perry Scout Hut
It’s been two years since the last iteration of Folk Tales, so expect a celebratory evening full of acoustic music and storytelling in a cosy, intimate setting.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-27&event_id=74319 

The small, intimate venue returns after a two year hiatus | Photo: Bristol Folk Tales

SPONSORED
Wednesday-Saturday: BMT Presents: The Wedding Singer
Join Bristol Musical Theatre as they turn back the clock, and crank up the beat for this poppin’ and lockin’, sparkling, romantic musical comedy! Featuring an upbeat, fantastic score with catchy musical numbers such as It’s Your Wedding Day, Casualty of Love and Grow Old with You, this heart-warming musical will make you laugh, cry and dance in the aisles.
www.redgravetheatre.com/event/2022/04/bmt-presents-the-wedding-singer/866/

Bristol Musical Theatre present their production of The Wedding Singer at Redgrave Theatre this week | Photo: Redgrave Theatre

Wednesday: Mix Nights – Term 20 Showcase, The Love Inn
Saffron Records’ massively successful programme for aspiring women and non-binary DJs hosts its showcase of this terms acts at the Love Inn. It will be the debut set of every DJ playing.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-27&event_id=74141

Thursday: SP:MC (DJ Set) All Night Long, Crofters Rights
Originally known for being a legendary MC, SP:MC began to venture into the production/DJ realm, with great success. He’s now known across the board for being as skilled on the decks as he is on the microphone. Expect a journey from 2-step to 140 all the way to darker Drum & Bass sounds.
www.croftersrights.co.uk/events#events/e73169 

Thursday: Oatly x Dareshack x Triple Co Latte Art Throwdown, Dareshack
Oatly have partnered with new Dareshack for an evening of latte art making competitions combined with cocktail making using the discarded latte milk, to ensure nothing is wasted. There will be plenty of prizes and certainly plenty of fun on offer.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-28&event_id=74165 

Oatly team up with Dareshack for an evening of zero waste cocktails | Photo: Dareshack

Friday-Sunday: Bristol Folk Festival, various venues
This year’s festival is headlined by Kate Rusby, O’Hooley & Tidow, Jon Boden and Kitty Macfarlane, with St George’s forming the heart of the festival over the weekend. As well as music, there will also be dances, singarounds, sessions and live interviews.
www.bristolfolkfestival.org

SPONSORED
Friday-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 Open Studios | Photo: Lisa Whiting

Friday: Intervention w/ Anz, Strange Brew
UK club titan Anz comes to Strange Brew to celebrate the fifth birthday of Intervention, a collective known not only for putting on big lineups up and down the country, but for offering free workshops in DJing, Production and Lighting tech for those wanting to break into the industry. Tonight, however, will be no workshop – just stone cold grooves throughout.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-29&event_id=72751 

SPONSORED
Friday: Casablanca Beats, Watershed
A young generation takes centre stage in Nabil Ayouch’s brash, bold and exhilarating portrait of aspiring hip-hop artists and dancers in Casablanca.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/11188/casablanca-beats/

Friday: Cotham Club Presents: Heralding the Wind, Cotham Parish Church
Cotham Club is a new monthly event consisting of some form of live music, a food van and a bar. This month, the music will be courtesy of Palestinian Flutist Faris Ishaq, alongside the British European Jazz Ensemble.
www.cothamparishchurch.org/cotham-club/ 

SPONSORED
Friday: Tindersticks, Bath Forum
For the past 30 years Tindersticks have crafted music with a balance of haunting, visceral feeling and aching warmth, fronted by Stuart Staples and his idiosyncratic, atmospheric crooning. Earlier this year they released their 13th album ‘Distractions’, offering “lean and stripped back instrumentation, possessed of a prickly temperament” (UNCUT). As Tindersticks celebrate three decades as a band, they mark this milestone with a special two-set show including accompaniment from a local string orchestra.
www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/tindersticks/

Friday: Lazy Habits, Old Market Assembly
London based six-piece bring their authentic New Orleans Jazzy Hip Hop sound to Old Market. Backed up by Chai Walla resident DJs spinning the tunes to get you on your feet, it’s all set to be a groovy evening indeed.
www.oldmarketassembly.co.uk/assemblynights/#events/e69643 

SPONSORED
Friday-May 2: City Nature Challenge, Bristol & Bath
Join the epic, global wildlife count taking place across 400+ cities including Bristol and Bath from 29 April – 2 May! Record as much wildlife in your local area as possible over four days. Every sighting recorded contributes towards local conservation efforts and informs plans for tackling the ecological emergency in the region.
www.bnhc.org.uk/city-nature-challenge/

