WHAT’S ON

Valley Fest Credit: Ania Shrimpton

n Throughout August Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork offers high quality training in the heart of Clifton. Founded in 1986, it runs a variety of different courses including: monthly holistic massage introductions for beginners; professional training in holistic, remedial and sports massage and Indian head massage; varied CPD workshops for qualified therapists; and a low cost graduate massage clinic every Thursday. bristolmassage.co.uk

n Throughout August, M Shed Bristol has declared climate and ecological emergencies. How did we get here? What’s our city’s role in it, and how can we help get out of it? What does a just, green future look like? Think Global: Act Bristol explores big environmental questions affecting people here and worldwide, and presents perspectives from a wide range of local voices. bristolmuseums.org.uk

n Throughout August, various venues A summer of fantastic theatre beckons as the Bristol Shakespeare Festival returns. Hosting performances and events inspired by the Bard, in indoor and outdoor spaces across Bristol, from companies across the UK. Whether you prefer the traditional or the experimental, there’s something for everyone. bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

n 4 –7 August, Chew Valley Lake With the new Arcadia experience and the Lake Stage, this year is set to be the best Valley Fest yet. Travis, Clean Bandit, Faithless, Kosheen and The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club will headline this year’s festival beside the scenic Chew Valley Lake, near Bristol, between 4 –7 August. As well as DJs, festival goers can expect boundarypushing fire performances, immersive dancefloors, quality sound plus mindboggling fire and light effects. Showcasing the best of the South West’s glorious produce, you’re advised to arrive hungry. valleyfest.co.uk

n 5 –7 August, Watershed Cables & Cameras, Dropop and DET Entertainment have teamed up to come together to present a weekend of films and an evening of music curated to celebrate the 60 years of independence. The screening and programme will provide a spotlight on Black and Brown people of Caribbean heritage who have resided in the UK since the Windrush generation. This August weekend highlights the impact Jamaican culture has had on the UK and the world, bringing the culture, rhythms and colours of the island's unique identity to the cinema screen and the Café & Bar. watershed.co.uk

n 9 August, Averys Wine Merchants Bristol Film Festival’s Screening Room Series continues with the powerful biopic of veteran war correspondent Marie Colvin, A Private War. Rosamund Pike gives a deeply moving performance as Colvin in this compelling must-watch, which explores the best and worst of humanity during wartime through the viewpoint of one of the most fearless journalists of the modern era. Every screening, in the atmospheric setting of Averys’ historic cellars, includes an arrival drink and an introduction explaining the context and significance of the chosen film, and the rationale behind its selection for our programme. bristolfilmfestival.com

n 9 –20 August, Bristol Hippodrome Join Strat, the forever young leader of rebellious gang ‘The Lost’ as he falls in love with Raven, the beautiful daughter of the tyrannical ruler of Obsidian. This awardwinning wild child musical thunders through powerhouse hits including I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That),

Jack Botts at The Louisiana The Chemical Brothers Credit: Charlie Raven

Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love and Bat Out of Hell, in an exciting over the top theatrical spectacle unlike any other. atgtickets.com

n 13 –14 August, Trinity Centre The Bristol Ballroom Community are inviting everyone to Bristol’s first official Ballroom Function. Bear witness to this spectacular fusion of dance, fashion, performance, and gender expression. The public are invited as spectators, or if you have the nerve, you can participate or ‘walk’ the Ball. There are different tickets for walkers and spectators so please be careful when choosing. There is a category for everyone – some will be dance performance based, some performance art, and others just ‘feeling yourself’. trinitybristol.org.uk

n 16 August, The Louisiana Jack Botts is a breath of fresh air out of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, Australia, creating a brand of surf folk drenched in depth and substance. In just a handful of years on the scene, Jack Botts has gone from chippy-turned-busker-into full time touring musician and one of the fastest growing artists in the country. His sound is perfect for bringing those coastal road trip vibes to life, and his live shows are no different, ranging from bars, venues and festivals, to busking on the streets across the Australian coastline. thelouisiana.net

n 19 August, Harvey Nichols Bristol Enjoy a delicious Brazilian supper club in collaboration with ZECA at Harvey Nichols Bristol Second Floor Restaurant. Discover the flavours of Brazil with a threecourse meal and authentic samba music as you sip on ZECA Cachaça cocktails. You’ll also be able to learn about the four generations of quality in ZECA Cachaça from founder Marcos Matos; discovering more about the rich history of the unique spirit and what to mix with it for maximum flavour. On the evening you’ll be treated to a live performance from Brazilian singersongwriter Aleh Ferreira; front man of the legendary Bandana Black Rio. Tickets available via Eventbrite. harveynichols.com

