6 minute read
THE CITYist My
What’s your connection to Bristol and what makes the city so unique in your opinion?
First look inside We The Curious
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Bristol educational charity and science centre We The Curious has set out details of the multi-million-pound repair programme underway. The fire on 9 April 2022 was an extremely rare occurrence. A solar panel damaged by birds triggered a fault in the electrical system, which then resulted in the fire. While all staff and visitors in the building were safely evacuated within minutes and the fire damage was contained to the roof and solar panels, it took thousands of litres of hose water to extinguish the fire, which caused significant water damage and means the building remains closed almost a year on.
While there is still uncertainty around timings, the We The Curious team are now planning for the worst-case scenario of a reopening in January 2024 and ensuring they can continue to deliver their range of activities at locations around the city until then.
Donna Speed, We The Curious chief executive officer, said: “It is disappointing, but also a great reminder that We The Curious is more than just a wonderful venue; it’s the people, the joy of connecting and exploring ideas together.
So we’re going to be carrying on delivering our Out and About activities, Stories from the Stars, and School Takeover days, and the team are working on more brilliant activities for the coming year with our partners across the city.”
Since the fire, the team delivered more than 100 events and 12 school takeover days, reaching around 18,000 participants. The Easter holidays programme of events will be taking place in communities across Bristol and May half term will see the team back on Millennium Square for drop-in family activities.
• Formoreinformation, visit: wethecurious.org
I moved to Bristol about eight years ago after a bad breakup and I needed to create a fresh start. I love Bristol’s vibrancy, it’s so eclectic in everything from the people, to the food, to the art. I’ve created such strong connections in Bristol and met some of my best friends –and my fiancé! I find people in Bristol to be so friendly and full of love. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Tell us about your career so far, including some of the projects you’ve worked on in Bristol over the years...
I began to use art as a way to heal from trauma after I was diagnosed with a rare cancer in my early 20s. I’m really passionate about teaching others how art can help heal. I use my art as a storytelling tool. Creating art that is representative is hugely important to me too, as a child I never saw art featuring people who look like me, so it’s important that I do so.
I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing organisations over the years and to create some really meaningful pieces. My mural for Watershed is one of my favourite pieces as it’s on the waterfront and my characters are bright, bold and I love the message it sends about community. Another huge career moment for me was illustrating a book series. I love that it was written by a Black woman, about a Black woman and it was illustrated by a Black Woman. Shout out to Rising Arts Agency who have helped me innumerably.
Tell us about your main inspirations and the focuses in your work...
As a Digital Illustrator my work makes use of bold, bright, colourful designs and shapes. My main inspirations are Black bodies, in particular, Black women and that is the main focus in my digital work. We are often left out of mainstream narratives; however, the world would not move without Black women and I consider my work to ultimately be an homage to us.
Are you currently working on any Bristolbased projects? Can you tell us about anything coming up this year?
I’m doing a few illustrations for some magazines and newspapers in Bristol this month and I’m also working on some exciting things that will be coming out later this year –watch this space.
Where in Bristol do you go to be entertained/inspired?
There is always something exciting going on in Bristol. I find it easy to be inspired in this city. My favourite places include Arnolfini, Spike Island and the RWA –I often take myself on “Art Dates” when I’m feeling uninspired. I love open mic nights and anything live music-based. The Social, The Gallimaufry, Pipe and Slippers are all really great places for that.
What are you reading, watching or listening to at the moment?
I’ve just finished reading The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama. It’s about how to stay hopeful in uncertain times and how to connect with yourself and your communities when we need it the most. I highly recommend it.
If you could have dinner with anyone from any era, who would it be and why? Beyonce, Beyonce, Beyonce. She has always been a hero of mine and her music has gotten me out of a lot of dark places. She was the only artist I listened to during my cancer treatment and kept it me going.
What is your philosophy in life?
When in doubt, dance it out!
• lucyjturner.co.uk
W.E. Irish Culture Fest paints Bristol GREEN
W.E. Irish are inviting the city to join the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, with a calendar full of 35 events taking place between 10 –19 March. To close out the extensive programme of Irish cultural activities and events, the W.E. Irish CultureFest will parade through the streets of Bristol on St Patrick’s Day, culminating in an indoor and outdoor party to mark the occasion.
Meeting at Trinity Centre at 11:30am on Sunday 19 March, the parade will commence from 12:30pm, and make its way towards the city centre. The festivities will include a full day of music and dancing, featuring floats, dance performances, bands, street performers and more –continuing into the evening with a party shindig in and around St Nick’s Market.
From 2 –8pm at St Nicks, expect fiddles and folk to keep crowds entertained, with Irish jigs and river dancing encouraged. With 12 acts performing at 2pm in St Nick’s Market glass arcade, there will also be a heated and seated ticketed event later in the day, with live bands, dancers, musicians and more in Revolution Bar.
Ahead of the parade, a fringe festival of over 35 events will take place throughout the month, featuring a Ceilidh Dance night with the Perfect Cure Band at Bristol Folk House, dance classes, a Craic House comedy night and plenty more.
• For more information and to see the full programme, visit: weirish.org.
Images courtesy of W.E. Irish Culture Fest
Bristol Beacon announces reopening date
Bristol Beacon’s highly anticipated reopening on Thursday 30 November will be a cultural highlight of the year, revealing stunning new performance spaces including the 2000+ capacity Beacon Hall, the 500 capacity Lantern Hall and the brand new 200 capacity Weston Cellar.
Following the staggering transformation of the historic building, it’s time to get the date in the diary for the landmark occasion, with the full reopening programme set to be announced later this year.
Louise Mitchell, Chief Executive of Bristol Beacon explains: “We’re delighted to be able finally to confirm the reopening date. The team are busy putting the finishing touches to our opening season, where we will be showcasing a number of commissions and UK Premieres, and inviting all of our city’s communities into the Beacon to explore the new spaces, celebrating creativity and inclusivity in a way that only Bristol can. In the meantime, we’re delighted to announce we’ll be welcoming back some fantastic artists and festivals and put our first tickets on sale.”
Channel 4 calling Bristol
Channel 4 is looking for Bristol-based contestants to appear on Come Dine With Me. The show has been one of the most popular daytime shows since it hit our TV screens in 2005 and is currently casting for its 21st series. The application form states: “A group of five contestants compete to host the best dinner party. At the end of each dinner party, each guest rates the party on a scale of one to ten inclusive. At the end of the last party, the host of that party gets the voting results, which they read to the other competitors. The competitor with the highest score wins £1,000. In the event of a tie, the £1,000 is split between the winning contestants.”
In order to be eligible to participate in the programme, you must be aged at least 18 years of age, be a legal resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and also be currently living in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
• If you’re up for the challenge of hosting the ultimate dinner party, apply at: channel4.com/4viewers/take-part/come-dine-me
Images courtesy of Channel 4
Ahead of revealing the full reopening programme, some of the first events to take place in the transformed venue have been revealed, including the return of Simple Things Festival for its 10th edition after a five-year hiatus. The multi-disciplinary festival will be revealing line-up and ticketing details in the coming months.
Bristol favourites This Is The Kit will also play their first Beacon Hall concert on 3 February 2024, marking their biggest show in the city to date. Kate Stables, the brains behind the band, delivers intricate lyrics and plucky strings to create her own brand of folk that has won plaudits from BBC 6 Music and countless critics. The show represents a continuation of the ‘Bristol Beacon presents’ in-house programme that has seen the Beacon work with over 40 venues during the five-year refurbishment.
To keep up to date with more news and reopening announcements, including ticket details for these first shows, sign up to the Bristol Beacon newsletter at bristolbeacon.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
• bristolbeacon.org