Things To Do / Sponsored
28 things to do in Bristol this week, November 11-17 2024
Monday: Cold War Steve, Strange Brew
To celebrate the publication of the Cold War Steve Annual 2025, Strange Brew will host a special event featuring Max Porter and Salena Godden among others.
The launch party will include several special guests including Cold War Steve himself – photo: Cold War Steve
Monday: Professor Turi King, St George’s
The geneticist Professor Turi King and co-presenter of BBC series DNA Family Secrets, discusses the identification of King Richard III and how DNA has ‘revolutionised genealogy and forensics’.
The BBC geneticist is paying a visit to St George’s – photo: Turi King
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Monday: Tashi Wada with Julia Holter, Bristol Beacon
Los Angeles-based musician Tashi Wada works within a heady, intergenerational slipstream bridging storied East and West Coast art music institutions, and the DIY experimental scenes that emerged in the 2000s and 2010s. Between recording and performing with his partner, Julia Holter, and running his record label Saltern, Wada has carved a unique path as a forward-thinking composer alongside a tight network of collaborators, drawing on diverse influences and exchanges.
Tashi Wada – photo: Bristol Beacon
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Monday-Thursday: Blitz, Watershed
In the face of nightly air raids, East End mum Rita (yet another impressive turn by Saoirse Ronan) grows increasingly worried about her son George’s safety.
Blitz – photo: Watershed
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Monday-Friday: Bird, Watershed
A 12-year-old girl’s fractured home life is transformed when she encounters a mysterious stranger seeking out his own family in Andrea Arnold’s striking tale.
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Monday-Saturday: COLORFIELDS, Rainmaker Gallery
A solo exhibition of polychromatic landscapes by Rick Grimster (b 1945) presenting new works on paper alongside earlier paintings on canvas. Together these artworks reflect the artist’s changing identity from adoptee to Indigenous elder. “In these works I try to represent how man has influenced ancient landscapes.” – R. Grimster
COLORFIELDS – photo: Rainmaker Gallery
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Monday-January 5: Spectacular Twilight Tobogganing, Mendip Activity Centre
The Mendip elves are excited to welcome families from Bristol for an unforgettable festive adventure. Slide into the festive spirit with Twilight Tobogganing at Mendip Activity Centre – an award-winning family festive experience! Get exclusive use of 8 toboggans, plus an enchanted woodland walk to a magical grotto where participants toast marshmallows and warm up with hot chocolate. Finish the session with a blaze of sparklers for a fantastic festive photo.
Twilight Tobogganing – photo: Mendip Activity Centre
Tuesday: Bruce Molsky, The Wardrobe Theatre
The Grammy-nominated fiddler hits Bristol for one night only on behalf of Ear Trumpet Music.
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Wednesday: The Planets and Interstellar, Bristol Ensemble
A magical evening of music, visuals and poetry inspired by our solar system and space. Featuring music from the film Interstellar composed by Hans Zimmer and a very special performance of The Planets by Gustav Holst arranged for chamber orchestra accompanied by wonderful visuals of each planet and the poems that inspired the music.
Planets and Interstellar – photo: Bristol Ensemble
Wednesday: Posh Pies, The Scrandit
Join executive chef Maria Sullivan as she cooks a three-course meal for The Scrandit’s ‘Posh Pies Party’.
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Wednesday: En Masse 2024: Cube w/ Bethany Ley + Eldon & more, The Cube
Bethany Ley & Eldon (live) – Bethany Ley is a visionary producer and multi-instrumentalist, focussing on weightless, intricate wormhole sonics merging organic and synthetic worlds by utilising vocals, electric harp and colourful electronics. Paired with Cold Light’s wise spoken-word rhythmist, ELDON will be supplying his hazy, glitched-out beats and meditative jazzed-out rap. Kickstarting festivities, they’ll be debuting their first ever live collaboration at our opening event at The Cube.
En Masse – photo: Bethany Ley
Thursday: Beth Rowley, Bristol Beacon
R&B, gospel and Americana-influenced songstress Beth Rowley, who grew up in Bristol, returns to perform songs from her latest album.
Volume I of Pale Jewel came out in 2022 while Volume II came out in 2024 – photo: Beth Rowley
Thursday-Friday: Natalie Inside Out, Circomedia
Hand-balance performer Natalie Reckert and digital artist Mark Morreau have come together, using technology and video projections, to turn ‘our conventional ideas of circus upside down’.
The artists promise to turn our ‘conventional ideas of circus upside down and inside out’ – photo: Natalie Inside Out
Thursday: Hip Hop Gardens, Royal West of England Academy
The University of Bristol’s Centre for Black Humanities, Mozambican-born rapper MoYah and the RWA have come together to present an interactive event about how ‘reconnecting with the earth can foster holistic change’.
The RWA will host an event focussed on ‘reconnecting with the earth can foster holistic change’ – photo: RWA
Thursday-Sunday: CAMRA Beer Festival, City Hall
The CAMRA Beer and Cider Festival returns to the city for its 25th year!
The CAMRA Beer Festival will soon be upon us – photo: The Port
Thursday-December 6: Fall of the House of Usher, Arnos Vale Cemetery
Returning to Arnos Vale Cemetery for an extended run, the Red Rope Theatre Company present a unique adaption of Edgar Allen Poe’s classic tale.
Edgar Allen Poe’s short story was first published in 1839 – photo: Martin Booth
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Friday: The Herbaliser Band, Bristol Beacon
The Herbaliser was formed in 1995 by Ollie Teeba and Jake Wherry, their sample based sound was created using records that the duo found digging; Hip Hop, jazz, soul and old movie soundtrack samples became an iconic characteristic of the group. Their first albums achieved commercial success, and the group toured internationally to great reception, becoming regulars at a multitude of electronic, dance, dub and jazz festivals around the world.
Herbaliser – photo: Bristol Beacon
Friday: Red Tangent Records, 395
Red Tangent Records, a record label for people with experience of the criminal justice system, is hosting a showcase for some of their artists.
photo: Red Tangent Records
Friday: Sam Eagle, Clifton Community Bookshop
BBC Introducing in Essex ‘Artist of The Year’ Sam Eagle will visit Bristol as part of his bookshop tour.
Friday: Ceilidh fundraiser, St Werburgh’s Community Centre
To raise money for the Centre, the Bristol Folk Society will lead a folk dancing event to the beat of high energy Ceilidh music.
photo: St Werburgh’s Community Centre
Friday: Kenji Pours, Interlude Coffee
Interlude will welcome its first returning ‘pourist’ to its Picky Bits series – Kenji.
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Friday-Sunday: Clifton LitFest, Clifton Village
Curated by Friends of Clifton Centre and Library, Clifton LitFest returns for a weekend of talks with an array of acclaimed writers, journalists, poets and performers including Chris Packham CBE, Carol Voderman MBE, Durre Shahwar and Nadia Sarwar-Skuse.
Carol Vorderman is best known for co-hosting Countdown from 1982-2008 – photo: FOCCAL
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Saturday: Viva Vivaldi, Bristol Ensemble
Bristol Ensemble and the Fitzhardinge Consort bring the timeless beauty and vivaciousness of 18th century Venice to Henleaze in this concert of lively and captivating music by the Baroque master, Antonio Vivaldi.
Viva Vivaldi – photo: Bristol Ensemble
Saturday: Afrika Eye, Watershed
This year’s Afrika Eye festival comes to an end with a screening of Rungano Nyoni’s On Becoming a Guinea Fowl and a dance party accompanied by the tunes of Afro-fusion ensemble Linga Linga.
Linga Linga’s music draws from Congolese rumba, dub-reggae and hip-hop – photo: Linga Linga
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Saturday: John Bramwell, Crosstown Concerts
Strange Brew Indie rock singer-songwriter John Bramwell is set to bring his soulful, storytelling style to Bristol this month! The former I Am Kloot frontman will perform an intimate set at Strange Brew on November 16th. Tickets are moving fast, so grab yours while you can for an unforgettable night!
