25 things to do in Bristol this week, April 18-24 2022

SPONSORED
Daily-May 2: Funderworld, Downs
Funderworld will once again take place on the Downs, opening daily over the school Easter holidays and the May Day holiday weekend. A huge and spectacular lineup of rides and attractions make Funderworld the UK’s largest mobile theme park.
www.funderworld.com/

The UKs largest roaming theme park comes to the Clifton Downs this April | Photo: Funderworld

Monday: The Dangerfields, The Exchange
Belfast based thrashing skater punk outfit The Dangerfields come to the Exchange this Monday, kickstarting your week with energetic, angry tracks that are physically impossible not to get up and throw yourself around to.
www.exchangebristol.com/whats-on/#events/e73262 

SPONSORED
Throughout April: Contemporary Art Exhibitions, Spike Island
Visit ‘Pigs and Poison’, a major new commission by LA-based artist Candice Lin which includes paintings, sculpture, VR sets and a monumental medieval catapult. Running concurrently, ‘Nosferasta’ is a Rastafarian vampire film by Adam Khalil and Bayley Sweitzer, starring and co-written by Trinidadian artist and musician, Oba.
www.spikeisland.org.uk/programme/exhibitions/

There are many contemporary exhibitions on display at Spike Island this April – photo: Spike Island

SPONSORED
April 9-24: Easter Family Trail, Bristol Zoo Gardens & The Wild Place Project
Make your Easter eggxtra special! Celebrate Easter at Wild Place Project, with our bears, giraffes, and lemurs, and at Bristol Zoo Gardens, with gorillas, penguins and red pandas. Join us from 9 to 24 April for two cracking days out, two eggcellent Easter family trails, plus chances to win prizes.
www.bristolzoo.org.uk/whats-on/2-most-eggcellent-easter-family-trails

There’s lots of Easter fun to be had at Bristol Zoo & The Wild Place Project | Photo: Bristol Zoo

Tuesday: Keeping Old Market Alive, Portrait Exhibition, Prior Shop
Throughout most of April, Old Market’s Prior Shop is hosting an exhibition celebrating the faces that line the shopfronts of the many independent businesses that make Old Market the cultural business hub that it is.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb7HdeYMJJt/

SPONSORED
Tuesday-Saturday: Titanic: The Musical, Redgrave Theatre
Come aboard the ship of dreams and be plunging into an unforgettable performance of glamour, chaos and heroism in this heart-stopping and riveting ride through the final moments of Titanic’s fateful journey.
www.redgravetheatre.com/event/2022/04/

Titanic: The Musical comes to Redgrave Theatre this week | Photo: Redgrave Theatre

SPONSORED
April 13-23: A Monster Calls, Bristol Old Vic
After rising to huge critical acclaim in 2018, the Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of Patrick Ness’ piercing novel A Monster Calls is back at Bristol Old Vic. Originally directed by the visionary Sally Cookson (Jane Eyre) and now revamped by Bristol favourite Felix Hayes (Dr Semmelweis), you won’t want to miss this epic tale of love, life and healing. Ages 10+.
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/a-monster-calls

A Monster Calls comes to Bristol Old Vic this week | Photo: Bristol Old Vic

Wednesday: Games Night, Bristol Improv Theatre
A sure to be hilarious games night at the Improv Theatre. As is the usual with anything happening at this venue, you really never have any idea whatsoever what to expect. In fact, the only certainty is that it’ll be a bit weird and a lot of fun.
www.improvtheatre.co.uk/event/games-night/ 

The games night will be improvised and promises to be a good laugh | Photo: Bristol Improv Theatre

Wednesday: Elevator Sound: Fresnel Lens + Support, Strange Brew
Post-Dubstep producer Paleman comes to strange brew under his newer modular synthesis alias Fresnel Lens for a first performance of live synthesised noises, no doubt drifting from the groove-ridden to more experimental, ambient sounds.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#date=2022-04-20

It’ll be Paleman’s first performances under the new synthesiser alias | Photo: Fresnel Lens

Thursday: Hairspray (1988), The Cube
Everyone knows the classic 1988 musical. Big hair, tall milkshakes and even bigger dance routines. And as the director, John Waters, turns 76 this Thursday, the cube cinema is hosting a special screening of the timeless movie. There’ll even be a prize for “biggest hair” so come dressed accordingly.
www.cubecinema.com/programme/event/hairspray