The 2022 City Nature Challenge will take place across both Bristol and Bath | Photo: Natural History Consortium

Saturday: Hidden: Open Air Day Festival, Propyard
Bristol’s latest large outdoor venue continues its run of day parties as we look ahead to May with a stacked lineup from across the dance spectrum – expect everything from UK Garage to Techno to Drum & Bass in the (hopefully) Bristol sunshine.
www.propyard.co.uk/event/hidden-festival-w-peach-bambounou-dr-banana-more/ 

The lineup for the day festival | Photo: Hidden Festival

Saturday: Fader Mafia Presents: Portablism Bristol, The Old Stillage
Record scratchers and drum machine owners, unite! If you own any sort of portable scratch or beat making equipment, bring it down to the Old Stillage this weekend for a jam session, where there will be a giveaway for “whoever makes the sickest beat on the day”.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-30&event_id=73592 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcmgN0joJX1/

Sunday: Introduction to Sourdough Baking, Batches Bakery
If you missed the first lockdown sourdough baking wave, fear not, as Batches Bakery in Bedminster are hosting an introduction to the craft. You will be taken through the entire sourdough process from start to end via creating three different types of loaves.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-05-01&event_id=73725 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcQMUnIMB9V/

Sunday: Haus of Soul, Klosterhaus
Modern central Bristol Mittel-European restaurant Klosterhaus begins its new weekly series, Haus Of Soul. There will be a live trio performing classic funk and soul music all afternoon.
www.klosterhaus.co.uk/event/the-haus-of-soul/ 

Klosterhaus kicks off it’s new weekly funk/soul series | Photo: Klosterhaus

And coming soon…

SPONSORED
May 3: Make Shift, Watershed
Make Shift is a space for 18-30 year old creatives to come together in the Pervasive Media Studio at Watershed on the first Tuesday evening of each month. This is a free opportunity to meet other like-minded people in the city, use one of our hot desk spaces, seek advice on projects you’re working on or next steps in your career in a welcoming environment.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/11218/make-shift/

Make Shift is the perfect opportunity for young creatives to meet and brainstorm ideas | Photo: Watershed

SPONSORED
May 8: Lost Voice Guy – Cerebral LOLsy, Redgrave Theatre
Following the success of his sell out debut tour in 2019 – during which he performed at over 100 UK venues – Lee Ridley (aka Lost Voice Guy) is heading back out on the road in 2022 (post Lockdown!) to put a smile on the faces of people up and down the country again.
www.redgravetheatre.com/event/2022/05/lost-voice-guy-cerebral-lolsy/900/

Lee Ridley brings his unique and hilarious stand up show to Redgrave Theatre | Photo: Redgrave Theatre

SPONSORED
May 15: Joesef, Trinity Centre
Glaswegian singer-songwriter Joesef has been making waves in the UK music scene since 2019. With notes of Motown, hip hop, and jazz, the soulful musician draws early influence from the likes of Al Green and the dance culture of east end Glasgow.
www.trinitybristol.org.uk/whats-on/2022/joesef

SPONSORED
June 10-18: Festival of Nature, Bristol & Bath
The UK’s largest celebration of the natural world is back! Join an exciting week packed full of in-person, digital and hybrid events across the region, all aimed at helping people take action for nature. This year will see over 50 events including wildlife workshops, film screenings, family nature parties and special guest appearances – you don’t want to miss this!
www.bnhc.org.uk/festival-of-nature/events/

There’s something for everyone at the 2022 Festival of Nature this June | Photo: Natural History Consortium

SPONSORED
May 27: Sister Nancy, Trinity Centre
The original Sister Nancy aka Mumma Nancy is, without a doubt, the first solo female deejay to record hits in the studio and has been a formidable female voice on the Dance Hall scene for over two decades. Sister Nancy will head up Trinity backed by ‘rub a dub’ artist Legal Shot, with support from Dutchie feat Joe Yorke and DJ Dad.
www.trinitybristol.org.uk/whats-on/2022/sister-nancy-legal-shot-sound

SPONSORED
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.
www.bit.ly/bristolsounds2022

The weekend sees some of the UK’s top musical artists take to Lloyds Amphitheatre | Photo: Bristol Sounds

Main photo: Kate Rusby

Read more: Derren Brown gears up for Bristol on his smash hit ‘showman’ tour

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: