Things To Do / Sponsored
28 things to do in Bristol this week, September 4-10 2023
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Monday-Friday: Streets of Beezer exhibition, The Mount Without
showcasing new print mediums of unseen work alongside iconic classics.
The Streets of Beezer – photo: The Mount Without
Monday: Outdoor Cinema: Jurassic Park, Harbour Hub
Enjoy everyone’s favourite dinosaur flick amongst the cosy embrace of Harbour Hub. With views of the SS Great Britain across the river, grab yourself a drink, get comfortable and enjoy the (somewhat) warm evenings whilst they’re still here.
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Monday-Thursday: Passages, Watershed
Celebrated filmmaker Ira Sachs (Love is Strange) makes a breathtaking return with Passages, a fresh, honest and brutally funny take on messy, modern relationships, starring Franz Rogowski (Great Freedom), Ben Whishaw (Women Talking) and Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is the Warmest Colour).
Passages – photo: Watershed
Tuesday: Highlights tour of Bristol Cathedral, Bristol Cathedral
Take a tour of Bristol’s largest place of worship, guided by one of the venue’s dedicated tour guides. One of the city’s most culture and heritage rich buildings, explore over 900 years of architecture, history and stories throughout the hour long tour.
Bristol Cathedral – photo: Rachel Sutherland
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Wednesday: The Comedy Box promotes: Jordan Gray: Is it a bird?, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Fresh off a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, a historic performance at The London Palladium and a game-changing set on Channel 4’s Friday Night Live, the UK’s premier transgender comedian returns to take on babies, boobies, bigots and Batman in this blistering music and comedy show.
After 10 years in the music biz (and a memorable run on The Voice), Jordan Gray has suddenly become one of the UK’s most exciting and celebrated rising comics, recently winning the Channel 4 Comedy Breakthrough Star Award. Jordan has been featured on the BBC, ITV, Sky and Comedy Central, and recently had ITV commission a pilot alongside Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.
“This hilarious, bold show will change lives” The Independent
“A gorgeous, accomplished and deeply funny hour.” The Guardian
“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the sound of a star taking flight.” Daily Telegraph
Jordan Gray: Is it a bird – photo: The Comedy Box
Wednesday: Make your own coloured clay mug, Artist Residence
The hotel/restaurant/library just off Portland Square hosts a clay mug making workshop, using the ‘slab’ method, by inlaying different layers of coloured clay to create your own unique patterns.
Clay mug workshop – photo: Artist Residence
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Wednesday: Blissful sound bath & guided meditation journey, The Mount Without
Come and join Annette and Rounik for a deeply relaxing and reflective Sound Bath in the breath-taking, mystical Bristol venue, The Mount Without.
Sound healing is a wonderfully restorative and relaxing experience, nourishing us on so many levels. It can also be the catalyst for timely change , shifts and further awakening.
Sound Bath at The Mount Without – photo: The Mount Without
Thursday: Bristol Bears vs Barbarians, Ashton Gate Stadium
The world’s most famous rugby club take on Bristol Bears in BS3 in an exhibition match as a curtain raiser to the new Premiership season.
Bristol Bears captain Steven Luatua representing the Baa-Baas – photo: Barbarians
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Thursday: A Trio of Tennessee Williams, Redgrave Theatre
Fox and Hound Theatres’ intriguing and enthralling revival of three of Tennessee William’s lesser-known works. Including the English Premier of Ivan’s Widow.
A trio of Tennessee Williams – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Thursday: Cables & Cameras: Regional voices, The Cube
As part of the popular film festival, there will be a series of screenings of films from black and brown filmmakers from the South West, followed by a panel discussion about the portrayal and perception of these different groups in film.
Cables and cameras regional voices – photo: Cables and Cameras
Friday: Gaol Ferry Bridge reopening party, Gaol Ferry Bridge
Featuring live music from the Ambling Band, and food and drink from all of your favourite Wapping Wharf traders.
Gaol Ferry Bridge is finally reopening! – photo: Bristol Design
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Friday-September 14: Past Lives, Watershed
Celebrated filmmaker Ira Sachs (Love is Strange) makes a breathtaking return with Passages, a fresh, honest and brutally funny take on messy, modern relationships, starring Franz Rogowski (Great Freedom), Ben Whishaw (Women Talking) and Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is the Warmest Colour).
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Friday: Paul Young – Behind the Lens, Redgrave Theatre
Paul Young will take fans behind the lens in a unique show that will coincide with the publication of his autobiography. He will visit the Redgrave Theatre where he’ll meet fans, sing hits and tell stories about his incredible career. It’s time to revel in the classic hits and learn the stories behind them as Paul steps out from Behind The Lens.
Paul Young Behind The Lens – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Friday-Sunday: Bristol Wing Fest, Lloyds Amphitheatre
With over 100,000 chicken wings aiming to be served over the weekend, Lloyds transforms into a celebration of the humble chicken wing, through the medium of tastings, music, and of course plenty of wing-related games.
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Saturday: Bristol Coffee Festival, Bristol Beacon foyer
A celebration of the South West’s specialty coffee community featuring more than 40 exhibitors, coffee talks, competitions and more.
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Saturday: Volcom Garden w/ Fat Tony and Zed Bias, Lost Horizon
Volcom Entertainment will be bringing its globally renowned one-day mini-festival concept, the ‘Volcom Garden Experience’, to Bristol. The festival is a physical embodiment of Volcom’s “True To This” mantra by providing a creative hub for the local scene with an emphasis on both regional and global creators, makers, musicians, artists and anyone who needs an outlet to express their passion.
Volcom Garden Experience at Lost Horizon – photo: Volcom
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Saturday-January 14 2024: 170 Annual Open Exhibition, RWA
Our long anticipated 170 Annual Open Exhibition begins on Saturday 9 September. This dynamic and varied exhibition showcases work in all mediums from some of today’s most exciting artists, amateur and professional alike. The Annual Open reflects the ongoing commitment of the RWA to champion world-class art in the region and create opportunities for new and emerging talent. All work will be for sale, making this a fantastic opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names.
RWA 170 annual open – photo: RWA
Saturday: Shall Not Fade Festival, Propyard
With a lineup that defines the strong state of Bristol bass music, the long-running Bristolian label returns to Propyard for the second iteration of its incredibly popular day festival/party. Whether you’re into your groovy house or your shellout jungle, there’s something on this lineup for you.
Shall Not Fade Festival 2023 lineup – photo: Shall Not Fade
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Saturday-October 29: 2023 Academician Candidates Exhibition, RWA
Discover the 2023 RWA Academician Candidates. Each year, running alongside the Annual Open Exhibition, the RWA presents a diverse and exciting showcase of work from the year’s shortlisted Academician candidates. Featuring work by Pennie Elfick, Jessa Fairbrother, Jemma Gunning, Dave King, Debbie Lee, Ben Rowe, Sadie Tierney, Clare Thatcher, Tom Waugh, and Sue Williams, the 2023 RWA Academician Candidates Exhibition presents an inspiring range of painting, printmaking, sculpture and much more. Discover the work of these up-and-coming artists for yourself!
RWA exterior – photo: RWA
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Saturday: Stand Up For The Weekend with Sara Barron and guests, Hen & Chicken
Sara Barron is a relentlessly honest and desperately funny comic, relating brutal and sometimes filthy truths in a warm and welcoming way.
She is an American writer turned stand up living in London. While Stateside, she wrote for Vanity Fair, published two essay collections, and earned the role of host for the hit U.S. storytelling show, The Moth. This, in turn, gave her the bug for live performance. It also introduced her to her (British) husband, which prompted an eventual move to the UK. Her work has featured most recently on The Guilty Feminist, BBC R4Xtra, and Dave Gorman’s “Modern Life is Goodish”.
“Gleefully profane comic” The Guardian
“Barron proves herself an entertaining, no-nonsense presence” Chortle
Sara Barron at the Hen & Chicken – photo: The Comedy Box
Sunday: Trinity Garden Party: Voyages, Trinity Centre
The annual Trinity Centre day party returns, boasting a day of free entry music of all groovy varieties, food, and even arts/crafts and workshops for the family to get involved.
Trinity Garden Party 2023 – photo: Trinity Centre
And coming soon…
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September 13-30: Kathy & Stella solve a murder!, Bristol Old Vic
“This is impossible! We’ve got no motives. No suspects. We don’t know anything! Who knew solving a murder would be so hard?”
BFFs Kathy and Stella host Hull’s least successful true-crime podcast. When their favourite author is killed, they are thrust into a thrilling whodunnit of their own! Can they crack the case (and become global podcast superstars) before the killer strikes again…?
A hilarious murder mystery musical from the Olivier Award-winning team behind Fleabag. Tickets in high demand.
Kathy and Stella solve a murder – photo: Bristol Old Vic
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September 15: In:Motion opening party, Document
Motion’s flagship event series, In:Motion, returns this autumn after a 3 year hiatus. On Friday 15th September, the 2023 season kicks off with a Launch Party at the new 3000 capacity central Bristol warehouse venue, DOCUMENT. Bristol’s very own Clipz brings his new event concept Shoulder II Shoulder to DOCUMENT with a stacked line up featuring Special Request, P-Rallel, Om-Unit and more.
The party will be the opening of Motion’s new venue Document – photo: Chris Cooper
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September 16: Trick Bristol, Document
Patrick Topping brings TRICK back to Bristol for their only South-West show of 2023! After selling out Motion in record time last November, this year’s TRICK show will be part of the opening weekend of events at our new 3000 capacity warehouse venue, DOCUMENT. Topping will be joined by TRICK favourites, Hannah Laing, Morgan Seatree and Hykken.
The event takes place on the opening weekend of Motion’s new Document venue – photo: Alastair Brookes
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September 19: Erland Cooper, Redgrave Theatre
Hailed as ‘nature’s songwriter’ for his work celebrating themes of the natural world, place, people and time – radical Scottish composer Erland Cooper pushes his connection to the environment even further into unchartered new realms with his latest album, ‘Folded Landscapes’. Cooper, who has always been comfortable merging music with evocative storytelling and conceptual art, now sets his sights on working through a lens of urgent observations surrounding climate change as the focal point for his latest album. Notably, his belief in finding solutions to complex problems between despair and the spirit of hope. Using drastic temperature changes – from sub-zero to hottest on record – he developed this piece for chamber string ensemble, piano, voice, harpsichord, electronics & field recordings.
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September 23: Classics By Candlelight, The Red Lodge
Be bathed in the warming glow of a candlelight concert! Step into the hidden gem of the 1904 Arts Club, Clifton, and experience a beautiful evening of classical music surrounded by stunning candlelight in one of the most unique, quirky spaces in Bristol.
The 1904 arts club is a unique ‘tithe barn’ styled performance hall hidden away behind the Red Lodge Museum just off Park Street. This space is full of quirky artefacts and is the perfect backdrop for a relaxing evening of stunning music to candlelight.
Arranged for string quartet, flute and piano, the programme includes compositions from Mozart, Bach, Handel, Gambarini & Haydn. Be delighted by new arrangements of well-known pieces in a huge range of musical styles! Baroque and classical era works have been honed in arrangements that give familiar music a new lease of life.
Enjoy a glass or two of your favourite drink accompanied by a light snack from the bar before the concert and during the interval.
Classics by candlelight – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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September 29: Alexander O’Neal (full live band) + Support from Laid Blak (full live band), Central Warehouse
After nearly five decades in the business it is with great excitement that legendary singer Alexander O’Neal heads out on his Time to Say Goodbye: Farewell World Tour.The beloved soul star is hitting the road one final time with this show being his final Bristol appearance, with a full live band.
Alexander O’Neal at Central Warehouse – photo: Central Warehouse
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October 1: LYR, Redgrave Theatre
LYR – the musical collaboration between poet laureate Simon Armitage and artist/producers Richard Walters and Patrick Pearson – present their powerful second album ‘The Ultraviolet Age’. More accessible, more poignant, more widescreen than their debut, the album is pitched somewhere between the enigmatic brood of late period Talk Talk, the lo-fi expanse of Low and their British sprechgesang contemporaries including Dry Cleaning, Yard Act and Black Country, New Road. It is an album of deft character sketches, dictatorships, the climate crisis and its centrepiece a gorgeous and moving reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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October 7: Henleaze Concert Society: Glories of the Baroque, Trinity Henleaze URC
For this first concert of our season, come and join the Bristol Ensemble for a programme of Baroque favourites:
- Handel- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
- Vivaldi- Trio Sonata in D minor ‘La Follia’
- Bach- Brandenburg Concerto No.1 in F major, BWV 1046
- Handel- Water Music
Glories of the baroque – photo: Henleaze Concert Society
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October 18: Children of Zeus + Support from Eva Lazarus, King Original and Hold Tight Records, Central Warehouse
Manchester’s kings of neo-soul Children of Zeus return to Bristol for a headline midweek concert, alongside Bristol’s stage queen Eva Lazarus, East London’s King Original (Footsie, Sir Spyro & Jah Model), Hold Tight Records and upcoming afrobeats selectress Leiko, in Bristol’s newly licensed ‘Central Warehouse’ event space.
Children of Zeus – photo: Central Warehouse
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November 25: Henleaze Concert Society: Romantic Nights, Trinity Henleaze URC
For this second concert of our season, come and enjoy two of Rachmaninov’s cherished works performed by the Bristol Ensemble and soloist Paul Israel:
- Rachmaninov- Piano Concerto No.2 (arr. Iain Farrington)
- Rachmaninov- Symphonic Dances (arr. Iain Farrington)
Romantic nights – photo: Henleaze Concert Society
Main photo: Shall Not Fade
Read next:
- 52 things to do in Bristol in September 2023
- A five night run for critically acclaimed play ‘Bacon’ at Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio
- Review: Tommy Prine, The Louisiana: ‘Heartbreaking, Hopeful, Gorgeous’
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