SPONSORED
Friday: Booty Bass + Shade Cartel, Trinity Centre
Booty Bass; born for women and non-binary folk to come together and play big, bad, unapologetic bangers from around the globe. Booty Bass are a collective of female/nb DJ’s playing bass music that runs through your body, down to your booty, making it pump from the minute you walk in till the minute you twerk out.
www.trinitybristol.org.uk/whats-on/2022/booty-bass-shade-cartel

SPONSORED
Opens Friday: Playground, Watershed
Belgian director Laura Wandel’s extraordinary debut is a bold and emotive tale of two young siblings that has been dubbed as ‘one of the best films ever made about childhood’. Director’s Q&A on Sat 23 April.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/11195/playground/

The film opens on Friday at Watershed | Photo: Watershed

Friday: Lone (Live), Aloka, Otik, Surgeons Girl (Live) ++, Thekla
Representing the new sound of the UK Bass scene, Lone headlines Thekla this Thursday, bringing hardware a-plenty for a live set that will no doubt be as eclectic and tasteful as what has become the norm for Lone’s sets, whether live or DJ.
www.theklabristol.co.uk/club-nights/the-bottle-x-eminent-lone-live

Saturday: Bristol Rovers Women vs Forest Green Rovers Ladies, Memorial Stadium 
Rovers will be celebrating the #HerGameToo campaign at the men’s first-team fixture against Forest Green Rovers, which will then be followed by a friendly between Rovers Women and Forest Green Rovers Ladies.
www.bristolroverswomensfc.com/hergametoo

Bristol Rovers Women are proud to support Her Game Too – image: Bristol Rovers Community Trust

SPONSORED
Saturday: NEXT LEVEL Showcase feat. Jords, Bristol Beacon
NEXT LEVEL is Bristol Beacon’s collaborative Artist Development programme supporting emerging singers, rappers & MCs. Co-produced by Big Team and Bristol Beacon, and partnering with some of Bristol’s biggest names in music, NEXT LEVEL offers Bristol artists studio experience and the chance to perform live at Love Saves The Day. The NEXT LEVEL Showcase comes at the end of a week of workshops at Pirate Studios and will see the NEXT LEVEL artists perform in front of a live audience and industry panel, alongside headliner Jords and guest host and DJ Vanessa Maria.
www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/next-level-showcase-feat-jords/

Jords comes to Bristol Beacon this week | Photo: Bristol Beacon

Saturday: Emergency Room w/ Skee Mask + Zaltsman, Loco Klub
Following on from last week’s secret warehouse party, promoters Emergency Room are putting on what is no doubt going to be a deep, rumbling underground extravaganza, headed by the master of such a sound, Skee Mask. Expect rolling techno, eerie breaks and general dark, rhythmic ambience from the producer, supported by ER head Zaltsman. Find out more here. 
www.locoklub.com/whats-on/#events/e73168 

SPONSORED
Saturday: Inside Film, Watershed
Are you a young (16-25), aspiring filmmaker? Inside Film is back with a packed line up that will inspire you to take the next step into the film industry and give you the chance to pick up the skills, support, and contacts to make it happen.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/11193/inside-film/

The event is a great opportunity for those wanting to get into the film industry | Photo: Watershed

Saturday: Black Gold Vinyl Fair: Record Day Special, Lost Horizon
This Saturday is Record Store day 2022, and what better way to spend every digger’s favourite day of the year then with a spot of just that – digging! This isn’t the first Black Gold Vinyl Fair at Lost Horizon, and this one promises to be the biggest yet, with talk of a host of great food, drink and even panel discussions to compliment the vinyl.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/?utm_medium=emai

The record fair lines up with Record Store Day 2022 | Photo: Issy Packer

Saturday: Solidarity is our Best Defence, PRSC
As part of the PRSC’s 2022 School of Activism curriculum, this Saturday hosts a discussion at the community building about the matter of solidarity, from various Bristol organisations dedicated to this topic. The discussion will cover the work that has been done so far in relation to recent Bristol protests, and the ways in which we can all continue to show solidarity going forward.
www.prsc.org.uk/event/solidarity-is-our-best-defence/ 

