Things To Do / UNIT8
34 things to do in Bristol this week, March 10-16 2025
Monday: Motherdom book launch, Bookhaus
Alex Bollen’s non-fiction debut sees the researcher, writer and postnatal practitioner explore what it really means to be a ‘good mother’.
Motherdom – photo: Verso
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Monday: Hari Budha Magar: No Legs, No Limits, Redgrave Theatre
From injured veteran to the world’s first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest, Hari is an extraordinary pioneer, pushing both physical, psychological and perceptual boundaries of human ability and spirit. His story is one of resilience and innovation, proving that having a disability is not life limiting.
Hari Mera Peak – photo: Abiral Rai
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Monday-Thursday: Mickey 17, Watershed
From the writer/director of Parasite, in Mickey 17, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) has found himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job…to die, for a living.
Mickey 17 – photo: Watershed
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Monday-Thursday: Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, Watershed
His photos shocked the world. His negatives were lost for decades. Ernest Cole: Lost and Found is a gripping portrait of an artist who risked everything to reveal the truth…
Ernest Cole – photo: Watershed
Tuesday: Inksanity: an introduction to water marbling, UNIT8 Studios
Marbling is an artform that has been practiced for centuries and Wales-based artist Charise Clark is coming down to UNIT8 to lead Creatopia Club’s ‘enchanting’ beginners water marbling workshop.
Charise Clarke – photo: Creatopia Club
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Tuesday: Ellie Hopkins & Jonathon Westhorp Live Gig at Grain Barge
A real treat to see the new collaboration between Ellie & Jonny! First set will include their take on some standards and a few original jazz tunes. Second set will include Ellie’s recent indy based compositions, expect beautiful vocals and electric guitar fireworks!
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Tuesday: Albert Lee, Redgrave Theatre
One of the most respected and renowned guitarists in music history, Albert Lee has worked with The Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton and Emmylou Harris over his long and illustrious career. He continues to tour today, playing his signature Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar and with his incredible UK band.
Albert Lee – photo: Redgrave Theatre
Wednesday: Horror Everything, Wardrobe Theatre
Bristol Skeptics Society have invited Dr Joe Ondrak down to Bristol to give a talk about horror fiction as part of their regular Skeptics in the Pub series which sees academics ‘from the world of science and skepticism’ share their research. Dr Ondrak, the former head of investigations at Logically – a tech company that fights harmful online content – will be sharing his thoughts on how horror fiction traditions can be used to understand everything from creepypasta to QAnon.
Dr Ondrak’s talk will explain how horror fiction traditions can be used to understand everything from creepypasta to QAnon – image: Dr Joe Ondrak
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Wednesday: Breath Led with Lucy, The Mount Without
Join Lucy for a powerful healing session in transformational breathwork, yoga and sound bath in the beautiful candlelit setting of The Mount Without where we will be accessing altered states of being. Breath is a powerful tool we can harness to regulate the nervous system, release stress and tension in the body, and enter a deep state of calm and presence.
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Wednesday: Fraser Release Gig with Support at the Grain Barge
An evening of stunning vocals and goosebumps! Join Below the Belt for a crafted evening to celebrate the release of Fraser’s EP single release ‘White Picket Fence’.
is needed now More than ever
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Wednesday-April 5: Romeo & Juliet, Bristol Old Vic
This is unmistakeably Shakespeare’s love story, unaltered in its original text. But it’s not just Shakespeare’s play. There is an important plus one – rap. Think everyday English as well as the Elizabethan variety, and the poetry of rap rhythms as well as perfect pentameters.
Thursday: Women by Women.2, Centrespace Gallery
Thursday marks the final day of the Women by Women.2 exhibition, Centrespace’s second annual showing of artwork by over 20 female and non-binary creators. The exhibition is said to explore the ‘joys, pains and complexities of womanhood through a variety of personal and communal perspectives on identity, relationship and body’.
Thursday: Steel Pulse, Bristol Beacon
Over the past 50 years, Steel Pulse have performed with musical greats like Bob Marley and have been nominated for nine Grammys – winning ‘Best Reggae Recording’ in 1986. As part of their 50th anniversary tour, they’re coming to Bristol, with special guest The Selecter, for a night of ‘unity, resilience and soul-stirring reggae’.
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Friday: Joe Kent-Walters Is Frankie Monroe: Live!!!, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Join owner and MC of The Misty Moon (working men’s club in Rotherham/portal to hell) for a slap-up feast of laughs, tricks and mucky bitter. Winner of the Best Newcomer Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2024, Best Show, Leicester Comedy Festival 2024 and the BBC New Comedy Award 2023!
Friday: Albany Cabaret, Albany Centre
To raise funds for the Albany Centre, the venue will be hosting two nights of comic, circus, acrobatics, juggling and aerial performance acts. The festivities kick off on Friday.
Albany Cabaret – photo: Albany Centre
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Friday: An Evening of Arvo Pärt, Bristol Ensemble
To celebrate the 90th birthday of Estonian master-composer Arvo Pärt, join the Bristol Ensemble for an extraordinary evening of some of his best-known pieces in the intimate candle-lit atmosphere of St George’s Bristol.
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Friday: David O’Doherty Tiny Piano Man, Bristol Beacon
The disheveled prince of £10 eBay keyboards tries to make you feel alive with a new pageant of laughter, song and occasionally getting up from a chair – it’s going to be a big one. Star of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Live at The Apollo, The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2024 and Along For the Ride with David O’Doherty.
