27 things to do in Bristol this week, March 18-24 2024

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Monday-Thursday: Banel & Adama, Watershed
Banel and Adama are fiercely in love. The young couple live in a remote village in northern Senegal and, for them, nothing else in the world exists. However, their perfect everlasting love is on a collision course with their family’s traditions – as well as an oncoming drought that strikes their community.

Monday: The Eagle with the Sunlit Eye, Bristol Aquarium Auditorium
After winning Best Environment Film at the Banff Mountain Film Festival and the People’s Choice Award at Kendal Mountain Film Festival, The Eagle with the Sunlit Eye is a documentary following the dramatic attempt at reintroduction of white tailed eagles to British Wildlands following them being driven to extinction by humans.

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Monday-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.

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Now-March 30: Starter for Ten, Bristol Old Vic
It’s “superlatives all round” (★★★★★ StageTalk Magazine) for this “showstopper musical” (★★★★ WhatsOnStage) that’s “surely bound for the West End” (★★★★ The Telegraph). All performances are now Limited Availability, so book today to avoid missing out.

Starter for Ten – photo: Bristol Old Vic

Tuesday: TREAD Masterclass: EJ Akin & Grove (Hosted by Ngaio), The Cube
Continuing their series of expertly curated music production masterclasses, Noods Levels brings the ineffable Grove and their audio-visual creator EJ Akin to the Dove St independent microcinema for a chat about their musical journey, and their process when creating their work.

EJ Akin & Grove masterclass – photo: Noods Levels

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Wednesday: Nat Oaks, Bristol Beacon
Nat Oaks is bringing new life to the British hip-hop and underground scene. For fans of Loyle Carner, Little Simz and Arlo Parks, the Bristol-based artist delivers a refreshing blend of smooth vocals and conscious lyricism. The past two years alone have seen her perform at Boomtown, Love Saves The Day, Wireless and Reading, showcasing her infectious live show. Grabbing the attention of Warner Chappell Music, she has written alongside SAKIMA, whose credits include Troye Sivan, and has supported Jelani Blackman, Pip Millett and Manga St Hilare among others. Join us as we celebrate the launch of Nat’s new EP.

Nat Oaks – photo: Bristol Beacon

Wednesday: First Draught Open Mic, Wiper & True Barrel Store
Taking place on the third Wednesday of each month at the cosy St. Werburgh’s barrel store, the First Draught open mic welcomes all artists of all shapes, sizes and stripes to come and present their vision to the audience – be it music, song or spoken words.

Wiper and True Barrel Store – photo: Wiper and True

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Wednesday & Thursday: Self-Raising, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Award-winning Artistic Director, Jenny Sealey, has spent a lifetime championing stories by Deaf and disabled artists. Now she takes to the stage to tell her own. Unravelling the past and facing the future, Self-Raising is a blisteringly honest, laugh-out-loud one-woman show about growing up deaf in a family with secrets.

Self-Raising – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

Thursday: 1-800 GIRLS Live, The Love Inn
Whether you’re into melodic, groove drenched house or rolling, abrasive breakbeats, chances are you’ve got at least one 1-800-GIRLS track in amongst your playlists. He is currently embarking on his live tour, and you can expect an amalgamation of new, unheard bits mixed with some live experimentations.

1-800 GIRLS live tour – photo: 1-800 GIRLS

Friday-Sunday: Bristol Jazz Festival 2024, Tobacco Factory Theatres
The renowned annual jazz festival returns to Bristol for its 11th year. This time, they’ve relocated to Tobacco Factory Theatres – and, of course, you can expect the perfect combination of local favourites mixed in with national headliners, programmed and billed in exciting, innovative ways.

Bristol Jazz Festival at the Bristol Beacon – photo: Bristol Beacon

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Saturday: Ritual Union festival, multiple venues
With a variety of top-notch live acts, on Saturday 23rd March music fans will be able discover the next wave of upcoming talent, alongside performances from some old favourites and international guests, across multiple venues in one of the UK’s most vital musical cities.

Ritual Union lineup poster – photo: Crosstown Concerts

Saturday: USB presents: Syntax, The Crown
The Crown’s in-house promotions outfit invite one of Manchester’s finest down to their murky, sweaty bassment for a seriously high energy knees up. Part of the infamous Super Sonic Booty Bangers crew, Syntax delivers speedy bass wobbles paired with tight, sharp breakbeats as expertly as anyone.

USB presents Syntax – photo: USB Bristol

Saturday: Spring Gala, Circomedia
As the premier circus school turns 30, so too it announces its first annual Spring Gala. In typical Circomedia fashion, expect high-flying stunts and acrobatics throughout the evening, paired with delicious food, drinks and an auction with some truly unique prizes on offer (fancy being Editor of Bristol24/7 for a day?)

Circomedia Spring Gala – photo: Circomedia

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Saturday: London Afrobeat Collective, Bristol Beacon
Taking inspiration from afrobeat father Fela Kuti as well as artists including Ebo Taylor, Parliament, Funkadelic and Havana d’Primera, London Afrobeat Collective’s music and multi-lingual performances in English, Spanish, Lingala, and French have won them admirers across the UK and Europe. This eight-strong multi-cultural collective from England, Italy, France, Congo, Argentina, and New Zealand, combine traditional afrobeat and hi-life with funk, jazz, Latin, and dub to deliver party music born of their truly global DNA. A regular on the touring circuit and celebrated for their raucous energy, the band has rocked major stages around the world from Glastonbury Festival to the Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria – join us for what’s set to be an electrifying performance evening in Lantern Hall.

London Afrobeat Collective – photo: Bristol Beacon

Sunday: Bristol Rovers Women vs Liskeard Athletic, Memorial Stadium
The newly promoted Gas Girls take to the pitch at the Mem for only the second time in 20 years.

 

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Sunday: Cute Cartel DIY merch workshop fundraiser, 395
The collective known for being dipped head to toe in colourful, larger than life hand knitted woollen balaclavas, vests and more continue their string of popular workshops at the open to all St Jude’s creative space. Learn everything from sewing to screen printing – and make sure to bring an item of clothing to practise your new skills on.

Cute Cartel’s series of workshops at 395 – photo: Cute Cartel

And coming soon…

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March 27: Goreckis Symphony no. 3 by candlelight, St. George’s
In the candlelight setting of St George’s and with beautiful visuals you will be immersed and transported by the glorious strings of the Bristol Ensemble with Paul Israel dazzling at the piano.

Goreckis symphony by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble

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March 29: 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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March 29: Hans Rey – Mishaps and 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

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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 3-6: No More Mr Nice Guy, Bristol Old Vic
From the company behind the Olivier Award-nominated For Black Boys (★★★★★ The Guardian), Nouveau Riche presents this funny and thought-provoking gig-theatre show told through a captivating blend of movement, rap and RnB. An experience not to be missed.

No More Mr Nice Guy – photo: Bristol Old Vic

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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 23-27: Community Service, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Inspired by the life of community hero Trevor Prince, Community Service is an emotional and uplifting theatre show, full of live music and wit. It is set against a backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain, the Handsworth Riots, miner’s strikes and casual racism.

Community service – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

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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 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 meets 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: Circomedia

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