Fantastic events & attractions in and around Bristol in 2010
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Music
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29 May
Dot to Dot Festival
Mystery Jets, Ellie Goulding, Daisy Dares You and more at the Thekla; www.dottodotfestival.co.uk
Natalie Merchant
Songs from the singer/ songwriter’s four solo albums, including the most recent, Leave Your Sleep. Colston Hall; 0117 922 3686
Matinee Concert
With John Mitchell on the guitar. All Saints Church; www.allsaintsclifton.org/arts
4 June
Mim Grey
This singer/ songwriter who cut her teeth at Ronnie Scott’s and the 606 Club is becoming renowned as a country-folk-pop siren. St George’s; 0845 402 4001
Kyle Eastwood Band
Bass-led contemporary jazz from this hotly tipped band. Colston Hall; 0117 922 3686
7 – 12 June
The Rat Pack: Live From Las Vegas
Celebrating the incredible singing talent of three world famous entertainers and performers and some of the finest music that has ever been recorded. The Bristol Hippodrome; 0844 847 2325
10 June
Jane Taylor and Special Guests
Classical strings meet boho gypsy jazz, an acoustic guitar and grand piano. St George’s 0845 402 4001Theatre
Until 22 May
Calendar Girls
Some more lovely ladies get their kits off in the name of the fastest selling tour ever. The Bristol Hippodrome; 0844 847 2325MayFEST 2010
A four-storey hotel on the Harbourside and mischievous antics in supermarkets are just two of the highlights of the Mayfest 2010 programme. Featuring more than 40 artists and companies, Mayfest 2010 is the festival’s most playful and audacious line-up to date. www.mayfestbristol.co.uk
The Pillowman
A black comedy full of suspense and mystery by Martin McDonagh. The Kelvin Players’ Studio Theatre; 0117 959 3636
18 – 19 May
The Plasticine Men
A tale of companionship and loss from the infamous Smalls Lighthouse. Tobacco Factory; 0117 902 0344
21 – 22 May
Everything Falls Apart
Follow the story of two boys smuggled into the UK hoping for a better life and one man’s focused pursuit of justice at all costs with Total Theatre award winners, NIE, as part of Mayfest. Tobacco Factory; 0117 902 034424 May – 9 June
Far Away
Bristol Old Vic’s associate director Simon Godwin begins his work for the company with this extraordinary apocalyptic play by Caryl Churchill. Bristol Old Vic; 0117 987 7877
25 – 26 May
Stop Messing About
A Kenneth Williams extravaganza featuring Robin Sebastian. The Bristol Hippodrome; 0844 847 2325
28 & 29 May
Certain Dark Things
A claustrophobic exploration of an illicit sexual relationship under Franco’s religious dictatorship of the 1950s. Bristol Old Vic; 0117 987 7877
29 May
The Knicker Lady
A hilarious romp through the history of the humble knicker. Redgrave Theatre; 0117 922 3686
8 – 12 June
Guys and Dolls
A musical fable of Broadway. Redgrave Theatre; 01454 773673
Random
An urgent and powerful play by Debbie Tucker Green. Bristol Old Vic; 0117 987 7877
9 – 20 June
Kurt Cobain’s in My Cupboard
A play by Felicity Gibson, shown as a double bill with The Self-Help Group. Brewery Theatre; 0117 902 0344
10 – 26 June
Translations
Often referred to as one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. Tobacco Factory; 0117 902 0344Film
21 May
mike hodges talk and get carter screening
The annual Bristol Festival of Ideas this year looks at the Bristol Phenomenon, which explores creativity in Bristol through time. Maxim Jakubowski interviews Bristol-born Mike, followed by a screening of his 1971 classic, Get Carter. Arnolfini; www.arnolfini.org.uk
21 – 25 May
Heartless
Cult British polymath Philip Ridley makes a welcome return to film with this terrifying, disturbing fantasy film set in his old stomping ground of East London. Watershed; www.watershed.co.uk28 May
Vincere
Veteran director Marco Bellocchio brings the fascinating secret history of Benito Mussolini’s reputed first wife, Ida, and son, Benito. Watershed; www.watershed.co.uk
30 May
Electric Hotel Double Bill: Rear Window and the Apartment
A double bill from two cinematic greats, Hitchcock and Wilder. Arnolfini; www.arnolfini.org.uk
Ongoing Events
SS Great Britain
Visit the art gallery within the Dockyard Museum, to see a range of Victorian watercolours, oils by maritime artist Joseph Walters and more. www.ssgreatbritain.org
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Art & Exhibitions
Until 21 May
Treasures in Store
An exhibition of the archives of Bristol Cathedral and Bristol Diocese will go on display at the Bristol Record Office – a culmination of a year-long project to catalogue and conserve items from the collection, many of which will be on display for the first time. archives.bristol.gov.uk
Adventures in Light
Abigail McDougall reflects her passion for sustainability with a new exhibition of watercolours and acrylic paintings carried out along the Bristol-Bath-Bradford-on-Avon cycle paths. Nails Art Gallery; nailsaffordableart.com
Until 23 May
jon newton
An exhibition of bespoke furniture will take place at The Bristol Gallery. www.thebristolgallery.comPeter Blake: Alphabet
A Hayward Touring exhibition from the Southbank Centre, London on behalf of Arts Council England. The Bristol Gallery. www.thebristolgallery.com
A Life in Paintings
Donald Macauley takes up the whole of the Grant Bradley Gallery’s two main spaces with a culmination of his life’s work as an artist. www.grantbradleygallery.co.uk
Until 29 May
Small Science
Carol Laidler explores the connection between artistic enquiry and scientific discovery presenting a series of works that critically engage with science. www.2042010.comUntil 30 May
Life in Stillness
Featuring work by Frank Drake, Ann Goodfellow, Chris Parks and more. View Art Gallery; www.viewartgallery.co.uk
Until 31 May
Westonbirt
The International Garden Photographer of the Year and the Year of the Global Gardeners exhibitions. www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirtUntil 4 June
Tina Gray
A collection of paintings inspired by the West Country. Bristol Folk House; www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk
Until 6 June
David Mackintosh
Presenting new and recent works exploring the movement between Mackintosh’s signature drawings and their expansion into animation and sculptural objects. Works|Projects; worksprojects.co.ukUntil 12 June
Lotte Floe Chirstensen and Mette Juul
The two artists exhibit as part of the Bristol Festival of Photography. Here Gallery; www.thingsfromhere.co.uk
Until 4 July
Me, Myself and I
Bringing together personal, psychologically charged drawings of Louise Bourgeois (now in her 99th year) with an expansive, site-specific drawing intervention by Otto Zitko. Arnolfini; www.arnolfini.org.uk
Caroline Bergvall and Ciarán Maher
The duo’s ‘Say Parsley’ installation is a place for mishearings, recognition, assumptions and misattribution. Arnolfini; www.arnolfini.org.uk
Until 31 July
Bringing Home the East
An exhibition of Orient-inspired work by Candace Bahouth, John Nankivell, Olivia Dell, Carole Walker and Gary Wood. Newark Park, Ozleworth; 01793 817333Until 11 august
John Qquire: 10 to the Power of Six
The Manchester-based artist presents painting and drawing on canvas and hand-made paper at The Square Gallery; www.thesquaregallery.com
Until 22 August
Art from the New World
The Corey Helford Gallery from LA and Bristol’s City Museum and Art Gallery present one of the most exciting collections seen in the city this year. See page 12. www.bristol.gov.uk/museums
Until 27 August
Enchanted
An exhibition of dream-like jewellery featuring the work of eight leading contemporary jewellers. Diana Porter; www.dianaporter.co.uk
20 May – 9 June
Bristol Festival of Photography
The first Bristol Festival of Photography will take place this year in a variety of venues across the city. The festival will be a celebration of all the artistic and practical aspects of photography, with a multitude of different exhibitions, talks, fun activities and workshops.22 – 25 May
29 May – 2 June
Animation Newport
A diverse range of much-anticipated graduate films, conceptual sketches and models. Centrespace; www.centrespacegallery.com
Second look shoots it
For the Bristol Festival of Photography, Second Look will be running their largest exhibition yet, at Centrespace; centrespacegallery.com
4 – 29 June
Stephen Jacobson RWA and Frank Tinsley
Works in response to, and inspired by, recent visits to the English coast and landscape. RWA; www.rwa.org.uk
8 June – 23 August
Impact of Light
An exciting first exhibition from a collective of talented Bristol glass artists. The Beachcroft Space; impactoflight.wordpress.com
11 – 13 June
Jamaica Street Artists Open Studio 2010
An opportunity to peek inside the hidden world of this creative hub. www.jamaicastreetartists.co.uk
12 June
Seascape Refits
Robert Manners extends the tradition of seascape painting through a process of construction, layering, repair and erosion. Create; www.createbristol.orgUntil 31 May
Incredible Edible Show
Learn more about the science of food with Eat HQ. Explore the correlation between energy input and exercise and let the LiveScience team wow you with their digestive facts and tasty trivia. Explore-At-Bristol; 0845 345 123522 May
Prickly Tales and Foxy Fables
Join storyteller Martin Maudsley on an animated walk around the Downs. He’ll bring to life tales of plants and animals for International Biodiversity Day. Suitable for families with children 6+. 0117 903 0609
26 May
Food, Glorious Food
Enjoy children’s food trails, planting with the garden team and a chance to pot seeds to take home at Tyntesfield; www.foodgloriousfood.org.uk1 & 2 june
make your mark
Bristol’s College Green is to come alive as families are invited to play games, take part in international art and more. www.actionaid.orgUntil 8 June