John Bramwell – photo: Crosstown Concerts
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Saturday: Junction 2 x fabric25 x Bitch, Please! The Prospect Building
London institution fabric comes to Bristol, to celebrate their 25th anniversary alongside local legends Bitch, Please! and Junction 2. Featuring a stellar lineup that includes HAAi b2b KI/KI, Dax J, FJAAK and X CLUB. and more, join us for a day of full-throttle techno, breaks, trance and beyond.
Bitch Please! – photo: Cata Filmz
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Saturday-Sunday: South West Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Claim 2 FREE tickets to the go-to event for self-builders and renovators, the South West Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Bath & West Showground from 16-17 November. Find the advice, products, and inspiration you need to transform your home with live seminars, one-to-one advice sessions with experts and hundreds of exhibitors to explore.
South West Homebuilding and Renovating show
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Sunday: The Lorna & Laister Christmas Show, Redgrave Theatre
Join Lorna & Laister, an extraordinary comedy and singing variety duo whose talent, humour, and showmanship have taken the global stage by storm, for an afternoon of magical Christmas songs & comedy. Take a BAFTA-winning actress and West End sensation together and you have an entertainment match made in heaven.
Lorna and Laister – photo: Redgrave Theatre
And coming soon..
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November 19: Porridge Radio, Crosstown Concerts
Brighton-based indie band Porridge Radio are bringing their raw, emotive sound to Bristol this month! Catch them live at the Marble Factory on November 19th, where they’ll be performing songs from their acclaimed albums and more. Tickets are selling quickly, so make sure to get yours soon for a night of powerful music and energy!
Porridge Radio – photo: Crosstown Concert
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November 21-January 5: Christmas through the ages at Dyrham Park
Go on a festive journey back in time. Rooms will be decorated from six different eras from Tudor to 1980s. Giant wreath and family reindeer trail around the parkland. Choirs in the church on selected weekends.
Christmas through the ages – photo: NTI/Steve Haywood
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November 23-30: Treasure Island, Redgrave Theatre
Yo-ho-ho, matey! Hoist the mainsail as we depart from Bristol for a daring adventure with young Jim Hawkins against legendary pirate Long John Silver. Will Jim outwit the rascal crew and uncover the island’s mysterious secrets before it’s too late? Performed by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Treasure Island – photo: Redgrave Theatre
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November 23 – December weekends: Winter Wonderland, Wookey Hole
Experience the best Winter Wonderland in the South West at Wookey Hole! Weekends from 23rd November and daily 21st–24th December, enjoy enchanting cave lights, Santa’s Grotto, and a magical show. Every child receives a gift! Advanced booking is essential to meet Santa.
Winter Wonderland – photo: Wookey Hole
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November 30: SUZY, The Prospect Building
On 30 November 2024, SUZY is throwing the most raucous party at The Prospect Building in Bristol, and you’re invited to step into their world. Featuring top-knotch selectors like Dimitri From Paris, Gerd Janson, CC:DISCO!, Horse Meat Disco and many more, it’s set to be a full-throttle party with unmatched energy.
Dimitri – photo: The Prospect Building
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December 7-15: The Christmas Planetarium, Aerospace
Get into the festive spirit at Aerospace Bristol! Immerse yourself in the magic of the cosmos with the Dome Club Planetarium, featuring the Christmas Star show with a live planetarium presentation and The Holy Star 360° film.
The Christmas Planetarium – photo: Aerospace
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December 8: A fun and transformative Workshop, Gus Hoyt
You’ll dive into the Three Pillars of The WHM: Breath, Cold, and Mindset, as well as discovering the scientific basis and how to implement them into your daily life. Gus is also a Functional Breathwork Coach and a Conscious Breathwork guide and incorporates this to his workshops.
Transformative workshop – photo: Gus Hoyt
Main photo: Linga Linga’s music draws from Congolese rumba
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