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Friday-March 29: Playfight: “honest, hilarious, heartfelt”, Bristol Old Vic
A “marvellous jewel of a play” (★★★★★ The Times) that explores the inner lives of three friends as they hunt for proper, ugly love, shining a vivid light on adolescent desire.
Saturday: Ministry of Reggae Presents: Sound System Session, Malcolm X Community Centre
With support from Qualitex and Supercharge Sound Systems, Ministry of Reggae will be playing authentic Jamaican dance hall all night from the likes of King Tubby, Super Cat, Courtney Melody, Half Pint and more.
Saturday: Rakesh Chaurasia, Bristol Beacon
Grammy-winning flautist Rakesh Chaurasia will be joined by internationally-acclaimed tabla player Shahbaz Hussain to treat Bristolians to a night of classical Indian music at the Beacon.
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Saturday: Saturday Night Headliners, The Gaffe Comedy Club
Harriet Dyer (as seen on (BBC, Channel 4, Sky and Dave) hosts Sara Barron (‘Would I Lie To You’, ‘Live At The Apollo’) and Eva Bindeman (2024 Leicester Mercury Comedian Winner) at The Gaffe this weekend. Saturdays at the Gaffe sell out quickly, so book soon!
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Saturday-Sunday: Frisbee Golf Open Weekend, Mendip Activity Centre
Unleash your competitive spirit with Frisbee Golf at Mendip Activity Centre! Join us for an exciting Open Weekend, 15th-16th March, and celebrate brighter seasons with some fun in the great outdoors. Book online today and get 50% off all Frisbee Golf sessions throughout the weekend.
Sunday: AfroBrunch, Pickle Factory
AfroBrunch returns to the Pickle Factory for their first event of the year. Organisers promise Afrobeats, food (meat-eater and vegan friendly) from Pan-African catering company Houria and lively music sets from Josephine Gyasi, Manu Manuganidze and DJ Folu.
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Until April 27: Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
An unmissable exhibition at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery showcasing 100 images that capture fascinating animal behaviour.
Wildlife photographer of the year – photo; Antonio Liebana Navarro
And coming soon…
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March 18: Dance Like Nobody’s Watching, Bristol Beacon
Get transported to 1918 and journey from the glittering concert halls of Vienna to an underground utopia of musical escapism. Conductor Charles Hazlewood and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Bethan Langford, along with a Paraorchestra ensemble, create an intimate atmosphere that is daring, vivid, and powerful.
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March 25: Breath Led Special: Breathwork, yoga, sound and journaling, The Mount Without
Join Lucy in the stunning, candlelit Mount Without for an evening of breathwork, yoga, journaling and sound bath. Take time to journal on where we are and what we want to welcome in for Spring Equinox. Rebalance and reset the nervous system to help us transition into the new season with clarity and calm
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March 27: BE Contemporary: Meredith & Messiaen, Bristol Ensemble
Bristol Ensemble performs an intriguing programme of contemporary works in the unique setting of Bristol 1904 Arts Club, including Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time and Anna Meredith’s Hex.
BE Contemporary – photo: Bristol Ensemble
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March 29: Ritual Union, SWX, Strange Brew, Rough Trade
Bristol’s cult-favorite music festival, Ritual Union, is back this month, taking over SWX, Rough Trade, and Strange Brew for an unforgettable all day experience. With a stacked lineup featuring Billy Nomates, CVC, Getdown Services, and Our Girl, this is one you don’t want to miss! Final release tickets are selling fast—grab yours now!
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April 5-21: Easter Adventures, Mendip Activity Centre
Hop into Easter adventures with thrilling outdoor activities! Win sweet treats when you try Archery, Axe Throwing and Air Rifle, search underground for glowing Dragon Eggs or take on our epic Easter Tobogganing Egg Hunt. From festive egg hunts to adrenaline-fuelled challenges, it’s time for adventure at Mendip Activity Centre.
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April 27: Bristol Fashion Show, The Prospect Building
Join us for an unforgettable evening of style, creativity, and community. Enjoy a complimentary drink, a dynamic three-hour fashion showcase, and explore our vibrant marketplace. With live DJs, performers, inspiring speakers, and a fully stocked bar, experience a night where fashion, charity, and community unite.
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May 4: Love International presents 10 Year Club Tour, The Prospect Building
Love International take over The Prospect Building courtyard this May Bank Holiday, hosting an unforgettable open-air event as part of their 10 Year Club Tour celebration featuring Love International regulars; Palms Trax, Shanti Celeste, Midland, Crazy P and residents Dave Harvey, Ellie Stokes and Chez De Milo.
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May 30: Gloucestershire v Kent Spitfires (T20 Cricket)
The Vitality Blast returns to Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol as Gloucestershire defend their Vitality Blast T20 Champions title for the very first time. Secure your Early Bird tickets for the family and attend this Friday night fixture during the half-term holidays!
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June 13: Gloucestershire v Somerset (T20 Cricket)
A re-match of the 2024 Vitality Blast Final which saw Gloucestershire claim their first ever T20 title over their old adversaries. Gloucestershire won all three T20 matches against Somerset last term, can they continue the run in Bristol? Early Bird tickets are available now and selling fast!
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June 25-29: Bristol Sounds, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Tickets for this year’s Bristol Sounds are on sale now! Don’t miss your chance to see some incredible performances on Bristol’s Harbourside from Supergrass, Kaiser Chiefs, Texas, The Fratellis and Olly Murs.
Main photo: Max Banner
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