Paul Stephenson, right, with Tony Benn

A new exhibition celebrating the life of the Bristol man whose campaign led to Britain’s first Race Relations Act has opened at Bristol Record Office.

The exhibition follows the life of civil rights champion Paul Stephenson OBE as a child brought up in care in the Home Counties during World War II, his time in the RAF and his entry into the political arena when he was one of the organisers of the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.

The boycott was called in response to Bristol Omnibus Company’s refusal to employ black workers. Local Bristol MP, Tony Benn and Labour Party leader and future Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, supported the boycott. After several months the company backed down.

The bus boycott was fundamental to the introduction of the first Race Relations Act in 1965, which changed the way in which Britain views its black communities.

Paul also worked with many famous black people, including Muhammad Ali, to act as role models for black children. He has received many awards for his work including the OBE and he is the first black Freeman of the City of Bristol.

The exhibition runs at Bristol Record Office until April 21. A book, Memoirs of a Black Englishman, is available from www.tangentbooks.co.uk.

Steps

Pop phenomenon Steps have announced they will be bringing their reunion tour to Westonbirt Arboretum, nr Bristol, this summer, as part of Forestry Commission Live Music.

The world-famous pop group will head to the idyllic forest on Sunday July 22. The news comes just days after organisers revealed that classical singer Alfie Boe will also play a concert there on Saturday July 21. Tickets are already on sale for that show, priced £33.50, from www.forestry.gov.uk  These acts join Plan B, Will Young and Madness who will all take to the stage at Westonbirt this summer. For more information see previous article.

Steps dominated the charts over a 5-year period including an impressive run of 14 consecutive top 5 singles that got the nation dancing like: ‘One For Sorrow’, ‘Heartbeat/Tragedy’, ‘Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart’, ‘Deeper Shade Of Blue’, ‘After The Love Has Gone’, ‘When I Said Goodbye/Summer Of Love’ and ‘Stomp’. Their live shows captured the hearts of fans, selling out multiple dates at venues nationwide, making them one of the most successful acts on tour.

The Brit-award winning group comprising Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian Watkins (aka H) reformed last year for a documentary series on Sky Living titled Steps: The Reunion. They also announced a UK arena tour which is proving one of the hottest tickets for 2012 and released a Greatest Hits album, ‘The Ultimate Collection’ that entered the charts at the top, becoming the band’s third UK No1 album.

Forestry Commission Live Music concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere, and income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving the arboretum for both people and wildlife.

Tickets £36 (subject to booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 27 January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Cabot Circus

Retailers at Cabot Circus will be offering free treatments along with the diet, fitness, fashion and grooming tips at a ‘New Year, New You’ event on Saturday.

Starting at House of Fraser at 10am, a variety of retailers, including The Gym and JJB Sports, will be helping shoppers to make a new start whether it is sorting out their wardrobe, taking up more exercise or learning to eat more healthily.

Free treatments will also be on offer from Sanctuary Spa, which will treat shoppers to mini manicures and head, neck and shoulder massage,s and The Body Shop which will be offering hand massages.

House of Fraser will have representatives from their top brands on hand throughout the day including Molton Brown, Origins, Clinique, L’ancome, Estee Lauder and Decleor, who will be providing pampering treatments, advice and special offers. The Bra Doctors will also be offering fitting advice and referral cards.

Centre director Kevin Duffy said: “People have been getting used to being back at work and hopefully this event will help promote that extra feel good factor, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the free services, pampering treatments and advice on offer throughout the day.”

Madness will play special forest gig at Westonbirt Arboretum, nr Bristol, this year.

Ska veterans Madness, Pop Idol winner Will Young and urban favourite Plan B have been revealed as the first headliners of the Forestry Commission Live Music 2012 sessions at Westonbirt Arboretum, nr Bristol.

Recognised as one of the leading bands of the ska-rooted revival, Madness experienced a huge haul of hits in the 80’s going on to spend more weeks on the charts in that decade than any other group. They are renowned for their storming outdoor live and festival shows and year after year generation after generation have grown to love hits like ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘Our House’, ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Embarrassment’ , ‘Wings Of A Dove’, ’House Of Fun’, ‘My Girl’ and ‘Driving In My Car’. After 30 years Madness remain a British pop institution. Commenting on the show Madness front man Suggs said “”Since we played last in Westonbirt something strange has been happening down in the west country…the crowds have been going crazy, we can’t wait to get back there for even more nutty times.”

In the ten years since winning Pop Idol, Will Young has sold over 9 million records and crafted some of the deftest British music of his era. A succession of hits including ‘Jealousy’, ‘Leave Right Now’, ‘Don’t Let Me Down / You and I’, ‘Light My Fire’, ‘All Time Love’, ‘Who Am I’ and ‘Changes’ from multi-platinum albums like ‘From Now On’, ‘Friday’s Child’ and ‘Keep On’ has ensured a chart presence across the whole decade.

Plan B (Ben Drew) singer-songwriter, rapper, actor and film director came to prominence with the 2006 release of the critically acclaimed hip hop album ‘Who Needs Actions When You Got Words’. His next project, the soul-influenced ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks’, takes the listener on a journey of a man who finds success hard to handle and then hits rock bottom. Released in 2010, the album went on to become the fifth biggest seller of the year and continued a chart presence through 2011.

Forestry Commission Live Music is an independent programme bringing music to new audiences without commercial branding or sponsorship. With everything required for a great night out including full catering and bar facilities, Westonbirt gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere. There is also a bonus for concert-goers’ green credentials as income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving this internationally important tree collection. Previous acts include Blondie, Simply Red and Paul Weller. Organisers are expected to announce three more sessions in the coming months.

Madness play at the Gloucestershire forest, which is just 40 minutes from Bristol, on Sunday June 24. Tickets £36.50 plus booking fee on sale Friday January 13. Tickets are already on sale for Will Young (who plays Friday June 22) and Plan B (Saturday June 23), priced £35 plus booking fee. To book or for more information see www.forestry.gov.uk/music or call 03000 680400.

The King Blues

1) The King Blues – Bristol Bierkeller (29/03/11)
My first gig at Bristol’s legendary Bierkeller proved a baptism of fire as scores of disillusioned young folk crammed in to sing along to the political punk spouted by 247 Magazine favourties the King Blues. The timing couldn’t have been more apt – with politicians on their election trail making empty promises and this gig was nothing short of empowering.

2) Ryan Adams – York grand Opera House (28/10/11)
Once more, elusive Mr Adams completely missed out the South West on his second UK tour of the year so I was left with little choice but to venture up to my old stomping ground of York to catch him showcase songs from his brilliant new album and boy was I pleased I did as this was the best I’ve ever seen him.

3) The National + Wye Oak – Glasgow O2 Academy (24/08/11)
Once more, another band whose mini tour completely ignores the fact the UK has a South West. Nevermind, we flew from Bristol to Glasgow (for a mere £23.99 I hasten to add) to catch not only The National but awesome newcomers Wye Oak. It has to be said Bristol Academy’s Scottish sister venue is so much nicer but this gig, one of the last dates of the tour, woulda been a blinder anywhere!

4) Ash – Bath Komedia (28/07/11)
Ash have been going for more than two decades, so how they manage to keep pulling out the stops to make their shows so spectacular, I don’t know. But they do. And they do it so well. Bath Komedia is one of the most underrated venues in the region, but if they had more gigs like this it wouldn’t be long before they were challenging Bristol for some of the bigger names.

5) Bon Iver – Bristol Colston Hall (11/11/11)
Another end of tour win for Bristol with Bon Iver’s last European date and the dude wanted to go out in style. With a positively ethereal feel to this gig, the musicmanship of Bon Iver shone through and, despite the efforts of some shithead bouncer and his little Hitler routine, this proved one of the best gigs of the year for me.

6) Villagers – Bristol Trinity Centre (18/05/11)
The crystal clear sound at Bristol Trinity provided the perfect setting for the wee Irish one we call Villagers. His perfectly pronounced profound folk beaming out to an appreciative crowd who rewarded his brilliance with their silence and undivided attention. Just one of a series of brilliant gigs at the Trinity this year, others being Bill Callahan and CW Stoneking.

7) Dry The River – Bristol Louisiana (16/09/11)
The Louisiana has a proud history of putting on bands before they hit the big time. They did it with Mumford and Sons and methinks they’ve done it again here with Dry the River. Crammed into the 200 capacity venue (though it really doesn’t feel like that many people) was an fantastic way to here the all encompassing folk of Dry The River.

8 ) John Grant – Bristol St George’s (28/03/11)
After a heartwarming instore gig at Rise in Bristol, John Grant headed down the road to Bristol’s grandest venue – the converted church of St George’s. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, the remarkable man took us on a journey into his soul. With tears a plenty this gig was truly beautiful. What’s more, we got the best hug ever from him after the show. Love love love.

9) Dan Sartain + The Computers – Bristol Thekla (26/04/11)
The Thekla was pretty much my second home this year but there’s one gig which really stands out above the rest and that was this double delight number. The main downstairs bit remained closed as The Computers ran riot on the top deck, blasting out their rock from the makeshift stage as well as standing on the bar. Then the uber cool, bluesy rocker Dan Sartain took over with tunes from his new album. Parfait.

10) Gruff Rhys + Josh T Pearson – London Lexington (30/11/11)
OK, so this may have been the sixth or seventh time I’d seen Josh T Pearson live this year (three of which were in November) but this surely was the best. His jokes may have grown old but it made them no less funny and his songs, while familiar, were no less potent. And as for Gruff, well, while his performance wasn’t quite as good as his gig in Bristol St George’s earlier in the year it sure made for interesting watching – with a Hotel Shampoo backdrop, some bizarre accompanying instruments and great intersong banter. Also, the Lexington could be the best venue in London.

Ken Livingstone

Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone visits Bristol tomorrow to take part in a forum on whether Bristol would benefit from an elected mayor.

Businesses in the city are being urged to take part in the debate on the issue, which could have profound effects on Bristol’s future as a key business location and thriving centre for enterprise, innovation and creativity.

A referendum is likely in May next year, the outcome of which would potentially usher in the biggest change to running and managing the city since local government reorganisation in the mid-1990s.

To kickstart the debate on this crucial subject, Bristol Festival of Ideas tomorrow launches its first annual Ideas Forum with a day conference on whether an elected mayor would be good for Bristol.

Issues to be discussed include:

• What elected mayors could offer and what would be the downsides
• The visions for future Bristol and the best means of delivering these
• The powers required to deliver what the city needs and whether these are met by the current system
• The leadership qualities needed to deliver the future Bristol and whether these could be better met by an elected mayor or by the current structure
• Whether the current system should be revised (four-yearly all-out elections, for example) instead of electing a mayor
• How mayors have operated in London and other places
• The financial powers that are needed for an effective elected mayor and whether these will be available
• Whether in the longer term an elected mayor should have an extended, regional remit, rather than just within the Bristol unitary area, to have the most beneficial impact

Among those confirmed to take part, either as speakers or on one of the discussion panels, include Lord Adonis, Bristol elected mayor campaigner Jaya Chakrabati, council leader Barbara Janke and a range of councillors and MPs.

The event runs from 9am to 5.15pm at The Watershed, Harbourside. To book, click here. Full price: £80 (plus VAT = £96). Business West members: £50 (plus VAT = £60).

With the festive season well on the way, thoughts are turning to how to spend the Christmas period in Bristol. Isabella Woods takes a look at our pick of the festive offerings the city has planned. There’s plenty for everyone – from kids to grandmas – to enjoy…

Bristol Christmas Lights Switch On

Head down into Bristol city centre tonight and you’ll be in for a big treat as the festive season kicks off. Cabot Circus will be host to a wonderful fire-themed show with amazing theatre and acrobatics as the countdown to the Christmas lights switch on gets underway.

The show starts at 6pm under the glass roof at Cabot Circus and continues until 8pm. Expect plenty of magic and unusual displays including stilted performers and a human Catherine wheel display. Little kids will enjoy seeing their favourite characters – Wallace and Gromit, Blackbeard and Mr Brunel – engage with the crowds, while teens and grown-ups will enjoy wandering around the German Christmas Market.

Cirque Bijou will be performing a fire, acrobatic and pyrotechnic themed show under the glass roof – the show has been performed at the Royal Albert Hall, MTV Music Awards, Wembley and on the X Factor – and now comes to Bristol for Christmas.

New Christmas lights will also be unveiled in Cabot Circus and Quakers Friars for the first time – replacing the reindeer and baubles.

The performance will encompass acrobatics, fire staffs, angle grinders and a human Catherine-wheel display, and will finish with the new Christmas lights being switched on for the first time.

German Christmas Market

For something a little different this Christmas, why not visit the wonderful German Christmas Market? It started yesterday and runs to December 22 so you’ve got plenty of time to stock up on unusual presents, and enjoy the delicious German food and drink stalls, too.

The market, which you’ll find at The Podium, Broadmead East and Merchant Street South, is open every day from 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 7pm on Sundays. As well as lots of craft and food stalls, the market will also feature a bar for the grown ups and a Christmas tree and carousel for the kids. And in terms of food and drink, you can expect to try German treats like waffles, bratwurst and apple rings. Yum!

Cabot Circus pop-up treats

This Christmas season Cabot Circus will see some exciting additions to its stores in the form of pop-up shops – ranging from local galleries and artistic talent to a festive foodmarket and gift shops. Harvey Nichols Foodmarket is back again for a third year, and stocks an array of festive treats such its much-loved deluxe hampers and gift sets

Christmas Pantomime

This year the Bristol Hippodrome panto is Peter Pan and David Hasselhoff will be starring as Captain Hook. “Oh no he isn’t!” – “Oh yes he is!” To set the record straight, yes he is and you can see him strut his stuff on stage from December 10 through to January 8.

Expect plenty of swashbuckling fun and games, some great stunts (including flying!) and lots of magic for the kids. If you’d like to find out more, including ticket details and performance times, just check out the Bristol Hippodrome website.

Christmas Ice Skating Rink

Head down to Quakers Friars from tonight to February 16 and you’ll be in for a surprise – as the skating rink to be staged here will be in full swing. The rink itself will be made from synthetic ice which means it’s much more environmentally friendly and uses less power than standard ice rinks.

It’ll be open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm with last admission being 8pm, and on Sundays it’s open from 10am to 6pm with last admission being 5pm. Tickets are a thrifty £6 for adults and £4 for kids aged 15 and under.

At-Bristol

If you’re looking for something a little more unusual than your usual Christmas offerings, look no further than At-Bristol. Learn about the science behind some of your Christmas foodie faves with the Brussels sprouts taste challenge and flaming Christmas puddings.

They’ll also be fun demonstrations like homemade snow storms, and a chance to have a go yourself at Santa’s invention workshop.

It’s bound to be a great day out for kids and grown-ups alike so make sure you pay a visit between December 10 and January 2

Bristol Zoo’s Fantabulous Christmas

From November 26 to December 28 make sure you get yourself down to Bristol Zoo for festive fun galore. As well as having the chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto, you can also feed Santa’s reindeer, flex your vocal chords with a spot of carol singing, and even watch live ice sculpting demonstrations. And if you’re feeling particularly crafty you could also have a go at ice sculpting yourself. A great day out for the whole family!

With all this and more on show at Bristol during the festive season there’s really no reason to jet off on holiday. And if you’re even caught looking at cruises from Southampton, then as Captain Hook would say, you may well be made to “Walk the plank!”

Santa’s Grotto at The Galleries shopping centre 

The Bristol Hippodrome isn’t the only organisation with a Peter Pan-themed Christmas spectacular. Adjacent to Cabot Circus, The Galleries shopping centre will also welcome a sprinkling of Christmas fairy dust with a Peter Pan-themed Santa’s Grotto to complement the Hippodrome production. Meet Father Christmas here and enjoy the attractive, three-storey shopping centre, which is home to a further 100 stores. Santa’s Grotto will open 12 November and run until 24 December.

Christmas tree and further light displays

From tonight, Bristol’s Christmas tree will be located near the Cascade Steps on The Centre Promenade. Other enchanting Christmas lights will be located along the route from the city centre shopping area through to The Bristol Hippodrome, including St Nicholas Market, Corn Street, The Centre Promenade and up to Park Street via College Green.

Christmas menus

Looking for a Christmas meal out in the city? Bristol Bites has put together an exhaustive list of restaurants offering festive menus. Check it out here…

Babyhead

After the undisputed success of last year’s debut Gunpowder Plot at Motion, Bristol, it once again formed the showpiece of this year’s In:Motion series.

Falling on Bonfire Night itself, the event was destined to be explosive and that’s exactly what it was. Hundreds of folk filled into the three rooms of Bristol’s own superclub Motion from 10pm until the early hours of the morning for an extravaganza (that word is wholly justified here see) of music, DJs, circus skills and of course… fireworks.

Opening the musical arm of the night was Gentleman’s Dub Club, whose dub-infused jazz loosened the bones and got people dancing.

This paved the way perfectly for Birstol’s favourite two festival bands – Smerins Anti Social Club and Babyhead. Smerins absolutely smashed it, dressed in semi matching homemade tiger-themed costumes, they played their energetic signature swing with impressive skill. They’d been teasing fans about a special guest on their Facebook page, linking to Dr Who feat. Tenor Fly. Nice subtle hint there guys! And low and behold, Tenor Fly took to the stage for a live version of that banging song. When beautiful vocalist Nuala Honan was introduced, the crowd went wild and we were about to see why. That girl’s vocals were heavenly, seductive and moreish. Loud, proud and most importantly (take note Florence) in tune!

The whole set was punctuated with some positively jaw dropping aerial stunts from the much-loved Circomedia lot. As various different ladies took to the high wires all eyes were up. Each started off slowly with some pretty tame twirls (still, don’t think any of us pissheads could ever manage them) before building into a massive, dramatic crescendo with them spinning at unimaginable speeds, round ropes and wires before coming to a standstill on the ground. A standstill, after spinning faster than a record on ?bpm. Amazing. Hell, I’m all over the space if I go round a roundabout more than once!

Babyhead picked up the party baton after Smerins. Dressed in adult babygrows, leaving very little to the imagination in some instances, the troupe blasted through their wonderously chaotic hip hop, ska funk. These guys are all about the live experience and the brilliant pint sized lead singer commanded the stage like a Bristolian Beastie Boy.

The fireworks proved a standard fare of bangs and whooshes but drew most people outside for the spectable and definitely added something to the night. But it was some of the DJs (namely Gaz Mayall and John Stapleton) who really oiled this beast of a machine by spinning some dancefloor-friendly electronica, rockabilly and old time classics as well as some more recent bangers.

Shamefully, this was my first ever time at Motion (shame on me indeed) and it certainly won’t be my last. We’re fortunate to have a club space like this in the city and when they pull together programme as diverse and attractive as this year’s In:Motion offerings then it really should be applauded. See you back there on Saturday for Field Day Night then!

Chase and Status

BBC Radio 1Xtra Live will hit Bristol later this month with a free night of urban music, part of a four-night nationwide tour.

On Wednesday, November 30, Bristol Academy plays host to headlining drum ‘n’ bass stalwarts Chase and Status. Also on the bill are Benga & Youngman, Ms Dynamite and Delilah.

Joining the line-up will be a local rising talent – as part of 1Xtra’s look-out for new acts from the UK music scene.

The tour ends in London on December 1, with RnB superstar Kelly Rowland headlining the final date at Brixton Academy.

Kelly Rowland said: “I loved performing at the first ever 1Xtra Live four years ago and I’m really happy to be headlining the final date of this incredible event. There’s so much amazing talent on the line-up and I’m proud to be part of it”.

The Brixton Academy concert is the culmination of four nights of music and 1Xtra live broadcasts which kick off at the Manchester Apollo on Monday, November 28 with chart-toppers Wretch 32, Dappy, Labrinth and Tinchy Stryder.

The action then moves to Birmingham Academy on November 29, where dubstep giants, Nero, headline and are joined by Skream (with Sam Frank), J. Cole and Maverick Sabre.

Ben Cooper, Controller, BBC Radio 1Xtra said: “These are the most ambitious live music events that 1xtra has ever staged. We hope to connect with as many of our listeners as possible, whether they’re at the gigs, listening to the radio or watching online.”

Each event will simulcast live on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra and broadcast on the red button every evening from 7pm to 11pm.

Each day Tim Westwood will start the party by broadcasting his 1Xtra show live from a local college between 4pm and 7pm. The following morning from 7am to 10am 1Xtra Breakfast Show host Twin B will reflect on the previous night’s proceedings live from each city.

Twin B said: “I can’t wait to get out on the road with some of the best artists around and meet the 1Xtra listeners. Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and London here we come!”