The discussion tackles solidarity in relation to recent Bristol protests | Photo: Martin Booth

SPONSORED
Sunday: Joshua Radin, The Station
With his music played on shows like Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy, and One Tree Hill, Joshua Radin is “one of a crop of singer-songwriters whose names became ubiquitous with a particular kind of heartstring-pulling drama” (Americana UK). Over his extensive career, the LA musician has become a worldwide name with his amiable, tender folk-pop.
www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/joshua-radin/

Joshua Radin comes to the Station this Sunday | Photo: Bristol Beacon

Sunday: China Decorating Workshop, PRSC
A double whammy from the PRSC this weekend – what better way to spend your Sunday than decorating some fine china mugs, courtesy of Stokes Croft China? There are all sorts of ceramix transfer stickers available to apply to your mug, from historic, classical designs, to more modern “with the times” imagery. Ticket price includes a mug, all the stickers you could want, firing, and tuition from an experienced professional.
www.prsc.org.uk/event/china-decorating-workshop-apr2022/ 

There will be a wide variety of designs to choose from | Photo: PRSC/Stokes Croft China

Sunday: Sunhaze, Liberty House
Another event that fits perfectly with a Sunday, Sunhaze aims to bring the chilled out vibes to Liberty House on Stokes Croft. With lo-fi house producer Saaaz performing a live set alongside local artist Lucy Tyler hosting a live painting session, whether you’re beaten from the night before or just up for a relaxing Sunday evening, Sunhaze is the place to be.
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/?utm_medium

The evening event aims to be the perfect end to the weekend | Photo: Sunhaze

And coming soon…

SPONSORED
April 29-May 2: Open Studios, Spike Island
Explore behind-the-scenes of the former Brooke Bond tea-packing factory, home to over 70 artists’ studios, Spike Print Studio, UWE Fine Art students, as well as designers, writers, filmmakers, animators and photographers. Meet artists in their studios and see their working practices, get involved in family-friendly activities and browse art works for sale, and enjoy delicious local street food and drinks.
www.spikeisland.org.uk/programme/events/open-studios-2022/

Spike Island Open Studios – photo: Lisa Whiting

SPONSORED
April 29-May 2: City Nature Challenge, Bristol & Bath
Join the epic, global wildlife count taking place across 400+ cities including Bristol and Bath from 29 April – 2 May! Record as much wildlife in your local area as possible over four days. Every sighting recorded contributes towards local conservation efforts and informs plans for tackling the ecological emergency in the region.
www.citynaturechallenge.org.uk

Both Bristol and Bath are a part of the challenge this year | Photo: The Natural History Consortium

SPONSORED
May 27: Sister Nancy, Trinity Centre
The original Sister Nancy aka Mumma Nancy is, without a doubt, the first solo female deejay to record hits in the studio and has been a formidable female voice on the Dance Hall scene for over two decades. Sister Nancy will head up Trinity backed by ‘rub a dub’ artist Legal Shot.
www.trinitybristol.org.uk/whats-on/2022/sister-nancy-legal-shot-sound

SPONSORED
June 10-18: Festival of Nature, Bristol & Bath
The UK’s largest celebration of the natural world is back! Join an exciting week packed full of in-person, digital and hybrid events across the region, all aimed at helping people take action for nature. This year will see over 50 events including wildlife workshops, film screenings, family nature parties and special guest appearances – you don’t want to miss this!
www.bnhc.org.uk/festival-of-nature/events/

The festival returns to Bristol & Bath this June | Photo: The Natural History Consortium

SPONSORED
June 22-27: Bristol Sounds, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Bristol’s much-loved open-air series of concerts returns to Canons Marsh Amphitheatre on Bristol’s harbourside from 22nd-27th June this year with an eclectic line-up of must-see artists including Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds, Paolo Nutini, Elbow, Jungle, First Aid Kit and The War on Drugs.
www.bit.ly/bristolsounds2022

Bristol Sounds returns to Lloyds Amphitheatre this June | Photo: Bristol Sounds

Main Photo: Bristol Improv Theatre

Read more: These are the benefit gigs taking place in Bristol for Ukraine

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: