Things To Do / Sponsored
27 things to do in Bristol this week, April 29-May 5 2024
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Monday: City Nature Challenge, various locations
City Nature Challenge is an exciting collaborative mission to record as much wildlife as possible from 26 – 29 April, using the free iNaturalist app. Get involved in the Bristol effort as we come together to collect records of biodiversity across our area, alongside 500+ other cities around the globe!
City Nature Challenge – photo: Natural History Consortium
Monday: Escher Music Connection #58, Strange Brew
The recurring monthly meetup for bedroom producers of all stripes has gained something of a cult following since its inception in the box-like Elevator Sound on Stokes Croft. Since then, it’s moved to Strange Brew’s larger (and louder) back room – submit your unreleased tracks, come along and hear them on a weighty system.
Escher Music Connection poster – photo: Elevator Sound/Escher
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Monday-Thursday: Challengers, Watershed
One of the most feverishly anticipated films of the year, Challengers is a punchy, sensationally watchable blend of romance, comedy, tennis and high drama, both on and off court – starring Zendaya as former tennis prodigy-turned-coach.
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Monday: Sophie Hutchings, Bristol Beacon
Close your eyes and take a trip. Listen and you’ll see it. A timeless terrain where clouds dance in water and red dirt roads stretch beyond the horizon. This is soundscape as landscape – welcome to ‘A World Outside’. The ninth studio album from lauded pianist and composer Sophie Hutchings is a work of spacious, hypnotic beauty, a musical travelogue inspired by a road trip through Australia’s mighty Northern Territory, beginning in tropical Darwin and going deep into the arid Red Heart – immerse yourself in Hutchings’ sonic world in Lantern Hall this evening.
Sophie Hutchings – photo: Bristol Beacon
Tuesday: Fantastic Stranger x King Heron, The Gallimaufry
Two trios spearheading the vibrant, boundary pushing jazz scene in the city come together for an evening of originals from their respective repertoires and their own takes on classics from the jazz world.
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Wednesday: Iain Stirling: Relevant, Bristol Old Vic
As the iconic voice of Love Island, star and writer of sitcom Buffering on ITV, and with his own stand-up special, Failing Upwards, on Prime Video, Iain Stirling hits the road once more with a brand-new hour (of jokes) in his biggest tour to date! (It’s called RELEVANT if you’re interested).
Iain Stirling – photo: Bristol Old Vic
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Wednesday: Discounted early bird tickets for ‘Summer Lates’ gigs on sale, SS Great Britain
The after-hours gigs at Bristol’s iconic dockyard return for the third year on 27 June 2024 Locals will know that Brunel’s SS Great Britain is one of Bristol’s best family days out and a treasure trove for history fanatics. But this summer, after the gates are closed to the public, it will also become one of the city’s most exciting gig locations.
Summer Lates series – photo: SSGB
Wednesday: Houseplant care, Fancy Plants
As we enter spring, there’s a chance to brush up on your houseplant caring tips and tricks at the Gloucester Road plant shop. Led by the plant experts that work within the shop, there will be the chance to ask any questions you have regarding your plant woes, along with a spot of late night shopping, with 10% off all purchases in store.
Fancy Plants plant care workshop – photo: Yuup
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Wednesday: Lucinda Chua & Galya Bisengalieva, Bristol Beacon
Kazakh composer, producer & violinist Galya Bisengalieva and South London-based singer and multi-instrumentalist Lucinda Chua return to Bristol to share highlights from their latest releases, with accompaniment from the London Contemporary Orchestra. Lucinda Chua writes intimate and enchanting ambient pop songs primarily using her voice, a cello and an array of effects units, and has toured with Stars of the Lid and FKA twigs. Galya Bisengalieva defies categorisation and has earned a distinctive place in new music thanks to her originality and virtuosity. Don’t miss this spellbinding exploration of contemporary classical music in Lantern Hall.
Lucinda Chua & Galya Bisengalieva – photo: Bristol Beacon
Thursday: Local councillor, PCC election 2024, citywide
As Bristol leaves the mayoral system in the past and moves to a committee based system, this Thursday offers you the chance to exercise your democratic right, and have a say in who takes the city forward for the next four years.
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Thursday: All Killa No Filla, Bristol Old Vic
The smash-hit true crime comedy podcast heads out on its biggest tour yet!
Kiri Pritchard-McLean & Rachel Fairburn, two hilarious and outspoken stand-ups at the top of their game, host a night of serial killer discussion, overdressing, and possible slander. Legends assemble. Limited availability.
All Killa No Filla – photo: Bristol Old Vic
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Friday: The Breath, Bristol Cathedral
‘Quietly, inexorably, The Breath have become one of the most exciting folk acts’ – The Financial Times *****
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
The Breath – photo: Bristol Folk Festival
Friday: St Dunstans presents: Opening Party, St Dunstans House
A brand new venue has opened in Bristol! In Bedminster, just off from Parson St Station, sits St Dunstans House – a church that has been converted into a live music venue/creative space. Having been used as a recording/rehearsal studio for the past couple of years, and the space being owned by one of the most former members of Bristol’s sound system scene, you can guarantee it’s going to be sounding lush for its opening party this weekend.
House of Dunce opening party – photo: St Dunstans House
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Friday-May 13: Love Lies Bleeding, Watershed
Director Rose Glass follows up her debut film Saint Maud with an electric 1980s-set crime thriller filled with blood, sex and brawn. Plus, join us for opening night on Fri 3 May for the Love Lies Bleeding x Bristol Butch Bar party – an evening of music, film and Butch brilliance – all welcome.
Saturday: Eminent Open Air: Job Jobse, Young Marco & more, Lakota Gardens
You know it’s summer when Lakota opens their gardens for an absolutely stacked day party. Hand wafting house, prog, trance and more from Bristol stalwarts and large bookings from those further afield, including Canada’s D. Tiffany & Australia’s Roza Terenzi bringing space-like 4 to the floor frequencies.
Eminent open air – photo: Lakota
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May 5: Sheelanagig + Filkin’s Ensemble, St. George’s
Raise the roof this Bank Holiday with foot-stomping folk & joint-jumping tunes. South West quintet Sheelanagig headline a special concert with support from stunningly beautiful 14-piece Filkin’s Ensemble. Think Penguin Café meets Bellowhead, not to be missed.
Sheelanagig – photo: Bristol Folk Festival
Sunday: Noods Radio: Avon Moot, Mickey Zoggs
In celebration of May Day, the Pagan festival that marks the midway point between the winter and summer solstices, Bristol radio and fans of all things weird Noods Radio host a day of avant-garde broadcasts directly from their friendly pub/broadcast studio just off Portland Square, including shows from Katy J Pearson, Chez De Milo and more.
Avon Moot – photo: Noods Radio
And coming soon…
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May 10: Vivaldi Four Seasons wine tasting, 1904 Arts Club
Imagine a cosy and intimate setting, where you can enjoy a glass of wine and listen to the beautiful sounds of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. 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.
is needed now More than ever
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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May 17-26: Mayfest 2024, various locations
Bristol’s international festival of contemporary theatre and live performance, curated and produced by MAYK, is back with a programme spanning nine days, dozens of performances, events, and parties in some of Bristol’s best-loved venues as well as unexpected sites and locations throughout the city. All tickets are pay what you can.
Mayfest 2024 – photo: Mayfest
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May 18-June 2: SABOTAGE by NoFit State Circus, NoFit State Big Top, St Pauls
SABOTAGE is another full-on, boisterous, and audaciously fierce performance with the NoFit State signature style. This energising, uplifting and socially relevant contemporary circus production directed by Firenza Guidi will be back in Bristol this May.
Sabotage – photo: No Fit State Circus
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May 26: Six Chick Flicks, Redgrave Theatre
Fresh from a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, this smash hit comedy parodies your favourite chick flicks in one hysterical, fast-paced show. From the deck of the Titanic to the glittery pink halls of Harvard Law, watch as New York City comedians Kerry Ipema and KK Apple transform the stage with songs, dance breaks and pop culture hilarity. If you love chick flicks, you’ll love this show. If you hate chick flicks… you’ll love this show!
Six Chick Flicks – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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June 1-9: Festival of Nature, various locations
Festival of Nature is the UK’s largest celebration of the natural world, taking place 1 – 9 June across Bristol and Bath. Running for over 20 years, Festival of Nature offers people the chance to connect with local wildlife, learn about the natural world, and take positive action for nature.
Festival of Nature – photo: Natural History Consortium
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June 5: Kevin Quantum – Momentum, Redgrave Theatre
Explore the exotic space where science and magic meet with the magician-scientist-adventurer, trained by US magic legends Penn & Teller. With over a decade of Edinburgh Fringe sell-outs, performances around Europe and tours of Australia, Kevin embarks on his first ever UK tour with an entrancing collection of unique magic inventions, stunning sleight-of-hand and beautiful (yet deadly) stunts in a show – inspired by science but targeted at humans.
Kevin Quantum: Momentum – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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June 8: Music for a Blue Planet, Trinity Henleaze URC
In collaboration with the Festival of Nature, the Bristol Ensemble will take us on a breathtaking musical exploration of our beautiful planet with music from the BBC series Blue Planet by George Fenton together with Schubert’s enduringly popular Trout Quintet. Written by the young composer at just 22 years of age, this Quintet has a freshness and serenity that has engaged players and audiences for nearly 200 years. This will be the last concert of our season, do come and join us.
Music for a blue planet – photo: Henleaze Concert Society
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June 8 & 9: App-Fest Somerset, The Blue Bowl Inn
Set in the beautiful British countryside, App-Fest Somerset returns with headliner Starsailor, an incredible lineup of acts, and some of the finest tribute artists on the scene today. With a great selection of food and drink, family activities and much more to come, there really is something for everyone!
App-Fest Somerset – photo: App-Fest
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
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