27 things to do in Bristol this week, March 13-19 2023

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Monday-Thursday: Meet Me in the Bathroom, Watershed
An immersive journey through the explosive New York music scene of the early 00s featuring never-before-seen footage of artists from Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes, Interpol and LCD Soundsystem.

Monday: Monday morning walk & talk: St Werburgh’s & Boiling Wells, Mina Road Park
Start your week with a walk (and an opportunity to meet new people) around St Werburgh’s and the surrounding Boiling Wells community woodland. Enjoy the Gaudi-style houses, before settling down at the city farm cafe for a coffee to round things off.

Ashley Vale Allotments stretch from St Werburgh’s to Ashley Down – photo: Martin Booth

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Monday-Saturday: BOVTS Presents: This House, Tobacco Factory Theatres
UK politics is in crisis and the country is in economic peril. Fights break out in the Houses of Parliament and the government whips can barely contain the chaos. Sound familiar? Well this time, it’s 1974 and in this not so distant past, Westminster is at war with itself again.

A hung parliament and the tiniest of margins mean that those in power will do everything to just keep going. Even if that means wheeling in someone on their last legs or direct from the maternity ward.  In a time where every vote counts, James Graham’s explosive and biting political comedy-thriller This House- which premiered at the National Theatre in 2021 – introduced us to the farcical and fanatical world of 1970s Westminster. Just how far will these parties go for political survival?

This House, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – photo: BOVTS

Tuesday: The Book of Bristol launch event, Central Library
The Book of Bristol is the latest in a series of city themed short story anthologies from Comma Press, highlighting incredible local authors. They’re hosting their launch party at Central Library, celebrating the release with readings from some of the book’s contributors.

The Book of Bristol – photo: Comma Press

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Now-May 1: Photo Open Exhibition, RWA
The RWA Photo Open celebrates contemporary photographic practice in all its forms. More than 150 works were selected from hundreds of submissions. The exhibition showcases the sheer quality and range of photographic work being produced by photographers and artists across the UK and abroad today. Your ticket for the Photo Open also gets you entry to Jem Southam’s A Bend in the River, a beautifully observed series of photographs documenting the changes in the environment.

RWA Photo Open Exhibition – photo: RWA

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Tuesday-Friday: The Wedding Singer, Redgrave Theatre
The hugely talented Ivy Arts Youth presents the smash-hit-all-singing, all-dancing romantic comedy The Wedding Singer! The show, based on the Adam Sandler movie, takes us back to a time where hair was big, greed was good and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room!

The wedding singer at Redgrave Theatre – photo: Redgrave Theatre

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Wednesdays: Life Drawing in the Gallery, RWA
Practice drawing from a nude life model in this informal evening session taking place in our newly renovated gallery space. This untutored session is led by artist Laurence Kell and includes basic materials to capture the human form. Wednesdays 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Life drawing at the RWA – photo: RWA

Wednesday: Wine & cheese on the terrace, The Bristol Cheesemonger
Wapping Wharf’s cheesemonger hosts an afternoon of tasting some of their finest local cheeses, expertly paired with equally fantastic local wines provided by a company they work closely with. And when you top it all off with freshly made preserves from Bishopston Preserves, you know you’re onto a winner.

“A shipping container full of cheese – what more could you want?” says Ingrid Bates of Dunleavy Vineyards about the Bristol Cheesemonger – photo: Bristol Cheesemonger

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Thursday: Folk at the New Room: Laurel Swift & Friends, John Wesley’s New Room
A night of uplifting, inspirational and creative folk music, some very new 3/2 hornpipes, lush harmony and even a spot of clog dancing!

Thursday: In the Heat of the Night, Avery’s Wine Merchants
The starkly bold anti-racist neo-noir 1967 murder mystery was truly one of its kind at release – winning Oscars and defining the careers of many of its contributors. The screening is hosted within the historic shop, and not only will it be prefaced by a wine tasting lesson, but you’ll be given a Two Belly deli box to enjoy during the movie.

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Thursday: Everything, Everywhere All At Once, Watershed
With the 95th Academy Awards® a mere red carpet’s glide away, we’re giving you another chance to catch up on some of this year’s nominees. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (collectively known as the Daniels), this emotional, mind-bending stunner is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can’t seem to finish her taxes.

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Thursday: Bristol Beacon presents: Florist, Strange Brew
Florist’s music occupies a gently transcendent space and conveys a quiet majesty. Via intricate ambient folk and lo-fi bedroom-pop the band, helmed by Emily Sprague, captures the enchantment of nature and a wistful joy in existence. In titling their latest album Florist, the four-piece solidifies the collaboration at the core of this project – highlighting the foundations of friendship these musicians are united by. This is also tangible in the music itself, with a striking sonic synergy weaving together glistening melodies, lilting percussion and soft, poetic vocals.

Friday: Ladyfriends x Misscoteque + afterparty, Loco Klub
An entire evening of top quality entertainment for the femme/trans/NB community, where one of the cities top dance collectives in the scene team up with Ladyfriends, the travelling queer theatre production. The evening kicks off at 7.30pm with Ladyfriends, a period drama that is at once comedic and heartfelt, before transitioning into an afterparty brought to you by the intoxicating sounds of the Misscoteque collective, reinvigorating the vibes from the 80s lesbian disco scene.

Ladyfriends x Misscoteque poster – photo: Misscoteque

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Friday: St Patrick’s Day Shenanigans, Spirited
Head to Spirited on North Street to celebrate Paddy’s Day in style this year, where you’ll find a cosy relaxed atmosphere, a huge selection of Irish whiskey, and spend an evening steeped in the soothing sounds of traditional Irish folk.

St Patrick’s Day celebrations at Spirited – photo: Spirited

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Saturday: Keith James – The songs of Leonard Cohen, Redgrave Theatre
With a lifetime reputation of performing in this exact way and an undying love of the ‘pure song’ Keith James gives you a concert of Cohen’s amazing material in the most intimate and sensitive way imaginable, exposing the solitary inner strength of his greatest songs in their original perfect form.

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Saturday: Artisan soap making workshop with a sparkling afternoon tea, John Wesley’s New Room
You’ll make your very own hand-crafted soap, using traditional methods and natural ingredients whilst you enjoy delicious food and a bottle of fizz for two!

Soap making and sparkling afternoon tea – photo: John Wesley’s New Room

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Saturday & Sunday: Six Nations Rugby, The Full Moon & Attic Bar
Catch the last weekend of Six Nations fixtures. The Full Moon & Attic Bar will be turned into #stokescroftsbiggestfanzone once again, featuring:

• Free entry admission
• 7 active TVs
• Guinness on tap
• Cans of lager & cider for £4
• 2 pint glasses
• Pizza & Asian street food
• All the best anthems before and after the game

Six Nations at The Full Moon – photo: The Full Moon

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Saturday: Bristol Beacon Presents: Say She She, Lost Horizon
Female-led discodelic soul band Say She She – named as a silent nod to Nile Rodgers (C’est chi-chi!: It’s Chic!”) are known for their dreamy harmonies, catchy hooks and up-tempo grooves. A sound rooted in late 70’s girl groups with the three strong female lead voices of Piya Malik (El Michels Affair staple feature, and former backing singer for Chicano Batman), Sabrina Mileo Cunningham and Nya Gazelle Brown (former 79.5) at the epicentre of a roaring 7 piece band. The band have a strong political voice with recent tracks highlighting New York City’s Guerilla Girls fighting racial and gender discrimination in the art world and protecting women’s rights and preserving the right to choose in light of the decision to overturn Roe Vs Wade, and the album ‘Prism’ was released to much critical acclaim in late 2022.

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Saturday: The Comedy Box promotes: Stand Up For the Weekend with Steven Bailey & guests, Hen & Chicken 
Meet your new potty-mouthed best friend, who supported Katherine Ryan and Jenny Éclair on their recent sell-out UK tours. Stephen Bailey’s friendly, open brand of gossipy humour has made him one of the most enjoyable acts on the UK comedy circuit today.

“Bailey is an absolute crowdpleaser, getting the room howling with laughter” Chortle

Saturday: Tessa Coates, Alma Tavern & Theatre
Off the back of their sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run, podcaster and comedian Tessa Coates takes her third (and personal favourite) show around the UK, landing in Bristol this Saturday.

Sunday: Make a handbuilt jug/vase, Wiper & True
Head down to the local independent brewery’s fancy new taproom to make your own handbuilt jug or vase. No previous slab building pottery experience is required, and you’ll be walked through it by experienced ceramicists Naomi Stokes and Meredith Mason. If this isn’t enough, your ticket includes a freshly poured pint of Wiper & True’s finest.

Wiper & True Old Market Taproom – photo: Wiper & True

And coming soon…

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March 20: The Comedy Box promotes: Circuit Breakers with Jeremy Flynn & guests, Hen & Chicken
Circuit Breakers is a monthly night which showcases the best up-and-coming talent on the UK comedy circuit. Each month the hosting comedian books a line-up of acts of their choosing.

This month’s curator and host is rising Bristol comedian Jeremy Flynn who will be introducing multi-award-winning Welsh comedian Matt Rees, who has generated a huge buzz on the circuit over the past few years with his unique brand of well-crafted gags and acerbic delivery.

“A properly original comedy mind” The Guardian

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March 24: Heartwood Chorus: A Folk Choir, The Mount Without
Heartwood Chorus is a folk choir. We’ve been asking ourselves what that means, exactly. What is a folk choir anyway? This concert is our attempt to answer that, or at least to share with you the best answers we’ve found so far.

The Mount Without is a special venue. If you’ve not yet been, we encourage you to pay a visit. After the show come and join us down in the rich reverberance of the crypt bar for a drink and some informal singing.

Heartwood Chorus at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

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March 31: Two Belly & Ubuntu Food, The Mount Without
Two  Belly and Ubuntu Food invite you to The Mount Without for a collaborative evening of wine & cheese with live fire cooking. Ubuntu Food is a Bristol based fire cooking collective curating unique experiences centred around food and fire. “Eating with us is a celebration of our relationship with nature and our community. We work with intention, creating space for people to come together and exchange on our table”.

Bringing you a seasonal immersive experience, Ubuntu will be spinning their magic cooking over fire and creating delicious tapas style dishes as we talk you through tasty wine & cheese pairings.

Two Belly x Ubuntu Food at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without

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April 5: Bristol Ensemble presents: Bach by Candlelight, St George’s 
The Well-Tempered Clavier is widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of classical music and second part of the concert features two of Bach’s most famous keyboard concertos along with his famous Air on a G. For this concert St George’s will be transformed into a candlelit auditorium taking us back to St Jakob’s Church in Köthen, Germany, where JS Bach worked and composed many of his compositions.

Bach by candlelight, St George’s – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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May 17: Tubular Bells – 50th Anniversary Performance, 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 new chamber orchestral arrangement of the album, fleshing out the now iconic melodies with a bank of strings, wind, brass and percussion.

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May 18-July 1: The Lion King, Bristol Hippodrome
Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s multi award-winning musical is a unique theatrical experience that you will remember forever. The Lion King, returns to The Bristol Hippodrome for a strictly limited six week run from Thu 18 May – Sat 1 July.

The Lion King at Bristol Hippodrome – photo: The Ambassadors Theatre Group

Main Photo: Alice Howells

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• West of England Irish Culturefest presents 35 events leading up to St Patrick’s Day

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