Ladies Race for Life Training
Energise has a five-week training program for those planning to take part in this year’s Race for Life. Every Tuesday from 5.40-6.25pm on the Downs, ladies will get the chance to work out with the Energise team to get race fit. www.energisedperformance.com
19 May
Alastair Fothergill
The renowned nature documentary producer visits The Clifton Club to discuss his latest series, The Frozen Planet. www.theclifton.club.co.uk20 May
party for the podium
Bristol’s largest ever gathering of Olympic and Paralympic talent is on hand to launch a proposed nation-wide series of fundraising events. The Living Room; www.partyforthepodium.com
20 – 23 May
Crimefest
Colin Dextor, creator of Inspector Morse, heads this year’s sleuth of authors participating at the annual international crime fiction convention. Bristol Marriott Royal; www.crimefest.com
22 May
Big and Beautiful Bikes
Try your hand at bicycle art and get set for Bristol’s bike carnival. Create; 0117 925 0505
22 May
Photography Course
Get the best from your digital camera, whilst enjoying the beauty of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden. A new course with commercial photographer Alan Drew, aimed at beginners and those who are interested in photography and digital imaging and want to improve their skills; 0117 331 4906
24 May
Melvyn Bragg: The South Bank Show: Final Cut
The broadcaster and novelist on his latest book The South Bank Show: The Final Cut. St George’s; 0845 402 4001
27 May
Dispelling the Myths of Plastic Surgery
Lisa Sack talks cosmetic surgery at Nuffield Bristol Hospital; www.nuffieldhealth.com
28 – 31 May
Summer Craft Fair
High quality crafts from artists and crafts people from around the South West. Ashton Court; 0117 963 9174
29 May
Midnight Walk
A women’s only 10k sponsored walk in aid of Sue Ryder Care. 0117 972 1479
29 & 30 May
Eco Veggie Fayre
A two-day outdoor festival celebrating the best of the eco-, veggie- and Fair Trade-friendly communities at the Amphitheatre; www.bristol.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk
29 May – 2 june
Photofest!
Bring your camera to Tyntesfield, get inspired by the gardens and enjoy a full programme of photography workshops, competitions and exhibition. nationaltrust.org.uk
2 June
Monkey Shoulder Whisky Cocktail Night
A 1950’s cocktail night at The Lanes; www.thelanesbristol.co.uk
Sex and the City Blowdry Party
Champagne, canapes, a blowdry and a ticket to see the girls in action. Meet up at me:me hair and beauty, where your pre-booked stylist will give you a blowdry worthy of a night out with the stars. 0117 9338633
4 June
Guy Fawkes Hair & Beauty’s 40th Birthday Celebration
Guy Fawkes will celebrate its 40th anniversary at The Blue Reef Aquarium. The event will feature a catwalk show of hairstyles inspired by the last four decades, and designer collections in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society. 0117 926 0401
5 & 6 June
Bristol Bikefest
A two-day mountain bike endurance test. Ashton Court; www.bike-fest.com/bristol
6 June
Wine Dinners at Hotel du Vin
The first of four events, this month’s evening looks at Backsberg, South Africa with Ellis of Richmond. hotelduvin.com
12 June
Clifton WI Annual Garden Party
Spend an afternoon at Emmaus House enjoying traditional afternoon tea and cakes, croquet on the lawn, musical entertainment and browsing stalls of local produce and plants, local crafts, books, jewellery and more. www.cliftonwi.co.uk
12 & 13 June
South West Model Railway Show
Traders and associations representing all gauges of model railway. Fleet Air Arm Museum; 01935 842614
Festival of Nature
The annual festival will give wildlife enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to explore, enjoy and get close to the natural world – for free! Bristol Harbourside; www.bnhc.org.uk
Sport
18 May – 5 June
The Arthur Lucas Cup
Head over to Beaufort Polo Club, near Westonbirt, to watch a couple of chukkas as Beaufort compete in The Arthur Lucas Cup. www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk
22 & 23 May
Moon Tyger 2 Goal Tournament
Two days of polo fun at the Cotswolds’ premier club. www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk
5 June
The Willow Foundation Polo Day
Support a local charity and watch the polo. A good day in anyone’s book. www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk
Until 8 June
Ladies Race for Life Training
Energise has a five-week training program for those planning to take part in this year’s Race for Life. Every Tuesday from 5.40-6.25pm on the Downs, ladies will get the chance to work out with the Energise team to get race fit. www.energisedperformance.com
12 & 13 June
Race for Life
The UK’s largest women-only fundraising event series returns. www.raceforlife.org
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