n 25 August, St George’s Bristol Beloved Nashville artist Gretchen Peters has been producing gorgeous country tunes for the better part of two decades. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October 2014 by singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, who called her “both a songwriter and a poet (who) sings as beautifully as she writes,” Peters has accumulated accolades as a songwriter for artists from the likes of Etta James to Bonnie Raitt. It’s no wonder The Telegraph named her one of the greatest female singersongwriters of all time. bristolbeacon.org

n Coming in September! Bristol Bridge Club is starting two new bridge beginners weekly courses. From 6 September at 10am and from Wednesday 7 September at 7.30pm. The courses will run for 10 weeks and cost £90, which includes the Beginning Bridge Book One, produced by the English Bridge Education and development. You will be a tutorial member of the Bristol Bridge Club. For registration and more details, email: teaching@bristolbridgeclub.co.uk. What’s more, free online Zoom lessons are currently running every Saturday morning at 10am, just go to Bridge club website and follow the links. bristolbridgeclub.co.uk

n 3 –4 September, Clifton Downs Formed by Bristol-based Team Love and AEG Presents, Forwards brings the biggest names in international music to Bristol Downs this September, blending a cutting edge lineup with a platform for social purpose and timely debate. Let’s harness the legacy and power of music events to bring people together for positive change. FORWARDS’ stellar international music programme featuring The Chemical Brothers, Jamie XX, Little Simz, Róisín Murphy, Khruangbin, Caribou, Fred Again.., and Shygirl is not one to miss. forwardsbristol.co.uk

DISCOVER THE BEST THINGS TO SEE & DO WITH THE FAMILY THIS MONTH

n Coming in August, Weston-super-Mare The transformation of a decommissioned North Sea offshore platform is a world-first that is set to become one of the UK’s largest public art installations, aiming to inspire global conversations about the repurposing of large industrial structures and design-led solutions to sustainable futures. See Monster can be experienced from the seafront, beach and on board and will feature four publicly accessible levels animated by a 10-metre-high waterfall; a 6,000-piece kinetic installation forming the monster’s shimmering scales; an onboard oasis of grasses, plants and trees selected to thrive in a seaside micro-climate, and so much more. seemonster.co.uk

n Throughout August, Aerospace Bristol Enjoy a summer of rocket launching fun at Aerospace Bristol, with daily rocket-themed activities throughout August. Help to build and decorate a giant rocket, launch outdoor water rockets and test your accuracy on the rocket firing range –trying to reach the top of the leaderboard. Plus, enjoy science shows, space-themed colouring in, discover rockets in the museum exhibition –including a Skylark rocket on display –and join Spotlight Talks to learn even more about rockets. aerospacebristol.org

n Open now, Albert Road BS2 0YA From the artistic team behind the groundbreaking festival, Boomtown Fair, journey to the world of Meridia. Having spent over a decade creating one of the most large scale immersive festival experiences in the world,

Luminarium arrives on 4 August Credit: Stephen Wright See Monster coming to Weston-super-Mare

the team wanted to expand and diversify their creative potential by establishing a year round arts and events venue where audiences can experience the work in a non-festival environment. wakethetiger.com

n 4 –14 August, in and around Bristol Bristol Light Festival presents: Luminarium, a free, family-friendly immersive experience in Bristol this August. Enter a world of wonder when the world-famous inflatable domes filled with natural light and colour visit the city. Taking inspiration from natural forms, Islamic and Gothic cathedrals and modern architecture, the Luminarium is a sunlightpowered sensory experience featuring kaleidoscopic colours, domes, tunnels and pods for all the family. bristollightfestival.org

n Until 20 August, Insane Roots Theatre A wedding celebration disrupted by a dangerous elopement, warring fairies, a band of ambitious performers and the most famous donkey in theatre history. Shakespeare’s iconic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream bursts into life this summer in a hidden corner of Bristol. This vibrant new open-air adaptation will transport audiences to Athens for a wedding celebration like no other. Adapted by the company and featuring an ensemble of nine performers playing multiple roles, direction from Hannah Drake, integrated acapella harmonies from Ellie Showering, immersive lighting design by Edmund McKay, and dynamic site-responsive design from Katy Hoste. insaneroot.org.uk

n Until 31 August, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm Elephant Parade® combines art, conservation, education and of course lots of fun. The herd of 26 decorative elephants will form a trail over the 100 acres of beautiful North Somerset countryside for visitors to explore and discover. Each sculpture has been created by local and international artists to raise awareness of the need for global elephant conservation. noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk