WHAT’S ON

MUSIC AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park

Enjoy live jazz/funk/soul/swing at Green Park Brasserie on Weds and Thurs from 6.30–8.45pm and Fri and Sat from 6.30–9.45pm. Music includes dynamic duos, modern trios and a Hot Club style quintet. greenparkbrasserie.com

GARDEN SCULPTURE TRAIL

Until 31 May n The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Down

The Garden Sculpture Trail features 40 unique sculptures from British artists and designers. The contemporary abstract sculptures are made from a range of stone, metal and glass, and will be artfully arranged in the beautiful spring gardens. Curated by Andrew Illingworth. americanmuseum.org

EXHIBITION: AMERICA IN CRISIS

Until 4 July n The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Down

The American Museum & Gardens are hosting a major American photography exhibition on its first and only showing outside of London. The exhibition features over 80 photographs from 39 top American artists – both contemporary and historic – as well as an interactive immersive experience that explores image classification and consumption. americanmuseum.org

RICHES OF THE EARTH: THE BEAUTY OF MINERALS

Until 7 October n Bath Royal and Literary and Scientific Institution, 16–18 Queens Square, Bath Riches of the Earth reveals the beauty of minerals through the astounding forms and vibrant colours of more than a hundred carefully selected specimens from the BRLSI collection. The exibition is free to attend. brlsi.org

28 April –1 May n Locations across Bristol and Bath

The Festival of Nature team and partners have put together an exciting programme of free family-friendly nature events, including expert-led wildlife walks, at beautiful outdoor locations across the West of England region, including Bristol and Bath. Help put your local nature on the map this Spring. citynaturechallenge.org.uk

U3A MONTHLY TALK: DROPPING THE HABIT | A NUN’S STORY

4 May, 9.45am n Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bathwick

As a young girl, Marion Dante always knew she would be a nun. In 1959, at the age of 14, Marion entered the Salesian Sisters Convent in Surrey. In 1965 she took vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. But Marion left the religious order –and this talk is about the how and why of the new life that she built. Admission is free for members but a donation of £2 for non-members. If you join U3A in Bath at the meeting then your admission fee is refunded. u3ainbath.uk

4 May –5 June n Aerospace Bristol, Haynes Way, Patchway Luke Jerram’s Mars will be stunningly displayed alongside the last Concorde ever to fly in this exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of Europe’s first mission to Mars, with models of the Mars Express Orbiter and the Beagle 2 lander also on display. Measuring seven metres in diameter, Mars features detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. aerospacebristol.org

A ROYAL CELEBRATION CONCERT

5 May, 7pm n Bath Abbey

A concert celebrating the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III including Parry’s I was glad, Let the people praise thee by Mathias, and Handel’s Zadok the Priest. The Melody Makers join the Abbey choirs of Boys, Girls and Lay Clerks in a glorious evening of Royal music. Tickets £22, £17 and £10 (16s and under half price) from bathboxoffice.org. Visit the Abbey website to discover more coronation events. bathabbey.org

CORONATION SPECIAL SUPPER CLUB

5 May, 7.30pm n Iford Manor Estate, near Bradford on Avon

A wonderful evening full of delicious food and music to be enjoyed with friends. Sevencourse tasting menu comprising favourite foods of King Charles III. To include a welcome glass on arrival. A list of accompanying wines by the glass or bottle will be available on the night (separately charged). Homemade and sustainably sourced from the Iford Manor Estate | £75 per person. Visit the Iford Manor website for the full menu, timings and to book. ifordmanor.co.uk

HOLBURNE MUSEUM PLANT SALE

7 May, 10.30am–2.30pm n Holburne Museum, Bath

Enjoy teas, coffees and homemade cakes, as well as specialist stalls selling plants and related products. There will also be expert advice from the Friends Plants Stall. holburne.org

BINOCULAR AND OPTICS SHOW

12 May, 10am –3.30pm n Chew Valley Lake, Walley Lane, Chew Valley, Bristol BS40 8XS

This binocular and telescope show organised by the London Camera Exchange takes place on the lawn of Car Park No. 2 overlooking the Chew Valley Lake. An opportunity to ‘try and buy’ the latest binoculars and telescopes from leading manufacturers including Hawke, Opticron, Swarovski, Nikon, Vortex and Zeiss. Special offers available on the day; part exchange prices offered for quality used gear. lcegroup.co.uk/events

SABOTAGE BY NOFIT STATE CIRCUS

13 May –2 June n The NoFit State Big Top, Wilson Street, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 9HH

SABOTAGE is another full-on, boisterous, and audaciously fierce performance, bringing a darker, grittier, and more subversive edge to NoFit State’s trademark large-scale contemporary circus spectacular. Back in the Big Top with incredible new acts, original music, new apparatus and a more theatrical feel, SABOTAGE challenges the status quo. Suitable for children. £24£17. nofitstate.org/sabotage

Friday 12 May, from 5pm

With ten days of live events celebrating music and books, The Bath Festival kicks off on 12 May with Party in the City, an evening of free music in dozens of city centre venues.

Musicians, poets, bands and choirs will perform in more than 30 venues and music will ring out from churches and chapels including Bath Abbey and St Michael’s Without. Enjoy performances at museums and galleries, including The Holburne Museum, Victoria Art Gallery and BRLSI. Pubs and bars, cafes and shops will all be hosting live events throughout the evening. Bring the family and enjoy the party atmosphere as thousands gather for a joyful celebration that marks the opening of the Bath Festival, this year marking its 75th anniversary. As well as music indoors there will be a stage and stalls in Queen Square as well as entertainment in Parade

POLARI SALON: PAUL BURSTON, JOELLE TAYLOR & MISS HOPE SPRINGS

17 May, 7.30pm

RICKY COOL AND THE IN CROWD PRESENT – A NIGHT AT THE FLAMINGO

20 May, 8pm n Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath

Take a trip back in time to Soho’s iconic music venue of the early 1960s, with Ricky Cool and the In Crowd. Red Hot Rhythm and Blues and Soul, Ska and Bluebeat, just as it was at the Flamingo’s legendary Friday and Saturday ‘All Nighter’ sessions. Tickets £15/£17 chapelarts.org

THE ARTS SOCIETY BATH LECTURE: THE EXPLOSIVE WORLD OF CORNELIA PARKER

15 May, 11.30am n Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath, and live-streamed

Contemporary sculptor and installation artist

Cornelia Parker is known for her large-scale installations like Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View where she took a garden shed, had it blown up and then installed the debris around a light bulb with the effect of an explosion frozen in time To book a place as a guest (£10 in venue or £7 on Zoom) please contact bath@theartssociety.org by 12 May theartsocietybath.com

ELMWOODS: BATH VALUATION DAY

16 May, 10.30am–6.30pm n Bath Scouts, 7 Grove Street, Bathwick BA2 6PJ

Come and recieve free, no-obligation expert valuations for fine jewellery, watches, designer handbags and fashion. Zero fees for selling. elmwoods.co.uk n Komedia Bath, 22-23 Westgate Street London’s award-winning literary salon Polari –a celebration of LGBTQ+ words and voices –comes to Bath. Polari Salon founder, Paul Burston kicks off the evening followed by a spoken word performance from TS Eliot Prize winning poet Joelle Taylor and the spell-binding singing of Miss Hope Springs. Tickets £9–£22.50. komedia.co.uk

CONCERT FOR THE PEOPLE OF BATH WITH ESTHER YOO AND BATH PHILHARMONIA

18 May, 7.30pm n Bath Forum, 1A Forum Buildings

The Bath Festival’s annual Concert for the People of Bath returns with superstar Esther Yoo performing Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1, one of the fastest violin concertos in the world. A symphonic-sized Bath Philharmonia is joined by a choir of 120 young people and to complete the evening, Bath Phil present the theme tune to BBC’s The Apprentice and the vitality and epic power of Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite. £5.50–£33. bathfestivals.org.uk

DIGUARDO BOUTIQUE

19 May –10 June, Monday to Saturday, 10am–5pm and by appointment n DiGuardo Boutique, 21/22 Milsom Place, Bath

DiGuardo Boutique will be opening for a period at 21/22 Milsom Place, with beautiful summer collections and some great events. This independent store sells clothing and accessories curated from a handpicked selection of independent designers. It carries small collections with a unique sense of style. diguardoboutique.com

Gardens and at Green Park Station. The fun starts at 5pm and to help you plan your evening there is a programme flyer. bathfestivals.org.uk/the-bathfestival/whats-on-party-in-the-city/ Party in the City will be followed by ten days of events featuring Bath Philharmonia, Schools’ Voices, a choir made up of young people from 12 local schools, plus visits from Jeremy Bowen, Kaffe Fassett, Vince Cable, Fern Brady, Esme Young, Natalie Haynes and Gary Younge. bathfestivals.org.uk

ENTRIES INVITED FOR ALDRIDGES FINE

ART & ANTIQUES AUCTION ON 30 MAY

Entries invited until 20 May n Aldridges Fine Art & Antiques, Phoenix House, Lower Bristol Road, Bath Aldridges offer full valuation and estate dispersal services in Bath and the surrounding areas, and free pre-auction advice. From a single item, a private collection of specialist antiques, or an entire house contents. To include silver, jewellery, ceramics, glass, paintings, prints, clocks, antique, furniture and furnishings. Home visits also offered. aldridgesofbath.com

CASSIAN SCHMIDT: INSPIRED BY NATURE –THE NEW PERENNIAL MOVEMENT OF HERMANNSHOF

25 May, 7.30–9pm n University of Bath Gardening Club, Room 1 Level 1, East Building, East Car Park, University of Bath, Claverton Down New ground has been broken and international trends set at Hermannshof in Germany. Cassian explains the blend of ecology, artistry and imagination that produces an all-season kaleidoscope, inspired by nature but not copying it. Open to all; Membership £20, Visitors £6. ubgc.org

SHINDIG FESTIVAL

25–28 May n Dillington Estate, Ilminster TA19 9AG

This year’s Shindig headliners include Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge; and satirical news reporter (and comedy genius), Jonathan Pie. Other acts include London post-punk band, Warmduscher; the original queen of reggae music Dawn Penn; artist, producer and DJ Erol Alkan; top dog in reggae dance halls David Rodigan; DJ Norman Jay MBE; and BBC 6 music’s Huey Morgan. Tickets have a pay in instalments option. For the full line-up and tickets, visit shindigfestival.co.uk

U3A MONTHLY TALK: THE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NORTH SOMERSET COALFIELD

1 June, 9.45am n Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bathwick

A talk by Shane Gould, Head of Industrial Heritage Strategy at Historic England. Free for members; a donation of £2 for non-members. If you join U3A in Bath at the meeting then your admission fee is refunded. u3ainbath.uk

1–3 June n The Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN Come and enjoy a Great British family day out. The show will feature activities, demonstrations and entertainment; including fast-paced excitement in the Main Ring and an enhanced food hall experience. bathandwest.com/tickets

GARDEN DAYS OUT TOUR

2 June n Plaz Metaxu, meet at Tiverton Parkway Station at 11am; return at 3.30pm Plaz Metaxu, located in a Devon coombe, occupies a series of spaces that are signalled by sculptures and visual references to the classics, art, psychology and poetry. Developed over some 30 years by Alasdair Forbes, Plaz Metaxu has attracted much admiration for its horticultural excellence. Includes introductory talk, a garden tour and a picnic lunch. Travel to the garden is by coach. Tickets £140. gardensdaysout.com

AN HOUR IN FRANCE

4 June, 7.30–8.30pm n Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, Bath

Come on a musical journey across a country with a rich and complex musical history.

Countertenor Joe Levy and pianist Peter Adcock provide a concert exploring the classical tradition of French music.

From the Baroque decadence of Lully, to the romantic lullabies of Faure, each work tells a different story. Taking place within one hour, this is a lively snapshot of French classical music. Part of the Bath Fringe 2023. Visit bit.ly/hourinfrance for tickets

5 June, 11.30am n Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, and live-streamed Lecturer Jane Gardiner explores the contribution of Josiah Wedgwood to the history of world ceramics. To attend as a guest (£10 in venue or £7 on Zoom), reserve a place by emailing bath@theartssociety.org by 2 June. theartssocietybath.com

IFORD JAZZ FESTIVAL

29 June –2 July n Iford Manor

Iford Manor Jazz Festival 2023 is open for bookings! A series of jazz events over four days.Visit the Iford Manor Jazz Festival for more information. ifordmanor.co.uk

For more events and happenings visit: thebathmag.co.uk or subscribe to receive our weekend e-newsletter.